Born To Die (Muichiro x OC)

03 • My Person

"Figure it out."

She flipped the page of her book.

"You're my person."

Why had she said that? She flipped again.

"I was hoping I could be your person."

Kurumi shut the book when she realized that her reading was getting her nowhere. She had forgotten to understand the last three pages that she read, so now she'd have to restart. She mostly found joy in literature because it helped her get a better visual on the outside world. It helped her imagine what her life would be like if she didn't have a timer on her head.

What would she do if she wasn't dying? Tour the world, she guessed. See a real life animal, though she was sure their existence was just a myth at that point. Her room was in the most secluded and isolated wing of the hospital, as well as all the other ceptophrenic patients. Their contact with the outside world was very limited—only doctors were allowed there. And on visiting day, all family members had to be heavily sanitized before they were brought in.

But it was still her favorite day.

Dr. Kocho knocked on Kurumi's already opened door, a warm smile on her face. "Kurumi? You have visitors." Just as she said that, and overenthusiastic 8-year-old skipped into the room, mask and gloves secured on.

"'Rumi!" Keiko squealed excitedly, scrambling onto Kurumi's bed to embrace her tightly. "I missed ya!" Then she began complaining. "'Koto-nii is such a meanie now that 'Sahi-nii is always working! He's always making me go to bed early and then he takes away all my toys if I don't eat my food! I hate him!" She huffed, crossing her arms.

"I hear my name." Makoto sauntered into the room, hands shoved into his pockets as a sly grin spread across his face. He was only four years older than Kurumi, so he'd be turning 19 soon. Right behind him was Asahi, who was in his mid-twenties. He was much less friendly and more cold, but he did care. That was something, at least.

Makoto beamed. "How's my favorite little sister?" He ruffled Kurumi's hair affectionately. The three were all required to wear masks and gloves to avoid any and all sorts of bacteria transference. After all, if Kurumi got sick, it was game over for her.

Keiko gasped. "I thought I was your favorite sister! No fair!" She leapt off the bed to stomp up to the boy in question.

"You just said you hated me," he reminded, patting her head. "Don't worry, I still love you." He had gentle green eyes, like their missing father, whereas Asahi had the same scarlet gaze as Kurumi. He didn't talk much, and he was more of the punch-now-talk-later type. He had a temper that was hard to control occasionally, but it seemed to be getting better.

Asahi approached Kurumi and then leaned down to plant a kiss onto the top of her head through his mask. "You doing okay? How's hospital life been treating you?"

Kurumi looked down at her book. "I manage. I'm just glad you guys get to visit every week." Still, Asahi rarely came. He was always too busy working to try and pay their bills that he didn't have time to visit, so Kurumi was genuinely surprised. It used to only be Makoto and Keiko who came, but she felt a bit warmer inside that Asahi managed to show his face every once-in-a-while.

I should cherish having him here before I die.

"Don't look so down," Makoto teased, scooping Keiko up and onto his shoulders. Said girl dissolved into a fit of giggles. "Sheesh, though. I never get used to the walk here. Who knew a hospital could be so big? And why put you all the way back here?"

"It has to be that way, dumbass," Asahi muttered, sitting comfortably on the edge of Kurumi's bed. "It's to protect her."

"Rhetorical question, jackass." Makoto rolled his eyes. "Somebody's feeling pissy. Tell me, how much of a pain are you trying to be today?"