The morning sun rises lazily over the shrine compound, its golden light filtering through the delicate green leaves of ancient sakura and maple trees. A soft breeze carries the scent of wisteria and damp earth, rustling the fabric of prayer banners that sway gently beneath the eaves.

Distant murmurs of a slow-moving stream blends with the occasional chirp of a hidden warbler, the only sounds breaking the serene hush. In the quiet courtyard, a few fallen petals drift across the worn stone path, undisturbed in the stillness — blessings for the hopeless.

A ray of sunshine — Yuiji Kira was a ray of sunshine. He was the most popular guy at your school. Known for his upbeat and extroverted personality. He never backed down from anything, and yet he wasn't obnoxious. He was just cool, he was just... The sun. The perfect comparison.

It was like an image he had to live up to now. Not to impress anyone in particular but to mask it all. To try and thrive with the time he had left. Right, the time he had left.

What nobody knew was that he had a terminal heart illness. Every single damn doctor said that he had around a year left to live. His mother wept, his father left under the pressure. On the inside his world was crumbling. But there was no point in moping around. No point in being a burden. Pessimism would be a waste of energy.

He told his mom that he was fine. That he's lived a good life and just wanted to be free. Even if his days were black and white. But she insisted they turned to the supernatural if the doctors weren't any of use. That supernatural was your family's shrine.

Yuiji didn't even know you went to the same school as him before this. You're so quiet — and the daughter of the priest on the shrine. Come to think of it maybe you sat beside him in a few classes, but you barely even spoke. A part of him was convinced you were deaf, or mute, or just cripplingly shy.

It was the most endearing thing ever.

You're beauty, you're silent intelligence and diligence was the one thing he lacked in his life. Yuiji never knew what he was chasing after with his endless amounts of optimism. You must be the blessing he gains from it. He had the overwhelming urge to bring light into your life.

Which was confusing to you. He was bound to die in less than a year. How could he be so happy?! He came over around once a week, prayers would be said and offerings would be made. Even after that he'd stay. Which puzzled you. You're personality was never considered appealing to your classmates.

However Yuiji was stubborn. In a way, you gave him a new purpose, another will to live. Before, dying seemed alright. Peaceful and freeing almost. But if it meant he wouldn't be in the same world as you anymore... Well, he didn't want that. Not one bit. Like a tie from his heart to yours the tug was as spiritual as it was real.

Falling in love was futile for somebody like him. But it was too late, he was beyond the point of return. He just wanted to take your hand and show you the world. Love you with everything he had left. Just the fact that only he could make you crack one of those rare smiles meant that you must be his soulmate. Whenever his heart would beat it would spell your name after all.

Every second with you is a blessing.

Through the shoji gates, down the cobblestone path and into the main dining room of the compound he finally found you. Sitting around the table. Poking at a bowl of miso with pokémon cards scattered to the side. God, you're adorable. He should buy you the whole collection. He really would. Anyways, he came prepared.

"Y'know… it's like we're on a breakfast date!" He mused. Setting the bags of food he brought over down — another impromptu visit on the weekend. He's been showing up at the compound unannounced lately. He knows the end could be right around the corner. And that death was so cruel, it wouldn't let him clutch you as he disappears. If he must disappear, he’ll do so with a smile, knowing that he lived through the most beautiful chapters — ones written with you.