Keep Fighting

𓊈卍 𝟗𝟏 卍𓊉

It's been six days since Nakano has woken up.

Her blood tests came back with positive results, and there's no indication of lost memory. Her wounds should be manageable, but she will still need assistance if any harsh work has to be done. Upon hearing that, all her friends agreed that she'll be watched around the clock in case she even tried to. Today is her final test before she gets discharged tomorrow.

Nakano is by her lonesome in the room while Mikey is getting her lunch. It was his turn to watch over her today. Well, he tends to her every day, but this is the one time this week when he doesn't have someone else with him—something the pair was enjoying.

Knock knock.

Nakano hears someone at the door. "Come in." The door opens and walks the boy with the mismatched coloured eyes. She gives him a smile expressing the relief to see that he's okay. "Kakucho! It's nice to see you!"

"It's nice to see you too, Nakano," he responds with a slight smile and bow of his head.

"When Takemichi told me you lived, I almost didn't believe him. I thought I watched you die that day."

"I only had one gunshot wound," he retorts. "I should be the one who should be shocked at how you're still alive."

"Yeesh, what did I do to you?" She says this jokingly and motions for him to sit in the chair next to her bed.

"You did more for Izana than I ever could have." Kakucho is unable to hold their gaze, even after he takes a seat. "... I'm sorry I couldn't save him."

"You sought my help, and I couldn't save him either. But, I think you did save him. In a sense." Nakano sits up, and Kakucho is quick to assist her. "I wouldn't dare say Kisaki had something to do with it, but seeing you get shot must've got to him. He didn't realize how much he cared about the people in his life until he was about to lose them."

A silence falls upon them. A heavy one. Both people in the room can feel the emotions building up, and they have no fear of showing it to each other. With tears in her eyes, Nakano smiles warmly at Kakucho.

"Thank you for being his family when I couldn't be there. Just as you were his family, you are also mine." The air seems to lift, their shoulders becoming a bit lighter. "What was my brother like when he was younger?"

"Wild, reckless, and prideful," Kakucho answers immediately. "But he was also there for me, and always wanted to seek justice. Well, he called it that. If someone did something bad to him, and at one time for me, he'd take his revenge."

"Sounds like something he'd do. He seemed like the type to hold onto grudges." Nakano sighs and rests her head against the headboard of the bed. "I'm glad he can let it all go now."

"Yeah..." Silence grows between them, but not an uncomfortable one. A peaceful one. "As much as it hurts us, he can't be hurt anymore as he was his entire life. At least that's a little comforting."

Nakano hums in agreement, impressed by his way of looking at it. She's also a bit saddened knowing he's been hurting this whole time as well. Both of them have been through a lot, but in their final moment together, they could find their resolve.

"Takemichi told me you'd be discharged tomorrow."

"When I pass the physical ability exam," Nakano states. "I've been bedridden for over two months, forced to stay in bed for another week, and all of the sudden they're asking me to walk from one end of the room to the other." She scoffs lightly. "It's challenge after challenge, but I will manage."

"I bet you will. I guess it's a good time to give you these. It's why I came here in the first place." Kakucho holds up the two hanafuda earrings that belonged to Izana. "He'd want you to have them."