The years passed as if the waves were washing them away more and more with every second. It looked like the sand was being washed away by water, and the years themselves were so hard, but also light at the same time.

Shigure watered the same potted flower every day, which grew with such intensity, but still stood there, personifying his loneliness. The smiles and grins behind which the man was hiding constantly lit up his face. No flowers in this world can cover Shigure's longing, because his only interest, the only woman he deeply adored in secret, was inaccessible to him.

Love in this house, as in the Sohma house, was taboo. Forbidden.

On one of these beautiful, sunny days, Shigure went out into the courtyard, putting both hands inside the sleeves of his kimono, inhaling the full lungs and fragrance of nature.

“The cup that is full of love and resentment is overflowing with an ugly feeling of pain and darkness,” Shigure said softly, sighing.

A figure appeared on the horizon of his vision, rising towards his house. It was her, the very flower he wanted to grow himself one day. But, his desire was forbidden.

Shigure's lips parted and he moved a little forward, and his eyes turned cold.

Few thoughts crossed his mind, but how difficult it was just to come to his senses after such meetings. And, exhaling, Shigure closed his lips, making his face more serious.

“And what's that supposed to mean? Did you run away again?”