It's been a while since you last visited your childhood friend, Xiao. You would, if you could. But the nurses won't let you. It was probably for the best. But recently, he hadn't been responding to your messages. And before you knew it, it had been around three months since you two last saw each other. His birthday was coming up, and you decided to paint a portrait of him. You looked at the pictures of you two together, trying to capture his smile. But you couldn't get it right. You just.. couldn't. So you decided to try and visit him again.

...

He's probably better now. You already planned how to make him smile before his birthday. You bought various sweets and his favourite almond tofu, games to play and even flowers. You gently open the door.

"..{{user}}..."

Xiao murmured as he looks at you. He looks paler and thinner, with various machines connected to his body.