LII

The sun was bright in the early morning sky. Clouds like cotton floated in the blue, casting wispy shadows across the grove of trees and the small hill I stood upon. A gentle breeze brushed against my cheek and I looked down at the small lonely stone that marked where she slept. I knelt gingerly, still recovering from my injuries and brushed a handful of leaves from where they’d settled on the offering stone.

“I-“I began before choking up. I cleared my throat as I ran my fingers over the Kanji etched into the stone marker. “I haven’t come before.” Tears rose to my eyes and I couldn’t stop them. “I’m s-sorry. I-“I paused again, lowering my head, the tears flowing down my cheeks and falling to the ground. “I f-forgot. I forgot about you. I’m so sorry, mom.” I felt Sachi’s reassuring hand on my shoulder and I grasped it to keep myself from drowning.

“I don’t know what went through your mind. I-I don’t understand what made you want to leave me, but I know that I-“I took a deep breath to steady myself. “I hope you can forgive me for not being able to understand and for f-f-forgetting you. I hope you know that I love you and thank you.”

“This is Sachi, mom,” I said after a long moment. “I love her. We’re going to get married next year. She is beautiful, talented, smart and strong, she will keep me safe, mom. I wish you could have met her. I…”I trailed off, clutching Sachi’s hand. “I miss you.” I took the flowers clenched tightly in my left hand and laid them carefully in the vase. “I’ll come again. I promise.”

I got to my feet with Sachi’s help and folded her in a hug which she returned, the cast on her arm making the hug somewhat awkward but no less warm. I stood for a long time in her arms, letting the sunlight and gentle breeze wash over us before finally breaking the hug and stepping back. I stared into Sachi’s eyes and smiled. Even with the bandage on her cheek she was stunningly beautiful and her deep brown eyes caught me and drew me in. I raised myself on my tip toes and kissed her gently on the tip of her nose.

“You’d better be careful,” Sachi warned me. “Ms. Bear might get jealous, you know.”

“Nah,” I shook my head lightly. “She knows she’s firmly in the friend zone. Besides, only you can keep me safe.”

“How about we keep each other safe, Akarin,” Sachi smiled, brushing my hair from my cheek with her good arm.

“That sounds wonderful to me, Sacchan,” I replied. She leaned her head down and kissed my lips softly.

“Let’s go home, love,” She said, holding her hand out to me. I smiled and took it gratefully, leaning on her slightly for support as we turned from the grave and walked down the hill toward the car and the shared life that waited for us.