[ Fanfic - SMILE ]

- Normal Again -

By Chiki

Yuu Matsuura

           It was good to come home to Miki's presence. The whole day had felt so dry without her in school, and in a moment, everyone was asking what had happened to her, and that if she was ill, to wish her good health again.

           She sure was popular.

           And boy, did I feel lucky!

           She was looking outside of her window, sitting on her bed. No machines of any sort were attached to her. No hospital garb was around her thin figure. She was wearing a pink tee-shirt and white flannel pants. In her hair, she had placed on a hair band of a matching white and pink color. Trust Miki to worry about fashion even in a situation like that.

           She seemed to be waiting for me, as I knocked and she called out for me to enter. She had her hands folded into her lap.

           "Hey." I whispered.

           "Hey..." She answered back just as quietly. Our eyes locked. There was no need for any more words. She pat the bed beside her, and I sat down, pulling her frail body against mine. She snuggled into the embrace, wrapping her arms around my right one, inhaling.

           In a muffled voice, she said, "I have got to go to the hospital every day for a checkup. But as of now, I can try and be normal again."

           "You are normal." I told her. "You'll be fine, you'll see. Just don't do anything stressing."

           She nodded, and we stayed like that for quite a while. Until she spoke again. "I...I don't know if I should go into chemotherapy or not. If I do, I'll probably be able to live for a couple more months but I will be in a lot of pain. If I don't, then I won't be able to, but at least they can give me something for the pain.

           "I don't want to have to forget anyone. I don't want to have to become weak, and depend on others to do things for me. I don't want to have to live each day, wondering if it will be my last."

           I hushed her with a kiss on her forehead. "No matter what happens - even if you go bald because of the chemo, I'll stay by your side." I promised her.
           She giggled. Now that sounded more like the Miki I knew. "You're a positive, *genki girl. You aren't the type to give up so easily." I encouraged.

           Miki nodded. "You're right, Yuu...I'll do my best."

           It was my turn to laugh.

(Genki = spirited, happy, a positive thinker)



******



Miki Koishikawa

           It was a relief to be able to put on my *seifuku again. It seemed like ages since I last had, even though it had only been one day. How it seemed as if I'd aged. (Seifuku = school uniform)

           Everyone was back to their usual routine: late for work, and Yuu and I were late for school. I had forgotten to set my alarm clock, and Yuu had turned his off and went right back to sleep. If it hadn't been for my mother, I would have still been sleeping too.

           "Good morning, Miki!" Yuu's father called out to me, gaily.

           "Good morning, everyone!" I replied, just as happily. I was in a good mood that day.

           Yuu raised his cup of coffee in a salute, and I grabbed my toast and eggs, wolfing them down as fast as possible. "How's the Marmalade Boy?" I asked, teasingly.

           "Not half as greedy as the Mustard Girl." Yuu answered fondly, eyeing my hands which were holding two pieces of toast, and a cup full of juice. I could only glare, as my mouth was stuffed with eggs.

           He laughed, and we turned our attention to our parents, who were freaking out because they were so late, and couldn't find their things. Didn't they always place their stuff by the door?

           "We're going to be late too!" I cried, downing the rest of my breakfast and helping Yuu with the breakfast dishes. Afterwards, I pulled on my shoes and was about to jolt through the door when he caught me by the scruff of my neck.

           "Hold up, Miki." He scolded. He held up my lunch. "One, you forgot this. Two, you don't have your book bag. And three, you're not supposed to be running around, remember?"

           I froze. For a moment there, I thought I could forget.

           For a moment there, I had forgotten.

           Reality hit home again, and I nodded.

           "Let's go." He was saying, leaving me to lock the door behind us. I caught up with him, without having any difficulty. I didn't know how to act anymore. "You shouldn't be discouraged." He told me gently, squeezing my hand in comfort. "It's just a word of advice from someone who loves you, with all his heart."

           I grinned, back to my normal self.

           What would I do without Yuu around?



******



Ryouko Sensei

           Tennis championships were coming up now. Since regionals were over, it was time to face the city. I was constantly busy with the teams, who practiced year in and year out, between seasons and on call.

           I was proud of all the members, and though half of them didn't even make it to the playoffs, it didn't bother me. What mattered the most was that students tried their best.

           What was my schedule for that day?

           Homeroom, and then English class. And then, of course, literature and biology. The list had only gotten longer because I had promised to substitute for Shoukai-sensei's class as he had gone on a field trip with another class for a couple of days.

           I had marking to do, and tests to make. I also had to remember to write to Namura, who had written to me three weeks ago, and I had never been able to write back. Of course, something about him and Meiko being together, and how they were so happy.

           Don't get me wrong, I was happy for them too. I always knew they'd end up being together.

           But enough of my thinking. I had to concentrate on the girls' practice. Everyone was present already, awaiting my instructions. Wait....no, not everybody...there was someone missing.

           My eyes scanned the crowds, the name of the person digging into my brain.

           Miki...

           I knew she was present since she was at school that day and had responded during roll call, so why wasn't she ready and jumping to start the game?

           I caught sight of her by the fences, looking on with interest, still dressed in her uniform. I waved to her, and caught her attention. She brightened and waved back.

           "Miki, why aren't you changed?" I asked, after I had made my way up to where she was standing.

           She shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, sensei. I don't feel well, so I am going to have to decline."
           I noticed a waver in her tone, and I gave her a heartfelt smile. "That's okay. I know you won't let us down in the finals anyway."

           She smiled weakly. She looked down so that her eyes were covered by her bangs. "I'm sorry, sensei, but I don't think I'll be going to that either."

           Shocked, I couldn't help but stare at her. "What?" I wondered if I had heard right.

           "I won't be going to that either." She repeated, more firmly this time.

           Now I knew something was wrong.

           "In fact, I came here today, to tell you that I will be quitting the team, as much as I'd hate to." She informed me.

           "But...why?" I asked, feeling as though something else had been ripped from me. She was our best player, and I had to admit...

           Her green eyes were resigned and her voice was tired. "Because of the doctor's orders, Ryouko-sensei." She wanted to keep it that way, and I didn't bother to press the subject.

           I didn't know what to say. What could I say?

           I managed to smile. "We've lost our best member!" I told her in a heart felt tone. "We'll miss you. I was hoping you'd help me coach next year too."

           I was shocked beyond belief when she said, "I won't be around long enough to even see next year, Ryouko-sensei. But believe me, if I was, I would give anything to help you out."

           I wondered if I had been hit on the head with a fast ball.

           WHAT?!



******

Miki Koishikawa

I couldn't go beating around the bush too much. I didn't want to be branded a liar. So it was safe not to say anything. If they didn't ask, then they didn't need to know. It was as simple as that.

It wasn't as if I was gong to tell everyone the whole news anyway. You can't exactly call that lying. It was more like...I was skipping out on them.

Luckily for me, no one really asked. They just wanted to know if I was okay since my fall in the last tournament between Queen's High. I insisted that I was fine, and it was probably only because of the heat stroke.

          Already, word had gone out that I had been admitted into the hospital, but there were questioning doubts about that, and so it was passed off as a rumor.

           I had told Ryouko-sensei, and bound her to secrecy. I didn't need the whole school knowing, and start showing sympathy to me. I just wanted to forget the whole thing even happened. It would be broadcast all over Lunch Time News, and God only knew how much I hated being embarrassed.

           Other than that, life went by as normal, and when people saw me, they either said I looked tired, or extremely pale. I tried pinching my cheeks just to have a bit of color come into them. I had thought the whole world would turn their heads to me and question my condition, but no one did.

           At school, I could cast away the problem of my disease. I could be a normal girl, with normal friends, and laugh like a normal person without so much as a care in the world on her shoulders.

           I really wanted to open up to the friends around me, but there was only one person I could really do that with: and that was Meiko, but she was no longer around. It was a major relief when Ginta came up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. His warm voice was as it always was; comforting.

           "Hey, Miki! Let's go outside and practice tennis." He told me.

           I gave him a questioning look. Didn't he know of my condition already? I thought Yuu had told him. At his prodding poke, I followed. There was no choice otherwise, and besides, if I couldn't speak with Meiko, Ginta was just as good.

           Instead of leading me to the courts, he led me to the top of the school building. The clouds were beginning to grow heavy. It meant it was going to rain. Shucks. "What's up?" I asked, leaning against the railing.

           "How are you?" He asked. "Are you in pain lately?"

           "I'm fine." I murmured thoughtfully. "Even if I'm scheduled to die, I figure: everyone is going to die one day or another. And besides, there's nothing really I can do."

           He frowned. "And how about the people you will leave behind?" He demanded.

           I glared at him. "Do you always have to act that way, Ginta? So selfish?"

           He sighed. "You're right, I'm sorry. I just don't want to lose my best friend."

           I managed to smile, past the tears that were forming in my eyes. "I don't want to either, but think of it this way, I will always be your best friend, no matter what."

           He laughed, the Ginta laugh I always knew. "Stick around for as long as you can, Miki. There's not much happiness without you around."

           I pushed a stray lock of hair back behind my ear. I had cut my hair a couple of months back, and it still hadn't grown back to its original length, which had been up to my shoulders. My hair grew slowly it seemed.            

           I pushed myself off the railing, breathing in the scent of fresh rainwater. A few drops fell to the floor around me, and I announced, "I've made up my mind. All thanks to you."

           He gave me a blank stare, his face, painfully handsome, worried. "What's that?" He asked.

           "I've decided to go into chemotherapy. No matter how much it hurts, I want to stay around even for a little longer. Like you said..." I trailed off, "...I don't want to leave any of you." I gave him a bright smile. "But as of now, this whole case of my sickness is closed. What do you say? Want to go with me to the tea shop? I'm craving some ice cream."

           He let a silly grin plaster onto face. "Ice cream? Well, you're the boss."

           "I'll beat you there!" I cried, knowing that I wasn't allowed to run, but what the heck, it couldn't hurt to run the distance to the stairs. And besides, it felt good that I beat him to them.



*******



Meiko Akizuki

           Namura was at work, leaving me alone in the house. Outside, it was sunny and bright. The perfect day to go walking. Perhaps, he wouldn't mind if I went to visit Miki, whom I missed so sorely.

           Of course, I'd have to call first and see if she was available, and especially on such short notice. I had left school early, to move in with Na-chan, right after we had married. The others were finishing off their last weeks together, while I spent my time trying to study for the entrance exam into the Hiroshima College for writing. I wanted to continue toward my dream of becoming an author.

           I called Na-chan at work, which I seldom did. His rich, sweet voice answered. "Mei-chan, is something wrong?"

           I could hear his concern for me, and I felt my cheeks flush. "No, Na-chan...I wanted to visit Tokyo again, if that's okay. Could you pick me up there later? I'll probably be at Miki's house."

           He sounded doubtful. "I hear there's going to be a storm there today. If you go, take care of yourself."

           I smiled despite my annoyance over his protectiveness. "Yes, sir...I love you."
           I could see his smile, as he replied, "I love you too. See you tonight."

           I hung up, and began to get ready, giddy. The day couldn't get better than this. I had promised Miki that I'd visit often, but usually something came up, and I felt terrible. The last time I had visited her was at her competition, and I hadn't even been able to find out about her condition. I hoped she was okay.

           I picked up the phone again, and gave her house a call. Yuu's mother picked it up, her voice a sing-song melody as she answered. "No, sorry, Miki's not home yet. Yuu is, though!"

           Patiently, I asked, "Can I speak with him, then, please?"

           Yuu sounded a bit miffed when he answered.

           "Matsuura-kun, it's me." I told him.

           "Oh, hey, Akizuki." He greeted, his tone changing completely. "How are you and Na-chan doing?"

           I felt myself go red at the intimate question. "We're doing fine." I answered. "You and Miki?"

           "We're great." He sounded a bit unsure there.

           "You don't sound so good." I pointed out. It was almost too easy to read what the other person was feeling just because of the way they sounded. I picked up his sad tone.

           He sighed. "I see Miki hasn't told you yet." He said quietly.

           "Told me what?" I asked eagerly. It had been a while since I had heard any of Miki's secrets. I had failed to send her back the robot and the diary through the mail. It was hard to keep in touch.

           "Well, I guess she'll want to be the one to tell you." Said Yuu, more to himself than to me.
           I brightened. "Well, that's great! I am wondering if I can come over today for a visit."

           "She'd like that." Yuu said after a while. "She needs you here for the next month, actually, Akizuki."
           I felt a knot of anxiety start building up in my stomach. His tone of voice wasn't changing, and he made it sound as if the world was ending. "Is there something wrong? Did you guys get into a fight?"
           "No, it's not that, Akizuki. It's much worse." He assured me.

           How comforting.

           What could possibly be worse for Miki than to break up with Yuu? I remembered her heartbreak and how she couldn't possibly stand being away from him. I felt angry: maybe he had done or said something stupid again. I wanted to stamp my feet. "All right, come out with it, Matsuura! I want to know what happened!"

           "I really shouldn't be the one to tell you..." He started to say.

           "Did you hurt her again?!" I demanded.

           "No!" He replied instantly. He sighed, frustrated. "She probably didn't want to tell you, but there's no use trying to hide it..."

           I felt myself growl. Miki was like a younger sister, and I loved her very much. I didn't want anyone hurting her anymore. "Then, what is it?!"

           "She's dying, Akizuki..." His tone was serious, and I knew for a fact, that he wasn't lying. The growing knot in my stomach tightened.

           His answer wasn't something I was expecting.

           That was her condition? How? Why?

           I was vaguely aware of the phone slipping from my fingers.

           So much for the perfect day...

...make a wish