"Hana, quit pulling on your skirt. It's not going to grow any longer," Mira said, rolling her eyes playfully.
"Why did I let you talk me into this?" Hana muttered, her fingers nervously adjusting the sides of the grey skirt.
The fabric felt too short, and too exposing. At least Mira had let her wear fleece-lined tights underneath. The thought of accidentally brushing against someone sent a shiver down her spine. No way! That would be a disaster.
The chill night air bit through her woolen turtleneck as they arrived outside Gracie's, its neon signs casting a halo glow onto the street. Laughter from inside could be heard from outside the building.
"Jiro said he'll be running late," Mira said, glancing at her phone. She could barely manage a small "hm" in response to Mira.
As they stepped inside, the noise hit them.
Hana's eyes darted around the crowded room, searching for a her co-workers. Mira gave her a sharp look, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Are you sure we are meeting just your coworkers? People you see every day?" Mira was right, of course. There was no logical reason for her to be this nervous.
"Over here, Hana!" Hana saw Julie waving enthusiastically from a table near the back. Mira linked her arm with Hana's and steered her through the groups of people.
As they approached the table, Hana took in the scene: a mix of familiar female faces from her unit and an almost equal number of unfamiliar men. It dawned on her. This was a setup. A group blind date.
Hana shot Mira a look of silent desperation. This was going to be uncomfortable but maybe not as bad as she'd imagined.
Julie beamed, waving her hand towards the empty seats. "Come on, come on! Everyone, squeeze in!"
She then turned to the men across the table, her eyes sparkling. "Ladies, these are some of my favorite people from County and St. Joe's. Prepare to be charmed!"
Just how many people does she know? Hana wondered as she took in the sheer number of faces.
Julie then turned her attention to Hana and Mira, her smile widening. "And these lovely ladies are my amazing coworker, Hana..."
"I'm Mira, Hana's best friend," Mira finished.
"So, Mira, are you single?" Julie asked, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"Oh my God! Please forgive her. She has had a little too much to drink tonight," Audra interjected, nudging Julie playfully.
"No, I haven't!" Julie giggled. "And to make this more fun," she announced, raising her glass, "we're playing truth or drink! You tell the truth, or you drink!"
A chorus of cheers and groans rippled through the table. All of a sudden?
Mira started, "Actually, I'm..."
Suddenly, a loud voice announced from the entrance, "The king of fun has arrived!"
All heads turned to see Dr. Rowan walking towards the table, a wide grin on his face.
"Dr. Rowan, you're finally here!" Julie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "And you brought Dr. Jenkins and..." Her voice trailed off as she noticed the third man standing beside them.
A ripple of excitement went through the group, especially among the women, some of whom subtly adjusted their hair and posture.
"Oh?" Julie said, pointing at the new guy. "You look awfully familiar. Where have I seen you before?"
Jiro gave her a charming smile. "Is that so? I don't think I recall yours, and I never forget a beautiful face."
Mira rolled her eyes, but a small smile played on her lips as Jiro's eyes caught hers, and sent her a wink. Julie, however, completely missed the exchange, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Oh! This is Jiro," Rowan said, clapping Jiro on the shoulder. "He's Mr. Grumpy here's cousin."
"Jiro Jenkins. Pleasure to meet you all," Jiro said, offering a polite nod to the group.
"You are so different from Dr. Jenkins!"
"Julie!" Audra elbowed her gently.
"What? It's the truth!"
The three men found seats at the table. Ren ended up to Hana's left, close enough that their elbows almost brushed. Jiro settled into Mira's right, and Rowan took the seat to Ren's left.
"So, what were we talking about before our grand arrival?" Rowan asked, as a waiter placed a glass of whiskey in front of him.
Julie clapped her hands together, her eyes sparkling. "I was just asking Mira here if she was single. We were this close to getting an answer before you charming gentlemen interrupted. Oh, and for those of you who just arrived, this is Mira, Hana's best friend."

"Oh, is that so?" Jiro said, glancing at Mira with a friendly smile.
"You know what," Mira said, a mischievous glint in her eye, "I think I might actually like that drink."
Julie groaned dramatically. "Not fair!"
"Miss Mira," Jiro said, his voice smooth and confident, "you know it isn't polite to leave the crowd guessing. Someone on this table might be interested in pursuing you, and now you've left a man's heart in a state of agonizing suspense."
"You are starting to sound desperate. Are you, perhaps interested in me, Mr. Jiro"
"Yes." Mira blinked, slightly taken aback by his directness.
He looked directly at Mira, a playful glint in his eyes. "Tell me, truthfully, am I going to be wasting my time if I decide to pursue you?"
A faint blush crept up her neck.
"Jiro!" Rowan exclaimed, shaking his head with a chuckle.
"Have you two met before?" Julie asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"No," Jiro said, his eyes still fixed on Mira.
"Yes," Mira said at the same time, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"Mira!" Hana exclaimed, nudging her playfully.
Mira shrugged, her smile widening. "Fine," she said, her voice laced with affection. "Yes, we have. And for the record," she gestured to him with her thumb, "this bonehead is mine."
Jiro grinned, taking a sip of his whiskey and casually draping his arm across the back of her chair, pulling her slightly closer. Hana watched them, a small smile playing on her lips. They were good together.
But as she glanced at Ren, she noticed his gaze was fixed on Mira and Jiro. She quickly looked away. Don't even try getting those thoughts, Hana Shizumi.
"Wait a minute!" Julie exclaimed, snapping her fingers. "I remember now!"
"Julie! You scared me!" Audra said.
Julie ignored her, her eyes widening as she pointed at Hana. "You're the one who dropped Hana off at the hospital that day! The red car! The... the boyfriend!"
All eyes turned to Hana, "I tried to tell you countless times, he wasn't not my boyfriend," she mumbled, taking a large sip of her pina colada.
"Fear not, ladies," Julie declared, waving her hand dismissively. "One might be taken, but there are plenty of other eligible men at this table!"
Most eyes shifted to Ren, who had been quietly nursing his whiskey, seemingly oblivious to the conversation. He suddenly stiffened, his gaze flickering towards his pocket. Without a word, he pushed back his chair and excused himself from the table, disappearing into the crowd.
"Dr. Jenkins... and he's gone," Julie said, her voice laced with a hint of disappointment.
"You know how Ren can be," Rowan said with a shrug. "Don't worry about him. Let's get back to the fun. Am I right?"
"Yeah!" Julie exclaimed, clinking her glass against Rowan's.
Hana felt vibrations coming from her bag, which was slung over the back of her chair. She pulled out her phone. The caller ID made her breath catch in her throat. She would typically ignore it but recent events have made it hard for her conscience to do so.
Her hands shook, nearly spilling her drink. "I'll be right back," she mumbled to Mira, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you okay? Do you want me to go with you?" Mira asked, her brow furrowed with concern. Hana forced a small smile and shook her head, her eyes fixed on the phone.
Once outside, she took a deep breath, her hand trembling as she finally answered the call.
"Hello?" she said, her voice barely audible.
"Hello, this is County Hospital," a crisp, professional voice responded. "I'd like to speak with a family member of Midori Shizumi. She was brought in a short while ago after collapsing at a restaurant near the hospital. Your number was listed as one of her emergency contacts. Could you come to the hospital as soon as possible?"
Hana's breath hitched in her throat, her mind racing. She could barely register the repeated "Hello? Hello?" from the other end of the line.
She was in the hospital. Again.
A wave of nausea washed over her.
She had to get there. Now.
A few feet away, Ren was returning to the entrance after finishing his call when he saw Hana standing frozen by the door with a look that had become somewhat familiar to him.
Something was wrong.
"Shizumi!" he called out, his voice laced with concern.
"Dr. Jenkins, I have to go," Hana said, her voice trembling.
"Where?" Ren asked, his brow furrowing.
"I have to go," she repeated, her eyes fixed on some distant point.
"Hana! Where?" he pressed, his voice firm but gentle.
"County Hospital," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"She's there." "Let's go," Ren said immediately, taking her arm, his touch surprisingly firm.
He carefully guided her to his car, opening the passenger door and helping her into the seat.
She sat there, staring blankly ahead, her hands trembling in her lap. "I'll be right back," he said, giving her a reassuring nod before dashing back into the bar.
He moved quickly, his eyes scanning the tables until he spotted Hana's bag slung over her chair. He grabbed it and turned to leave, bumping into Rowan.
"Dr. Jenkins, did you see Hana out there?"
"Ren? What's going on?" Jiro asked, his brow furrowed with concern.
Ren quickly pulled Jiro aside, whispering urgently, "Hana's mother is in the hospital. I need to take her there."
Jiro's expression immediately turned serious. "I understand. Go." Ren hurried out of the bar, Hana's bag clutched in his hand.
Mira watched in confusion as Ren practically sprinted back into the bar and then out again, Hana's bag clutched in his hand.
She tried to call after him, but he was already gone. She pulled out her phone and quickly dialed Hana's number, straight to voicemail.
She turned to Jiro, mouthing, "What's wrong?" her eyes wide with concern.
Jiro simply shook his head, his expression grim. "We need to go," he said quietly. But Mira couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
"Guys, Mira and I would have to call it a night. It was lovely meeting each one of you"
******************
Hana rushed to the front desk, her breath coming in short gasps.
Ren started, "We're here for Shizumi..."
She managed, her voice trembling. "Midori. I'm her daughter." The word felt foreign on her tongue, a word she hadn't uttered in years. Daughter. It felt like a dress she was trying on, one that didn't quite fit.
A wave of guilt washed over her. Had she even earned the right to call herself that anymore? Which daughter cuts off contact with her mother for years?
"Oh!" the nurse said, her eyes widening with sympathy. "The oncologist is currently with her, but you can wait in the waiting area on her floor. It's closer to her room—Room 204. Down the hall on your right."
"Thank you," Hana mumbled, her voice barely audible.
She reached the door to her mother's room and stopped, her hand hovering over the handle. She couldn't bring herself to open it.
This was it. This was the moment she had been dreading for years. Tonight might be the night she had to confront the reality she had been running from for so long.
"Hana," Ren said softly, his voice cutting through her daze. She blinked, her eyes focusing on him. She managed a weak nod, her body feeling heavy and causing her to sway.
"Let's get you seated"
She allowed him to gently steer her towards a row of uncomfortable plastic chairs in the waiting area, sinking into one with a sigh. The air hung heavy with a sense of anticipation, any new would do, good or bad.
Ren's phone vibrated in his pocket. It was Jiro.
"I need to take this. I will be right back." He pulled it out and excused himself.
"Is Hana okay? Have they met yet?" Mira's voice sounded strained.
"She's... not good," Ren replied, glancing towards the direction he had left her. "But they haven't met yet."
"We're five minutes out," Jiro said. "Almost there."
"Okay," Ren replied, quickly ending the call. Just then, the door to her mother's room opened, and a doctor stepped out.
"I have to go," Ren murmured, his voice tight with anticipation.
"How is she, Doctor?" Ren asked his voice tight with concern.
The doctor, a middle-aged woman with kind eyes, gave him a weary smile. "Dr Jenkins! What a surprise to see you here. Wait, why are you here?"
Ren pointed at the door the doctor had just come out from.
"You know Mrs. Shizumi?"
"I brought her relative here," Ren explained quickly. "But how is she?"
The doctor sighed, her expression turning somber. "Well, I'm afraid the news isn't good. The cancer has returned, and it's more aggressive this time. Despite the total hysterectomy she underwent as a teenager, it only managed to slow down the secondary metastasis for a few years."
"Hysterectomy? In her teenagehood?" Ren repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. A hysterectomy on a teenager? It was almost unheard of.
"Yeah," the doctor confirmed, her voice laced with regret. "It's a pity, you know. Such a young age to go through something like that."
"How long does she have?" Ren asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor hesitated, her gaze softening. "At most," she said gently, "a year. Perhaps less, depending on how she responds to treatment."
"Thank you," Ren murmured, his mind reeling.
A heavy silence hung in the air as Ren absorbed the doctor's words. A hysterectomy. The implications of that single phrase hit him like a physical blow.
If that was true, then Midori Shizumi couldn't be Hana's biological mother. The realization sent a chill down his spine.
Hana.
How could he possibly tell her this? How could he break such devastating news, especially on top of her mother's terminal diagnosis?
This wasn't his secret to keep but the thought of the pain he would inflict made his heart ache. He closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath.
Hana glanced around the waiting area, her eyes searching for Ren. He still wasn't back. The sterile smell of disinfectant was starting to make her head spin. She needed to get out of there, if only for a few minutes.
She needed air.
As she entered the hallway, she heard two nurses talking near the nurses' station.
"Cancer is such a horrible thing," one of them said, shaking her head.
"Room 204, right?" the other replied.
"Yeah. The saddest part is that she had to have a total hysterectomy to prevent its spread, but it still metastasized."
"I heard it happened when she was just a teenager," the first nurse whispered. "I can't even imagine never having the chance to have children."
Hana's blood ran cold.
The words echoed in her ears, each one a hammer blow to her heart. Hysterectomy... teenager... never have children.
It couldn't be true. It simply couldn't.
Her legs suddenly felt weak, and unsteady.
The world tilted, and the floor rushed up to meet her.
Has my whole life been a lie?
Then, she heard a voice, calling her name, filled with panic and fear. "Hana!" It was the last thing she heard before...darkness.