Yuuhi dragged his steps across the green grass. Ever since the day Sayaka died, his steps had always felt heavy, and his arms always felt as though they were still holding her lifeless body in his arms. Most of the time Yuuhi is just quiet now, his smile faint. He tried to go on with his life, and to be strong, always, as he had been the stronghold that held Aya up when Tooya passed away silently the next night in his sleep. But at certain times like this, he would just break down, and felt like life was not worth living. He touched the newly repainted railings and reminisced. It was here, two years ago, when he had stolen his first kiss from Sayaka.
His hands gripped the railings tighter, as if he wanted to crush them into pieces.
"Yuuhi…" Aya's voice called out softly as she touched his arm. She looked at him sadly. No matter what she did, she couldn't ease his pain. Although she herself had to cope with the pain of losing Tooya, she knew that it was nothing compared to what Yuuhi is going through. Even though they had sought comfort and relief in each other's arms, but the wounds of love takes time to heal.
Sayaka… Aya felt the warm tears fill her eyes when she thought of the girl. I will never forget your sacrifice… I will raise your child in the world that you have saved for us… She touched her belly, where Yuuhi and Sayaka's child had once slumbered in at for nine months.
* * *
"Aya…" Sayaka lifted up her hand and took Aya's as she was cradled in Yuuhi's arms. "Please… love Yuuhi in my place…"
"Sayaka! Please don't talk like this…!" Aya exclaimed.
She smiled, and placed a hand on her belly. Slowly, a glow emerged and as she lifted her hand, a sparkling violet sphere lifted up from inside her, out in midair. "And will you take care… of our son, Naoki… for me…?"
Aya nodded silently, biting back her sobs. Then the glowing sphere floated closer into her and surged inside of her. As the glow faded, Aya could feel the life now merged in her, growing inside of her.
* * *
Aya closed her eyes as she could still hear the echoes of Yuuhi's voice howling in anguish that night. A roar that tore her heart into pieces. Just as she thought she could be strong for Yuuhi, Tooya left her, taking with him all her life, spirit and strength. She took Yuuhi's hand and held it in hers.
Yuuhi… what we've been through was probably worse than hell... but I promise, from this day on, I will be strong too… for all of us…
You won't ever be alone again... ever...
"Chichi-oya…?" a little voice called out, interrupting both their daydreams, as Yuuhi felt something tug on the lower end of his trousers.
Yuuhi looked down, and was gazing into a pair of azure eyes. Sayaka's eyes. Only those eyes could bring the full-hearted smile back into his face, and pull him out of the pitch black darkness. And so Yuuhi smiled, and ruffled his son's hair affectionately.
"Naoki-chaaaan!" The three-year old Aki ran towards the boy. "Kochira kochira!!!" she exclaimed cheerfully as she tugged Naoki's little hand and pulled him along with her.
"Aki-chan! Be careful!" Aya exclaimed after them.
"Nee-chan! Nee-chan!" Naoki squealed in glee as he threw his arms around the girl. As he was running off, suddenly he stopped and turned around towards his father.
"Doushite, Naoki-chan?" Yuuhi asked.
"Chichi-oya… the lady told me to tell you… don't be sad…!" Naoki chirped cheerfully.
Yuuhi was puzzled. "The lady?"
Naoki nodded vigorously as he giggled. "Hai hai! The nice beautiful lady… with the black hair!!!" he exclaimed again that struck Yuuhi and Aya into shock. "She said… she will always be with you…! Nee, nee… chichi-oya! I like her! She's nice!" the little boy continued giggling, then innocently turned around and ran after his elder sister, Aki.
I'm right here, Yuuhi… He could almost hear the wind whispering. Startled, he turned to look around him.
Nothing.
But as the soft twilight breeze caress him gently, he knew she was there, and he smiled to himself silently.
"It's late." Aya said suddenly, after a moment of silence. "I'll go get the children…" she smiled as she released Yuuhi's hand and ran off towards where the children had gone off to, leaving Yuuhi alone in the silence of the sunset.
Yuuhi then started his steps after Aya. But then, he felt the urge to turn around as he felt a very strong presence. Turning around, he was stunned as he saw a silhouette figure sitting on the railings. He blinked once, twice, and as the sun shifted down, the spectrum rays made the figure seem more visible. And he could see the smile he had longed to see again, for so long.
Sayaka smiled, and she waved to him.
I'll always be right here…
Then next to her, a tall figure appeared into visibility. His red hair blended perfectly among the crimson hued sunrays as he smiled calmly at Yuuhi. And as the sunrays shifted more, another figure appeared next to them, then turned to look at Yuuhi.
Thank you… for loving her so much. Akira's voice whispered among the breeze.
"Yuuhi!"
Yuuhi turned around and saw Suzumi walking towards him. "Aah… Onee-sama…"
She smiled softly and took his hand. "You look like you were deep in thought… what were you thinking about, Yuuhi?" she asked.
Yuuhi paused for a moment. Then he turned back towards where he had seen the three, but what's there now was no more than an empty railings, and the sun had went under the horizon. Yuuhi smiled and chuckled softly. "Hmmm…" he mumbled softly as he turned back to Suzumi with the smile still on his face. "It's nothing…"
Suzumi smiled. She was glad to see him smile. It was the first sincere smile she had seen from him in two years, and she knew that starting that day, he would be okay. That he will return to the Yuuhi she used to know.
"Shall we go, Onee-sama?"
She nodded, and they walked off away. Yuuhi glanced back towards the horizon for a moment, then he turned around and walked towards where Aya and the two children were waiting for them.
Yuuhi took Naoki in his arms and lifted the boy up on his shoulders. The little boy giggled in glee along with Yuuhi's laugh as they watched Aki jump around in protest around Yuuhi's feet, demanding her turn for a piggyback ride from her father.
Hmm…
Maybe… just maybe… tomorrow will start to be a brighter day…
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