Love Him...Forever

Love Him

The two gunshots came from Mr. Black and Mikka's guns. Shine and Yuzuru had no idea that Mikka was already behind them. The moment Mr. Black fired first, Mikka immediately shoved Yuzuru and Shine to the side, causing them to fall to the ground. The bullet grazed Yuzuru's arm, but neither of them noticed. They both assumed they had simply dodged the shot.

Mikka fired next, disarming Mr. Black. Just then, Allen appeared and kicked Mr. Black hard in the side.

Amid the chaos happening only a few meters away, Yuzuru cupped Shine's face with trembling hands, scanning her for injuries. His eyes were filled with panic—fear not for himself but entirely for her.

"Daijoubu?" he asked urgently. "Are you okay?"

Shine nodded weakly.

"Good..." he breathed out in relief.

But everything was too sudden, too overwhelming. Before Yuzuru could say anything else, Shine fainted.

"Hana! Hana!" Yuzuru shook her, voice cracking, but Shine didn't respond.

Panicking, he fumbled for his phone and dialed 911.

"We're at the Toronto Cricket and Curling Club. Someone is unconscious—please send an ambulance! Hurry!" Yuzuru's voice trembled.

"Sir, please try to stay calm," the operator said.

Yuzuru inhaled shakily, trying to follow the instruction—when he suddenly felt something hot and sharp burning down his arm. He looked down and saw blood soaking through his sleeve.

"Sir? Can you tell me what exactly happened?" the operator continued.

"We... I—" Yuzuru tried, but the pain intensified, stealing his breath.

"Sir? Sir?" the operator called out.

Yuzuru collapsed, losing consciousness while still holding Shine in his arms.

Hours later...

Shine remained unconscious at the hospital. Nam, Monika, Allen, Dad, Min, and Mom sat silently on the couch near her bed, waiting.

Around 8 PM, Mom noticed Shine's fingers twitch. She immediately rushed to her side and held her hand.

Shine opened her eyes slowly, blinking against the bright lights. When she finally gained her bearings, she realized she was lying in a white hospital room with an IV attached to her hand.

"How are you, my dear? Are you okay?" Mom asked softly, worry lacing her voice.

Shine blinked again, trying to adjust. Mom helped her sit up.

"Yes... I'm okay. But what happened?" Shine asked weakly, confused.

"You passed out earlier, that's what happened," Allen replied, sitting on the other side of the bed.

Shine frowned at him, still trying to piece things together. She noticed Dad, Min, Monika, and Nam standing nearby—but not Yuzuru. Her heart immediately tightened.

"Where's Yuzuru?" Shine asked, looking around anxiously.

"Yuzuru asked me to give this to you," Monika said hesitantly, handing her an envelope.

Shine carefully took it.

"What is it? Where is he?" she pressed, worry growing.

"Shine, calm down. He's okay," Allen assured her.

"Allen's right," Monika added quickly. "You don't have to worry."

But the more they avoided answering directly, the more uneasy Shine became.