Episode 5: Leaves Blown Down by the Wind

One week later:

Kikka You's death had dealt her mother a devastating blow. Kaede's Mother had lain in the hospital for five days and five nights before waking up. Afterward, she accepted that Kikka You was gone, but she still could not forgive Ryuseki. After all, Kikka You's death had everything to do with him.

So, when Ryuseki came to bid farewell to the departed Kikka You at her funeral, the following scene unfolded.

Ryuseki was stopped outside by Kaede's Mother.

"You don't need to come."

In just a few words, Kaede's Mother made her resolute stance clear. She glared at Ryuseki with piercing eyes.

Ryuseki choked up. He did not have the courage—or perhaps the nerve—to look Kikka You's mother in the eye. He could only keep his head lowered.

"Auntie, I'm sorry. I know I was wrong."

Ryuseki wore an innocent expression. His eyes were red and wet, his bloodshot pupils filled with tears.

"You were wrong? How could you possibly be wrong? You did nothing wrong!" Kaede's Mother sneered. "Heh, we're the ones who should be sorry."

No one nearby stepped forward to help. They only looked at Ryuseki with sympathy, then glanced at Kaede's Mother.

"Auntie, I'm truly sorry. I don't expect you to forgive me. I only ask that you give me one chance." Tears swirled in Ryuseki's eyes.

"There's no need. You're the one who killed Kaede. You don't need to come here and put on an act of bidding her farewell. Even if you brought flowers, she wouldn't accept them. Please leave!" Kaede's Mother replied, forcibly suppressing the fury in her heart.

"Auntie..." Ryuseki's voice was full of self-reproach and guilt. He knew that nothing he said now would help, but if he said nothing, his heart would ache unbearably.

"You don't need to say another word." Kaede's Mother could no longer contain the anger in her heart. It erupted in an instant. As though she had lost all reason, she roared at Ryuseki, "Get out! My daughter and I never want to see you again! Get out!"

"I'm sorry, Auntie. I made you angry." Ryuseki handed Kaede's Mother the chrysanthemums and Kikka You's favorite White Lilies, then bowed to Kikka You's mother. "Please don't be angry anymore."

Though Kikka You's mother was furious, she still could not stop Ryuseki.

"Please place them before her grave." Tears kept filling Ryuseki's eyes. From afar, he gave Kikka You's gravestone a deep bow before turning to leave. He knew that, given Kaede's Mother's current state of mind, his being here would do no one any good. He did not want to make her even sadder.

If he could, Ryuseki wanted so badly to cry. He wanted to open the floodgates in his eyes and let the torrent of tears pour freely. But he could not. The agonizing pain in his heart and the sting in his nose had dried his tears deep inside him.

Everyone watched Ryuseki's slowly receding figure, their hearts filled with an indescribable bitterness. No one commented on the matter, because they knew that no amount of words would help. They would only bring more sorrow.

Kaede's Mother looked at the flowers, then at Ryuseki's back, and could not help feeling heartbroken. Yet she still could not forgive him, because her beloved daughter had died because of him. The greatest hope and concern in her heart were now gone.

After only a few steps, Ryuseki's feet were held back. At that moment, he could feel a force tugging at him, preventing him from moving forward. But when he turned around, there was nothing there.

It was Kikka You. Her soul was desperately tripping him from behind, trying to stop him from leaving. Kikka You clung tightly to Ryuseki, unwilling tears spilling from the corners of her eyes.

"Don't... I don't want you to leave."

But Ryuseki could not see Kikka You at all. Even though they were inches apart, the distance between life and death made them feel worlds apart. Ryuseki seemed to feel Kikka You's tears falling onto his shoulder, but he could never see her. In the end, the despondent Ryuseki left with tears in his eyes. He finally broke free from Kikka You's soul's embrace. No matter how she tried to hug him again, it was futile. She could only watch helplessly as Ryuseki left.

Over the following days, Ryuseki visited Kikka You's grave every day. He sat alone before her grave, secretly shedding tears and speaking to the tombstone. Kikka You's soul quietly remained by his side, listening to him. She still leaned against him like a little bird nestled against its mate. Though neither could communicate with the other, in Ryuseki's heart, Kikka You was still by his side. Kaede's Mother saw what Ryuseki was doing from a distance. She neither stopped nor disturbed him, only covered her mouth and quietly left.