86. Shining
Rain…
Rin glares up at the thickly gray sky, water droplets hitting her unforgivingly in the face. The sun. Where is the sun? Why does it always have to be so depressing and nasty outside, ever since…?
Her throat closes up, and painful memories flood her mind. It's only been a month since then, and it still burns to think about it. He'd been so, so sick…
"Hey, Rin… Please don't cry. I really can't see you crying like this… It makes my heart hurt."
"What am I supposed to do, stupid?! Laugh? You're dying, and I'm never gonna… s-see you again..."
"...Rin."
"What, Len?"
"Whenever the sun shines it's brightest… That means I'm there."
Rin wipes away salty tears that mix with the heavy rain, her gaze downcast now. Only the day after he'd said that, Len had…
"Stupid rain! Stupid Len! Stupid life, I hate it!" She screams aloud, outrage and sorrow mixing together to form heated words. "Why does everything have to be like this?! Why couldn't he be cured?! Why couldn't I… save him…?!"
A sudden warmth is applied to her head, and it feels so much like her older brother's hand that she looks up in surprise, hope twisting in her chest.
The sun has broken through the midst of the storm, shining down directly on her like a spotlight. Rin has to cover her eyes, but she lets out a thin laugh, feeling the warmth and comfort of the bright light.
"...Thank you, Len."