Chapter 26:

Whispers of Redemption. [End of volume 1]

Echoes of love: A second chance. [UNDER RECONSTRUCTION]

"Echoes of Love: A second chance."

[Chapter 26 Start]

I visited the hospital that the officer coordinated

I saw a nurse and asked her the whereabouts of Aoi:

"Hello, Excuse me. Do you happen to know where my friend is admitted? Her name is Aoi Mei."

I asked in a hurry.

"Oh! You're the friend of the girl who the police admitted recently. she's at XXX."

"Thank you."

I sprinted as fast as I could toward the ward in which Aoi was residing.

I clenched the door handle tightly but wasn't able to open the door. I was scared of what I might see. I was scared to see what had happened because of me. The feeling of guilt was quite intense. Yet I knew I shouldn't back out now that I have decided to approach her.

I opened the door.

She was sitting as she flipped through the pages of her favorite manga. Her eyes were the same.

Although she was covered in bandages. It didn't feel like she was near death at all.

I couldn't stop gazing at her.

As she looked at me, Her eyes widened with surprise.

Tears rolled out of her eyes as she dropped the manga she was holding. A big smile appeared on her face as she murmured:

"You're here."

I sprinted to her and hugged her tightly, crying as loudly as I could.

Surprisingly to me, she also cried loudly while hiccuping and sobbing uncontrollably.

We were like that for a solid moment.

A few moments later.

"I'm glad to see that you're doing alright."

"Do I look like I'm alright?"

"You may not physically, but I can feel it."

She smiled at my reply:

"Thank you."

It surprised me.

"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. You were the only reason I kept fighting and willing to live. Without you, I may have killed myself long ago... Thank you."

I held her hand.

"I only realized How much I wanted to after you were away. I don't know how much I care for you. I won't let this moment go to waste.

I love you,"

As I went ahead, she didn't resist.

Our lips touched.

"I love you too."

[Chapter 26 End]

[Volume 1 End]

[Note from Author:]

You can count this as the end of volume 1. Although, I won't take a break.

The next chapter will be out when I fix all the previous chapters. Or if I change my mind, This note would change.

and yes,