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A single wish…
You turned up to the evening sky, casting your gaze upon the glimmering stars. It’s going to be another lonely night for you.
“Hey! Why don’t we call it a night? You’ve been working a bit too hard lately” Yoimiya’s voice suddenly interrupted your train of thought as you immediately shifted your attention towards her.
“O-oh..” You realized that you had finished a couple of fireworks at your side then turned back to the half-finished firework you held in your hand.
Your blonde friend giggled at your reaction and carefully grabbed the finished fireworks before setting them aside in a box. “Are you hungry? Why don’t we head over to Kiminami Anna’s for dinner? My treat of course!” She delightfully offered.
You nodded at your cheerful friend and took up on her offer with a light smile. “Let me finish up this one last firework then”
You’ve been working at the Naganohara Fireworks workshop for a couple of years now. You used to be a resident at Ritou, but ever since your parents got arrested for scam and fraud, you’ve been trying to earn for yourself by doing odd jobs here and there. Seeing that there isn’t much work and mora to be made in Ritou, unless you’re a fisherman, you decided to head over to Inazuma city and find work there instead. You met Yoimiya and you were grateful that she and her family decided to take you in while you helped them with the family business in return. Since then, you never have to worry about going hungry or finding temporary shelter every night.
After finishing up all your work, you and Yoimiya headed over to the Kiminami Restaurant for a grub. You worked tirelessly for hours that you didn't realize how empty your stomach was until your friend started mentioning dinner. You both soon arrived at the restaurant and settled down while waiting for Anna to come and take your orders.
“Hmmm, what will you have, Y/n?” Yoimiya placed her forefinger on her chin before turning to you.
“I’ll have the usual” You sheepishly chuckled while looking back at her.
“Ehh? Is there anything else you want? You could pick out more, it’s my treat after all!”
“I really… appreciate the offer but really-” You shook your hands right in front of you as your blonde friend sighed.
“Alright then, let me know if you want seconds okay? You must be starving after all that work. You even barely had lunch earlier!” She pouted.
“Ahaha… sorry to worry you..” You looked down at the counter in front of you.
“What I meant to say is, you need to take care of yourself more. Even pops thinks that you’ve been overworking yourself recently, is something bothering you? Y’know, you could always tell me” She then gave a hint of concern in her tone. Despite being taken in and technically adopted by her family, she somehow sees you as her actual little sister, you won’t lie that you look up to her and feel happy that she treats you very kindly.
“Well… perhaps I’m just missing him …” You muttered as your thoughts were slowly filled with the image of a certain man, who had taken your heart along with him in his journey. Who your heart had been longing to see again ever since his departure.
“Oh Tomo? Wow… it’s been like, what? Months? A year? Or maybe more since you both last saw each other?”
“Perhaps…”
“And you didn’t even take the chance to tell him how you feel before he left?”
“T-Thats because..!” You turned to Yoimiya again and realized that you were getting agitated so you took a moment to calm down first. “...I didn’t want my feelings to get in the way of his path…”
“Y/n..”
You then looked down and shook your head. “Sorry, I don’t mean to bring down the mood…”
You felt Yoimiya’s hand over your shoulders as she slowly brought you close for a side hug. “C’mon now! Cheer up! I’m sure he’ll come back soon, you just need to have faith! And before you know it, I’m sure he’ll suddenly appear right before you!” She chuckled, followed by a helpless sigh while still having her arm wrapped around you.
“To think our little Y/n is lovesick for someone, as the older sister, I will do everything within my power so you could get that happy ending with him!” She energetically raised her free arm into the air in the form of a fist.
You blinked for a moment and felt slightly perplexed at your friend’s determination to help you out.
“I-Is that really necessary, Yoimiya..?” You sweatdropped as you looked up at her.
“Of course!” She then lets go of you. “If it makes you feel any better, I might just have the thing so you won’t have to keep worrying all the time!”
“Eh?” You tilted your head in curiosity.
“Why don’t we make a thousand paper cranes so you can make a wish to meet him again?”
“A-A thousand paper cranes??? Y-Yoimiya… isn’t that just a legend..?”
“Legend or not, it’s worth a shot, no?” She gave a wink before she then started ordering the food for the both of you.
You gazed down at the counter again as you wondered about the paper crane legend.
‘ A thousand paper cranes for a single wish… Is that even possible? ’
***
After that delicious treat, you both then decided to head back home to finally get some rest. You both have been quite busy with all the firework orders due to the incoming fireworks show that will occur in just a few days.
You finally laid down on your futon and let out a sigh to release the tension your body had felt since this morning.
You looked up at the ceiling and thought about Yoimiya’s suggestion. Though it may sound crazy, it wouldn’t hurt giving it a try, right?
You let the thought swirl around your mind for a while before your tired eyes start to shut slowly as you drift off to sleep.
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Ash-blonde hair..
Purple eyes..
A scar across his face..
The figure of the man was standing before you, giving you a gentle smile and reaching his hand out to pat your head.
“One day, we’ll meet again when our paths are crossed. I'll be looking forward to seeing you again and with you greeting me happily with open arms, Y/n. Farewell and take care of yourself” He turned around and slowly took his leave.
You stretched your arm to reach out to him as he went. You failed to confess your feelings for him on that very day, you didn’t want to get in the way of the path he has chosen for himself.
But if you had confessed that time, what do you think his response would’ve been?
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You slowly opened your eyes and noticed the sunlight glaring over your vision through the window, so you slowly raised an arm to block the light from blinding you.
‘ Have I overslept ?” You tried to muster up the strength to sit up then yawned and stretched your arms.
“Y/n! Rise and shine!” You hear Yoimiya calling out your name from outside so you quickly got up from your futon and fixed it up before leaving your room.
“Mm… I’m up..” You muttered while rubbing your eyes and yawned.
“C’mon! Let’s deliver these fireworks so we can get the job done by noon and have the time to start with your origami project!”
“...Origami Project..?” You then remembered Yoimiya’s plan last night. “Oh.. so we’re really going through that, huh..”
“Huh? You.. don’t want to..?”
“Well… not saying that I don’t…” You glanced away while scratching the back of your head. “I just thought that… it would be really disappointing if nothing will happen after we try making those paper cranes”
Yoimiya then sighed and grabbed your hand. “C’mon! We haven’t even started working on it yet and you’re already giving up? I won’t let you say no until we’ve tried it ourselves. If things don't work out, then we can make another plan. We’ll try every idea we have to make that wish of yours come true!”
Before you could say anything, she had already dragged you out of the house to start with the firework deliveries. You both ran around the city and had delivered every single firework order to the townspeople. By the time you both had finished your deliveries, it was already noon and you both had lots of time to spare.
“Okay, now that the deliveries have already been taken care of, let’s go and buy some papers to use for the origami cranes” She prompted and started leading the way. You then just followed her as you slowly began to get lost in your own thoughts.
“What color would you like, Y/n?”
You couldn’t hear Yoimiya as you were preoccupied by your thoughts.
“Y/n?”
“..Huh?” You got back into your senses and looked at her in a daze.
“Geez, if you’re not gonna pick a color then let me pick for you—”
“Purple…” You mumbled as you were staring out like you got caught in a trance. “..Just like his eyes…”
“Oh boy, didn’t think your lovesickness would be this severe, but okay!” She turned to the shopkeeper and laid out a bag of mora. “Give us a ton of purple paper, and by a ton, I mean loooooooooooots of it! Make it reach a thousand!”
“A-A thousand?” The shopkeeper was perplexed but he quickly went to find the papers in his stock and placed a tall stack of purple paper. “I’m… not sure if this will even reach a thousand since this is all we have for now”
“We’ll take it! We’ll just come back and buy more paper if it’s still lacking” Your friend took the paper stacks with her and you grabbed half of the portion to help her out.
You both soon got home and laid the papers on the floor. You thought that there’s way too many papers, you don’t know how much you could even make in a single day.
“Now, don’t get overwhelmed! I’m sure we’ll get at least the majority of these done by night” She picked up a piece of the paper and started folding it to make a paper crane.
You picked up one as well and started folding it too.
As you start carefully making the paper crane, your thoughts start to get lost in an old memory, back to when you first met him.
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There was one time that you had to deliver some fireworks to the Kamisato estate since Yoimiya was preoccupied with other errands along with her dad. You were taken to the garden to wait and so while waiting, you just took out a piece of paper from your pocket and started making an origami sword.
“That’s some fascinating craftsmanship”
“-!?” You quickly turned to see a man with ash-blonde hair and purple eyes. You even noticed a scar that is visible right across his face. He wore a robe and you noticed him carrying around a katana.
“Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you” He sheepishly chuckled and scratched the back of his head. “I noticed you upon my arrival and wondered if you’re new? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before” He turned to see the fireworks that were right beside you. “You’re from the Naganohara family?”
“Ah– No– I mean..” You quickly panicked as you shook your hands in front of you. You never really get used to talking to new people so it immediately sends your mind blank when someone unfamiliar tries to strike a conversation with you.
The ronin giggled at your reaction. “Deep breaths now, you look like you’re about to faint”
“R-Right…” You took a deep breath and slowly began to calm down. “I’m… technically not a Naganohara… though I work for them..”
“Ah, so you were the one Yoimiya has been talking about”
“E-Eh..?”
“It was a while back, Yoimiya was suddenly talking about having a little sister and it left most of us perplexed. Every time we would meet, she would talk about you a lot and it made us curious”
“Y-Yoimiya… talks about me.. A lot..?” You felt the embarrassment crawling up on your skin as your cheeks were slightly turning red.
“She seems really proud to have you as her little sister” He gave a gentle smile and patted your head. “I can see why though, you’re quite cute and that paper craft is really remarkable. She wasn’t kidding when she said that you have a talent for origami”
You were speechless at the man’s words and his demeanor somehow made you feel at ease.
“Ah, forgive me, I forgot to introduce myself” He sheepishly chuckled as he withdrew his hand from your head. “I’m Tomo, and you are..?”
“Y/n..”
“Y/n, is it okay if I ask you to make me a paper sword as well?”
“Oh uhm.. Sure but.. I’m out of paper at the moment and I still have to get some at home… How will I give it to you?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll visit you at the Naganohara workshop tomorrow” He then flashed a wink at you.
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You cherished such memories ever since. The thought still gives you butterflies and you sometimes wished that you would go back to that time. You had fallen really hard and couldn’t stop thinking about him everyday and it sometimes made you wonder if that’s ever a good thing.
You were brought back to reality upon hearing Yoimiya’s yawn and you realized that it’s already night time. You both have made over two or maybe three hundred paper cranes so far for the past few hours and it surprises you that you both have made it this far in just a quarter of a day.
“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I’m starving. Why don’t we take a break and get something to eat?” Yoimiya stood up and stretched her arms.
“Alright..” You nodded your head and stood up as well. All that work had strained your hands a bit so you thought that it’s best if you give your hands a rest for now.
***
Dinner went as usual and you soon finally got on your futon to rest. You looked to the side and saw the origami cranes you both made.
‘ I wonder if I will be able to make a thousand before the fireworks show..? I really want to see the fireworks with him this year… ’
You laid on the futon for a while but you couldn’t sleep. You feel very restless and it’s making you uneasy.
You sat up and thought of a way to use the excess energy. You turned to the paper stacks at the corner and went to turn on the lights. You decided to continue making paper cranes instead of worrying for the rest of the night. Although making a thousand paper cranes is quite overwhelming, it somehow relaxes you whenever you spend your time making origami.
Carefully folding and making precise creases in every step, it somehow reminds you of another memory that you shared with the ronin.
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“This looks amazing, Y/n” He held the origami sword in his hand and took another closer look at it as he was filled with awe. “Everything looks so clean and flawless. Like a perfectly forged blade, newly crafted by the blacksmith”
You giggled at his reaction, feeling warm and fuzzy seeing him this happy over a tiny paper craft.
“I’ll treasure this craft you made for me. I really can’t put into words how much I love your craft. I do hope you will find the time to make more for me in the future– of course, it’s up to you though. I won’t pressure you into making origami for me all the time, that would be selfish of me. I’ll have to repay you somehow”
“I-It’s fine! You don’t have to pay me anything!” You shook your hands in front of you. “Just seeing you happy is more than enough”
You both fell into silence for a moment as you both looked at each other. Then you soon realized the meaning behind the words you just said and immediately turned red.
“I-I mean..!” You began to panic and turn away. “...As long as you’re happy with the craft and have no complaints… T-There’s no need to repay me…” You could feel your cheeks burning from the embarrassment. There’s no way you can take back what you had just said to him.
You then felt a hand gently patting your head, which made you slowly turn around to face him. He had his head turned to the side as you noticed the tip of his ear was tinted in red. It made you giggle seeing him in this state as you thought that it’s slightly out-of-character for him. He slowly turned to you and sheepishly chuckled along with you.
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You rubbed your eye after finishing up a few hundred more paper cranes for archons know how long.
You turned to the window and saw that daybreak still has yet to come, but the sky’s slowly brightening up. You realized that you ended up making these paper cranes all night and haven’t slept a wink. You sighed, thinking that it was on you for pushing yourself. You just have to make up for your loss of sleep later.
***
You took yourself for a stroll around the city to take a break for a while. Yoimiya is busy playing with the kids in the neighborhood and you thought of buying more paper since you were already about to run out, and you still have yet to reach a thousand.
You went to the same shop where you bought the papers last time and asked the shopkeeper for more. You were in luck because the shop has more paper in store so you bought them and immediately headed home.
On the way home, you would hear whispers and gossip among the townsfolk. You couldn’t help but overhear their conversations.
“Have you heard of the Shogun’s Musou no Hitotachi ?”
“I heard that only criminals given a death sentence were able to witness such skill”
“That’s terrifying..”
You then suddenly felt uneasy for some reason. You can’t quite point out the main reason but it’s causing quite a stir in your heart. You figured that you’re just not feeling well and since you weren’t able to sleep at all last night, you thought that it’s just fatigue.
You finally got home and immediately retired to your room to rest. There’s nothing to do since you had already finished up all your work with Yoimiya yesterday, so now you’re taking the day off.
You laid on your futon and let out a sigh as you looked up at the ceiling. You try to clear your mind and close your eyes to sleep, but a few minutes passed by, you were still feeling restless.
Your heart is feeling anxious and uneasy, you keep changing sleeping positions but no matter what, you really can’t sleep, nor at least feel comfortable.
“Why do I feel so anxious and uneasy…?” You placed your hand over your chest, feeling the unstable and heavy beating of your heart.
“...Deep breaths, Y/n.. deep breaths…” You mumbled to yourself as you took a couple of deep breaths, repeating the process until you’ve finally calmed down a little.
“I wonder how he's doing these days…” You mumbled to yourself and sat up from your futon. You looked over to the paper cranes you made and realized that you might lose at least one of them in the process if you don’t put them in one container.
You quickly scurry around the room until you find an empty jar that is perfect to contain the paper cranes. You carefully scooped up the origami works and transferred it all in the jar, sealing it firmly after using before you went to continue making more of those with the newly bought paper.
While crafting, you were humming a tune to at least lighten up the mood. Crafting as a hobby can get pretty tiring if all you do is work in a room where the silence is deafening.
And then your thoughts would slowly get lost into another memory that you cherished so dear.
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You and Tomo were spending time together in Chinju Forest. After another delivery you made for the Kamisato household, you coincidentally met up with the ronin, who was planning to visit the esteemed family.
You began to wonder if all these meetings were really ever a coincidence at all?
“How is Yoimiya these days?”
“Yoimiya’s doing great as always, working hard for the family business and always passionate about her work”
“Sounds like another person I know” He glanced at you with a light smirk curved up on his lips.
“And who might that be..?” You raised an eyebrow.
“Hmm, let me think…” He placed a hand on his chin. “A certain beautiful lady with an astounding talent for paper craft”
You were slightly taken aback by his answer and looked away without trying to lose your composure. “Quit it with the flattery…”
“Why, I was just telling the truth. It wouldn’t hurt to take a compliment or two~”
“How brazen of you..” You sighed then suddenly stopped walking the moment you opened your eyes, seeing the ronin blocking your way.
“Well, I may be brazen, but there’s no ill-intention behind these compliments and praises. If I could, I would even give you more than just flattering words” He went to pick up one of the glowing flowers from the bushes at the side, carefully plucking it out before heading back to offer it to you.
You could feel yourself getting flustered and your cheeks were slightly burning as you hesitantly reached your hand out to accept the flower.
The ronin smiled gently, which somehow made your heart melt just by looking at him. You can’t afford to look very obvious so you looked down while holding the flower close to your chest then looked away to hide your flustered face.
“Thank you…”
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You let out a soft sigh as you recalled the events of that memory. You dearly missed those times, hoping for another chance to relive it once the ronin finally returns.
Before you could continue, you felt your hands going sore so you immediately stopped and looked at it closely. There were neither bruises or cuts, but your hands were both twitching and slightly reddish after overworking it for hours.
“I think I worked a bit too hard…” You mumbled and looked at the window, realizing that the sun is already about to set.
You decided to give it a rest for now and looked at your progress. You noticed that there’s fewer papers left and it won’t be long before your wish will be completed.
You had set the jar aside after sealing it up then laid down on your futon. You could feel your eyelids getting heavier by the minute so you just let your sleepiness take over.
***
“Honestly, you should really take good care of yourself. You know very well that even you have limits to how much work you can do”
At the moment, you were being lectured by Yoimiya as she had taken notice of your sore hands. Currently, she’s just wrapping your hands in bandages while pouting.
“Today, you’re not allowed to do or at least hold anything. Your hands need some good resting” She finished up then placed her hands on her hips.
“What about eating then..?” You sweatdropped.
“I– well… ahem! Eating will be an exception then!” She then sighed a bit. “But really though, please don’t push yourself too hard. You’re just going to wear yourself out more. Why don’t we go outside today? We can finish up the remaining paper cranes once your hands finally feel better”
Having no choice either way, you decided to agree to her idea.
You both went outside and took a stroll around the city. While strolling around, you would notice some citizens feeling uneasy while some were whispering at the sidewalks. The whole city somehow feels gloomy and less busy than usual.
“Strange..” You muttered.
“What is?” Yoimiya turned to you while tilting her head.
“Everything is so… how should I put it..?” You placed a hand on your chin while pondering.
Before you could continue, you both were interrupted by a gathering crowd up ahead.
“Huh?” You both then headed off to the gathering crowd to see what’s all the commotion about.
You tried to squeeze in through the crowd and while doing so, you would overhear them gossiping and whispering.
“The Shogun established two decrees…”
“Vision hunting?? But didn’t the Shogun offer the visions to her people? Why does she suddenly want to take them back now?”
“I can’t believe she’s closing off the borders..”
“..How will I ever get home…?”
You stopped as you heard the conversation and immediately retreated back to where Yoimiya was then gasping for air as you finally squeezed out from the crowd.
“Y/n, what did you find?” She grabbed your hand and helped you out.
You looked up to her while catching your breath then fixed yourself. “They were talking about the Shogun establishing two decrees… Inazuma’s borders will be closed off and the other was talking about hunting visions..? Wait, they’re not going to confiscate everyone’s visions, are they??” You began to worry as you looked at Yoimiya. You may not have a vision yourself, but your friend does and you worry at the thought of someone losing their vision. What will happen if people won’t give up their visions? They aren’t going to be branded as criminals, are they?
You looked around and noticed the shogunates approaching people and prompting them to hand over their visions. You looked back to Yoimiya and grabbed her hand. “We need to go!” You raced back home with her.
“Huh?? Y/n, wait!”
You both finally got home and you sighed in relief.
“Looks like they weren’t kidding about confiscating visions… Why did the Shogun suddenly implement such a decree, I mean, it just doesn’t make any sense!” Yoimiya peeked through the small gap of the window while seeing citizens losing their visions.
“Whatever the case… I don’t think it will do any of you good either if you just allow your visions to be confiscated like that” You added while also trying to take a peek at the window.
You then suddenly remembered that Tomo has a vision himself. You worry for a moment on what kind of trouble he’ll be facing right now but you shook away the thought, assuring yourself that someone like him can’t be taken down that easily. Perhaps not even the vision hunters can.
You and Yoimiya decided to stay at home instead to avoid being seen by vision hunters. You both decided to stay in your room for the time-being and since there’s nothing important to take care of, you both decided to continue making the paper cranes, though mostly it’s just Yoimiya doing the work since she didn’t allow you to do anything while your hands are still recovering.
“Yoimiya… do you think Tomo will be okay out there..?” You muttered as you looked at her.
She looked back at you for a moment before reverting her attention back to the paper she was folding. “I’m sure he will! You just gotta have faith! If you’re that unsure then you can just simply use the wish for his safety”
“Isn’t there like rules to this kind of thing though?” You gently picked up a paper crane from the jar. “As long as he can return, there’s nothing more I could ask for..” You muttered before putting it back. “Though I’m still skeptical, it’s just a legend after all, what if it won’t work?”
“Well, we still have a lot of options to think of, it won’t hurt to try out every one of them” She finished up folding one paper crane and put it in the jar along with the rest. “And would you look at that, there’s five of them left! It won’t be long before we finish and you can finally gain your wish” She grinned proudly then stood up.
“I’ll go and make dinner” She then walked out of the room and closed the door behind her.
You let out a sigh as soon as you were alone. You can’t help but worry for the ronin who is still out there, your heart couldn't stop feeling uneasy as if something bad might happen sooner or later, but you thought that you were just overthinking it and tried to shrug it off.
For the rest of the night, you couldn’t sleep again so you decided to slowly continue the remaining paper cranes.
Out of five, you could only do four, seeing that you could no longer go on with the soreness of your hands. Yoimiya might lecture you more if you keep pushing yourself so you decided to give it a rest.
***
You decided to stay outside by the garden of the Komore Teahouse while Yoimiya was meeting up with Thoma and Ayaka inside. You just simply enjoyed some tea while waiting, you’re still not used to being around the members of the Kamisato clan and you thought that you might not be able to contribute anything to their conversation so you decided to wait outside.
Endless rumors and gossip were spiraling around the city and you happen to overhear one of them nearby from the neighboring houses.
“Did you hear? Someone apparently challenged the vision hunters to a duel before the throne”
“Did they have a death wish or something..?”
“I’m not sure, but I heard it’s happening right now at Tenshukaku”
You were about to ask some questions regarding the gossip you heard until you noticed someone with ash-white hair and a red streak at the side, wearing a samurai-like robe in red, white and auburn. You remembered that he was Tomo’s traveling companion and you almost immediately recognised him the moment he passed by in front of you, though he seemed like he was in a hurry.
Did something happen..?
You noticed that he was heading for Tenshukaku and your eyes widened in realization.
‘ It can’t be him… right.. ?’ Your anxiety starts rising and your uneasiness worsens.
You couldn’t bear to hear any more of the rumors flying around so you immediately told Kozue, the shop assistant of the teahouse, to let Yoimiya know that you were heading back home.
On the way home, you noticed the sky turning gray and rain droplets began to fall. You felt one falling on your exposed skin and so you started to increase your pace.
You managed to get home before the downpour then you let out a sigh in exhaustion. You placed your hand over your chest as you still feel the uneasiness creeping up on you. You tried taking deep breaths for a while until you felt a lot calmer.
“It will be alright… I just need to distract myself…”
You headed back to your room and decided to start working on the last paper crane to clear your mind from your worries.
Your hands were shaking as you began folding the paper. You tried to shake off any unwanted thoughts lingering in your mind and focus on your craft. You could feel a surge of emotions flowing and before you knew it, water drops fell and stained the paper.
“H-Huh….?” You wiped your cheek and noticed that tears were leaking out of your eyes so you immediately wiped it off with your arm.
“Calm down….” You muttered to yourself
“Just… calm down…” You keep reassuring yourself.
While repeating the exact words to yourself, you could feel your anxiety rising and the pressure started forming inside, making you think for the worst.
“H-He’s going to be fine…”
“..I know he will be…”
“I know he will be okay…”
The ronin’s image suddenly appeared in your mind, the gentle smile on his face and the warm touch he gave while patting your head. Everything about him you missed so dear. You wished that everything you heard was just a misunderstanding.
You suddenly heard a rip as you were about to finish the paper crane. You soon noticed that you had tugged onto the wings a bit too hard, causing the paper to slightly rip, and along with the tears that had stained it, it made the paper slightly delicate. You lift it up on your palm to have a closer look.
You then suddenly hear the door open.
“Y/n!”
You slowly turned your head to see Yoimiya, completely soaked from the rain and looking completely out of breath, as if she had been rushing. You also noticed that her expression became slightly regretful upon seeing you then slowly approached you.
“..Yoimiya?”
“Y/n…” She seemed reluctant to tell you something.
“..W-What happened?”
The both of you were silent for a moment, and that was until the other finally spoke up. The next thing you heard right from her words made your heart drop. The paper crane on your palm fell off to the floor and you immediately covered your mouth as a heavy flow of emotions started stirring up inside you. More tears fell and your heart started aching badly from the immense shock you felt.
Yoimiya looked at you pitifully and immediately rushed to you for a tight hug. You cried your heart out as you were wrapped in your sister’s warm embrace. You had lost someone special to you, a piece of your heart.
You then continued to mourn and grieve for a while with Yoimiya staying by your side and looking after you.
***
You stood by the edge of the cliff of Amakane island, carrying the jar filled with a thousand paper cranes. You were completely lost in a daze, feeling heavy as you are well-aware that your wish will never come true.
And without the main purpose of your wish, you decided to throw it all into the sea.
You opened the lid of the jar and let out a deep sigh.
“Why the long face?”
“-!?” You quickly turned around upon hearing the familiar voice behind you.
There stood a certain man with ash-blonde hair and that familiar scar on his face. His eyes were softened while gazing at you, giving you a gentle smile while you on the other hand froze in disbelief, unable to comprehend if what you’re seeing is real or not.
“Tomo..?”
He chuckled with his arms wide open. Without hesitation, you rushed into his arms and lunged forward before firmly holding him into a tight hug.
“You idiot! You reckless idiot! I waited for you all this time and I..!” You broke out a sob while burying your face onto his chest. You then feel his hand caressing your hair as he tries to ease your agitation.
“I’m sorry.. I made you wait for so long, haven’t I?” He whispered under his breath then firmly wrapped his arms around you. “Though this isn’t the reunion that I was hoping for” He sheepishly chuckled and pulled away to get a clear look on your face.
You soon calmed down and gazed up at him, you felt his hand gently wiping away your tears then cupped your cheek. You both locked gazes onto each other for a moment as your faces were leaning closer, then you both slowly closed your eyes.
You felt something soft and warm planted gently on your lips. You reciprocated the feeling but you felt like getting pushed back in the process. The ronin had his free arm support your back to prevent you from falling and kept you close to him, you wouldn’t be able to escape from his grasp, even if you tried.
He slowly pulled away while still holding onto you, you both opened up your eyes and noticed each others’ faces turning into a blushing mess.
“I..love you, Y/n”
Hearing him say those words made your heart race. You tried to hold back your tears and gave him a warm smile.
“I love you too, Tomo…”
The ronin’s smile grew, then he let out a relieved-like sigh as he pressed his forehead against yours.
“I finally got to release this heavy feeling off my chest… I’m really happy to hear that..” He gazed at you softly which slowly started to show signs of regret. “If only I got to tell you sooner…” He muttered.
“..Tomo?”
He pulled away for a bit and gently held your chin. “Y/n… Please be happy for me… Take your time and live your life to the fullest”
You finally understood what he meant and your chest starts to feel heavy again. You thought that you should’ve known sooner.
“I don’t want to leave you again this way, but I must..”
You were about to look away but the ronin brought your gaze back to him.
“Y/n… You’ve waited for me this long and I feel guilty for it”
He tightly wrapped his arms around you and whispered gently in your ear.
“I promise to wait for you this time…”
He then faced you to give you one last kiss as he firmly held you close. You closed your eyes and firmly held onto his hands while returning the kiss.
.
.
.
You felt a tear run down your cheek before you slowly opened your eyes. You were all alone and you were facing the sea. You looked down and to your surprise, the jar that was supposedly filled with paper cranes became empty. Everything was gone.
Your lips broke into a bitter smile and looked up at the cloudy sky, rain started pouring and you could only let out a bitter laugh.
“To think my wish would be granted like this… What a cruel world we live in. Right, Tomo..?"
-End-