幼馴染（Osananajimi-Childhood friend）

Episode 8: A Visit, A Second Kiss

　The next day, as I was walking to the school entrance to go home after class, Uzao, the student council member with the dark glasses, came after me again.

"Matsuda, have you heard anything about Hanazawa-san?

"No, I haven't.

"Are you sure?

"Suit yourself. See you later.

　When I got home, my mother was dressed as an outsider.

"Yusuke, you can wear your uniform, but I'm going to visit Hanazawa's, so if you want to change, hurry up.

"I'll just leave my luggage here. I'll go drop off my luggage.

　I left my bag in my room and quickly went back to the front door and headed for the bus stop with my mom.

　We took the bus to the general hospital, which was of course too far to walk, but not too far to take the bus.

　At the hospital counter, I told them the name of the patient and was given a room. The hospital is a ten-story building, and the hospital rooms are on the sixth floor and up, so the room I was given was on the tenth floor, the floor with the private rooms. I was told later that when she was brought in early yesterday, after some treatment, she was in a room for four people, but they had moved her to a private room today morning.

　I took the elevator to the nurses' station on the tenth floor, wrote my name on the visitor's list, and headed for her room. It seemed that we could visit her for another hour.

　Next to the door of the hospital room I was told about, there was a nametag that read "Kyoko Hanazawa.

　I knocked lightly on the hospital room door and heard Hanazawa's mom's voice say

"Come in.

　So, Mom and I said, "Excuse me," opened the door, and entered the hospital room. Inside was Kyoko's mother wearing a coverall apron and Kyoko lying on the bed. Kyoko didn't say anything, but looked at me.

"Thank you for coming all this way, Yusuke-kun.

"Thank you.

"Hanazawa-san, I just wanted to give you this.

　Mom was handing Kyoko's mother a sympathy bag in her handbag.

"Thank you, Matsuda-san.

"What are you talking about? Make sure you pay me back with a get-well gift.

"Of course.

"Hanazawa-san, why don't we go downstairs to the coffee shop and have some tea?

"Sounds good.

"Then I'll go downstairs for half an hour and talk with you.

　Then the two mothers left the hospital room.

　As the door closed.

"Yusuke, thank you for coming.

　Finally, Kyoko spoke up. She was wearing an oxygen or some kind of inhalation tube in her nose, and I could hear the sound of air coming out of the tube.

　There was a part of me that didn't believe that Kyoko had really become a sick person, but when I saw her now, after not seeing her for two days, that feeling went away.

　She looked pale, and the corners of her eyes were red.

"Yusuke, don't you have something to say?

　It was different from usual. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.

"No, I can't think of anything in particular.

"Nothing?　When you look at Kyoko-chan lying on the bed, do you see anything cute or beautiful?

"I'm a little relieved that you seems to have enough energy to joke around.

　I can't be relieved at all.

"Yeah. I'm glad. Hey, can I see Yusuke's face more closely?　Do you remember the first time you said this to Yusuke?

　Of course, I remember.

"......

"That was in kindergarten when we foolishly kissed.

"You remember that well.

"That's true. It was our first kiss. That's right, a second kiss. Hey, Yusuke, do you want to?

"......

"Country-faced Yusuke, you can bring your face closer to mine. I have an oxygen tube attached to my nose, but you'll have to forgive me there.

　When I was in kindergarten, it was my cheekbones, but this time, I put my forehead close to Kyoko's lips. I was a little embarrassed, but we were both in junior high school, so I guess that was okay.

"Close your eyes.

　.......

"Then, kiss!

　I suddenly felt something soft on my lips.

　I was not surprised at all.

　Kyoko's pale cheeks had a hint of red. Kyoko looked into my eyes. I stared into her eyes as well.

　I've always liked Kyoko. So did Kyoko. I realized that. That's what it was all about.

"......

"......

　The two of us passed the time without talking about anything.