I found you in April

"Happy day of Birth!"

Kousei's POV

What came over me last night? I couldn't remember what had happened, how or when I had fallen asleep or how I got to bed but I woke up with Kaori next to me. But I noticed something...

Her face was stained was tears and her eyes were all puffy. They were still closed because she was sleeping but I could tell. I didn't want to move because I was afraid I would wake her early and I didn't want to do that. Little moments like these are the ones I treasure.

Eventually, she woke up. Her grip on me became even tighter than it had been when she was asleep and fresh water marks replaced the old ones rolling down her face. The saddest thing is...

I couldn't ask her the reason for those tears.

**********

Kaori's POV

Today could be the last day I ever get to hold him like this. I will treasure every moment of this day as if it is my last, because it could be. I don't know how far into my illness I will be when we go to this alternate timeline. I could only be beginning my path like Kousei was when we first met, or I might be close to dying like he is now. I'm scared. I'm so scared. I don't want to die. But Kousei deserves to live and find happiness. He keeps trying to read me. I can sense it but I seem to be able to block him out. That's a good thing at least. Even though I know he has no say in what happens, if he knew what I was doing, he wouldn't let me out of his sight for a second out of fear that the next second, I may be gone. He was not wrong in thinking that last part. Today could be the last day I will be able to go outside with him and walk around the park. I might never eat canelés in the heat of Summer again. All the things we do today could be things I will be doing for the last time.

This world is cruel. I wish, more than I have ever wished, that it didn't have to be this way but I guess that's just fate. Turns out the world is not a wish-granting factory.

**********

After a while, I released him. This wasn't really any different to the normal type of morning we would have. The only difference is he would be the one gripping onto me, not the other way around like today. 

Honestly, I didn't feel like going anywhere. He didn't know anything about what would happen at the end of today while I knew everything. I tried my absolute best to hide the pain but the one thing that was always hardest for me was concealing my emotions. I was determined not to ruin the day for Kousei but the last words that "the bond" left me with were still haunting me. How bad would the consequences of this be?

"There is a chance that this could ruin his mental health. It could ruin yours. I don't know what relationship you two have in the reality. You know each other, I'm sure of that much. I don't know in what sense you know each other though, or how well. As I said, this choice is yours and yours alone. All I can do is make it happen..."

**********

Kousei's POV

"Hey."

She perked her head up.

"What's going on? Is this to do with last night? I should have told you sooner. I'm sorry."

I heard a stifled sob in return. That shell of a person was returning. All the work, the blood, sweat and tears, that I had put in over the last 9 months will have been for nothing. I can't let this happen, but I don't have a choice. Maybe today will cheer her up a little or, at the very least, get her mind off of the inevitable.

"Kaori. You're letting this overwhelm you. I know you care about me and I love you to death but seeing you like this is not something that should be happening today of all days! Come on. Let me spoil you the way you spoiled me!"