Against All Odds | Ran Takahashi

26

"Hello, Mama Sayuri. Is everything alright?" I asked, trying to hide the worry in my voice.

There was a momentary pause before she replied, "Ryann," she began, her voice trembling. "Ran's manager called me to inform me that..." she trailed off, "Ran... he had an accident during their practice," she revealed, her voice filled with concern. "It was his knee. The injury seems to be quite severe."

My heart skipped a beat, and a lump formed in my throat as I struggled to process the news.

"Is it bad?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling.

"He badly hurt his knee during practice. His injury from years ago seems to have recurred," Mama Sayuri explained.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about Ran's pain. It felt like a cruel twist of fate that just when my dreams were coming true, his world was turned upside down.

I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. "Will he be alright? Can he still play?"

"We're hoping for the best. The doctors are running tests and evaluations to determine the extent of the injury," Mama Sayuri deeply sighed.

A feeling of helplessness washed over me, and I whispered, "Please keep me updated, Mama. I'll go to Poland as soon as I can. I need to be there for him," I said with determination. "I won't let him go through this alone."

"Thank you, Ryann. I'll join you as soon as I've taken care of all the necessary paperwork," she replied.

I immediately started making arrangements to return to Ran as soon as possible. The enrollment process and the excitement of achieving my dream suddenly took a backseat to the support Ran needed from me.

Hours later, the news of Ran's injury reached the media, and his devoted fans were filled with worry. The suspense and uncertainty surrounding his condition intensified the tension in the air. Speculations and rumors flew around, but nothing compared to the fear and anticipation we all felt.

As I packed my bags, the gravity of the situation sank in, I couldn't help but worry about Ran's state of mind. I always knew he had a strong mentality, but this predicament was unlike any other.

Finally, on the day of my departure, I stood at the airport, filled with anxiety. My heart yearned to see Ran, to hold him in my arms and reassure him that we'd face this together.

I quickly boarded the plane. The flight to Warsaw seemed to drag on forever, as if time itself was testing my emotions.

After what felt like an eternity, the pilot's voice crackled through the speakers, announcing our arrival in Warsaw.

As I stepped off the plane, the crisp Warsaw air enveloped me. My phone buzzed in my pocket with a text message from Ran's manager. 'We've arranged transportation for you, please check the details below.'

I made my way through the bustling airport. The sound of my own breath filled my ears as I imagined the moment I would see Ran again, the moment when I could finally embrace him and assure him that everything would be alright.

As the car took me to the hospital, the city lights flickered like stars in the night sky. Time seemed suspended, each second ticking with anticipation. Thoughts and worries swirled within me, magnified by the silence of the car.

Finally, we arrived at the hospital, its facade illuminated by fluorescent lights.

With trembling hands, I stepped out onto the pavement.