Hirota Hina: Happy Birthday, Thank you, Goodbye

“Hina, surprise guest finally here!”

“Who…?”

Takeda senpai come toward us along with someone we know very well.

“Hiroshi, what are you doing here?”

“They are asking me to come here. How is your date today, neesan?”

“I’m really enjoy date today.”

“Hiroshi, I will pass baton to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“After this, there are dolphin show will be hold. You should watch that with Hina.”

“Why, Youta? Did you don’t want to watch me?”

“ I think it’s better for you to watch with Hiroshi, Hina. Takeda senpai and I will waiting both you in the car.”

“Neesan, do you want to watch dolphin show with me?”

“If it’s fine with you, Hiroshi!”

“Have fun, Hina, Hiroshi! Takeda senpai, should we have date on our own?”

“Let’s go, Arima!”

Takeda senpai and I go to the car while Hiroshi and Hina spend their time together watching dolphin show.

“Arima, how is your date today?”

“I think it’s nice. There are many things that I learnt today.”

“Really? I hope Hina have fun too today.”

“True…”

“Why you look so sad, Arima?”

“Nothing. How the preparation for ‘that’?”

“When I arrive there, they almost done with preparation.”

“Okay.”

One hour later, Hiroshi and Hina were walking out from aquarium. They look so happy. I think the dolphin performance is over.

“Hiroshi, where do you want to sit?”

“I will sit in passenger seat. Youta, you should sit with neesan at the back.”

“Sit with me, Youta!”

“Okay.”

In the car, Hiroshi is sleeping. Takeda senpai is busy with driving.

“Youta, thank you for today.”

“You are welcome, Hina.”

“I mean today’s date is so fun. But, when Hiroshi come earlier, I not expected that.”

“It will not be surprised if I told you first.”

“That’s why I feel so happy today. I feel I can die happily.”

“You should watch your mouth, Hina.”

“Why? Look, I know that I can’t live long.”

“You should not give up earlier. Maybe miracle will happen to you.”

“Really? Youta, can you promise with me?”

“What is it?”

“Can you take care of Hiroshi if something happens to me?”

“I will try to keep the promise. But I also want you promise me?”

“What do you want?”

“Never stop smiling until the end. Your face now looks like you have given up for everything.”

“Do you like my smile?”

“At least it made the mood better.”

“Okay!”

We finally went back to the hospital. The sky slowly turns dark when we arrive there. I push the wheelchair with Hina sitting on it. Hiroshi said the doctor needed to see him. We go back to Hina’s room first. When we open the door,

“Happy birthday Hina!!!!”

“What is this? Did you guys planned this today?”

“Yes, Hina! With your brother’s help, we try to decorate a bit this room without changing it too much. We also must ask permission from the nurse too if we clean it later. Right, Minami-san?”

“Yes, Eri senpai! By the way, Akemi senpai should come by now. Where is she?”

Then, the door is open.

“Happy birthday to you!! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Hirota Hina!! Happy birthday to you!!”

“Happy birthday Hina! Hope you like this cake!”

“Did you bake the cake yourself?”

“Yes!”

“Hiroshi, did you plan this with them?”

“I did not expected this to happen. But I try to make neesan’s birthday more fun. That’s why I invited them. Mom and dad will be here too, but they will be late due to their delayed flight.”

“I miss them! I want to see mom and dad quickly!”

“Hina, do you have anything to said before blow the candle?”

“First of all, thank you for this birthday party! Although we just met last summer, you all treat me so nicely. I don’t know how to repay this kindness. I wish for one thing. Happiness!”

She blows the candy softly. We invite the nurse who always attends to Hina every day to this small party. She was very happy to receive the invitation.

“Hina-san is your date today?” ask nurse whose name is Matsuoka-san.

“I feel so happy, Matsuoka-san!”

“Did you feel anything weird or hurt somewhere on your body?”

“I feel alright!”

“Okay. But I need to make a check up on you later to ensure everything is okay. For now, enjoy yourself.”

“Okay, Matsuoka-san!”

The party started with Hina cutting the cake. Minami and Fujimiya senpai have prepare some performances. They sing songs that are popular nowadays. It’s been a long time since I have heard Minami singing since high school days. Takeda senpai also try to make magic performance but not everything goes smoothly. There are some tricks that did not work well. We are laughing so hard because of that. As the closing act, Hiroshi and I try to sing Hina’s favorite song. I am playing guitar while Hiroshi is singing. This song is quite sad, and its lyrics are poetic. My tears start to fall again as I play guitar. This is the second time I have cried today. After the party is over, we clean the place.

“Hina-san, now I will do medical checkup on you.”

“Before that can I talk with Hiroshi first? I have something to talk with him. I promise it will not be long.”

“Okay.”

“Can everyone let me alone with Hiroshi?”

“Guys let’s wait outside. Hiroshi, if you need us, just call us later.”

“Alright Youta.”

“Hina-san, if you feel unwell, please quickly tell me.”

“Okay, Matsuoka-san!”

All of us are waiting outside except Hina and Hiroshi. Maybe Hina has something to tell Hiroshi, that’s why she asks us to leave them alone. But then, we can heard a bit of their conversation from outside.

“What is it neesan?”

“What?”

“No, you have something to talk with me, right?”

“It just a lie. By the way, thank you for today! I can say this is one of my best birthday parties I ever had!”

“As long neesan happy.”

“Mom and dad, when will they come?”

“They are still stuck in traffic jam now. Maybe around thirty minutes later, they will arrive here.”

“Really? It’s too late then…”

“But we can prepare this party again after mom and dad come later. I will ask nurse to allow us to make a second party.”

“Hiroshi, what is the difference between that moon and me?”

“Can you stop saying that thing?”

“Come on just answer me?!”

“I don’t know the answer.”

“The difference is the moon will gone when morning comes. But I will not gone from your heart forever.”

“I hope that you will stop saying that kind of things again after this.”

“No way! After this, you will no longer hearing this kind of things.”

“What do you mean? I will always hear that tomorrow, even…... next week….or…... next month. I will not stop hearing it.”

“Why are you crying…. Hiroshi?”

“You are crying too, neesan! What about your red nose? And why you are smiling brightly now?”

“There is a person who asks me to never stop smiling. Hiroshi, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Can you stay by my side until the end?”

“Of course!”

“Thank you, Hiroshi. Thank you for becoming my brother.”

“You are welcome, neesan! Tomorrow, what will we do?”

“.”

“How about….we continue watch that drama from last week. Neesaan….you really like….that….drama….right?”

“.”

“Neesan….”

“.”

“Can….you….tell….me….that….cheesy…line….again? Should….I….do….that…...? Okay….I….will….try….it!”

“.”

“What…is….the….differenc-….I…can’t do this…!! Neesan….you….should….not….sleep….now!”

“.”

We can heard the conversation between Hina and Hiroshi from outside. Takeda senpai try to calm down Fujimiya senpai from crying. Tears were clearly falling on Minami’s face as she hurriedly went to the toilet. Akemi senpai can’t stop crying while burying her face in my shoulder. There is too much emotion I feel now. Maybe that’s why I am crying now. Then, the door suddenly opened. Hiroshi is come out from the room. Hiroshi looks emotionless now. How should I comfort him? A man and a woman are rushing toward us.

“Hiroshi!”

“Mom and dad?”

“Where is Hina?”

“Mom, she is….”

“What do you mean by that?”

As they can’t believe it, they enter the room. After that, we can heard their grieving. If only they make it in time. Is all this fate’s fault? Why can’t fate make them happy? The rain suddenly starts pouring as it knows what is happen now. The air has become much heavier than before.

“Matsuoka-san, can you inform this to medical staff?”

“I will go…now!”

“Hiroshi, where are you going now?”

“I want to be alone.”

“If you need anything, call me.”

He did not reply to me as he showed his back and left the scene to go somewhere. I want to go to the toilet to wash my face. At toilet, I look at the mirror. My eyes are so red. My nose too. It’s been a while since I am crying so much like this. My phone is ringing. Hiroshi is calling me.

“What is it Hiroshi?”

“Thank you, Youta.”

“Why you thank me suddenly?”

“You know, become my friend.”

I sense something weird now.

“Where are you now?”

“Rooftop.”

“What are you doing there in this rain?!”

“I feel I will be happy if I end all this.”

I am rushing from the toilet and running toward the rooftop.

“Where are you going now, Arima-kun?”

“I will explain it later, Saito senpai. I need to stop that stupid!”

I hope that things will not happen.

“Hiroshi, are you still there?!”

“Yes.”

“Please Hiroshi! Don’t do stupid things!”

“I can’t. Youta, once again thank you and tell your friends too, I really appreciate their help today. tell my mom and dad to always take care of their health. Goodbye my friend-“

I no longer hear Hiroshi’s voice. It is happening again. When I opened the door to rooftop, there was nobody there except Hiroshi’s shoe. My leg gives way beneath me. It really happened again.

“I thought we were best friends, Youta. I never thought that you would done this to me.”

“Wait, Kojima! All of this are misunderstanding!”

“I think this is the end of our friendship. Thank you for being become my friend. Goodbye. ”

I let out my scream from the depth of my lungs. Without realizing, I slam my head against the floor nonstop. I feel so frustrated. I feel so angry. I feel so sad. All these mixed emotions are controlling my heart. Should I end this too? With my weak leg, I try to drag myself toward the rail. I look down and it’s high. I think this height is good enough. Okay. Goodbye.