"- Promise? - Promise."
Shohei Ohtani, a baseball superstar worldwide, carried the weight of an injury that threatened to shatter his dreams. He now faced not only the painful physical injury, but also a disease that posed threat to his mental healt...
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I didn't know what time it was. Maybe it was the middle of the night, maybe it was early morning, maybe it was midnight. In the dimly light of Shohei's room, I sat on the chair near the door, with my arms wrapped tightly around my knees. I couldn't sleep, my mind kept running rampant. Everytime I fell asleep, I was haunted by nightmares. In them, Shohei kept dying in my hands, full of blood, and I kept screaming at him for him not to leave me. The image of that red color kept flashing before me. So I woke up, sweating profusely and exhausted.
I looked at my phone, it was 5:32 AM. I had been there for 12 hours. I stared at the white, sterile walls surrounding me, and eyed on Shohei. There he lay on the hospital bed in all his glory. His hair, unkempt, tousled and sticking in every direction; his lips, swollen. I came closer, sat there next to him. His chest rose and fell with his slow, regular breaths. He breathed softly. For a few minutes I watched him. No signs of distress, no hint of struggle, none of his usual movements. I wondered if he was aware of what was happening to him? Did he suffer? Had his thoughts wandered in his sleep and what was he dreaming about? Was he sad? Was he afraid? Would he be happy knowing I'm waiting for him, beside him? I bit my lip. If only I'd known.
Suddenly, as if he had sensed that someone had been looking at him, his eyelids flickered open. My breath hitched in my throat. His eyes looked tired, he was obviously very pale and frail. But then, they were focused on me. A tired smile appeared on his face.
"Sho, you're awake!" - I held his hand, trying not to start crying.
"Y/N" He mumbled groggily. And he smiled a little, lift his hand to stroke my cheek tenderly with his fingertips. I can feel every callus on his hand sliding down my soft cheeks. I felt myself tear up. He caressed my cheek again. His eyes softened.
"You're here" he whispered.
I sniffled, nodding, unable to control my feelings anymore.
The smile grew wider until it stretched his cracked lips, he raised his hand and wiped my tear with his thumb, cupping my cheek tenderly.
I was staring at his face, taking it all in as he caressed my face gently. His face looked calm. His lips curved upward, showing a slight tint of pink.
"How are you doing? Are you hurt?" I asked.
"Still strong enough to eat 100 crepes". He tried to laugh while stroking my cheek lightly with his fingers. His eyes locked on mine.
"Stop kidding me, Sho. It's no fun at all". I cried.
"Sorry" he apologized, but his smile stayed on his face.
"I'll call the doctor, wait for me" I stood up and intended to head to the door.
But he grasped my arm tightly with all his weak strength. It was just ... so warm.
"Don't go", he uttered softly. "Stay with me, just a little more"
