Chapter 228: Tsubaki's Request Twinkle, twinkle, little star~ Shining brightly afar~ In the eastern sky~ And in the west so high~ Twinkle, twinkle, little star~ Shining bright~ "Wow~" Clap, clap, clap, clap~ As I entered the special ward where Tsubaki's hospital room was located, laughter from children echoed somewhere.

Amidst their laughter, faintly amid the joy, I slowly moved toward where their voices were coming from.

"Sis~!! Call us one more time.

Please?" "Sure, wait a moment." In patient clothes, a chubby child eagerly grabbed Tsubaki's arm, urging her while sticking close to her side.

"Hurry~"

"Hey, Masao-kun, let go of my arm so I can play the piano~" "Oh, right." "Hahaha~ Masao's such a goof~" "Yeah, yeah~" "Guys, don't tease our friend.

What did I tell you yesterday?" "Friends should get along~!!" "Okay~" Wow, there's no shortage of daycare vibes here...

Watching Tsubaki sing along with the kids, her bright smile, lightened the heavy feeling I had carried while being here.

But wait, was there always such a place on the first floor of this special ward? I don't recall seeing it when I was here before...

"Oh!! That suspicious man is looking at us!!" Hey, kiddo.

Suspicious man? Where am I even looking...? Turning my head at the child's voice, meeting Tsubaki's eyes, I awkwardly smiled, holding out the bouquet.

"Wow~ Is he your boyfriend~!!" "Sis, is he your boyfriend?" "Nah, he's already married~ To a really pretty lady~" "Ah!! So he's having an affair.

Mister Adulterer~!!" Then, a girl beside them teasingly asked the boy who called him an adulterer.

"Hey mister, what's an adulterer?" "Huh? Um...

Well, it's when you get married and then go on trips with other ladies.

Saw it on TV." "Hmm? Why go on trips with another lady after getting married?" "Well, uh...

that's just..." ...Kids these days really know everything.

Tsubaki seemed flustered by the child's words, her face reddening as she stood up.

"Hello, Mr.

Junhyuk." Bathed in sunlight streaming through the window, she walked toward me, wearing a smile so bright that you couldn't possibly think she was a patient.

"How are you feeling?" With a grin, Tsubaki pulled up her sleeve, revealing her arm and replied.

"I'm very energetic~" I looked at her for a moment, admiring her cheerful demeanor, then smiled back.

"Are those flowers a get-well gift?" "Oh, yeah..." "Wow~ They're beautiful~ Mr.

Junhyuk, you have a good sense.

I understand why Yuki likes you." "Is that so..." "Then, one day, a boy from my class came to school looking really down.

When I asked what happened, turns out, he spent a lot of money on a game and got a game over in the end.

So, I suggested starting from the beginning, but apparently, it was an impossible game..." "Dragon Emblem..." "Correct!" With one eye squinting, her gesture towards me carried a fresh, idol-like vibe.

"Of course, back then, I didn't know you well, but I had my share." "Hmm...

where?" "At the 'Dragon Emblem' event organized by Famicon.

I was one of the participants then." "What!?" I remember there were a few female players, including Yuki, but never did I think Tsubaki was among them...

As I looked at her in disbelief, Tsubaki burst into a cheerful laugh and said, "You're making the same face as Yuki?" "I really had no idea..." "I bet.

I was eliminated pretty quickly then.

I was so young, maybe in my first year of high school? Still, I watched you clear 'Dragon Emblem' until the end.

On the way back after the event, I thought about saying something to you, but someone approached you right in front of me, so I gave up." "Ah..." So, it was indeed the day I first met Yuki.

The young Tsubaki was also watching me.

Staring at her in a daze, struck by the shock as if I'd been hit on the head, Tsubaki smiled warmly, asking, "Surprised, huh?" "After that, I didn't play games for a while.

But one day, I coincidentally saw a gaming magazine at a bookstore with an article about you.

Finding out that you were the developer behind 'Dragon Emblem' and that you'd created the sensation of the missing street...

and that you'd left Mintendo and joined Pentagon Soft." "Is that so..." "It took some time after that, but I've played all the games you made.

Then, last year, when I saw an article about the idol auditions at Pentagon, I decided to join.

I already knew I was ill, but I still wanted to see you again, the Junhyuk I knew..." "Tsubaki, you..." "How is it? Feeling like the tables have turned for the user this time...?" "Haha...

I have no words for this." "It's fun, right? Don't worry too much; I didn't tell Yuki." I sighed softly as I stared blankly at her profile, basking in the sunlight against the window frame.

I couldn't bring myself to tell her to give up being an idol and undergo surgery, looking at that smile.

"Junhyuk." "Yeah...?" "Well, recently, with Kanna's help, I've been composing a song." "Oh...?" "So, I have a favor to ask.

It's a bit melodramatic, but could I ask something as a girl who used to like you a lot in the past?"

"A...favor?" "It's not that difficult.

Don't get too nervous." As she turned to look at me, her expression was filled with a newfound vigor that hadn't been there before.

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