Hours passed like days as Arima waited anxiously in the hospital's waiting room. Each tick of the clock felt like a heavy weight on his chest, and he couldn't help but replay every moment they'd shared in his mind. The laughter, the quiet moments beneath the cherry blossoms, the way she made him feel alive—he clung to those memories, willing them to bring her back to him.
Finally, the doctor emerged, his expression serious but not grim.
"The surgery went well. She's in recovery now, but it will take days, weeks, or even months for her to gain consciousness. Her progress depends on her resilience."
Relief flooded Arima, though a trace of fear still lingered in his heart.
He nodded, swallowing hard as he prepared himself for the next moment.
"Thank you."When he entered Kaori's recovery room, his heart raced. She lay there, looking pale but peaceful, the machines beeping rhythmically around her.
Arima approached her bedside, taking her hand gently in his.
"I'm here, Kaori," he whispered, hoping she could hear him.
"I'm right here."