The Colors of Fate

Chapter 7: The Hospital Call

On the day of her hospitalization, Lay was torn. He had a cultural exchange program at the high school, an important part of his visit, but all he could think about was Sayuki.

-Go to your school thing, Sayuki had texted him earlier, trying to sound strong.

-I'll be fine. I'll see you when you're done

At the high school, Lay went through the motions, barely able to focus as he gave his presentation. His mind was back at the hospital, with Sayuki. His phone vibrated constantly in his pocket, but he resisted the urge to check, he didn't want to seem rude in front of the students. He finished the program as quickly as possible and rushed out the moment it was over.

His heart pounded as he ran to the train station, his hands shaking as he texted Sayuki's mother for an update. No reply. He jumped on the first train, desperately trying to get to the hospital in time.

When he finally arrived at the hospital, breathless and drenched in sweat, the nurses looked at him with pity in their eyes.

One nurse finally stepped forward.

-I'm so sorry. She passed just before you arrived.

The world collapsed around him. Lay could barely feel his legs as he stumbled down the hallway to her room. The door creaked open, and there was her bed, empty. A vase of fresh sakura blossoms sat by the window, and on the bedside table was a small, unfinished sketch Sayuki had been working on in her last days.

It was of him, standing under a cherry blossom tree, smiling. Beside the sketch was a note in her delicate handwriting:

"Lay, I'm sorry I couldn't wait. But remember what we promised each other. Keep painting. Live. I'll always be with you."

Tears streamed down his face as he held the note close to his chest. He had promised her, but now, he didn't know how to keep going.