"You are beautiful," said the god made of corpses. "I want to be you."
The school day had ended, and the last bell still echoed in the halls as Inari stepped outside. The late afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the courtyard.
As he was getting further and further from the building, a familiar voice cut through the quiet.
"Hey, Inari!"
He turned.
Amane was catching up to him, waving with one hand, her bag slung over the other shoulder. The sunlight highlighted her beauty, catching the strands of her long, deep purple hair and setting her eyes aglow with the same quiet color.
Inari couldn't be happier seeing her more than anyone in school. After all, she was his best friend, and his only one too…
He smiled back as she was approaching him.
"You disappeared right after last period again," she said. "I was about to call for a search party."
"You would've been the only one searching," he said softly.
She glanced over. "Yeah. But I'd still find you."
He looked down, trying not to let her see the way that hit him. Amane had a way of saying things like that. Quiet, sure, and without even knowing how much they meant.
They headed towards the gate, and she quickly observed him while he was looking down. Then she smiled confidently and said
"You didn't eat lunch again, did you?"
"How did you—"
"You always walk like that when you haven't eaten. Like your body's ahead of your thoughts."
Inari looked away, flustered. His fingers tugged at the strap of his bag.
"Was it that obvious?" he mumbled.
"To me?" she said gently. "Yeah. Kind of always!"
Amane had known Inari ever since she transferred to his high school. He never quite fit in with his classmates, or anyone in school. She was the only one who liked him for who he was.
She reached into her bag and pulled out a slightly squished rice ball wrapped in plastic. Holding it out, she added, "Lucky for you, I have a sixth sense for this kind of thing."
He hesitated. "You… brought that for me?"
"Yeah. I guess I did."
She shrugged, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. "It's not a big deal."
"Thanks… really."
Inari was not used to being treated with this kind of care, and Amane knew it. That's why she was always that careful with him.
They reached the front gate. The breeze had picked up a little, brushing through the trees and lifting the edge of Amane's hair.
"How's Hinami?" she asked, her voice quiet but full of concern.
He hesitated for a moment.
"She's tired. More than before." "But she still tries to smile when I show up. Like nothing's wrong."
Amane looked down, thoughtful.
"That sounds really hard… for all of you." I hate that she has to go through that, especially a kind soul like hers."
She paused.
"She's strong. Stronger than anyone her age should have to be."
"Heh… she really is," he replied with a smile.
For a moment, neither of them said anything. They were staring down quietly, having a moment. Then Amane interrupted the silence by saying,
"Tell Hinami I said hi, okay?"
Inari nodded "of course."
Then came the small smile.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah," he said. "Tomorrow."
She turned first, walking down the road with her bag swaying gently at her side. Inari watched her go for a few steps before turning the other way.
Inari made his way toward the hospital.
"Dilated cardiomyopathy. That's what the doctors called it. Apparently it's a heart disease that makes the heart struggle to pump like it should."
He was thinking to himself while eating the ball of rice Amane gave him.
"My sister's been in a hospital for 2 months now because of it. Mom and I have been worrying a lot about her ever since."
"And all I can do is just sit there… watching her life slowly drain from her body, day after day," he thought to himself in quiet anger.
As Inari walked into the hospital, he made his way to the reception desk.
"Hey there, young man. How can I help you today?"
"Um… I'm here to see Tsukigami Hinami, room 4B."
"Of course, just fill out the visitor log and you're good to go!"
He filled out the visitor log as always.
"She's been resting, but I'm sure she'll be glad to see you."
As he was walking down the hallway, he carried the same worry he did every time he walked this path, "is she better today? Will she be okay?"
The latch clicked as he slowly opened the door.
And there she was.
Hinami.
Small. Still. Asleep beneath a white sheet pulled up to her neck. An oxygen tube rested under her nose, while quiet beeps echoed from the heart monitor.
Their mother sat beside Hinami, holding her hand gently in one of hers, the other resting in her lap.
She looked tired, but she smiled when she saw him, the kind of smile that tried to stay strong, even when everything else was wearing down.
"Inari," she said softly.
"Hey, Mom," he said, keeping his voice low.
She turned fully to face him, still holding Hinami's hand. "You came right after school?"
He nodded. "Yeah. Amane walked with me to the gate. She says hi."
That brought a little more life to her smile. "That girl's got a good heart."
"Yeah… she does."
The room settled into quiet again. Just the steady beep of the heart monitor, and Hinami's slow, careful breaths.
Then came a knock at the door.
A nurse poked her head in. "Miss Tsukigami? The doctor would like a word with you."
Inari's mother gave a small nod and stood slowly, brushing her hand once more over Hinami's.
"I'll be right back. Just sit with her, okay?"
"I will," he said.
The door closed behind their mother.
Silence returned.
Inari sat beside the bed. He didn't speak. Didn't move. Just looked at her, while the heart monitor was doing its slow, steady beeps.
Her short black hair framed her face perfectly. soft, messy, and resting against a face too quiet for someone still alive.
"If I could give her my heart, I would," he thought to himself.
"As long as it means she gets to walk out of here alive… I'd do whatever it takes."
A faint motion. Her fingers twitched.
Inari froze, breath caught in his chest.
Then - her eyes opened.
Light violet. Faint at first. Clouded with sleep, but unmistakably hers.
Eyes that had seen more pain than a girl her age should.
Eyes that still managed to look so precious.
They drifted for a second, then locked onto him.
"I…Inari?"
"Yeah," he said, smiling, his voice barely holding. "I'm here."
"Where's mom?" She asked.
"She's talking with the doctor outside, don't worry, she'll be back soon."
"I see."
There was a pause. As Inari was looking down, she asked, "Inari, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
She looked at him, eyes full of quiet concern.
"Why do you look so… worn out?"
He blinked, caught off guard. Then smiled, tired but honest.
"Oh… sorry. I just worry about you so much. I can't help it."
She exposed her hand, and Inari gently grabbed it.
She smiled. "You're always here, even when it's hard. I notice that."
He swallowed, the words catching in his throat.
"…I just don't want to lose you."
"I know."
Her fingers curled around his. "But I'm not gone yet. And I'm not letting go that easy."
Inari smiled, eyes soft. "Good. I'd be lost without you."
She looked at him for a moment, really looked, and tilted her head slightly.
"…You're glowing a little."
He blinked. "Huh?"
She giggled. "Your face. You've got that silly look again!"
"What look?"
"The one you get when you've been around someone you like."
He opened his mouth to protest, but she was already grinning.
"I knew it," she said, proud of herself. "You saw her today, didn't you?"
He blinked. "…Who?"
"Amane," she said sweetly. "You always look different when she's around."
"I do not!" He said all flustered
"You do," she insisted. "Like your heart's doing little flips and your brain forgets how to talk."
Inari groaned. "C…can we go back to the part where you were asleep?"
She giggled again, victorious. "Nope. This is way more fun."
After a pause, "I like seeing you smile," she murmured.
Inari blinked.
"You should do it more often. You look… lighter when you do."
"Well… as long as you're okay, I'll never stop smiling."
The room went quiet again. The monitor pulsed its steady rhythm.
Inari stayed still, just watching her peacefully.
Then, she broke the silence.
"Hey… Inari?"
"Yeah?"
"There's… something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"I…"
Then out of nowhere, she gasped, her eyes got wide open, and that innocent smile of hers disappeared. She started sweating and shaking while trying to catch her breath.
The heart monitor lost its rhythm. Rapid, broken beeps bursting into the room like sirens.
Inari quickly leaned closer to her while still holding her hand. Fear took over.
"Hinami?!"
As her eyes already appeared lifeless, she looked at him just when tears started running down her face.
"Inari… I'm scared." She whispered
Just a few seconds after saying that, she passed out.
His heart was racing, but his body was frozen.
Then, the door burst open.
A nurse stormed in, yelling down the hall, "Code Blue, 4B! Pediatric!"
Within seconds, a team of six rushed into the room
"Begin compressions!"
"O2, now!"
"IV's already in—go!"
But Inari still couldn't move.
"Hinami…" he whispered, brokenly.
Then another voice.
"Hinami?!"
His mother.
She had run in behind the team, her eyes wide with horror. Her bag hit the floor as she rushed to the bed.
"What's happening?! Hinami!"
A nurse caught her arm.
"Ma'am, we need you to step out."
"That's my daughter!"
"I know please. Let us save her."
Another nurse turned to Inari.
He was still standing there, motionless.
The nurse stepped next to him.
"Sweetheart, we need to move you, okay? You can't stay here."
He didn't respond. His eyes were still locked on Hinami.
"Inari," his mother said, trembling. "We have to go."
"We've got her," the nurse said again. "Please."
She wrapped her hand around his and slowly pulled.
His fingers slipped from Hinami's.
He was still staring with those hopeless eyes at her, even as the nurse was dragging him out.
Then the door closed behind them.
A nurse guided them down the hall, the mother clinging to Inari's arm, her free hand still trembling. Inari didn't say a word. He just walked, numb, eyes wide, breath shallow.
They turned a corner and stepped into the waiting room. White walls, vending machines humming in the background, two empty chairs waiting for them.
The nurse stopped at the door.
"We'll call you as soon as we know anything," turning to his mother. "Please just… wait here for now."
The nurse left.
Silence settled over the room.
Inari sat down like he was sinking, hands shaking in his lap.
He didn't look up.
"…Mom?"
She turned toward him.
"…Is Hinami gonna be okay?"
She hesitated.
Then reached over and pulled him into her, one arm wrapping tightly around his shoulders.
"Your sister is strong, Inari," she whispered.
"She's gonna be okay…"
He didn't answer.
He just leaned into her, and closed his eyes.
Back in Room 4B
"Chest compressions — go!"
A nurse climbed onto a stool beside the bed, pressing rhythmically into Hinami's small frame.
"Epi's in!"
"No response, charging to 100!"
"Clear!"
The monitor jumped as the shock hit her chest. Her body jolted, but the line on the screen barely flickered.
"Still in V-fib! Charging again!"
Another shock. Another jolt.
Still no change.
"She's not converting,"
"Push another epi!"
"Pulse?"
"Nothing."
The monitor kept screaming, a jagged storm of beeping, rapid and desperate.
Then, slowly… the waves on the screen began to level.
"Flatline."
The doctor stared for a moment, one last check.
"…Time of death, 5:46 PM."
The waiting room was silent.
Too silent.
Inari sat beside his mother, eyes fixed on the floor. Her hand rested over his, unmoving, except for the slightest tremble.
The clock on the wall ticked.
And ticked.
And ticked.
Every second dragged.
No one came through the door. No one said a word.
Then finally, the door opened.
A nurse stepped in, face unreadable.
"Miss Tsukigami?"
She stood without thinking, but her voice wavered. "Yes?"
"Can I speak with you? Just outside."
She froze for a second.
Then turned to her son, touching his shoulder.
"I'll be right back, okay?"
Inari looked up at her, but didn't say anything.
He just nodded.
She followed the nurse out.
The door closed behind them.
After their mother heard what happened, she was simply staring at the nurse in shock. Shaking, crying and helpless.
Then she requested,
"Can I… see my daughter?"
The nurse hesitated, but she had no reason to say no.
"Of course, right this way."
As they entered room 4B, the mother stared at Hinami's dead body in shock. The medical team was looking down, they had nothing to say, only the lead doctor broke the silence with,
"I'm… so sorry. We did everything we could."
Their mother broke.
She rushed to the bed, grabbed Hinami's hand with both of hers. Desperate, shaking.
She stared at her daughter's face for a moment, trembling.
Then her knees hit the floor, with her face glued to the bed.
And she cried.
Hard and loud.
Clutching that hand like it was the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.
Shortly after, Hinami's eyes opened. And they appeared… white?
The moment they opened, we're back in the waiting room with Inari.
Getting impatient and confused as to why it's taking them so long.
At this point, he decided to go see for himself.
He made his way to the hallway.
But something seemed off…
Everything was silent, like the whole building was empty.
Inari turned his head.
And that's when he saw it.
A doctor, motionless on the floor at the end of the hallway. His white coat was soaked red from the blood dripping from his mouth.
His neck was twisted so far around
it looked like he was staring over his own back.
Inari was shocked, after seconds of staring at the corpse in disbelief, he fell on his knees, and vomited on the floor.
After he caught his breath, he started running down the hallway, all panicked he yelled,
"Somebody, help! Please!"
Only to get nothing but dead silence.
He turned a corner
and stopped.
Dead in his tracks.
The hallway ahead was painted in red.
Doctors. Nurses. Patients.
Collapsed.
Twisted.
Stained.
Bodies scattered like broken dolls.
His legs wouldn't move.
His brain couldn't make sense of it.
So much blood.
He staggered back a step, hands trembling at his sides, chest rising too fast.
This wasn't real.
This couldn't be real.
He looked at their faces, at the frozen fear still carved into them, and something in him cracked.
"No…"
It came out a whisper. Then louder.
"THIS CAN'T BE!"
He backed into the wall and slid down it, eyes wide, breath sharp and uneven.
He pressed his hands against his head, trying to shut it out.
The bodies. The blood. The silence. The smell.
His fingers dug into his scalp as his breathing was getting more and more intense.
"What the hell is happening…?"
And then it hit him,
crystal clear.
Everyone in this hospital…
was dead.
Not just dead,
but brutally murdered.
Yet somehow all of this happened without a single warning,
a single scream,
a single cry for help.
Like death itself had swept through…
and erased every living soul in this building.
Inari kept sitting against that wall for a few minutes, looking down, fingers still holding onto his scalp with a blank, teary expression.
After the storm in his mind eased a little,
he forced himself to stand up, and headed straight to room 4B.
Hoping he won't see what he fears the most…
His legs barely listened.
Each step was unsteady, dragging more than walking.
He couldn't even move in a straight line.
He leaned on the wall for balance, breathing unevenly.
But he kept going.
Room 4B was getting closer.
He reached the door.
Room 4B.
His hand trembled as it gripped the handle.
He pushed it open.
As the light inside was flickering, the smell hit him like a slap.
Blood. Sharp and heavy.
Then came the silence.
The medical team, now merely lifeless bodies spread all over the room.
Slumped in corners.
Limbs twisted.
Dead.
Whilst Inari was analyzing the room, he stumbled upon an image he was never supposed to see.
His mother.
Surrounded by a pool of blood right next to the bed, exactly where she was before.
Inari couldn't even tell what's real anymore, his mental state was beyond broken, beyond what any word can describe.
Or so we thought, until he looked to the left of his mother's remains.
Standing by the bed…
was Hinami.
Or something that looked like her.
Slowly, he stepped forward, breath shaking.
"…Hinami?"
No response.
Her skin is now pale
just as it would be on a dead body
Her short black hair was not black anymore,
but ghost white.
And then
she turned.
Her eyes looked drained of color.
Pure, as if they were blessed by the moonlight's emulation.
Inari's eyes opened wider.
"Inari…"
Her voice was sweet. Soft.
Just like it always had been.
But despite the familiar voice, he knew one thing for sure.
That thing, was not his sister.
"You always look so serious when you're scared."
Followed by a quiet giggle.
Then came a whisper, lower… closer.
"I liked her, you know. She was… warm."
"But you…"
That smile grew wider.
"You are beautiful."
"I want to be you."
A silence fell.
Then:
Inari's knees gave out.
He dropped to the floor, head bowed, hands limp at his sides.
His face, once frozen in horror, was now blank.
Tears ran freely down his face.
His eyes had gone glassy.
"I… I'm so glad you're okay…"
His voice cracked. Quiet. Detached.
"I thought… I thought I lost you too."
She didn't answer.
Just stood there.
Smiling.
Not blinking.
Inari completely lost his mind, a second ago he just knew that thing wasn't his sister anymore. Yet right now, he's deeply convinced she's right there.
He had gone insane. At this point, he fully lost touch with reality.
He slowly got to his feet, his movements were sluggish, like his body no longer belonged to him.
He staggered toward her, arms trembling.
"I was so scared…"
"So scared I actually thought I'd lose you too…"
He reached her
and without hesitation, wrapped his arms around her.
She was cold.
But he didn't notice.
He pressed his face into her shoulder, tears soaking into her gown.
"I missed you…"
"I missed you so much…"
"Please… never leave me again…"
Then, she moved.
One pale hand lifted, rested on the back of his head.
Gently.
Almost lovingly.
"I love you…. Inari"
"And I promise, I'll never leave you again."
He sobbed harder, clutching her like if he let go, she'd vanish again.
And she let him.