He rubbed his eyes, convinced there had been a mistake. But no, the map didn't lie. Serenity Springs Hospital... it was much farther than he had expected. Much too far, in fact.
The hospital was nearly five hours away, an exhausting drive with no guarantee of what he'd find. John's heart began to race, anxiety building as he tried to piece everything together.
Was this some kind of cruel twist of fate? Or was something more at play here? His mind raced with questions, but no answers came to him.
********
Hoshigaoka.
A small but vibrant island in Southeast Asia, known for its scenic coasts, green fields, and close-knit communities. Among its many towns, three stood out as the largest and most beloved destinations.
To the north lay Yukimura, a quiet town of snowy winters, chilly winds, and deep-rooted traditions. In the east, Shiranami Town, the "Town of White Waves," thrived with beaches, summer festivals, and the roar of the sea.
And in the west, Aozora City, the island's largest, most modern hub, gleamed under an endless blue sky, its streets alive with ambition and opportunity.
John lived in Aozora, scraping by with odd jobs while searching for his place in the world.
Then came the blow…. When Kana, his online friend and the brightest part of his dull routine, told him the name of her hospital, his stomach sank.
Serenity Springs Hospital, in Yukimura.
John's mind raced as he processed the information. Serenity Springs wasn't just a few streets away, nor was it in a neighboring town. It was located all the way across the island, a staggering distance of approximately 300 to 400 kilometers, or about 186 to 250 miles.
It would take nearly 5 to 6 hours by express train to reach her, and even longer, about 7 to 8 hours by car, if he dared to make the journey by road.
John sat frozen for a moment, absorbing the weight of the situation. The money for a train ticket wasn't a problem, after all, Ms. Marie paid him at the end of each month, and he had just enough saved up to cover the fare. That wasn't what bothered him.
It was the time.
It was the distance.
It was the agonizing thought of the hours he would spend, just getting there.
Slowly, John turned his head to glance at the old, slightly crooked clock hanging on his wall.
The minute hand had just ticked past the hour of one.
If he left now, if he grabbed his things, ran to the station, and caught the next train out, he could make it to Serenity Springs by around six in the evening. That would give him a precious few hours to spend with Kana, to finally meet her face to face, to talk, to laugh, to be something more than just two souls connected by words on a screen.
And yet, despite knowing this, despite his heart screaming at him to move, John found himself lying back on his creaky bed, staring up at the cracked ceiling.
A deep, frustrated growl rumbled from his throat as he pressed the heels of his palms into his eyes.
John: Are you fucking kidding me?!
*********
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Kana curled herself into a tight ball and hid under her blanket, frustration and annoyance boiling inside her chest. Her phone lay beside her, the last text from John still open. He had just messaged her, apologizing and explaining how far he was from the hospital and what it would take for him to make it there today.
In short, it wouldn't be possible.
She had prepared so much. She had spent the morning fixing her hair the best she could, picking out her nicest hospital clothes, even practicing in the mirror how she would greet him.
And yet...
Kana: (to herself) Why do you have to be so far away...?
Beside her, Jane sat quietly, sensing her friend's emotions without needing any words. With a soft smile, Jane reached over and gently touched Kana's head, her hand running lightly over the strands of hair peeking out from beneath the blanket.
Jane: There, there. This is really frustrating, huh?
Kana, still hidden beneath her cocoon of covers, gave a small, dejected nod. Her small hand squeezed tightly onto a piece of her bedsheet, as if trying to hold herself together.
Kana: I just... really wanted to see him.
Jane's heart ached at the sight. She kept stroking Kana's head, her touch steady and comforting, her smile gentle and understanding.
Jane: I know, Kana. I know.
At that moment, the door to the hospital room creaked open, and Dr. Kennedy stepped in, carrying a clipboard. He paused at the doorway, eyebrows raising as he took in the gloomy atmosphere.
Dr. Kennedy: Whoa, what's wrong in here? Why the long faces?
Jane looked up at him and gave a small, sheepish smile.
Jane: Well, sir, you see...
She glanced at Kana, who remained buried under the blanket, before turning back to Dr. Kennedy and explaining everything. She told him about John, about how Kana had been looking forward to today, about the excitement that had built up only to be crushed by disappointment.
Dr. Kennedy listened patiently, setting the clipboard down and pulling up a chair beside Jane. His face was serious but kind, and he nodded thoughtfully once Jane finished.
There was a brief silence. Kana stayed motionless under her covers, feeling the weight of the ruined day pressing down on her.
Finally, Dr. Kennedy spoke.
Dr. Kennedy: Kana?
There was a small, muffled response from under the blanket.
Kana: (gloomy) What is it...?
Dr. Kennedy: You wanna try calling him again? John, I mean.
Kana's head peeked out slightly, her eyes dull with defeat.
Kana: (halfhearted) Huuuuh...? What would be the point...? He can't come now...
Dr. Kennedy smiled a little, tapping his finger against the arm of the chair in thought.
Dr. Kennedy: That's true. He can't come right now.
But… maybe we can find another way to salvage this situation.
Kana's head emerged a little more from under the blankets, her curiosity piqued despite herself. Her big, watery eyes looked at Dr. Kennedy with a mixture of hope and skepticism.
Kana: (softly) How…?
******
John lay sprawled on his bed, frustration bubbling within him as he stared at the ceiling. His mind was clouded with disappointment when suddenly, his phone began ringing. Instinctively, he lunged for it, his heart skipping a beat the moment he saw the caller ID: Kana.
Without hesitation, he answered the call, but the voice that greeted him on the other end wasn't Kana's and it instantly threw him off.
John: Hey…?
Dr. Kennedy: Hello. Is this John?
John froze in confusion, gripping his phone tightly as a hundred thoughts raced through his mind.
John: Uh… yeah… I'm sorry, but… who are you?
A deep chuckle echoed through the speaker before the man responded again, his tone light yet mischievous.
Dr. Kennedy: I'm a notorious kidnapper who's captured your beloved. If you ever hope to see her again, bring a hundred million to the location I'll send you.
John's face contorted into a ridiculously cartoonish expression, his brain practically short-circuiting from the absurdity of what he just heard.
And though they couldn't see each other, if anyone had glanced at Kana and Jane on the other side, they too wore the exact same dumbfounded look, mouths agape, eyes wide with disbelief.
Kana: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, YOU STUPID DOCTOR?!
Her voice was so loud and frantic that John could hear it crystal clear through the phone. His confusion deepened, and his body language resembled that of a crumpled sheet of paper, lifeless and thoroughly bewildered.
The man on the other end chuckled once more, clearly amused.
Dr. Kennedy: (to John) Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
(clears his throat) My name is Kennedy Mayoki. I'm Kana's doctor.
John blinked, still unsure whether he was part of some bizarre prank or if this was actually happening.
John: Is that so…?
Dr. Kennedy: Yes. Kana has told me a lot about you, and while I haven't known you long, I just want to say, thank you. Thank you for keeping her company, for being her friend through everything she's been through.
John felt the back of his neck heat up with slight embarrassment, and he sheepishly scratched it.
John: Well... if we're doing this, then I guess I should be the one thanking you for taking care of Kana while she's been staying at the hospital.
Dr. Kennedy chuckled warmly at John's honesty.
Dr. Kennedy: Oh? You don't really need to do that…
John frowned slightly, puzzled.
John: I don't?
But the doctor swiftly brushed the comment aside, changing the subject.
Dr. Kennedy: Anyway, Kana just told me about how your visitation plans today didn't exactly go as hoped.
John sighed, leaning back against the bedpost.
John: Yeah… we never really talked about where we each lived. I guess I just assumed we were closer, y'know? Finding out she lives so far away… it really threw me off. I was so excited to finally meet her.
There was a pause, the silence filled with unspoken emotion.
Dr. Kennedy: Yeah… she's really down about it.
John sat up straighter, his heart thumping.
John: (surprised) She is?
Across from Dr. Kennedy, Kana flushed deep red, embarrassed that her feelings had been exposed so easily. She quickly buried her face into her knees, hiding her expression. Dr. Kennedy glanced at her and smiled gently.
Dr. Kennedy: Yeah...
John took a moment to process this, his chest tightening in a strange, pleasant way. The idea that Kana was just as disappointed as he was made him feel… connected to her. Like they weren't so far apart after all.
While John was lost in thought, Dr. Kennedy spoke again, his voice sharp yet kind.
Dr. Kennedy: So… what are you going to do?
John: (snapping out of it) Huh?
Jane and Kana, who had been eavesdropping intently, tensed up, their attention laser-focused.
Dr. Kennedy: I said, what are you going to do?
He paused, giving John a moment to think. Then, with deliberate calmness, he pressed further.
Dr. Kennedy: Now that you know the distance between you… are you going to let that stop you from seeing her?
John stared at the floor, his mind racing. Kana's smiling face flashed vividly in his mind, her laughter, her warmth, everything that made her so special to him.
And then, as if a fire had been lit inside him, John answered with firm determination.
John: No. I won't.
A satisfied smile spread across Dr. Kennedy's face.
Dr. Kennedy: Good. That's what I like to hear.
On the other side, Kana and Jane couldn't help but grin too. Kana, overcome with emotion, pulled her knees tighter against her chest, her face practically glowing with a deep blush.
Dr. Kennedy: Alright, then here's what you're going to do. Tomorrow's the 24th. You board an early train and aim to be here around noon. I'll have Kana send you my number so you can call me once you get to the station. I'll come pick you up. Got it?
John's eyes widened in astonishment and excitement, his earlier despair completely replaced by renewed hope.
John: Yes!! Thank you so much!!
Dr. Kennedy: (chuckling) No problem.
With that, the call ended, but John's heart continued to race with anticipation. He had a new plan, a real chance to see Kana, and nothing was going to stop him now.
But as he lay back against his bed, a sudden realization dawned on him, making him freeze once more.
Tomorrow wasn't just any day.
John: It's my birthday tomorrow…
******
Dr. Kennedy looked at John's Twibbler profile, which popped up immediately as the call ended. His eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity as he studied the boy's account. There was something about John that intrigued him, something unspoken, hidden behind the words and posts. After a moment of thought, Dr. Kennedy smiled to himself, then turned and walked over to Kana's bedside.
He handed her phone back to her gently.
Dr. Kennedy: Kana, I want you to send my number to him. Tell him to give me a call when he gets here tomorrow, alright?
Kana's face lit up with excitement, her heart fluttering with joy. She quickly sat up straighter, accepting the phone from him with eager hands.
Kana: Yes!! Thank you so much, Dr. Kennedy!!
Dr. Kennedy chuckled softly at her enthusiasm. It was rare to see her so lively, it warmed his heart. He reached out and patted her head affectionately, ruffling her hair like a proud father.
Dr. Kennedy: Yeah, no problem. You deserve it.
(He paused, then added with a soft smile)
I'll also go and get you a permit to go outside tomorrow. It's Christmas, after all. It wouldn't feel right for you to stay cooped up inside all day like you usually do.
Kana's eyes widened in amazement. She clutched her phone tightly against her chest, almost in disbelief. Across the room, Jane stood frozen in shock, her mouth slightly open.
Kana: Really? I can really go outside?
Dr. Kennedy: (nods warmly and turns to Jane) Miss Jane?
Jane: (snapping out of her daze) Yes, sir?
Dr. Kennedy: I want you to be the one who takes Kana out this afternoon. Maybe to the mall or wherever she wants to go. She'll need a new set of clothes for tomorrow. I'll transfer the money for it, just wire me your account details right now.
(smiles) And maybe... get something nice for yourself too.
Jane blinked, clearly puzzled and surprised by the unexpected generosity.
Jane: Oh… thank you so much, sir. I really appreciate it.
Kana could hardly contain herself. She beamed brighter than the Christmas lights decorating the hospital hallways, her body trembling with excitement. Without thinking, she bounced up and down on her bed, giggling uncontrollably.
She was going to see John again.
She was going to wear something new.
She was going to spend a real Christmas outside of her hospital room and that alone made her happy.
*****
Dr. Kennedy sat in his office, his face clouded with deep concern and unspoken fear, a stark contrast to the calm and composed expression he had shown Kana and Jane just moments earlier.
Hunched over, hands buried in his thinning hair, Dr. Kennedy felt the image return, a little girl's smile, bright yet distant, striking him with the sting of helplessness. His chest tightened, anxiety creeping in.
Dr. Kennedy: No… not this again… not this feeling…
He whispered as if words alone could banish the memory, but the heaviness in his heart only deepened.
A gentle knock broke his thoughts. He straightened, glancing toward the door. Jane stood there, small, composed, yet wearing an expression touched by worry.
Dr. Kennedy: Oh, Miss Jane. What can I do for you? Are you here for the permit?
He tried to sound casual, forcing a polite smile onto his lips, but the strain in his voice was impossible to mask.
Jane: Yes, sir... I am. But I also wanted to ask you a question.
Her voice was soft, almost hesitant, as if she wasn't sure if she had the right to pry any further. There was a short pause, long enough for Dr. Kennedy to feel a new ripple of unease run through him.
Dr. Kennedy: A question? What is it?
He gestured for her to come in, his curiosity piqued despite himself. Jane stepped inside, closing the door behind her gently. She took a deep breath, as though gathering all the courage she could muster before asking the question that weighed heavily on her heart.
Jane: Is Kana's health getting worse?