Chapter 24: Leave
That was the last long letter that Kamenashi wrote to Pi. After this, he merely sent some short notes to him.
Somewhere between July and August, Kamenashi lost his sight, and his hearing deteriorated rapidly. He was unable to get out of bed and his reflexes were slowing down. The needle marks on his arms increased too.
It was as if Kamenashi could predict his future. He told Pi his last wishes before Pi went for his overseas photoshoot. Kamenashi did not want his name to be engraved on the tombstone and wanted a simple carving instead. He felt that a name was useless after death.
“He didn’t want Jin to know about what happened to him, that’s why he did not want his name on the tombstone” Pi was trying to control himself as he said this, but I could hear his voice trembling. “I wanted to take a long break and keep him company after my overseas shooting. Little did I expect him to leave so soon…”
It was already the following day when Pi rushed back to Japan.
The nurse removed all the tubes from Kamenashi after he passed away. His expression was very peaceful when Pi claimed him from the morgue. Other than being a tad too pale, Kamenashi merely looked as though he was in a deep sleep.
The nurse handed a ring to Pi and told him that Kamenashi was holding on to it.
Kamenashi had no control over his reflexes during the last stage of his illness. It was so bad that he could only nod and shake his head to communicate with others. That night that he passed away, no one knew how he managed to summon enough strength to get out of bed and retrieve the ring from the cabinet. No one ever knew how he managed to make it back to his bed without hurting himself in total darkness either…
The nurse told Pi that Kamenashi was lying on his side when they entered his room the following morning. His hands were clasped together and he held on to the silver ring tightly.
The first shot of morning rays shone on his face gently.
Kamenashi left the world with a gentle smile on his face…
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sorry minna-san... once again, THIS FIC IS TRULY FICTIONAL.
i hate this chapter... *pouts*
everyone enjoyed "hitokoi"? i liked it very much.
Chapter 25: http://thescarletscar.livejournal.com/9410.html