Kana woke up to the soft glow of her phone screen illuminating her dimly lit hospital room. She had barely opened her eyes when her fingers instinctively reached for her phone. Without hesitation, she tapped on the chat history with Gamerboy115.
She reread their conversation—once, twice, then again—scanning every word, as if trying to convince herself that the entire exchange from the previous night had been real and not just a dream. The more she read, the more her heart swelled with warmth.
They had connected on a level she never thought possible, especially with a stranger on the internet. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. He wasn't just making small talk or offering meaningless words of encouragement—he understood her. When he spoke about her poem, it wasn't in the usual, shallow way people responded to art. No vague compliments or simple nods of approval. He felt what she had written, grasping the emotions she had poured into her words. That was what made it so special.
She bit her lip to keep herself from smiling too hard, but it was impossible. A soft giggle slipped out before she could stop it.
So engrossed was she in rereading the chat that she failed to notice when Jane entered the room.
The woman stood beside her, watching her intently, amusement dancing in her eyes.
Jane: You look like a girl who just got a love letter.
Kana jumped, startled, her phone slipping from her hands as she let out a surprised squeal.
Kana: Oh shit!! Don't scare me like that!! W-When did you get here?!
Jane grinned, clearly enjoying Kana's reaction.
Jane: I knocked, but you were too busy swooning over whoever you were texting. So you were you texting? Do you have a boyfriend already?
Kana's face immediately turned red.
Kana: B… Boyfriend?! W…what are you talking about?!
Jane couldn't hold back her laughter, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she took in Kana's embarrassed face.
Kana: Huh? You promised you wouldn't laugh at me anymore!!
Jane: Aww, but you're so cute when you're flustered and embarrassed.
Kana shot a glare at Jane, feeling even more embarrassed than before.
Kana: Shut up!!
Jane wiped her tears of laughter away, taking a moment to compose herself before finally settling down beside Kana's bed. She crossed her arms, giving Kana a knowing look.
Jane: So, you wanna tell me who you were chatting with?
Kana hesitated, glancing at her phone before sighing.
Jane: S… sure.
She sat up properly, smoothing the blanket over her lap. Jane's interest was clear—her eyes practically sparkled with curiosity.
Kana took a deep breath.
Kana: So…there's this boy…
Jane gasped dramatically, eyes widening like a character in a TV drama.
Jane: A boy?!
Kana: Hey! Let me finish first, geez!
Jane covered her mouth, muffling another giggle, but her eyes were practically glowing.
Kana rolled her eyes but continued.
Kana: (to herself) Why are you giggling like that? You're supposed to be the adult here.
Kana briefly recalled her conversation with Gamerboy115, her heart skipping a beat as she thought about their connection. She took a deep breath before continuing.
Kana: So there's this boy…
Jane's eyes glowed at the mention of "a boy" once again, but this time Kana chose to ignore her and continue speaking.
Kana: He was the first person who reached out to me when I started posting on Twibbler three weeks ago. His username is Gamerboy115.
Jane tilted her head.
Jane: You couldn't get his real name?
Kana shrugged slightly, her fingers brushing the screen of her phone.
Kana: People don't normally reveal their real names when they just meet someone online
Jane nodded, as if considering this..
Jane: Oh? Fair enough. So, what's he like?
Kana smiled softly, a faraway look in her eyes as she thought back to their conversations. Her heart felt light, as if their chats had become a lifeline for her.
Kana: He's… interesting. And smart. And he actually understood my poem. Not just in a casual, 'Oh, that's nice' kind of way, but like… he really got it. The feelings I put into it, the meaning behind the words. He knew.
Jane raised a brow, impressed.
Jane: He sounds like an amazing person.
Kana: He is. And…(giggles) At first, I was worried he might be a bot or something, but a bot wouldn't respond like this, would it?
She handed Jane her phone, showing her the conversation she had been obsessively rereading. Jane took the phone with a soft "hmm," her eyes scanning the chat.
Kana watched her carefully as Jane read through the conversation. As she did, Kana realized exactly why she couldn't stop looking at it. Everything felt so… real.
Jane: He seems like a good guy.
Kana's smile faltered, a sense of warmth spreading through her chest.
Kana: I know. I don't know, I feel like I can't stop thinking about it. About him.
Jane's voice grew softer, like she was trying to understand the gravity of the situation.
Jane: So… are you going to keep talking to him?
Kana nodded slowly, feeling a small flutter in her chest.
Kana: Yeah. It felt good to talk to him. Like… like I could finally open up a little.
Jane's heart warmed at the sight of Kana smiling, something she hadn't seen in a long time. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.
Jane: You know, this reminds me of a TV show I watched once. Two people met online, and they ended up falling in love with each other. You know, one of those romance shows.
Kana raised an eyebrow, a wry smile forming on her lips.
Kana: Ms. Jane, this isn't like those shows, you know.
Jane's eyes sparkled with playful mischief.
Jane: Huh? But it's happening just like in the TV show! This could be fate, Kana! FATE!!
She made sure to draw out the word "fate" with a dramatic flair.
Kana shook her head, unable to hide her amusement.
Kana: You need to stop watching those shoes, Ms. Jane.
Jane retorted, crossing her arms.
Jane: Well, I don't see you recommending anything thing else.
Kana sighed, rolling her eyes.
Kana: Shut up.
They both laughed for a moment before falling into a comfortable silence. Jane watched Kana with a look of quiet pride, noticing how much brighter Kana's expression was compared to before. It made her feel a little emotional.
Kana blinked.
Kana: Why are you looking at me like that?
Jane: (sighs) It's just… before, you always had this empty, lifeless look in your eyes. Like you were just waiting for your heart to fail so you could be free of this place. But now? (she smiled) Seeing you care about something—someone—even if it's just an online friend… it makes me happy. I'm proud of you, Kana.
Kana's breath caught in her throat, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond. But as she turned away, trying to hide the tears that were threatening to spill, she realized just how much those words meant to her.
Kana: (to herself) Why does this feel so…so… right?
Then, it hit her.
She had seen scenes like this before. Not between a nurse and a patient, but between a younger sister and her older sister.
Kana took a deep breath.
Kana: You know… I never had an older sister. Back when I was still with my family, I was the eldest. I had two younger sisters, but they never really came to me when they needed help or advice. I guess they were still too young. I always thought… maybe when they got older, we'd have that kind of bond.
Her voice grew quieter.
Kana: I was looking forward to those moments. But… it never happened.
Jane listened intently, not interrupting.
Kana looked down at her hands, then back at Jane.
Jane: Since you were assigned to be my nurse at the beginning of the year, you've always done your best to make me happy. Even when I was rude to you. If I ever had an older sister… I'd want her to be like you.
Jane's eyes filled with emotion, and she wiped at the corner of her eyes, trying to hide her tears. She quickly turned away, not wanting Kana to see her so vulnerable.
Jane: You sure know how to make a person tear up, Kana. It's no wonder you're so good at poetry.
Kana blinked, unsure of how to respond. But before she could speak, Jane turned back, a bright, determined smile on her face.
Jane: Alright then. If it's a big sister you want, I'll be your big sister from now on. Would you like that?
Kana's heart swelled, the words filling her with warmth and joy.
Kana: Yes.
Without warning, Kana leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Jane, pulling her into a tight hug. Jane embraced her back, holding her close as if to say that nothing could ever tear them apart.
Jane: Hey, since we're sisters now, you have to stop with the whole 'Miss Jane' formalities. Just call me Jane, or Big Sister from now on.
Kana: Right.
Jane squeezed her gently, her voice teasing as she spoke.
Jane: And about your online friend, you better keep talking to him. People like him are rare, but you still need to be careful. Not everyone online is who they say they are.
Kana nodded, her heart racing as she thought about Gamerboy115.
Kana: Right, I'll be careful… Big sister.
When Jane heard Kana call her Big Sister, she couldn't help but shriek with excitement, her happiness bubbling over. She playfully ruffled Kana's hair, making her laugh.
Jane: That's the spirit. Just keep calling me that okay?
Kana: You're messing up my hair.
Jane smirked, hands on her hips as she leaned in closer.
Jane: Then I'll just comb it for you. But only if you say 'Big Sister' one more time.
Kana rolled her eyes, laughing despite herself.
Kana: No.
Jane: Oh come on. Just one more time?
Kana chuckled, shaking her head.
Kana: Shut up.