“Then… would you like to go with me…”

Did I overreact?

I was rude! Wasn’t I?

“...to the fireworks festival next weekend?”

The conversation with Kaito kept playing in Miyu’s mind. She hated the fact that she had to say no to him and thought that she might have been too harsh on him.

Kaito…

I really wish I could say yes…

You have no idea how badly I want to go with you!

Admitting that made Miyu blush, but then a single tear formed in the corner of her eye. And by the time it reached her chin, she had decided.

I’m just gonna ask him...

Worst case, he says no…

It took Miyu an entire day to build up the courage needed to ask her father. That evening, as her belly bubbled with the combination of anger, excitement, and nervousness, she forced her trembling legs downstairs.

I’m just gonna ask him…

Her sweaty palms made it difficult to hold on to the handrail.

No! I’m gonna tell him!

She took a deep breath as she walked into the living room.

Ta-dum. Ta-dum.

“Papa...” she squeaked.

“Miyu!” He turned around so fast that he almost fell out of his chair. “Why aren’t you in bed?”

“Papa, there’s something I wanted to ask you… See, there’s this fireworks fes—”

“Look at the time, my sweet! You need to be in bed!”

“But, Papa!” she cried out. “Just listen to me!” Her heart was racing so much it made her dizzy.

“Hmm?”

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“Next weekend… There’s… a f-fireworks festival...”

Why… is it… so hard… to breathe?

Miyu’s body suddenly felt so weak that she had to lean against the wall to keep herself up.

“What is this mumbling about festivals?” her father demanded.

He’s not gonna let me go, is he?!

Tears were burning their way down her cheeks. “I want… to go!”

The frown on her father’s face wrinkled a hundred times over as his sweaty-pale skin quickly turned boiling red. “You will not be going anywhere! What is this nonsense?!”

“But, Papa!” she objected as she tried waving away the dark spots that formed in her vision.

“You better march yourself straight upstairs!” her father exploded.

“Papa, please!” she begged as she clutched at her heart. The pounding of her heart drowned out all other sounds.

Ta-dum. Ta-dum.

I… I can’t…

Anymore...

Miyu’s legs couldn’t hold her up anymore, and her tiny body caved in.

The last thing she saw through her teary-eyed vision was her father’s bullish-red face rushing toward her, after which her world blurred out of sight and everything went pitch black.

Miyu, will you come with me?

Where?

Just give me your hand, let’s go!

I want to!

But?

I just can’t…

If you don’t want to, just tell me!

I do! I really do! Please...

Miyu woke up with a blinding white light that burned her eyes, and after a few blinks, she realized that she was in the hospital.

She hated being there. Besides, the migraine-inducing bright lights, coupled with the strong smell of chemicals didn’t make it any easier either.

“Miyu! My sweet! You’re awake!”

Her head fell sideways when she heard her father’s voice.

Just leave me alone!

She squeezed her eyes shut.

I wish I could be somewhere else…

Anywhere but here!

The hospital room door swung open, and moments later, Miyu could hear the doctor whispering to her father: “...condition is stable, Mr. Hoshino. Feel free to go home, but Miyu will need to stay here for a couple of days. We need to run some tests to determine whether her condition is getting any better. And also to prevent any further episodes.”

“I understand. Please, do everything in your power to make her better!” her father pleaded.

“We will do everything we can, Mr. Hoshino.”

Again, the door opened and then closed. Miyu heard the footfalls of the doctor fade into the distance as he left the room. A few seconds later, she heard something completely unexpected: her father sobbing and sniffing, prompting her to open her eyes. She saw her father sitting in the corner of the room, his face buried in a handkerchief.

Guilt cropped up in her throat.

This was all my fault…

I was being selfish again!

If I’d just listened to Papa, these things wouldn’t happen to me...

The only thing Miyu hated more than being in a hospital bed was seeing her father cry.

“I’m sorry,” her voice crackled.

“Miyu!” He jumped up from his seat, ran to her bedside, and hugged her.

Slowly, they swayed back and forth, and she could feel her father’s warm tears on her back.

Even though Miyu’s tear glands felt dried up, she was still able to produce more tears. “I’m really sorry, Papa.”

I just wanted to dream once…

But I guess it isn’t meant for me.

“Shh, shh, my little Miyu. Everything is going to be fine. You have to stay here for a bit so that they can make sure you are okay. I’ll be back here first thing in the morning, okay? I’ll bring you some books and comfy clothes!”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Now, get some rest, sweetheart. See, this is what happens when you get too excited! You know that’s why I can’t allow you to go to festivals and whatnot.”

“Yes… Papa.”

He kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry for getting angry at you… I know I need to change, and I will do my best.” He walked out of the room, pulling up his pants as he walked out.

She wiped her tears away and remembered something her mother told her a very long time ago:

Every great dream starts with a dreamer!

That night, Miyu dreamed of holding hands with the faceless boy, under a midnight sky, filled with shooting stars and fireworks.