Kisaki lay in his hospital bed, staring up at the dull white ceiling. The glimmer of determination that occupied his eyes had disappeared, leaving them lifeless. He couldn’t bear to look down at his body, unwilling to face and accept the facts. He felt empty and hopeless, he’d finally given up on his dreams, and on the girl he loved. The beeping heart monitor was the only thing keeping him in reality for the moment.

The soft sound of knocking resounded, the doorhandle clicking as it was tugged down and the door pushed open.