CHAPTER 32

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The scent of lavender lingered in the air, mixing with the warmth of the small room that had become a sanctuary over the last few months

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The scent of lavender lingered in the air, mixing with the warmth of the small room that had become a sanctuary over the last few months. It was an oasis where time melted away, leaving behind the worries and fears that had once anchored you in a sea of darkness. Today was different, though; a clarity rendered the air sharper, more invigorating, as humidity curled through the open windows.

You stood up straight—your backbone aligned, your legs firm beneath you. You had finished your steam therapy sessions and the doctor announced no more would be needed.

The words felt like the final key turning in a long-silenced lock. You smiled, testing your limbs as joy bubbled inside you like a new-found fountain of life. "I can walk... I can jump... I can spin!" You exclaimed, plastering a smile across her face. With an impromptu twirl, you spun in a delicate pirouette, the lightness in your heart almost lifting you off the ground.

As you landed, you felt a hot flash of tears welling in your eyes. They spilled over, breaking the dam of emotions you had fought so hard to contain.

"Well done, princess," came Sakura's warm, velvety whisper, as you drifted into his strong, welcoming embrace. A tangible warmth spread through you, cutting through the remnants of anguish that had held you captive for so long. He laughed gently, mingling encouragement with solace.

"Why does it feel like one of those moments where a baby learns to walk for the first time...?" Kiryu's voice trembled as he wiped away a tear behind his hand. His loyalty had come to symbolize strength through uncertainty, and his emotion was shared in the room like a common thread.

You chuckled at the sentiment, your fingers ruffling his hair playfully. "Thank you for everything, everyone." Your voice cracked, but it was laced with gratitude so profound that it forged an invisible bond among them all.

"Group hug!!" Umemiya exclaimed, igniting a spirit of togetherness that each one of them had cultivated. You found herself enveloped in warmth, as if a cocoon of love had been wrapped around you. The boys were a treasured family now, each of them having played a crucial role in this healing journey.

"We're all proud of you, Y/n," Suo murmured, tenderly stroking your hair. There was nothing more refreshing than the joy in their shared love—a recognition of triumph over trauma.

After what seemed like both an eternity and a split second, everyone released each other from the warmth of the embrace, but not before stealing a final moment of silence to revel in their united strength. Sakura pulled back slightly, holding your hands with a seriousness that was almost childlike in its intensity. He inspected your face, reflecting the proud look you had seen mirrored in his eyes countless times before.

"Let's go celebrate!" Kotoha exclaimed, grinning widely. Her bubbly excitement filled the room, overpowering any lingering doubt or fear.

"How about some ice cream? You know how a cone can always lift the spirits!" You suggested.

"Only if it's the rainbow flavor! You know that's my favorite!" Kiryu replied with a grin.

"Then it's settled!" Kotoha replied. "Food first, then we will throw a party in your honor!"

They gathered together, heading toward the exit, their laughter mingling in the halls of the clinic. It felt as though they were drifting in a vibrant world, one that was merging the past with the newfound promise of the future. The halls seemed more vivid, each turn showcasing icons of courage—artwork painted by those who once battled their own shadows.

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When they reached the café, the brigade of friends took their seats around a large round table, the sun spilling its golden rays upon their celebration.

Their ice cream arrived, its colors vibrant and inviting—a spectrum of flavor calling out to them. You cradled the cone, your heart soaring with gratitude. This little cup of joy symbolized so much more than mere celebratory sweets; it was a beacon of resilience that marked the end of your old self and the birth of something new.

Hours passed, laughter filled the air, and the conversation flowed freely. Every shared smile felt like a step taken toward reclaiming parts of yourself you had thought you lost forever.

As twilight draped its soft quilt over the day, they headed toward the glow of fairy lights strung in the nearby park, where Kotoha had suggested they wrap up the day with a bit of stargazing. The idea of finding constellations amid laughter and camaraderie drew them forward as they settled on a grassy knoll.

The boys spilled out, their laughter echoing. Kiryu pretended to be an astronomer, Umemiya recited random facts about constellations, and Kotoha twirled, arms outstretched.

"Behold," Suo declared, pointing upward. "The 'I-ate-too-many-croissants' star!"

You chuckled. "And the 'caffeine comet'?"
"Right there," he said, tracing an imaginary path.
Sakura spread a blanket on the ground, and you sat beside him. The sky stretched wide, a tapestry of twinkling lights. The Milky Way arched above, a river of stardust.

"Look," Sakura said, pointing. "The 'Y/n constellation.'

You squinted. "What does it represent?"

"Strength," he said softly. "The ability to heal and find joy even in the darkest nights."

His words warmed you more than the blanket. You leaned back, fingers brushing the grass. The boys lay nearby, their laughter fading into hushed whispers. Kiryu tried to identify planets, Umemiya debated the existence of aliens, and Kotoha sang a lullaby to the stars.

And so, beneath the starlit sky, you made promises—to yourself, to Sakura, to the universe. Promises of laughter, of healing, of love. The boys drifted off one by one, their snores harmonizing with the crickets.

"Hey," you said, nudging Sakura. "What's your favorite constellation?"

He traced patterns with his finger. "The 'Together Forever' star cluster."

"Is that real?"

He chuckled. "In our universe, it is."

And as you lay there, cocooned in warmth, you realized that sometimes, the most magical constellations weren't in the sky—they were right here, in the bonds you'd forged. The boys and Kotoha were your stars, each unique and irreplaceable.

"Thank you," you whispered to the night.
Sakura squeezed your hand. "For what?"

"For being my North Star," you said. "Guiding me home."

He kissed your forehead, and the stars shimmered in approval. The world felt vast yet intimate, a canvas waiting for your story to unfold.



To be continued...

𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐥 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 || 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘳Where stories live. Discover now