Tears came flowing down Yukino's face as I said those words awkwardly. I stood there in silence as Hina and uncle left the room to give us some space. I really appreciated what they did but what am I supposed to say in this situation.
"How are you?" Said I, awkwardly.
"What are you doing here?" Said Yukino while covering her face firmly with a pillow.
"To visit you?"
"How did you hear about this? If I remember correctly, I already told everyone to keep this a secret from you. So who did?"
"It was Shin. But don't be mad at her. I would have wanted to know anyway."
I took a step closer as she was still hiding her face in the pillow. I sat by the bed and she was surprised. I dried up her tears using my thumb to calm her down.
"I never wanted you to see me like this Aoi. Why did you come back? What about work? Do you even have the time to be here? Are you finished with the novel? What if you get fired and your dreams won't come true? Will it be my fault?"
"You don't have to worry about the small stuff, I've got it all covered.
Yukino then rushed into my arms for a hug and cried for a couple of minutes. Holding her like this hurt, feeling how thin she has become while still shaking was like a knife stabbed in my heart. It made me realize the current situation. But despite all that, it was comforting how we get to hug like this. I never would've expected this to happen ever again. I'm just thankful right now.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm dying Aoi. I'll be leaving you guys here soon enough.'
"Are you scared?"
"Am I scared? Yes I am. I don't want to die Aoi. I want to be with you guys even longer. If I could only freeze the time I already did without any hesitation. Us being stuck in this moment forever wouldn't be so bad."
"I'm here Yukino. I won't leave you."
"As much as I am glad to hear those words coming from you, I still think that you have to go Aoi."
"Want to go for a walk?"
"I can't walk."
"I'll push the wheelchair for you so you don't have to worry."
"Wouldn't that be tiring?"
"Well unlike you, I'm perfectly healthy."
"Haha, still the same man huh? Then let's go around the field."
Yukino sat in the wheelchair as I pushed it around the field feeling the summer breeze. Uncle and Hina were sitting by the benches from a distance. I saw them smiling at us like they wanted this to happen once more. I meant Yukino and I being able to bond.
Yukino then reached out under the pillow on her lap to bring out the camera she would always use to capture some memories.
"How's the film doing?" Asked I.
"Pretty good. I'll finish it in no time so don't worry about that." Said Yukino, while pointing the camera at me.
At the end of the field was a small a lake where you wouldn't be able to see the end of.
"Bring me there." Said Yukino.
"Let's put letters in a bottle and send it out on the lake. What do you say?" Suggested Yukino.
"What for?"
"Let's put something that can remind us that we were once lovers. And if that letter reaches us in another world where I'm not dying, our other selves can enjoy their life together."
"I think that'll be nice."
Yukino and I started writing our letters on a small piece of paper before putting it inside a bottle. We then set it out on the lake in hopes of it being found by us in another world where we can spend our whole lives together.
"What did you write on yours?" Asked Yukino, while pouting.
"That I have to love you for the rest of my life. What about you?"
"To make Aoi happy no matter what."
"I think that'll do it."
"Yeah."
After a few minutes of silence accompanied us as we stared at the lake, tears came falling down Yukino's eyes.
"Aoi. This will be the last time that we'll meet. You know that already don't you?"
"Yeah." Said I as tears also started falling from my eyes.
"I want you to be happy okay? Be the best novelist there is. Do it for us. I'll always be above you watching and supporting you no matter what. Always take care of yourself okay?"
"Yeah."
"I love you Aoi."
"I love you too Yukino."
I kissed her on the forehead before going back to uncle and Hina then back to her room.
"I'll be leaving now Yukino. I'll be back for that documentary so be sure to finish it okay?"
"Yeah. Off you go my writer."
"Until we meet again."
As soon as I stepped out of the room and closed the door. I sat and leaned back on the wall to cry. I cried my heart out knowing that that will be the last time I'll ever see and talk to her. I love her. That'll never change. Thank you for everything Yukino. I'll never forget you.