Fallen

Ayame.

"Saski, you need to get out of here!" Ayame pleaded desperately. I looked at her, a small smile playing on my lips. "Firstly, it's Hitori, not Saski. And secondly, I love you far too much to leave you behind," I declared, determination shining in my eyes. She started to tear up as I swiftly removed my shirt, using it to shield my hands from the scorching flames. With a surge of strength, I lifted the burning wood off her injured leg, revealing the severity of the burn. Without hesitation, I gently lifted her into my arms. "Let's get out of here!" I urged, determination etched into every word. Together, we made our way towards the exit, but the collapsing roof threatened to cut short our escape. Ayame's voice filled with panic, "Hitori, look out!"

In an act of bravery, she pushed me out of harm's way, but as I reached out to save her, her legs became trapped. She cried out in pain, and my heart sank. I desperately tried to free her, but my efforts fell short. I knew what I had to do. Summoning every ounce of courage, I lifted the burning wood once again, this time using my bare hands. The pain seared through me, but I pushed through, fueled by love and determination. Finally, I managed to release Ayame from the wreckage, but both her legs were severely burned, and my hand was left irreparably damaged.

Carrying her in my arms, we struggled towards the exit, the flames licking at our heels. As we reached the outside, we both collapsed, exhausted and injured. Paramedics rushed to our aid, whisking us away to the ambulance. Overheard conversations revealed the extent of our burns, with Ayame's condition being more critical. Her back had suffered severe burns, possibly resulting in paralysis from the waist up. I, too, succumbed to unconsciousness, the weight of our injuries taking its toll.

Days passed, and slowly, I regained consciousness. The doctor entered the room, his eyes filled with somber news about my hand. It would never be the same again, burned severely to a fourth-degree. But my focus shifted to Ayame. "What about Ayame?" I asked anxiously. The doctor's expression turned grave. "Her condition remains uncertain. Her legs are severely burned, and her back may leave her paralyzed from the waist below," he revealed, his words hitting me like a punch to the gut.

More days passed, and eventually, I was discharged from the hospital. With a sense of urgency, I rushed to Ayame's side, relieved to see her still beautiful, even in her unconscious state. She appeared peaceful, likely due to the pain medication she was on. Now, it was my turn to wait, just as she had done for me.

Weeks turned into months, and I underwent a skin graft treatment for my hand. While my appearance improved, the nerves would never fully recover. However, the doctors assured me that I would regain some functionality. Meanwhile, Ayame finally woke up, her smile lighting up the room. "Hitori, you waited for me?" she asked, a mix of surprise and joy in her voice. Tears welled up in my eyes as I responded, "Of course, Ayame. I told you I love you, and I meant it." She gazed at me, her smile widening, before collapsing once more.

The doctor, wearing a smile, approached me. "Are you Hitori?" he asked, his tone filled with hope. I nodded, anticipation building within me. "She will make a full recovery, one hundred percent. You took the brunt of the burns, and her legs were barely affected. She got lucky. You saved her, and if you hadn't sacrificed your hand, she most likely would not have survived."

Months passed, and my hand gradually improved in appearance. Ayame's legs also showed signs of healing, and her future began to look brighter. "Hitori, thank you for saving me. I heard what happened," Ayame expressed her gratitude. I looked at her, gently patting her head. "Don't worry about it. I would rather have you walk than my hands feel things. Besides, it's just one hand."

A year flew by, and we were finally discharged. Ayame had made a full recovery, able to walk once more. My hand continued to heal, and though it would never be the same, I grew accustomed to its new appearance. It was Christmas once again, and we traveled to Japan to reunite with our friends Kako, Hideki, and Kimi, who were now happily married with a child. Together, we marveled at the festive lights and reveled in the joy of the snowfall, a cherished Christmas memory. As we strolled through the enchanting streets adorned with sparkling lights, the snowflakes danced around us, evoking a sense of nostalgia. Ayame and I paused, captivated by a magnificent Christmas tree standing proudly in the middle of the street. "Hitori, it's so beautiful," she whispered, her eyes filled with wonder. I couldn't help but smile, my gaze fixed on her. "Yes, it truly is," I replied softly, unable to tear my eyes away from her radiant presence.

Feeling an overwhelming surge of affection, I pulled Ayame closer, causing a rosy blush to grace her cheeks. She trembled slightly, her lips parting in anticipation. In that fleeting moment, with the world as our witness, I leaned in and tenderly kissed her. Her response was immediate, her lips meeting mine in perfect harmony. It had been three years since we started dating, and our love had only grown stronger with each passing day.

Gently breaking the kiss, I gazed into Ayame's eyes, her confusion evident. With my heart pounding in my chest, I knelt down on one knee before her, the words catching in my throat. "Ayame," I began, my voice filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Her face flushed with a mixture of surprise and joy, her answer conveyed in a hushed tone that resonated deeply within me. I was stunned by her response, unable to believe my ears.