Stars and Roses ✓

𝐕.

A happy ending for her, but not for him.

✧*。

YAMAGUCHI impatiently tapped his foot as the elevator went up from one floor to another. He's been restless ever since he got a word that Yachi had undergone a surgery when he went home the other day. After the event, he was forced to rest before going to the hospital. Perhaps, he really needs it before he sees his lover again.

'I hope that she is already awake.' He thought, running out when the elevator stopped at his desired floor. He practically walk-run his way in his lover's room. He calmed himself as he slides the door open. All eyes are on him. He noticed that the whole team, and some of Yachi's colleagues were there. He awkwardly stood there for a few second until his lover calls his name.

"Yamaguchi-kun! Have you rested well?" There she is. Sitting on the hospital bed with a cup of what seemed to be tea in her hands, smiling at him.

Their eyes met, however his heart sank. Her eyes no longer hold the same spark that he used to see before. And her smile, it wasn't the same sweet smile that was only for him. He just stood there, not uttering a word.

"A-ah! I remember that we have somethings to do at the office! We'll visit you later, Yachi-san!" Her colleagues awkwardly bids their good bye, and the team also followed; saying nonsensical alibis when everyone knows that they were giving them some time together. Once they all left, Yachi spoke once again.

"This room holds too much space for you to just stand at the doorway, Yamaguchi-kun." She giggled.

He just stared at her, how can those dull eyes hold a sweet smile that he adore too much?

"Would you sit down if I continue my story about the rose and the star?" She offered, hopeful to talk to him once again. Her feelings might be gone forever, but she still wants to end things nicely. After all, she once loved him dearly.

Reluctant but curious, he sat in a chair near her bed. Yachi finished her tea before speaking. "The white rose never sees her beauty, but the star keeps on giving her his small light. She gradually sees her beauty even though she thought she was plain. She asked him, "How can I repay you?"; the star replied with "With undying love.""

Fiddling the handle of the teacup, she smiled. "The rose did what she was told. After all, that star with the littlest light was everything to her. He helped her grow, and he was the reason how she's head to head with the other flowers in the field." Looking at his eyes, she continues "But everything must come to an end."

"She notices the distance between them but never the feeling that he's slowly drifting away. Her realization was late, seeing the star is already far away."

Yamaguchi's heart is pounding in his chest.

"You were so close yet so far, Yamaguchi." She smiles. "I couldn't ask you to stay, I couldn't do anything--thinking I will only get in the way of your hapiness."

Tears were brimming in the corner of his eyes.

"A month ago, I caught the hanahaki disease."

He cried. Tadashi Yamaguchi cried.

"The day you visited me, was the day where I undergo the surgery."

He sobbed. He's stupid. He's so fucking stupid.

"You never meant to fall out of love, Tadashi. It was also my fault because I had every little time to get you to love me again but I didn't do it." Spreading her arms, she asked "Hug?" He nods as he went to hug her. Sobbing he muttered, "I love you."

"I loved you too, Tadashi."

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃.