Echoes of Tomorrow.

THIRTEEN

The hospital room was quiet, the sterile air filled with the faint hum of machines. Tendou lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The pale blue walls, once a comforting color, now seemed cold and unwelcoming. He turned his head to the side, seeing Ushijima sitting beside him, his presence a constant source of strength.

"I've been thinking," Tendou began, his voice barely above a whisper. "There are things I want to do before... before I can't anymore."

Ushijima leaned forward, his intense gaze softening as he looked at Tendou. "What do you want to do?"

Tendou took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort. He reached for the notepad on the bedside table and began to write, his hand trembling slightly. Ushijima watched in silence, understanding the gravity of the moment.

"First," Tendou said, glancing up with a small, determined smile, "I want to visit our old high school. I want to walk through the gym one more time, feel the energy of the place where we spent so much time together."

Ushijima nodded, his mind already racing with plans to make it happen. "We'll go tomorrow."

Tendou continued writing, his list growing. "I want to have a picnic by the river, like we used to. Just the two of us. And I want to go to that little café we loved, the one with the amazing pastries."

Ushijima's heart ached, but he kept his expression steady. "We'll do it all. I promise."

Tendou's hand paused, and he looked up, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "There's more. I want to write letters to everyone I care about. I need to say goodbye in my own way."

Ushijima reached out, covering Tendou's hand with his own. "I'll help you with that."

For a moment, Tendou closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of Ushijima's touch. When he opened them again, there was a renewed determination. "And lastly, I want to watch a volleyball game with you. Just one more time. It doesn't matter who's playing. I just want to feel the excitement, the thrill of the game, and remember what it was like."

Ushijima's grip tightened slightly. "We'll watch the best game we can find. Together."

Tendou's smile widened, a mixture of sadness and joy. "Thank you, Ushiwaka. For everything."

Ushijima's eyes softened, a rare vulnerability showing through. "Thank you, Tendou. For every moment we've shared."

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of the unspoken hanging in the air. Ushijima knew that time was slipping away, but he was determined to make every remaining moment count. Tendou's list was more than just a series of tasks; it was a testament to their bond, a way to celebrate their life together despite the impending darkness.

As the day turned into evening, Ushijima watched Tendou drift off to sleep, the notepad clutched in his hand. He silently vowed to fulfill every wish, to make Tendou's last days as joyful and meaningful as possible. It was a promise born out of love, one that he intended to keep no matter what.