A cruel verdict delivered by a doctor alters the fates of a man and a woman...

#nana56b


Lines from the story

Makoto was dating Mizuki, a beautiful and kind
woman. He always bragged to his friends, “She's
too good for me.”

On holidays, they'd sweat it out playing tennis,
their shared hobby, then head straight to the
shopping mall. “Let's go to that store next!”
Her steps, as she tugged Makoto's hand, were
always light and free. Watching her profile as
she walked beside him, Makoto believed without
reason that this happiness would last forever.

Until that day, when a single phone call
shattered Makoto's world.

It was dusk on a rainy day. Mizuki was struck
by a car that ran a red light.
Though her life was saved, the doctor delivered
a cruel verdict: “She will never walk again.”



Lying in the hospital's white bed, she looked
like an empty shell, her soul gone. Her former
radiance was gone, and she just stared weakly
at the wheelchair's wheels with her thin,
emaciated hands.
On one of his many visits, Mizuki said to Makoto
in a trembling voice.

“Hey... let's just end it.”

Tears spilled over, trickling down her cheeks
onto the sheets.
“I can't even play tennis with you anymore.
Going shopping must be embarrassing for you,
pushing me around in this wheelchair... You
can hate me. Please, find someone healthier,
someone who can make you happy.”

Watching her sob while repeating “I'm sorry,”
Makoto felt his heart tear apart.
She was trying to cut herself off for his sake.
Even though she herself must be suffering the
most, she was still worrying about Makoto's
future until the very end.



Makoto looked into her eyes and told her
quietly, yet clearly.
“...I understand. If that's what you say,
then our relationship ends today.”

For a moment, her eyes widened in despair. Even
though this was what she had wanted, the color
of unhidden sadness surfaced in her gaze.
But the next instant, Makoto knelt before her
and cupped her trembling hands in his own.

“Being lovers ends today. Instead, will you
become my family?”

After saying this, Makoto took a small box
containing a ring out of his pocket.