CHAPTER 20

“So, this is finally goodbye… Mirai.”

‘Can I really say goodbye and let go of her hands? Can I really just say goodbye like this? Can I really live without you beside me?’ These were the questions that were swarming in his mind ever since he came back to Miyu’s room.

He was still having his inner, mental battle with himself when he received a call from a frantic Suzuka-chan earlier…

*FLASHBACK*

Ryosuke then placed his hands over his face to cover his red, puffed eyes and his pink-tipped nose that resulted from too much crying. He then looked up at the skies afterwards before saying in a soft and gentle voice…

“So, this is finally goodbye… Mirai.”

He decided that it was better to finally bring her back home, because for all the times they were together, all he did was give her heartache after heartache.

He was still wiping his seemingly unstopping tears when his phone vibrated and he wouldn’t have answered it if not for the caller.

“S-Suzuka? Wh--”

“Yamada-kun! Miyu! Miyu! She’s--”

And without letting her finish whatever it was she wanted to say, he ran towards the hospital to where Miyu was.

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“What happened?” he was in panic the moment he entered Miyu’s hospital room. There were nurses inside assisting the doctor that was tending to her, while Suzuka was looking so pale as she stood staring at Miyu on the bed.

“I--I… I don’t… She… She woke up suddenly and shouted… s-something… She looked like she was in pain and she just lost consciousness… Yamada-kun… Miyu…” Suzuka looked back at Ryosuke who seemed also glued to his spot.

“What could have happened to her? S-she… Yamada-kun, will she be okay?” she asked as she walked closer to Ryosuke and looked at him with eyes full of worry… and fear.

“I’m scared for her… Yamada-kun, you will protect her, won’t you?”

Her words rung in his ears as if an echo… He looked at Suzuka who was now trying hard not to cry while looking at Miyu who was still unconscious.

‘Will I be able to protect her? Will I be able to take away her pain?’ he thought.

“Yamada-kun, she was calling for you… She was looking for you… I think, you’re the one she needs right now. You’re the only one who can protect her right now…” Suzuka said softly.

“What happened?!” it was Chinen and Umika who suddenly entered the room and they looked flustered as if they ran from a distance to get there.

Suzuka was about to tell them what happened when the door suddenly opened again followed by a worried Yuto. And upon seeing the guy, Suzuka suddenly frowned and clenched her fists.

“Mirai…” he whispered as he came closer to them.

“What happened? What’s happening to her? She was--”

“Nakajima… Who really are you?” Suzuka then spoke in a deep, somewhat angry voice that took everyone by surprise. Especially Yuto.

“Suzu-chan?” Umika called her softly and tried to touch her but before she was able to do it, Suzuka spoke once again.

“Nakajima… I want to talk to you.” and with that she walked out the room. And Yuto, who was still a bit shocked from how he was treated, couldn’t do anything else but to follow.

*END OF FLASHBACK*

“Miyu… I…” need you.

Ryosuke was sitting beside Miyu’s bed as he was holding her hand like it was his lifeline.

“Ryo…?” he sighed deeply the moment he heard her voice. Mariya.

“The doctor said that she must be too stressed from over-thinking. And it won’t be good if she keeps pushing herself to remember. Mariya, please--”