Aika sat at the edge of the hospital bed, her hands resting on her knees.
Riku had fallen back asleep. His breathing was steady now, his face relaxed despite the faint shadows beneath his eyes.
Her hand brushed lightly over his wrist, her fingertips tracing the edge of the IV line.
He's been sick this whole time.
And he didn't tell me.
Aika swallowed the lump in her throat and stood up, her gaze lingering on Riku's sleeping face.
A soft knock sounded at the door.
Aika's head turned.
A nurse peeked inside. "Aika-chan?"
"Yes?"
"You have a visitor."
Aika's brow furrowed. Slowly, she rose from the chair and followed the nurse down the hallway.
Her heart skipped when she spotted the familiar figure standing near the hospital's entrance.
"Mom?"
Her mother turned, relief washing over her face the moment their eyes met.
"Aika!"
Aika barely had time to react before her mother pulled her into a tight hug.
"I came as soon as I heard," her mother whispered against her hair.
Aika's breath hitched. Her arms wrapped around her mother's back as warmth seeped through the embrace.
"I'm okay," Aika murmured.
Her mother pulled back slightly, brushing Aika's hair behind her ear. "I was so worried when I got the call from the school."
"I'm sorry."
Her mother's gaze softened. "It's not your fault."
Aika's eyes lowered. "But Riku…"
Her mother's expression tightened. "The nurse said he collapsed?"
Aika nodded slowly. "He… he's sick. He's been sick for a long time, but I didn't know."
Her mother's gaze softened with quiet understanding. "I'm sure he didn't want to burden you."
Aika's chest tightened. "But that's not fair. He's always looking out for me, but I couldn't even tell that something was wrong."
Her mother reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "That's not your fault either."
Aika's eyes glistened. "It still feels like I should have known."
Her mother smiled faintly and brushed her fingers through Aika's hair. "Come on. Let's get you home. You need rest too."
Aika hesitated, glancing toward the hallway. "But Riku—"
"You can come back tomorrow," her mother said gently. "He's in good hands."
Aika's hands curled into fists at her sides. "But what if—"
Her mother's hand pressed lightly against her cheek. "Aika."
Aika's breath caught.
"He'll be here when you come back," her mother whispered.
Aika's chest tightened painfully.
After a long moment, she gave a small nod.
Her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulder and led her toward the entrance.
As they stepped outside into the cool evening air, Aika's gaze remained fixed on the ground.
Her mother's hand tightened around her shoulder.
"It's okay to feel scared," her mother said quietly.
Aika swallowed hard. "I don't want to lose him."
"You're not going to."
Aika's steps slowed.
Her mother's expression softened. "He's stronger than you think. And so are you."
Aika's gaze lifted toward the soft, fading light of the sunset beyond the hospital walls.
He's strong… but how much longer can he keep this up?
Her mother's hand squeezed her shoulder again. "Come on. Let's go home."
Aika's lips pressed together. Slowly, she nodded.
But even as they walked toward the train station, Aika's thoughts remained in that quiet hospital room, lingering on the rise and fall of Riku's breath.