A LEAP OF FAITH

Chapter 33: All flowers wilt eventually.

Once Mugi got done coughing out the flowers, he groaned, wiping the blood off of his mouth.

"Dude, what's going on-?" Sharlet looked over at Sugar who stared in horror.

"Mugi, just lay down, it's going to be okay..." she said frantically. Mugi laid down on his back, staring up at Sugar. While he never really got to see what any of his friends look like in detail, he couldn't help but admire each of them.

"I..." His voice was raspy and quiet, "I'm sorry. I wish I had been better to you guys..." He sniffled.

"Shut up, Mugi, just shut up... you've been just fine..." Sugar could feel tears welling up in her eyes. A strained sigh escaped Mugi's throat as he glanced at Sugar.

"You've been nothing but good to me, but all I did was treat you like nothing... I hope you can forgive me..." he whispered. Sugar shook her head and grabbed his hand, holding it tightly in her own.

"You're not going, not like this..." she sobbed out. "I can't lose anyone else... especially not you... please, Mugi, I'll fix this, I'll fix all of this..." She stared at him with desperate eyes. Small flowers bloomed around Mugi's still body,

"It's inevitable," he said, "I made a mistake long ago, and it's finally caught up to me." More petals bloomed all over his face.

"Please..." Sugar begged, "you're so strong, you can get through this, I swear..." She gripped onto his hand tighter. Mugi shakily reached over to his side with his free hand, picking up his wooden wand.

He handed it to Sugar, "Keep this safe for me, okay?" He whispered. Sugar took it from him and nodded. A small smile slid onto Mugi's face, "I knew I could count on you..." He sighed softly. Sugar took him by the arms and pulled him into a tight hug. Mugi weakly wrapped his arms around her, accepting her hug for the first time in his life. "I'll miss you, all of you. It's been a wonderful journey..." he murmured. "But... everything comes to an end." He glanced up at Sugar. "Stay strong for me, okay?" He whispered.

Sugar nodded, "I'll beat Sinclair for you, I promise... I'll avenge you and Miyu..."

Mugi smiled again, "I'm glad I can die happily. I'll... I'll get to see Miyu again..." He sniffled. Just thinking about his sister made him emotional.

"I don't want you to go... not now...not when we were so close..." Her voice cracked with every word she whispered.

Mugi only sighed, "I'm sorry, I wish it didn't have to be this way." He hugged her a bit tighter. "But... I can't do anything to stop it..." He looked up at her with a sad smile.

"I hope you guys will remember me as a friend."

He slowly let go of Sugar, his back hitting the grass. His smile was still present as flowers bloomed from all around him, engulfing him in the grass.

"MUGI...!" Sugar screamed, "WAKE UP, PLEASE!" Everyone was silent, all that could be heard was Sugar's vain attempts of reviving him. "I CAN'T LOSE ANYONE ELSE, I CAN'T..." Her voice fell to a soft cry.

Sharlet gently placed her hand on her back, "It's okay, Sugar... he's at peace now..." she said softly. Sugar gave a soft nod and slowly stood up. She clasped her hands together and said a small prayer, the others did the same.

After they said their last goodbyes, they left Mugi's body to decompose into the now-colder grass. Everything seemed colder, but nonetheless, everything seemed to shift to a gloomier atmosphere.

No one could sleep, not after what happened. Sharlet let Sugar sleep nearby her that night. Sugar held tightly to her, shivering and crying the whole night. Sharlet tried her best to comfort her, but there was no use when her best friend had just passed.