Dr. Kennedy sat with keen interest, his hands folded neatly on his lap as he listened to Kana recount everything that had happened since he had given her the phone. Her words carried a vibrant energy, a stark contrast to the hollow, distant tone she had used for years. She spoke about her first hesitant steps into Twibbler, the overwhelming loneliness that had once consumed her, and the unexpected friendship she had formed with John. Her voice brightened as she detailed how her page had grown, how her words had reached others, and how, for the first time in a long time, she had felt seen.
Jane, who had heard the story before, found herself captivated nonetheless. Hearing everything unfold from the very beginning added a new layer of warmth to her heart. It was one thing to know the facts, but another to witness the pure joy on Kana's face as she relived each moment.
By the time Kana finished her story, nearly an hour had passed. The clock on the wall read a few minutes past one, but none of them had noticed the time slipping away.
Dr. Kennedy leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as he absorbed everything she had said. He let out a low chuckle before speaking.
Dr Kennedy: Oh? So all that really happened?
Kana and Jane both nodded in agreement, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
Dr. Kennedy couldn't help but smile as well. Seeing Kana so upbeat was a refreshing change. It was a stark improvement from the quiet, somber attitude she had carried for the last four years.
He folded his arms and exhaled, thinking to himself.
Dr Kennedy: So… getting her that phone was the best idea, huh? Why didn't I do this sooner? If I had, maybe… maybe she wouldn't have had to suffer so much alone.
His smile faltered, and after a brief moment of silence, he looked up at Kana and Jane, then bowed his head.
Dr Kennedy: I'm sorry, Kana.
Kana blinked in surprise, tilting her head.
Kana: You're sorry? For what?
Dr. Kennedy hesitated before speaking again.
Dr Kennedy: I… I should've acted sooner. I shouldn't have waited this long before trying to help you. (pauses, his voice heavy) I thought paying for your hospital bills was enough… but I clearly wasn't doing enough. I let you struggle alone for far too long. And for that, I truly apologize.
For a moment, Kana was silent, then, much to everyone's shock, she suddenly burst into laughter.
Dr. Kennedy and Jane exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what was so funny.
Kana wiped a tear from her eye and waved her hand dismissively.
Kana: Oh, Dr. Kennedy, you don't have to do that. You paying for my hospital bills was already more than enough. And honestly? As crazy and depressing as those lonely years were, I think they helped me become a better writer. If I hadn't felt all that pain, I wouldn't have written the way I do now.
Kana paused for a moment before she continued.
Kana: If anything, I should be the one thanking you. You didn't have to do anything for me, but you did. You took care of me even though you didn't know me. I'll always be grateful for that, Dr. Kennedy.
For a moment, Dr. Kennedy said nothing. He simply looked at Kana, taking in the way her face radiated warmth and gratitude.
Then, without warning, an image flickered in his mind—a memory he had long since buried.
A little girl. Small, fragile, laughing as he held her in his arms.
His fingers twitched slightly, but he quickly pushed the memory aside.
Dr Kennedy: (to himself) How long has it been?
He shook the thought away and forced a smile.
Dr Kennedy: Yeah…no problem.
There was a brief silence after that, as everyone in the room smiled, letting the warmth of the moment settle in. Kana, lying comfortably in her hospital bed, felt a rare sense of ease, surrounded by people who genuinely cared for her. It was the kind of peaceful silence that made her feel, even if just for a little while, like a normal girl having a casual conversation with friends—rather than a long-term hospital patient.
But, of course, the moment of peace didn't last long.
Jane, grinning mischievously, was the first to break the silence.
Jane: So, Kana, why don't you tell us a little more about John? You know… your online boyfriend?
Kana's face instantly turned red.
Kana: I already told you, he isn't my boyfriend!
Jane chuckled, amused by her reaction, but before she could tease Kana any further, Dr. Kennedy—who had been idly flipping through Kana's patient chart—suddenly froze. A thoughtful look crossed his face, and his eyes widened as if he had just made a groundbreaking discovery.
His abrupt change in demeanor caught both Kana and Jane's attention.
Jane: What is it, Doctor?
Dr. Kennedy's serious expression suddenly shifted into something… cartoonish. His eyes twinkled like two glowing stars, and he dramatically pointed at the ceiling, as if he had just received divine inspiration.
Dr Kennedy: (over-the-top) I've had a revelation!!!!
Kana blinked, baffled.
Kana: Uh… what's with the exaggerated expression? And what exactly are you talking about?
Dr. Kennedy turned to face her with an intense look in his eyes.
Dr Kennedy: Earlier, you mentioned that your online boyfriend recommended a web novel to you.
Kana: (annoyed) He's not my boyfriend!!
Jane tilted her head, intrigued.
Jane: Wait, Doctor, are you into web novels too?
Dr. Kennedy smirked, his eyes burning with an almost unsettling amount of passion.
Dr Kennedy: How can anyone not be a fan of Shadow Bug?! (glowing eyes) IT'S THE GREATEST WEB NOVEL TO EVER EXIST!!!
Kana's jaw dropped.
Kana: Oh… wow. This is exactly how John acted when he recommended it to me.
Jane let out a laugh, shaking her head.
Jane: Seriously?
Dr Kennedy: (grinning) See? It seems your online boyfriend has great taste in fiction!
Kana: (gritted teeth) For the last time, he is not my boyfriend!
Jane smirked, watching Kana's growing frustration with amusement.
Jane: Boys, always loving the stupidest things ever.
Kana: (nods) Right?
Dr. Kennedy gasped in mock offense.
Dr. Kennedy: (dramatic) How dare you? There is nothing dumb about Shadow Bug—it is a masterpiece! A once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon!
Kana and Jane both laughed at his ridiculous passion, but as Dr. Kennedy finally calmed down, the mischievous grin returned to his face.
Dr Kennedy: So Kana, why don't you tell us more about your online boyfriend?
Jane joined in, grinning deviously.
Kana: Oh yes Kana…I'd love to hear more about him…
Both of them leaned in slightly, their grins wide and expectant.
Kana frowned, clearly annoyed at being ganged up on. She considered hiding under her blankets until they gave up—but then, an evil idea popped into her head.
Her lips curled into a sinister smile.
Kana: (dark chuckle) You know… you two are getting way too comfortable teasing me.
Dr. Kennedy and Jane blinked in confusion.
Kana: It must be really nice to tease me huh? How about I give you a taste of your own medicine?
Dr Kennedy: (raising an eyebrow) Huh? What are you talking about, Kana?
Jane, however, suddenly realized what was about to happen.
Jane: (internal panic) Oh no… she wouldn't…
But it was already too late.
Kana's evil grin widened.
Kana: (points at Jane) You! You're acting all cool and unbothered now, but when it's just the two of us, you can't stop gushing about how good Dr. Kennedy looks! Not to mention how you always talk about how nice he smells every time you see him!
Jane's entire body stiffened. It was as if a massive rock had just crashed onto her head.
Her face turned an alarming shade of red.
Jane: (horrified) Kana… you traitor…
Dr. Kennedy turned to Jane, his eyebrows raised in surprise. He hadn't expected that little revelation.
Jane, utterly mortified, immediately dropped to the ground, covering her face with her hands.
Dr. Kennedy: (processing) Huh. So… you've been talking about me?
Jane let out a muffled groan, wishing the ground would just open up and swallow her whole.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kennedy—who had originally found Jane's embarrassment amusing—suddenly realized something.
Dr. Kennedy: (internally) Wait a second… Kana only had dirt on Jane. That means I'm in the clear! There's nothing she can say about me!
Feeling confident, he straightened up, smirking slightly.
Dr. Kennedy: (nods to himself) Yep, I'm good. There's nothing to worry about.
Unfortunately for him, Kana wasn't done yet.
She turned to face him, and her devilish grin made his confident smirk falter.
Kana: (smirking) And you…
Dr. Kennedy gulped.
Dr. Kennedy: (nervous) W-What about me?
Kana: When are you finally going to ask her out, huh? I've seen you stealing glances at Jane for weeks. And the other day, I caught you staring at her ass!
The room fell into utter silence.
Dr. Kennedy, in complete shock, felt as if an anvil had just dropped on his head.
His body locked up. His soul momentarily left his body. Then, just like Jane, he collapsed to the ground, covering his face in pure, overwhelming embarrassment.
Kana watched the two of them curl into themselves, feeling a deep sense of victory.
Kana: (satisfied sigh) You two obviously have the hots for each other. Just start dating already.
For a moment, both Dr. Kennedy and Jane stayed still. Then, as if on cue, they suddenly scrambled to their feet.
Dr. Kennedy: (flustered) W-What are you talking about?! I'm a busy man! I don't have time for relationships!
Jane: (quickly) Y-Yeah! And all those things I said before? I was just repeating gossip from the other nurses! I didn't mean any of it!
Kana simply smirked. She didn't believe a word they were saying.
To make things worse, she started humming a wedding march.
Dr. Kennedy and Jane instantly panicked.
Dr. Kennedy: (glances at his watch) Oh, would you look at the time! I have another appointment! Gotta go!
And just like that, he bolted out of the room.
Jane, still flustered beyond belief, quickly followed.
Jane: (nervous) I-I'll go get your lunch!
The door closed behind them, leaving Kana alone.
She let out a victorious sigh, leaning back in her bed with a smug grin.
Kana: (grinning) Now that… was satisfying.
*******
Jane stood in the hospital cafeteria, carefully selecting different varieties of food for Kana. She knew Kana needed to eat well before taking her medication, and she wanted to make sure there was something on the tray that her friend would enjoy. As she scanned the options, her hand hovered over a bowl of soup, debating whether to take it, when she suddenly sensed someone standing beside her.
A quick glance to her left made her stiffen. Dr. Kennedy.
The older man was also choosing his lunch, seemingly focused on his tray. But Jane felt the tension in the air, the kind that sent a subtle chill down her spine. He wasn't supposed to be here—at least not now.
Jane's thoughts raced. I thought he had an appointment. I guess that was a lie.
For a moment, neither of them spoke, the only sounds between them being the clinking of trays and the murmured conversations of other hospital staff. Then, breaking the silence, Dr. Kennedy finally spoke in a tone that was neither friendly nor hostile—just unreadable.
Dr. Kennedy: That girl, Kana… she sure is a loudmouth now, isn't she?
Jane tensed at his words but quickly composed herself before responding, forcing a small, polite smile.
Jane: (nervously) Yeah… she is.
She kept her tone light, but there was an underlying edge of caution in her voice.
Dr. Kennedy hummed in acknowledgment before placing a fruit cup on his tray.
Dr. Kennedy: I heard her talking about you two becoming sisters now.
Jane hesitated before nodding, adjusting the tray in her hands.
Jane: Ah, yes. She said I was like a sister to her, and I figured... why not make it official?
For the first time, Dr. Kennedy turned his gaze fully toward Jane, studying her as if trying to gauge something beyond her words. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled. It wasn't the usual polite, professional expression he wore around the hospital—it seemed more genuine, almost… appreciative.
He looked down at his tray for a brief moment before speaking again, his voice softer this time.
Dr. Kennedy: I really appreciate you for helping Kana and always being beside her… even though you only came here this year. She needs all the love and connections she can get.
Jane blinked at the sudden sincerity in his tone. She hadn't expected that—not from him. For all the times she had interacted with Dr. Kennedy, he had always been composed, a little distant, and hard to read. But now, for the first time, she saw a glimpse of something else beneath that carefully maintained demeanor.
She quickly nodded, shifting on her feet.
Jane: No problem, sir. Kana means a lot to me.
For a fleeting moment, their eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between them. Neither of them said anything more, but there was an odd sense of mutual respect lingering in the air.
Then, almost at the same time, they both turned away, heading in opposite directions—Jane toward Kana's room and Dr. Kennedy toward his own destination.
But what neither of them realized was that, as they walked away, they were both blushing.