I Do Not Dream Of Eating Your Pancreas (IWTEYP x Seishun Buta Yarō)

Chapter 20: Opposites Attract

"If I told you I was really afraid of dying, what would you do?"

For some reason, her question from our night in the hotel stuck in my mind as we sat on that bench. I looked over to Sakura, who had yet to say what was on her mind. Caressing her hand, she finally looked over to me.

"This may sound a little crazy, but considering what you went through maybe it would sound so crazy." Sakura took a deep breath before continuing.

"Lately I've started having these dreams, where it feels like I'm seeing different possibilities. I dreamed that you had tried to tell me what was going on, but I ran away from you. I dreamed that none of this had ever happened, and that I was gone. But you had finally gotten along with Kyoko and that made me a little happy to see."

Her voice wavered, her grip on my hand tightening.

"Last night I saw us getting married, you looked so handsome in your tux. But I also saw you looking so miserable that the procedure didn't work. I know I kinda barged into your life, and put you through a lot because of that. But I just wanted to say, despite all the bumps along the way, I'm so happy to have you in my life."

"What's wrong?" Her question startled me, and I realized that a tear was falling down my cheek. We had the same dreams? Is this because of the syndrome? I quickly wiped it away.

"Yes, you may have come into my life like a wrecking ball, but I don't regret any of it. I am who I am today because of you, despite what you might say that I made the choice to change. If it wasn't for you, I'd probably still be the same person I was before we meet."

Sakura laughed, and I noticed her eyes were watering as well. "I had some of the same dreams, and I won't lie some of them scared me. The idea of losing you... it hurts." I had to pause, choking on my words.

"When I told you that night we saw the fireworks, that I want you to live, I meant it with every fiber of my being. If I could give my life for you to be able to live, I would." Sakura gave me a sad smile at that. "And then I'd have to be miserable that I didn't have you in my life."

She leaned over, resting her head on my shoulder. The scent of her shampoo filled the air, her silky smooth hair feeling wonderful against my skin.

"I'm sure neither of us would have imagined things would end up like this, all those months ago when we met in the hospital. But I wouldn't change anything that happened."

Neither would I. All the times she had teased me in the past, the fight in the rain; I wouldn't have changed any of it if I knew it would lead to this. "You know, you looked really beautiful in your wedding dress."

I could feel her face warming on my arm. "You know it's bad luck to see the bride in her dress before the wedding right?" Sakura lifted her head up, pressing her lips against my cheek. "But thank you."

I smiled, turning to her. "I notice that you never said you weren't interested in marriage." Sakura blushed even more. "Well I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else, no matter how long I have left. Besides, my parents like you and I can't imagine they'd be surprised if we did end up saying 'I do.'"

Sakura looked down at her phone, checking the time. "We still have some time before it's supposed to start, do you mind if we head there now? There's something I want to look into beforehand." Now what does she have in mind?

I nodded, standing up and offering my hand to her. Sakura smiled, taking my hand before letting out a yelp of surprise as I pulled her into a hug. "I think I'm starting to understand what you meant in the hospital, there's something really nice about feeling someone else's warmth."