"Hodaka!" Hina shouted.
Hodaka's body stops glowing. It descends down back into his limp body. Hodaka looks as surprised as the kannushis around him. Has an error occurred? Thought Hodaka. He wasn't particularly in fear, so why was it not working?
"Young man, it is my honour to be able to witness the pure heart of yours, for today you have shown me what love can still do. Please allow me to take your place as the sacrifice. May you and your sweet lady friend have a bright future ahead of you," said the old kannushi as a translucent entity exited his body and starts to float up.
"No! What are you doing?!" Hodaka shouts back at him. Hodaka felt that saving Hina's isn't anyone else's responsibility. Rescuing Hina in the first place was his choice, and it's also his choice to pay the price for it.
"Don't worry about me, young man. Be happy for me, for I am about to meet my ancestors above the cumulonimbi," the old kannushi said gracefully, as his body shattered into sparks. Just like this, he was gone, leaving his lifeless body behind. Hodaka rejoins his body, waking up and gasping for air.
"Boom!" roars the thunder, as the rain stops in that instant. The clouds parted, as the familiar feel of sunshine collides with his face. It has been done. The old kannushi had sacrificed himself in place of Hodaka. Hodaka felt a tinge of guilt, for he felt like he caused the old kannushi to die.
"Hodaka! Are you okay?" Hina asks, as she envelopes Hodaka within her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I'm fine, Hina," reassures Hodaka. Hodaka isn't sure how to feel. On one hand, his mind ran wild upon returning to Hina. On the other hand, he is confused about how he feels about what had just happened. It isn't a good feeling, that's for sure.
"Hodaka... I lost you once, I can't lose you again. How can you be so selfish and stupid, leaving me behind alone like this. Did you really think that by leaving me behind and going off alone, I would feel happier? If you really died, I don't know what I'll do next. You're the world to me, Hodaka. You promised me that we would go through heaven and hell together, so stick with it!" Hina sobs as she starts thumping on Hodaka's chest. Hodaka pulls her close, and gives her a bear hug.
"I'm sorry, Hina. I know I should have consulted you first, but I know you would have surely dismissed my plan and probably tie me up in chains and lock me up somewhere, so I had no choice but to go alone. It was insensitive of me, so I ask for your forgiveness," Hodaka said as tears welled up in his eyes.
"Of... of course... but don't you dare do something so stupid like this again." Hina blushes as Hodaka releases her from his grasp.
As Hodaka and Hina leaves the shrine hand in hand, Hodaka apologises to the kannushis for their trouble and their loss.
"Hodaka... do you want to grab some lunch?" Hina asks with a smile on a face as she clasps herself onto Hodaka's arm, like a koala holding onto a tree. Hodaka then realised how hungry he was. He supposed it was because of the anxiety he felt before that made him lose his appetite.
"Sure! Let's head to the new cafe near the station. I heard they came up with a new menu. I really wanna try the teru-teru omurice..." Hodaka says dreamily. Together, they headed towards the train station, the bright sun casting a pair of shadows behind.
