Chapter 42: Let's face it Together

It was silent the whole time as we waited for any update on Yukino. The hall in front of the ICU room was dark, or was it dark? The place was well lit but it indeed felt dark to me. My eyes were sore from all the crying. By this time I would've expected someone to ask me for an explanation about Yukino but no one asked out of consideration for my feelings at the moment. 

It definitely felt like hours upon arriving here but to my surprise, only 37 minutes had passed. The doctor came out and right on cue, uncle did as well. Uncle asked us to wait by the main lobby so we left the two of them to talk as we waited for them by the seats in front of the hospital's counter. 

"Are you alright Aoi?" Asked Haruto looking really worried.

"What do I do if I lose Yukino now?" Said I, as I started to tear up once more, but this time I'm forcing myself to not cry.

"Shh, everything will be alright Aoi." Said Shin once again, hugging me tightly.

Uncle went back to pick us up and told us that Yukino's fine and told the group to come visit her. Uncle instructed them to go first without us so they followed his instructions without asking any questions. 

"Let's go for a smoke kid." 

 I followed uncle outside of the hospital to the designated smoking area. 

"Here." Uncle offered me a cigarette and we lit one together. 

"Yukino's fine for now, she's been treated already." Said uncle and I didn't say a word which seemed to surprise him. 

"I guess this is new to you but this isn't the first time this happened." 

"How bad is her condition?" Asked I.

"I'll be blunt but it's getting worse as days pass." 

"How much time does she have left?" 

"The doctor told me to get ourselves prepared-" 

"Just tell me already will you! How much time!" I realized that I shouted at uncle for the very first time so I contemplated as soon as I did it. "Sorry" 

"Don't be, I know how you're feeling. Couple of months." 

As soon as I heard those words come out of uncle's mouth, I leaned back on the wall behind me and all energy left my body so I slid back down on the wall as I dropped and sat on the asphalt to cry. With the cigarette still on my finger tips, I inhaled it with a lot more effort than what I would usually do that caused me to cough. 

"I'm going back to Yukino. I'll leave you here for a bit. Make sure you visit her with a smile when you come up." 

With a smile? How could I? I'm about to lose the girl I cherish so much and you're asking me to smile? Will I be able to do that? No. I have to. All of us are suffering here, not just me. Even uncle. But unlike me, he chose to be strong. I guess he's crumbling deep inside but he already made up his mind to be strong for Yukino. 

I lit another cigarette to calm myself before going to where the others were. 

Right when I arrived at the front door, I was nervous. All that went through my mind was how should I face Yukino? The others? 

I heard voices from inside laughing that made me wonder what's happening inside. I entered the room and there was Yukino lying on the bed with a bright smile as she was surrounded by the others. Uncle was by the window.

"Oh Aoi? What's with the long face? Aren't you-" 

Before Yukino was able to finish what she was saying, I had already rushed to hug her which made the room fall silent. 

"Aoi?" Remarked Yukino, surprised how I rushed to hug her.

I let go of the hug and started tearing up so she hugged me once again whispering to my ear "I'm okay Aoi, don't be so worried. I'll be telling them my condition now. Will you be here to hold my hand?" 

I assured her as she let go of the hug while still holding my right hand. 

"Guys, I know I owe you an explanation so please listen to me." Said Yukino as she gathered the attention of the room. Uncle read the room and went outside saying that he'll be going for a quick smoke.

As the room fell into a deep silence, Yukino started to grip my hand a little bit tighter than how she did a few seconds ago. She was shaking. 

"It's gonna be okay. Trust them." I whispered.

Yukino gasped for a deep breath and started explaining the whole situation to the group. All of them were surprised except for Hina who already knew of her condition.

Shin started crying as Haruto hugged her while the others let out a tear trying their hardest to not cry.

"I'm sorry if I kept this a secret to you guys. I didn't want you to worry too much. Until now I, never formed any deep relationships with anyone and you guys changed that. I cherish all of you more than you'll ever know. And I'm really sorry if I'll be leaving you soon. But until then, please be my company and let's have all sorts of fun we could ever have."

 Yukino started crying as Shin rushed to her for a hug and so did the others. 

"Let's enjoy everyday together Yukino!" Shouted Shin.

"I'll have you laughing all day." Said Haruto as Arata and Kaito nodded, still crying.

 "Let's enjoy every moment together, Yukino." Said Hina.

We let go of the hug and started settling down. Despite the sad future awaiting all of us, for some reason, I felt light. As if we'll be able to face tomorrow if all of us would face it together. I guess this is what friends are for. 

A few minutes later, we decided to go home to let Yukino rest. I stayed for a few minutes.

"How long will you be hospitalized?" 

"A week I think?" 

"I'll visit you everyday so better be prepared." 

Yukino smiled as she kissed me. 

"Kay! You go home and go back to work! Don't use this as an excuse to slack off!" 

I left the room waving one last time to Yukino as uncle entered the room to stay the night with her.

"I'll be going now uncle. Take care of her. I-I'm uh, I'm sorry about earlier." Said I while scratching the back of my head.

"Don't worry about it. You guys take care on your way home." 

I went outside and it seemed like Arata, Kaito and Hina had already gone home. Haruto and Shin were waiting for me at the entrance.

"Let's talk for a bit, Aoi." Said Shin.