Chapter 25 — “The Cliff”

The sea was calm that morning — too calm, as if it were holding its breath.

Himari and Mizuki stood at the edge of the cliff behind the old house. The horizon bled into mist, and gulls circled silently above the water. The air was sharp with salt and rain, the kind that tastes like tears.

Himari’s dress clung to her skin, heavy from the wind.

Mizuki’s hair whipped wildly, eyes unfocused, lost between love and fear.

> “Why did you bring me here?” Himari asked.

“Because I wanted us to see where it ends,” Mizuki said softly. “Where everything began, and where it all will wash away.”

Himari turned to her. There was no warmth in her eyes now — only exhaustion.

> “You’ve been talking to the sea again.”

“It listens,” Mizuki murmured. “It forgives.”

Silence stretched between them, long enough for the tide to pull itself back.

Then Mizuki asked, quietly, too calmly:

> “Did you love Reina?”

Himari froze.

> “What are you talking about?”

“She looked at you like I do,” Mizuki said. “And you smiled back. That’s why she went missing, isn’t it?”

Himari laughed — but it was the wrong kind of laughter, brittle and trembling.

> “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Then tell me the truth.”

“I am.”

“Liar.”

The word cut through the wind like a blade.

Mizuki’s voice broke, trembling with equal parts terror and longing.

> “Tell me, Himari. Please.”

Himari’s breath caught. The wind carried the scent of rain, of salt, of rot.

She should have lied again. She should have stayed quiet.

But something inside her cracked open.

> “Fine,” she whispered. “Yes. I killed her.”

The sea roared below.

> “She wouldn’t stop watching you,” Himari continued, voice low, almost tender. “She touched your hand once, and you smiled. And I couldn’t stand it. So I followed her. I pushed her. She fell so easily…”

Mizuki’s hands trembled at her sides. Her lips moved soundlessly, then:

> “You… killed her. For me?”

“For us,” Himari said, stepping closer. “You said you wanted forever. That’s what I gave you. Something we can never escape.”

For a long moment, neither of them moved.

Then Mizuki smiled — soft, broken, beautiful.

> “I should hate you.”

“Then hate me.”

“I can’t.”

Mizuki reached out, touching Himari’s face with bloodless fingers.

Her eyes were full of everything — grief, love, fear, desire — all tangled into something no human should feel.

> “Do you know what that makes us?” Mizuki whispered.

“Perfect,” Himari said.

The wind rose, carrying the crash of waves far below.

Mizuki’s fingers tightened. Her nails dug faintly into Himari’s cheek.

> “Then let’s stay perfect,” she said softly. “Until the end.”

Himari’s heart stumbled in her chest.

> “What are you—”

Mizuki took her hand, intertwining their fingers.

> “You said you’d die first if I ever left.”

“Mizuki, don’t—”

“Then let’s keep our promise.”

---

The rain began to fall. The sea below roared like a hungry beast.

Mizuki’s smile wavered, eyes glassy with tears.

> “If I let go, you’ll catch me, right?”

“Mizuki—”

“Then don’t let go.”

She leaned forward. Himari grabbed her shoulders.

Their faces inches apart, their breaths mingled — salt, rain, fear.

> “I love you,” Mizuki whispered.

“Don’t—”

“Then die with me.”

And together, they stepped forward.

---

The world turned upside down.

The wind screamed. The waves opened their arms.

Himari’s fingers slipped against Mizuki’s. For a second, she felt weightless — like falling through the pages of one of Mizuki’s sketches.

The sky broke apart into white.

Then — silence.

---

When the storm cleared, only one body washed ashore.

The sea carried her gently, as if reluctant to give her back.

Her hair tangled with seaweed, her lips curled into a faint smile.

In her hand, clutched so tightly it had to be pried open, was a small seashell — cracked, but beautiful.