Yumeko had just left to sell the herbs she had gathered when Mitsuri went to talk to Satsuki. She'd had a suspicion for a few days now, but finally confirming it made her heart sink. How could she possibly tell Yumeko the news? Despite only knowing her for a week, Mitsuri already knew what the girl's reaction would be, and it broke her heart.
"Is something wrong? You're quieter than usual." Satsuki rasped, watching Mitsuri with clever eyes.
"Yes…it's about your condition. I'm afraid I only have bad news. I don't know what to tell Yumeko." Mitsuri admits, placing a hand on her chest as she feels shame wriggle around in her stomach. If only she were a better nurse, maybe she could've given them hopeful news, but without the technology to check, Mitsuri could only tell them something horrible.
"That girl is…fragile. I know it's rude to call someone that, but it's true. I've tried my best, but living up here in the mountains has only been a detriment to her social life. I'm the only person she has a connection with. I'm scared that girl won't last without me." Satsuki shakes her head with a sigh.
"Yumeko is stronger than you think, and she'll never stop fighting for your life," Mitsuri says, grabbing Satsuki's hand and squeezing confidently.
"Maybe, but promise me one thing. Protect her, for me. I know it's a lot to ask, but please, stay by her side." Satsuki begs. Mitsuri had never seen tears in the woman's eyes before, even when she told Satsuki she probably wouldn't make it without extra help, the woman had held strong. The knowledge was enough to make Mitsuri cry when she saw a few tears slip down her face.
"I promise, I'll try my best," Mitsuri replies. It was all she could do in the moment.
It had been a few days since she had told Yumeko the news, and the girl was taking it in stride. She wasn't quite her usual cheerful self, but she was slowly returning to something near it. Mitsuri had been by her side, trying to be a comforting presence. She didn't know if it was working, but it was worth it when she heard Yumeko laugh at one of her dumb jokes. She had taken to telling her as many bad puns as she could think of. Seeing the shine slowly return to Yumeko's eyes brought her more joy than eating out at her favorite restaurant.
That made it all the worse when she had to break the other news to Yumeko, that she had to return to Sapporo. She needed more supplies to help Satsuki, and she wanted to let friends and family know what was happening. She felt guilty for leaving Yumeko and Satsuki alone after telling them the dreadful news, but she had no other choice.
"Yumeko, can I speak to you about something real quick?" She asked the girl, who was just finishing hanging up the laundry.
"Sure!" She smiled lightly; it wasn't anywhere near the brightness of her earlier smiles, but the sight made Mitsuri's heart warm.
"I need to head back to Sapporo for a few days. I need to resupply and tell some friends and family what happened. I'm sorry that I'm leaving you both, but I promise I'll be right back." Mitsuri bows in apology, but Yumeko's hands are quickly on her shoulders, pushing her back up.
"You don't have to apologize, I completely understand. When are you leaving?" Yumeko questions.
"Tomorrow morning," Mitsuri answers with a small smile on her face.
"Then I'll make you a delicious farewell meal tonight. You don't need to worry about a thing." Yumeko states.
"You sure? I can help." Mitsuri offers.
"Nonsense, take it as a thank you for helping us, it's the least I could do," Yumeko says, crossing her arms to accentuate her point. It makes Mitsuri laugh as she follows Yumeko back inside the house. The rest of the evening is spent quietly as Mitsuri watches Yumeko make dinner. It's nothing too fancy, but it tastes like home, and that's all Mitsuri could ever want in a meal. The next morning, she says goodbye to Satsuki and Yumeko and makes her way down the mountain.
The trip back to Sapporo is peaceful, just a few hours spent on a bus until she reaches the city. She walks to her apartment and sets down her suitcase with a sigh. The apartment was old and rundown, mostly because Mitsuri spent very little time there; it was only used for sleeping when she was in the city.
She grabbed out her phone, which finally had service, and sent a quick text out to her friends that she was back in the city. Setting it down, she decided to take a quick shower and change before she ran to the pharmacy she gets her supplies from.
The water was warm and refreshing, and when she got out, she changed into some of the clothes she kept in her apartment, a blue long-sleeve shirt and some black pants. She replied to a few of the messages on her phone and made a quick list of what she needed at the pharmacy before stepping out.
"Ah, back again, Dr. Fumiya?" Asked one of the people working the counter at the pharmacy. His name was Mr. Takumi. He was older, with some gray hairs on his head of black, and he wore a pair of black glasses set precariously on the edge of his nose. He had been working at the pharmacy ever since Mitsuri first came by; he usually handled the order for her.
"Indeed, though this time I may not be back for quite a while." She responded, handing him the order. He glanced over it and started moving to grab different items as he continued the conversation.
"Oh? And what could be the reason?" He questioned.
"I recently had a patient, a stubborn old woman by the name of Satsuki. I'm afraid she is very ill and doesn't have much longer, so I offered to provide hospice care." She explains.
"Really? I didn't peg you as the type to settle down like that." He says, eyebrow raised as he continues to fill a bag for her.
"Ah…I guess that is because of the woman's granddaughter. She's a very kind person, I find myself wanting to become friends with her." Mitsuri admits shyly, scratching a finger on her cheek in embarrassment.
"Hahaha, to think I'd ever see the day. Well, I wish you well with your patient, Dr. Fumiya, and if you do become friends with the girl, bring her by sometime, will you?" He asks with a wink, handing Mitsuri the bag and ringing her up. She pays with a slight blush on her face, the teasing tone of his words making her face red.
"We'll see…" She responds. Walking out of the store, Mitsuri admires the city around her. It wasn't that she didn't like the city, but it wasn't a place she wanted to stay forever. The loud noises and constant crowds were an annoyance, and she preferred the cleaner air of rural Japan. But she could still appreciate it for all it was.
Walking down the street, she spotted a small corner store selling different trinkets. She almost walked by completely until a unique hairpin caught her eye. It was made of wood and had a few small white flowers on the end. Mitsuri could already imagine how it would look on Yumeko. Without a second thought, she walked in and headed straight toward the hairpin.
"May I get this?" She questions the shopkeeper, placing the hairpin on the counter. The shopkeeper immediately rings her up with a bright smile and a 'Pleasure doing business with you' already on her lips. Hairpin in hand, Mitsuri makes her way back to the apartment with a grin. She couldn't wait to give this to Yumeko.