青い骨の美 - The Beauty of Blue Bones

Chapter 40

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She was back floating between the chasm of life and death. The smile on her face could barely be contained as that thick mucus-like substance swallowed her whole before transporting her to the place that she grew to hate.

She didn't hate it this time; the face of the Shinigami didn't scare her, nor did the coldness cause goosebumps to riddle her arms.

Hinata looked around, her hair wrapping around her as she tried to find Chō in the darkness. Usually, she would pass by the spirit before ending up in the place she currently resided, but she hadn't seen Chō yet.

A tap on her shoulder made her whip her head around, and a solemn look instantly replaced her smile. She held onto her arms and pulled her closer; running her fingers through her hair, cupping her cheeks, Hinata stared into the pale eyes of her little sister.

She wasn't as tall as before, instead, she looked just like she had been when she first showed up at her home. Her height was that of the three year old that had died, the baby fat in her round, red cheeks made her eyes look bigger than they were. Her hair was midnight blue just like her own, and a small mole was underneath her eye.

"Sister," Chō's voice was higher pitched, yet soft, as she called Hinata's name. She gripped her arm tighter, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at herself and the woman in front of her. "You did it."

Hinata bit her lip and nodded, she kept holding her face, caressing her cheeks as if she was afraid to finally let her go. Chō had been a hassle to deal with, and there were moments where she couldn't trust her at all, but she had been her sister.

They were together until they weren't, and it's going to happen again. She's going to lose her forever, and a part of her hated the thought of parting ways with her.

"I love you." Hinata whispered, pulling her into her chest as she hugged her tight. "I'm sorry for what our father did, I'm sorry that our family failed you, and I'm sorry that you've suffered in silence. It shouldn't have been you; you had more potential than I've ever had."

"Don't say that." Chō closed her eyes and inhaled. She couldn't smell anything—this was death after all—but she tried her best to get a whiff of what her sister smelt like. Was it the lavender and jasmine scent she always had, or did she change it as she grew up?

"Will you really go to heaven?"

"I would hope so."

"I don't want you to leave."

They pulled away from each other yet kept holding hands.

"I got you back for some time and I don't want you to leave again. I don't want to lose another person."

"I've already been lost, Hinata, there's no reason to be sad that I'm leaving again."

"Still—"

"Shh." She shook her head. "It's time to go soon."

"But—"

Chō smiled and tugged on her hair a little bit, "I think I'm going to really miss this, having you around and bothering you all the time. I know sometimes I did things but...I liked spending it with you. I'm going to miss you." She looked over her shoulder and kept smiling. "Promise me you won't hate yourself?"

Hinata nodded, "I promise."

"And you won't blame yourself, curse at yourself, be angry, and wonder why you did all of this?"

She tilted her head to the side, confusion plastered on her face. "I promise?"

"Good." Chō grinned and pushed her back harshly. "I have some things I need to take care of."