Work Text:
The sound of the radio echoed in the cabin as the pilot urgently adjusted the controls.
— Miss Momobamis, we’ve received an alert from the control center. A storm is forming, and the turbulence may be severe.
Kirari, always composed, crossed her legs and watched the pilot without showing any emotion.
But deep inside, she felt something unsettling.
— Try to land at the nearest location. — She ordered, her voice firm.
Ririka, unlike her sister, swallowed hard and lowered her head.
She whispered to herself, not wanting Kirari to hear:
— This is why I hate flying…
Then, the Unexpected Chaos struck.
The helicopter shook violently.
Alarms blared suddenly.
— We’re losing altitude! — the pilot shouted.
The twins exchanged glances, but before they could react…
The helicopter plunged into a dizzying dive.
The world spun around them.
Sounds blended into a whirlwind of metal and cutting wind.
The impact was swift. Brutal.
Then, everything went dark.
Ririka, just before losing consciousness, had only one last thought:
“Will we survive?”
...........................
Kirari woke up with difficulty, feeling as if she were emerging from a nightmare.
But the real nightmare was reality.
The smell of burnt fuselage and dense smoke filled the air.
The heat was suffocating.
As her eyes finally adjusted, she remembered the helicopter. The crash. And Ririka.
She turned with effort and saw her sister lying beside her.
Ririka was unconscious.
Blood stained her clothes, spreading quickly across the floor of the wrecked helicopter.
But worst of all…
A metal rod had pierced Ririka’s abdomen.
Kirari felt a chill run down her spine.
Her heart, always so cold and controlled, pounded like never before.
She tried to free herself from the seatbelt, but every movement sent sharp pain through her leg.
It was only then that she realized—she was injured too.
But none of that mattered now.
— Ririka… — her voice came out weaker than she wanted. — Wake up!
Nothing.
Kirari looked forward, trying to call for the pilot.
But then, she saw it.
The pilot’s seat was completely destroyed, and a metal stake had impaled his chest.
He was dead.
She closed her eyes for a second, trying to process it.
But there was no time for that.
...........................
Kirari gathered all the strength she had and freed herself from the seatbelt.
The pain in her leg was unbearable.
She nearly passed out right then and there.
But then, she looked at Ririka again.
And she knew she had no choice.
Dragging herself across the helicopter floor, she ignored the pain, the heat, and the stench of burning metal.
Every second felt like an eternity.
Finally, she reached her sister.
She unfastened Ririka’s seatbelt and tried to hold her.
— Ririka… please…
But she didn’t respond.
Kirari felt a desperation she had never known before.
She couldn’t lose Ririka.
She WASN’T going to lose Ririka!
Then, she heard the crackle.
The helicopter was catching fire.
An explosion.
The heat intensified.
The smoke began to choke her.
Kirari didn’t hesitate.
With a strength she didn’t even know she had, she managed to drag Ririka out of the wreckage.
The pain in her leg was excruciating.
Her arms felt like they were about to give out.
But she kept going.
She wouldn’t let her sister die there.
Then, just a few meters away…
BOOM!
The helicopter exploded behind them.
Kirari felt the blast hurl her forward.
She hit the ground, gasping, shielding Ririka’s body with her own.
The fire consumed the wreckage.
The sound of the flames was all that remained.
Kirari, exhausted, bleeding, and with blurred vision, looked at her sister.
Ririka was still breathing.
A slight relief washed over her—but her sister’s breath was shallow, labored.
Kirari swallowed hard, feeling tears sting her eyes.
— You’re going to be okay… — she whispered.
She didn’t know if it was a promise or a desperate plea.
But she wouldn’t let her sister die here.
Even if she had to fight against the impossible.
...........................
Kirari didn’t know how much time had passed.
She was exhausted, wounded, and the smell of burning filled her lungs.
The wreckage of the helicopter behind them was still in flames, sending sparks into the air.
Her body felt heavy, her muscles screaming in pain.
But then…
The sound.
A new helicopter appeared in the sky.
Kirari blinked a few times, barely believing what she was seeing.
For the first time, she felt hope.
Rescue Approaches.
With each beat of the rotors, Kirari’s heart pounded faster.
She knew she couldn’t pass out now.
Gathering the last of her strength, she forced herself up, limping.
Her knees threatened to give out.
But she pushed forward.
She raised her arms and began waving frantically.
The helicopter drew closer, and then, through the loudspeaker, a voice echoed:
📢 “Momobami-sama! We’re coming!”
Tears welled up in Kirari’s eyes.
She looked down at Ririka—still unconscious, pale, struggling to breathe.
— Just hold on a little longer… — she whispered, squeezing her sister’s hand.
They would be saved.
Ririka would survive.
Now… it was only a matter of time.
...........................
The strong wind from the helicopter rotors stirred up dust as the rescue aircraft hovered over the scene of destruction.
A paramedic jumped to the ground, sprinting toward Kirari.
But before he could check her condition, Kirari grabbed his arm tightly.
— Forget about me. — Her voice was firm, but her breathing was heavy. — Save my sister.
The paramedic turned to look at Ririka… and froze.
His eyes widened at the sight of the older twin’s condition.
Ririka was as pale as a ghost.
Blood still oozed from her abdomen, staining her clothes.
Her breathing was weak—almost nonexistent.
The paramedic urgently reached for his radio.
📢 “We need to transport one of the Momobami twins to the hospital immediately! Her condition is critical!”
Kirari felt her chest tighten even more.
She knew it was bad.
But hearing someone say it out loud… was unbearable.
The paramedics worked quickly, stabilizing Ririka on a stretcher.
They placed an oxygen tube on her and performed compressions to keep her circulation going.
Then, they lifted the stretcher and rushed toward the helicopter.
The same paramedic turned back to Kirari.
— Now I need to take care of you! You’re losing blood, and your leg might be fractured.
But Kirari stepped back.
She refused to leave before knowing Ririka was safe.
— I’m fine. — Her voice came out sharper than she intended. — It’s just my leg. Save my sister.
The paramedic hesitated.
It was obvious Kirari wasn’t fine.
Her body was covered in cuts, her clothes were burned, and her leg could barely support her.
But her gaze… was unbreakable.
She would not accept help before Ririka.
— You can’t stay like this.
— Get that helicopter in the air. NOW! — Kirari commanded, her patience exhausted.
The paramedics didn’t argue further.
They shut the doors, and the helicopter lifted off, carrying Ririka to the hospital.
Kirari finally allowed herself to relax for just a moment.
She felt her strength abandon her.
And then, her world went dark.
..........................
The rescue helicopter sliced through the sky, flying as fast as possible toward the hospital.
Inside the cabin, the sound of heart monitors filled the air, creating a suffocating tension.
Kirari never took her eyes off Ririka.
She was so pale , her chest rising and falling irregularly.
The paramedics worked frantically to stabilize her, but then…
Continuous beep.
— She’s in cardiac arrest! — one of the paramedics shouted.
Kirari felt her stomach sink.
— SAVE HER!
The paramedic quickly grabbed the defibrillator.
— Charging!
One shock.
Two shocks.
Three.
— Come on, Ririka! — Kirari murmured, holding her sister’s cold hand.
Finally, the monitor beeped again.
Kirari let out a sigh of relief… but it lasted only a few seconds.
The monitor flatlined again.
— She’s in another cardiac arrest!
Kirari had never felt such despair in her life.
— DO SOMETHING!
The paramedics fought to revive her.
Another shock.
More chest compressions.
Seconds felt like an eternity.
Finally, the beep returned, but weaker than before.
— Kirari-sama… — one of the paramedics spoke hesitantly. — You need to prepare for the worst.
Kirari felt a cold chill in her chest.
— No. I refuse to accept this.
But then…
The monitor beeped again.
Third cardiac arrest.
The paramedic performed aggressive maneuvers to resuscitate her.
This time, it took even longer.
— Please, Ririka… — Kirari whispered, feeling tears burn her eyes.
She couldn’t lose her.
She wouldn’t lose her.
The paramedics continued their desperate battle.
Another shock.
Another push against death.
Then…
Beep.
Ririka came back once more.
But now, her condition was critical.
— We’re landing! — the pilot announced.
Kirari heard the helicopter doors burst open the moment they touched the ground.
Doctors rushed inside, immediately taking Ririka to surgery.
Kirari tried to follow, but she was stopped.
— Momobami-sama, we need to operate immediately.
Kirari stood frozen at the hospital entrance, her body shaking from exhaustion and fear.
Ririka was now in the hands of the medical team.
And for the first time in her life, Kirari Momobami felt powerless.
...........................
The sun had barely risen, but the world was already in turmoil.
Newspapers, news websites, and TV programs were all focused on one story.
📢 “TRAGEDY: THE MOMOBAMI TWINS INVOLVED IN A SEVERE HELICOPTER CRASH!”
📢 “Heirs of the Momobami Empire in an air disaster! One of them is fighting for her life!”
📢 “Kirari Momobami survived the crash, but Ririka Momobami’s condition is critical!”
The news spread rapidly, shocking all of Japan.
Sayaka was calmly having breakfast, reading a science magazine, when the headlines flashed across the TV screen.
Her body went rigid.
— What…?
Her eyes darted across the screen, absorbing the information in shock.
Kirari and Ririka.
Helicopter crash.
Ririka fighting for her life.
The ground seemed to vanish beneath her feet.
The coffee cup almost slipped from her hand.
Her fingers trembled as she grabbed her phone and dialed Kirari.
📞 Calling…
— Pick up… — she murmured, her voice shaking with anxiety.
……………………..
Across the city, Mary was just waking up, her hair messy and her mind still groggy.
She barely registered the sound of her mother entering the room.
— Mary… you know the Momobami twins, don’t you?
Mary slowly lifted her head, yawning.
— Yeah… why?
Her mother held up her phone, concern written all over her face.
— They were in a serious helicopter accident.
Mary stopped yawning immediately.
Her body froze.
— What?
— One of them is fighting for her life.
Mary’s heart seemed to stop for a moment.
Ririka.
Without thinking twice, she grabbed her phone and dialed Ririka’s number.
📞 Calling…
Each ring felt like an eternity.
— Please… pick up… — Mary whispered, fear growing inside her.
But there was no answer.
Mary felt her chest tighten.
What if it was already too late?
...........................
Kirari was still seated in the emergency room waiting area, immersed in a deafening silence.
Time felt frozen.
She didn’t move.
She didn’t speak.
She just waited.
Her eyes remained locked on the doors of the surgical wing, as if at any moment, someone might step out and tell her that everything was fine.
But no one came.
And the weight of uncertainty was beginning to suffocate her.
The doctors had tried to approach her multiple times.
— Momobami-sama, your leg needs immediate treatment. The wound is getting infected…
— Don’t touch me! — Kirari shouted, her voice cracked from exhaustion.
The nurse took a step back, startled.
Kirari was in a state no one had ever seen before.
The woman who was always so cold and calculating was now vulnerable, lost, and on the verge of collapse.
That was when a voice caught her attention.
— President…?
Kirari slowly lifted her gaze.
And there, standing at the entrance of the emergency room, was Sayaka Igarashi.
Her violet hair was slightly disheveled, as if she had rushed there as fast as she could.
Her eyes widened when she saw Kirari’s condition.
— President… why are you still like this? — Her voice trembled as she took in the sight of the dried blood on Kirari’s clothes.
Kirari blinked slowly, exhausted.
— Sayaka… what are you doing here?
Sayaka swallowed hard and stepped closer.
But seeing Kirari so still, so defeated…
She knew something was terribly wrong.
— President… you… why hasn’t anyone treated you?
Kirari let out a low, humorless laugh.
— Because I refused treatment.
Sayaka was stunned.
— What?!
Kirari finally lifted her gaze and whispered:
— Sayaka… Ririka is dying.
The pain in her voice made Sayaka’s heart clench.
Kirari Momobami never spoke like that.
Never.
Without hesitation, Sayaka rushed to her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
— Don’t say that… your sister is going to be okay.
Kirari didn’t react to the hug.
She just stood there, motionless, feeling the weight of everything crushing her.
...........................
Sayaka took a deep breath and stepped back slightly.
— I’ll go get information about the Vice President. But first, I’m calling a doctor to treat you.
Kirari shook her head stubbornly.
— I don’t want treatment, Sayaka. I want my sister.
Sayaka cupped Kirari’s face with both hands, forcing her to look into her eyes.
— President, you need to be well when the Vice President comes back to you.
Kirari’s eyelids fluttered heavily, as if she were on the verge of breaking down.
Sayaka squeezed her hands firmly.
— And right now… you’re not.
Kirari finally broke eye contact.
And for the first time since the accident… she allowed someone to take care of her.
………………………
Mary ran as fast as she could through the streets of Tokyo, ignoring everything around her.
Her heart pounded so hard she felt like it might explode.
Ririka Momobami was fighting for her life.
She couldn’t accept it.
Finally, she reached the hospital.
As she burst through the glass doors, her eyes frantically scanned the room until they landed on Sayaka.
Without a second thought, she rushed toward her.
— Sayaka! How is Ririka?!
Sayaka lifted her gaze to Mary… and she didn’t need to say a word.
Mary saw the sadness in her eyes.
Her heart sank.
— Sayaka… — Her voice trembled. — What happened to Ririka?
Sayaka swallowed hard, her voice hesitant.
— She’s still in surgery, Mary…
— And?! How is she?!
Sayaka sighed, her expression growing even darker.
— Not good.
The world seemed to spin around Mary.
Sayaka tried to remain composed, but her voice wavered.
— She lost a lot of blood. A metal rod pierced her abdomen… and the surgery has been going on for over 12 hours.
Mary felt her body weaken.
12 hours.
12 hours fighting between life and death.
— Did they… say anything? Any prognosis? — Mary asked, her voice barely audible.
Sayaka shook her head.
— They don’t know when they’ll finish. She lost so much blood… every second is crucial.
Tears streamed down Mary’s face uncontrollably.
Ririka could die.
The thought was unbearable.
She clenched her fists, trying to hold back the despair.
Then, she remembered Kirari.
— And… Kirari?
Sayaka took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts.
— When I got here, she refused to be treated.
Mary frowned.
— She’s injured?
Sayaka nodded.
— She is, but nothing compared to the Vice President. Her leg was bandaged… I convinced her to rest for a bit, promising I’d update her if her sister came out of surgery.
Mary wiped her tears quickly, but her heart still ached.
— Kirari would never leave Ririka alone…
Sayaka gave a sad smile.
— She refused treatment until she was sure her sister was in good hands. She only passed out from exhaustion.
Mary felt a lump in her throat.
The truth was, without Ririka, even Kirari Momobami didn’t seem unshakable.
………………………
The girls sat in the waiting room in silence.
The only thing they could do now was wait.
And pray that Ririka would come back to them.
………………………
Time no longer existed for Mary and Sayaka.
With each passing second, the weight of uncertainty grew heavier.
Then, finally, after 36 grueling hours, the doors to the surgical wing opened.
A doctor walked toward them, his expression serious and exhausted.
— Where is Kirari-sama? — he asked, adjusting his glasses.
Sayaka stood up quickly.
— She’s resting. But you can tell me, I’ll inform her.
Mary also rose from her seat, her hands trembling slightly.
The doctor took a deep breath before delivering the words that would change everything.
— Ririka Momobami survived.
Sayaka and Mary nearly collapsed with relief.
But the doctor’s expression remained grave.
— Her condition is still critical.
The relief quickly turned back into tension.
— What exactly does that mean? — Mary asked, her voice hoarse with anxiety.
The doctor adjusted his gloves and continued.
— Her heart stopped twice during the surgery. We had to resuscitate her each time, and the blood loss was extreme.
Sayaka felt her stomach drop.
Mary clenched her jaw, gripping her own hands to keep them from trembling.
— But… she’s going to survive, right? — Mary’s voice was filled with desperation.
The doctor looked at both of them seriously.
— We’ve done everything we could. Now… it’s up to her.
His words hit like a punch.
— If she’s strong enough, she can recover. Since she’s young, the chances are in her favor. But…
He hesitated before delivering the final blow.
— If she doesn’t wake up within the next 48 hours… she may never wake up at all.
...........................
The world seemed to stop.
Sayaka swallowed hard and nodded.
— I’ll inform the President.
Mary didn’t move.
Her heart ached at the thought of Ririka lying in a hospital bed, fighting to stay alive.
Sayaka turned and walked toward the room where Kirari was resting.
She knew this news would change everything.
Because if there was one person in the world who would never accept losing Ririka…
It was Kirari Momobami.
………………………
The room was silent, illuminated only by the soft morning light.
Sayaka approached the bed where Kirari lay.
She had never seen her this vulnerable.
Kirari Momobami—the woman who was always in control—now looked like a shadow of herself.
Sayaka gently touched her shoulder.
— President… wake up.
Kirari frowned slightly, her eyes fluttering open sluggishly before she finally muttered:
— Sayaka, stop calling me ‘President’ here in the hospital. We’re not at the academy.
The other woman nodded in agreement.
Then, Kirari turned to Sayaka, still a little disoriented.
— Sayaka…? — Her voice was low and hoarse.
She slowly sat up, feeling the exhaustion still weighing on her body.
— What time is it? How long have I slept?
Sayaka sighed.
— You’ve been asleep for almost a day, Kirari.
Kirari raised an eyebrow, surprised.
— That long?
And then—reality hit her.
She straightened, her gaze sharp once again.
— And my sister?
Sayaka felt a tightness in her chest.
— The surgery is over.
Kirari leaned forward, eyes locked onto Sayaka.
— And? Is she okay?
Sayaka took a deep breath.
She knew she had to choose her words carefully.
So, she repeated exactly what the doctor had said, word for word.
— She’s alive, Kirari. But her condition is still critical.
Kirari didn’t blink.
Sayaka continued.
— She had two more cardiac arrests during surgery and lost a lot of blood.
Kirari clenched her fists.
— But… she’s going to recover, right?
Sayaka hesitated.
— The doctors said they did everything they could. Now it’s up to her.
Silence filled the room.
Kirari felt her chest tighten.
And then… Sayaka spoke the words Kirari feared the most.
— If she doesn’t wake up within the next 48 hours… she may never wake up at all.
The world seemed to stop.
Kirari said nothing.
She simply got up from the bed, ignoring any pain, and walked out of the room.
— Kirari! Where are you going?!
But Kirari already knew the answer.
She was going to Ririka’s room.
Because if her sister was fighting to live…
Then she wouldn’t leave her side. Not for a second.
………………………
The ICU was completely silent, the only sound coming from the steady beeping of the monitors keeping Ririka alive.
Kirari stood motionless at the door, her eyes fixed on her unconscious sister, her body as rigid as stone.
Mary and Sayaka exchanged worried glances.
— Kirari… you need to rest. — Sayaka urged gently.
But Kirari didn’t even blink.
— I’m not leaving until she wakes up.
Mary huffed, crossing her arms.
— Then we’re staying with you.
And so, the three of them began their vigil.
………………………..
Sayaka and Mary took turns fetching food, clothes, and whatever else Kirari might need.
But she refused almost everything.
She ate just enough to avoid passing out.
She slept only when her body physically couldn’t take it anymore.
She barely spoke.
The days blurred into an endless, heavy fog.
And then…
A week passed.
And Ririka still hadn’t woken up.
………………………
The doctors called Kirari in for a conversation.
She refused to leave Ririka’s side, but eventually, she relented—for a few minutes.
The lead doctor took a deep breath before speaking.
— Momobami-sama… I know this is difficult to hear. But you need to consider the possibility that your sister… may never wake up.
Kirari didn’t blink.
— Are you telling me to give up? — Her voice was as cold as ice.
The doctor swallowed hard.
— We’re not saying that. But the longer this goes on, the lower her chances become.
Kirari gave a slight smile.
But it wasn’t a smile of amusement.
It was the smile of someone who refuses to lose.
— You don’t know my sister.
She stood up, locking eyes with the doctor.
— Ririka would never leave me.
And with that, she left the room, returning to her post in the ICU.
………………………..
Mary saw Kirari return, her expression dark but resolute.
— They told you to accept the worst, didn’t they?
Kirari simply nodded.
Sayaka gently took her hand, squeezing it.
— Then we keep waiting.
Kirari didn’t respond.
She only looked at Ririka…
As if daring fate itself.
Because deep down, she knew.
Ririka would come back to her.
She had to.
...........................
Ririka’s vital signs had finally stabilized.
After a month in a coma, she was transferred to a regular hospital room, where nurses could monitor her without the need for intensive care.
But even with this improvement… Kirari refused to leave the hospital.
She refused to go home.
……………………………
Sayaka approached Kirari, who was seated beside Ririka’s bed, watching over her unconscious sister.
— Kirari… you need to go home.
Kirari didn’t even look at her.
— How can I leave, Sayaka, when my sister is still in a coma?
Sayaka sighed, trying to be patient.
— Kirari… we don’t know when Ririka will wake up. It could be tomorrow… it could be months from now. But I believe she will come back.
Kirari finally turned her face to Sayaka, exhaustion written all over her expression.
— Then why should I leave?
Sayaka crouched slightly, looking directly into her eyes.
— Because Ririka wouldn’t want to know that you put your life on hold because of her.
Kirari remained silent.
Sayaka gently held her hands.
— She loves you. And she would be devastated if she knew you abandoned everything because of this accident.
Kirari pressed her lips together, her eyes shining.
She knew Sayaka was right.
But accepting it was another matter.
………………………..
Mary, who had been leaning against the wall, finally spoke.
— Sayaka’s right. You need to leave, Kirari.
Kirari let out a heavy sigh, closing her eyes for a moment.
Mary continued.
— I’ll look after Ririka too. You’re not alone in this.
She crossed her arms, serious.
— You always act like the entire world is on your shoulders, but this time… let us help you.
Kirari finally looked at both of them.
Sayaka and Mary weren’t asking.
They were telling her they would take care of Ririka for her.
……………………….
Sayaka sighed as she took a closer look at Kirari.
— Kirari… you’re a mess.
Mary nodded.
— You’ve lost weight, you barely sleep, and you’re mentally exhausted. If Ririka saw you right now, she’d probably lecture you.
Kirari let out a weak laugh, almost devoid of emotion.
But… they were right.
She hadn’t been the same since the accident.
And if she didn’t leave now, she might break before Ririka even came back.
………………………..
Kirari closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and finally gave in.
— Alright.
Sayaka and Mary exchanged surprised glances.
Kirari slowly stood up, giving one last look at Ririka.
Then, she whispered to her unconscious sister:
— I’ll come back for you.
And finally…
Kirari Momobami left the hospital.
For the first time in a month.
………………………
Time kept moving forward, but Ririka still hadn’t woken up.
Three months had passed since she was transferred to a regular room.
And during all that time, Kirari, Sayaka, and Mary never left her side.
They took turns caring for her, making sure she was never alone.
But, above all… they spoke to her every day.
Because they believed that, somehow, Ririka could hear them.
………………………
Kirari sat beside Ririka’s bed, holding her hand.
Her expression showed no emotion, but inside, she was exhausted.
So, so tired.
She talked about business, about everything important happening in Japan.
But in the end… she always repeated the same thing.
— Ririka… wake up.
She didn’t order.
She didn’t beg.
But her words carried an impossible-to-ignore weight.
— You need to come back to me.
But the silence remained.
And Kirari remained there, waiting.
………………………
Sayaka was gentler.
She sat beside Ririka and spoke about lighthearted things.
— Did you know the café near the company launched a new tea flavor? I wish you were there to try it.
She talked about little changes, about how the days were passing.
But in the end… she always said the same thing.
— Ririka… please, wake up.
She held her hand tenderly, waiting for a response that never came.
But she never gave up.
She never would.
………………………
Mary didn’t know how to handle this waiting.
She didn’t have Kirari’s patience or Sayaka’s sweetness.
She wanted action.
— This is taking too damn long, Ririka! — Mary said, frustrated. — You have no idea what we’re going through without you!
She vented about her work problems, about how Kirari was still unbearable and Sayaka was trying to keep the peace.
— I know you can hear me. So… enough with the laziness.
She gripped Ririka’s hand tighter.
And, in the end, she always said the same thing.
— Please, wake up.
But nothing happened.
...........................
They waited and waited.
And every night, when they left the hospital room, their hearts felt heavier.
But they never gave up.
Because they believed that, one day, Ririka would open her eyes again.
And until that day came…
………………………
Five months of silence.
Five months of waiting.
Five months without an answer.
And then…
Ririka Momobami finally opened her eyes.
………………………
Kirari was sitting in a business meeting, attentively listening to financial reports.
She was focused, maintaining her usual impeccable posture.
But then, her phone vibrated on the table.
She frowned—no one dared interrupt her during a meeting.
Still, she picked up the device and answered.
The hospital’s voice echoed on the other end of the line.
📞 “Kirari-sama, your sister has finally woken up.”
For a moment, Kirari froze.
Then, in an instant, everything changed.
She simply stood up.
She didn’t say a word.
She didn’t apologize.
She didn’t look back.
She just walked out of the meeting room.
The executives exchanged confused glances.
But Kirari didn’t care.
She had only one thought.
“Take me to the hospital. Now.”
The driver nodded immediately, speeding toward their destination.
………………………
Meanwhile, Sayaka and Mary had just finished their exams.
Sayaka stepped out of the examination room and checked her phone.
When she saw the missed call from the hospital, a chill ran down her spine.
She quickly called back.
And then… she heard the words she had been waiting for.
📞 “Momobami-sama has woken up.”
Sayaka froze for a moment before sprinting down the university hallway, searching for Mary.
When she found her, Mary was packing up her materials, looking exhausted.
— Mary! Did you get the hospital call?!
Mary looked up, frowning.
— Yeah.
They stared at each other for a moment.
Then, Mary smiled slightly.
— Let’s go to her, Sayaka.
Without hesitation, they rushed to the car.
This was the moment they had been waiting for.
And now… they were finally going to see her again.
………………………
Ririka blinked slowly, her eyelids heavy as if they had been shut for an eternity.
The bright light from the window stung her vision, and a deep discomfort spread through her entire body.
She tried to move, but everything hurt.
Every muscle, every bone.
Her fingers trembled slightly as they weakly gripped the soft hospital sheets.
Where… was she?
The white ceiling above her was unfamiliar.
The strong scent of antiseptic and medicine made her mind struggle to focus.
And then, the memories hit like a storm.
The helicopter.
The sudden impact.
The sky spinning out of control.
Kirari screaming her name.
Ririka gasped.
Her heart raced, and the monitor beside her bed began beeping rapidly.
The hospital room door swung open, and a nurse rushed inside.
— Momobami-sama! You’re awake!
Ririka tried to speak, but her throat was dry, her voice failing her.
The nurse quickly brought her a glass of water, gently wetting her lips while checking her vitals.
— Calm down, it’s okay… You’re safe. You’ve been in a coma for a long time.
Ririka frowned.
How long?
— Five months, Momobami-sama.
She froze.
Five months.
Her eyes widened.
She tried to speak again, forcing her voice into a rough whisper.
— Kirari…
The nurse smiled softly.
— We’ve already informed your sister and your friends. They’re on their way.
Ririka’s heart clenched.
She was alive.
But Kirari…
She needed to see her sister.
She needed to know what had happened.
………………………
Kirari stepped out of the car before it had even fully stopped.
She didn’t hear anything.
She didn’t see anything.
Her only goal was getting to her sister.
The nurses tried to stop her, tried to talk to her.
— Momobami-sama, please…!
But Kirari ignored them completely.
She stormed through the corridors, her heart pounding, her steps hurried.
And then, she reached the hospital room door.
With one swift movement, she pushed it open.
………………….
And there was Ririka.
Almost sitting up, propped up by pillows, her blue eyes wide as she took in the sight of her sister.
They stared at each other, absorbing the moment.
Ririka tried to speak, but her voice came out weak and hoarse.
And then… she saw it.
Kirari was crying.
Ririka’s eyes widened even further, confused and scared.
She couldn’t remember ever seeing Kirari cry.
Not even when they were children.
Kirari took a few hesitant steps forward, as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Then, suddenly…
She ran to Ririka and hugged her tightly.
...........................
The impact made Ririka let out a small groan of pain, but she didn’t complain.
Because… Kirari was trembling.
— Ririka… you woke up.
Her voice was broken, full of emotion.
She held Ririka even tighter, burying her face into her sister’s shoulder.
— I was so scared… scared that you’d never wake up.
Ririka’s heart tightened at those words.
Kirari was sobbing. Truly crying.
— I have never been afraid in my life. — Kirari continued, her voice breaking between sobs. — But I was afraid of losing you.
The tears wouldn’t stop.
Kirari cried like a child, falling apart in Ririka’s arms.
Ririka, her voice still weak, whispered:
— I’m fine… I’m fine, sister.
She ran her hand through Kirari’s hair, trying to comfort her.
……………………………….
Mary and Sayaka arrived shortly after.
But the moment they stepped into the room… they froze.
Because what they saw was unbelievable.
Kirari Momobami.
The coldest and most feared woman they had ever known…
Collapsed on her sister’s bed, crying like a baby.
Mary glanced at Sayaka, her mouth slightly open.
— If someone had told me I’d ever see Kirari crying like this…
She shook her head, in disbelief.
— I would have called it a lie immediately.
But Sayaka didn’t like the comment.
She knew that everyone saw Kirari as a monster.
But she… she knew the truth.
Sayaka knew how much Kirari loved Ririka.
And how much this moment meant to her.
So, without saying anything, Sayaka grabbed Mary’s arm and pulled her out of the room.
— Let’s give them some time alone.
Mary didn’t protest.
Because in that moment…
The Momobami twins needed only each other.
………………………
Ririka did nothing but wait patiently.
She let Kirari calm down, let her feel everything she needed to feel.
She knew that her younger sister wasn’t used to showing emotions.
So, when Kirari finally stopped trembling and fell silent, Ririka smiled at her.
— I’m glad you’re okay.
Kirari stared at her.
And that’s when she realized the state she was in.
She had completely given in to her emotions—something she never did.
She tried to regain her composure, straightening her posture and taking a deep breath.
— I’m sorry, sister. — Her voice was still slightly shaky. — But these past months were difficult.
Ririka smiled gently.
— I can imagine.
The older twin still couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed.
But more than anything, she felt the weight of the love Kirari carried for her.
So, Ririka held her sister’s hand.
— I love you, Kirari.
Kirari blinked slowly, absorbing those words.
Ririka saw the faint sparkle in her sister’s eyes before she nodded.
And then, Kirari softly replied:
— I love you too, Ririka.
It was a rare and intimate moment, but most importantly, it was real.
Then, Kirari stood up and discreetly wiped her eyes.
— I’ll call Sayaka and Mary.
She walked to the door and opened it, looking at the two waiting outside.
Mary and Sayaka were anxious, but neither of them mentioned what they had seen earlier.
It was as if no one had witnessed Kirari break down.
It was an unspoken secret.
A silent pact.
They both entered the room, and Mary was the first to act.
She rushed to Ririka and hugged her tightly.
— You took too long to wake up! — She murmured, her voice thick with emotion.
Sayaka stood beside the bed and smiled, nodding.
— Vice President, we’re so happy you’re back.
Ririka chuckled softly and looked at her.
— Call me Ririka, Sayaka. Please.
Sayaka blushed slightly but nodded.
— Alright… Ririka.
And for the first time in five months, the room was no longer filled with silence and sorrow.
Now, there was hope again.
………………………
In the days that followed, Kirari, Sayaka, and Mary continued taking turns caring for Ririka as she recovered.
But it was Kirari who spent the most time at her sister’s side.
She refused to let work, responsibilities, or anything else pull her away from Ririka ever again.
At first, the conversations were short and careful.
But as Ririka grew stronger, the atmosphere in the hospital room became lighter.
And then, in one of those moments, Ririka made a simple but meaningful observation.
— You know, sister… before the accident, we never stopped to talk about unimportant things.
Kirari looked at her, curious.
— What do you mean?
Ririka smiled softly.
— We always talked about business, the family, the games, and strategies… But we never talked about silly things.
She sighed and gazed out the hospital window.
— Like bad movies, favorite foods, pointless things.
She turned back to Kirari.
— Maybe we can do that more often when we go home.
Kirari was silent for a moment.
She had never thought about it before.
But now that Ririka had said it…
She realized how true it was.
Then, for the first time…
Kirari Momobami smiled.
A rare smile.
But a real one.
— Yes, sister. — She said, holding Ririka’s hand. — Let’s do that more often.
And for the first time, Kirari realized it wasn’t just Ririka who had woken up.
She had changed too.
………………………
Ririka was finally being discharged.
And, as always, Kirari was there to pick her up.
The morning was clear and sunny, a peaceful contrast to everything they had been through over the past months.
Ririka looked at herself in the hospital mirror before leaving, lifting her shirt slightly to see the scar on her abdomen.
She frowned, analyzing the long, reddened mark.
At that moment, Kirari entered the room.
Ririka looked at her sister, hesitant.
— It’s ugly, isn’t it? — She said, trying to joke, but her voice carried a hint of insecurity.
Kirari approached, studying the scar for a moment before simply shaking her head.
— That doesn’t matter.
Ririka raised an eyebrow.
Kirari smiled softly, gently pulling her sister’s shirt back down.
— What matters is that you’re alive… with me.
Ririka swallowed hard and nodded.
She knew Kirari meant it.
And, for the first time, she accepted the scar as a reminder that she had survived.
………………………
The driver was already waiting at the hospital entrance.
Kirari helped Ririka into the car, making sure she was comfortable.
The vehicle moved smoothly, and Ririka, feeling the exhaustion of recovery, closed her eyes for a moment.
Shortly after, she fell asleep.
Kirari looked at her sleeping sister, her expression peaceful.
Even now, she still felt a slight fear that this was all just a dream—
That she’d wake up, and everything would return to the nightmare of the past months.
But it wasn’t a dream.
Ririka was alive.
And for the first time in a long time, Kirari felt true relief.
………………………
When they arrived at the mansion, the staff was gathered at the entrance.
— Welcome back, Momobami-sama.
Ririka smiled softly, feeling strangely emotional.
She never imagined that coming home would feel so significant.
But deep down, she knew that even though she was returning to the same place…
Nothing would ever be the same.
Now, she and Kirari had something new.
They weren’t just sisters.
Now, they could call each other friends.
And for Ririka, that was something she never thought she’d have.