Disclaimer: I don't own Ayashi no Ceres – neither the manga or the anime.
Yet silence reigned, twisting my thoughts.
I looked to my right, at the blonde girl clutching her infant tightly. The solemn expression on her face was lit by the occasional flash of lightning.
The emptiness in those eyes…
I couldn't blame her. We put her husband into the ground a mere three hours ago.
The funeral had been a bleak affair. After all, she was only 18, and now a widow. I was well aware of all the stares and silent accusations. Through all that, no one had the courage to utter more than a few words of consolation to her.
She was left alone.
Yet she kept her head up, never letting anything get to her. Admirable.
But now, I could see her true feelings. Beneath her mask of strength, she was suffering. Every dirty look, every accusing glance; it stabbed her viciously. She had fought bravely against the tide of emotions, but now, she lay defeated.
Her tears, bitter with despair, rolled down her face.
As the rain pattered down, drowning the streets outside, I opened my mouth, hoping that some words of console would roll out. Only a single word escaped:
'Aya…'
Still holding Aki to her buxom, she gave me a quick glance. In that moment, I was stunned, for I saw beneath all the sadness and pain, a measure of anger in her eyes.
The moment passed, and she clutched my hand like a talisman.
To be continued…