There Might Not Be a Tomorrow

Closure

   A few months have passed and graduation was closing in on them. When all the third year students went to go have their graduation photos taken, Tendou was nowhere to be seen. Their friends asked Moa and Yuusuke if they knew of Tendou's whereabouts but they couldn't give an answer. They even tried to call him but he wouldn't pick up. Yuusuke then asked Ms. Yamamoto if she knew about Tendou's absence and what she said puzzled him. "What? He dropped out? B-but why?" "I'm sorry Yuusuke, I'm afraid I don't know why. But don't dwell on it too much. Graduation is in a few days and that is what you should be focusing on right now." A few days later their graduation ceremony commenced, thus, ending their compulsory academic career. However, it was somewhat bittersweet knowing Tendou wasn't there to share this moment with them. Suddenly, Moa recieved a call from Tendou's mother. "Yusuuke! Yuusuke! We gotta go now!" "Wait, what? Where?" "It's Tendou! He's at the hospital! Hurry, hurry!" Yuusuke ran after Moa as they sped off in her parents' car. Natsumi, Tsukasa, Masahiro, Ayumi, Naomi, Morgan and Samantha all followed in pursuit. 

     In an all too familiar scene, Tendou wakes up in his hospital bed with white walls, the smell of disinfectant in the air, and the sound of a heart monitor machine. But this time he had company. His friends were all gathered at the foot of his bed looking at him and crying. Surprised to see his friends at his side Tendou began to tear up with one tear trickling down the right side of his face. One by one they all approached Tendou saying their well-wishes until everyone had gone except for Moa and Yuusuke. Moa came to his side, holding his hand with tears in her eyes. "Please don't cry, Moa. You're too beautiful to cry." said Tendou as he wiped her tears with his free hand. Just as Moa was going to speak, she choked up. She covered her mouth and hastily left the room as seeing her friend in such a condition was too unbearable for her. Yuusuke was the only one left.

"Hey, buddy. How you feeling?"

"Hehe...I've seen better days. Thanks."

"Why did you drop out, Tendou? Especially when there was only a few days left until graduation? We could've graduated together."

"Haha. I would have loved to experience that moment with you guys. But I doubt Death cares if I have a diploma when it calls me. Plus, I'm dying. No one is going to accept a dead person to a university or a job opening." The atmosphere was quiet as they sat in silence.

"Tell me...Yuusuke--and be honest. Do you have any feelings for Moa? You know, deep feelings?" Tendou asked with a smile on his face.

"Uh--yeah. Yes, I do. But um....she doesn't see me in that light. I tried to ask her out on Culture Day but she rejected me in favor of you. I'm just her friend."

"Hm...I see. But you shouldn't be too down on yourself. I have two reasons as to why."

"Really? Heh. Alright then, tell me."

"First of all, I'm gonna die soon so me being your 'competition' is a laughable subject. Secondly, she doesn't really love me. I mean, think about it, Yuusuke. I just showed up into her life, out of the blue. I'm just a stranger that sparked a fire out of her monotonous and routine life. We don't even have a lot of history with each other that can suffice a legitimate reason for us to be together. She just loves the thought of being with me, and not actually being with me. You, on the other hand, have that. You guys have a long history together. You've gone through trials and tribulations together and came out on top. You experienced more in life with her than I will ever have. You're right that you are 'just a friend' but keep this in mind: all relationships begin with friendships. And a strong one at that. That is the advantage that you have over me and, frankly, everyone else."

"Hmph, that's some wishful thinking. We've been friends for so long I'm afraid I missed my opportunity many years ago."

"No, Yuusuke. You haven't. Just give her time. She'll come around."

"You're a good friend, Tendou. You really are."

"Hehehe. I know. Now, can you go fetch Moa for me? I would like to speak with her." Yuusuke obliged and brought Moa to Tendou, leaving them alone to talk.

"Hi, Moa."

"Hi...Godai." She proceeded to sit by his side.

"Moa, I'm truly, sincerely sorry for not being able to live long enough to get to know you better. But it was a good run while it lasted right?" She wiped away her tears.

"Yeah. Yeah it was."

"Listen, before I go...can you do me a favor? Please?"

"Of course, what is it?"

"Give Yuusuke a chance."

"What? I--I-I only see him as a friend, why would I?"

"Moa. He really likes you. You've disregarded his feelings for you because you have taken him, and your friendship, for granted. You don't love me, you--"

"No, Tendou, I love you! I really....really love you." Tendou slowly shook his head with a smile.

"No, Moa. You don't. You're just infatuated with me. We are infatuated with each other. You are a beautiful and loving and wonderful human being but....physical features aren't good enough to 'love' someone. There has to be more depth to it than that. Yuusuke is a benign person who'll never hurt you. I know he won't. Besides, even if he doesn't love you as much as I do, he'll love you longer than I can. So, please, for me, give him a chance. Who knows, he might be a delightful surprise."

"Okay. Okay...I'll try."

"Okay...good. Oh! One more thing!"

"Yes?"

"Come closer." Moa leaned her head in. 

"A little closer, please." She leaned a little more.

"Now close your eyes." He said with a smile. Moa closed her eyes and smiled back, anticipating what's to come next. Instead of receiving a kiss on her lips, she received a kiss on her left cheek where her beauty mark is just above her dimple. She opened her eyes feeling disappointed but also fortunate that she got kissed.

"Now if you excuse me, I'm going take a nap now. That took a lot out of me, hehe." He closed his eyes to go to sleep, with Moa being the last person he saw. She got up from her seat to leave but before doing so she kissed him on his forehead and whispered delicately, "Sweet dreams, Tendou."

     When she left his room, the hallways were dead silent. Desk receptionists and the occasional nurse were the only ones active. Everyone was gone...except for Yuusuke. 

"Yuusuke...you...were you waiting for me?"

"Oh, haha, yea. I came here with you and your parents and I don't have a ride home."

"Ah, that's right, you did. Well then, let's get going."

They both walked to the entrance of the hospital without exchanging words until...

"Hey...Moa?"

"Yea?"

"There's this new shabu-shabu spot that I wanted to try out and I was...wondering if you would want to go...with me...some time?" Yuusuke asked hesitantly.

Moa smiled remembering Tendou's words. "Yes...yes, I would love to, Yuusuke."

     The next day, he passed away leaving all of us behind. But he made sure I had someone that I can lean on when he wasn't around anymore. I was eighteen when I met Godai Tendou and it's been eighteen years since then. He became a memory. A memory that was the foundation of my relationship. It's every person's dream to find a good friend in their spouse. I was fortunate to find a husband in my best friend. And Tendou helped me realize it. I am Moa Yuusuke and I am married to Souji Yuusuke, the best husband, friend, and soon-to-be-father I could ever ask for. Recently, we were blessed to welcome a child into this world; a baby boy. His name is Godai....Godai Yuusuke.