"Hey, wake up, kid." The gruff but familiar voice of GoGo roused Hiro from a restless sleep. He blinked groggily, his vision clearing to reveal GoGo, Honey, Wasabi, and Fred standing around his bed. Josie was also there, leaning against the wall, her presence a quiet but reassuring constant. Hiro had expected her to feel out of place among his friends, given their complicated history with her father, but she seemed to blend in with a soft, determined gaze.

"I'm not a kid," Hiro mumbled, rubbing his eyes with a mix of irritation and exhaustion. The sight of his friends brought a small, weary smile to his face despite the throbbing pain that coursed through his body. Their relieved laughter was a comforting reminder that he wasn't alone in this struggle.

"I filled everyone in on what happened," GoGo said, her voice carrying a thread of cautious optimism. "And we might have a lead on Tadashi."

"What?!" The news jolted Hiro awake, his heart racing with a mixture of hope and anxiety. He attempted to sit up, driven by sudden urgency, but the movement was excruciating. A sharp, searing pain shot through his body, and he collapsed back onto the bed, struggling to suppress a cry of agony.

"Take it easy, Hiro," Honey said, her tone soothing as she placed a gentle hand on his arm. Her concern was palpable, adding a layer of comfort amidst the throbbing pain that seemed to engulf him.

"The doctors still don't understand why you're not improving," Wasabi said, his voice filled with worry. 

"I know why, but it's difficult to explain," Hiro admitted, trying to keep his voice steady. "If we find Tadashi, he'll know how to fix it." The reality was too complex and frightening to fully disclose at this point. He didn't want them to question his sanity or lose hope.

"Okay, just another reason to find him faster," Fred said with a determined nod, his face reflecting a mix of anxiety and resolve.

"I can't explain it all clearly right now, but Tadashi is the only one who can help me. Until then, my situation will only get worse," Hiro said, the gravity of his situation sinking in. The air seemed to thicken with the weight of his words. "Both our lives depend on you now."

He looked around at the faces of his friends, their expressions a mix of worry and determination. Josie stood quietly at the back, her presence a silent testament to their shared mission.

Suddenly, a violent coughing fit overtook Hiro, causing everyone to rush to his side in alarm. His body convulsed painfully, each cough feeling like a jagged knife tearing through his chest.

"I'm fine," he croaked, attempting to wave them off, but they continued to hover anxiously.

"Hiro, your chin," Josie said softly, her voice laced with concern as she wiped at the blood dribbling out of his mouth.

Seeing the blood and realizing how quickly things were worsening hit Hiro hard. The thought of potentially dying before ever seeing his brother again brought a wave of anguish. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked around at his friends. Their faces were etched with concern, some eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"P-please hurry," he pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation. The words were barely above a whisper, but they carried the weight of his fear and longing.