I Remember You, Rin

C11 An Ill Rin

Everyday, Rin and Sousuke would go out by the park, go shopping or just walk around for a bit. They both found comfort in being by each other's side all the time, no matter the weather. Everyday apart from one day.

The day before was a rain-filled day. Rin had ran all through it and back. No jacket, no umbrella, no warmth. Just a plain white vest, dark blue jeans and plain black trainers. No towel to dry himself off with, just the warmth of Sousuke's hugs. Yet, it wasn't enough, and Rin found this out the next day. The day where he couldn't visit Sousuke. All because he had a fever the next day. 

Rin woke up to a fierce pain running around in his head, his nose blocked as he was sweating yet freezing. He instantly laid back down, resting his hand on his head. After an hour, his mum knocked on the door. After receiving no reply, she walked in to see Rin wrapped in his cover, wearing a bunch of layers with a fan next to his bed blowing at his face and a box of tissues next to him. She walked over to her son and placed her hand on his head. "Sweetie, you're burning up... I told you to wear a jacket yesterday." Rin turned to face the wall. "The hospital isn't too far, I thought I could make it before it rained...Plus, I wanted to make sure Sousuke would be fine." His mother let out a small sigh. "Rin, I know you're worried about him but I'm sure he can go a day without you-." Before she could finish her sentence, Rin pulled the cover over him, shouting. "I don't care if he can! I couldn't care less if he could go a day without me! But I know I wouldn't be able to go another day without him so he'd have to deal with it..." Then, both Matsuoka's went silent. After around 10 seconds, Rin slowly pulled the cover away from him. "I'm sorry...I'm just scared. It's been a year and 3 months since Sousuke entered stage 6, it could be any day now when he enters stage 7. It could even be today..." Rin's mum sighed as she sat on the edge of the boys bed. "I'm sure he understands your emotions, Rin. But, you need to understand everyone runs out of time at some point, young or old. Just like you and me. Sousuke's just happens to be whilst he's still young... " Rin's mum stopped speaking when she could feel her son shaking. "Rin, it's alright... Sousuke still has time so make sure you don't waste a second of it." Rin went to speak but all that escaped was a dry cough. Instantly, Rin's mum stood up. "Look, I know you you want to see Sousuke, but I'm sure you don't want to make him Ill too, so why don't we just send Gou over-." Once more, Rin interrupted her. "But Sousuke would be confused then. If we sent someone instead of me over then who knows what would happen." Then, his mum spoke again. "I know what you mean, but you need to stay here for the day." Rin tried to argue back but once more, all that left was a dry cough. "Alright, I'll tell Gou to visit Sousuke, you stay in bed, I'll go make you some homemade porridge." Then, before Rin could speak, his mum closed the door. Rin reached out to the wall, softly placing his palm down on the breaking paint. Then, tears began to run out his eyes, unable to hold back any. He started to whisper his thoughts to himself. "H-He'll be... confused... Gou, where is she?" When Rin sat up and wiped his eyes, a voice in the doorway caused him to jump. "I'm right here, what ya' need?" Rin wiped his eyes again before speaking. "Whatever Sousuke says, go along with it. If he asks where I am, please tell him It's still too early." Gou nodded as she slowly shut the door. Rin sighed in relief. He was glad Sousuke could still have some company. Then, he laid back down, shutting his eyes once more, falling asleep.

It was 12pm when Rin woke up again. He sat up and looked around the room to see a bowl of porridge sat on his bedside table. When he picked it up, the bowl was still quite hot so he grabbed the spoon which was inside and slowly ate it. Then he picked up the glass of milk which was sitting next to the bowl and chugged it down. Then, he got out of bed, taking off all layers and reaching into his cupboard. He put on a plain white jumper, a denim jacket, black jeans and some plain grey trainers. Then, he headed downstairs.

When he got downstairs, he could see his mum getting a bunch of food out of the fridge. "What are you cooking?" Miyako jumped a bit when she heard her son talk. "Rin! What are you doing out of bed?" Rin coughed into his elbow a little before answering. "I feel a little better so I'm going to see-." Then, his mum interrupted him. "No you're not, Rin. Gou is already there so Sousuke doesn't need you there too." Rin felt a small stab of anger go right through him, gulping to keep his voice down. "How would you know...? Plus, I don't care if I'm ill, I just want to see him..." Rin's mum shook her head again. "No, Rin. You go upstairs now. I'm guessing you just ate so go and get some rest." A small gasp made the anger being held back escape. "I don't care what you say! I'm going to see him!" Rin opened the front door, dashing out before his mum could stop him. He headed for the hospital.

Once he got there, he ran into Sousuke's room, making everyone inside jump. Breathing heavily, he walked to Sousuke, falling on top of hugging him tight. "I'm here, Sousuke." But, Sousuke stayed still, not hugging back. Rin stood up again and looked around the room. He could see Gou holding back tears and a dark expression on the Doctors face. "What...happened?" The Doctor was about to speak but Gou got there first. "Aren't you ill? Why aren't you home?" Rin sighed a bit as he spoke again. "Mum tried to stop me but I ran out from anger...You can go home now if you want." Gou nodded, slowly standing up. Once she reached the door, she turned back and looked at Rin in the eyes. "I'll save it for the Doctor... Rin, Sousuke's reached Stage 7." Rin could feel his heart sink as Gou left. The world around Rin fell silent, darkness reaching ever corner of his sight. He felt like all eyes were on him now. All he could do was fall on knees in shock, unable to speak. Unable to cry. All he could do was kneel there, the painful shock building itself up in his chest. The Doctor slowly walked over to Rin and kneeled by him, tapping his shoulder. "It's ok... he still has around 2 and a half years, spend your time wisely with him." Rin couldn't get his voice out. All he could do was shake his head no, still unable to talk. He wanted to argue back but he knew nothing would change by doing that. The Doctor let out a small sigh as he stood up, helping up the damaged-heart boy. "You'll need to spend most of your moments with him inside the hospital but why don't you two continue making memories together?" Rin nodded a tiny bit as he walked over to Sousuke, standing next to his bed and smiling softly at the boy, hiding back his pain. Yet, he didn't hide it well enough because Sousuke slowly lifted his arm to Rin's cheek and lightly stroked his thumb across when Rin leaned a bit forwards, a smile just about forming and more tears showing. Then, he couldn't hold back. Screams of pain filled the room as Rin dropped to his knees again. This time, he could speak. "Sousuke... I'm sorry! I wish I could've been with you from the start of this devilish thing! I should've treasured my time with you more! Now...Now all that time spent together is going to end soon." Sousuke's face was implanted with confusion. Rin tried to wipe his arms but was too weak to even get his arm halfway up. Sousuke tried to get up, the Doctor only helping him to sit up. Rin understood Sousuke was worrying for him so he steadily stood up again, sitting on the bed as Sousuke slowly reached out to him, pulling the maroon-haired boy closer and hugging him tight. Then, some broken up words escaped, clear enough for Rin to know what he was saying. "Rin...I...I'm...he-here." A soft, comforted smile appeared on Rin's face as he hugged the older boy tighter. "I know you are...I'm here too..." The two boys stayed in each others arms for the day until Rin had to leave, scared to go face to face with his mum.

Once the clock hit 21:00pm, Rin unlocked his house door and quietly opened it, not wanting his family to know he's home. But, as soon as he stepped inside, he couldn't help but fall back when his mum and sister surprise-hugged him. "Rin, sweetie! Thank God you're ok! I was worried sick and when Gou came back and told me where you were I couldn't help but feel guilty!" Rin sat up, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm...sorry for just running out like that. I wasn't thinking straight." Gou laughed a little. "Gou now is not the time for a joke." Rin knew what Gou was about to do so he quickly stopped her. Gou laughed again. "Fine, fine." Their mum patted both of her kids heads. "Now now both of you behave. Rin, do you feel better? I made some stew if you're hungry." Rin sighed from relief. "Yes please, I haven't had anything to eat but half a sandwich since I left." Rin's mum nodded as she stood up, making her way to the kitchen and shouting over. "You're lucky it's still warm! Coming home so late..." Rin let out a nervous laugh as he shouted back an apology, his mother coming back with a bowl of stew and a bread roll on the side. "You can bring this up to your room, just stay in bed for a bit and get some rest too, I'll bring up some water soon." Rin nodded as he made his way upstairs. 

30 minutes after dinner, Rin laid back and shut his eyes softly, entering the world of dreams. Yet, for Rin, they weren't dreams, they were memories.