𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐔𝐋𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 ー sabigiyuu

.11.

Chapter eleven; 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐄

It'd already been the day before Tomioka would be discharged from the hospital. He was stuck there for nearly a month, recovering from the wounds he'd taken from the previous, traumatizing events that had occurred between the two of them, and a few others who's lives were lost.

Thinking back about it made Sabito's head spin. He'd finally had the one he's been dreaming of this entire time, but at what cost?

Walking towards a miniature flower shop—the pink-haired couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia. Besides, this is where he and Tomioka supposedly... bumped into eachother. He sighed, deciding to try and look on the bright side. Even though they had a small argument beforehand, they soon realized who they'd been talking to—reuniting after a good four to five years.

Sabito carefully walked inside the flower shop, the high-pitched chimes of signalling entrance dangling and ringing a harmony, as if they were soft bells.

Upon arrival, he noticed a girl. She was familiar, who seemed to look a bit like... Shinobu Kocho.

"Oh, Sabito!" She forced on a smile, though her expression was unable to be masked from its true, worrisome hue. He paused, before briefly examining the still anonymous woman to him. That, was when it struck him.

"Oh, Kanae." He remembered, as she'd only chuckled. "About time!" She spoke, but eventually—her cheeriness slowly faded out as she asked quite the serious query.

"Say, do you know where Shinobu is? Me and Kanao have been worried sick." She clasped her hands against one another, "You went on a camping trip with her and other kids from your guys' school, right? Is she with you?" Kanae asked, eagerly glancing outside l in hopes she'd spot her. Though, he only answered with pained silence.

"Sabito?.." "...Did you not see the news?" He asked, which retrieved a shake of the head from her, "No, I'm far too busy lately... why?" She trailed off, starting to become concerned.

"...She's.." He couldn't dare finish his sentence. He didn't know whether to say missing, dead—gone.

Kanae slowly tilted her head to the side, trying her very best to still seem enthusiastic. "She's?..." The pale lilac-eyed's lower lips couldn't help but tremble. She was denying it at first, still filled with nothing but pure bewilderment.

He didn't answer—picking a rose and giving Kanae the pay; not waiting for her to give back change. He walked out the door, but stopped as he'd heard sobbing. He turned, eyes widened slightly at the sight.

She'd been knelt down to her knees, tears flowing down her cheeks as she'd sniffled. Wiping the glistening tears away, she looked up at Sabito, giving him a pitiful nod as goodbye.

'I'm sorry.' He mouthed, which only caused the girl to begin mourning even more. She cried, cried, and cried. Sabito didn't know what to do.

"...I—.. I'll be closing the store, now." She said through her breakdown, "...Goodbye." She had only whispered the words ever so softly, though Sabito was able to answer. "...See you."

Not even the sound of the bells chiming and ringing could mask her grieving—it made Sabito feel guilty. He pitied her, with the fact she'd never see one closest to her again—it was painful. Really, painful.