The jingling of keys echoed through the apartment, before she could even close the door, Mira burst from the living room, worry etched across her face.

One look at her eyes told her everything she needed to know. She had been crying, a lot.

Mira’s gaze flickered to the unfamiliar jacket wrapped around her friend’s shoulders but now wasn’t the time for that question.

“Are you okay? Did she hurt you? Did she see you? What did she say?” The questions tumbled out rapidly, Mira’s protective instincts in full force. “I swear if she said anything to hurt—”

“I didn’t see her,” Hana cut in quietly, her voice raw. “She didn’t see me either.”

“What? Oh.” Mira’s momentum faltered.

Hana’s fingers clutched the edges of the jacket tighter. “It’s cancer. She’s sick, Mira.”

Of course, it had to be bad news. That could be the only reason why Mrs Shizumi would ever call her.

“What kind of cancer?”

“I didn’t ask. I couldn’t—” Hana’s voice caught. “I couldn’t see her. I just couldn’t bring myself to, after hearing her voice.”

Mira’s expression softened with understanding. “Hey, Hana. It will all be fine, okay.” She paused, then gently said, “Bear hug?”

A flicker of warmth crossed Hana’s face. “Bear hug.”

They moved to the couch where a giant stuffed bear waited – their childhood solution to Hana’s unique situation. As they pressed against opposite sides of the plush toy, Hana felt some of her tension melt away.

This was their special ritual, created years ago when they discovered that direct physical contact triggered those overwhelming visions in Hana’s mind. The first and last time they touched without barriers, the flood of images had been so intense that Hana had ended up in the hospital.

Mira had spent the entire evening worried sick after getting the call from Hana’s mother while she was having dinner with Jiro. The sushi in front of her suddenly lost all appeal, even as he tried to lighten the mood with his usual jokes.

“Why don’t you go check up on her at the hospital?” he had suggested, watching her check her phone for the hundredth time.

Mira had shaken her head, pushing her barely-touched food around. “I can’t. I don’t want to invade her space.” She set her chopsticks down with a sigh. “Hana would be too taken aback if I go there panicking like this. She’ll see my call and call back. I’m sure. She’s busy.”

“Are you sure?” Jiro’s concerned eyes had studied her face.

“Yes, I am. I’ll wait for her call at home.”

********************************

“Hana.” Mira pulled back from the bear, though Hana remained snuggled against it.

“Hm?” came the muffled response from the other side.

“You know I’m always going to be here for you. I won’t let her hurt you again.”

“Mira.”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.” The words were soft, almost lost in the bear’s fur.

“Hey, c’mon, you don’t have to thank me.” Mira waved her hand dismissively, trying to lighten the mood. “We’re besties. Sisters. If she comes asking for a liver or something, I have your back. I’ll chase her away for you. Okay?”

A small laugh escaped Hana despite herself. “Mira, stop it. Don’t make me laugh. I’m trying to be sad here.”

“Well, sad time is over.” Mira’s eyes caught the way Hana’s fingers kept drifting to the edges of the oversized jacket she wore, like a comfort blanket. A knowing smile tugged at her lips. “Nice jacket, by the way.”

The sudden change in topic made Hana pause, her hands freezing mid-motion.

“Mira!” Hana’s voice rose in protest.

“What! I just said nice jacket.” Mira’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You knew I was going to ask sooner or later. Is it from someone whose name starts with a... letter... R.E—”

The flush that spread across Hana’s cheeks was answer enough.

“I love being correct.” Mira sat up straighter, her earlier worry transforming into delighted curiosity. “Wait, if this jacket is his, does that mean you cried in front of him?”

“I guess you could say that,” Hana mumbled into the bear.

“And I could take a wild guess, he brought you home, didn’t he?”

A sheepish nod.

“Hana Shizumi, you sly sly girl.”

“It wasn’t intentional,” Hana protested, sitting up. “He saw me in front of her room because we had dinn—” She caught herself too late, eyes widening.

“Din-nerrrr.” Mira drew out the word with glee. “You were going on a date with Dr. Sexy Voice! My best friend is becoming a grown woman.” Her eyes swept over Hana’s casual outfit. “Wait, dressed like that?”

“It wasn’t a date and it was very all of a sudden.”

“Still. I’m glad that didn’t happen, however the unfortunate circumstances.” Mira’s expression softened briefly before turning playful again. “Next time you’re going on a date—sorry, dinner or whatever together—tell me.”

“I don’t think there will ever be a next time.”

“What? Why?”

“Well...”

“Well... go on.”

Hana fidgeted with the jacket sleeve. “This is the second time we’ve canceled. It could be a sign that we’re to stay away from each other, you know?”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Or...” Mira’s eyes lit up, “it could be that the universe wants me to dress you for your date—dinner.”

“It’s getting late, Mira.” Hana stood up quickly, still wrapped in his jacket. “I should go to bed. Early shift in the morning.”

“Hana, come back here!” Mira called after her retreating form. “Don’t run away from this conversation. Don’t think this is over!” She flopped back on the couch with a dramatic sigh. “God, I’m hungry. I couldn’t eat dinner because of you, Shizumi!”

Hana’s soft laugh echoed from down the hallway, followed by the gentle click of her bedroom door. Even through her embarrassment, she couldn’t help but smile.

Mira strutted into her bedroom, still buzzing with ideas despite the late hour. Settling in front of her computer, she paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. Her fingers flew across her phone screen as she typed:

“I have a proposition to discuss with you tomorrow. My office, noon on the dot. Don’t be late, or else.”

She hit send, then bit her lip, contemplating. A second message followed: “Sleep well if you want to. Xo”

Her phone clattered a bit too loudly on the desk as she dropped it, trying and failing to suppress the smile tugging at her lips. She shook her head at her antics before turning to her laptop, the screen illuminating her face as she began working.

****************

The days after her almost encounter with her mother blurred together for Hana, each shift melting into the next. At least the news that her mother would be continuing treatment at her primary hospital meant one less worry – no unexpected hallway encounters to brace for.

“Is it just me or have these days been so boring?” One of the newer nurses sighed during their break.

“Well, that’s because the princes of the ER are on a seminar trip,” another replied, stirring her coffee.

“When would they be back?”

“Maybe at the end of the week.”

Hana pretended to focus on her charts, but her ears caught every word. The absence of Dr. Rowan and Dr. Jenkins had left a noticeable void in the ER’s usual energy. Even the patients seemed to notice, some openly asking about their favorite doctors.

She hadn’t realized how much she’d gotten used to his presence until it wasn’t there – the way his voice could calm even the most panicked patient, those small moments when their eyes would meet across a crowded trauma bay.

The morning after the incident, she’d stopped by his office, his jacket carefully folded in a bag with a cup of coffee, black. But instead of finding him there, she’d run into Dr. Lia, who was collecting some books. She had informed Hana of his impromptu absence.

“Do you want me to tell him that you stopped by?” Dr. Lia had offered, watching Hana hover uncertainly in the doorway.

“No, no. I should go now.” Hana had held the bag behind her, taking a step back.

“Okay, Nurse Shizumi.”

Now, listening to her colleagues chat about the doctors’ absence, Hana carefully kept her expression neutral. She couldn’t let any hint of disappointment show – hospitals thrived on gossip, and she wasn’t about to become its latest subject.

********************************

“Hey Renny boy!” The familiar voice made Ren freeze in his tracks.

“What on earth are you doing here?” He turned to find Jiro’s grinning face in the airport terminal.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m here to pick you up from the airport.” Jiro spread his arms wide as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

Ren’s eyes narrowed. “And why don’t I like the sound of that?”

“Oh! C’mon. It’s not that bad. I have no hidden intention.” Jiro’s innocent expression wasn’t fooling anyone. “Can’t I pick up my baby cousin?”

“It is very bad and I don’t trust you.” Ren yanked his luggage away from Jiro’s reaching hands. “Don’t touch my stuff.” He turned to Rowan. “What is this?”

Rowan at least had the decency to look slightly guilty. “Well, I want to spend some alone time with my girl and I can’t have you third-wheeling.”

“You could have told me. I would have gotten a cab.”

“Hey! My feelings!” Jiro clutched his chest dramatically.

Ren held up a finger. “I’m not done with you yet, Jiro. Wait your turn.”

Jiro made an exaggerated zipping motion across his mouth.

“You didn’t have to call this troublemaker,” Ren continued, glaring at Rowan.

“I mean, he called me and volunt—” Rowan began.

“I think what Rowan is trying to say,” Jiro cut in hastily, “is that he trusted that I would be the best person to take you home.”

“I did?” Rowan blinked.

“Yes, you did,” Jiro hissed, then whispered, “Work with me here.”

“Yes, I did,” Rowan corrected quickly. His face brightened with relief as a car pulled up. “Well, if you would excuse me, my beautiful wife is here.”

Lia rolled down the window, her smile widening. “Oh! Hey, Jiro. Funny seeing you here.”

“Very funny indeed,” Ren muttered, watching the pieces fall into place. Whatever his cousin was plotting, he had a feeling he wasn’t going to like it.

Rowan got into the car with Lia. “Well, I’ll be leaving you two to whatever you kids do. Bye. Let’s go, princess.”

“If you call me princess one more time...” Lia warned, driving off.

Jiro carefully took Ren’s luggage. “I guess we should be on our way too.”

Ren’s eyes narrowed. “Whatever you’re plotting, I swear, if this plan involves my mother or anyone in that family, I will end your bloodline.”

“You’d have to end yourself too since you’re my bloodline,” Jiro pointed out.

“Not that. Just drive, moron.”

“Sometimes I wonder if you realize I’m the older one.”

“Only when you act like it, which is never.”

“Fair point.” Jiro shot a quick text before driving out of the parking lot.

Ren leaned back, closing his eyes. “I’m going to get some shut-eye.”

“Knock yourself out.”

Ren opted not to comment further, content to rest during the drive.

****************

Ren stirred awake as Jiro put the car into park. Looking around, Ren realized they were not in the parking garage of his apartment building.

“Where are we?” Ren asked, glancing out the window at the unfamiliar underground lot.

“I was feeling a bit hungry and figured you must be too,” Jiro explained, a mischievous glint in his eye... “So I decided to order at one of the family’s restaurants. It’s your favorite, ramen.”

“We could have ordered take-out at my apartment,” Ren pointed out.

“Well, order for me. You know what I like,” Ren said, settling back in his seat. “I’ll wait here.”

“Wait here? No way, let’s go. I don’t know what you want,” Jiro insisted.

“Jiro, I had a long flight. I can’t deal with people and interactions at the moment,” Ren sighed.

“If I go in there, I’m getting for myself and myself alone,” Jiro warned.

“Fine. Get a private room. Also, I need a change of clothes,” Ren relented.

Jiro’s face lit up. “You just made my work even easier,” Jiro muttered under his breath which Ren didn’t quite catch. “You said?” Ren asked.

“Consider it done, Your Royal Majesty,” Jiro replied with an exaggerated bow.

Ren just rolled his eyes at the dramatic commentary, because at this point, he was too tired to put up much of a fight.

************************

“Hana, stop dragging your feet. You look beautiful,” Mira insisted, tugging her reluctant friend along.

“Isn’t this all too much for lunch between us?” Hana fidgeted with the hem of the dress Mira had practically forced her into. “We can still go home and just—”

“Stop it, Hana. It’s not every day we both get days off together.” Mira’s eyes sparkled with determination. “You know, I had to swindle a lot of people to get reservations for this place.”

“Sw-swindle?” Hana’s eyes widened in alarm.

“I mean work for... work with... with...” Mira waved her hand dismissively. “Anyway, they were difficult to come by, the reservations.” She brightened suddenly. “How about this? I’ll see if they can upgrade us to a private room.”

“Wait, Mira, you don’t have—”

But Mira was already approaching the host. “Excuse me please, yes. So, not to be rude or anything, but I suddenly had a, you know, ’emergency situation,’” she touched her stomach meaningfully, “and would like to ask, if you don’t mind, could we get a private room?”

Hana stood shell-shocked at her friend’s acting.

“Sure, Miss Aki. Right this way.”

“Thank you so very much!”

Just then, Mira’s phone buzzed. She checked it quickly, her face lighting up for just a moment before smoothing into a calm expression. “Hana, I have to quickly take this. Would you be okay on your own?”

“Hmm... I guess.”

“Perfect!” Mira turned to the hostess. “Please take care of my friend for me. I need to quickly attend to this,” she gestured to her phone.

“I’d be right back, okay?” she mouthed to Hana, who nodded uncertainly.

“This way, Miss Shizumi,” the hostess gestured.

“Hm,” Hana mumbled, following along.

The door slid open and Hana froze, her eyes meeting an equally startled pair of familiar ones.

“I’m sorry, Master Jenkins. I thought the room was vacant,” the host began to close the door.

“Hana, what are you doing here?” Ren’s voice rang out, a mix of surprise and something else she couldn’t quite place.

She stood there, caught between the urge to flee and the magnetic pull of his gaze. The last time they’d seen each other, she’d been crying her heart out, a mess as always. Now here she was, in the dress Mira had picked out, face-to-face with him.

“Dr. Jenkins”