fic for astrangerenters (1/3)

[nino-mod.livejournal.com]

For: astrangerenters
From: gurajiorasu

Title: The Current's Too Strong
Pairing/Focus: Sakumiya
Rating: R
Warnings: Character death
Summary: Kazunari was designated to die in the operating room. Sho was, too, and he was trying to change it. But Kazunari's time was running out faster than he thought it would.
Notes: Never Let Me Go AU (but I think it's okay to read this without reading the novel or watching the movie first). I'm not knowledgeable in medical field, so I'm sorry if some things are not right. And.. It turned out more gloomy than I initially plan to, but I hope it's okay. I hope astrangerenters wouldn't be disappointed with this :D

“I keep thinking about this river somewhere, with the water moving really fast. And these two people in the water, trying to hold onto each other, holding on as hard as they can, but in the end it's just too much. The current's too strong. They've got to let go, drift apart. That's how it is with us. It's a shame, Kath, because we've loved each other all our lives. But in the end, we can't stay together forever.”

- Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go

S. Sho was just out from the conference room. His head was still heavy after all the debate and endless discussion that led to nothing. He carried his documents with him again, convinced enough that those bunch of heartless higher-ups would do nothing besides discarding them. He was used to this output, though - he had gone through hundreds of similar meetings in the past few years and most of them had similar result.

“Maybe it’s time for us to approach NGOs,” A. Masaki, one of the few that had fought with him in those few years, said while patting Sho’s back, “It might be easier to approach NGOs with our issue. They have hearts, at least.”

Sho shrugged, “This program is government’s. NGO has no right and power to stop it.”

“They have masses. The government would have to shut the program down if there are mass movements about it,” M. Jun gave his opinion, “But, well, the risk is higher too. There’s a possibility that they’d support the government instead. The program is beneficial for the normals, after all.”

“We don’t have much time left, so it might be our best shot,” I. Toma suddenly appeared from behind them, “I don’t think it will be long before one of us is called for donor.”

Sho knew it, of course. He had counted it before. All of them - the ones who actively involved in the movement to bring down the program - had applied to be a carer so they would be the last in line to be called for donation amongst anyone their age, but Sho already had two donors from his age to be taken care of. Their time was approaching fast.

His time was approaching faster.

Sho felt his heart twinged as his mind wandered to a certain man; a certain person that he had always held dear in his heart, the source of motivation that kept him going after a lot of fruitless efforts and degrading humiliation.

Then, his beeper vibrated and his heart stopped into a halt. The beeper only went off when something happened to the donor that he was taking care of, but because the last donor had met his completion a while ago, it could only mean one thing.

A new donor was assigned to him to be taken care of.

Bad feelings crept up to his mouth. With a certain person still lingering in his mind, Sho felt the horror pounding in his chest. He took his beeper and lifted it slowly to reveal the message.

“New Donor Notice. Carer: S. Sho. Place: Chiba facility, Room 1994. Donor: N. Kazunari”

A part of Sho’s soul was ripped apart right then and there.

*******

“Kazu,” Sho breathed out once he’s inside the clean room of the facility. He scrambled to the bed where a slighter man sat and took the man into his embrace. His hands were trembling - his whole body was. He felt cold all over and he still hoped that it was all just a dream.

“Hey, Sho,” Kazunari answered with a smile. He sat still, letting Sho do as he pleased to him.

Sho pressed his lips on the side of Kazunari’s head and held him tight. He rocked them both back and forth, swaying in an erratic movement.

Toma, Masaki, and Jun froze on the doorway, feeling the sadness and despair which were oozing out from their friends on the bed. They had known each other for as long as they lived, they knew for real how precious Kazunari was to Sho and vice versa.

“Sho kun, tadaima,” Kazunari still smiled but his eyes were getting wet.

The facility was obviously not their home. They never had a home, it’s just one facility after another for Sho and one temporary mess after another for Kazunari after they’re out from the boarding school. But Kazunari was always Sho’s home. He’s the closest to family that Sho would ever have. He’s the only one that was always there - the only thing that was constant in Sho’s life.

Sho nodded because he couldn’t bring himself to utter anything. Everything was overwhelming. His biggest fear was finally there and even though it was inevitable, Sho would never be prepared enough to face it.

Jun inched forward to take the document next to the bed. He read it, noting a few important things. He then passed it to Toma and Masaki and scooted closer to the couple.

“It’s kidney. One kidney,” Jun informed, “Scheduled for tomorrow. Survive rate is more than 80%.”

Being a carer, Sho should know that it’s a good news. Most of the donor survived the first donation and kidney was the most common donation. 80% was a wonderful number too. Sho would certainly inform it with a big smile of assurance to the donor if it’s not Kazunari.

But it was Kazunari. And it made an enormous difference on everything. All that Sho could process right then was that he had 20% chance of putting Kazunari into the casket the next day, signing Kazunari’s letter of completion and biding him goodbye forever.

“I’ll be alright,” Kazunari raised his hand to rub Sho’s back, “You know I will.”

“How could they do this to you?” Sho’s voice was shaky and his anger was apparent. He still held Kazunari tight and his body was still trembling hard.

Kazunari already opened his mouth to answer it but he closed it again. He knew Sho too well; it wouldn’t be good to say the classic answer about how they were created for this exact purpose, to be the spare parts of the rich.

“They have no rights. They have no rights at all,” Sho started to sound angry and out of control. Kazunari made calming circles on Sho’s back but it didn’t do much. Sho was really mad and nothing could calm him down.
“We’re as human as they are - No. That’s not it - We are more human than they are. We might be not conceived and born naturally, but it doesn’t mean that they can drag us to operating table and harvest our organs as they pleased!” Sho nearly screamed.

No one dared to make a noise. The atmosphere was so heavy and saturated with sadness and deep anger. The clock was ticking and the time felt like it was stretched out. Heart beats were quickening and breaths were held.

“This needs to stop. This sick program really needs to stop,” Sho broke the grief silence and released Kazunari. He wiped the tears that were hanging on his eyes and he looked highly determined while doing so.

It was without another word when Sho stood up and left the room with hurried steps. Kazunari could only see him disappearing from his sight and feel the coldness that crept back due to Sho’s absence. He stretched his hand towards Sho, trying to keep the slightly older from leaving but it happened too fast.

Jun quickly ran after Sho because it would be too dangerous to let angry Sho go by his own. Toma put down the documents he was holding to the bedside table and threw an apologetic look to Kazunari before dashing out too. Masaki, who was left behind, took his time and approached Kazunari.

Masaki tried to smile. He placed his palm on Kazunari’s shoulder and rubbed it gently, “We’ll try our best, okay? Sho chan will do anything to save you.”

Kazunari nodded and Masaki left too, leaving Kazunari alone in his room.

Kazunari dropped his body down to the bed and finally his tears flowed out from his eyes. To be honest, he had lost hope on stopping the program and surviving. To be honest, he had accepted his fate. To be honest, he wouldn’t mind even if Sho decided to stop the struggle right then and there.

Kazunari had accepted that his death was approaching - if it’s not in his first donation, then it would be in his second, third, or fourth - and he just wanted Sho to be there. With him.

*******

When the time for the donation was there, Sho wasn’t. Even though he was Kazunari’s carer, he wasn’t there. Kazunari had to take care of the documents in place of Sho because he didn’t want Sho to be replaced for neglecting his responsibility, and the loneliness that he felt while doing it was poisonous. When the doctor came and pushed his bed towards the operating room, Kazunari hoped that finally Sho would come but he didn’t.

It broke Kazunari’s heart, really. Sho had left him too many times in his life. He had always been waiting for Sho - not sure if Sho would come back but he waited anyway. He knew Sho had a big dream - to shut the donation program down forever - and he knew Sho was doing a good thing so he never complained, but right then, he felt like screaming. He had not much time left and yet Sho still left him. It could be their last chance to see each other and yet Sho was still not there with him.

When Kazunari opened his eyes again after the donation had been completed, though, he found Sho by his bed, clutching his hand tightly with worry painted on his face, and all the exasperation that Kazunari had was dissipated completely again. Sho was always his weakness. Always. Sho was the only one that he ever treasured in his life; the only reason why he wanted to stay alive.

“I’m sorry I didn’t make it to see you before the donation,” Sho apologized and Kazunari knew it was sincere.

“It’s okay,” the answer came out immediately.

“How do you feel?” Sho asked softly. He caressed Kazunari’s hair gently as if Kazunari was the most delicate thing in the world.

Kazunari leaned to Sho’s caress, trying to forget the biting numbness that he felt on the side of his stomach. He could feel the wound, he could feel the new emptiness inside his body, but prohibited himself from thinking about it. He was alive, and that’s the only thing that mattered.

“Okay,” Kazunari smiled.

“You should rest properly, though,” Sho told Kazunari.

“I will,” Kazunari nodded and gave his playful smile, “It’s not like I could do much in this place anyway.”

Sho smiled. He looked tired and spent. He put his head down on Kazunari’s bed and put Kazunari’s hand on top of his head. Then, he said, “We’re approaching NGOs. I went to a couple of NGOs yesterday and to another one earlier today. So far, the prospect is good. I’ll approach more NGOs to gather more people to support us.”

Kazunari just nodded to that.

“I will never let them take you just like that,” Sho said with all of his seriousness.

“I know,” Kazunari brushed Sho’s hair with his fingers.

“It was terrifying to see you out from the operating room, cold and unconscious. I don’t want to see that ever again.”

“I’m sorry,” Kazunari felt certain warmth spread in his chest.

“I love you,” Sho said and it was the first. They had been together for the longest time that it wasn’t necessary to put things into words but Sho finally said it then. He just felt that he had to say it, to make sure that Kazunari knew it. To stress the realness of it and to somewhat make it official. He pressed his lips to the back of Kazunari’s hand gently, “That’s why I’ll do my best to save you. I don’t care if I have to go door to door and show people that we deserve freedom and the right to live too. If that’s what I need to do to keep them from treating you like consumables, then I’ll do it.”

Kazunari wanted to tell Sho that he didn’t need to do that - that he was fine of being treated as consumables as long as he could spend his last days with Sho and that it would be enough if he could have Sho all for himself until the time he had to close his eyes forever - but he didn’t have a heart to do so. Sho looked so determined and miserable at the same time. Like it was Sho himself who was counting down the days to second donation.

So Kazunari just smiled softly and cupped Sho’s cheek, whispering, “I love you too,” before pulling Sho close for their first kiss ever.

*******

The softness of the kiss lingered on Sho’s lips for countless days. It spurred him, giving him the strength that he badly needed. He had stayed with Kazunari until very late on the day of Kazunari’s first donation, but he left with a promise of not coming back so soon. He needed support from a lot of people and that’s what he’d be gathering nonstop.

Fortunately, Sho was not alone on it. He had Jun, Toma, and Masaki. They also had a fair-sized group of people with the same vision with them. Mostly, the member was from the same year as them back in the boarding school, but there were some senpais and a few kouhais started to join too. Shortly, they started to make positive progress; organizations and communities started to show their support for them.

But it was not enough. They needed more. They needed a breakthrough so the public in general would be aware of them and understand that they were humans too - they wanted to keep on living once they’re alive too. They needed the people to move with them.

They started to run out of ideas when one of their teachers back on the boarding school came to their small gathering place they called office. The office was rather empty, most of the members were out to approach yet another community or fulfill their duty as carer. There were only Masaki and Sho around, working on yet another long list of organizations and communities.

“So, it was you guys, after all,” the woman said with a fair hint of relief as she stepped in. She looked troubled and unsure until she saw them, a piece of paper was held in her hand.

Masaki and Sho looked up and they immediately stood up.

“Becky sensei?” Masaki breathed out in disbelief before running to the teacher.

“A. Masaki, right? And S. Sho?” the teacher smiled. Masaki escorted her in and Sho bowed to her. It had been so long since they left the school and they had never seen any of the teacher - or guardians, as they used to call them - outside the school area.

“What brought you here, Sensei?” Sho asked. Not because he was displeased by Becky’s presence, course.

“I heard,” Becky took a seat, “I heard that there are people who are seeking help for shutting the donation program down.”

Sho and Masaki exchanged glances for a short while. They didn’t know where Becky was standing exactly. She didn’t seem to have the intention of telling them to stop but, came to think about it, she was their teacher. She worked in a special boarding school for special students like them. She was a part of the program itself.

Becky seemed to notice the doubt in her former students’ face. She smiled and assured, “I come to help. I’ve had enough of letting my students graduate just to be opened up in an operating table.”

Masaki squeezed Sho’s hand in happiness. His smile was wide and bright.

“You know, this sick program... they’re not only running it in Japan,” Becky started. She stole a glance to her wristwatch, “I have a friend in England. She’s a guardian too. But there.. the school is helping the students to get some acknowledgment that they’re not commodity.”

“How?” Sho became alerted. They had never had any help from anyone before. They’re only expected to just accept their designated fate and that’s all. No hope whatsoever.

“By arts,” the woman produced photographs from her handbag. They were photographs of multiple paintings and statues. At some, there were also poetry and music sheets. She spread them all on the table, “They’re showing the world that the students- that the donors have souls too. People are able to see to the donor’s heart through these arts and hopefully, they’d understand that it’s just wrong to use them as... disposable.”

Sho studied the photographs and a crippling excitement was building inside him. Kazunari was especially good in making music and writing poetry. He was a good singer, they could record him or something and let the world listen to his raw emotion. The world would finally notice it, the world would see.

“I can’t do much, but I know some people from the media. In one way or another, I hope it helps,” Becky took out several name cards, “I’m really sorry. I really hope I could help you more but, you see, with my position I can’t do much.”

“It’s okay, Sensei,” Masaki cut. He was beaming, “This is already more than enough. We’re glad that you took the trouble to help us.”

Becky’s eyes were glassy. She reached across the table to cup Masaki’s and Sho’s cheeks with her hands. She brushed them gently, showing the fondness that she had, “You guys are such good kids. It’s not fair that you have to go through all these.”

Sho and Masaki smiled and Becky found that their smiles were still the same as the ones that they had when they’re still five. Masaki patted her hand reassuringly, “We’re going to be okay, Sensei. We’re strong, remember?”

Becky nodded and she looked at her wristwatch again. She really needed to get going, “I think I need to get back before I bring troubles to you. Be safe, okay?”

Sho and Masaki nodded. Becky stood up, bowed, and waved his goodbye. She disappeared with fast steps and worried look, as if she was about to go to a battlefield.

Masaki eyed her fondly. Her presence made him remember the good old days when he didn’t have to worry about anything but his health - when he hadn’t fully grasped why they were special and what it meant to be a donor.

Then, Masaki turned to Sho with a new hope in his eyes, “Satoshi senpai. Satoshi senpai’s arts will certainly rob people’s hearts, don’t you think?”

Sho nodded but his brain wasn’t there anymore. It might be a little bit egoistic, but if there’s even the slightest chance, he wanted to secure it for Kazunari first. He tidied his belongings and hurriedly left Masaki.

“Where are you going?” Masaki asked, “I’m going to contact Satoshi senpai so we could publish his arts as soon as possible. Don’t you want to come with me?”

“Please, take care of it,” Sho turned to give a wide grin, “I have to tell Kazunari about this.”

Sho was out from his sight in a few seconds but Masaki couldn’t complain. He just shook his head with a smile on his face, proceeding to do just as he said.

*******

“Songs?” Kazunari blinked in surprise.

“Yeah, songs. You made them, right?” Sho was excited beyond believe, “Becky sensei came today and she said that in England, they use arts to show normals a bit of our souls. This is a good chance, Kazunari, I know your songs are beautiful!”

“But I- I left them all in the school. I don’t think I still remember any,” Kazunari said in tiny voice, afraid to disappoint Sho.

“Then, make new ones!” Sho glowed, “We can wait, don’t worry. While you’re making new ones, we’ll use Satoshi senpai’s arts first. When you’re done, we’ll let the world know what they’re missing if they refused to open their eyes.”

Kazunari chuckled. He really didn’t think that his songs were that good. Contrary to Satoshi that was well known for his statues and paintings since they’re in the elementary school, no one had actually acknowledged Kazunari’s songs. He had no audience. Only Sho. And it’s always enough for him.

But if Sho wanted him to make a song for the world to listen, then be it. He’d make the best song for sure. Not for the sake of himself, but because Sho asked him to.

“A song about what, Sho kun?” Kazunari asked. His fingers were reaching for Sho’s.

“About anything,” Sho laced their fingers together. He pondered for a bit then his face lit up with an idea, “Ah! About your desire to keep on living! How about that?”

Kazunari chuckled and nodded. Words and melody started to arrange themselves in his head. His own desire of keep on living might be weak for now, but he got something else that was in the same line as it. He giddily freed himself from the bed and walked to his chest. He took his old but precious ukulele, the one that Sho had snatched for him in one of the most crowded sale in their school. His body was still adapting with the loss of one of its organs, but he felt well. He turned back to the bed with a wide grin, imagining that he would spend the rest of the day with his Sho, singing and probably messing around. Just like the way he liked it.

But when he saw Sho again, the man was already tidying his things, ready to go.

“Satoshi senpai is on his way to the office,” Sho informed, “His last donor just completed so he’s free now. We can start to contact the media right away. We’re really lucky, aren’t we?”

Kazunari’s smile slowly fell into a flat line. His heart dropped to the floor.

“I’ll get going, okay? Just wait for it, this one will be a breakthrough, I promise you!” Sho stepped closer, ruffled Kazunari’s head briefly, and turned to leave.

Kazunari wanted to make Sho stay but he restrained himself again. He just swallowed it. It’s actually funny how Kazunari was the one with limited time but he’s the one who seemed to have forever to wait and keep waiting for Sho. He didn’t mind, though, all of his time was for Sho, anyway. It had always been. But it still felt somehow wrong, somehow lonely.

Kazunari scooted back to his bed while Sho dashed to the door. Kazunari climbed carefully; the after-surgery pain was suddenly felt again.

Just in front of the door, Sho stopped abruptly. It looked like he was forgetting something. He turned back and went to Kazunari.

Kazunari didn’t expect it and he swore his heart skipped a thousand beats when Sho landed a soft kiss on his forehead.

“I love you,” Sho said with a big, wide smile. He brushed Kazunari’s cheek with his thumb twice and left again. Just before he passed the door, he turned and smiled to Kazunari, “Ittekimasu.”

Kazunari felt a huge wave of warmth inside his chest. It was really sincere when he answered, “Itterasshai.”

Kazunari really didn’t mind waiting, for Sho would always come back to him. Always.

Slowly, he strummed his ukulele.

*******

It was still April when Jun first contacted the media with Satoshi’s paintings in the menu. It was well into June when the beauty of it finally reached audiences’ eyes and grabbed people’s attention.

Kazunari saw it on the magazine that the facility provided. He watched news about it on the television. Sometimes he would see Jun as the spokesperson, sometimes he would see Toma. Everyone was talking about them. Public discussions were held and broadcasted live in television channels to talk about Satoshi’s talent at first and the morality of the donation program at last.

It was still subtle and there’s still no active movements yet, but they’re progressing pretty well. At least, it was a huge step compared to what they had up until then.

Sho visited Kazunari at least once a week. His visit was always brief, but he always came with wide smile and bright face despite the dark circles under his eyes. Kazunari knew Sho was beyond tired, that’s why he never asked for more.

Kazunari wrote one song after another, one poetry after another. He would occasionally sing them to Sho. Sometimes, Sho would fall asleep while he was singing - probably because his body couldn’t take the exhaustiveness any longer - and Kazunari would smile to the sleeping man, caressing Sho’s soft hair and humming his song softly.

At some point, Sho realized that all of Kazunari’s songs were about them. Or him. There’s one song about their childhood, there’s another song about their trip to a lake long time ago, and there’s even a song about Sho’s squishy cheeks. The lyrics were somewhat ridiculous but beautiful at the same time, it’s confusing Sho.

“What’s this, I don’t remember telling you to write songs about me,” Sho chuckled after yet another song about him. He fiddled with his new recording device that he finally obtained. They’re going to publish Kazunari’s songs too. Probably next week, right after Satoshi’s interview by a major television channel.

“You did,” Kazunari laughed. They were out under the sun, sitting on a picnic rug on the beach behind the facility’s building. Kazunari’s skin was getting pale because he spent most of his time indoor, so Sho always dragged him out every time he had the chance.

“I didn’t,” Sho chuckled. He poked Kazunari’s cheek and the latter poked back. They’re always happy when it’s just the two of them. It was as if nothing else mattered - like they had no problems at all.

“You did,” Kazunari leaned to Sho’s shoulder. He kept his knees close to his chest, hugging them to counter the warm wind.

“I told you to write songs about wanting to keep on living!” Sho pulled Kazunari to his embrace and kissed Kazunari’s top of the head.

“Uh huh,” Kazunari nodded, “That’s why I write about you. Don’t you get it? It’s because you are the only reason why I want to keep on living.”

Sho’s heart lost its beat and drummed like crazy afterward. His cheeks turned crimson red while Kazunari grinned cheekily on him.
“Sap,” he breathed out but he hugged Kazunari tighter, showing that he was so happy inside.

Kazunari giggled. He settled comfortably on Sho’s shoulder, inhaling the humid scent of summer. Then, after comfortable silence enveloped them, he timidly said, “Therefore.. can’t you just stay, Sho kun?”

Sho was about to ask what Kazunari meant but before he could vocalize it, he already understood. He exhaled a long breath and squeezed Kazunari’s shoulders, making the situation calmer before he answered, “You know I leave you so we can be together longer- forever.”

“I know. But.. don’t you think it’s better to make use of the time that we actually have? I mean, there’s a possibility that-”

Sho abruptly closed Kazunari’s mouth with his palm. “Don’t,” he looked pained and upset, “Please, don’t. We’ll get you out of here. I won’t let them take anything from you anymore. You’ll live longer than me. You will. Okay?”

It was really overwhelming for Kazunari to see the amount of fear in Sho’s eyes. Those eyes were glassy, the pupils were dilating. It came to Kazunari that it scared Sho more than it scared him. It affected Sho more than it affected him. It might be Kazunari’s life, but Sho showed that he treasured it more.

Kazunari nodded slowly. His eyes were locked to Sho’s, feeling the angst that was radiated from it. Sho’s hand was loosening from Kazunari’s mouth and shifted to Kazunari’s cheek, gripping it like Kazunari would disappear if he let go.

Kazunari put his hand on Sho’s, pressing it firmer to his skin.

There’s a single drop of tear escaped from Sho’s eye.

“I’m sorry,” Kazunari swept his thumb on the back of Sho’s hand. “I’m sorry,” his free hand reached for Sho’s cheek and wiped the tear off. “I’m sorry,” he pulled Sho by Sho’s hand and cheek, capturing Sho to his embrace. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Kazunari put Sho’s hand on his shoulder, hugging Sho tight while chanting his apology.

“I don’t want to lose you,” Sho whispered and he had to give his all to refrain himself from sobbing. They were never easily moved to tears, they were always the cool guys. But with death lurking behind them, it all changed. It only needed one wrong sentence to crumble their defenses. It only needed one look to the future and they would be shaken again.

“I’m sorry,” Kazunari’s hands moved to Sho’s sides of the face and he lifted Sho’s head. He wiped the tears that were there again and leaned closer until their foreheads were touching, “I was stupid. I’m sorry.”

“I just can’t let them-,” Sho was choked by his own words.

“We won’t let them,” Kazunari assured. He kept wiping Sho’s tears that kept flowing one by one, “We won’t.”

“I’m sorry I’m a mess but-,” Sho sniffled. He looked a little bit embarrassed when he continued, “I love you.”

Kazunari let out a little chuckle because Sho looked so adorable and because the tense air didn’t really suit them. He smiled wide and whispered, “I love you too.”

Kazunari leaned in and their lips met, soft and gentle. Sho’s lips were a little bit salty due to the tears and Kazunari kissed the saltiness away. The kiss was intimate and deepened gradually, showing the sheer possessiveness that they had in them. It had no wrong desire in it. It was purely out of love; passionate but not in the search for something more.

It felt like they had gone to paradise and went back when they finally broke the kiss. They both smiled, staring intently and lovingly at each other.

“I can make a song out of that,” Kazunari grinned. He decided that they had enough of emotional roller coaster for a day so he intended to ease the air a bit.

Sho stifled a laugh. Always a sucker for Kazunari’s antics, “Are you stupid? Who would hear a song about kissing?”

“Why not? It’s beautiful,” Kazunari laughed.

“Fine. You can make it. But don’t blame me if girls want to kiss me later,” Sho joked.

“It’s their loss, then. The one who makes the kiss beautiful is me,” Kazunari giggled. Then, his voice turned softer and he shrugged, “But, nah. I’ll make it later. We still have a lot of time anyway, don’t we? We have the rest of our lives.”

Sho felt warm because it was Kazunari’s way to assure him that he won’t think about ending it again. He grinned and nodded, already imagining how a song about a kiss would be like.

A shout cast the imagination away, though.

“Sho kun!” someone was running towards them from the direction of the facility’s building. It was Jun. His face was pale and he was panting.

Sho and Kazunari stood up, getting alerted because Jun’s expression didn’t indicate anything good.

“What happened?”

“Sato- Satoshi!” Jun bumped Sho and Kazunari to make a stop.

“What happened to Satoshi senpai?”

“He was called for donation,” Jun was still trying to arrange his breath.

Sho’s and Kazunari’s hearts clenched. But it was not unexpected, though. Satoshi was older than them, after all. It’s about time.

“The first donation is- is-,” Jun was nearly hyperventilating and it worried Sho and Kazunari.

“Is...?” Kazunari prodded.

“Heart.”


Part 2