She was a black-haired woman dressed in a pink kimono decorated with white spots, with a snowflake-adorned hairpin at the back of her head. There was a hint of frailty about her, but she did not seem overly delicate.
Her plum-blossom-shaped pupils remained fixed on Akaza, her eyes filled with longing and tenderness, as well as the excitement of finally seeing him again.
"Hakuji."
The girl called to him affectionately, but Akaza simply stared at her blankly, unresponsive.
Only when she stepped closer and called to him again, her face almost touching his, did his eyes regain their focus.
"Koyu...ki?"
As that name left his mouth, all his memories of the past came flooding back.
The girl who had never looked down on his background, the tattoos marking him as a criminal, or his somewhat clumsy feelings. The girl he had once carelessly lost...
Now, she had returned.
Akaza-or rather, Hakuji-threw himself into Koyuki's arms, tears pouring out for the first time in over a hundred years.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
I'm sorry I couldn't protect you back then.
I'm sorry I forgot you.
I'm sorry I've burdened myself with even more sins.
The demonic features on Hakuji's body gradually disappeared. He seemed to become that apprentice from the run-down dojo once more, that awkward but sincere young man.
"It's all right, Hakuji... All that matters is that you're back..." Koyuki cradled Hakuji's head, gently comforting her lover as he sobbed uncontrollably in her arms.
Behind Koyuki, a kindly looking middle-aged man with a little stubble watched the embracing pair, his eyes full of relief.
Seemingly noticing Kanzaki Kumo's gaze, he even turned and bowed slightly to him in thanks.
Once Hakuji had let out all his emotions, the embracing pair stood up together, their fingers tightly intertwined.
"Come