A Second Lie in April

Chapter 9.3 Preparing for the Big Day

"Oh, boy, I'm beat!" groaned Kaori, as she crawled into her hospital bed after her last physical therapy session. She pulled the bedsheets over herself, cuddling up for an afternoon nap, when there was a knock on her door. "Come in!" Kaori yawned. The door slid open and in came Mr. and Ms. Miyazono. "Mom! Dad!" Kaori exclaimed cheerfully, sitting up.

"Kaori!" said Mr. Miyazono as he walked into the room. "How have you been feeling?"

"Better than ever!"

"Dr. Kojima said they're going to release you tomorrow?"

"They better! Or I'll miss the gala!"

"We brought you something!" exclaimed her father, taking a seat next to her bed.

"Canelés?" asked Kaori, excited.

"No, something better!"

"Better than canelés? Not possible..." Mr. Miyazono produced a large rectangular box, tied with a golden bow. "Oh, a gift? What is it?" said Kaori as she tore open the box. "Oh, it's beautiful!" she said, as she pulled out a long white dress. "Thank you, mom and dad!"

"For your recital tomorrow. We want you to look your best!"

"You're right, this is better than canelés!" Her eyes shined as she laughed. "Thank you so much, dad!"

"I love you, Kaori, you know that."

Kaori looked up, and smiled. "Of course I do!"

"Kaori," her father hesitated. "I have to tell you... I'm sorry." She looked at him, surprised. "You were right, my daughter. I was scared. I really was afraid. But not of the Bōryokudan. I was afraid... of losing you!" he said as his eyes shimmered. "For a while, I nearly did. But I'm so glad to see you back, alive!"

"Oh, dad!" Kaori exclaimed, as she hopped out of bed and hugged her father. "It's okay, we're together now! I'm sorry, too! I owe you so much!" She closed her eyes as she held her father tight. "You... you always fought for me... and you never gave up! If I became a fighter, it's because you taught me to be one!" She glanced at her mother. "As mom said, we're so much alike!" She pulled slightly away from her father to look up at him. "Thanks, dad, for always being there for me. And don't worry, you could never lose me!" Her eyes shimmered as she pointed at his heart. "I'll always be there, deep in your heart... as you are in mine."

Kaori wiped a tear from her eye, and looked at her mother. "And mom... You always knew what to say. You gave us hope. You... you kept us together."

Her mother smiled. "It's your strength that always inspired hope! I'm so proud of you!"

Kaori embraced her mother. "Thanks, for always believing in me." She closed her eyes. "Mom, dad, I love you both!"

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Kaori stayed up late, sitting in the dark, watching the moon slowly sail across the night sky. I should sleep, but I can't. She looked at her new dress, elegantly lying across a chair, bathed in moonlight. It's beautiful. Wait 'till Kousei sees it! She pressed the bedsheets close to her chest. Tomorrow, we perform again on stage. My dream, finally coming true. She glanced up at the moon. Dr. Kojima was right. This was not supposed to happen. I was not supposed to be here. But I am. I've been blessed, like so few are. There's so much to be thankful for. So much beauty. She raised her hand up at the moon, recalling the night she'd sneaked out of the hospital with Kousei. But... it's not the same without Kousei here. She remembered standing outside his window, listening to him play, imagining herself playing the violin under the moonlight. Yours is the song that stole my heart. She glanced at her cell phone on her nightstand. I shouldn't...