I reached up—gently but firmly—and took her hand in both of mine, squeezing.
"Be good…" I said, voice low, serious, and laced with that caring tone she couldn't resist. "Go rest. Eat something real. Sleep. I promise I'll call if I need you. You've done more than enough."
Yuko's eyes shimmered—tears threatening—but she nodded slowly, reluctantly.
"O-okay… but… promise you'll rest too… no more accidents…"
I smiled—soft, reassuring. "Promise."
She hesitated one last heartbeat—then leaned in and pressed a shy, feather-light kiss to my forehead.
"Get better… quickly…"
Then she turned—head down—and walked out, shoulders hunched, following Julie and the others toward the elevator.
The door closed behind them.
Silence settled over the suite—thick, heavy, intimate.
I waited ten full seconds—counting each one in my head—listening to the elevator ding and descend until the hallway fell silent again.
