Once again, spoilers lurk beyond this point, especially in the story-specific sections. You've been warned.
On 'Old Scars'
- imouto-chan: 'dear little sister'
- Even with an HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) mismatch of 0, which means
the best tissue compatibility that can be hoped for, Kana's immune system
could still try to attack the transplanted kidney. So, for as long as she
has it, she has to take immunosuppressant medication to limit the chances
of this happening.
- While researching the effects of kidney transplants for this story, I
came across the distressing fact that kidney transplants don't last forever.
For some reason, I thought they did. But current medical research shows
that a kidney transplant generally lasts for 15 to 20 years, on average.
The game showed us how Kana depends on Taka. In episodes 7–10 of my fanfic, I turned that around and showed how Taka depends on Kana. And now, finally, we're seeing how they depend on each other. I think that's the most important thing to get across at the moment. It's never one-way. It's mutual.
The ironic thing is that I'm now free to let Kana and Taka think about their future together. It's right there on the horizon. I couldn't do that before. I couldn't let them plan for a 'happily ever after'.
And, naturally, the first chance I get for them to think about their future, a spanner throws itself into the works. Kana has two decades, more or less, before her life will be in danger again. I only just found that out! So naturally it's colouring my perspective, as well as Taka's.
They're both vulnerable, physically and emotionally. They've never needed each other more than now.
So now it's time for me to haul out the spanners I've been keeping in reserve...