“Seiren… You’re covered in sweat, what happened?” She asks.

“Mom you just got into a car accident and you're asking me if I’m okay?” He questions.

“You’re right… Haha. I’m okay.” She says as he lets her go. “The doctor told me I’m super lucky. That crash could’ve killed anyone or left them with more lasting injuries.”

“What about your arm?” He asks.

“It’s a stress fracture. I panicked when I got hit and threw my left arm to my side. As a result, the pressure of the car flipping on its side caused the fracture.” She explains before she starts coughing violently.

Seiren quickly moves over to her, but she waves her hand and grabs the air mask lying on her pillow, and takes a few breaths of air. While that happens, a doctor walks into the room. Eliza takes off the mask and leans back against her bed.

“Dr. Roberts, this is my son, Seiren.” She introduces.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He says holding a clipboard.

Seiren nods, taking a seat in the chair beside his mother.

“So, as I said earlier. We’ve discovered something particularly wrong with your lungs.” The Doctor says.

“Her lungs?” Seiren questions.

“It’s nothing major, Seiren, I’m sure it’s just because I used to smoke when I was younger.” She says.

“It’s actually not that simple… You have Scarring Lung Syndrome.” He explains. “What you’ve believed to have been coughing fits were actually a symptom of it.”

“How bad is it?” She questions with a gulp.

“Scar tissue begins to build rapidly due to damage to them, reducing their elasticity, limiting your ability to breathe… until you cannot breathe anymore.” He explains.

“Is there anything I can do about it?” She asks.

“Now I’m gonna need you to stay calm.” The doctor says. “Unfortunately, most people who have it die within a year.”

“A year…” Seiren repeats as he looks at his mother.

His eyes widen as a gentle expression appears on her face.

“Seiren. It’s going to be okay.” She says as she places a hand over his own.

He frowns at her.

“No, it’s not going to be okay. Doc… Is there anything we can do? From how you explained it, most of the people die in a year, right? That must mean there are some who survive right?” Seiren questions.

The doctor looks at the desperate expression on Seiren’s face and sighs.