CHAPTER 20: Fragility of life and the uncertainty of tomorrow

As Sana arrived home, the weight of her shattered heart felt unbearable. She stumbled through the door, her steps heavy with grief, and retreated to the solitude of her room. Each breath she took felt like a struggle, the pain of Akagi's rejection consuming her from within.

She ignored the concerned calls from her family, shutting herself off from the outside world as she grappled with the overwhelming waves of despair crashing over her. Suguru, her best friend and confidant, knocked softly on her door, his voice filled with worry as he pleaded for her to let him in. "Sana, please open up. I'm here for you," he said, his words laced with genuine concern.

But Sana remained silent, her heart too fragile to bear the weight of conversation. She couldn't bring herself to face anyone, not even Suguru, knowing that the pain she carried inside was too heavy to share.

Days passed in a blur of numbness and anguish. Sana withdrew further into herself, the walls of her room closing in around her as she battled with the demons of self-doubt and heartache. She couldn't find the strength to confide in Suguru, couldn't bear to burden him with the weight of her shattered dreams.

The day of the farewell to the seniors arrived, but Sana remained holed up in her room, her heart heavy with the burden of her unspoken pain. She couldn't bear the thought of putting on a brave face and pretending that everything was okay, not when her world felt like it was crumbling around her.

Outside her window, the sounds of laughter and chatter drifted in from the street below, a stark contrast to the silence that enveloped her room.

As Sana's days passed in a haze of sorrow, she found herself consumed by a profound emptiness that seemed to permeate every aspect of her being. The simple act of eating became a daunting task, her appetite vanishing along with her shattered dreams.

Her family, sensing her withdrawal, attempted to coax her out of her room with comforting words and warm meals, but Sana could only manage a few forced bites before pushing the food away, her stomach churning with a mixture of grief and nausea.

In the silence of her room, the hunger pangs gnawed at her insides, a relentless reminder of the void that had taken root within her. But even as her body grew weaker with each passing day, Sana couldn't muster the strength to nourish herself, the pain of Akagi's rejection weighing heavy on her heart.

She became a ghost of her former self, her days blending together in a blur of numbness and despair.

Despite Sana's reluctance to engage with the outside world, Suguru and her family persisted in their efforts to coax her out of her room. With gentle words of encouragement and unwavering patience, they slowly managed to break through the walls she had erected around herself, guiding her back into the light one step at a time.

Reluctantly, Sana allowed herself to be pulled from the confines of her room, though the weight of her grief still hung heavy around her shoulders. She sat with her family at the dinner table, her appetite still nonexistent but her presence a small victory in itself.

Suguru, ever the steadfast friend, remained by her side, offering silent support and a comforting presence that eased some of the ache in her heart. Though they didn't speak of the pain that lingered between them, the unspoken understanding that passed between them was enough to provide solace in the midst of their shared sorrow.

As the new school session began, Sana found herself facing the daunting prospect of returning to the place where her heart had been shattered into a million pieces. The hallways that once echoed with laughter and camaraderie now seemed cold and unforgiving, a constant reminder of the love she had lost.

 With each passing day, she summoned the courage to take small steps forward, gradually easing herself back into the routines of daily life.

One of the first steps on her journey to healing was returning to the track and field, a place where she had always felt at home. With Suguru by her side, she laced up her running shoes and stepped onto the familiar track, the rhythmic pounding of her footsteps echoing in the empty stadium.

But as she ran, Sana found a sense of solace in the simple act of moving forward, the wind rushing past her and the steady beat of her heart pushing her onward.

With each day that passed, Sana's strength and endurance grew, her body slowly adapting to the rigors of training once more. She poured her heart and soul into every workout, channeling her pain into her passion for running, determined to emerge from the darkness stronger than before.

 But as she poured her heart and soul into every workout, fate had other plans in store.

On a particularly humid afternoon, as Sana reached the midpoint of the track, her legs suddenly gave way beneath her. She stumbled, her breath catching in her throat as she fought to maintain her balance, but it was too late. With a cry of pain, she fell to the ground, her body wracked with exhaustion and despair.

Suguru, who had been running alongside her, rushed to her side in an instant, his face etched with concern. "Sana, are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with worry as he helped her to sit up.

But Sana could only shake her head, her breaths coming in shallow gasps as she struggled to regain her composure. The pain radiated through her body, a stark reminder of the physical toll her training had taken.

As Suguru helped her to her feet, Sana felt a sense of defeat wash over her. She had poured everything she had into her training, only to be met with frustration and disappointment. The darkness that had haunted her for so long seemed to close in around her once more, threatening to engulf her in its suffocating embrace.

After Sana's collapse on the track, Suguru wasted no time in informing her parents about the incident. Concerned for her well-being, they immediately took her to see the doctor, hoping for some reassurance that her injuries were minor.

The doctor conducted a thorough examination, his expression growing increasingly grave as he assessed Sana's condition. After ordering a series of tests, he instructed her to rest and await the results.

Days passed in anxious anticipation until finally, Sana's parents received a call from the doctor's office requesting their presence for a follow-up appointment. An air of unease settled over the household as they made their way to the doctor's office, their hearts heavy with apprehension.

As they sat in the waiting room, the minutes ticking by agonizingly slow, Sana's parents exchanged worried glances, their minds racing with a thousand unspoken fears.

When they were finally called in to see the doctor, they braced themselves for the worst, steeling their nerves for whatever news awaited them.

But nothing could have prepared them for the bombshell the doctor was about to drop.

"I'm afraid the test results are quite concerning," the doctor began, his voice grave and solemn. "It appears that Sana has been suffering from a serious medical condition that has gone undetected for some time."

Sana's parents exchanged bewildered looks, their minds reeling with shock and disbelief. How could their daughter be sick? She had always been so vibrant and healthy, her athletic prowess the envy of her peers.

The doctor continued, explaining the nature of Sana's condition and the implications it held for her future. His words hung heavy in the air, each one a painful reminder of the fragility of life and the uncertainty of tomorrow.