Hey guys!
I'm back with part two!
Don't worry, this won't be the last part. The ending will be in the next one so stay tuned!
So anyways, enjoy!
-------
Ever Enough (Part Two)
'Atsuko… Something happened to Minami.'
I felt time stopped as the words flew out of Sae’s mouth. My heartbeat turned rapid. I felt my legs began to weakened, and I slowly sunk down to the floor. Just by hearing her voice in a very worried tone made it conpletely obvious that something to Minami. My Minami. I was speechless, as I don’t know how to respond.
My grip on the phone tightened as I tried to spoke out a word.
But it only came out with a stutter.
"W-what happened…?" My voice was quiet and breathy but it was audible for Sae to hear.
"Minami, she…" I heard her voice stopped for a while and a sniff was heard. Had she been crying? "She passed out during practice last week. I don’t even know why. She was healthy and in good shape before. Our sensei quickly called the ambulance and they took her away to the hospital…"
As Sae began to explain what happened, her voice turned into echoes from every word she said. I felt my grip on the phone loosened, and eventually, the device left my hand and fell to the cold wodden floor.
I felt my eyes getting misty, as I felt the tears forming in my eyes. I tried hard to not let them fall, but I couldn’t. They left my eyes and trickled down my cheek. My visiob turned blurry and the sounds from the television faded away. A small ache revealed itself from my heart.
Minami… What happened to you?
Sae’s voice was calling out my name from my phone, but I didn’t bother pick it up. It eventually stopped and I knew that she hanged up.
I never been this shock in my entirel life.
My hands covered my face as I began to silently sob my heart out. It was too much. It was too much to handle. Minami was in the hospital for an unknown reason, but because of passing out. There were no reasons why she fell unconscious. I want to ask Sae again, but I knew she wouldn’t know. I bet everyone wouldn’t know. I need to know. This was Minami we’re talking about
I imagined her in a hospital bed, the color of her face drained out from her. Pale skin, steady breathing, eyes still closed. In a white hospital gown.
"Why…"
When I spoke, my voice was soft and weak. I sniffed.
"Why did I even leave her…?"
~~~
Sae texted me which hospital she was in and what room number she was staying after my small breakdown. Reading her text made me feel a bit better. She had told me what I need to know without me even asking her. I replied her with a thank you. I started getting ready to go to the hospital and nervousness started to build up from my chest. It had been a long time since I had last saw Minami. And I really didn’t know what I would expect from her. I didn’t know what kind of reaction she will pulled off when I visit her. Shock? Anger? I didn’t know.
After I finished changing my clothes, I checked the time on my wrist watch. 3 pm.
I went downstairs out of my room and calledbin a taxi to pick me up and take me to the hospital Minami was in. It shortly arrived five minutes later, and I walked out of my house. I locked it from the outside and quickly ran to the taxi which was waiting for me. The driver greeted me warmly once I came in and sat on the back. I told him the hospital where I must go to, and we were on the way.
Thankfully the trip from my house to my destination was in a short amount of time. I paid the taxi driver and thanked him, then quickly got out of the taxi. I turned around and gaze at the large building. It was 20 stories high with a large amount of windows. The name of the hospital was build on top of the building in large fonts. I took a deep breath and sigh. Here I come, Minami.
I walked in the lobby and the sterile atmosphere embraced me. All around doctors and nurses walked back and forth to elevators and operating rooms. They must be trying to help or at least save a life from possible illness and accidents. Patients who were young and old sat on their wheelchairs, acconpanied by a family member or a nurse. I saw an old man silently crying while holding a boquet of flowers. I frowned. His wife must have died.
I walked towards the reception desk and saw the receptionist. A young girl, in her mid twenties, wearing a white coat and a long black skirt. She looked up from the computer and flashed a warm smile towards me.
"Good afternoon, miss. How may I help you?" The receptionist said with a soft voice and a small bow.
I gave her a small smile and a nod. “I’m looking for my friend, Takahashi Minami. Could you tell me what room she’s in?” She nodded her head and sat down on her chair as she started typing something onto the computer. There was a small pause before the receptionist spoke up.
"Ah, here it is. Takahashi Minami, she is in room 10E on the tenth floor. Is there anything you want to ask?" The receptionist asked. I shook my head left and right.
"No. Thank you very much for your help," I thanked her with a small bow. She gave me a warm smile and showed me the way to the elevator. I thanked her once again, and made my way to the elevator. I presses the up button and the elevator door instantly opened. I walked in, pressed the button that showed the number 10, and closed the door.
Nervousness crept up in my chest as the elevator took me upwards to the tenth floor. I didn’t know how she was going to react when she saw me. I really didn’t know. But I have to be prepared.
The elevator bell rang as the door opened, revealing the tenth floor.
I went out of the elevator and quickly began to search for Minami’s room. Luckily it was close to the elevators.
I stopped in front of her room that was labeled ‘10E’ on the top of the door. I was really nervous. There’s no doubt about that. My right hand reached towards the door knob, but it stopped midway. I gulped, my nervousness increasing. This was now or never. My hand clutched on the door knob, and turned it.
The door made a small squeak as I slowly opened it. I quietly walked in the room and closed the door softly, making a soft click. I turned around.
I felt the tears of happiness forming in my eyes.
Minami… She was okay. Her figure was laying down on the white hospital bed, her eyes fixiated on a book she’s reading in her hands. Half of her body was covered by a white blanket, but it was clear she was wearing a hospital gown. Her curly brown hair was in a mess, but it made her even more cute. Her skin was almost as pale as snow. I guess she didn’t heard me came into the room, because she was still reading her book.
Tears were trickling down my face and it fell onto the sterile floor. Minami was there, safe and sound. As if she was healthy the whole time.
"Minami…"
My voice came out a loud whisper, and with that, she looked up from her book. Her calm expression turned into shock as she looked at me. Our eyes met in a powerful gaze, and we stayes silent. Her hand laid the book down on the blanket, her eyes never leaving mine for a second. She slowly raised up from her laying position and sat right up on the bed.
"A-Atsuko…"
Her voice. It was soft and weak. I missed her voice. So, so much. It brings back nosltagic times in the past. All of the good memories were coming back to me. The tears that I tried to hold back My legs began to move, and they started to run. I ran up towards her and enveloped her in the most tight embrace I could ever give to someone.
And then, I broke down.
My warm tears started spilling on her hospital gown. But I didn’t care. Minami was alright and in my arms, and that’s all it matters. My sobs began to grew louder, and it continued to echo around the room. I didn’t feel any contact from her until her arms slowly wrapped themselves onto my back and tightened the embrace. Her hand began to caress my long hair and though her voice was weak, she tried to calm me down.
"It’s okay, Atsuko. I’m okay."
I didn’t reply. I continued to sob loudly in the embrace. Her other hand began to rub my back as Minami tried to calm me down.
Minami… It has been so long…
~~~
"How’s your career, Acchan?"
We were drinking tea after our first meeting and embrace in over a year. When Minami was able to calm me down, she called the nurse to bring us some tea for us to drink. The nurse, looking like she was in her mid twenties, came back not too long with a warm smile. We thanked her and before she left the room, she told us if we need anything else, we can call her.
I even asked what was her name. Sakura, she replied in a soft voice. When I complimented her on how the name really suits her, she blushed deeply and bowed slightly before leaving the room.
We drank the tea in silence. It was awkward, to be honest. And I really wanted either one of us to spark up a conversation. After a good couple of minutes in complete silence, Minami finally asked me a question.
I took a sip of my tea, and put it gently on the small table next to Minami’s bed. “It’s been pretty good so far. A lot of people are asking me to sign up for movies and dramas. I even gained a lot of fans! It’s been a really good career for me!”
Seeing my bright attitude, Minami giggled and sighed. “That’s good to hear…”
Hearing her voice still weak, I felt a twinge of guilt in my chest. I couldn’t help but feel guilty for leaving her alone in AKB. I was her only closest and best friend among others. And I knew that things were different without me being the ace of the group.
"Um, how about you, Minami? How’s AKB doing with you being the leader?" I asked her before taking a sip of my tea.
She took a deep breath and sighed. “It’s been really good. Training’s more intense, lots of events to participate with, lots of fans. It’s… been going great for AKB.”
Noticing her sad expression, I asked again. “You don’t seemed happy about it.”
There was a long pause from Minami until she spoke.
"Acchan… do I fit the roll of being the leader of the group?"
I was really taken aback from the sudden question. She never asked or even doubt her own position before. So I knew there was something bothering her.
I scooted closer to her bed and took her hand. It was cold, there was no sign of warmth. This made me even feel worried about her condition. Was she really that sick?
"Of course, Minami. With your bright personality and good teamwork, AKB will get through whatever obstacles alobg the way!" I said reasurringly, giving her hand a squeeze. She looked at her hand and back at me, giving me a sad smile. She squeezed my hand slightly and sighed.
"Thanks, Acchan. It’s just…" She bit her lip as if hesitant to continue, but she still did. "I had been thinking of graduating from AKB. You know, I feel as if no one doesn’t really see me as a leader. I feel as if they only see me as another member. And I’m beginning to doubt my own position too…"
She stopped when she felt the tears forming in her eyes. I frowned slightly. Seeing her like this made my heart ache. She was my best friend and the only person that I had been close to, and hearing hef saying that she wanted to graduate made me somehow angry. Her being a leader fits really well, how could she even say that to herself?
I gave her hand a tight squeeze and wiped away her tears with my other hand.
"Minami, don’t say that to yourself. You are a great leader, and don’t ever doubt that. And if other members think like that, don’t listen to them. They might be jealous of you being the leader and couldn’t see the true leader within you. Everyone has a purpose, and if your purpose is leading AKB, then stick to that purpose and try your every best to accomplish it."
Minami was really shocked and speechless. She couldn’t believe I would ever say that to her. What I said about her was all true. She shouldn’t think like that. It would only weakened her fate of being a true leader.
"Minami… Thank you. I really don’t know what to say…" I remembered that line years ago on our first day meeting each other. Such good memories.
I smiled and chuckled. “You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do for my midget.”
She pouted when I called her a midget, and yank her hand off of mine and crossed her arms around her chest. “Mou, Acchan! I thought you would never call me that again!”
She was really cute when she’s pouting. I couldn’t help but giggle and ruffle her hair a bit.
"Of course I won’t. You are my midget, after all."
I laughed out loud when Minami’s cheeks flustered in embarassment.
We continued to talk about other things; family, friends, secret celebrity crushes. It felt like the old days. Where Minami and I just talk about random things for hours. It really takes me back. So much nostalgia was happening in my head.
But time has its limits and eventually, it was time for me to go home.
Sakura, the nurse from before, knocked and came in the room right in the middle of a conversation about Yuko and Kojiharu’s secret relationship.
"Um, I’m really sorry to interrupt but it’s time for Maeda-san to go home."
I frowned and turned my head towards Minami. She had a sad expression on her face. She doesn’t want me to go home either.
Before I could get up, Sakura’s voice interrupted.
"But… I might tell the doctor that Maeda-san is a family member. That way, you could stay with Takamina-san."
I smiled widely and bowed slightly to the kind nurse. I never knew she would be that generous.
"Thank you so much, Sakura-chan. I owe you big time!"
The nurse blushed. “Y-you’re welcome, Maeda-san.”
"Please, call me Atsuko or even Acchan. Calling me Maeda-san makes me feel old."
She nodded her head and smiked shyly. “Very well… Acchan.”
~~~
"Ah, Mrs. Takahashi and Mrs. Maeda. Please, have a seat."
Minami’s doctor called us both about something important. It has been almost two weeks since my visit. I had been staying in the hospital for quite some time. Even though I always had a busy schedule, I still managed to try to stay with Minami. When I visit, we would engage in a long conversation while watching some television. Minami got to see my appearances in dramas and movies, even in talk shows and the news. Every time I appeared or my name was spoken, Minami woukd go on and on about how I was growing more popular. So far, it has been a good two weeks.
Though to be honest, I was nervous on what the doctor’s going to say.
Minami and I sat next to each other, sitting in two large comfortable chairs. I was really nervous. Hopefully the doctor won’t give us any bad news.
"So how have you been doing, Minami? Has your condition gone well in the past week?" The doctor said, pulling out a pen and a sheet, readying himself to write down on the sheet. I looked at his features. In his late fifties, grey hair, dark brown eyes. He looked a bit old to be a doctor, in my opinion. But I knew he was a professional.
"Well… I still have cold sweat every night. And whenever I try to move, my bone starts to ache. I often started bleeding from my nose every now and then, and sometimes woulf get real painful headaches," Minami explained all the various symptoms she was having. Wait… symptoms?
The doctor nodded and wrote something in the sheet of paper below him. He put the pen down after he was finished, and began to search through the pile of binders and folders next to him. It took a moment to find the folder he was looking for. It was labeled ‘Symptoms of Severe Illness’. I gulped. My nervousness was taking its toll on me.
He opened the folder and began flipping the pages. It took a while before he stopped at one page in the middle. He began looking back the previous sheet and back to the folder. He began to read the so-called ‘symptoms’ under his breath as he continued looking back and forth to the sheet and folder
His expression turned to worry, and he sat back onto his chair. He sighed. “I knew it…” He muttered silently, but was audible for me to hear it.
"Knew what, doctor?" I asked.
He sat straight up on his seat, and took of his glasses. He took a deep breath and spoke.
"Minami… do you have any family members who died of any type of severe illness?"
Now this was getting really suspicious. First he asked about her condition, now he asked about her family? Who died of any severe illness? I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I had a bad feeling about this.
I turned to Minami, who had this worried expresion the same as the doctor.
"Well, my grandfather died because of cancer. And my uncle also died of the same cancer. But I never knew what kind of cancer they suffered from," Minami explained.
The doctor nodded and messaged his forehead. He let out a deep sigh.
"Doctor, what’s going on?" I asked in a very worried tone. My hand searched from Minami’s, and when I finally did, I took it. I squeezed it tightly, Minami doing the same.
He looked at both of us and put on his glasses. He sighed once again.
"Minami, I believe…"
The doctor was speechless himself. And I was preparing for the worse.
"I believe… I believe, you have leukemia…"