183 - It’s Alright Now

RAW

Kiyoko’s recovery after regaining consciousness went smoothly.

The day after she woke up, she was moved from the ICU to the HCU, and two days later, she was transferred to a general ward.

Since Kiyoko had regained consciousness, Haruto had been going to school as usual.

But today, he was leaving at noon to deliver some things needed for his grandmother’s stay in the hospital.

During the lively lunch break, as Haruto was getting ready to go home, Ayaka quietly came over.

"I’ll come visit after school too."

"Yeah, thanks. I’ll let Grandma know."

When Haruto replied with a smile, Ayaka also smiled and nodded.

Then, Tomoya and Saki approached, looking worried.

"Otsuki-kun, will you be alright on your own? Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Thanks, Aizawa-san. But I’ll be fine. Grandma’s condition is stable now, so it’s okay."

"I see. Still, if there’s anything we can do, just tell us."

Following Saki’s concern, Tomoya also spoke.

"Hey, once things settle down, would it be okay if I came to visit too?"

"Of course. I’m sure Grandma would be happy."

Hearing his good friend’s words, Haruto smiled as he left school.

Carrying his grandmother’s belongings, Haruto arrived at the hospital and went straight to her room.

Kiyoko was now in a four-person room in the general ward.

So as not to disturb the others, Haruto lowered his voice slightly and called out.

"Grandma, I brought your things."

"Thank you."

Kiyoko smiled warmly, sitting up in her bed as Haruto entered.

"How are you feeling? Any changes?"

"I’m fine. The doctor said there were no problems."

"That’s good to hear."

Relieved, Haruto unpacked her things and placed them on the shelf by her bed.

"Ayaka said she’ll come by after school."

"Really? That’s so kind of her."

Hearing that Ayaka would be visiting, Kiyoko looked delighted.

"We owe the Tōjō family so much for everything they’ve done. Once things settle down, we really need to thank them properly."

"Yeah, you’re right."

Haruto nodded, gazing at his grandmother.

There had been a time when he feared she might be gone forever—his most precious person.

Seeing her asleep in the ICU bed had been heartbreaking.

But now, here she was, speaking with him and smiling.

"I’m so glad you woke up, Grandma."

Though her cheeks had thinned a little, she still looked like the grandmother he knew. Haruto let out words of relief from the bottom of his heart.

Kiyoko, noticing, spoke in a calm tone meant to reassure him.

"I won’t leave you alone yet, Haruto. Don’t worry."

She smiled, deepening the wrinkles on her face.

"Grandma…"

Always fighting for his sake.

Always with a gentle smile, always giving him a place to belong. As his only remaining family, she had been his anchor.

Even with her back weakened, she worked hard to ensure he could go to university.

When he made mistakes, she scolded him firmly.

She showered him with unconditional love—an irreplaceable, great presence in his life.

From the depths of his heart, Haruto wished she would stay healthy forever. He wished the day of parting would never come.

But through this experience, he had realized something.

That day will inevitably come.

No matter how much he tried to prepare himself, no matter how strong he tried to be…

No matter how many times he told himself I’ll be fine on my own…

He knew now that he could never endure it.

That was what this ordeal had shown him.

"I want you to live forever, Grandma. Honestly, I wish you could become immortal."

"What a foolish thing to say," Kiyoko laughed.

Even the smile before him now would one day exist only in memories.

The thought of it squeezed Haruto’s chest painfully tight.

But at the same time, he realized that he could accept that pain.

Before, he had only been able to imagine that terrifying future and feel overwhelmed.

All he could do was desperately tell himself It’s okay, as if trying to deceive his own heart.

He had rejected the coming parting, looked away from it, tried to push it out of sight.

But the more he resisted, the more he became fixated on it, struggling against something he could never change.

Haruto gently reached out and held his grandmother’s hand.

"I want you to live a long life, Grandma. I want you to stay by my side… always."

For Haruto, losing Kiyoko was unimaginably terrifying.

That fear still lingered deep in his heart.

Until now, he had desperately tried to push it away.

To drive it out of himself.

But he had realized that was wrong.

The inevitable parting and the fear it brought—

It wasn’t something to reject. It was a part of him.

That day might still be far off. Or it might be just around the corner.

No one knew when it would come.

When it did, he knew he would probably collapse in tears.

Cry until no tears remained, fall into the depths of grief.

But that was alright.

Up until now, he had always told himself he had to be strong—strong enough to live on his own.

But now, it was different.

He knew he didn’t have to be strong.

When the time came, it was okay to cry. It was okay to be consumed by sadness and unable to get up.

He didn’t need to face the parting with strength.

Even weak as he was, he could accept it.

And in that, Haruto found the strength to remain just as he was, weakness and all.

"I want to stay with you forever, Grandma."

That inevitable parting.

Living in fear of when it might come was too much of a waste.

For the sake of spending his limited time with his precious family smiling, Haruto chose to embrace the fear within his heart.

This too, was an important part of his life.

And with a smile, he said,

"But… I’ll be alright."

"Haruto…"

Kiyoko looked slightly surprised.

Haruto smiled back at her.

He was afraid of losing her.

But even if he was wrapped in grief, he wouldn’t be alone.

There were people who would stay by his side. People who would grieve with him.

People who would share his heart, and stand close to him.

And people who would rise again and walk forward with him.

That was why Haruto could now say to Kiyoko, from the bottom of his heart,

"It’s alright now."

That inevitable parting.

Until the very last moment, they could surely spend it together—smiling.