Chapter 44: A small world

Days passed as I would visit Yukino at least once a day at the hospital after finishing my lectures in university. My mind has settled a bit after the incident that happened. The others would often come with me to visit but today was different. 

I visited today alone since it will be her last night at the hospital before being discharged tomorrow. I arrived at the hospital holding a basket of fruits for Yukino. I decided to stop by the smoking area to grab a quick smoke. 

There I found my professor who already knew of my smoking habit after he saw me during the trip. 

"I guess you'll be going for a quick smoke student of mine." 

"Watanabe-san. I hope you don't mind a student of yours smoking beside you." 

"Go ahead, you're not in school grounds anyway. Visiting someone?"

As I was given permission, I lit a cigarette.

"Yes sir, you probably know her, Yukino." 

"Ah, my colleague told me that she's not going to class recently so this is why. What happened?"

"I-I uh-" 

"Guess it's confidential then. I'm not her professor anyway so I won't pry. That's for my colleague to handle." 

"Why are you here sir? Also visiting someone?" 

"Yeah, my uncle. Wanna go and see him before going to miss Yukino's room?"

"Sure I guess if you don't mind." 

As we made our way to his uncle's room we didn't say a word to each other. I just followed him and to my surprise, it was just next to Yukino's room. Before entering the room, just to break the awkward silence, I asked him a random question.

"Since when was he hospitalized?" 

"Two days ago." Answered Watanabe-san. 

We entered the room and it definitely did surprise me. It was someone I know. 

"Aoi?" Said Akihiro-san. 

"I guess you know my student uncle." 

That was a rather nonchalant way of reacting after knowing that me and his uncle are acquainted. Very fitting of Watanabe-san. 

"Akihiro-san, what happened?" 

"Just getting a bit old, nothing serious."

"So? How are the two of you acquainted?" Asked Watanabe-san after sitting on a chair beside his uncle as I stood right by the entrance of the room. 

"I met your student at a pub. Don't worry Aoi, my nephew here won't report you." 

"So you've been drinking again uncle. Should I tell your doctor?" 

"Please don't? I'll stop so give me a break here." 

"Do you not work as a bartender?" Asked I.

"Yeah, but I'm not drinking there. Just working, I enjoy the atmosphere and the small conversations that line of work offers." 

Akihiro-san and I talked for a few minutes as Watanabe-san would just listen and not say a word.

"I'll be going then, you take care of yourself Akihiro-san. I'll be on my way Watanabe-san." 

"Sure, send my regards to Yukino." Said Watanabe-san.

That was quite the surprise, Watanabe-san being Akihiro-san's nephew. What a small world. I made my way to Yukino's room to find her soundly sleeping so I put down the basket of fruits on the small desk beside her bed and sat on a chair. 

I decided to not disturb her sleep, after all, she's smiling while sleeping. I wonder what she's dreaming of. I hope that's me because I wouldn't be able to control my jealousy if she's dreaming of another man and smiling like this. 

I read a novel I brought with me to pass some time. It was another novel from Sugaru Miaki-san entitled Starting Over. I've read about halfway through the novel and It seems that hours have already passed considering that it's already dark outside. 

A few minutes later, Yukino woke up.

"Oh, how long have you been here?" 

"A couple of hours?" 

"Why didn't you wake me up?" 

"You look like you're enjoying a wonderful dream right there. I just hope it's not a dream about a man other than myself." 

"What? Of course it wasn't you." 

"W-w-what?!" 

"I'm with Shin and we went on a shopping spree. Who wouldn't be happy?" 

This girl, well, at least I'm glad that it's not another man. 

"Are you hungry?" 

"A bit. Do you have something for me?" 

"Here have some fruits." 

"A fruit basket huh? How boring Aoi. Well, that'll do. I'm craving for some anyway." 

Can she make up her mind if she's going to complain or accept my thoughtfulness? 

Yukino munched on the fruits, almost consuming a third of the basket. I guess she really was hungry. 

"You'll be discharged tomorrow right?" 

"Yep. Why?"

"I'll come and pick you up." 

"You don't have to. Uncle will pick me up anyway." 

"I'll come with uncle then." 

"Sure I guess." 

Why do I insist on picking her up? That's because I plan on giving her a bouquet of flowers to congratulate her on being discharged after a week long stay in the hospital.

My phone started ringing so I quickly grabbed it out of my pocket to check who it was calling me. 

"Nakamura-san?" 

"Aoi. I have a good news and bad news but not that bad." 

"I'll hear the good news first." 

"Your book has been approved. You're going to Europe Aoi." 

"What really!?" I jumped out of my seat which surprised Yukino. "What's the bad news then?" 

"You should be there by May so you'll have a hard time processing your requirements. But rest assured that we will help you." 

The phone call ended and I was too stunned to speak so Yukino looked at me wondering what that phone call was about. 

"Who was it?" 

"My book has been approved, I'll be going to Europe in May Yukino! I'll get the chance to be a world renowned novelist." 

Yukino hugged me. She then looked at me with a smile while holding both of my cheeks with her hand.

"Congrats Aoi!" Said Yukino with a smile but it felt like she was sad.

As soon as the news sank in, I understood why behind Yukino's smile was a certain sadness. May, that's about a month and a half from now. That would mean that I will leave her here in Japan. My happiness then fell into a deep confusion of whether I should go or stay here with her considering how much time she has left.