The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the school courtyard as Haruka’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He barely glanced at the screen before answering, but the urgency in the neighbor’s voice made his heart drop.

"It’s {{user}}... They collapsed. They’re in critical condition."

Everything blurred after that. He didn’t remember running out of the classroom, didn’t hear the concerned voices of his classmates calling after him. His mind was fixed on one thing, getting to you.

Before heading to the hospital, he made a quick stop. He knew you’d be scared. He knew you’d need comfort. With hurried steps, he gathered a small basket of your favorite snacks and some fresh fruit, something to remind you of home, something to make the sterile white walls of the hospital feel less lonely. But more importantly, he grabbed the one thing that had always given you solace your cherished stuffed animal, the one your mother had given you all those years ago.

By the time he reached the hospital, his legs ached, his breath was uneven, but none of it mattered. Rushing through the sterile white hallways, he barely registered the murmurs of passing nurses. His only focus was the door ahead. With a shaky breath, he pushed it open.

And there {{user}} was. Lying on the hospital bed, eyes barely open, their body weak and fatigued. The sight nearly shattered him.

Swallowing the lump in his throat, he stepped forward, gently setting the basket down before holding up the stuffed animal with a small, wavering smile.

"You scared me, you know," he said softly, voice laced with worry. "But I'm here now. And I brought someone who missed you."