Kuroyukihime still knelt there beside Haru as he drew his story to a close. His gaze remained on the gravestone before them. It wasn't until then that she realized how clean the grave was, even though it had only been there for a year. Had he been cleaning it with Kat's grandmother this whole time? He really must have cared about her…
"Mrs. Takara… She died shortly thereafter," he said somberly. "Doctors say it was of old age… but I know it was of a broken heart."
Kuroyukihime's attention snagged on his words. "How do you know?"
He looked at her with deep sadness. "What if you lost the one you loved most, the one thing that gave you a reason to keep going… your one source of joy?"
The raven-haired girl understood now. Kat was the daughter of Mrs. Takara's daughter, her one reason to continue. Once that was taken… she had no reason. She had given up. Truly, the poor old woman must have died from heartbreak. So then…
"I come out to clean their graves when it's needed," he told her, "not that they really need it, I guess… but it helps me remember."
Kuroyukihime nodded. "I see… She must have been very special to you."
Haru nodded. "Yes… You two are similar in some ways."
"Oh? How so?"
He stood. "Well… You both look after me."
She was going to say something, when she was him look at the sky with a sad sense of nostalgia. She followed his gaze to the clouds. They reflected the pink in the sky with a lovely hue of purple as the great golden orb began to disappear over the horizon. She noticed him smile… and she couldn't help but do the same. "I bet she's thinking of you right now," she told him. "I bet she's looking at the same sunset from Heaven."
Haru was silent for a moment, before nodding. "Yeah…" He turned to her. "Thank you… for coming out to visit her with me."
Kuroyukihime returned the smile with a nod. "My pleasure. I'm glad I got to hear about her. She was clearly precious to you."
"She still is," he corrected gently. He looked around the grave yard. "I suppose I should get you home then before it gets dark."
She nodded again. "Thank you."
He smiled, turning to lead her out.
They were half way across the grave yard, when Kuroyukihime stopped for only a moment. She felt as if someone was watching her… She dismissed the thought, deeming it ridiculous. She continued on, but not before the wind brushed past her ears. Through the rustle of the leaves the breeze brought, she thought she could hear someone whisper in her ear:
Thank you for watching over him for me.
She jumped, whirling around to see who it was. Only to find that… there was nothing there.
Haru stopped and turned to see her there. "Senpai? Is everything ok?"
I could have sworn I heard a voice just now… she thought. But soon tried to forget as she turned back to him with a smile. "No… I just thought I heard something."
Haru smiled back. "Well, let's go then."
"Alright." No, it couldn't have been. However, as she glanced over her shoulder, she thought she could see a figure in the distance.
There, standing over Kat's grave, was a girl about their age. She had curly brown hair, and she was wearing a beautiful white sundress. She smiled sweetly as she waved goodbye.
Kuroyukihime's eyes widened. "Haru! Look!"
"What is it?" Haru turned to see, but nothing was there.
Kuroyukihime stared incredulously. "But…"
Haru sighed, smiling as he took her hand. "Come on, we'll be late."
She hesitated only a moment, but nodded as she continued on with him. "Alright…" Still, as they left, she could feel someone watching them… It wasn't a creepy feeling, but it was almost comforting, as if they had a guardian angel.
She was positive it was Kathryn.
