Chapter 111

Though what she may have missed was the worried look Ekko had given in her direction as he called out to her but didn't get the corresponding response he expected.

" What happened to her, did she hurt herself." Ekko saw how she was acting and immediately knew something was going on with her.

" Hey you guys go on ahead, I just spotted a friend so I'm gonna say high, don't worry I'll be back before the competition starts."

" Alright see you there Ekko, make sure you're not late." Nana said before dragging Gojo and Yame along.

Ekko in the meanwhile looked to his left and spotted a food stand also selling drinks. He bought two cans before making his way to the alley-like area Kaori had hidden herself in.

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{Yakusa High: Tournament Area}

'Haaa, haaa, haaa!' Kaori took quick and sudden breaths as she tried to calm her palpating heart. Her bottom lip trembled a bit as her unfocused eyes stared at her violin case.

' It's getting worse...and I don't have much time left...is there really no cure for it, isn't there anything I can do...Will I really not be able to play anymore.' Kaori thought as her mind went from one bad thing to another, she hated it, she hated how useless she felt.

She hated that she couldn't do anything about her situation.

But most of all, she was scared...scared for her future, or lack of it to be more accurate.

{Flash back}

" There's no easy way to say this Mr. and Mrs. Miyazono, but there is no cure or remedy for what Kaori has. It's rare but can be passed down through genetics.

Friedreich's ataxia, that's what she has.

Friedreich's ataxia is an inherited condition caused by a defect in a gene called FXN. It is a recessive genetic disorder. This means you need to inherit a copy of the gene defect from both parents to develop it.

It damages the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and the cerebellum portion of the brain. This condition tends to develop in children and teens and gradually worsens over time as it has in young Kaori.

Unsteady, awkward movements, and a loss of sensation due to nerve injury develop as the disease progresses.

There are no cures at the current moment but

potentially breakthrough treatments are under study.

Treatment focuses on minimizing symptoms and maintaining comfort and function for as long as possible.

Options include braces to bolster the arms, legs, feet, or spine, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and surgery to correct skeletal problems.

That is if Kaori is willing to stay at home and visit the hospital on a regular basis."

The doctor informed Kaori's parents who were weeping for their daughter, meanwhile, Kaori herself was in complete shock, she didn't know how to react to the situation.

{Flashback end}

That was over two years ago and once she had calmed herself enough, she had decided to go through the treatments.

And now two years in and she's managed to delay the ailment so far.

But if life is anything to go by, is that it's cruel to everyone, and no one is an exception to that. As not too long ago on her last hospital appointment, she was given the bad news that she only had 4 months before her disease started to worsen, and after two months it was very likely she wouldn't even be able to walk.

And right now she was feeling one of those symptoms. Thankfully after 5 minutes of breathing exercises, she was able to calm herself.

Kaori looked dazed as she stared into the sky, but out of nowhere, a chilled object tapped her on the neck, causing her to let out a cute squeal as she jumped up from the bench she was sitting on.

" HEY!!! What's your problem... ah!!! E-Ekko?" Kaori stuttered not expecting the perpetrator to be her music buddy.

" In the flesh, now what is a cute girl like you doing in a dark and gloomy corner like this." Ekko asked as he sat down on the bench and offered Kaori a drink." Punch!! Its Hawaiian flavor."

Kaori chuckled deciding to accept his offer before sitting beside him on the bench but made sure there was some space between them.

The pair took a sip of their drinks before letting out a satisfied sigh." So, wanna tell me what's keeping you so down in the dumps " Ekko suddenly asked making Kaori freeze mid-sip.

" Huh! What do you mean, I'm not sad, definitely not sad, in fact, I'm the happiest I've ever been." Kaori said with the fakest smile Ekko had ever seen.

" Oh! Is that so, well I feel sorry for that can to be enduring all that happiness of yours." Ekko said with a slight hint of sarcasm in his voice, as Kaori looked at her can that she had almost squished with her bare hands.

" I-I just like crumpling my drinks after they're empty." Kaori said in her weak defense, and Ekko just chuckled a bit before finishing of the rest of his drink.

Kaori decided to try and change the subject." So are you enjoying lockdown? Trust me it will get way better after nine, but I won't spoil the surprise Kaori said with excitement as she tapped her feet on the floor.

" It's been fun so far, no complaints from me, in fact, I'm gonna be participating in the Bossaball event right now.

Though my teammates are waiting for me because I saw you here all by your lonesome, I wanted you to cheer me on, and watch me kick some ass."

" Pfft! Hahaha, Seriously haha, fine since you want me so badly to come, I guess I can grace you with my presence, be grateful peasant."

" It would be my pleasure to play in your honor, Miss Kaori, daughter of Miyazono." Ekko pronounced eloquently as he stood up and bowed to Kaori before taking her hand and placing a gentle kiss on the knuckles of her hand.

Kaori blushed seeing Ekko kiss her hand and couldn't hide the redness creeping up on her face.

" Well, then I best be going before they wonder where I am or if I'm even coming back, I hope to see you there cheering me on." Ekko said with a smile.

Kaori nodded." Don't worry I'll be sitting in the front row, you can't miss me." She responded while giving him a good luck sigh.

" That's good to know, I guess I'll see you then. But don't take too long otherwise all the seats will be taken."

" Will do, I just need to take care of a few things, before I go." Kaori said and Ekko nodded before he started walking away, but he could only take 10 steps forwards before stopping himself.

Turning his head to Kaori, he said" I don't know what's making you sad Kaori, nor do I know what you're going through, and honestly it's none of my business either, but as you're my friend, I just have a few words to say.

I've been in some pretty tough spots in my life, moments where I didn't know if I was going to see the next day's sunrise, or if I would ever be able to see the faces of the ones I loved.

And even though I've had those experiences, those hardships, it's made me who I am today.

In a world like this, I can only do the best I can with the things I have at this current moment. I actually just remembered something my little sisters used to always tell me when I was down.

'Life is 10% of what happens to you...and 90% of how you respond to it.' Haha, I couldn't even believe that something like that had come out of a 7-year-old's mouth, but the more I've grown the truer her words have become...

Sorry if I sounded cringe with that whole speech, I'm not the best person to talk to when it comes to comforting others and..."

" *Sniff*...No! Thank you *Sniff!* I think I needed that " Kaori said with her back still turned so Ekko couldn't see her.

She wiped her eyes while sniffling between her words.

She felt her throat closing up but surprisingly, she didn't feel as sad anymore, even when she had become a crying mess.

A hand stretched out from behind her and offered a handkerchief. Still not looking at Ekko she took it and blew her nose on it.

"...Thanks!!!" Kaori said while Ekko walked away waving his hand from behind." I better hear you being the loudest out there." Ekko responded before he disappeared.

Kaori finally looked back but didn't see any sign of Ekko, but nevertheless the shining smile she had on her face compared to that fake one she had previously was miles apart in their beauty.

'Thank you Ekko, you're right, I may not have much time left...but with the time I do have, ill make sure to live it the best I can. Just because theres no cure doesn't mean there won't be...all I can do is believe.'

Kaori thought while slapping both her cheeks to hype herself up.

After doing so she quickly grabbed her Violin case and ran to the Bossaball tournament area.