Note: I apologize in advance for this. I just got feels and with things in life sometimes, well, I had to revisit one prompt in the drabble prompt list from so long ago. Note that this is never going to happen in S&S canon proper, but well, my heart had the idea and went with it before it could go into a bad spiral of things.
So, another S&S bad ending, just after relics left over from the Danganronpa crossover finally graced the Internet.
The theme is simply titled "Forever Fall" from RWBY. Here you go.
Trigger Warning for Implied Death.
Sparkle 27: Forever Fall
The bright red doors of Nagareboshi Cafe weren't as bright as they used to be. Kei pushed the doors open anyways, just to look around. It was a habit now, even after a year.
Hikari-bachan looked up from her place at the stage, apparently in the middle of playing a string on her violin. The song was one Kei vaguely recognized, some traditional tune Miyako must have taught her at one point. Hikari-bachan smiled at her, blue eyes warm, but there was still that same glint of sadness contrasting the bright green of her performance dress. Her chakra was obvious.
Kei looked away once she caught sight of the covered-up piano.
Catching Judai-jichan's eye didn't take long either, because he approached with a grin similar to the one his wife gave. His casual walking could use some work, and the streaks of gray cutting through his two-toned brown hair was hard to miss. "Hey, Kei."
"Hey, Judai-jichan."
The older man inclined his head, hands on his hips. "Need me to get anything for you? Kakashi's already stopped by."
Her mouth felt too dry to even force a reply. She did anyways. "Water's fine."
"You sure about that?"
Kei took a breath so that she wouldn't snap. "I'm sure, Judai-jichan, I'm sure." She paused before adding a quiet, "Today's the day."
Judai immediately sobered, mouth thinning to a solemn line. "Ah," he said quietly. "So that's what you're here for." He inhaled deeply. "Give me a minute." It didn't even take that long for him to disappear behind the back doors leading to the kitchen, and Kei leaned against a nearby empty table, crossing her arms to wait.
One minute later, and the back doors quietly swung open. In Judai's arms was a moderately-sized bouquet of white lilies, and his smile was grim as he walked back to where Kei was. "I can hold onto the water till you come back. It sounds like you need that for later."
Kei gingerly took the flowers into her hands, being careful to not jostle them. "Thanks, Judai-jichan." Her mouth thankfully was better in articulating a reply. "Thanks."
He grinned before turning her around and pushing at her shoulders. "Go on then. Hikari and I have already went and said what we had to."
Kei didn't need to be told twice, running out of the cafe with the flowers in hand.
The Memorial Stone was the same as always when Kei arrived at Training Ground Three. The blue kunai shape hadn't changed over the years, the only difference was the number of names scattered across its surface.
With a deep breath, Kei got down to her knees and gently put down the lilies at the foot of the stone, closing her eyes and bringing her hands together in a small prayer.
The newest name was easy to discern on the structure as she opened her eyes a moment later, smiling. Someone left a small pool of glittery stars near that name. She would've liked them, considering her namesake.
"Hey, Tomo. I'm back. Sorry for not coming here sooner. Missions are still a thing."
The wind blew softly, rustling Kei's already messy hair.
"I know, I know, I'm taking care of myself. Mom and Dad are good at making sure of that."
Some of the glitter stars were picked up by the wind, scattering the small pool into ripples against the stone.
"Team Minato's doing what we can, as always. Rin's become a medic rivaling Tsunade. Obito's the Phantom in the Bingo Books, did you know that?"
The wind blew again, a bit stronger. Kei smiled wryly.
"Yeah, yeah, it's better than Tobi. Kakashi's doing what he does in ANBU too. Sakumo-jichan's keeping him in line, so he's not as much of a jerkass anymore."
The lilies were jostled this time by the breeze, and Kei inhaled softly.
"Hayate's become Chunin. You should've seen him. The match was explosive."
Her lip quivered.
"You should've been here. You should've stayed. You promised, Tomo." Kei sounded exhausted and tired, even to her own ears. "It's been a fucking year, and I haven't stopped missing you." She inhaled again. "Why did it have to be you…?"
The wind blew again.
"I know. I'm sorry."
Now that was just unbelievable. Kei shook her head. "Now I'm just hearing things."
"Kei… I'm here. I'm right here. I'm still with you…!"
Kei got up to stand, wiping at her eyes with her sleeve. "I'll visit you again soon. Hope you like the flowers."
She turned on her heel and left with a puff of smoke, leaving the silhouette of a girl behind at the Stone, all alone. The glittery stars weren't even sitting at the Memorial Stone anymore, having all been blown away by the forces of Mother Nature.
"I'm sorry, Kei. I'm so sorry. I'll watch over you, I promise."
And with another gust of wind, the silhouette was gone.