The tale of Mayumi

Chapter 30 - The Goodbye That Hurts

The decision was made.

I had to leave.

I didn't know what I would find or if I was ready for the answers waiting for me, but staying here—pretending I could ignore the truth—wasn't an option anymore.

I had spent too much time running from my past. It was time to face it.

But before I left, there were people I needed to see.

⸻

Hikaru

"You're leaving."

It wasn't a question.

Hikaru stood in the middle of our home—our home—arms crossed, orange eyes locked on mine. He had known something was off the moment I walked in with a backpack. I hadn't even said anything yet.

I sighed. "Yeah."

For once, he didn't crack a joke. He just stared at me, waiting.

I hesitated before speaking. "I don't belong here, Hikaru. Not really. And I need to know why."

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "And you think leaving everything behind is the answer?"

"No," I admitted. "But it's a start."

i told him about the new ability i discovered and everything that followed after.

He was quiet for a long time. Then, finally, he spoke.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

The offer made my chest tighten. Hikaru—who had been by my side since the beginning—was willing to drop everything, just for me.

But this wasn't his fight. It wasn't his mystery to solve.

I forced a small smile. "No. I need to do this alone."

His jaw clenched, but he nodded. "Figures. You always were a stubborn idiot."

I laughed softly. "Look who's talking."

He sighed, then suddenly pulled me into a tight hug.

"If you disappeare, I'm dragging you back just so I can kill you myself," he muttered into my hair.

I smirked. "Noted."

⸻

Tsunade

"You're a damn fool."

Tsunade's voice was sharp, but there was something else in it. Something softer.

I stood in her office, the weight of my decision pressing down on me.

"Probably," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She exhaled, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You're walking into the unknown, Mayumi. You don't even know if you can get back once you leave."

"I know," I said quietly.

Tsunade shook her head. "Then why?"

Because the visions wouldn't stop.
Because I was tired of not knowing who I was.
Because some part of me knew the answers were waiting for me on the other side.

But I didn't say any of that.

Instead, I just looked at her and said, "Because I have to."

For a moment, she looked like she wanted to argue. But then she sighed, leaning back in her chair.

"You're as reckless as Naruto."

I grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Tsunade rolled her eyes, then reached for a small bottle of sake on her desk. She poured two cups and slid one toward me.

"A send-off drink?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Just drink it before I change my mind and lock you in a cell until you come to your senses."

I laughed and took the cup. We drank in silence.

When I set mine down, she was watching me with something like pride in her eyes.

"Don't get yourself killed, kid."

I smirked. "No promises."

⸻

Kakashi

He was waiting for me.

I wasn't surprised.

I had barely stepped out of Tsunade's office when I saw him standing outside, arms in his pockets, his gaze unreadable.

For the first time since making my decision, I felt nervous.

I wasn't sure how to say goodbye to him.

"How long have you known?" I asked, keeping my voice light.

Kakashi sighed. "Since last night."

Of course. He had always been too damn perceptive.

There was a long silence. He didn't ask me to stay. He didn't tell me I was making a mistake. He just stood there, watching me.

And somehow, that was worse.

Finally, I found my voice. "Kakashi, I—"

"I don't want you to go."

I froze.

His voice was calm, steady, but I could hear the weight behind the words.

He wasn't asking me to stay.

He knew I had to do this.

But that didn't mean he was okay with it.

I swallowed hard. "I have to."

Kakashi closed his eye for a moment, exhaling slowly. Then, when he looked at me again, his expression softened.

"I know," he said quietly.

Another silence stretched between us. I clenched my fists, hating how hard this was.

I had been able to say goodbye to Hikaru, to Tsunade—but this?

This felt different.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone," I admitted. "I don't even know if—"

"Don't."

I looked up.

Kakashi held my gaze, his eye darker than I'd ever seen it.

"Just... promise me one thing," he said.

"Anything."

"Come back."

Something in my chest tightened.

I gave him a small smile. "I will."

He nodded, but I could see it in his expression—he didn't believe in promises like that. Not anymore.

And yet...

Somehow, I knew I wouldn't break this one.

With one last look, I turned and walked away.

And Kakashi let me go.