Snow In December
58

Arumi's question made Hinana scratch her head without itching. Because not only Arumi was reluctant, Ren was also reluctant to continue the festival.

"No. Even Ren himself still rejected it." Answer Hinana.

"If Ren doesn't want to continue, why is he still insistent." Arumi ruffled Hinana's hair.

"Hey Arumi, there's something I want to tell you. It's about Ren." Hinana hesitated to say it. But not long ago everyone would have known if Ren was sick.

"Are wa nanideshou? (what is it?)."

"Ren kun's... Ren kun." Suddenly Hinana lost her voice, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Ren Kun suffered from heart failure, and his life did not last long. " Hinana started to take a breath back to continue her words.

"Hey Arumi, if you don't want to continue it's okay. But please do it for Ren's sake, this is Ren's only last hope." Uncontrollably, Hinana's tears immediately fell because she told him about Ren's condition.

At that moment there was no sound at all. Arumi also did not answer Hinana's words. While Hinana chose to lower her head, if her tears fell again then no one would see her.

"Hountonis? (really?)" a raspy word came from Arumi's mouth. And Hinana answered with a nod of her head.

"Why didn't Ren ever tell me? Since when did he get sick?"

"How long he's been sick I don't know. Ren just told me that." Hinana answered and slowly straightened her head.

"Why didn't he tell me? Why?" Arumi covered her face with both hands. His tears are still flowing. Hinana who saw him could only pat Arumi on the shoulder gently to make him calm down.

Arumi was devastated to hear the news about Ren. How not, Arumi had been considered as a sister by Ren. She is an orphan living with her aunt and cousin. Arumi likes to draw clothes during High School and knitting. But the results of his drawings and knits are always acknowledged by his cousin's brother.

Ren becomes his life-saver. Ren helps Arumi and tells her that all the designs belong to Arumi. And when Arumi is evicted from her aunt's house, Ren also helps her. Ren says "Be my sister and date my house."

Hinana leaves from Arumi's workplace, she still sees Arumi crying in her seat. Hinana also could not linger there, because her friends were waiting for her at the office.

"How did it go? Did you manage to bring Arumi back?" ask the enthusiastic Sawako when she sees Hinana coming into the room.

"Of course." Hinana answered and shook her head.

"Hinana, I've brought what you asked." Emi handed over all design drawings and sewing equipment that had been used.

"Thank you Emi. All right, since everything's ready I'll choose Ren's design. Everyone let's do our best." Hinana started work and her three friends were just as passionate as Hinana.

Emi began to draw patterns on the fabric and momotongnya carefully. While Tsubaki has started making the base of the dress in the mannequin dress.

Just as busy Hinana and Sawako began making 2-D cherry blossom sequins that would later be for dress decoration.

"Hinana as I said, we need a lot of people" Sawako said.

"I'm still thinking about it." replied Hinana lightly.

"Why think about it, just do it anyway won't break the rules."

"Ep... All right, I'll get reinforcements later."

"Hinana come and help me." Shouted Emi as usual. Emi is also happy to ask Hinana for help when shearing cloths or copying pattern drawings.

"Good." replied Hinana and immediately approached Emi.

From another angle all the activities were recorded, and at that time someone who was lying in a hospital bed was looking at him.

"What if your dream is realized by someone else? Are you still silent not moving." Jouji sent a message to his son.

"Let's see where they'll hold on." Ren replied with a smiling lip.

"If they can make it to the show, you'll have to grant my request."

"Jouji san, sorry to interrupt this there's a financial statement you should check." Ariko's voice surprised Jouji who had been watching Hinana.

"Hem Wakatta (well)."

"They're all really great." Ariko looked amazed at the compactness of Hinana and her friends.

"Ariko is also great at work."

"Eh, sorry Jouji san I'm going back to work."

"Ariko san." call Jouji when Ariko passes will leave.

"Well, what do you think I can do to lead this company as well as Ren?" ask Jouji.

"Of course, Ren san is very professional and always makes the workers comfortable. Such a trait must have declined from his parents."

"Hountonis? (really?), even I feel ashamed of myself. Ren, who is so young from me, can turn his mind to building his own business, while I'm still comfortable working with other people." Jouji said that without looking at Ariko. His eyes are still looking at the floor.

"Jouji san, everyone must have the same hope. But to make it happen, we need a different way. Maybe Ren san has his own way to achieve his expectations" said Ariko encouraging his superiors.

Hearing a little chatter from Ariko makes Jouji smile. He also just realized why can just talk to his workers.

In the afternoon, Hinana cleaned up all the equipment and put her bag in.

"Jaa mata (see you) Hinana." Sawako said goodbye.

"Jaa eyes, thanks Sawako." replied Hinana and went back to pick up the scissors and throw them in the trash.

"Hinana are you busy today?" ask Emi and help Hinana pack up the litter.

"Of course not, Doshite (why) Emi san?"

"I want to talk to you for a minute."

"alright. Just a minute." Hinana immediately approached Tsubaki and handed the rest of her work to her. "We can leave him now. Let's go home." said Hinana and walked in front of Emi.

As Hinana was carrying a car, she decided to drive Emi home.

"Hinana do you remember what I said the other day?" Emi started saying something while she was in Hinana's car.

"I don't know if I forgot." Reply Hinana while remembering.

"Hinana san, sorry if I suddenly told you this. I once said that I liked Ren."

Hinana flinched for a moment. His memory began to get back after hearing the words of Emi.

"Until this moment, I still liked Ren no matter what. It doesn't matter if Ren continues to reject me but I will never give up." Emi continued and looked towards Hinana.

The atmosphere was quite tense, there was only the sound of a machine being heard. Both of them fell silent, until they reached Emi's house.

"Emi san, back then I also said that I don't care. But lately I feel that Ren means a lot to me too. Ne Emi san what if we compete healthily." Hinana reached out to Emi and linked a smile.

"Hinana, why are you so nice. I thought you were gonna go and hate me." Emi was moved because the answer that Hinana was giving was not in accordance with what was in her mind.

"I'm no good, I just don't want to lose to my senior either." Hinana said jokingly.

"Hem well, I accept Hinana's challenge. Whatever Ren's bad luck is, we'll still be friends. Yokusoku (promise)." Emi finally returned Hinana's hand with a smile.

"Yakusoku (promise)."

"Jaa eyes, Arigatou gozaimasu Hinana." Emi said as she got out of Hinana's car.