Finding Hope (Part Two)
Finding Hope
Author: Rika Chihara
Pairings: Tegomass
Side Pairings: ShigeMassu (friendship), Koyashige
Rating: PG-15
Warning: Character-death is written in the end of the story. Make sure to keep a box of tissues beside you while reading this due it's angsty tones.
Disclaimer: If you really think I own these dudes, then Kei-chan and I would be kissing right now... >_<;;
Summary: Masuda Takahisa is a young man who lost all signs of the true meaning to live. But when he meets Tegoshi Yuya, a sick boy who has been in the hospital for a long period of time, his life gradually changes...
When morning came and the rays of the sun hit Massu's face, he woke up and found Tegoshi sleeping on his bed right next to him. Oh yeah, he slept with me last night... Massu pushed his soft bangs off his angelic face. He smiled and a pink hue tinted on his cheeks. Even when he sleeps he's cute...
"...I could hardly even breathe. I was really scared." "...I'm here for you!!" The words Tegoshi said yesterday echoed in Massu's mind. He gripped onto Tegoshi's hand. Tesshi...I...
"Morning, Massu! Are you feeling better today?" Shige called out from the doorway which woke up Tegoshi.
The sleepy teenager rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Ah...Shige...morning..."
Shige walked closer to the bed. "You two slept in the same bed? What gave you that idea...?"
Tegoshi was still half-asleep so he didn't really pay attention to Shige's question but Massu's face flushed red. "Eh!? That's...umm...T-Tesshi had a nightmare so...he must of crawled into my bed last night..." Massu tried to save himself from embarrassment.
Shige nodded oddly, he didn't really believe Massu's lie but shook it off. "Ah well. More importantly, Dr. Koyama said your fever dropped so you can be discharged now."
This time Tegoshi was now listening and his eyes widened. "Massu's...leaving...?" He locked his hand onto Massu's muscular arm, showing the fact he didn't want him to leave him all alone.
"Tesshi..." Massu whispered softly and looked into Tegoshi's fearful eyes that resembled Massu's when he was young and saw his family get killed. Massu looked up at Shige. "I've...decided..."
"What have you decided, Masuda-kun?" Koyama came into the room also curious.
Massu got up from his bed. "I'm...I'm gonna apply for Tokyo Medical University and become a doctor with Shige, too!"
"EH!?!" Was the shocking reply Massu received from the three.
"I know I'm not that experienced or have any smarts, I just wanna do it! And someday in the future, I hope to cure Tesshi's illness and discharge him from the hopsital!"
Tears brimmed from Tegoshi's eyes. "Massu..."
"But what about the money if you get in? You may be homeless but education expenses are really high there. How will you be covered?" Shige butted in with bad news.
"I'll pay for your education." Koyama smiled.
Shige blinked. "Dr. Koyama, are you really sure about that...?"
Koyama placed a hand on Shige's shoulder. "Of course I am. I'm also paying for your tuition too since your parents are gone, am I not?"
Shige looked down. "That's true...but..."
Koyama winked. "Don't worry about it. I mean I do have a lot of that from this job..." Koyama smirked and showed off the gesture for money. Shige laughed a bit.
Massu's face lit up and he bowed. "Thank you so much, Dr. Koyama! Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Koyama walked out the room and came back with the same scrubs Shige was wearing. "Take this. You'll start working here too with Shigeaki-kun. If you work here, you'll earn credits and will have higher chances to get into TMU."
Massu took the scrubs that were now his and bowed once more. "Thank you very much, doctor, I'll do my best!" He then turned to Tegoshi. "Isn't this great, Tesshi? Now we can see each other everyday!"
Tegoshi was so overjoyed and couldn't say a thing. Instead, they shared a warm embrace. "Thank you so much, Massu..."
Three months have passed since Massu started working part-time as a nurse. Shige now shares his apartment with Massu and they split the expenses and rent together. Massu gets to see Tegoshi everyday like planned and always eat together with Shige when they had a lunch break from work. Tegoshi and Massu became really close in such a short period of time and were always there for each other. Massu has never been more happier in his whole life. He has a home, friends, and a bright future ahead of him.
But Massu didn't know that things might get dimmer again...
One day Massu and Shige had a day-off so they decided to have a nice picnic with Tegoshi in the hospital's courtyard. Massu walked to his room and opened the door. He saw Tegoshi sitting up on his bed writing with a brush tool.
I wonder what Tesshi's up to... Massu thought and walked closer to his bed. "Whatcha doing, Tesshi?"
Tegoshi looked up and smiled at Massu. "Calligraphy."
"Calligraphy...?" Massu looked down at the paper Tegoshi was using and the word "希望" (kibou/hope) was written beautifully on it along with his name "手越祐也" (Tegoshi Yuya) on the left side of the paper. "Hope?"
Tegoshi nodded. "It's my favorite word." Tegoshi looked out the window and stared at the sunny weather. "I wish someday I'll get better and then I'll be able to play soccer again. When I get married someday and have kids, I'll name my child with the character "希" (ki/hope) in it. I really wish it'll happen sometime..."
Massu held Tegoshi's hand. "You will! And I'll help you with your dream! Because I'm gonna make sure you get better when you're older, okay?"
Tegoshi smiled and felt light as a feather. "Oh Massu..."
Before the whole scene got even more mushy, Massu remembered again why he was here. "Ah, that's right! Tesshi, let's have a picnic today with Shige in the courtyard!" He showed him the brown picnic basket of food he was carrying.
Tegoshi got up from his bed and on his feet. "Just the three of us together?"
Massu smiled. "Yup! Let's go! Shige's waiting!"
Tegoshi held Massu's hand and walked to where Shige was waiting. But before they left, they place Tegoshi's calligraphy next to a photo of Massu and Tegoshi together that was taken by Shige a few days ago.
"What took you so long!?" Shige tapped his foot impatiently because the two were ten minutes late.
Tegoshi giggled. "Don't sweat it, Shige."
Massu sat on the blanket Shige set up and opened up the picnic basket with him. "Yeah, let's eat!"
Shige rolled his eyes and laughed. "I never understand you two sometimes..."
Massu digged in first with the gyoza. It was his most favorite food in the world so he wolfed down over 15 pieces. "Mmm, so good!!"
Unlike Massu, Shige ate half as slower than him. "God, Massu. You're such a pig!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
Tegoshi laughed at their small quarrel. But then, he started to cough harshly. He was having another asthma attack. His left hand covered his mouth and his right hand clutched his stomach. Massu and Shige took quick notice and Massu was rubbing Tegoshi's back for comfort. "Shige, go get Dr. Koyama. Now!" Massu ordered in a stern tone and was really worried about his best friend in pain. Shige nodded immediately and ran inside to get him.
10 minutes later, Shige came back with Koyama and some other doctors who lifted Tegoshi on a stretcher and rushed him to the emergency room.
A few hours passed and Massu and Shige were waiting outside the ER anxiously to hear good news from Koyama. Koyama came out and took off his rubber gloves. The two ran up to him asking the same questions, "Is he alright?", "Will Tegoshi survive?", etc...
Koyama also took off his glasses and looked at the boys calmly. "Tegoshi-kun's completely fine. It was just another asthma attack. He's now unconscious, but he'll wake up soon enough."
Massu sighed. "Thank goodness..."
"You two should go home and get some rest today. I think you've had enough for one day."
Shige nodded. "Yes doctor. Please excuse us..." And the boys went home to the apartment they shared.
Koyama watched them leave and bit his lip in regret. What the hell am I saying!? Tegoshi-kun is in even more trouble at this rate. I can't believed I lied to those boys... Shit!
The next day, Tegoshi regained conscious and was back in his room and remembered that he collapsed the other day. Then, Koyama came into the room with papers in his hands. "Good morning, Tegoshi-kun..." He tried to smile but it failed.
Tegoshi got worried. "Good morning, Dr. Koyama. Is there...something wrong...?"
Koyama sat in a chair next to his bed. "I'm afraid there is..." Koyama showed him an x-ray of his lungs. "Tegoshi-kun, can you see this faint white dot on your right lung?" Koyama pointed to where he was talking about.
Tegoshi nodded slowly.
Koyama bit his lip then sighed. "That's a...malignant tumor..."
Tegoshi's mind blanked out. "Eh...?"
"Tegoshi-kun, it seems you've been diagnosed with Stage III non-small cell lung carcinoma, which means you have...lung cancer..."
Tegoshi shivered. "You're kidding...how could I get..."
"We don't know either. We came to a conclusion that it has been there for at least a year and it's still growing. Even with surgery, the chances of living is really sparse. For now, we'll have to use medicine to slow down the process, okay? I'm really, really sorry, Tegoshi-kun..."
Tegoshi's eyes started to water. "Does anyone besides the doctors know about this...?"
"I've only told Shigeaki-kun. However, he promised not tell anyone. Especially Masuda-kun." Koyama held Tegoshi's hand. "I believe you should tell Masuda-kun about your disease instead because your his best friend. Understand?"
"Y-Yes doctor..."
A week has passed and Tegoshi still hasn't told him. He was so scared to be next to him because he feels like it'll break his heart and he'll return back to nothing. But then, Tegoshi decided to tell him the day he took his placement exam with Shige for TMU when he came back.
"Eh...? Lung...cancer...?" Massu was in complete shock what he heard from Tegoshi.
Tegoshi nodded. "The reason how it appeared is unknown and my chances of living aren't that good either." Tegoshi gazed at Massu with fear again in his eyes. "I'm scared, Massu. I won't be able to be free again, laugh, or have a normal life anymore. I might...die..."
Massu immediately gave Tegoshi a hug and gripped on his hospital pajamas. "You're not gonna die, Tesshi! I won't let you! You're my best friend, I just...can't let you die...!" Massu wailed and Tegoshi started to feel tears seep into his clothes.
Tegoshi also held onto Massu and cried with him.
However, Tegoshi's tumor mark didn't drop at all. Each day it got worse and his body became weaker. No matter how much he used the medicine Koyama prescribed him, Tegoshi's condition worsened.
Two months passed and it was the day Massu and Shige got the results from TMU. They both passed and were on their way to tell Koyama and Tegoshi the big news. Not knowing the most horrible was going to happen to them...
Tegoshi was in bed writing on lined paper and then sealed it in an envelope and wrote "To Massu" on the front. He left it on his nightstand next to the picture of them and his "hope" calligraphy. Tegoshi lied down and sighed. He looked out the window and looked at the blooming cherry blossoms. "Today's the day...of the results...I wonder if they passed...?" He thought to himself out loud.
Suddenly, Tegoshi's body tightened up in pain and his breaths were sharp and short. He knew this was it. He was going to die. "Ah...it...hurts..." Tegoshi winced and then the thought of Massu's smiling face came to his mind. "Massu..." A small tear came down. "Massu...I'm...sorry..." Were Tegoshi Yuya's last words before eternal sleep took over his body.
Not too long, Koyama came in. "Tegoshi-kun, it's time for your medi--" Koyama dropped the medicine, which shattered into pieces when it hit the floor, and ran to Tegoshi's bed. Koyama examined Tegoshi's lifeless body and just knew it. He was officialy dead. Koyama then eyed the letter for Massu on his night stand and took it in his hands, reminding himself to give it to Massu later.
But then, later came in 10 seconds when Massu and Shige burst into the room with smiles on their faces. "Dr. Koyama, we passed!!" Shige exclaimed excitedly. Koyama smiled weakly. Shige then noticed quickly what happened because of Koyama's look. However, a certain Massu was too overjoyed and didn't read the atmosphere of the situation.
Massu skipped to Tegoshi's bed, thinking he was just asleep. "Tesshi! Wake up, sleepy head! We passed! I'm gonna be a doctor! I--" Even though Massu tried shaking Tegoshi's lifeless body numerous times, he never moved. "Te...sshi...? Why won't you...wake up...?"
Shige placed a warm hand on Massu's back and he sniffled, trying to hold his tears back. "Massu, Tegoshi's...he's..."
"Dead." Koyama finished Shige's sentence.
Massu flinched and tears dripped onto Tegoshi's hand which was held by Massu's. "No...that can't be right...it can't be..."
Koyama looked down. "I'm afraid so. Tegoshi-kun's now in heaven, Masuda-kun. I'm so sorry..."
Massu shook his head. "No...NO!!!!" Massu cried hysterically and Koyama showed him the envelope addressed to him. Massu took the letter and started to read it:
Dear Massu,
If you're reading this, then I guess I'm dead right now. I'm sorry.
Massu, even if I'm gone, I want you to never forget the time we spent together.
When we were mad at each other, sad and felt sorry for one another, happy and laughing, doing nothing, everything!
I may not be beside you from now on, but I'll always be with you. In your mind, heart, soul and I'll be watching you down there from heaven.
So please remember this, Massu, as my best friend in the world, never give up no matter what! Because I'm always supporting you, even from up above.
I love you.
From,
Tegoshi Yuya
Massu's hands shook and he started to cry on Shige's chest. Shige comforted him gently. "It's okay, Massu. It's gonna be okay..."
4 years have passed since Tegoshi's death and Massu is now 23 while Shige is 22. After those 4 tough, hard-working years, both finally graduated TMU and became doctors at Haoto Medical Hospital. Shige's hopeful dream came true. He was now a doctor just like his beloved Koyama. As for Massu, his dream came true also, but now that Tegoshi wasn't alive anymore, only half of his dream was fulfilled. But even if Tegoshi died, Massu saved many lives in thought of him.
Shortly after graduating TMU, Massu got married to a beautiful, young woman who reminded him of Tegoshi and also studied with him at the same college. And half a year after the marriage, he found out his wife was pregnant and that he would soon be a father. 9 months later, Massu's wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl. He was there the whole time watching his first child being born and his trusted friend Shige was also there aiding the birth to make sure it went safely. Massu decided to name her "Nozomi". He used the kanji "希" (ki/hope) in thought of Tegoshi who wanted to name his child with the same character and "美" (bi/beauty), which formed the name "希美" (nozomi/beautiful hope/wish). Unfortunately, Massu's wife died during childbirth and he felt like he lost everything once again. But Shige reminded him that he must move on, for both his deceased friend Tegoshi and his newborn daughter Nozomi's sake.
Many years have passed again and Nozomi just turned 12 and was in her first year of junior high which meant her father Massu was now 35. Nozomi turned into a sweet, energetic girl that loved to play around and rollerblade. But soon after entering 7th grade, she was rollerblading in the park and sprained her leg which sent her to the hospital so her father could take of her.
Three days passed after Nozomi's accident and Massu was heading to see how she was feeling. Coincidentally, Nozomi's room was the same one Tegoshi and Massu shared when they were in the hospital years ago. Massu entered the room and saw her sitting up on her bed practicing calligraphy with Shige, who was now 34 and was like a second father to Nozomi.
"Masuda...No...zo...mi! Is this right, Shige-niichan?" Nozomi showed her work to Shige. She wrote "希望" on the paper along with her name, "増田希美" (Masuda Nozomi).
Shige smiled. "Yup. You wrote it very well, Nozomi." He ruffled her hair and they saw Massu in the doorway.
"Dad!!" Nozomi's eyes lit up and Massu could see the resemblance between her and Tegoshi.
Yup, that's my beautiful baby girl for ya... Massu thought to himself and smiled. Shige stood up and left the room, knowing that Massu wanted some time with his daughter. Massu sat in the seat Shige was sitting. "Shige helped you with your homework?"
"Uh-huh!" Nozomi nodded in joy and then her face calmed down. "Hey dad, who's 'Tegoshi Yuya'?"
"Eh?"
Nozomi pointed to the calligraphy Tegoshi made before he died. "Tegoshi Yuya." Then she pointed to the picture of them when they were teenagers. "Is that him? Was he your friend?"
The memories of Massu and Tegoshi passed his mind like a slideshow. "Yes and yes. We were the best of friends. But he died not too long before I turned 20..."
Nozomi's expression changed into remorse. "Oh..."
Massu reassured her by kissing her forehead. "It's okay, Nozomi. That was a long time ago so I don't really think about it..."
Nozomi blushed. "Dad, what were you and Tegoshi-san like when you were younger? How did you two meet?"
I think it's time I should tell her. Right, Tesshi...? He thought, hoping that Tegoshi from heaven heard him. "Well, it started a long, long time ago..."
And Massu told Nozomi every little thing about him and Tegoshi, from the mysterious beginning, to the tragic ending...
~THE END~
And...that's a wrap!
To all the people reading this, I'M REALLY REALLY SORRY FOR MAKING TEGOSHI DIE!!!! DDX
I couldn't help it! I mean, it was an angsty story, right? And like some people say "Not all stories have happy endings...".
So please, please, PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR KILLING GOD TEGO!!! >_<;;
Well, hope ya enjoyed it. Bye~~!! ^^
Comments = Love!! <333
Author: Rika Chihara
Pairings: Tegomass
Side Pairings: ShigeMassu (friendship), Koyashige
Rating: PG-15
Warning: Character-death is written in the end of the story. Make sure to keep a box of tissues beside you while reading this due it's angsty tones.
Disclaimer: If you really think I own these dudes, then Kei-chan and I would be kissing right now... >_<;;
Summary: Masuda Takahisa is a young man who lost all signs of the true meaning to live. But when he meets Tegoshi Yuya, a sick boy who has been in the hospital for a long period of time, his life gradually changes...
When morning came and the rays of the sun hit Massu's face, he woke up and found Tegoshi sleeping on his bed right next to him. Oh yeah, he slept with me last night... Massu pushed his soft bangs off his angelic face. He smiled and a pink hue tinted on his cheeks. Even when he sleeps he's cute...
"...I could hardly even breathe. I was really scared." "...I'm here for you!!" The words Tegoshi said yesterday echoed in Massu's mind. He gripped onto Tegoshi's hand. Tesshi...I...
"Morning, Massu! Are you feeling better today?" Shige called out from the doorway which woke up Tegoshi.
The sleepy teenager rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Ah...Shige...morning..."
Shige walked closer to the bed. "You two slept in the same bed? What gave you that idea...?"
Tegoshi was still half-asleep so he didn't really pay attention to Shige's question but Massu's face flushed red. "Eh!? That's...umm...T-Tesshi had a nightmare so...he must of crawled into my bed last night..." Massu tried to save himself from embarrassment.
Shige nodded oddly, he didn't really believe Massu's lie but shook it off. "Ah well. More importantly, Dr. Koyama said your fever dropped so you can be discharged now."
This time Tegoshi was now listening and his eyes widened. "Massu's...leaving...?" He locked his hand onto Massu's muscular arm, showing the fact he didn't want him to leave him all alone.
"Tesshi..." Massu whispered softly and looked into Tegoshi's fearful eyes that resembled Massu's when he was young and saw his family get killed. Massu looked up at Shige. "I've...decided..."
"What have you decided, Masuda-kun?" Koyama came into the room also curious.
Massu got up from his bed. "I'm...I'm gonna apply for Tokyo Medical University and become a doctor with Shige, too!"
"EH!?!" Was the shocking reply Massu received from the three.
"I know I'm not that experienced or have any smarts, I just wanna do it! And someday in the future, I hope to cure Tesshi's illness and discharge him from the hopsital!"
Tears brimmed from Tegoshi's eyes. "Massu..."
"But what about the money if you get in? You may be homeless but education expenses are really high there. How will you be covered?" Shige butted in with bad news.
"I'll pay for your education." Koyama smiled.
Shige blinked. "Dr. Koyama, are you really sure about that...?"
Koyama placed a hand on Shige's shoulder. "Of course I am. I'm also paying for your tuition too since your parents are gone, am I not?"
Shige looked down. "That's true...but..."
Koyama winked. "Don't worry about it. I mean I do have a lot of that from this job..." Koyama smirked and showed off the gesture for money. Shige laughed a bit.
Massu's face lit up and he bowed. "Thank you so much, Dr. Koyama! Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Koyama walked out the room and came back with the same scrubs Shige was wearing. "Take this. You'll start working here too with Shigeaki-kun. If you work here, you'll earn credits and will have higher chances to get into TMU."
Massu took the scrubs that were now his and bowed once more. "Thank you very much, doctor, I'll do my best!" He then turned to Tegoshi. "Isn't this great, Tesshi? Now we can see each other everyday!"
Tegoshi was so overjoyed and couldn't say a thing. Instead, they shared a warm embrace. "Thank you so much, Massu..."
Three months have passed since Massu started working part-time as a nurse. Shige now shares his apartment with Massu and they split the expenses and rent together. Massu gets to see Tegoshi everyday like planned and always eat together with Shige when they had a lunch break from work. Tegoshi and Massu became really close in such a short period of time and were always there for each other. Massu has never been more happier in his whole life. He has a home, friends, and a bright future ahead of him.
But Massu didn't know that things might get dimmer again...
One day Massu and Shige had a day-off so they decided to have a nice picnic with Tegoshi in the hospital's courtyard. Massu walked to his room and opened the door. He saw Tegoshi sitting up on his bed writing with a brush tool.
I wonder what Tesshi's up to... Massu thought and walked closer to his bed. "Whatcha doing, Tesshi?"
Tegoshi looked up and smiled at Massu. "Calligraphy."
"Calligraphy...?" Massu looked down at the paper Tegoshi was using and the word "希望" (kibou/hope) was written beautifully on it along with his name "手越祐也" (Tegoshi Yuya) on the left side of the paper. "Hope?"
Tegoshi nodded. "It's my favorite word." Tegoshi looked out the window and stared at the sunny weather. "I wish someday I'll get better and then I'll be able to play soccer again. When I get married someday and have kids, I'll name my child with the character "希" (ki/hope) in it. I really wish it'll happen sometime..."
Massu held Tegoshi's hand. "You will! And I'll help you with your dream! Because I'm gonna make sure you get better when you're older, okay?"
Tegoshi smiled and felt light as a feather. "Oh Massu..."
Before the whole scene got even more mushy, Massu remembered again why he was here. "Ah, that's right! Tesshi, let's have a picnic today with Shige in the courtyard!" He showed him the brown picnic basket of food he was carrying.
Tegoshi got up from his bed and on his feet. "Just the three of us together?"
Massu smiled. "Yup! Let's go! Shige's waiting!"
Tegoshi held Massu's hand and walked to where Shige was waiting. But before they left, they place Tegoshi's calligraphy next to a photo of Massu and Tegoshi together that was taken by Shige a few days ago.
"What took you so long!?" Shige tapped his foot impatiently because the two were ten minutes late.
Tegoshi giggled. "Don't sweat it, Shige."
Massu sat on the blanket Shige set up and opened up the picnic basket with him. "Yeah, let's eat!"
Shige rolled his eyes and laughed. "I never understand you two sometimes..."
Massu digged in first with the gyoza. It was his most favorite food in the world so he wolfed down over 15 pieces. "Mmm, so good!!"
Unlike Massu, Shige ate half as slower than him. "God, Massu. You're such a pig!"
"Am not!"
"Are too!"
Tegoshi laughed at their small quarrel. But then, he started to cough harshly. He was having another asthma attack. His left hand covered his mouth and his right hand clutched his stomach. Massu and Shige took quick notice and Massu was rubbing Tegoshi's back for comfort. "Shige, go get Dr. Koyama. Now!" Massu ordered in a stern tone and was really worried about his best friend in pain. Shige nodded immediately and ran inside to get him.
10 minutes later, Shige came back with Koyama and some other doctors who lifted Tegoshi on a stretcher and rushed him to the emergency room.
A few hours passed and Massu and Shige were waiting outside the ER anxiously to hear good news from Koyama. Koyama came out and took off his rubber gloves. The two ran up to him asking the same questions, "Is he alright?", "Will Tegoshi survive?", etc...
Koyama also took off his glasses and looked at the boys calmly. "Tegoshi-kun's completely fine. It was just another asthma attack. He's now unconscious, but he'll wake up soon enough."
Massu sighed. "Thank goodness..."
"You two should go home and get some rest today. I think you've had enough for one day."
Shige nodded. "Yes doctor. Please excuse us..." And the boys went home to the apartment they shared.
Koyama watched them leave and bit his lip in regret. What the hell am I saying!? Tegoshi-kun is in even more trouble at this rate. I can't believed I lied to those boys... Shit!
The next day, Tegoshi regained conscious and was back in his room and remembered that he collapsed the other day. Then, Koyama came into the room with papers in his hands. "Good morning, Tegoshi-kun..." He tried to smile but it failed.
Tegoshi got worried. "Good morning, Dr. Koyama. Is there...something wrong...?"
Koyama sat in a chair next to his bed. "I'm afraid there is..." Koyama showed him an x-ray of his lungs. "Tegoshi-kun, can you see this faint white dot on your right lung?" Koyama pointed to where he was talking about.
Tegoshi nodded slowly.
Koyama bit his lip then sighed. "That's a...malignant tumor..."
Tegoshi's mind blanked out. "Eh...?"
"Tegoshi-kun, it seems you've been diagnosed with Stage III non-small cell lung carcinoma, which means you have...lung cancer..."
Tegoshi shivered. "You're kidding...how could I get..."
"We don't know either. We came to a conclusion that it has been there for at least a year and it's still growing. Even with surgery, the chances of living is really sparse. For now, we'll have to use medicine to slow down the process, okay? I'm really, really sorry, Tegoshi-kun..."
Tegoshi's eyes started to water. "Does anyone besides the doctors know about this...?"
"I've only told Shigeaki-kun. However, he promised not tell anyone. Especially Masuda-kun." Koyama held Tegoshi's hand. "I believe you should tell Masuda-kun about your disease instead because your his best friend. Understand?"
"Y-Yes doctor..."
A week has passed and Tegoshi still hasn't told him. He was so scared to be next to him because he feels like it'll break his heart and he'll return back to nothing. But then, Tegoshi decided to tell him the day he took his placement exam with Shige for TMU when he came back.
"Eh...? Lung...cancer...?" Massu was in complete shock what he heard from Tegoshi.
Tegoshi nodded. "The reason how it appeared is unknown and my chances of living aren't that good either." Tegoshi gazed at Massu with fear again in his eyes. "I'm scared, Massu. I won't be able to be free again, laugh, or have a normal life anymore. I might...die..."
Massu immediately gave Tegoshi a hug and gripped on his hospital pajamas. "You're not gonna die, Tesshi! I won't let you! You're my best friend, I just...can't let you die...!" Massu wailed and Tegoshi started to feel tears seep into his clothes.
Tegoshi also held onto Massu and cried with him.
However, Tegoshi's tumor mark didn't drop at all. Each day it got worse and his body became weaker. No matter how much he used the medicine Koyama prescribed him, Tegoshi's condition worsened.
Two months passed and it was the day Massu and Shige got the results from TMU. They both passed and were on their way to tell Koyama and Tegoshi the big news. Not knowing the most horrible was going to happen to them...
Tegoshi was in bed writing on lined paper and then sealed it in an envelope and wrote "To Massu" on the front. He left it on his nightstand next to the picture of them and his "hope" calligraphy. Tegoshi lied down and sighed. He looked out the window and looked at the blooming cherry blossoms. "Today's the day...of the results...I wonder if they passed...?" He thought to himself out loud.
Suddenly, Tegoshi's body tightened up in pain and his breaths were sharp and short. He knew this was it. He was going to die. "Ah...it...hurts..." Tegoshi winced and then the thought of Massu's smiling face came to his mind. "Massu..." A small tear came down. "Massu...I'm...sorry..." Were Tegoshi Yuya's last words before eternal sleep took over his body.
Not too long, Koyama came in. "Tegoshi-kun, it's time for your medi--" Koyama dropped the medicine, which shattered into pieces when it hit the floor, and ran to Tegoshi's bed. Koyama examined Tegoshi's lifeless body and just knew it. He was officialy dead. Koyama then eyed the letter for Massu on his night stand and took it in his hands, reminding himself to give it to Massu later.
But then, later came in 10 seconds when Massu and Shige burst into the room with smiles on their faces. "Dr. Koyama, we passed!!" Shige exclaimed excitedly. Koyama smiled weakly. Shige then noticed quickly what happened because of Koyama's look. However, a certain Massu was too overjoyed and didn't read the atmosphere of the situation.
Massu skipped to Tegoshi's bed, thinking he was just asleep. "Tesshi! Wake up, sleepy head! We passed! I'm gonna be a doctor! I--" Even though Massu tried shaking Tegoshi's lifeless body numerous times, he never moved. "Te...sshi...? Why won't you...wake up...?"
Shige placed a warm hand on Massu's back and he sniffled, trying to hold his tears back. "Massu, Tegoshi's...he's..."
"Dead." Koyama finished Shige's sentence.
Massu flinched and tears dripped onto Tegoshi's hand which was held by Massu's. "No...that can't be right...it can't be..."
Koyama looked down. "I'm afraid so. Tegoshi-kun's now in heaven, Masuda-kun. I'm so sorry..."
Massu shook his head. "No...NO!!!!" Massu cried hysterically and Koyama showed him the envelope addressed to him. Massu took the letter and started to read it:
Dear Massu,
If you're reading this, then I guess I'm dead right now. I'm sorry.
Massu, even if I'm gone, I want you to never forget the time we spent together.
When we were mad at each other, sad and felt sorry for one another, happy and laughing, doing nothing, everything!
I may not be beside you from now on, but I'll always be with you. In your mind, heart, soul and I'll be watching you down there from heaven.
So please remember this, Massu, as my best friend in the world, never give up no matter what! Because I'm always supporting you, even from up above.
I love you.
From,
Tegoshi Yuya
Massu's hands shook and he started to cry on Shige's chest. Shige comforted him gently. "It's okay, Massu. It's gonna be okay..."
4 years have passed since Tegoshi's death and Massu is now 23 while Shige is 22. After those 4 tough, hard-working years, both finally graduated TMU and became doctors at Haoto Medical Hospital. Shige's hopeful dream came true. He was now a doctor just like his beloved Koyama. As for Massu, his dream came true also, but now that Tegoshi wasn't alive anymore, only half of his dream was fulfilled. But even if Tegoshi died, Massu saved many lives in thought of him.
Shortly after graduating TMU, Massu got married to a beautiful, young woman who reminded him of Tegoshi and also studied with him at the same college. And half a year after the marriage, he found out his wife was pregnant and that he would soon be a father. 9 months later, Massu's wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl. He was there the whole time watching his first child being born and his trusted friend Shige was also there aiding the birth to make sure it went safely. Massu decided to name her "Nozomi". He used the kanji "希" (ki/hope) in thought of Tegoshi who wanted to name his child with the same character and "美" (bi/beauty), which formed the name "希美" (nozomi/beautiful hope/wish). Unfortunately, Massu's wife died during childbirth and he felt like he lost everything once again. But Shige reminded him that he must move on, for both his deceased friend Tegoshi and his newborn daughter Nozomi's sake.
Many years have passed again and Nozomi just turned 12 and was in her first year of junior high which meant her father Massu was now 35. Nozomi turned into a sweet, energetic girl that loved to play around and rollerblade. But soon after entering 7th grade, she was rollerblading in the park and sprained her leg which sent her to the hospital so her father could take of her.
Three days passed after Nozomi's accident and Massu was heading to see how she was feeling. Coincidentally, Nozomi's room was the same one Tegoshi and Massu shared when they were in the hospital years ago. Massu entered the room and saw her sitting up on her bed practicing calligraphy with Shige, who was now 34 and was like a second father to Nozomi.
"Masuda...No...zo...mi! Is this right, Shige-niichan?" Nozomi showed her work to Shige. She wrote "希望" on the paper along with her name, "増田希美" (Masuda Nozomi).
Shige smiled. "Yup. You wrote it very well, Nozomi." He ruffled her hair and they saw Massu in the doorway.
"Dad!!" Nozomi's eyes lit up and Massu could see the resemblance between her and Tegoshi.
Yup, that's my beautiful baby girl for ya... Massu thought to himself and smiled. Shige stood up and left the room, knowing that Massu wanted some time with his daughter. Massu sat in the seat Shige was sitting. "Shige helped you with your homework?"
"Uh-huh!" Nozomi nodded in joy and then her face calmed down. "Hey dad, who's 'Tegoshi Yuya'?"
"Eh?"
Nozomi pointed to the calligraphy Tegoshi made before he died. "Tegoshi Yuya." Then she pointed to the picture of them when they were teenagers. "Is that him? Was he your friend?"
The memories of Massu and Tegoshi passed his mind like a slideshow. "Yes and yes. We were the best of friends. But he died not too long before I turned 20..."
Nozomi's expression changed into remorse. "Oh..."
Massu reassured her by kissing her forehead. "It's okay, Nozomi. That was a long time ago so I don't really think about it..."
Nozomi blushed. "Dad, what were you and Tegoshi-san like when you were younger? How did you two meet?"
I think it's time I should tell her. Right, Tesshi...? He thought, hoping that Tegoshi from heaven heard him. "Well, it started a long, long time ago..."
And Massu told Nozomi every little thing about him and Tegoshi, from the mysterious beginning, to the tragic ending...
~THE END~
And...that's a wrap!
To all the people reading this, I'M REALLY REALLY SORRY FOR MAKING TEGOSHI DIE!!!! DDX
I couldn't help it! I mean, it was an angsty story, right? And like some people say "Not all stories have happy endings...".
So please, please, PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR KILLING GOD TEGO!!! >_<;;
Well, hope ya enjoyed it. Bye~~!! ^^
Comments = Love!! <333