A light breeze had begun, blowing small groups of dried, dead leaves just past the window as the coats of those walking through the streets wavered in the wind.  Just behind the glass pane, there I sat, wordlessly watching the world go by from within, my faint reflection caught in the glass, the reflection of Michirin Hoshimoto, or Mimi as I was called by friends. As I sat there waiting for my friend, Olivia Tanda, or Livie for short. I could see my green eyes staring back at me, my long black hair resting over my shoulder, with it’s white highlights meant to give it more flair. My favorite black casquette lay on the table next to me, and my familiar star patterned hoodie was showing through in the glass. Since it was fall, it was a bit chilly, so I had worn knee length stockings to compensate for how I was still wearing shorts. I was quite fond of the black and white aesthetic I wore, and as such I could rarely be seen outside without.

 

It had been several minutes since the time I had agreed to meet up with Livie at the front door of the ‘“Luna Cafe”. I sighed and leaned back in my seat, taking a sip out of one of two waters I had ordered earlier. Feeling bored, impatient, and also slightly worried, I took my eyes off of the meager entertainment that came from just beyond the window, and I began taking my phone out of my bag. I scrolled through our chat history, thinking she might’ve mistakenly gone to “Lunar Crepes and Cafe”, a similarly named baked goods shop located on the other side of town. The only person active in the group chat was Arashi, who rarely if ever responded to my complaints. Sighing at the lack of answers, and his incompetence to do so, I closed the app. Just before I turned off the screen, a notification popped up.

 

The notification itself came from the app I had just closed, a short message from Kaori, a friend of ours who had stopped talking several months back.The message itself was a link to the pre-registration for a game I had never heard of. Disappointed it wasn’t Livie, but also slightly worried about how Kaori had been, I messaged her directly, asking how things had been going for her… No answer. Feeling dejected at the lack of a response, and with nothing better to do, I opened the link, my eyes beginning to read when…

 

BANG

 

Startled, I dropped my phone on the ceramic floor, thankfully the phone’s casing was strong enough to take the impact. Bending down under my seat, picking up my undamaged phone and brushing the dirt and dust off it, I looked over towards the window, and saw Livie laughing at me. She was holding her hand as she had punched the glass quite hard to get my attention, needless to say, it worked as she intended. With her tongue stuck out and a brief wink from her left eye, she closed her hands together in a heart shape. She exuded an aura of “Teehee” as way of apology, before quickly entering, and sitting across from me at the table.

 

“You’re late.” I said coldly, my brow furrowing into that of a frown. 

 

“Sorry, sorry. I had to run the bus down a few stops.” She laughed, “Thankfully someone noticed and asked the driver to wait. I swear it’s not my fault, Mimi.” She forced a grin, teeth bared, hardly looking apologetic.

 

Livie’s exhaustion was apparent. A faint dampness had formed down the side of her head, slightly hidden by her long green hair. If it weren’t for her gavroche hat, I’m certain her hair would have been an enormous mess, the wind pressure caused by her running, folding it onto itself. My gaze was attracted to her favorite black dress, how she was able to catch a bus while wearing it amazed me, although it’s trim was quite short, so mobility issues seemed null. 

 

“Like what you see, or just off in your own world?” Livie spoke up teasingly, tapping her belted boots on the floor impatiently, a slight clinking sound coming off them. 

 

“Ah, sorry.” I responded, snapping my eyes back to hers. “I came all the way out here to relax with you, and here I am zoning out. It’s not often we both have a day off like this.” I closed my eyes, returning the same forced grin she had shown earlier.

 

“No need to apologize, it’s not like we don’t play games together every night.” Livie smirked, before her expression then changed to one of distress. “But, Mimi, our manager alllllmost had me work today. The newbie set the place on fire, and another person tripped on a napkin, sending them to the hospital. I heard it was a disaster!” She chuckled slightly, before sighing and reaching for her own glass of water, only to chug most of the contents in an instant. 

 

“Oh, and how is it that you avoided such a call to duty?” I shifted my legs, tilting my head to the side inquisitively. “You didn’t just hang up, did you?”

 

“No no no, not at all. I told him I was busy helping a friend’s cousin’s dog give birth.” She waved her hand as she spoke with a straight face, making me barely contain my own laugh at the absurdity of such a statement.

 

“Lying is bad for your health, Livie…” I sighed, the laughter breaking through in a slight smile. “So who’s filling in now?” I took another long sip of my water, emptying the glass as I leaned back in my chair, waiting for Livie’s response.

 

“Oh, that? I pawned it off to Jessica, because Jessica is always ready to help. All she does in the day is look at herself in the mirror anyway.” She laughed, pointing at our own reflections in the window beside us with her thumb, the same dumb smile as always spread clearly across her face.

 

I was shocked, “So you are capable of telling the truth.” This must have been the most honest thing Livie has said in the past week.

 

Livie's eyes closed gently, her grin growing larger. “Ouch, Mimi. That stings, like an arrow through my heart. The words you say truly wound me.” She lifted her hand, resting the back of it against her forehead for dramatic effect, her trademark wink showing through. “By the way, that dog thing wasn’t a li-” She stopped just before finishing, with her palm about to slam against the table.

 

“How are you two ladies this afternoon? Would you like a refill on your water?” A well-dressed boy around our age had approached our table without us realizing, within his hand he held an ice cold pitcher, while a pen and notepad to take our order, were hidden away within his apron’s breast pocket. “My name is Jared, and I’ll be your waiter this afternoon.” He bowed slightly, the air of propriety coming from his actions.

 

“Yes, sir!” Livie responded quickly, as she moved her glass towards Jared. “Might I ask, handsome young lad, if I may order a marble cheesecake.” Livie asked him while looking deep into his hazel eyes. Her deep staring caught him off guard, turning his once refined actions into clumsy nervousness.

 

“I’ll have a refill also.” I said politely, accepting their offer, in an attempt to break the spell Livie had placed him under. “I won’t be ordering anything, however. I’ll split the cheesecake she ordered, but may I ask that you cut it so one slice is two-thirds of the whole?”

 

“Right away. T-that’ll be all?” He asked flusteredly, struggling to place his notepad back into his pocket. 

 

I nodded as we both ignored Livie’s devilish stare. He turned to walk hastily towards the kitchen, almost bumping into a co-worker on the way. I felt sorry for him. No one is safe from Livie’s gaze. She giggled a bit then looked down at her phone. It seems she had yet to check the group chat, she was likely too busy earlier catching her breath on the bus to notice the notification. As she stared at Kaori’s message, her face had gone blank, as if reading a bad joke, or perhaps it was just sheer disbelief.

 

“Oi, Mimi.” Livie spoke up. “Have you seen this yet? I can’t believe all she’d do is send some weird link after all this time.” She looked back up at me with a hint of genuine concern, the smile that was permanently affixed to her face had disappeared. “I thought she was dead!” Kaori used to be one of our most active members, so Livie’s exaggerated response was more than understandable.

 

“That’s a bit... over the top… But I can’t say I didn’t think the same thing. I’ve already messaged her asking what she’s been up to.” I sighed, looking down at the time of my last message, it was sent over thirty minutes ago, and there hasn’t been a reply since. “But there’s been nothing so far…” As I said this, our waiter came back and put the small slice on the table for us, he had already neatly cut it in two per my request, before quickly running away back to the kitchen in fear of what Livie might do next. As he did so, Livie winked at him from her seat, and one could practically feel the chills going down his spine as he looked on from the doorway. I shook my head in disapproval at Livie’s antics, only for her to turn towards me, causing the both of us to laugh. After our brief respite we continued our conversation, eyes focused on the mouth watering treasure before us.

 

”That doesn’t matter right now.” As I pointed towards the cake in front of us. “What we should focus on…” I unwrapped the napkin Jared had left us, and spread it flat in the center of the table. “Is who’s getting the larger slice this time.” 

 

“...You’re right. Such a shame Kaori would leave us hanging like this.” Livie frowned, before reaching into her leather purse, and pulling out two pens, rolling one over to me as she drew four straight lines onto the napkin in the shape of a grid. “However, I can guarantee you that I am getting the two-thirds this time!” Livie passionately exclaimed in a light shout, stars filling her eyes.

 

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I walked out the door, stretching my arms into the air and let out a slight yawn. Livie followed, looking down at the pavement, like a child who had just lost their favorite toy. That mood is reasonable, after all, I did beat her in tic-tac-toe, keeping my undefeated crown. A graceful battle over both the split of the cheesecake, and for who gets the bill. I still paid a third of it, as I always happen to do.

 

“Mimiiii…” Livie called out to me, an obvious fake tone of sadness in her voice. “The waiter threw the napkin with my fake number into the trash.” She continued, the look of dejection on her face.

 

“You’re not upset about me beating you again?” I couldn’t help but ask, and raised my hand to comfort her.

 

“Well, yeah I am. But… now I can’t be satisfied knowing that Jared is going to call some random number tonight.” Livie looked like a depressed imp, upset with her failed mischievous plan.

 

“Shame, isn't it? You think he knew you were toying with him?” I questioned jokingly to raise her mood, knowing she wouldn’t respond to that.

 

“Oh, right. Mimi, did you want to come with me to visit my grandma?” Livie gripped the jade brooch on her chest, a precious gift she had gotten from her. “She’s been looking forward to seeing you again.” Her question broke the casual tone we had. She had her fingertips placed together, and a genuine smile on her face. Her actions reminded me of a child, innocently asking their parents to spend more time with them.

 

I had other things to do later, so I had to refuse her offer, the idea of rejection hurting me to destroy the honesty Livie had shown. “You know I’d love to.” I patted her head and smiled in response. “But… I’m sorry. I have to be somewhere.” I spoke apologetically, and Livie’s smile faded, though prepared, it still hurt to see it go. She quickly recovered, bouncing back and looking back up to me with a smirk, playfully swinging her arms behind her back.

 

“No prob there, cap’n. There’s always next time.” She cheerfully chirped, a faint, barely noticeable tone of sadness hidden underneath. “Your loss. More hugs for me!” Her sharp amber eyes shining like honey in the afternoon sunlight.

 

“Thanks Livie. Tell her to save a few hugs for me, ‘kay?”  I gave a smile and hugged Livie one last time before she headed towards the bus stop. We waved to each other as she got on, before the bus departed with her in it. Already I was starting to miss the time I had spent with her.

 

Livie lived in this part of the city, and the hospital her grandmother was staying in was close by. I, however, needed to catch the monorail. The nearest station was a slight walk down the road. I slowly paced myself towards it, knowing I had time to spare. I couldn’t help but open the group chat on my phone again, and look at the odd link Kaori sent earlier. I didn’t want to open it at the moment, since I had something else to focus on first. Instead, I asked the group if they saw it yet... No response. Arashi had been offline since it was sent, and the others must have still been in school. As I got to the platform, the monorail had just pulled up next to it, blessing my good luck, I hopped on. Minding my space, I kept my tote bag held close as the train car was fairly crowded. Luckily, there were still a few seats open. After getting comfortable in my seat, I opened my bag and retrieved a small envelope that had been tucked away inside.

Within it was a small card, with the words ‘Get Well Soon’ in stylized lettering, stitched onto the card by hand. Opening it revealed a pen, and a small paragraph written neatly inside the back of the cover. The paragraph itself contained a brief summary of my morning, how I woke up, how I felt, and what I ate. Looking it over to make sure everything was in order, I picked up the pen and began writing. I wrote about my afternoon so far, what I had for lunch, the fact it was a day off, and the earlier conversations I had with Livie. Thinking about that constant grin of hers, I couldn’t help but smile and laugh to myself. Until I got to the point where I had to turn down her invitation, as I did so I couldn’t help but smile bitterly, before putting everything back into my bag.

 

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“Now arriving at Madawaska Station.” The monorail’s PA system declared loudly throughout the entire car. I stood up and walked towards the door, as the monorail slowly came to a stop. The doors opened and I walked out, somewhat cautious of the others walking by the platform. Now that I was outside with the fresh air once again, I did a light stretch before walking to my next destination, Breeze’s Flowers. 

 

The streets weren’t crowded, and I could smell the pleasant scent of flowers from a block down. I stood just outside the door to the shop, where the scent was coming from. Just as I reached for the handle, it suddenly opened towards me, hitting my hand. I took a quick step back as a couple walked out with the largest smiles on their faces, each wearing a golden engagement ring on their left hands. They probably finished picking out flowers for their wedding.

 

“Oh no, I’m sorry.” The man said, just noticing I was right at the door when they opened it.

 

“No worries.” I replied smiling, hiding my injured hand behind my back. It really stung, but even more so after seeing them cling to each other. 

 

Without another word, the couple walked off. Seeing their public displays of affection as they walked out of sight, I couldn’t help but wince in my own envy. I sighed, then reached for the door once more, entering as a small bell rang overhead. My hand was still sore after that exchange, so I reached into my bag and pulled out a black fingerless glove. The glove served to dress my injury and hide it better. I know it doesn’t actually help with the soreness, but I like to think it does, even still it was a gift from somebody close to me, and the memory alone was enough to soothe me. I stood in the middle of the store, taking in the aroma of all the plants around the shelves, and refocused my attention to why I’m here.

 

Taking a quick glance, I was able to immediately spot two of the flowers I needed for my bouquet, red and blue roses. After that I picked out some blue orchids, and most importantly daisies. Finally the last and most important part, the crown piece of the bouquet, a series of Ornithogalum. After grabbing, wrapping, and setting the bouquet up myself I went to the cashier.

“G’afternoon, Breeze.” I smiled brightly towards her, raising my free uninjured left hand over my head to wave at her.

“Same bouquet as always?” The elderly woman looked at me, warmth coming from her smile and delicate eyes.

“You got it, thank you again for helping me pick these out when I first came here.”  I smiled again, showing my gratitude with a light bow, before fishing my wallet out of my bag. The price was the same amount, $35, a sum I had gotten used to due to my repeated visits.

Breeze usually worked the register methodically, not missing a beat and doing so quite quickly, but this time her movements were slower than usual. I Immediately picked up this meant she wanted to talk.

“That boy you visit every week still hasn’t woken up yet?” In response to her question I could only hang my head, my face contorting into a painful smile. “I see… Then may I see the card you always write for him? I do enjoy the things you write about.”

I obliged to the old lady, who I had come to see as an Aunt's demands. I reached into my bag and grabbed the envelope, handing it to her as if it was a precious treasure. “Here.” I wore a slightly embarrassed smile. As I did so she put the reading glasses, usually hanging by her neck, onto her face, and carefully took out the card.

“This Livie girl, you’ve spoken about her before, I wonder when you’ll bring her around.” Breeze looked delighted while reading the card, and her eyes were sparkling. After a few seconds she finally put the card back into the envelope, and put it on the counter, then slid it my way.

“Maybe next time.” Was all I could say as I let out a dry laugh. I reached for the card, but Breeze stopped me, turned my hand over, and gave me back the $35.

“Think of this as a gift for being a loyal customer, and also for letting this old lady do as she pleases.” She smiled, as feelings of unending gratitude came rushing over me.

“Thank you so much, Breeze.” As I reached in to give her a hug. I then grabbed the bouquet and headed for the entrance as I waved goodbye.

 

Exiting the door, bouquet delicately held within my arms, I marched towards my last destination. It was a path I must have walked hundreds of times already. Before I knew it, I was already at the entrance. A tall hospital that looked more like a highschool to me, perhaps because of all the time I spent here instead of in class back then. I quickly paced into the lobby, towards the greeting desk.

 

“Mimi, good to see you again.” Daina, chimed. The same secretary that greets me here almost daily. She’s a very kind lady who knows the circumstances behind my visits.

 

“Good to see you too, Daina.” I smiled back at her. “May I enter?” I eagerly gripped the poly-fibre strap attached to my bag as I waited for her approval.

 

“Of course, I’ll inform the doctor that you’re here. We just had the vase switched out too, the last bouquet wilted not too long ago. Please enjoy your time with him.” She waved and smiled to me as I walked swiftly down the hallway with excitement, towards the only room I know in this building, besides the cafeteria, of course.

 

I knocked on the door lightly, then waited a second before opening. My face lit up when I saw Hikari laying peacefully on the bed. I paced over to the new vase, and placed the bouquet inside. I then reached into my bag to pull out the card I kept safe this whole time, and placed it neatly on the organized mess of my previous cards that had collected over the years. All of them filled with recollections of my days, all of them made lovingly by hand. While the space for them was getting limited, they brought me great comfort every time I made them. I crouched down beside the bed, moving back the chair the staff always puts in here for me. I reached out my hand towards Hikari’s head, and brushed his hair back, caressing his cheek.

 

“Hey, Hikari.” I spoke softly, my voice was already trembling. “I’m sorry I haven’t been stopping by as much. Things have been getting even busier these past few months, with all my new friends and such.” I placed my hand on top of his, as I whispered apologetically. “This afternoon I hung out with Livie. We tried out a different cafe this time, since she got us banned from the last one. I wrote all about it in a card, the same as always, so be sure to read it when you wake up, okay?” I smiled as tears started to form in my eyes, my voice shaking even harder. 

 

Hikari, my closest friend since grade school, was suffering from a coma. Due to various reasons, he ended up falling down a flight of stairs. The resulting injuries caused brain damage, and induced him to a vegetative state. His parents were the ones responsible, they were suffering from financial issues at the time and things eventually led to another, as such they forced his medical bills on me, either that or the hospital would pull the plug. I don’t even know how I’d feel if I saw them again, most likely pure unbridled rage is all that would surface. I pulled out my cheque book and a pen from my bag, and wrote down the amount for this month, tearing off the thin sheet of paper and placing it next to Hikari’s bedside. The large payments eat away at my free time, and every week I’ve worked tirelessly to make ends meet. I’ve never told anyone about this, least of all my friends, and it tears away at me, lying and forcing them to pay for things for me, the recent cake I had with Livie comes to mind.

 

 I...don’t know what to do… Hikari…

 

 It feels like to save you, I have to hurt everyone else around me…

 

Tears welled up in my eyes once more, my head now resting on his barely moving chest, his faint breathes causing it to slowly rise and fall back down again. His slow and steady heartbeat was all that I could hear, for me it was the most comforting, but yet also the most painful thing in the world.

 

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I woke up to the sound of my phone’s alarm. I must have dozed off, that alarm is for the end of visitation hours. There was a pillow under my head, so I assume the doctor must have walked in on me. I noticed the check I wrote was replaced with a receipt also. I groggily stood up, then placed the pillow on the chair I still had yet to ever use. I stretched my arms, and my back, then knelt down to pick up my bag. I know visitation hours were up, but they normally allow me to stay a little while longer. I couldn’t help but feel I was forgetting something too, so I sat down on that chair for once, and thought for a bit, wanting to distract myself, unconsciously I ended up opening my phone.

 

I had opened the group chat to see how the others were doing. Everyone was offline at this time, but it was nice to see new messages were there. Most of them were Livie’s infamous bombardment of pings, targeted at Arashi. It’s odd to see he never responded to that as he usually does. Scrolling up a bit further, I saw Ollie’s message. A simple question mark was all he entered. I let out a weak laugh at the shy behaviour from my self-proclaimed little brother, how adorable. Yusha spoke the most out of the group. All he typed seemed to be excitement about some new game that we could all play together, and giving thanks towards Kaori, who still hasn’t said a word since.

 

That reminded me, she sent a strange link to a domain I had never heard of before. Maybe it was something new she was testing out, since, if I remember correctly, she was in university for something regarding computers. I continued my scroll up the chatroom to find the link she sent. I stared at it blankly for a few minutes, then out of frustration, and boredom, I ended up finally clicking the link. Reading the description of the game, I saw aspects in it that each member of our group would enjoy, including myself. I scrolled down to pre-register, clicked the box, and… that was that.

 

I fired off one last message towards Kaori, hoping she would respond in the morning, then picking up my bag once more, stood up. I crouched over Hikari’s bed for one last farewell, and petted the top of his head, while pushing my forehead against his with my eyes closed. I would die from embarrassment if he were to ever wake up when I did this, but it’s a risk I like to take.

 

 I opened my eyes, and noticed a strange light in the room. I briefly scanned the room to find the source, but no lamp was on. A look of shock and horror spread across my face as I looked towards the floor. I was… I was glowing! What started as a faint light coming from my boots, now crawled across my body, higher and higher eventually reaching my legs. What... What even is this? I went to brush my leg to see if it was just… dust, maybe even a trick of light? Once my hand made contact with my leg, it vanished. My leg… vanished…? My leg vanished! I lost my balance as I fell to the floor, the light still climbing my body, as my senses started to dim. I-I have no idea what this is. There’s no pain, no burning sensation. My lower body is completely gone now, and it’s a struggle just to remain conscious. I reached my arms out, and grasped the blankets of Hikari’s bed. I couldn’t even let out a scream for help, but that didn’t matter. I just need to be beside Hikari. I need to make sure he’s okay.

 

 I struggled to lift what was left of my body above the edge, my strength draining as I did so. As I looked at him, a sense of relief washed over me. There was no strange light on him, he was sleeping as always. He’s fine… thank god. My strength, now completely gone, caused me to let go of the bed, falling to the floor. As I did my vision faded, everything turned to white, followed by the slow fade into nothingness.