Chapter 33…
The Time I Can Live
…Huh? Bleeding because of an illness like me…?
What does that mean…?
“Ah, sorry, sorry. I said something weird, didn’t I? I have a disease called aplastic anemia.”
The ridiculously handsome guy said it so casually, and then added,
“Ah, but thanks to treatment, I’m feeling well. So, when I bumped into you earlier, I was actually on my way to take care of my school re-enrollment. Ah, sorry… calling you by your surname so casually…”
He looked flustered.
“No, not at all. Earlier, when you brought me to the hospital, you checked my things, right?”
“…Yeah. Sorry for doing that without asking. I hesitated too, but I needed to tell the paramedics and the hospital.”
“No, I should be the one apologizing. Thank you. If you saw my student ID, you might know, but my name is Risa, so you can just call me Risa. I’m not used to people using my last name.”
“Then I’ll call you Risa-chan. I’m Naoya Ichimiya. Most people usually call me Naoya or Nao-kun. It’s totally fine to call me by my first name.”
“Then, Naoya… Wait, you’re a first-year? You seem so mature.”
“Yeah. Age-wise, I’m 18, so I should actually be a senior, but I had to repeat a year because of treatment and stuff.”
“…Ah, sorry! I feel like I’ve been making you say things you don’t want to say…”
“Not at all. Treatment for aplastic anemia has come a long way compared to the past, and bone marrow transplants can be done earlier now. So, see? I look healthy, right?”
The ridiculously handsome guy gave me an innocent smile.
“So… you’re completely healthy now?”
I asked without thinking, and Naoya nodded with a smile, so I cheered,
“Yay! Then let’s be friends at school too!”
But at that moment, Naoya’s smile faded, and he murmured softly,
“But… sometimes I wonder… how much longer I’ll be able to stay healthy and alive…”
