Rokuya raised his head and looked toward the distant horizon, where dawn was about to break. In his mind appeared the young man with dazzling long hair streaked gold and red, who always laughed loudly, and the father who had once sunk into despair but had now regained his conviction.
"It was time to visit the Rengoku family."
Three days later.
The Rengoku residence, on the outskirts of Tokyo Prefecture.
Compared with the lifeless gloom and dejection of a year ago, the Rengoku family now seemed reborn, with vitality everywhere. The weeds in the courtyard had been cleared away completely. Though the enormous cherry tree had not yet reached its flowering season, its branches were thick with leaves, clearly showing the care it had received.
Rokuya stood before the familiar wooden gate and reached out to grasp the door knocker.
Knock, knock, knock.
Three knocks sounded, neither too loud nor too soft.
Before long, hurried footsteps came from inside, accompanied by a boy's clear, lively voice.
"Coming, coming! Who is it?"
The gate slid open, and a boy with the same hairstyle as Kyojuro Rengoku but younger, softer features poked his head out. When he saw Rokuya standing outside, wearing a deep blue haori, his stern face carrying a faint, gentle smile, he froze.
"Y-you are..." Rengoku Senjuro's eyes widened. Then, as though remembering something, he sharply drew in a breath, his cheeks flushing with excitement. "You're Takanashi! The gentleman who saved Mother!"
"Just call me Rokuya, Senjuro." Rokuya reached out and ruffled the little fellow's hair, smiling as he spoke. "It's been a year, and you've grown quite a bit. Your arms are more muscular, too. Looks like you haven't been slacking off this past year."
"Yes! Father and my elder brother strictly supervise my training every day!"