"As the cold wind pass by, both of them lied down peacefully under the mysterious tree. It was a mystery as both of them dissapear without anyone knowing how it happen. Rumors began to spread about the mysterious tree and the tragic life of a person.

They did not know, the ones who lied on the tree pass on happily."

\[THE END\]

"Awww\~ And it was a good story too...Too bad the author got married." A girl with black hair closed the book as she stood up from her table and went to bed."Thank god I have back up to satisfy myself. Still I'm amaze of myself to read up this late." She pick up her phone and look at the time it was almost midnight. "Gonna need some energy for tommorow." She went into bed and went asleep.

Morning came as the young lass has overslept. This girl's name is Rina, a 16 years old Highschool girl. Rina grew up alone as her father is away at work overseas as she was just 8 years old. Rina has a condition with her weak heart, many people would be down in dumps for having some kind of disease but this girl is different...or more like a reckless carefree one.

Rina doesn't care about her condition as she only has one objective in her life and that is to "Live your life to the fullest!". She may has a heart condition but she is still as energetic like any other girls. As of now, Rina overslept and its almost 10 o'clock.

[BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!]

The continous sound of the alarm has finally woke up Rina. "Ugh\~ What time is it?" The groggy sound of her voice as she woke up. Rina went out of her bed and check the time. "What! Its almost 10 already...Oh no Lara will scold me again!" Rina hurriend making her bed and prepared herself to hang out with her bestfriend, Lara. "C'mon, C'mon, C'mon\~"Psyching herself up fasten her speed.

After she finished preparing she then stormed out and run like she was chased by a dogs. Rina is an athlete, a runner, so she is fast despite having heart conditions.

[Minutes later...]

"Where is she?\~ We were suppose to meet here an hour ago\~" A brown haired girl muttered as she looked at the clock on the phone."Lara!\~ I'm sorry I came late!" *Pant* *Pant* Rina was sweating bullets as she went to Lara who is sitting by the fountain. "Geez, You were the one who wants me to accompany you but then you overslept.".

"C'mon, I said I'm sorry\~ Hehe" Rina scratched her head then went to hold Lara's hand. "Let's go? It will be sold out if we stay here too long..." Rina giggled as Lara just sighed. "Your really an Athlete Idiot as always."

As both went to their destination, the bookstore, and bought the newly released novel that Rina always wanted to read."Ohh!\~ Now I won't be bored for a while!Haha!" Rina exclaimed as she hold up the book in the air. "Hey\~ Calm yourself down would you? Your making yourself like an idiot." Lara whispered to her as she pulled Rina's shirt. "Ahh hahahaha, sorry for the commotion..." Rina apologize as Lara only sighed.

After buying the book, both then went to go shop and went to a family restaurant for lunch. "When you talk about lunch, its all about Hamburger Steak right\~!" Rina look at the menu and ordered the Hamburger Steak set. "Ahh No...It's just you and there are other foods for lunch you know...Your such a kid." Lara hardly disagreed as she ordered her lunch."Really?\~ I didn't know any of that." Rina had a grin on her face. 'Well yeah, I would be surprise if you did know.'Lara thought as took her phone and look some things up.

After a while, their lunch is finished and now served. "Wow\~ I already know its delicious by looking at it... Thanks for the food\~!" Rina chowed down and savored her bliss. Lara giggled at that sight and took a picture secretly. 'Haha even though she's childish, She is Cute.' Lara smiled and started eating her lunch. After eating lunch, they ordered some desserts.

Time passed by, as they were enjoying eating their cakes and parfaits. "Ahh\~ I'm so full\~" Rina said as she stretched out her arms. "You ate too much. You'll get fat if this keeps up." Lara may sound grumpy but she too ate a 'lot' of desserts. 'You're one to talk.' Rina thought

As the two seperated and went on their way home, Rina saw a suspicious guy looking around in the playground where little kids play. Rina thought that she may have jump to conclusions so she continued heading home not until she heard a scream of a little boy and saw it was the suspicious guy holding the him. The guy noticed Rina was looking at his way and made his run. Rina took action on chasing them as the little boy was struggling on moving his body. The kidnapper made him take a sniff of an handkerchief with a drug of paralysis.

Rina kept fasting her pace to close their distance. They ran through narrow to wide space. The kidnapper took a look behind and the girl kept chasing him. On the other hand, Rina is already pushing her limits since her heart is weak, She is already wincing in pain but she can't give up now. She is slowly closing in to them. Slowly and steady Rina is catching up and then she heard some Sirens nearby.

'Tch! I'll get caught if this keeps up!' As the kidnapper crossed the street, he left the boy in the middle of a road. The light was about to turn to red for pedestrians and a huge truck came in fast speed. The kid was still paralyzed but he can stand up slowly.

"There he is!" As soon as Rina saw the kidnapper leaving the boy she was relieve but then when she saw a huge truck was about to hit the kid, despite having some hesitations and suffering a lot of pain in the chest, Rina gritted her teeth and went full speed to the kid. The light has already turned red and the kid frozed up as soon as he saw a huge truck was about to hit him but then his attention turned to a girl running towards him screaming.

"GOOOO!!" The kid looked at the girl who screamed. As soon as he look, he felt a strong pushing force making him fly across the street then to the sidewalks...But as soon as the boy made it safe, Rina got hit by the truck and her body flew a away from the truck. The people around froze upon the scene. "KYAAH!!" The horrified voice of some girls and guys came running to the scene. "Someone call the ambulance!! Another guy shouted.

'Ugh my head hurts, my body hurts' At this time Rina was still a little conscious but her consciousness is slowly fading out as blood keep gushing out of her head and her vision went red. Rina is now suffering the pain but then she saw the boy she saved, Terrified and the look of traumatized. When she wondered why, she moved her hand to make the kid notice.

Fortunately, he did and came close. He teared up as he keep saying the same thing. "I-I'm sorry! I'm sorry big sis! I-I-I-!" His voice was quivering, he felt guilty and thought all of this is his fault. When he tried to wipe his tears but then his hands hand blood on them. He was shaking. Rina can't handle this anymore so she moved her hand and touch him anywhere possible. "It's not your fault. Besides, my bestfriend will get mad at me if I didn't do it. I'll be fine don't w-" Rina told him in a small voice but she did not finish what she wants to say as she lost consciousness and collapse but the boy has stopped shaking and only nod. The kid burst to tears as he tried and tried to wipe them, he can't stop them cause this kid's 'Hero' is now dying. Soon help came, they immediately took care of the victims and drived at fast speed.

[Meanwhile, at Lara's Side]

'Ahh where should we go next time\~' As Lara was on her cloud nine at home, she turned on the T.V to watch some movies. But as soon as she did, A terrified expression formed on her face. It was a news report of a recent incident of a girl hit by a truck. When the news showed the pictures of the victims, Lara fell on her knees, tear are forming as she could not believe the news.

[BZZZZ! BZZZZ! BZZZZ!]

Her phone as the name was displayed as Rina's Mom she immediately answer. "Lara! R-Rina is- Please come to the hospital." Lara felt the sorrow and pain, She prepared fast and went out in a cold night. 'Please! Stay Strong! RINA!!'

[SCREEECH-!]

The sound of the car as it pulled over in front of the hospital. Lara got out of the taxi as she ran as fast as she could and be by her bestfriend side. It was a cold night as Lara exhaled turn white. She rushed to the counter, she was having some cold sweat as she asked the room of Rina. The receptionist told her the details and then Lara ran again but this time she slowed down as she thought she could bump into someone. She went to the third floor and saw Rina's Mom. She had a terrible look on her face.

"Auntie! *Pant* *Pant* R-Rina! *Pant* How is she!" Lara spoke in a loud voice as she tried catching her breath. "Lara..Rina, she lost too much blood when arrived here and the doctor said she-" Rina's Mom didn't finish the sentence so Lara burst into Rina's room seeing lots of tubes and machine around Rina. Lara felt her knees became weak. The more she gets near Rina, the more tears running down her face. Its her bestfriend and her first friend lying down on a hospital bed with her eyes close and a face of suffering.

She took Rina's hand and held it near her face. "Ri-Rina\~.. Noo you gotta stay strong! You gotta stay! Don't leave us yet!" Lara burst in tears, her voice got a little rough from the shouting and held the hand tightly as she could. She was hoping. Hoping her bestfriend will wake up and say that she will stay with her. She doesn't want to be alone anymore. She prayed and hope, 'Please!! Open your eyes and say something!' Lara pleaded.

As Lara was crying she felt the hand she held twitch. She opened her eyes and look at the hand but it was not moving nor Rina's eyes did not open. She thought maybe it was her imagination but Rina's mouth opened like she was gasping for air. Lara widen her eyes as Rina half opened her eyes like she was still asleep. "R-Rina!" Lara exclaimed as Rina's mother hear her and came in the room. When see saw Rina opened her eyes she felt ecstatic. "Rina! Oh my girl is ok!" Rina's mom teared up but the tears of joy.

"Where am I?"Rina slowly looked around seeing a different ceiling, different room and lots of tubes. "Your in the Hospital...Do you remember what happened?" Lara asked in worry that it might hurt her to remember. "Remember....Ah-" Rina recalled everything. "Now I remember hehe...Is the kid alright?" Rina recalled the boy as he was crying and scared. "The kid is alright...The ambulance took you both here. Even though your the one in a bloody situation you still think about others. *sniff*"

"Hehe I'm sorry Mom for making you worry." Rina smiled at her as she can't move properly her body or maybe it 'won't' anymore. 'But is that a pun?' Rina only smiled as she wondered that was it intended or not. Soon the thought dissapeared when she looked at Lara staring at her hands. "Lar-", "Hey Rina, what is that in your hands? Stones?" Lara pointed at Rina's hand and then Rina look at her hands and opened it. Three stones..No Three transparent with a colored stripe pill. 'Wha- What are the-' Rina was about to ask what it was but then her head hurt and a white room came to mind. Rina agonized as she remember what happened in that room. It was hazy but she could remember the things they talk, how she was confuse and a small child with a weird...mask.

[After Rina Lost consciousness]

"Nngh\~ Huh?" Rina opened her eyes as she was face flat on the floor. She stood up as she held her head in pain.She looked aroud only to see everything white. Its like she was trap and if she take one step she would fall."Where...am I?" Rina was confuse. She remember the incident but she should be there no here in an empty white space. 'Am I in a dream? How did I get here? What am I doing here? What happened to the kid? What is going on?!' There were several questions in her head that she couldn't answer. But then a sound suddenly can be heard.

"Hmm not bad for a human especially for a girl. You got guts lass." A voice spoke as she look around but saw nothing.'Eh? But no one is here....Is it a.."GHOST?!?'" Rina spoke out loud and became wary as she thought it might jump out of nowhere. " Calm down lass, ain't it rude to call someone a ghost?" It spoke again. Rina looked every direction but still saw nothing."*Sigh* Up here child." The moment Rina looked up, she saw a small child flying upside down in a...weird mask?

A blank questionable look form on her face as the child smiled. "See\~ I am not a ghost. Look properly next time cause you look like an idiot." The child went down as he made fun of her. 'Idiot? Who are you calling idiot?!' Rina was suppose to be confuse with everything but she was tick off being called idiot. ' Wouldn't be the same reaction if someone called out to you but they see nothing...Its completely normal to think of a ghost is talking to you when there is no one around, right?' Rina wanted to say her argument but stop as she felt she would be defeated. "A-anyway what is going on?" Rina asked him.

"Hmm? Whats going on is that your dead lass." The child look at her cutely with a 'Didn't you know' vibe. 'Uwaah way to break the news to me buddy thanks a lot.' Rina is now looking at him with mix emotion. "So this is the....after life?" Rina asked him again awkwardly. "In a way yes...Though this is where souls just pass by after getting there turns to reborn. And I'm the one who manage here." The child show a little illustration, as for Rina's thoughts 'Where did that come from?!...If this child is the manager I bet the others didn't felt real being dead.' She felt like she is just dreaming.

Rina didn't feel good playing the straight man anymore so she let go her thoughts. 'Is he really a child? And whats with that mask? Oh yeah I didn't know his name yet.' Rina decided to ask. "By the way, what is your name?" Rina saw a small table with cushions and tea. "Hmm just call me M." M answered as he took a sip of his tea. 'M?...Masochist?' Rina shook her head since its rude call someone like that.

"So since I'm dead...what should I do?" Rina put her tea down a look at him casually. "*Sip* Haa-... Actually you really are not dead yet but you are already in front of the deaths door and as to why your not dead, your body is fighting but only temporary." M refilled his tea as Rina only listen. "So basically, I'm still alive but dying." Rina did felt that she is not dead yet but...

"Rina, feel your heart if its still beating." M took another sip. "Eh..Ah Ok." Rina put her hand on where her heart is and felt a beating. Rina widen her eyes as she look in M's direction. "Its beating alright but that heart of yours beating is slowly beating less. If it does beat slowly it will hurt you like you are drown in a sea you can't swim." What M said was true as Rina could feel the pain and the slow beating of her heart. " Then what should I do? Just wait?" Rina's face darkens as soon she dies she will never see her loved ones again.

"Well there is that but you can just wake up on your body and say your goodbyes. Well it maybe hard to do so you should just wa-" M was about to take another sip but he got cut off by Rina. "Please let me do it." A firm answer from Rina is what M did not expect after all they'll just wnd up getting hurt saying goodbyes. "Hmph.. How rude to cut me off, learn some manners will you." M took a sip. "Ah then...Please Let me say my goodbyes." Rina asked nice and politely bow a little.

"Well Ok but next time you gotta learn some manners." M crossed his arms and snapped his finger opening a door. "Then if I'm gonna learn some manner, Can I learn from you?" Rina asked as she smiled at him. When Rina smiled at M, he pause for a bit and smiled as well. "Ohh that may be nice and a little company won't hurt."

"Then if your going to be my student, A welcome gift is a just right? Here." M gave Rina 3...stones? "What are these master?" Rina took one to take a closer look. "Its a pill and two of them is the same while the other one is different." M explained how these pills works and as soon as Rina know she teared up. "Hey! Why are you crying?" Rina just shook her head then showed him a smile. It was just tears of joy.

"Then I'll be back Master!" Rina went in the door and the door closed by itself. 'What a weird girl' M thought as he sip his tea.

[Back to the present]

'I remember everything now. Looks like I don't have much time.' Rina looked at the pills and held them tightly. "Hey...Can I talk to you one by one?" Rina look at them with a serious expression. "Sure anything you say.." Lara was about to go out when Rina said the thing she did not expect.

"I....I am dying."

I...I am dying.

Both froze on the spot. Lara whose is about to went out of the room, immediately looked at Rina. Upon hearing what Rina said, Lara hope that she was just joking or playing around but then she saw Rina's expression. It was serious, she was not playing around. Rina's Mom as well felt the same thing as Lara. They're both confuse. "H-Hey, don't play around\~ This isn't funny you know." Lara tried to laugh it off but Rina look at her like she understand why she thought it was a joke. Rina smiled at Lara with no hint of joke.

"I know its hard to accept it but I'm not playing around." Rina then look at the pills. "T-Then let's call the doctor and get you check.. Umm is there parts that hurts or do you feel nauseo-" Lara check everything but Rina suddenly held her hand. "I want you to listen to me." Rina look at Lara's hand and then her face but Lara suddenly raised her voice. "NO!! Your gonna get better and I'll make sure of it! I'll get some doctors and pay ---" Lara teared up and raised her vpice saying all those as hse closed her eyes but she stop when she opened and look at Rina.

Rina look at her with sympathy. " I know this is sudden but please...Hear me out." Rina tighten her hand as she hold Lara's hand. Lara wants to hear her out but she just wants to storm out of the room and then run to the doctors but If her bestfriend wants her to hear her out then thats what she'll do. Lara nod as Rina sighed of relief and let go of her hand. "Whats with that sigh?" Lara raised one her eyebrow.

"Hehe, cause it felt like you'll run away and leave me without hearing me out." Rina smiled but this time its not a sympathy or anything like that but a smile thats just show she is happy. On the other hand, Lara flinched as what Rina said is close to what she will do. "Hmm? What's wrong Lara?"

"Nothing! Anyway, you want me to hear you out...What is it?" Lara was flustered for a little but then brought back what Rina originally planned to say before she went out. "Ahh since I already said that then I want you all to take this in without a sudden rash actions or anything... Actually, I am dying and my heart is now slowly beating and it will beat slower as the time pass until this body will dies." Rina explained as she her hand where her heart is. Lara and Rina's Mom just stood there with a blank face.

"Wait... Your heart is what?! Then we need to call a doctor!" Lara was about to go and get the doctor but Rina hold ger arm. "Lara! Please I'm not done yet. It's too late I'm already -" Rina was cut off by her mom cause of her suddenly hugging Rina. She burst to tears as she tighten her hold of Rina."..Mom."

"I know its hard to accept but I won't be cured anymore. M already told me and...and...I'm sorry mom..Lara." Rina teared up as she tried to held it in but the tears just keep coming. "Rina..." Lara then hugged Rina as they wail their cry across their room. Hiccups and snifflings can be heard. As Rina said it was hard to accept it, It was hard to accept that the person they love will never be with them again, hangout with them, spend time talking and doing stuffs together with them, spend their Birthdays, Christmas and New Years with them. "Uhh... Is there really nothing we can do? Anything at all?" Rina's Mom broke out of their hug, when Rina look at her she just softly shake her head. "...I see." She frowned.

Everything is too heavy to swallow. First is the sudden news of Rina in an accident, Then her miraculously being able to wake up and then the sudden news of her being dying. It's like fate is playing them, shattering a thing then another. *Sob* *Hic* Lar is still in Rina's arms. "C'mon now, stop crying you big Crybaby.." Rina patted Lara's back. Sobs and Hiccups can still be heard until Lara back away from her. "I'm...not a Cry..Baby.." She stopped sobbing but still hiccuping. "If..only I could come with you.. I would." Lara wiped her tears. Suddenly, Rina went silent.

"You.." Rina's face darkened. "Rina?" Lara look at her with one eye as she was still wiping her tears from her another eye. "You shouldn't say that...After all you still got the chance to do new things." Rina said it with a straightforward voice but refuse to look straight at Lara's face. "....Yeah...your right." Lara was taken back. 'Yeah thats why I won't be able to use 'this'' Rina thought as she held the pills in her right hand tightly but she was too taken back by what Lara said to her.

"Yeah, your right...but what's the point if I'm able to experience all the new things without my bestfriend. Make new friends and move on? No. Call me weak all you want cause they didn't save me from the dark. You did, Rina." Lara was upset. She was after all her bestfriend is leaving her and making her experience new things but what she said is what she want. ' I want to experience new things with you!' The strong feeling is burning inside Lara.

"Lara....thats just saying you will follow me and that means dying with me. I can't let you do that!" Rina is looking at her eyes finding a hint. But unfortunately, no hints of hesitation can be found. "L-Lara... I know you and Rina are Bestfriends and you really care for her but...You don't really need to go this far for her. It's already too much spending so much time with her even though you have your own troubles too." Rina's mom is trying to convince Lara and making her calm down before doing something reckless action.

"It looks like you didn't understand me. Auntie, Rina this is just my selfishness and me alone. I know this may look like I'm treating my life way too lightly but I am not hesitating to do it... You know Rina, the day we met was the most worst terrible day I will experience. I was wearing black clothes that day and then we met. You asked why I was wearing black clothes on such a nice day but I didn't answer. Let me answer that question today Rina." As Rina was listening to Lara she recalled what happened and she did ask but got no answer. Rina realised and then her eyes widened with a face of sympathy.

"Yeah...Several days before we met, not only did I lost my parents but everything. My parents, my little sister who didn't had a chance to see the world, Every single property own by my parents were stolen by my own blood relatives and the very little hope by forcing myself to trust my relatives giving me some little needs to survive and move forward but instead I was sent to death's front door cause I was just a little pest in their eyes. I was about to die but my father's brother, My Uncle came to my rescue and drove fast to the nearest place to tend to my wounds before I die of blood loss. I barely made it. I was hidden by my uncle since I would be killed again if I expose myself. It was so obvious already but I still went and did it. In the end, my uncle too died in my arms with his last dying words. My uncle taught me little things and manage to survive living in his house. Suddenly I got a mail of the funeral of the people I lost. Thinking back then I cried and cried till my voice went hoarse. I was a miserable, pathetic little girl. I didn't want to come but the thought of me not able to see them for the last time is a coward thats why I wore some casual black clothes and hid my hair inside the cap. I went to the place where they hold the funeral, seeing the people who killed them shedding crocodile tears is disgusting. After waiting a while I went in as others are about to leave. Seeing them for the last time, Crying for them for the last time and speaking to them for the last time, It just hurt a lot...Time really pass fast as I heard some heavy footsteps and laughter I went out running, huffing, gasping for air and rest in that very park where I met you, Rina."

Lara tears keep coming without her realizing as Rina and her Mother with mouths gap, didn't know anything about Lara and don't know what to say. And then Lara added. "You know Rina, I wanna do what my uncle said as his last dying words. I don't wanna Regret anything thats why I will stop hesitating." Lara just smiled softly.