The Crow With Broken Wings

Concealed by Wings

"C-Cancer?!" What do you mean I have cancer?! "How can you be sure?"

I felt my muscles tighten, my breathing getting heavier and more demanding.

"We ran blood tests and determined that you have cancer. We referred this information to a cancer specialist and they agreed and urged that you book an appointment in order to determine what treatment will work best for you."

Silence.

My tongue tried to counter these facts in disbelief but they wouldn't form any words.

"To be completely honest," the nurse continued, "we were not expecting to find this. We just wanted to check you were healthy. It's very rare for it to happen, but we found you had leukaemia while checking your health."

Leukaemia...but why?

"Luckily, we caught it in an early stage so it's likely the doctor can get rid of it." The nurse smiled cheerfully. "No need to worry!"

No need to worry? NO NEED TO WORRY?!

"What do you mean...?" The quiet whisper of doubt slipped my tongue but I found I'd lost control of my speech. "What do you mean I don't have to worry? I have cancer and you're trying to tell me everything's okay?!"

"Well, I just meant there's about a 70% survival rate and- "

"70%...that's it?" I felt my arms tremble as I sat up.

"Hinata, you should really- "

"GET OFF OF ME!" My hand slapped her arm away and the nurse gasped. "HOW CAN YOU TELL ME I'M GOING TO BE FINE? YOU JUST TOLD ME I HAVE CANCER!"

The nurse was silent.

"Fine..." I stood up, barely about to maintain balance. "Give me the number for the doctor and I'll book an appointment."
Timidly and in shock, the nurse hastily scribbled down the doctor's name and number and handed it to me with a quivering arm. I aggressively snatched it out of her hand and walked off.

X

Realising I'd been excused from classes, I decided to walk the scenic route home as oppose to wandering the streets. Thoughts of what the nurse said coursed through my mind.

Leukaemia...what was the survival rate again? 70% I think she said...

I drew the note with the doctor's details from within my pocket.

Dr. Takahashi. I hope this doctor can help me. The nurse said it was in its early stages so I guess I have no need to worry...but still... There's a chance I won't survive.

"A chance...I won't survive?"

I haulted and stared blankly at the sky.
"This disease...it could kill me..."

Or maybe she was wrong...she has to be!

From a distance, I heard someone run in my direction, but I had neither the desire nor the effort to turn around, let alone talk to anyone. But it was unavoidable.

"Hinata!"

Huh?

Startled, my head turned in an unusually slow manner to connect the familiar voice to the person who shouted it. A weakness overtook me as I saw who it was.

"Sugawara?"

Panting, he rested his arm on my shoulder, trying to catch his breath. For some odd reason, his arm burdened me more than it usually does.

"Hinata...are you..." He still hadn't caught his breath back, but he had a concerned look on his face.

"Take it easy! What is it?"

"I just...I just wanted to know if you were okay?" He desperately tried to catch his breath.

How long have you been running for?

"Y-Yeah. I feel better now!" I knew I was lying, but I didn't see the point in telling him - or anyone for that matter - the truth.

"You sure? You seem really...cold."

Cold?

He placed his hand on my forehead. "Are you not telling me something?"

"Huh? What do you mean? Of course I'm telling you the truth!"

He drew his hand away, unable to think of anything to say. He paused with a look of doubt on his face. "If you're sure...then I suppose I should believe you." Sugawara tried to appear happy but I could tell he didn't quite believe me. "Anyway," he continued, "why are you going this way home? Wouldn't it be easier to go with Kageyama the way you always do?"

"Well, I suppose it would be easier, but I- " I stopped for a second. "I, er...I wanted to go the scenic way home."

"Any particular reason?" He seemed really concerned. "If anything is wrong you can tell me. You know that, right?"

"Of course! Nothing's wrong!" A fake smile temporarily presented itself on my face but quickly vanished.

"Are you disappointed in yourself about missing the spike earlier? I must say it's not like you."

"I guess..."

"Is something on your mind?"

"No, it's not that. Maybe it's the illness- " I paused.

"Hinata?"

"Huh?"

"You stopped suddenly. You were saying something about your illness? Do you have the flu or something?"

"Oh..y-yeah, that's it! I have...the flu..." A cold fear took over me. My body started shaking uncontrollably and my eyes welled up.

"Hinata? Hinata what's wrong?"

My body temperature was dropping and I started to sweat. Suddenly, my legs collapsed but Sugawara caught me in good time.

He put his hand back on my head. "You're burning up!" He quickly put me on his back and jogged, tightly holding me.

"Hold on, Hinata! I will take you home so you can rest!" The tears ran down my face.

No...why is this even happening? How can I play volleyball if I can't even stand properly?

X

Eventually, we arrived at my house. Sugawara looked back at me.

"This is your house, right Hinata?" I nodded.
He knocked on the door until my mother opened it.

"Hello?"

"Hello Mrs. Hinata. My name is Sugawara and I'm on the Karasuno boy's volleyball team."

"Oh, you must be Shouyou's friend! How can I help you?" He turned revealing my weak, defeated face.

"Shouyou!" She took me from him, not holding me, but holding me up. "What's wrong? You look ill!"

"I think he has the flu Mrs. Hinata. He passed out today while practising with Kageyama and then he almost collapsed when I was talking to him on his way home."

"I see...huh? Shouyou, what's that?" She took the note from within my pocket.

"Mother, no, it's not what it looks-"

"Dr. Takahashi? Who is that?"

I remained silent as a dread and immense pressure overtook me.

"Shouyou, what are you hiding?"