24 Hours

Injection

Tsukishima sat there, motionless. Quiet. Lost for words.

People say he's numb and emotionless to everything, but it's not exactly true. He feels things- he just keeps them better hidden. And now, he's feeling the emotions of confusion and anger and shock swirling around him. He's feeling like the world is going to end any second now.

Tsukishima looked at his friend's face. It was pale and hallowed out, sick and tired. He wondered why couldn't he be able to tell Yamaguchi was sick earlier. Maybe if he'd been smarter or nudged Yamaguchi to tell him more information, he would have known. If he knew earlier, he would have had more time. If he had more time, he could do more things with Yamaguchi. They could have don everything they had ever wanted to do, instead of doing the same old thing.

Time.

He wanted- no- he needed more time. He couldn't believe how less he had with Yamaguchi.

Tsukishima slowly faced Dr. Ara. "Is there really nothing you can do?" he said softly.

"Well-" Dr. Ara paused, "I'm sorry to say, there isn't... However, we have something we give to all dying patients on their last day."

Tsukishima scoffed. "Don't tell me it's some stupid teddy bear or a coupon-"

"No," Dr. Ara said. He looked from Tsukishima to Yamaguchi. "It's to expand your life longer. Just for 24 hours."

"Tsuki," Yamaguchi said quietly from his bed. Tsukishima's heart was beating wildly when Yamaguchi spoke, nervous that his friend was wasting energy just by speaking.

"I thought you were smart," said Yamaguchi, a hint of a jovial tone to his words. Tsukishima returned a small smile, though he was afraid it was more of a grimace given the circumstance. "We read about this in the newspaper about two years ago. It's famous- how could you forget it?" Yamaguchi paused to take a deep breath, and Tsukishima felt his stomach twist nervously. "The injection?"

"Injection?" Tsukishima asked, and Yamaguchi and Dr. Ara both nodded. "Wait, Glytheron?"

"Yes," Dr. Ara answered calmly. "The patient is shot with this medicine called Glytheron where it puts them to sleep until 12 a.m. Once 12 a.m hits, the patient wakes up, completely healthy. But only for 24 hours. Once the day is over, will the patient finally die."

"24 hours," Tsukishima said quietly, twisting his fingers together.

"24 hours," repeated Dr. Ara, nodding. "Spend the last day wisely. Do the things you wish to do. Say goodbye to your relatives and friends." He scowled. "And please be careful. The patient can still die or get hurt under Glytheron. Glytheron doesn't protect you from everything- just the sickness."

Tsukishima nodded numbly. The words were flying in his brain, jumbled, but he heard everything clearly. He simply felt behind in time- like he still couldn't believe what was going on. He was in utter disbelief. He got it: more time. But was it enough? Enough to do everything they would want to do on Yamaguchi's last day.

"Only 24 hours?" Tsukishima found himself asking. "Can't it last longer? Can't he take two doses...?"

"I'm afraid any more than a single dose is an overdose, and Yamaguchi will die instantly if he does." Dr. Ara stood up and headed towards the door. "I will go get the Glytheron to show you two gentlemen. I believe you two have much to talk about."

The door shut behind him, and Tsukishima found himself staring at the door, afraid to look at Yamaguchi. He suddenly felt a cold, yet comforting touch, and his eyes widened. Tsukishima turned back slowly and saw that Yamaguchi had grabbed onto his finger.

"I want to do it, Tsukki," Yamaguchi whispered, his eyes shining with fresh tears. "I need to be able to get out of here and say goodbye to everyone and-"

"Don't talk like you're dying!" Tsukishima muttered, clenching his free hand into a fist.

"I am dying!" Yamaguchi said, his voice rising. It reminded Tsukishima of when Yamaguchi yelled at him about pride in volleyball. "The doctor said so, and you and I both know there's no escaping it." He took a deep breath after and sunk back into his pillows.

Tsukishima clenched his jaw so hard that it hurt. "I can't just let you go. It won't happen... it can't."

"We both knew it was coming," Yamaguchi said softly.

"But so soon?"

There was a moment of silence; both of them still having their fingers interlocked, both of them lost in their thoughts.

Finally Tsukishima said: "So do you accept it?" He paused. "Death?"

"I knew it was coming."

"But do you accept it?" He repeated.

Yamaguchi scowled and looked away. "I don't know," he said bitterly.

At that moment, the door opened once again, and in walked in Dr. Ara. He was holding a small case which he settled in front of us on the counter besides Yamaguchi's bed. He opened up the case, and it revealed a syringe with a dark blue liquid. I eyed it warily.

"Now," said Dr. Ara, lifting the syringe up to Yamaguchi, "this is Glytheron." He looked at both of them. "And have you two talked it over? Will you be taking Glytheron?"

Yamaguchi met Dr. Ara's eyes firmly, and he nodded.

"And the terms are understood?"

This time, the two friends both nodded.

"Very well," said Dr. Ara. "See you at 12 a.m."

"Wait-" Yamaguchi blurted in a raspy voice.

Dr. Ara drew the syringe back from Yamaguchi's eye and raised an eyebrow. Yamaguchi turned towards Tsukishima, a hand extended. Tsukishima didn't hold people's hands. But this was his best friend- his dying best friend. He took it willingly.

"Be here when I wake up?" Yamaguchi asked quietly.

Tsukishima smiled softly at Yamaguchi. "I will," he promised. "We'll have the best 24 hours of your life."

The syringe shot into Yamaguchi's neck.

He went unconscious.

(A/N: Obviously, Glytheron is not a real thing. I really hope I explained what is is well enough. To anyone here, I can't thank you enough. I hope you enjoy, and feel free to leave below suggestions!)