Mirai looked at the picture and smiled. She genuinely smiled for the first time at the photo.
Yui had been gone for a year now, and Mirai had come to grips with her death with more than a little help from Akihito. His words had initially stung, but they had been right.
She gained nothing from exacting revenge on The Hollow Shadow. But then again she also was able to prevent another person from being possessed by it. She hadn't realized that that was what she had wanted in the first place.
To ensure that no one else had to go through what she had, watching a loved one become a monster.
"I am doing well Yui." She murmured. "I'm back to stay and I finally feel like I'm where I belong. I have friends now, genuine friends like you were. And I have a young man I have fallen in love with. He has no issues with my blood, in fact my blood can't hurt him. He saved me, I was so lost after you died, but then I met him and he helped me find my confidence and will to live again. And then I chose to sacrifice myself for him. It didn't work how I had expected but I am so happy now.
"I think that I can live a long and happy life now. Thank you for what you have given me. I'm so sorry you can't be here to see me now. I think you would like Akihito. He's so sweet and gentle. He's taking me out tonight, so we can eat your favorite dinner and celebrate the memory of you."
Mirai's eyes were wet with tears but she was still smiling. Her friend was gone, but her memory was still precious. She found herself wondering if Yui hadn't died, would Mirai have ever come to Nagatsuki?
Perhaps things happened for a reason. Maybe her fate was well intertwined with Akihito's. Maybe she'd been granted a second chance.
Either way her life was better now. She had never been happy before. Not like this, never as much as she was now.
As she waited for Akihito to arrive at her apartment Sakura approached. "Have you said you peace?" The girl asked.
Mirai nodded.
"May I?" She asked. The strawberry blond stood up and bowed her head. Sakura took her place on the floor.
"Yui-Niisan, I miss you. I didn't kill Kuriyama like I promised, but we have made up. I don't hate her anymore, because I know you wouldn't have wanted it. I carry your charm, to remember you by. I hope to do your memory justice from now on. I love you." She whispered.
The brunette stood and wiped away a tear as she smiled at Mirai. The two girls were quiet as they looked at the photo of Yui.
The silence was only broken by a knock at the door. Both of them looked towards the door.
"Kuriyama-san, Inami-san, it's me Akihito."