The hospital stood at the edge of the city.
Time seemed slower there.
Quieter.
As if even the world itself hesitated to move forward.
A Place That Remembers
Haru stopped in front of the entrance, his chest tightening.
"…This is it."
Sora stood beside him, looking up at the pale building.
"You haven't been here since you were a kid, right?"
"…No."
His fingers curled slightly.
"But it feels familiar."
Like a place his heart had never really left.
The automatic doors slid open.
A faint scent of antiseptic filled the air.
White walls. Soft footsteps. Quiet voices.
Everything felt distant—
Like stepping into a memory that hadn't fully faded.
The Room at the End of the Hall
A nurse guided them down a long corridor.
"Room 312," she said gently. "She stayed there."
Haru nodded.
"…Thank you."
The hallway stretched endlessly before him.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Until finally—
He stood in front of the door.
He hesitated.
Then slowly—
Opened it.
The Empty Bed
Sunlight poured into the room through a wide window.
Outside, a sakura tree stood in full bloom—just like before.
But inside—
There was nothing.
No machines.
No presence.
No Yuki.
Just an empty bed.
Haru stepped inside quietly.
"…So this is where you were."
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
Sora remained by the door, watching him carefully.
He walked toward the window.
The same view.
The same tree.
The same falling petals.
"…You were looking at this, weren't you?" he murmured.
"On your last day."
The Hidden Drawer
Sora's voice broke the silence.
"Haru… over here."
He turned.
She stood beside a small bedside cabinet, its drawer slightly open.
"…Was that already like that?" he asked.
Sora shook her head. "No. I think… it got stuck halfway."
Haru approached slowly.
His hand trembled as he pulled the drawer open.
Inside—
Were letters.
Not one.
Not two.
But dozens.
All carefully folded.
All untouched.
Words That Never Reached Him
"…These are all hers," Sora whispered.
Haru picked one up gently.
The paper was worn.
Old.
Yet preserved with care.
On the front—
His name.
Kisaragi Haru
His breath caught.
"…She wrote all these?"
Sora nodded slowly.
"But… they were never sent."
Haru unfolded the first letter.
Letter 1
Dear Haru,
Today I couldn't go to the park.
I wanted to see you, but my body wouldn't let me.
I hope you're not waiting too long.
But knowing you… you probably are.
You're a little stubborn.
—Yuki
Haru's hands tightened slightly.
"…I was there," he whispered.
"Every day."
A Growing Distance
He opened another.
Letter 5
Dear Haru,
The doctors say I need to rest more.
So I might not be able to see you for a while.
But don't worry!
I'll come back as soon as I can.
So please… wait for me a little longer.
—Yuki
Haru's chest ached.
"…I waited."
Another.
Letter 11
Dear Haru,
It's been raining a lot lately.
I wonder if you still go to the tree.
I hope you don't catch a cold.
Also… thank you for your promise.
It makes me feel like… I'm not alone anymore.
—Yuki
Sora looked away quietly.
Giving him space.
The Letter She Couldn't Send
Haru reached for one more.
The last one.
Different.
Carefully folded.
His fingers trembled as he opened it.
Final Letter
Dear Haru,
I think… this might be my last letter.
I'm sorry I couldn't keep coming to see you.
I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye properly.
But thank you.
Because of you, I wasn't afraid anymore.
When you said I could borrow your tomorrows…
I believed you.
So if I disappear—
I'll come back.
Even if it takes years.
Even if it's just for a moment.
I'll find you again.
Because that's our promise.
—Yuki
Silence.
Haru couldn't speak.
His vision blurred.
"…Idiot," he muttered softly.
His voice cracked.
"…You should've sent these."
A tear fell onto the paper.
"I would've come to see you."
A Voice That Lingers
The wind blew gently through the open window.
Petals drifted into the room.
Landing softly across the bed.
And then—
"…Haru."
His eyes widened.
He turned quickly.
"…Yuki?!"
But—
No one was there.
Only the letters.
Only the petals.
Only the lingering warmth of a presence that refused to fade.
A New Clue
Sora stepped closer.
"…Haru."
He looked at her.
Still shaken.
"These letters…" she said carefully.
"They're not just memories."
"…What do you mean?"
Sora picked up one of the older pages.
"…Look at the dates."
Haru frowned.
Then froze.
"…That's impossible."
Some of the letters—
Were dated after her death.
The Truth Begins to Shift
The room felt colder.
Heavier.
Unreal.
"…She kept writing," Haru whispered.
"…Even after she was gone."
Sora nodded slowly.
"…Which means this isn't just a miracle anymore."
She looked at him.
Serious.
Uncertain.
"…Something is still happening."
Haru clenched the final letter tightly.
His heart pounding.
"…Yuki…"
If you're still out there—
Then this time—
"I'll find you first."
End of Chapter 13