Twelve months later....

Todomatsu's condition, despite his pills, began to worsen just two weeks before Christmas. Late one night, he was struggling to breathe, and was sent to the hospital. The next day once his condition had been temporarily stabilized, he was sent to hospice, where he would dwell for what was left of his shortened life.

Everyone knew their youngest brother wasn't going to make it. It was far too late to perform a heart transplant, and all anyone could do was watch him slowly die.

The winter days seemed to drag on by.
So many people were laughing and having a good time as they went about, purchasing presents for their loved ones, while the Matsuno household began to prepare themselves for a life without Todomatsu.

During just those twelve months, Todomatsu had become the "star member" of their entire family.

The brothers, without even meaning to, grew extremely close to him, sometimes even fighting on what they were to do with him that day.

It was all fun and games for them as they attempted to push away the fact that Todomatsu's was dying each and every day before their eyes.

Late one night....

Todomatsu sat up in his bed, gazing out the huge window in his cozy room, which had been arranged to his liking.

Snowflakes were drifting down lazily, resting on an already thick blanket of pure white, undisturbed snow.

On a small table next to his bed, rested a family photo to remind him of all the precious memories he had created in just the few months that whizzed by faster than he had expected.

"It's almost over...huh...?" Todomatsu muttered weakly to himself, finding that his heart wasn't beating as often as it had the day before. "And I'm all alone again...Why can't you guys be here now...why couldn't you stay just a little longer....So what if the snow was bad...I'm so...lonely here..."

Hands shaking, Todomatsu grabbed the photo off of the table, staring at his brothers, love and sorrow pouring from his soul at the same time.

"I'd say I'll miss you, but I'm sure I'll be happier soon," Todomatsu sighed, coughing a little. "I don't have much more time, guys..."

Todomatsu pulled the photo over his chest, hugging it. His heart thumped slowly.

A single tear escaped from the man's eyes, dripping onto his hand.

"I never thought it would be this difficult to say goodbye..." Todomatsu choked a little. "Hah...I guess it really is a little scary when you know that this won't be a reality much longer...What will become of me...? What will become of them...? I just don't know..."

Suddenly, there was a soft knock at Todomatsu's door.

"I'm coming inside, Todomatsu," his hospice nurse called out softly, turning the door handle, careful to not make much noise.

Todomatsu blinked his heavy eyes, feeling as if he hadn't had a good nights rest in years.

"Am I scared to sleep at this point...?" Todomatsu thought to himself as the nurse handed him some pills and helped him get them down with a glass of warm milk. "Am I scared that I won't wake up...?"

"You should rest, Todomatsu," the nurse spoke softly, pulling the blanket up on his bed. "Tomorrow is going to be a new, beautiful day. The snow will be even prettier when you wake up."

"And if I don't wake up...?" Todomatsu wanted to say, but instead, he just nodded his head, and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.

Through pretending, he actually did fall asleep, and for the first time in what seemed like months, he dreamed.

"Todomatsu. Todomatsu!" Kinkai called out. "I'm so glad you're here!"

The girl's once long, messy black hair was now straight, flowing in the slight breeze. She was dressed in pure white, shining brighter than the sun itself. Or perhaps, she was the sun.

"Kinkai!" Todomatsu smiled, running up to his old friend.

Kinkai grabbed Todomatsu and hugged him tightly, gently petting his head, treating him like a younger brother.

"It's been awhile," she smiled sweetly, sitting down in thin air. "Where have you been? Why haven't you called my name yet?"

"I'm still waiting, but I'll be here with you for eternity soon," Todomatsu replied. "I'm sorry for giving up on the world...I know you didn't want me to do that."

"You chose my heart over your own life," Kinkai comforted her old friend. "That's honorable."

"But everyone else sees me as a coward. I'm causing so much pain for my brothers now...Why did I even..."

"You did what seemed best," Kinkai spoke. "You're fine."

"How have you been...?" Todomatsu asked, changing the subject.

Kinkai frowned a little, shaking her head.

"Now's not the time for that. Look, morning has already come. Your brothers will see you soon. And please, soak in each and every minute you have with them. Tomorrow you see..."

But before Kinkai could finish, Todomatsu awoke to the sound of his nurse announcing that his brothers had come to see him.