"Hayato…
Hayato…
Wake up…
Wake up already!"
"Yui?"
"Yes, it's me."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm waking you up."
I bit my lip, stifling the laughter swelling inside me.
Still sleepy, his brows furrowed.
"Yui, what is it?
Did something happen?"
"I just... wanted to be the first thing you saw when you woke up.
Ah! You're blushing again!"
And there he was.
Even when he turned his face away with a frown, that red flush on his cheeks never escaped my eyes.
"Yui! Can I ever get peace from you?
The sun isn't even fully up yet."
"You guessed right!
No peace for you!
Admit it, seeing my face first thing in the morning made you happy."
"Not at all!"
"For a second, you saw me as your wife.
Look!
Your cheeks are red again!"
"Stop teasing me!"
There was no way I could ever stop.
Watching him blush every day had become my life's mission.
That morning, the wind was soft.
The soil crunched gently under our feet.
It felt like the air before a war…
but there was no war.
Just us.
And him…
Hayato.
He was spinning the wooden sword in his hand — so serious, so familiar.
Kana was waiting behind me.
It was just another day.
But no moment with him was ever just another.
I swung the sword and faced him.
"Raising a sword against a beauty like me… is a crime against humanity!"
Hayato rolled his eyes.
"Then leave the duel."
"Fine, I'm out. Kana, you're up!"
From behind, Kana's cold voice came:
"That was so convincing!"
I clutched my chest.
"Are you calling me a liar?"
Hayato didn't even hesitate —
answered for Kana.
"You say that every day.
You're just... circling like a predator waiting for a weakness."
He compared me to an animal.
This guy!
Unbelievable!
Talking to him was like punching a wall.
And yet… I kept returning to that same wall.
"Enough insults!
This time I'm going on the offensive!
Kana, stand back!"
Kana raised her head.
"You shouldn't have compared my sister to an animal, Hayato."
I attacked.
But fell in a single strike.
His move was fast.
He slowed his wooden sword before it touched me.
So thoughtful.
I threw myself to the ground.
My heart was pounding, but I held in my laughter.
I whispered to Kana.
"Kana…
don't forget his face…
Hayato…
was cold…
never regretted anything..."
Hayato sighed.
Kana stayed quiet for a moment, then slowly drew her sword.
"Yui… was my only sister."
Hayato almost smiled.
I saw the corner of his lip twitch.
"
'Was'?
What do you mean 'was your only sister'?"
Kana stepped closer.
"If she really died… I'll send you to join her."
"When are you two going to stop these childish games?!"
I jumped up, swinging my sword:
"I'm alive! It's a miracle!"
Kana shook her head.
"You think that tactic actually worked?"
I couldn't hold my laughter:
"It was a legendary move!
Let's do it again later."
Hayato started walking away.
"If you do, I'll really send you to your graves."
A few dry leaves swirled in the wind.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, the light turned golden.
Kana sat down.
I went to her, leaned my head on her shoulder.
Hayato was walking away…
His steps slow, yet firm.
We just watched.
Though we didn't say it, neither of us wanted him to go.
The images blurred.
Laughter echoed, then slowly faded.
The sun's warmth vanished.
Only the darkness remained.
Cold.
Sharp.
Unbroken…
I don't know if I'll ever hear those laughs again…
I feel so alone.
Hayato… is gone.
But I know… he'll come back.
He always does.
Renji is with him too…
He'll bring Hayato back.
And Watari...
I can't help crying whenever I think of him.
But I must be strong...
For Hayato and for Kana.
To keep them alive.
Three days ago, Kana had stirred.
The healers said she was close to waking.
When Kana wakes up…
What am I going to tell her?
As I thought about this…
Kana's eyes trembled.
Finally.
Thank the gods.
From her lips, in barely a whisper, came:
"...Hayato..."