Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 84: Long-awaited closure

When dawn arrived the next day, we all had breakfast, gathered our preparations, mounted our horses and followed Kinu-chan's lead to my parents' graves.

Evening

"We'll stop off in this town to allow our horses and ourselves to recharge" Kinu-chan announced after we made sure that our horses were safe and secure.
"Right" Heisuke agreed while he finished tying Jinsoku's reins. I just nodded and we all made our way to the closest inn. After paying for a room for the night, we went out to eat dinner. The restaurant we went to was lovely and the food was amazing making for an extremely pleasant dining experience.

We were now back at the inn, Kinu-chan had rented a separate room saying she didn't want to interrupt our "quality time". Even though I initially told her it was unnecessary, I realised that I actually appreciated her decision. "Hey Chiyeko, ya haven't said much of anything since we left the house. You didn't even comment on the sweetness of your dessert" I chuckled quietly at his observation. "Are you alright?"
"...I'm fine Heisuke, just...thinking to myself that's all"
"Hey, what happened to sharing our troubles with one another?"
"I'm not-"
"Chiyeko, in the long time that I've had the pleasure of knowing you for, you've never been this quiet. I can tell something is bugging ya"
"Heisuke..."
"I'm here for you Chiyeko. Now and always. So tell me what's on your mind, please"
"It's just...I'm worried"
"About visiting your parents?"
"Yeah...I don't know what to say to them when I finally see them again...Not forgetting to mention that I don't even know if I'll be able to handle seeing them again..."
"It must be scary and frustrating not having the answers, but life would be boring if you always knew what was gonna happen"
"While that is true, I don't really see what it has to do with my problem"
"What I'm saying is you have to take a chance every now and again. The result may be terrible and something ya end up regrettin'-"
"This isn't helping"
"BUT the result could also give you a worthwhile experience! That decision could bring you unrivalled joy and happiness, but you'll never know if you don't take a chance and believe, Chiyeko"
"Huh...you know you can be really smart when you try to be Heisuke"
"Hey, what's that supposed to-!?" I cut off his angered exclamation with a kiss. It only lasted a few seconds, but it was heated enough to shock Heisuke into a stunned silence. His face slowly gained a red hue and I giggled softly.
"Arigato gozimasu Heisuke, I think I'll take that chance" I smiled before slipping into the futon. Heisuke began to mutter incoherently to himself, though he still wrapped me up in his arms while he got under the blankets with me.
"...You're welcome" Was the first and last legible thing Heisuke said that night after my surprise kiss.

After half a month of travelling by day and resting in inns at night, we had reached the abandoned town of our intense and final battle with Kioshi.

We had tied our horses to one of the many abandoned buildings and continued the remainder of our journey on foot. Kinu-chan led us to a beautiful small field, various flowers adorned the luscious grass and atop that grass sat two piles of similarly-sized stones. "Nature's starting to take back the land and it started here. I thought this would be a nice place to bury your parents because of it"
"Yeah, it's...it is nice..."
"I know you probably want to be left alone, but I have some things to give you before that"
"Nani...?"
"Your father's glasses" She handed me the pair of spectacles and I held onto them dearly, as if my life depended on it. I remember playing with his glasses when I was a kid...He'd always scold me afterwards saying I'd need glasses soon if I kept it up...I chuckled softly at the memories the glasses held for me. "And..." Kinu-chan noticeably paused causing me to look up at her. In her hands was a small purple box. "...and this. I don't know what's inside, but your mother begged me to ensure that you received it before she...A-Anyway, here" She held out the box and I took it swiftly, yet I hesitated in opening it. "Go on Chiyeko. Whatever it is, I'm positive she wanted you to have it"
"R-Right..." I gingerly opened the box and gasped at what was inside. There was a note that read;