Kana, on the other hand, had a few new and exciting things going on in her life.
Her Twibbler page had grown tremendously, and so had the reach of her poetry on the platform. In just a few months, her follower count had skyrocketed from a modest one thousand to nearly nine thousand. It wasn't just the numbers that changed, her presence was starting to be felt across social media in a way she never imagined. A few well-known and respected writers had taken notice and even followed her account. Some of her poems began to appear in trending posts, quoted by large pages dedicated to deep thoughts and emotional reflections. Seeing her words resonate with thousands of people she had never met was both surreal and inspiring for Kana.
Watching all of this unfold before her eyes filled Kana with a renewed sense of motivation and energy. It gave her a sense of purpose and reminded her that her voice, once small and hesitant, now had the power to reach hearts across the world. This recognition gave her the courage to continue writing, and as her confidence grew, so did her inspiration. The emotional weight she carried began to lighten, and that transformation started to reflect in her writing. Her poems, once heavy with sorrow, loneliness, and longing, slowly started to shift. They became more vibrant, more hopeful, echoing the flickers of happiness she was beginning to experience.
There was a noticeable change in tone, as if her soul had finally found a way to express the fragile beauty of joy and the quiet strength of hope. Her once-muted voice now rang out with warmth and life, and she wasn't afraid to share that with the world. The act of writing became more than a form of release, it became a celebration of the small victories she was achieving each day.
This entire journey also helped Kana build a newfound confidence in herself. She began posting consistently, no longer second-guessing whether her poems were good enough. Twibbler had become her sanctuary, a place where she wasn't just heard but deeply understood. And as her words continued to spread and touch others, she knew that she was finally in the right place, emotionally and creatively.
Things were finally looking up for Kana, and it truly felt like this was only the beginning of something beautiful.
*******
Kana sat by her bed, the soft hum of the hospital machines quietly accompanying her as she scrolled through her Twibbler feed on her phone. The screen's glow lit up her face as her fingers gently flicked past notifications, likes, and retweets. Her latest poem had already gained hundreds of interactions, and she smiled softly at the kind comments people were leaving beneath it. As she continued scrolling, one particular comment caught her attention.
Someone had replied to her post—not just with words, but with a banner image attached. The comment read:
"Hey Lonelygirl4556, I think you should check this out. It might be something you'd like!"
Curious, and a little intrigued, she tapped on the image to enlarge it.
It was a promotional banner, vibrant and colorful, announcing a writing competition aimed at young and aspiring writers from all over the country. The competition was divided into three main categories: prose, poetry, and drama. The banner listed details like the deadline for submission, the prizes for each category, and a quote at the bottom that read, "Let your words move the world."
Kana stared at it for a few seconds.
For a moment, her heart fluttered with something strange, an emotion somewhere between excitement and nervousness. But just as quickly as the feeling came, she pushed it away and scoffed lightly to herself.
Kana: It's not like I'm interested anyways.
She sighed and locked her phone, tossing it gently onto the bed beside her. Deep down, though, the idea lingered like a whisper at the back of her mind. A part of her wanted to ignore it completely, but another part, one she didn't quite understand yet, couldn't help but wonder…
What if?
******
Later that evening, after Kana had finished her dinner and made her usual slow trek up the hospital stairs, she found herself in her favorite spot—the rooftop. The sky above was inked in navy and soft purple, stars barely visible through the city's haze. She sat cross-legged by the railing, the wind gently playing with the ends of her hospital gown. Her journal rested open on her lap, ink still drying as she scribbled out new lines of poetry. That quiet solitude was soon interrupted by the vibration of her phone beside her.
It was Rose, requesting a video call.
Kana blinked at the screen, hesitating for only a second before she answered.
RecklessSoul06
> Hey, superstar poet! I saw your latest post—it was beautiful, Kana.
Lonelygirl4556
> Heh… thanks. I was just messing around with some ideas.
RecklessSoul06
> You "mess around" and end up trending. That's not messing around, Kana. That's talent. Seriously, you've been glowing lately. It's like… your poems smile now.
Kana let out a small laugh, the kind that comes when you're trying not to feel too proud.
Lonelygirl4556
> That sounds weird, but I kinda get it. I've just been feeling… lighter, I guess. Like, for once, people actually care about what I say.
RecklessSoul06
> They do. And not just "people"—writers. Publishers. Did you see who quoted you today?
Lonelygirl4556
> Yeah… it was kinda surreal. It makes me feel… real. Like I exist outside this room.
Rose's smile widened, her screen glowing softly through the darkness.
RecklessSoul06
> That's because you do exist outside that room, Kana. Your words travel further than you think. They're your voice when you feel stuck.
Lonelygirl4556
> It's just weird sometimes. This page started because I was lonely. Now thousands of people are reading what I write. It doesn't even feel real.
RecklessSoul06
> But it is real. You took your pain and made something beautiful out of it. And now people are finding hope because of that. That's not nothing, Kana. That's everything.
Kana's smile softened. She leaned her head back against the railing, letting the wind wash over her face. Her journal remained beside her, still open, still full of unfinished thoughts.
Lonelygirl4556
> I'm scared it might fade. Like maybe this is all just… a phase. That once the novelty wears off, I'll go back to being invisible again.
RecklessSoul06
> Not a chance. You've built something strong, Kana. People see you now—and more than that, they hear you. And you're just getting started.
There was a short pause between them—comfortable, thoughtful—until Rose suddenly leaned forward.
RecklessSoul06
> Speaking of which… did you see that writing competition someone tagged you in?
Kana's expression shifted. Her eyes flicked to the side. The warm glow of confidence began to dim as uncertainty crept back in.
Lonelygirl4556
> Yeah… I saw it.
RecklessSoul06
> And?
Lonelygirl4556
> And… nothing. I'm not doing it.
RecklessSoul06
> Wait… what? Why not?
Kana's fingers hovered over the keyboard, her voice quieter now, more hesitant.
Lonelygirl4556
> I just… don't feel like it's for me. Those contests are for real writers. You know, the ones who actually live life and go places. I don't even leave this building… at least not much.
Just then, another window popped up on the screen. A familiar name appeared.
Gamerboy115
> Hey, Kana. Hope I'm not crashing the party.
Lonelygirl4556
> John?
RecklessSoul06
> Oh! Look who finally joined.
Lonelygirl4556
> Not at all. What's up?
Before John could respond, Rose took the opportunity.
RecklessSoul06
> Did you hear about that writing contest?
Gamerboy115
> Oh that? A teacher mentioned it in school today. What about it?
Rose raised an eyebrow and gave Kana a look. Kana groaned quietly, already bracing herself.
RecklessSoul06
> Our superstar poet here doesn't want to compete.
Gamerboy115
> Superstar poet?
There was a short pause. Then John responded.
Gamerboy115
> Well, if she doesn't want to compete, then it's her choice to make.
Kana smiled at the screen like a child who had just been defended in a playground debate. Rose, on the other hand, puffed out her cheeks and slumped back with exaggerated disappointment.
Lonelygirl4556
> See?
Gamerboy115
> But…
Kana froze, mid-victory.
Lonelygirl4556
> But…?
Gamerboy115
> …it's a good opportunity to expand the reach of your poems. With everything going on with your Twibbler page lately, it kind of makes sense to take the next step, doesn't it?
Rose immediately grinned and pointed a triumphant finger at the screen.
RecklessSoul06
> See?!
Kana pouted, her lips forming a deep frown as she stared at John.
Lonelygirl4556
> Whose side are you on anyway?
John blinked, caught off guard.
Gamerboy115
> Huh? I'm not picking sides.
Lonelygirl4556
> Are too.
Gamerboy115
> Are not… wait, what are you? Five?
Kana crossed her arms and leaned back dramatically.
Lonelygirl4556
> Do you have feelings for Rose?
John's eyes widened as the question landed like a sudden slap. Rose nearly choked.
RecklessSoul06
> Huh?! Me?!
Gamerboy115
> What are you even on about?! And no—I don't have feelings for Rose! Why would you even ask that?!
Lonelygirl4556
> Because one minute you're agreeing with me, and the next minute you're switching sides. Obviously, you've been enchanted by her feminine charms.
John was done. Utterly confused, he looked like a man who'd walked into the wrong classroom.
Gamerboy115
> What are we even doing here?
But Kana wasn't done.
Lonelygirl4556
> Aha! See?! You're trying to run away from the question!
Gamerboy115
> I'm not running… I already answered it!
Kana, now fully in her pout mode, crossed her legs and turned away from the screen.
Lonelygirl4556
> Well… I'm not convinced.
Gamerboy115
> Huh?
At this point, Rose was laughing. Her shoulders shook as she leaned back, clearly enjoying the chaotic banter. Once she calmed down, she leaned forward again.
RecklessSoul06
> You know… you two are acting like a couple that just got together. Maybe that December trip really brought you two closer, huh?
Kana blinked rapidly, cheeks flushing. John scratched the back of his head and avoided eye contact.
Lonelygirl4556
> W-What are you even saying?! We're not a couple!
Gamerboy115
> Yeah, what she said.
RecklessSoul06
> Oh please. You bicker like you've been married for five years. I'm just calling it like I see it.
Kana huffed, flustered.
Lonelygirl4556
> We do not bicker! This is called healthy debate!
Gamerboy115
> Feels more like a courtroom drama, honestly.
Lonelygirl4556
> Then I'm the judge, and you're guilty of betrayal.
Gamerboy115
> Of what, exactly? Encouraging you to follow your dreams?
That last line silenced Kana. She looked away, her smile fading as her eyes lingered on the horizon.
Lonelygirl4556
> …It's not that easy, you know.
Rose's voice softened.
RecklessSoul06
> We know, Kana. But maybe that's exactly why you should try. Not because you're trying to win. But because… maybe it's time the world saw what you've been hiding for so long.
John nodded, his voice quieter, more thoughtful.
Gamerboy115
> I mean, you said it yourself, right? You feel more real now. Like you exist beyond these hospital walls. This contest might be one more step in that direction.
Kana stared at her screen, then glanced down at her journal. Her fingers brushed the page gently, feeling the ink still slightly raised from the last poem she wrote.
Lonelygirl4556
> I'm scared of getting my hopes up. What if I don't win? What if I'm not good enough?
RecklessSoul06
> Then you keep writing anyway. Because it's never been about winning. It's always been about your voice, your truth.
Gamerboy115
> And for what it's worth… I think you're already more than good enough.
Kana looked at the screen again. Rose's encouraging eyes. John's steady presence. And then… she smiled.
The wind danced around her again, carrying the faintest whisper of hope.
Lonelygirl4556
> …Okay. I'll think about it.
RecklessSoul06
> That's all we ask.
Gamerboy115
> And if you enter… we'll be your biggest fans.
Lonelygirl4556
> You better be. I'm gonna need all the moral support I can get.