The Beginning Of Their Spring (2)

Tender, weak, and frail. Such is the condition of Asako. Her usually healthy bright skin has turned slightly pale. Lying on the hospital bed, her eyes are still closed.

Her chest heaves up and down delicately; the room is filled with the faint sound of her breathing. It is peaceful, quiet, and grave—it doesn't suit her at all.

Human body is complicated yet weak. We have learnt many things about it, and try our best to keep it healthy. Still, no one can beat nature—or is it no one can beat fate?

I don't believe in fate, despite what has happened to me. Still, there are miraculous things no one can explain. Such as my reincarnation, and what is happening to Asako.

Every living things get to experience mutation. No matter how insignificant it is, mutation happens. In Asako's case, her blood cells have undergone a DNA mutation. Due to that, the chain of command contained in the DNA is changed.

In result, her blood cells no longer growing and dying at the set rate; they grow and divide themselves endlessly. These bad blood cells then crowd out healthy blood cells, flooding the bone marrow.

It won't take long until they occupy the entirety of the bone marrow, and risk the life of the person having it. This disease is called Leukemia, and Asako is diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

It occurs during adulthood, and the symptoms often remain undetectable for months or years. Turns out, Asako has just found out about it not long ago, and now the symptoms are showing.

No one can understand what caused the mutation.

"This is what happens when you smoke too much." I click my tongue.

Then, after saying this I got reminded of my lovely Gorilla. I quickly develop an urge to call her. My phone is dialling, and it doesn't take long until she picks up her phone.

[Hachiman? Do you need something from me?]

"Yes, I need to hear your voice."

[...]

I don't know whether she is blushing or dying out of cringe, but either way I don't care. I was just saying the truth. What is the point of calling her if I can't hear her voice?

[...corny brat.] Judging by her voice, she must have been blushing earlier. [Seriously though, what is it?]

"What are you doing now?"

[It's coffee break now, so I'm having a coffee.]

"I think it isn't the time yet."

[...]

As expected of my lovely Gorilla. She acts the way she wanted. That is justified though. She doesn't have any class to teach, since school hasn't started yet.

"Well, it doesn't matter if you are taking 'early rest' right now. I just want to ask you something."

[Oh, yeah. Ask me.]

"Have you stopped smoking?"

[Seriously?] I can imagine she is glaring weirdly at the air. [I have stopped smoking months ago, since you keep pestering me with your healthy life tips.] She paused, then continues, [Besides, I don't need that harmful thing anymore, I have you.]

Before you, Four Dimensional Beings, thinking of something weird, I will provide an explanation.

We all know nicotine is a stimulant, therefore giving a calming effect to the brain. As you have also known, Shizuka was a desperate single woman who felt insecure about her status. Smoking is her way to distract her mind from those thoughts.

Upon meeting me, apparently, my insensitive ass comforts her so much, she starts thinking we are already engaged. Yes, she was that desperate to skip the "Introduction" part. Thus, she didn't need to distract her mind with cigarettes anymore.

Fortunately for her, I fell for her. So now that our marriage is only a matter of time, she can stop smoking for eternity.

"I see. I'm glad you listened to my advice."

[Hey, is your trust in me that shallow?]

"I trust nobody but myself!" I said that righteously; I'm true to myself!

[Right...] I'm sure her face is as deadpan as her tone.

"Anyway, if you ever feel the need to smoke, you better stomp that urge completely. It's not healthy."

[I know. I will never smoke again.]

"That's good. I can't have you ended up like Asako—she is diagnosed with leukemia."

[Leukemia? Wait, who is Asa—]

Beep!

Alright, that's the end of call.

I forgot I haven't told her anything about Asako. But, it should be fine, right? Asako is just my trainer, after all; I don't have an affair with her. Furthermore, Shizuka is an adult. I believe she won't pull a Yandere on me.

"You have no manner, don't you?"

At that voice, I turn my head to the person lying on the bed. Her eyes are already opened, and she is looking at me with her usual smirk.

"Well, I think I didn't say anything bad about you."

"Next time, you should make sure you are not talking on speaker. That is bothering the sick."

"Oh... I didn't realize that, to be honest. I mean, you were as good as dead. So, I unconsciously thought it would be alright." I shrug.

"You little shit."

Of course while having this banter, we are smiling among ourselves. None of us really mean what we said. I mean, none of us fully mean what we said.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

Asako quirks her eyebrow. "Well, how do I look?"

"You look like shit."

"Now, you know."

I shake my head in amusement. I can never really get bored, whenever I am with her.

"Can you help me up, Hachiman?"

I nod wordlessly, then approach the bedside. Slipping my hand below her back, I tenderly help her up.

Asako, being herself, slithers her hand behind me, and grabs my ass. Her smirk seems eternally etched on her face as she looks at me.

"Don't you like my ass too much?"

"I also like the other part. But, it is already reserved, isn't it?"

"Touché."

Click.

Suddenly, the door of the room is opened. Then, comes in a woman with blonde hair. She is Julia, and she is pissed currently.

"Verification? What kind of verification do I need to claim insurance? What is the point of having an insurance if you can't directly use it in times of emergency?! Unbelievable!"

The administration guy pissed her off with the "procedure" it seems.

Upon noticing our look, Julia clears her throat. "Kuhum! That was unsightly of me." She looks at Asako in worry, then assumes the duty of a doctor. "Did I bother you? How do you feel? Do you feel any discomfort? Any difficulty in your movement?"

"First, you didn't bother me. Second, I feel like shit. So, there is no need to explain my condition."

Julia sighs in relief. "I'm glad you are okay."

I know there is something wrong going on here. But, I ignore it. I believe Julia is referring to Asako's mental state. Since she can still act like her usual self, she is fine mentally.

Julia then looks at me, and nods her head in gratitude. "Thank you for paying the bill in advance. Asako will definitely pay you back."

I wave my hand wildly. "Nah, no need to thank me. It's just a couple of hundred thousands Yen. I have enough money to flood this hospital. Besides, it is Asako we are talking about. It's pretty much a lost cause already."

"Damn right!"

You shouldn't confirm it, Asako. Now, you make me want to charge you!

Still, I can somehow predict the outcome if I ask her to pay me back. She will say she can't pay it with money, thus she will pay me back with her body. Since I am a faithful soon-to-be husband to my soon-to-be wife, I won't do that.

But of course, Asako will likely rape me so she can "pay me back." I don't want that to happen.

Besides, Asako won't last long. I can see it.

Her health is deteriorating. When leukocytes finally overwhelms her system, it will be her end. That time won't come long. It is steadily closing.

Asako holds "Carpe diem" to her very core. Therefore, she won't take any treatment, and decides to enjoy the rest of her life instead. With this, her age will be shortened even further.

Not asking her to pay me back and keep acting like usual are the least thing I can do as a friend.

"What happened to you, Hachiman? You look more like a robot than usual!" Asako smirks.

I smile faintly, and reply, "I was thinking about your funeral. I will definitely be in the front row."

"I'm not dead yet, bastard!" She laughs.

I laugh too. But, it feels different. It feels like there is something missing—something feels empty.

Is it sadness?

It is so foreign and bizarre; I don't understand it. But, I know I secretly don't want Asako to die.

Emotion sucks!