Chapter 303: Three Years (cont.)

Ranmaru continued, "I hope Uncle Kosuke's absence won't affect Aunt Yamada too much. After all, they're all good people."

Hinata said nothing and headed straight for the little house to the west. Ranmaru neither followed her nor asked her to take him along.

Honestly, when it came to life and death, he had truly come to terms with it. He had said so much just now because he had been bottling things up for far too long these past two days, with no way to talk to anyone.

It was only because Hinata had come today that he spoke a little more.

More than ten minutes later, Hinata returned to Ranmaru.

Ranmaru asked, "How is Aunt Yamada doing?"

Hinata thought for a moment before saying, "She's all right, I guess."

"It wasn't as heart-wrenching as I imagined. She just hasn't quite been able to let go yet."

Ranmaru said, "Why would it be heart-wrenching? There are far more cruel things than this happening in this world."

Hinata shook her head. "Maybe it's different for everyone."

Ranmaru nodded and pushed his wheelchair, turning it slightly.

He glanced toward the little house to the west.

Ranmaru continued, "It'll all pass. What should be forgotten will inevitably be forgotten, no matter how important it once was."

Hinata shook her head. "Not necessarily. Some people spend their whole lives trapped within a vow they made long ago."

Ranmaru said, "Isn't that pointless? It's too solitary. Perhaps that can't really be called living."

Hinata said, "But without a goal, that can't be called living either."

After hesitating for a moment, Ranmaru said, "It seems that simply being alive is good enough."

Hinata nodded. "Actually, truly living should mean living for the sake of living."

Ranmaru asked, "What about you?"

Hinata shook her head. "I don't