Ok so I said I would be happy if I reached 5K...
I am! ヽ(*⌒∇⌒*)ﾉ

(Lol its probably because of all the chapters but idk!)

Anyway, let's continue, so soon we'll reach the end
( ; . ; )

•••

(3rd Person POV)

The alarm clock kept going off in Shino's room, causing her to groan, and rustle in her bed.

"Mmmm?" She murmured as she gazed lazily at her alarm clock, and for a second she didn't realize.

She gasped, her eyes widened as she jumped out of bed, getting dressed I'm her school clothes, and quickly checked her appearance in her mirror and frowned at the bags under her eyes.

She rushed to the bathroom and brushed her teeth before she snatched her bag, and went outside, with her phone vibrating, being called by Kazuto.

"I'm up!" Shino called out as she ran out of the apartment building, running towards Kazuto on his bike.

"Let's go," she hopped on.

"Where were you last night?" He mumbled.

"You came by last night, didn't you?" Shino sighed.

"I thought you'd like a snack and decided to bring you something to eat, I left it in your fridge," he sighed.

Kazuto put the stand on the motorbike and turned off the engine, and he hopped off, and so did she.

She looked shamefully at the floor.

"Where were you last night? You obviously weren't doing homework,"

"I'm sorry I lied, I just didn't know what to tell you," Shino lifted her scarf over her lips as she passively looked away.

"You're starting to scare me, Shino. Please tell me," Kazuto stepped closer, and grabbed her chin and gently lifted her face, so she looked at him.

Kazuto frowned when he took a closer look at her bloodshot eyes, and the bags under eyes.

"My mom slipped into a coma lately," Shino closed her eyes and sighed. His eyes widened and pulled her into a embrace she desperately needed.

"What caused it?" Kazuto mumbled, rubbing her back.

"The doctors told me she had a stroke, that reduced the blood supply to her brain, which was causes by some blocked arteries. And that caused her coma," Shino pulled away from the embrace to wipe away new tears.

"I went to visit her yesterday. I also visited my dad's grave,"

"Why couldn't you tell me Shino?" Kazuto held her shoulders. She shook her head and shrugged.

"I'll be frank with you, I know how you feel,"

"I found out I was adopted by my aunt. Suguha isn't my sister. My real parents are dead. Now that I know, I visit their graves. And its harder to do every time I go," he explained.

"Its hard for you, isn't it? To go back there, with your mom in the hospital. And your dad in a grave. It is, isn't it?" He persisted. Shino nodded and leaned against him for support.

"I want you to come with me tonight. Will you?" Her voice was shaky, and so was her body, but he held onto her trembling frame, and held her close, wrapping his arms securely around her.

"Of course," Kazuto whispered, kissing the top of her head.

•••

The hours went by and the only thing the two could think about was visiting Shino's parents that evening.

And once school was over, they met each other, in the parking lot in front of his motorcycle.

"We going straight there?" Kazuto hopped on his bike, and Shino hopped on behind him.

"No, I think we should change before we head out," Shino mumbled wrapping her arms around him as he nodded, and started the engine.

He dropped her off at her apartment.

"I'll come by as soon as I finish changing, alright?" Kazuto left.

•••

(Shino's POV)

Once Kazuto dropped me off I head straight for the shower, feeling water gently kiss my bare skin, washing me of all impurities.

I didn't care how much warm water I was using, I decided to take my time, feeling the coldness leave my skin.

I stepped out and dried my body with a towel, and wrapped it around me as I stepped out of the bathroom and into my room, preparing to dress myself.

Suddenly I heard the door creak, my eyes widened and I turned over to the door.

"Hey Shino, I'm dressed," Kazuto stepped into the room and blushed at the sight of me, but before he could even run back out, he had tripped on the rug. Damn that rug.

I heard a thud and was suddenly on the rug he had tripped on, on my back, against the floor, and I felt his body on mine.

"I d-didn't know Shino, honest!" He stammered, and his eyes noticed the blush on my face as well.

I shouldn't have taken that long shower.

I felt as if time had paused, and we were the only two unfrozen.

I glanced at his eyes and he was gone, as if he were entranced, and his face neared mine, the blush I had only grew, feeling the fueling flames dance on my cheeks, as they grew hotter.

I felt his warm lips meet mine, hungrily.

Losing myself in the moment, I felt my fingertips glide up his neck and my hands wrapped around it.

He straddled over me, and I felt his tongue meet my bottom lip. I could feel the temperature of my body rise. And as much as I enjoyed this, I placed my hand on his chest, and gently pushed against it.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, trying to catch my breath. He was embarrassed, now out of his trance, he chuckled.

"Don't be," he rolled off of me and sat on the rug next to me, hiding his face in his hands.

"You should change," he mumbled, removing his hands, revealing a small smile, as he stood from the floor.

He held out a hand to me and I took it as he pulled me up. I held on to the towel that loosely wrapped around my body.

I giggled as he tried to avert his eyes from my bare body, only covered by a small towel.

"I'll be outside," he blushed even further before he raced out.

I tried to contain my laughter. I rummage through my closet, grabbing my undergarments and clothes, and put together a comfortable attire.

A nice baggy sweater with a scarf, a skirt, socks and boots, similar combo to the outfit I had the other day.

When I walked out if the apartment I saw him staring at Hikari's old apartment door.

"I'm done," I announced, as his eyes flickered from the door to me.

"Oh," he mumbled. I sighed and walked next to him.

"What are you thinking about?" I walked towards him a and stood next to him, staring at the door.

"I would never would've thought Hikari did all that, seems surreal," he mumbled. I nodded.

"I know," I mumbled.

"I'm sorry Shino," he stuffed his hands in his jacket picket and looked down at his feet.

"For what?" I gave him a questioning look. I frowned. If anything, I should be thanking him.

"I feel this is partially my fault this all happened," he murmured, trying to avert his eyes from me.

"You're starting to sound like Kyoji," I scoffed. I look over to him and stuff my hand in his pocket, and locked my fingers around his. He looked at me, alarmed.

"You saved me, Kazuto, don't be sorry," I gave him a reassuring smile.

"But I never got there in time, not like last time," he responded.

"How could you have possibly known where I was? Don't beat yourself up," I gave his hand a squeeze.

"He took something important from you, Shino," he glanced at me. I sighed.

"In my heart, he's not my first, and will never be, that's what counts," I murmured, with a blush forming on my cheeks.

His eyes widened, and never left me, and soon turned into a smile. He was blushing too.

"We should head out before it rains," I mumbled. Before closing my apartment door I took out the umbrella Tsuboi gave me.

"Did you always have that?" He pointed towards the umbrella. I hope he doesn't get the wrong idea.

"Tsuboi lent it to me yesterday," I mumbled.

"He knew?" Kazuto frowned.

"Its only because he caught me," I reassured. Kazuto lifted a brow.

"He was the bus river,"

"He's a bus driver?" Kazuto tried to not laugh, but failed to contain it, and I smack his shoulder.

"That's not nice," I pointed a finger at him, and he had his hands up.

"Don't shoot," he closed his eyes. I laughed.

"Let's go," I replied as I wrap my arm around his, and take the elevator down.

We decided to take the bus because it seemed it might rain, and riding on a motorcycle in the rain didn't seem fun.

It did begin to drizzle so we took shelter under Tsuboi's umbrella, walking to the bus stop, two blocks away.

Once we got to the bus stop, we sat down, and the news was still talking about the players being trapped in an online game.

I sighed. Its everywhere. There's no forgetting it.

Once the bus arrived, I frowned when I saw it was a different bus driver. We scanned our bus cards.

"I was planning to return this to him today," I mumbled. Kazuto chuckled. We took our seats, I got the window seat.

"Maybe tomorrow," He patted my head. Despite the cold temperature, my cheeks warmed up.

"You should rest," he gently pulled my head closer until it was on his shoulder.

"You sure?"

"You hardly slept, you're eyes should rest for a bit" he mumbled. I sighed blissfully and got comfortable on his shoulder. I felt his fingers brush my hair, and felt a quiet purr leave my lips as he did.

I gave in to slumber.

•••

"Shino," I heard a soft whisper in my ear. My eyes lazily opened and met Kazuto's pair of eyes.

"Oh, we there yet?" I mumbled, stretching my arms.

"Yeah," he smiled. He took me by the hand and I stood, with his help and we walked out of the bus.

"Lead the way," he still held my hand as I lead him throughout my small hometown, passing the street where my dad passed away. Passed the building the incident happened.

We soon made it to the hospital. I lead him into the hospital and we paused at the door.

"Is this it?" He questioned. I nodded.

"Thank you for coming," I mumbled. He pulled my into a embrace.

"Why wouldn't I come? I'm madly in love with her daughter," he murmured in my ear. A small smile crept up on me.

"You ready?" I asked, looking up at him. He kissed my forehead.

"Yeah," he replied. I opened the door for him and he entered, and I closed the door behind me.

•••

(Kazuto's POV)

Once I walked in, I frowned at the sight of the fragile, pale woman laying on the hospital bed, with wires attached to her.

"This is mother," Shino was still behind me so I decided to turn to her. She had a sad smile take over her lips.

"Mom, this is Kazuto, the boy I told you about," she mumbled. She pulled out a chair and so did I.

"You told her about me?" I blushed. She nodded with tearful eyes, her sad smile beginning to tremble.

"Of course," she mumbled. A small smile formed.

"How could I not? When you're so important to me," Shino whispered.

Her chair was right next to mine, there was hardly any distance between then, so she leaned against me.

"What's wrong?" I wrapped my arm around her, and her gaze held onto her mother's body on the hospital bed.

"What should I do Kazuto?" She mumbled, I didn't need to take a look at her face to know she was crying. It was evident in her voice.

"I wish I could answer that Shino, but this is your decision, do what your heart tells you is right," I wish I could give her the right answer. But what is there right answer.

Keep her alive, or end her life.

"I feel like I'm going to kill my own mother," she looked away from her, and hid her face in my shoulder, feeling the tears seep down into my clothes.

"I've killed before Kazuto, I feel this is no different," she muttered.

"This is not like that, Shino," I mumbled.

"I get to decide whether my mom lives or not. It sure feels like I'm taking her life, just like that man. Just like Hikari. And just like Ken,"

And that moment, I had no words to speak. All I could do was hold her, console her with my touch.

"But I think I know what to do," she mumbled in my arms as we glanced at her mother in the hospital bed.

•••

Wow that was longer than if thought that'd be.

Well I guess we'll see what she decided until the next chapter （＾ｖ＾）

The end, its approaching... (O.O) The end is near...

(Make sure to vote for chapters you liked :3 or comment if you like)

Sorry for unpublishing and publishing this chapter, I had to fix something that's was bugging me xD

Anywhoooo

Until Next Time!

-InGameProdigy 🙏