Chapter Text
Nemu Hiiragi had never quite known the value of her heart. Sitting at her desk in her hospital room, her fountain pen gliding over the paper, she wondered if the answer to how she should end her current work would come soon.
Her roommate was quiet as she lounged on her bed. Silence had become their champion after Ui’s passing, and had been their companion in mourning as they watched her slowly succumb to her illness. Touka had withdrawn into her machines and the stars, if one were to ask the nurses, but she had not shut her father or Nemu out. Despite that, it was true that she tended to curl up on her bed with her laptop and go nonverbal far more often than she ever had, much like she was doing at that moment.
Nemu decided she had done enough writing for the day. She put down her pen, tidied the in-progress manuscript, and stood up. She steadied herself on her desk to avoid swaying. Her stiff legs cramped up almost immediately, every muscle whining in protest as they strained. To ease the burden a little, Nemu reached for her cane—she’d been told a walker or wheelchair may be better for her rapidly degenerating body, but had thus far refused to make the change.
Touka looked up at her when she stepped into her field of view, then closed her laptop and set it aside. “What is it? You could’ve called me over, I would’ve come to you. You don’t have to walk…”
Nemu offered a small smile. “It’s after lights out. I found myself at a standstill with the novel, so I wanted to ask if you would like to do something together before bed.”
Ever cautious, Touka guided her roommate to sit on the edge of the bed. “Yeah, sure. I’ll look for something decent on my laptop in a moment, just let me see your legs first.”
Nemu nodded. As Touka settled beside her, her hands moved with a practiced grace. She started at the ankles, her fingers kneading gently, then working their way up Nemu’s calves. The pressure was just right, firm enough to coax tired muscles into relaxation, yet never too forceful. She knew every knot, every tender spot, as if by heart. Nemu closed her eyes and let a sigh of relief escape her lips; the motions of Touka’s hands eased the ache in her muscles, each touch a balm to the weariness she’d grown so accustomed to. Touka’s thumbs traced careful circles, following the contours of Nemu’s legs to find the areas that held the most tension. She applied a bit more pressure on the stubborn spots, using her palms to soothe the deeper layers.
Moving upwards, her fingers met the resistance of Nemu’s thighs. There, Touka used broader strokes, easing out the fatigue that clung to her roommate’s muscles. Her touch was intuitive, attuned to the subtle cues Nemu gave. She worked with a rhythm that mirrored the other’s breath, a steady cadence. Once Touka’s hands reached her hips, she lingered there, then rested her head on Nemu’s shoulder.
Nemu intertwined their fingers and allowed her smile to widen. “Thank you, Touka.”
“Anytime. Let me know if you’re uncomfortable or in pain, okay?”
“This feels selfish…” She glanced over at Touka, who hadn’t moved the hand Nemu was holding, but was trying to use her other hand to handle her laptop. “May I sleep here tonight?”
“Yeah, of course. You shouldn’t get up again to walk across the room. You have a hard time sleeping when you do that, right?”
“Mhm…”
“Oh, I found something promising!”
“Let’s see it, then.”
The lights had been off for a good ten minutes; however, Nemu knew by her breathing that Touka was awake. That wouldn’t do.
“… can’t sleep?”
Touka whined and reached for her hand, almost hesitant. “I’m just… Thinking. About Ui. About death. If Papa can’t find a good donor for a heart transplant, I… won’t live longer than another year or two. We don’t know how long you have left yourself. Duchenne muscular dystrophy shouldn’t be advancing this fast, and yet…”
“I know.” Nemu squeezed her roommate’s hand in hopes of reassuring her. “At least we are not alone.”
In the dark, Nemu couldn’t see Touka’s tears, but she could tell by the way her breath cut off for a moment, and how badly her voice wavered when she said, “Promise me something.”
“What is it?”
“Promise you will not die before me. Promise me that you won’t leave me behind. Please. First Ui, then Iroha, and I- I can’t do this alone.”
Nemu was quiet for a few precious moments. Then, she brought the other’s knuckles to her lips, barely grazing them in a symbolic gesture. “I solemnly swear to always be with you. There. I can’t leave if I’m with you, can I?”
“And don’t you dare break that vow!”
After a soft chuckle from Nemu, they both slowly drifted off to sleep.
The following morning, Dr. Toshiro Satomi took advantage of his daughter being away from the room for class and went to see Nemu.
“Doctor, what a surprise. I expected you much later in the week. Have you reached a conclusion?”
He stared at Nemu, who hadn’t moved from Touka’s bed since she’d woken up. “Your heart was made for her. The tests are all perfect. You… are the most ideal donor to date.”
Her expression remained a mix of peace and sorrow when she asked the next question: “How long do I have left, doctor?”
“Without risking cardiomyopathy, a few months at best.”
“In that case, please arrange it at your earliest convenience.” Nemu met the man’s eyes and tried to show how exhausted she was. “I would rather not risk my body robbing me of the one thing I may yet be able to do. That which I want more than anything…”
“What about your parents?”
“I will forge their signatures. It’s a simple task, I have done it before.”
“Have you told Touka yet?”
Nemu shook her head. “If she knew, she would never allow it.”
Grim, Toshiro dipped his head. If nothing else, he knew his daughter. He had seen her care for her roommate as Nemu’s condition worsened.
“Dr. Satomi… I have one last request.”
“What is it?”
“After it’s done, please, tell Touka to live a good life. I will write my will now and leave everything I own to her as well. It is not much in the monetary aspect, but it should hold plenty of emotional significance.”
Toshiro gulped. “Thank you. I had never expected you to approach me about this, but… I am forever in your debt, Nemu. I’ll keep you updated throughout the process.”
Nemu smiled. “Take care of her.”
The doctor nodded and left the room. Nemu basked in the quiet for a minute. Two. Three. Ultimately, she took a deep breath and pushed herself to stand, her cane the only support she had.
“I have to finish the book… Before it’s too late. Although… she will be back from class soon… and I never know when this body of mine will betray me again and leave me unable to hold her… We will see.”