Chapter 204: Holding on to Hope ( 204 )

Words : 1164 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 204: Holding on to Hope ( 204 ) Hours passed. The quiet hum of hospital equipment and faint footsteps in the hallway had become the only rhythm of the night. Kyouko sat still, as always. But her eyes occasionally drifted to the people sitting nearby. The staff who came with Yamashita. His bodyguards. His assistant. Even his driver. They were trying to stay composed... but their postures had slumped. Eyes heavy. Shoulders lowered. She looked at Yamashita. "...Uncle?" He turned his head slightly. "Hmm?" Kyouko offered a small, polite nod. "I’ll give you an update later. You should go home and rest." He studied her for a moment. "...Are you sure?" "Yes," she said softly. Yamashita exhaled quietly. Then reached into his coat pocket, pulling out his phone. "Then give me your number." Kyouko gave a slight smile. "You already have it, Uncle." He paused. Then returned the faintest smile of his own. "...Make sure you inform me. Immediately." Kyouko nodded. "Mm. I will, Uncle." Yamashita adjusted his coat as he turned toward the hallway. "We’re going now," he said. Then, one last glance toward Kyouko. "Inform me if anything happens." She nodded gently. "Yes, Uncle." Yamashita gave a small nod and turned, his group falling into step behind him as they walked down the corridor in silence. As they neared the elevator, his personal assistant leaned in slightly. "...Sir, if I may ask—why did she call you uncle?" Yamashita didn’t stop walking. His voice was calm. Almost casual. "Ah... she?" He let out a quiet breath. "She’s my niece." Ding. The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Yamashita took a step forward. And froze. His eyes widened. "...Kitayama!" There, standing in front of him, was Takahashi Kitayama Beside him stood Hanako, calm and composed, her hand on Kitayama’s arm. Behind them, the rest of the family. Along with several bodyguards and staff personnel, sharp-eyed and alert. Kitayama gave a faint nod. "Ah, Yamashita," he said. "So you know already." "Yes..." Yamashita replied, still processing the full weight of the moment. "I was nearby, so I came as fast as I could." They stepped forward and shook hands firmly. "I’m sorry," Kitayama said, "but I need to see him. Now." Yamashita gave a slight nod, stepping aside immediately. "Don’t worry," he said. "I understand." Kitayama’s eyes briefly met his. "When everything settles," he said quietly, "we’ll talk again." Yamashita gave one last nod. "Alright." The Takahashi family moved forward, filling the hallway with silent presence and restrained emotion. Yamashita turned to watch them go. As they stepped out of the hospital and walked toward the car, the cold night air settled around them. Yamashita said nothing for a moment, his hands in his coat pockets, eyes distant—deep in thought. Then, just before reaching the car, he spoke quietly to his personal assistant. "Call him." The assistant glanced at him. "Sir?" "Our man," Yamashita clarified. "The investigator." A short pause. "Tell him I want to meet tomorrow. In my office." "Understood," the assistant replied with a sharp nod. Yamashita didn’t say another word as he entered the car. But his mind was already moving. There were things he wanted answers to. And tomorrow, he would start collecting them. The quiet outside the ICU shifted. Kyouko looked up— And froze. There, at the end of the corridor, stood her family. Her father, Kitayama. Her mother, Hanako. Her younger brother Kenji and his wife Hitomi. Keiko and Kazuma. And even the children—Daichi and Riko. Behind them, Kitayama’s personal staff and bodyguards, all still and respectful. Her eyes locked onto Hanako. And in that instant— Tears welled up. Her breath caught in her throat. She stood, and run toward her. "MOM!!" Her voice cracked—shattered by grief, by fear, by everything she had been holding in. "Haruki! Haruki...!" She broke down, her arms wrapped tightly around Hanako, her entire body trembling. Hanako held her close, one hand gently cradling the back of her daughter’s head, the other pressed firmly against her back. "I’m here... I’m here, Kyouko..." Kyouko sobbed into her shoulder, clutching her like a lifeline. Kazuma stood quietly beside Keiko, their expressions unreadable but their eyes full of understanding. Keiko’s hand gently gripped Kazuma’s sleeve, while Kazuma gave a small nod. Behind them, no one spoke. Not Kitayama. Not Kenji. Not Hitomi. Not even the children. Because everyone there already knew— How deeply Kyouko cherished Haruki. Even if she didn’t know they knew... They had all seen it. Felt it. Understood it. And now, they simply stood with her. Letting her cry. Letting her fall apart, just for this moment. "Mom! Haruki! Haruki...!" Kyouko’s voice was raw, her cries spilling into the quiet hallway. Hanako’s eyes began to fill with tears. She looked around—at Kitayama, at Kenji, at Keiko and Kazuma, at Hitomi, and at her grandchildren. They all stood in silence. Their hearts already knew. Hanako gently cradled the back of Kyouko’s head, running her fingers softly through her hair. "Shhh... Everything will be fine," she whispered, her voice trembling now too. "Let’s just pray, Kyouko. Let’s pray he comes back to us." But Kyouko couldn’t stop. She was sobbing uncontrollably, her body shaking in her mother’s arms. "He was smiling this morning..." she cried. "He said... he said he was going to take me on a date this evening..." Her voice cracked. "He was going to bring me shopping..." "Mom... Mom...!" Her cries echoed down the corridor, soft but heart-wrenching. Hanako held her. Never letting go. Her hands soothing, her presence steady. Kitayama stood still, his arms folded behind his back, watching his daughter collapse in her mother’s embrace. His expression didn’t change. But his eyes lingered. Longer than usual. He looked at Kyouko—the daughter he had raised with discipline and expectation... Now broken. Sobbing. Shaking in her mother’s arms. She was crying like a woman who had lost her partner. Her world. She truly cherished him. He finally saw how deeply Haruki had touched her heart. Haruki... That boy had done something none of them expected. He had made Kyouko feel loved. So deeply... That she was breaking at the thought of losing him. After a while, the hallway quieted again. Kyouko had calmed. Her sobs had faded to quiet breaths, her head still resting against Hanako’s shoulder. Hanako gently rubbed her back and asked softly, "...So... we can visit him now?" Kyouko didn’t lift her head. She just shook her head slowly. "...No," she whispered. "Not yet..." Her voice was barely audible. "Doctor said..." She swallowed hard, lips trembling again. "Doctor said..." Hanako tilted her head slightly, brushing Kyouko’s hair back. "Said what, honey?" Kyouko’s lips parted— And the words came out broken. "...Haruki’s condition... worsened." Her shoulders trembled again. "...He might... he might not wake up..." A painful silence fell over the family. Hanako’s hands tightened around her daughter. The others behind them—Kitayama, Kenji, Kazuma, Keiko—stood frozen. And for a moment... No one knew what to say. ( End Of Chapter )

Chapter 204: Holding on to Hope ( 204 )

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