Chapter 19 Yomi (II)

On the way back to Yomi with Izanagi, my emotions were incredibly conflicted. The darkness, decay, and deathly atmosphere here seemed to grow even more intense, as if each step was bringing us closer to our final fate. When we finally entered the ominous and terrifying palace of Yomi, an invisible pressure weighed down on me, almost making it hard to breathe.

At the far end of the palace, Izanami was standing, waiting for us, with the silhouettes of Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru behind her. But when I got a clear look at them, the hope in my heart instantly crumbled. They were no longer the radiant girls I remembered. Instead, they had twisted, corrupted faces—scarred and disfigured, their former beauty long gone. Their bodies were rotting away, their features grotesque and barely recognizable. Their skin had turned a sickly gray-green, emitting a nauseating stench of decay, and their bodies were gradually decomposing into skeletal forms.

My heart filled with anger and sorrow; the sight before me was unbelievable.

Izanami coldly laughed, her smile full of smugness and malice. "I did say I would return them to you, but I never promised they would remain as they were."

Izanagi immediately grasped the severity of the situation and, in shock, demanded, "Did they eat the food of Yomi?! How could you do this to them!"

Izanami replied smugly, "You should know that Jagu was born from my hatred toward you, right? Since these three boys killed Jagu, cutting off my emotional outlet toward you, I want these boys to experience the pain of losing their loved ones! Besides, they ate the food of their own free will. I didn't force them~"

Each word she spoke felt like a dagger stabbing into our hearts. I clenched my fists, feeling the fire of rage inside me nearly uncontrollable. She had not only destroyed the ones we loved but was also mercilessly mocking our pain.

My eyes, bloodshot with anger, glared at Izanami as I gritted my teeth and said, "You two better not stop me—I'm going to kill this old hag!"

Kagami was equally enraged. He turned to me with a stern look and said, "Stop you? Don't worry, I'm here to help you!"

Shigeru, too, was gripping his fists tightly, his voice filled with fury. "I can't stand it any longer…"

Izanami, indifferent to our anger, stood behind the girls with a triumphant smile and coldly said to us, "Now, look at what they have become. Do you still dare say you love them? Will you still willingly stay by their side as you did before? Your love is ultimately based on their beauty, just as Izanagi betrayed me and fled Yomi long ago!"

Hearing Izanami bring up the past, Izanagi's expression became unusually complex. He knew all too well that his actions in fleeing Yomi had indeed hurt her, and in some way, they had led to the events of today. His gaze was filled with regret and helplessness, but at this moment, he had no way to defend himself and could only remain silent in the face of this tragedy that he had set in motion.

The girls, too, felt deep despair at this moment. They tried to speak to us in broken voices, but their words were full of self-loathing and pain.

Momoko choked back tears, lowering her head. "Don't look at me... In this state, I don't deserve for you to come near me… You should go back, don't worry about us anymore."

Miyako's voice was filled with endless shame and regret. "Looking like this, how could you ever love me again… Just give up; it's better for you…"

Kaoru trembled, trying to appear strong, but she couldn't stop the tears from falling. "Just pretend none of this ever happened and forget about us…"

But we were not going to back down. In fact, before returning to Yomi, we had already considered the worst-case scenario and were prepared for it. No matter what the girls had become, we would never abandon them!

As I walked toward Momoko, despite the curse of Yomi disfiguring her, my gaze remained full of love and determination. I looked deeply into her face, which had lost its former beauty, and felt nothing but endless affection. "You are Momoko Akatsutsumi, also Hyper Blossom, the person I, Brick, Yuzuhiko Shirakawa , love the most. That will never change. No matter what you look like now, you will always be the most important person in my heart."

Momoko's tears flowed uncontrollably, trying desperately to hide her twisted face, as she muttered, "Yuzuhiko, you shouldn't see me like this… I've become… completely hideous."

Without hesitation, I took her withered hand in mine, pulling her into a tight embrace, and softly said, "You are the person I love most, still the girl who loves tokusatsu shows and sweets. That has never changed."

Momoko looked up in shock, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. "You… you don't despise me?"

I smiled and sighed, "Do you think I would care about that? I told you, no matter what you become, you're still the Momoko I love."

Kagami then walked over to Miyako. Even though her appearance was no longer perfect, he maintained his usual goofy smile, full of affection and resolve. "You are Miyako Gotokuji, Rolling Bubbles of the Powerpuff Girls Z, the girl who has always been the best to me, and the one I, Boomer, Kagami Midou, love the most."

Miyako's voice trembled with evident insecurity and self-doubt. "Kagami, you shouldn't see me like this. I'm really… ugly."

However, Kagami also did not hesitate to hold her hand, gently pulling her into his arms. As he looked at her decayed appearance, his eyes still showed nothing but endless tenderness. Even though her looks had changed completely, it didn't matter to him at all. He softly said, "Miyako, appearances don't matter. What I love is your innocence and kindness, and your warm heart. Even if you've changed, I still love you."

Miyako's tears flowed uncontrollably as she bit her lip, her voice trembling. "You… you really think so?"

Kagami smiled and nodded. "I swear, I will stay by your side no matter what you become. That's my unchanging promise."

Finally, Shigeru walked quietly over to Kaoru. He didn't say much, only silently opened his arms and pulled her decaying body into his embrace. He felt her trembling but only held her tighter, conveying everything he needed to through this simple, direct action. Though her face was almost unrecognizable, he still displayed a strong expression, his gaze filled with unwavering affection. "You are Kaoru Matsubara, the strongest of the Powerpuff Girls Z, Powered Buttercup, my best friend, and the person I, Butch, Shigeru Kusama, love the most."

Kaoru's tears flowed uncontrollably, her voice thick with sorrow. "Shigeru, I look so terrible now; you shouldn't…"

Shigeru gently held her close, his voice firm. "No matter what you become, I will always love you. I've already decided that no matter what happens, I will stay by your side."

Kaoru initially tried to resist, but feeling Shigeru's determination, she eventually gave up fighting, letting her tears flow. "Shigeru… thank you…"

Izanami had expected us to show disgust or retreat, but this scene left her utterly shocked. She looked at the three couples in disbelief, a hint of confusion and wavering in her eyes.

She almost hysterically shouted, "Men will always judge by appearances; it can never be true love! I refuse to believe it!"

However, we didn't back down. I unhesitatingly lifted my head, meeting her gaze directly, and answered firmly, "We're not human, so don't apply human standards to us. Our love isn't the shallow kind you understand."

Kagami and Shigeru immediately followed, their eyes filled with unyielding determination.

Kagami added, "No matter what they become, we will love them and never give up on them."

Shigeru simply and powerfully stated, "Our love isn't bound by your rules."

Our response left Izanami stunned, and cracks began to appear in her cold exterior. She no longer sneered or questioned as before; instead, a flicker of confusion and hesitation crossed her face.

Behind her coldness lay a heart once wounded by betrayal, and our love and determination were shaking the very core of her long-closed-off heart.

Even so, Izanami remained stubborn. Her voice grew even colder. "If that's the case, for the sake of your so-called love, the three of you will stay in Yomi forever! These girls may have the chance for reincarnation, but if you stay here, you will truly remain here forever!"

Hearing these words, the girls' hearts tightened. They had long realized the dangers of Yomi, and now, Izanami's words only heightened their fear. They knew our love was incredibly precious, but they didn't want us to sacrifice everything for their sake.

Momoko's voice trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes once more. "Yuzuhiko, don't do this… you can't stay here… you still have your future, your dreams…"

Miyako, choking back sobs, grasped Kagami's hand, trying to calm him down. "Kagami, you shouldn't give up everything for me… you have so much left to do… don't stay here for me…"

Even though Kaoru had been trying to stay strong, her voice was tinged with despair. "Shigeru, I know you've always been good to me… but you can't stay in this place because of me… go back, back to the life you're meant to have…"

We stood firm in front of the girls, unafraid, and stared directly at Izanami.

I spoke in a steady voice, "Sorry, Mom, Dad, I've never been able to become the person you hoped I'd be. When we were first created, all we did was cause trouble, never doing anything serious. I remember the first time we met these girls, we played pranks on them and even lifted their skirts."

Kagami chuckled softly, with a hint of self-mockery. "Yeah, we were so immature back then, always thinking about how to mess with them. I remember we once stole their clothes and caused a huge ruckus in Tokyo. We never imagined we'd end up here, learning to love someone so deeply."

Shigeru nodded, his tone filled with a bit of nostalgia. "But it was from that time on that we started to change. Later, we met again, went through so much together, fought side by side, played 'Senbonzakura' together, played volleyball, ate ice cream, and talked under the starry sky…"

I looked at Momoko, my eyes full of tenderness and resolve. "It's because of those shared memories that we are who we are now. You changed us, taught us what true love and responsibility are."

Momoko shook her head slightly, tears of emotion welling up in her eyes, though her tone still carried its usual playful edge. "You… you're always causing trouble, no matter where you are."

Kagami held Miyako's hand tightly and continued, "Yes, those memories turned us from mischievous boys into men willing to give everything for the ones we love."

"Kagami… you really haven't changed at all," Miyako said softly, tears in her eyes but with a gentle smile on her lips. "You're always like this… silly enough to make my heart ache."

Shigeru gently stroked Kaoru's hair, speaking in a low voice, "These memories taught us what truly matters. We're willing to protect these memories, and we're willing to protect you."

"Shigeru… you've always been so stubborn," Kaoru sighed softly, a warmth she couldn't hide in her eyes. "But I also know… no matter what I say, you won't change your mind."

As the girls listened to our words, their tears flowed uncontrollably. They were deeply moved by our love but also pained by the fate we were about to face.

I took a deep breath and firmly said again, "No matter what happens, I won't leave you. These memories not only made us grow but also showed us what's truly precious. It's these memories that made us who we are now, and we won't give up on these memories or on you."

Kagami smiled and nodded in agreement. "We'll stay by your side until you reincarnate."

Shigeru hugged Kaoru tightly again, gently saying, "Our lives became complete because of you. A place without you is not where we belong."

Izanagi also tried to persuade her, "My dear, everything that happened in the past was my fault. Please, don't make these children bear our pain!"

However, Izanami stubbornly refused. "Do you think a few words can heal the pain I've endured all these years?! I will keep them here forever. They've eaten the food of Yomi and can never return to the living world!"

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, a sudden burst of intense light shone from above Yomi, followed by the surging of the moon and the waves of the ocean. The three supreme deities—Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo—descended upon Yomi, slowly coming down from the sky.

Amaterasu stepped forward, her light filling the entire Yomi with warmth and firmness, and said, "Mother, please put aside your anger and resentment. These boys and girls have already proven their deep love for each other."

Tsukuyomi added, "Mother, years ago, you suffered greatly from Father's betrayal, but today, the determination and love of these young people have far surpassed past grievances. Please forgive them and give them a chance to start anew. What you're doing is merely venting your old hatred toward Father on them for your own satisfaction."

Even the wild-hearted Susanoo spoke. "Mother, I understand your pain. I was rebellious too, but in the end, I realized the power of family. We can't let hatred continue to fester."

Meanwhile, Izanagi stood silently by, acknowledging his past mistakes and hoping to truly mend the wounds he had caused long ago.

Listening to her children's pleas, Izanami's emotions grew increasingly turbulent. She looked at Amaterasu, the symbol of light and hope that she and Izanagi had created, then at Tsukuyomi and Susanoo, who represented the other parts of her—the calm of the night and the wildness of the ocean.

The atmosphere grew tense and heavy, but Izanami still wore a cold smile, seemingly unmoved by their pleas.

Just then, a female ghost dressed in Yomi's guard uniform suddenly came rushing over with an iPhone in hand.

"Lady Izanami, Lord Yama, Hades, Supay, Hel, and Osiris are all calling for you!" She was panting heavily as she waved the phone in the air. "They say what you're doing is way too unreasonable! This matter has already spread across the entire underworld, and all the gods in charge of the afterlife know about it!"

The three of us—Kagami, Shigeru, and I—were all wide-eyed, completely stunned by this unexpected scene.

I rubbed my eyes, making sure I wasn't seeing things, and asked in confusion, "Wait… Yomi has iPhones?"

Izanami shot me a cold glance, taking the phone from the ghost without any sign of surprise. Instead, she responded calmly, "What's so surprising? Yomi's technology is on par with the human world. Besides, how else do you think they could all get involved in this?"

Kagami also looked incredulous, mumbling, "Could it be that we've always had an outdated impression of this place? Even the gods of the underworld have kept up with the times?"

Shigeru couldn't resist adding, "Does Yomi have 4G towers and WiFi too?"

Hearing our conversation, Izanami seemed slightly amused. She responded with a cold smirk, "You really underestimate Yomi! Our 5G speed is faster than in the human world! How else do you think Hades and the others could contact me?"

Then, right in front of us, she answered the iPhone and pressed the speaker button.

The three gods exchanged glances, whispering among themselves.

Amaterasu couldn't help but quietly say to Tsukuyomi and Susanoo, "Takamagahara doesn't even have internet yet… are we falling behind?"

Tsukuyomi responded in a hushed tone, "It feels like Yomi is doing better than we are…"

Susanoo sighed, "All we have for entertainment is playing chess, and Yomi has 5G internet…"

"Hello, this is Izanami." As soon as Izanami answered the phone, the gods on the other end began speaking one after another.

"Lady Izanami, what you're doing is too harsh!" Lord Yama started, complaining loudly. "Those three boys went through so much to reach Yomi, and instead of letting them take the girls, you're making things difficult for them! This disrupts the harmony of the underworld!"

Lord Yama's voice was so loud that Izanami had to hold the phone away from her ear.

Then Hades spoke, his voice deep and filled with authority. "Love… it's a complicated thing. I nearly broke my own rules for Orpheus and Eurydice… though it didn't end well, the sacrifices he made for love are quite similar to what these children are going through now. That experience taught me that some emotions shouldn't be destroyed by cold, unfeeling rules."

Next came the wise voice of Osiris. "Izanami, I understand your feelings. But you know, I died because of Set's betrayal, yet my wife, Isis, never gave up searching for me and eventually brought me back to life!"

Then Supay spoke, his tone filled with a mix of resignation and advice. "Lady Izanami, as a fellow ruler of the underworld, you should also show some mercy. The love these young people have shown has moved me, and I suggest you consider giving them a chance."

Finally, Hel's voice came through, calm but tinged with melancholy. "I rule over the cold realm of the dead, but even in my heart, there's a love I can never forget. The story of Freyja and Odur taught me how powerful love and loyalty can be."

As she listened to these opinions from gods across different realms, Izanami's brow furrowed slightly. She had expected the other gods to be as firm as she was about the rules of the underworld, not swayed by emotions. But instead, they all advocated for love stories like these. Each story was profound and real, speaking of deep feelings that transcended life and death.

Her expression gradually became more complex, her gaze flickering with uncertainty as she contemplated the advice from the various gods. The six of us waited anxiously for her reaction, our hearts filled with hope and apprehension.

The voices on the phone slowly faded, and she hung up. The Yomi guard ghost stood nervously by, seemingly aware of the gravity of the situation. Izanami slowly set down the phone, took a deep breath, and turned her gaze toward us, her eyes filled with conflicting emotions and inner turmoil. It was clear she was engaged in an intense internal struggle, not just about us but also in reassessing her past choices and feelings.

As Izanami fell silent, seemingly lost in thought over the words of the gods, Izanagi stood up and took out a box, slowly walking toward her. He held three boxes of chocolates in his hands, simply wrapped but full of meaning. The aroma of the chocolates quickly filled the air in Yomi.

"These are the 'world's best desserts' that you accidentally missed earlier." Izanagi smiled, offering the boxes to Izanami. "These are chocolates that the girls made with their own hands for the boys they love."

Izanami raised an eyebrow, glancing at the box with a hint of disdain in her voice. "Chocolate? What's so special about something for children?"

"But these aren't just ordinary chocolates," Izanagi continued, his tone still gentle yet firm. "The girls made them with love and gratitude for these boys. And these boys risked everything to come to Yomi because of their feelings for these girls."

Izanami took the three boxes from Izanagi, her expression still somewhat dismissive. She opened the first box without much emotion, finding the heart-shaped chocolates made by Momoko inside, looking especially sweet. She took a small bite, and the sweet flavor spread through her mouth instantly. The rich cocoa taste combined with the delicate sweetness, filling her with a warm sense of comfort. This sweetness unexpectedly reminded her of the early days when she and Izanagi first met, a time filled with a faint, sweet love.

Next, Izanami opened the second box, containing the chocolates made by Miyako. The round shape was simple yet elegant, and the taste was somewhat neutral—not too sweet, not too bitter, just right. As she tasted it, the slight bitterness contrasted sharply with the previous sweetness, creating a sense of balance and comfort. This chocolate's taste conveyed a gentle care and a resilient inner strength, as if she could feel Miyako's effort in every moment of its creation.

Finally, Izanami tasted the third box, the star-shaped chocolates made by Kaoru. Unlike the previous two, this chocolate was more bitter, with a deep, complex flavor. She took a bite, and the bitterness lingered in her mouth for a long time. Yet, this bitterness wasn't unpleasant; instead, it made her feel a profound strength and sincere emotion. She realized that this bitterness might reflect Kaoru's deep affection for Shigeru and their willingness to sacrifice for each other.

"Well?" Izanagi asked, watching her expression.

Izanami's hand trembled slightly as she gently stroked the three boxes of chocolates, her expression softening from cold indifference. Finally, a single tear quietly slipped down her cheek.

"What… is this…" she murmured, wiping away the tear as if unwilling to admit that she had been moved. She had always believed she was far removed from such fragile emotions and had grown weary of human feelings. But these simple chocolates had allowed her to feel the boundless love the girls had for the boys and had reminded her of the deep affection she once held for Izanagi. Those sweet memories now resurfaced in her mind amidst the coldness of Yomi.

She looked up at the boys before her, her heart filled with complex emotions. Their determination and steadfastness had deeply touched her, and the feelings they displayed were strikingly similar to the love she once shared with Izanagi.

Izanagi observed her expression and spoke softly, "These children's feelings are so much like ours once were, aren't they? They weren't blinded by appearances, and they didn't flee in fear as I once did. Perhaps… we should reconsider their love."

Upon hearing this, Izanami lowered her head, remaining silent for a long time. It seemed that something had shifted in her heart at that moment, and the tears she shed revealed the struggle and doubt within her. Though she was reluctant to admit it, the deep wounds she had carried for so long seemed to be slowly healing in the face of these young lovers' affections.

"I don't want to admit this," Izanami finally said softly, her voice tinged with fatigue and resignation. "But these children's feelings… really remind me of the past… I acknowledge the love between the six of you…"

Izanami finally acknowledged the feelings among the six of us. Her gaze softened considerably, as if the heavy ice wall in her heart was gradually melting. She let out a gentle sigh, as if releasing a burden that had been weighing on her for years. She raised her hand and cast a spell to lift the curse from the girls. With a soft glow, Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru began to recover. Their skin became smooth again, and their faces gradually returned to their former beauty. Seeing this, the three of us were incredibly moved. Finally, we could see them restored to their original selves.

Izanagi stood by silently, watching everything unfold. He then took out the Ame-no-Nuboko (Heavenly Jewel Spear), holding it high as he approached Izanami. The spear glowed faintly in his hands, as if bearing witness to all their shared memories. He said softly, "My lady, this spear was once a symbol of our creation and a testament to our feelings. Today, I hope it can witness our reconciliation once more, and that we may start anew."

Izanami looked at the Ame-no-Nuboko with a complicated expression. Her gaze shifted between the spear and Izanagi before she finally nodded gently, showing a faint smile. The two of them placed their hands on the spear in unison. The light intensified, and the entire Yomi seemed to be bathed in warm radiance.

As the light faded, the girls were completely restored. They were no longer the cursed, decayed bodies but the radiant, beautiful girls we remembered. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude, finally able to see Momoko's bright eyes and sweet smile again.

I approached Momoko first, my heart swelling with tenderness and gratitude. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with tears but with a smile. "Yuhiko... you didn't give up on me," she said softly, her voice tinged with disbelief and deep emotion.

I gently caressed her cheek and said tenderly, "Momoko, how could I ever give up on you? You are the most important person to me. No matter what happens, I will always be by your side."

Her tears finally fell, but they were tears of joy. She gently nestled into my embrace, feeling her warmth made my heart feel so secure. The bond between us, tested through so much, was finally proven in this moment.

Kagami and Miyako also came together. Kagami, still wearing his trademark goofy smile, gently held Miyako's hand. "Miyako, no matter what you become, I will always love you and never leave," he said. Miyako nodded with a smile, her eyes shimmering with tears but more so with happiness.

Shigeru silently embraced Kaoru, not needing words to express everything. Their feelings had long transcended words, and their mutual understanding was deeply rooted in each other's hearts.

At the moment when Izanagi and Izanami finally reconciled, the radiance in Yomi became even more brilliant, as if the whole world was celebrating their reconciliation. We stood by, watching them hold the Ame-no-Nuboko, their hearts in sync. The past grudges dissipated in an instant. With their reconciliation, the atmosphere in Yomi became lighter.

Amaterasu watched this scene with tearful eyes. She gently walked forward and said to her parents, "Mother, Father, seeing you finally let go of the past makes me truly relieved. The strongest force in this world is indeed love and understanding."

Tsukiyomi maintained his usual calm demeanor, but his voice carried a hint of warmth. "Mother, Father, reconciliation isn't easy, but you chose forgiveness and a new beginning, which is very brave. I hope you will continue to support each other and find happiness again in the days to come."

Susanoo, who was always wild and unrestrained, also showed rare warmth. He smiled and patted his father's shoulder, jokingly saying, "Father, Mother, it seems you finally understand the young ones' ways. Since you've made up, I don't want to hear any more complaints."

Izanagi and Izanami exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with deep affection and gratitude. The three gods—Amaterasu, Tsukiyomi, and Susanoo—stood beside them, their faces showing sincere smiles, touched by their parents' reconciliation and our feelings.

At this moment, the entire Yomi seemed to be filled with a new power, the power of love and reconciliation. The six of us could finally be together again, and our feelings for each other received the most genuine affirmation and blessing. Izanagi and Izanami had also reconciled because of our feelings, and the past grievances finally vanished.

In this moment, I deeply felt that the bond between the six of us could not be described in words. It was a power that transcended life and death, transcended everything. We embraced each other tightly, knowing that no matter what the future held, we would always be together.

As we finally stepped onto the path back to the human world, our hearts were filled with relief and anticipation. The three brothers reached out their hands to their respective girls and smiled, "Let's go home."

Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru looked up at us, their eyes filled with reluctant emotions. They gently nodded, taking our hands as if this hand-holding had transcended life and death, affirming our commitment to each other.

Just as we were about to leave the land of Yomi, a voice called out from behind us. It was the voice of Izanami—deep, filled with emotion, as if it carried countless unspoken words—yet it softly whispered, "You all have come to Yomi far too early... Go back and cherish the happiness before you..."

We paused and looked back, seeing Izanami standing quietly at the gate of the palace in Yomi. Her gaze was both gentle and complex. In that brief moment, her expression seemed to reveal a deep gratitude and tenderness hidden within her heart.

We smiled and nodded at Izanami, then held each other's hands tightly, crossing Yomotsu Hirasaka (the boundary of Yomi)and heading towards the light of the human world. The land of Yomi gradually faded into darkness behind us, but the warmth and love of that final moment would be forever etched in our hearts, becoming the most precious memory of our lives.