Toilet-bound Hanako-san

Ch. 16 - A Promised Forever

Several weeks had passed since the discovery of your younger sister, and you had focused all your energy on your recovery. Your body had healed remarkably well with much thanks to Ieiri who helped monitor your progress alongside the other doctors. With Suguru by your side every step of the way, you had regained your strength and were now ready to meet your sister.

The day of the visit arrived, and you were filled with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Suguru had been a constant source of reassurance, reminding you that no matter what happened, you were prepared to face it together. You had no idea what she would be like or if she would even remember you. The very last time you had seen her she was seven years old, meaning that today she would be 89.
You considered yourself lucky to be able to see her at all, you had honestly thought that your entire family that you had known was completely gone. Even if she didn't remember you, this chance was one you wanted to take no matter the outcome.

As you entered the quiet, sterile halls of the retirement home, your heart pounded in your chest. Satoru had arranged the meeting, and now, as you stood outside the door of your sister's room, your hands trembled with anticipation. You glanced at Suguru, who offered you an encouraging smile and a gentle squeeze of your hand.

Taking a deep breath, you pushed open the door and stepped inside. The room was small and dimly lit, with a window overlooking the main courtyard of the large home. Your sister sat in a chair by the window, her frail form wrapped in a shawl, staring blankly outside.

"Himari?" you whispered, your voice choked with emotion.

Your sister turned her head slowly, her eyes cloudy with confusion. For a moment, you feared she wouldn't recognize you, but then a spark of recognition flickered in her gaze. "Y/N?" she murmured, her voice frail and distant, almost disbelieving.

Tears welled up in your eyes as you rushed to her side, dropping to your knees beside her. Suguru stood at the entrance to the room, giving you your space. "Yes, it's me," you said eagerly, your voice quivering with emotion. "I've missed you so much."

Your sister's eyes filled with tears as well, and she reached out a trembling hand to touch your face. "Y/N," she repeated, her voice stronger this time. "You didn't come home from school, where have you been? Mom and Dad will be angry with you," her tone was a bit teasing, as if she was still that seven year old you once knew. It was clear that your younger appearance was causing her a bit of confusion. 

Suguru stood in the background, his face paled in a bit of fear. He didn't want this meeting to end in disaster, even if you were well prepared for it. He desperately wanted you to get the happy ending you deserved, he wanted your sister to remember accurately -- but he knew that was too much to ask.
You, on the other hand, grinned wide and grabbed your sister's hand, giving it a light squeeze. 

"You're right, they're gonna' kill me when they see me," you chuckled. Your response allowed Suguru to relax a bit, his shoulders slumping in relief from the tension. 

As you held your sister's hand, you felt a flood of memories rush back. You shared stories of your childhood, of the adventures you had together before your passing, and slowly but surely, your sister's foggy memory began to clear. She smiled through tears as she remembered moments from your past. And when she realized the reality she found herself in, albeit briefly, a few tears streamed down her wrinkled cheeks. Her tears caused ones of your own, the two of you stupidly smiling at one another -- big sister and little sister in contradicting states. At this point, she was technically the big sister.

Suguru stepped closer, his hand resting on your shoulder, offering his silent presence and support. He was a steady anchor in this emotional storm, and you couldn't have asked for a better partner to share this moment with. Without him and Satoru, none of this would have been possible. For all you knew, you could have been trapped in that bathroom forever.