The night before Kaori's surgery, Arima lay in bed, unable to sleep. Thoughts raced through his mind—what if something went wrong? What if he lost her? He could feel the weight of the world pressing down on him, a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest.
The next morning, he arrived at the hospital early, his heart pounding in his chest. As he waited in the sterile waiting room, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread. When he finally saw Kaori, dressed in a hospital gown and looking small against the stark white sheets, his heart ached.
"Hey," she said softly, offering a reassuring smile.
"You made it.""Of course I did. I wouldn't miss it for the world," he replied, forcing a smile despite the worry etched on his face.
As the nurses prepared her for surgery, Kaori's expression shifted from nervousness to determination.
"Arima, promise me something. No matter what happens, don't give up on me.""Never," he vowed, his voice steady.
"I'll be right here waiting for you when you wake up. You're going to be okay. I believe in you."Tears shimmered in her eyes as she squeezed his hand one last time before they wheeled her away.
Arima watched her go, a mix of hope and fear swirling within him.