"Be happy."
Six months ago, I left those words behind and vanished from Kei's life.
Cancer metastasis, a life expectancy far too short. I didn't want to cast the shadow of my dying self over his bright future. I thought it would be better to be hated as a selfish woman than to see him sink into despair.

In a distant town where I had no relatives, I spent my days quietly waiting for the end while attending a hospice. One day, as I sat there—thinner than ever, hating even to look in the mirror—the same scent from that day filled the air.

"...Found you."

I looked up at the familiar voice to find Kei standing there, drenched in rain.
Out of breath and wearing tattered shoes, he seemed to realize everything the moment he glanced at me.

"Why... why did you let it get this far?"

"Don't come any closer. I abandoned you."

My utmost rejection lacked conviction in my trembling voice. Kei walked over slowly and took my cold hands in his, holding them even tighter than before, yet as if I were something fragile that might break.
"Even if you hate me, that's no reason for me to give up on you. I've never once thought of you as a burden. ...I just want to be with you."
Overflowing tears began to melt away my stubborn lies.

The time I have left may be short. But in his arms, I finally allowed myself the wish to die by his side.