blossoming hearts | mitsuya takashi

32. gardenias

Soon after the funeral took place, Juno sat down in front of Ayumu's grave. She was wearing a long black dress, with a black hoodie on top. Her eyes were puffy from the crying she had done before, the tip of her nose was tinted red, and her hands were trembling in cold.

She brought a bouquet of gardenias for her angel, she sat beneath a ray of sunlight. She told her poor heart that he'll come back one day, even if she knew she was lying straight to her face.

"Ayumu!" She cried out, bursting into uncontrollable sobs. "I know I told you I'd be okay! But I'm not, come back!"

Tears dropped onto her hands that shook in anger, "I don't get why they took you! You haven't done anything wrong."

"You're supposed to walk me down the aisle!"

"You're supposed to see when my book starts selling out!"

"Who am I supposed to protect now?" Juno trembled, "What is my meaning if you aren't here?"

"Do siblings really leave each other like this?"

"I KNOW IT ISN'T YOUR FAULT! BUT WHO AM I SUPPOSED TO BLAME!"

"Who is responsible for this grieving I'm going through."

"I would do anything to have you back in my arms dear brother." Juno sobbed, "I need you."

"Do you really Juno?" A faint voice whispered. "I'll answer all your questions, but in the end you have to answer my one question and fulfill my requests."

Juno cried even more, she had recognized the faint voice.

"Sometimes, there's no explanation on why people die. They just do, or they were needed, I don't really know why I was chosen." Ayumu said, "Stop living for others Juno, live for yourself! I thought we went over this already."

Juno chuckled, "My dear Ayumu."

"I didn't want to leave, trust me, but I had to." Ayumu replied, "Don't blame anyone, it is no one's fault."

Juno looked up and gasped, her crying became even louder, before her stood her brother, or at least a faint image of him.

A lanky guy, his messy hair all over the place, he was dressed in baggy jeans and a shirt with a bright blue butterfly on it, his raggedy pair of converse on. Her dear brother, Ayumu Mochizuki.

Her cries turned into laughs, she put her hands on her mouth, trying to contain the loud sobs.

"Are you real?" She asked, trembling uncontrollably.

Ayumu's eyes started watering, one single tear streaming down his face. "Yes, but you can't touch me."

"You really are dead, aren't you?" Juno whispered, "It wasn't a joke." Juno said, realizing she was still in denial.

"I'm sorry sister." Ayumu said, wrapping her in his arms, she could slightly feel his presence, but it wasn't like before, it wasn't a real hug like when he was alive.

"Can I ask you one last question?" Juno trembled.

Ayumu nodded, "Go ahead my dear."

"Will you watch over me?" Juno asked.

"Of course. One day though, you won't be able to feel me anymore, because you would've fulfilled my requests." Ayumu said, "I can't roam around for long Juno."

"What are your requests?"

"Be happy Juno. I beg of you, please be happy. Second, love Takashi with all you have. Third, get over my death one day. And lastly, get the hell out of this city, I'm not kicking you out, but let go of those chains that pull you back here." Ayumu said, "Please."

Juno nodded, "I will, you said you had a question."

"My question is, do you really need me Juno?" Ayumu asked, "Think about it, you're still here, and you can continue going."

"Does that mean?"

"That you don't need me? Yes." Ayumu answered, smiling at his sister. "Our story has come to an end, the invincible and troublemaking Mochizuki duo, it's over, it's reached its final chapter."

"Ayumu..."

"But we are unforgettable, years will pass by and people will continue talking about the chaos we made, and how everyone loved our recklessness. They won't forget about the family love we shared, we were so young and dumb. My heart goes to you, wherever you are dearest sister."

"Ayumu, please rest in peace." Juno said, her voice tranquil and gentle, "You've opened my eyes."

"See you later Juno." Ayumu smiled, as Juno got up and wiped her eyes, a small smile was on her face as she walked away from his grave. "I miss you so much."

A part of Ayumu's soul accompanied Juno, he promised his heart would go to her wherever she was, because it was his turn to protect her now. After all she's done for him, it's the least he could do. He protected her as much as he could when he was alive, and that protection led him to his fate. Now, he dedicated a piece of his soul to protect her everywhere.

Ayumu loved his sister, throughout his time of being alive and now beyond his death.