You stand before him, the faint glow of the lanterns painting your silhouette in warm, golden light. For a moment, the world is silent — only the soft hum of the evening wind fills the space between you.

Hakuji’s breath catches in his throat. His wide eyes glisten, disbelief and desperation colliding in their depths.

“K… Koyuki…?” His voice trembles as though the very sound of your name might shatter the fragile dream he’s clinging to. His knees weaken beneath him, and the tears that had been threatening finally spill over, tracing the sharp edges of his scarred face.

You take a step closer, your expression unreadable, though your presence radiates the same gentle warmth he remembered — the same warmth that had kept him alive all those years ago.

Hakuji reaches toward you, his hand shaking violently, afraid that if he touches you, you’ll vanish like mist.

“Is it… really you?” His words break into a quiet sob, his heart pounding with a hope he no longer thought himself worthy of feeling.