A Twilight Promise

Ryujii cannot sleep at all, he needs to find a way to bring her out to meet Fumi tomorrow. And till he can't think of anything else, he thought of something. Then he fell asleep.

Morning, he overslept. It's already noon with Kyoko in his room, probably washing some spoons or chopsticks at the sink. He woke up and greeted his mother. His mother with a pale smile, noded at him. Since his condition is confirmed, she didn't get a good night sleep, it seems like she is really worried about Ryujii.

Kyoko walked to her belongings and revealed a lunchbox. She opened it, all of them are Ryujii's favourites. She seems like she woke up early to prepare them. Ryujii hugged her, and said out his thanks, with a teary smile. She is, indeed happy but then she collapsed.

"Hey mom, mom? Oh no... Wake up mom, doctor? Anyone, please help!"

Kyoko woke up in a ward, she just had anaemia for sleep deficiency. Ryujii is worried for her, so he stayed with her. Apparently he fell asleep holding Kyoko's hand by her bed. Kyoko pats his head, reminiscing the time when she was not giving him much attention and caused him to become a delinquent.

"I'm sorry... Ryujii... I never thought you'd get bullied, I never knew about it... I'm sorry..." Kyoko said with a silent voice. The two remained like that for a while until Ryujii woke up.

"Oh crap, I overslept!" Ryujii shouted as he sprung up from his chair. That shocked Kyoko and people outside ward. They bursted out with laughter. Kyoko, as well.

"Pfft... Teehee... Ryujii, despite being sick, you still have so much energy in you, that's so good to be young hahaha..." Kyoko finally smiled even though she was worried. Ryujii noticed it as well, he sat down and took a deep breath.

"To think my Ryujii is already a grown up man, I'm so happy..." Kyoko said. The two took their time reminiscing the old times. Until Ryujii noticed the time, it's already 4 o'clock.

"Ah mom, I have something important to do first, bye bye!" Ryujii rushes out and bumped into a doctor. "Ah sorry... Eh? Dr. Hiro?" It's Dr. Hiro. He seems stern looking at Ryujii. "Ryujii-kun, where did you bring Yuuki-chan yesterday?" Dr. Hiro asked.

"Twilight." Ryujii replied.

"What? Do you know that Yuuki-chan's condition is getting worse? What if she collapsed outside? If you even want her to live longer, don't grant her childish requests, let her receive treatment, that's all." Dr. Hiro said in an angry tone.

"No, I can't do as you said. I promised her, that I'll bring her to watch every twilight together. If there's something I can do for her, please tell me about it!" Ryujii said, with a shaky voice. Dr. Hiro sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you. However, she cannot leave today. We have some examinations arranged for her today. If you still insist to bring her out, I won't let her go out again. Understood?"

Ryujii nodded, and then rushed to Yuuki's room. She's studying, with her headphones on, smiling for some reason. He slid open the door and walked in. "Sup' Yuuki, sorry that I can't bring you out today, but I talked to Hiro, he will allow you to go out with me if you stayed today for examinations." Ryujii said. Yuuki turned towards him with a blank smile, removed her headphones and asked: "What did you said just now?"

Ryujii sighed and repeated his words. "Oh... It's okay then, I'll stay today. But I promised Fumi-chan that I'll come today..." Yuuki seems troubled. Ryujii thought for a while, and he thought of an idea, he can go there in her place and ask her to visit them in the hospital. Yuuki agreed to the idea, and they sat together chatting.

"I wonder how will we do in the future?" Ryujii asked, forgotten the fact that Yuuki won't be able to make it past this year. Yuuki herself, despite knowing this, she still played along. "We will grow up, and work, then we will earn money and then live a normal life, how fancy." Yuuki said, with an cheerful tone. Ryujii smiled as well. "If I can buy a house, I'll choose that one!" Ryujii said while pointing at a house with a blue roof outside the window. "Me too!" Yuuki replied. "But we are living in the same house then? Are we married in the future?" Yuuki said with a blushing face.

"Gaaahh! Yuuki, stop teasing me!" Ryujii exclaimed. Yuuki chuckled, while Ryujii is thinking seriously. "Hmmm... That might be a good idea as well... It's decided, let's get married, Yuuki." Ryujii said with a straight face. Yuuki is dumbfounded, with her cheeks gradually reddens, she buried herself in her pillows. "Stupid Ryujii! You idiot!" Ryujii then noticed what he just said and then got embarrassed. "Ah wait! Please forget what I just said! Pretty Please?" Ryujii begged for forgiveness. "Bleh! You need to take responsibility for your words, because you said: A man will not back his words at all costs!" Yuuki started to tease him again, It seems like Ryujii is both happy and troubled today.

"Hey, I really hoped we can live together as we imagined years ago, a house with the blue roof, remember? I... I really... Hoped so..."