Archive of Our Own

It was a rainy evening, and the steady patter of rain filled the air with a quiet, melancholic rhythm. 

Heizou, as usual, was on his way back from work later than he had intended. The long day clung to him, but he didn’t mind too much. There was someone waiting for him at home that made even the most exhausting days worthwhile.

Before heading back, though, he had one more task to take care of. 

Groceries. 

He had promised his boyfriend, who had been staying with him for the past two weeks, that he’d pick up a few things for dinner. 

Unfortunately, he had forgotten to bring an umbrella.

With a quiet curse under his breath, he ran, shielding his face as best as he could from the rain. By the time he reached the store, he was already damp.

A while later, he finally made it home, soaked through and shivering from the cold.

He pushed the door open, stepping inside and setting the grocery bags down near the entrance. Water dripped from his clothes onto the floor, and even the bags themselves were damp from the journey.

Kicking off his shoes, Heizou ran a hand through his wet hair, ruffling it. He barely had a moment to catch his breath before he heard soft footsteps approaching.

Kazuha, his boyfriend, stepped out of the bedroom.

“Heizou, you’re going to catch a cold,” he said, his voice laced with concern as his eyes took in the sight of Heizou’s drenched state.

Before Heizou could respond, Kazuha disappeared into the bathroom and returned moments later with a towel. He gently draped it over Heizou’s head and began drying his hair.

“I’m not going to be defeated that easily, Zuzu,” Heizou replied with a soft chuckle.

Kazuha smiled at that. He leaned in and stole a quick kiss. It was brief, but enough to make Heizou pause, melting into it for just a second before it ended.

“What do you want for dinner?” Kazuha asked, picking up the groceries and placing them on the table.

“You asked me to buy shrimp, so my intuition tells me we’re having fried shrimp rice.” Heizou said with a smirk, crossing his arms.

A quiet laugh escaped Kazuha. 

“Your intuition never ceases to amaze me.”

He began unpacking the groceries, setting everything neatly on the table. Heizou stepped closer, ready to help, but Kazuha placed a hand against his chest, stopping him.

“You need to dry yourself first. You’re still soaked.” Kazuha said firmly.

Heizou tilted his head, with a teasing glint in his eyes. 

“When I’m around someone as handsome as you, it’s hard not to be.”

That earned him a faint blush. Kazuha turned his gaze away with a small sigh, though the hint of a smile lingered at the corners of his lips.

“Go change. I’ll prepare a bath for you,” he said, regaining his composure.

Heizou leaned in, pressing a light kiss to Kazuha’s cheek.

“You’re the best, Zuzu,” he murmured before heading off toward the bedroom.

Kazuha let out a quiet chuckle to himself as he turned towards the bathroom to prepare a warm bath for his beloved one.

~~~

While Heizou was changing, Kazuha quietly filled the bathtub with warm water, adjusting the temperature until it was just right. By the time Heizou stepped in, everything was ready.

He sank into the bath with a satisfied sigh. The tension from the long workday seemed to melt away, replaced by a soothing heaviness that made him want to close his eyes and stay there forever. 

It wasn’t just the bath itself, it was the fact that Kazuha had prepared it for him. That thought alone made it feel warmer.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Kazuha prepared the dinner. He rinsed the shrimp, measured out the rice, and worked through each step with practiced ease.

Time passed.

Soon, the rich, savory aroma drifted through the house, slipping into the bathroom and curling into the warm air around Heizou. A soft knock broke the stillness. The door creaked open slightly, and Kazuha peeked inside.

“Heizou? Dinner will be ready soon,” he said with a small smile tugging at his lips.

Heizou tilted his head toward him, returning the smile with a nod.

“I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

“Don’t keep me waiting,” Kazuha replied with a quiet chuckle before closing the door behind him.

Silence settled again.

Heizou leaned his head back against the edge of the tub and closed his eyes, letting himself drift for just a little longer. The warmth wrapped around him like a blanket, and for a moment, everything felt perfectly still.

A few more minutes passed.

Or maybe longer.

Heizou wasn’t entirely sure.

At some point, the quiet began to feel different.

It wasn’t a sound, nor a movement he could clearly detect. But the persistent feeling was there, like a whisper brushing against his instincts.

His intuition — sharp as ever — stirred uneasily. It wasn’t a clear warning, not something he could name or explain, but it was enough to make his thoughts race.

He opened his eyes and straightened slightly in the bath, and his gaze drifted around the room, but nothing seemed out of place. Everything was as it should be.

Still, the feeling lingered.

He frowned faintly.

“…Maybe I’m just tired,” he murmured to himself.

With a quiet exhale, he pushed the thought aside and stepped out of the bath. Water dripped down his skin as he grabbed a towel, wrapping it loosely around his waist. He ran a hand through his damp hair, still slightly distracted.

Maybe he’d tease Kazuha a little.

He stepped out of the bathroom and made his way toward the kitchen, where Kazuha stood by the table, holding a plate.

“Mmm, that smells delicious, Zuzu,” Heizou said casually as he approached.

The reaction was immediate and wrong.

Kazuha’s hands suddenly trembled, and then the plate slipped from his grasp. It crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces as the food scattered across the ground. Heizou flinched at the sound, and instantly rushed forward.

“Kazuha! Be careful, you might get hurt,” he said quickly, reaching out.

He grabbed Kazuha by the shoulders and gently turned him around. Kazuha stared at him with eyes wide, filled with something that looked like disbelief or shock.

But something was wrong.

This was Kazuha.

His Kazuha. 

The same features, the same presence… and yet not. There was a subtle difference, something deeply unsettled in his gaze.

He looked older.

“H-Heizou…?” Kazuha’s voice trembled.

His eyes shimmered with tears, though he seemed to be holding them back with everything he had. Heizou blinked with confusion.

“Kazuha? What’s wrong?” he asked, uncertain.

For a moment, Kazuha said nothing.

Then, all at once, whatever restraint he had broke.

He stepped forward and pulled Heizou into a tight embrace, burying his face against him as his body shook. The tears he had been holding back spilled as he clung to Heizou like he might disappear at any second.

Heizou stiffened for only a moment before his arms wrapped around Kazuha in return. He didn’t push him away, didn’t question him, not yet. Instead, he held him close, one hand resting gently against his back in a silent attempt to comfort him.

“It’s okay… hey, I’m here,” he murmured softly, though he didn’t understand what was happening.

His mind was racing.

Kazuha wasn’t like this.

Heizou’s gaze drifted slightly, and his expression sharpened.

That uneasy feeling from earlier hadn’t been nothing.

There was definitely something off.

After some time, Kazuha’s sobs gradually quieted. Wanting to ease the tension, even just a little, Heizou moved to the kitchen counter and brewed some tea.

Kazuha sat down. His hands rested on the table, but his fingers fidgeted restlessly, brushing against each other nervously. Heizou placed a cup of tea in front of him.

“Thank you,” Kazuha murmured, offering a faint, tired smile.

Heizou sat beside him, but unlike before, his expression had shifted. The softness was still there, buried beneath more sharper, and cautious.

“Mind telling me what’s going on?” he asked, his tone came out sharper than intended.

Kazuha lowered his gaze, taking a slow sip of tea before setting the cup back down with a quiet sigh.

“I know you’re confused,” he said gently. “But I’m just as confused as you are.”

Heizou leaned back slightly, crossing his arms.

“I can tell you’re not my Kazuha,” he said bluntly. “So… who are you?”

For a moment, Kazuha looked almost hurt by those words. His fingers tightened slightly around the cup, and his eyes flickered with something fragile. It clearly struck deeper than Heizou had meant them to, but he quickly looked down, composing himself.

“I see… I should’ve expected that,” he said quietly. “You look exactly like you did when we started dating.”

Heizou raised an eyebrow but remained silent, watching him closely. Kazuha took another sip of tea, as if gathering his thoughts, then met Heizou’s gaze again.

“If we’re going to understand what’s happening… I need to ask you something first,” he said.

Heizou gestured lightly. “Go on.”

“How old are you?”

Heizou blinked, caught off guard by the question.

“…I’m 24,” he answered after a brief pause.

Kazuha’s eyes widened slightly before softening, as if something had just been confirmed.

“Just as I thought…” he whispered.

Heizou’s patience snapped.

“Alright, what is going on?” he demanded, standing up abruptly. “Is this some kind of game? Because if it is, I don’t find it funny at all.”

“Wait—please!” Kazuha said quickly, standing as well. “I’ll explain.”

He turned and walked over to the bookshelf. Reaching for a framed photograph, he carefully took it and returned to the table, holding it out. Heizou hesitated, suspicion flickering in his eyes, but he took it anyway.

The moment his eyes landed on the photo, he froze.

It was him.

And Kazuha.

They stood side by side, smiling. There was something different about it, though. 

He didn’t remember this moment at all.

“It was the day after I proposed to you,” Kazuha began quietly. “You said yes… and insisted we take a photo to remember it.”

Heizou’s grip on the frame tightened slightly.

“We got married. I moved to Inazuma, and gave up my life as a wanderer… to stay with you.” Kazuha continued, his voice steady but tinged with emotion.

Heizou slowly sat back down, eyes still fixed on the photo, but his earlier anger was replaced by disbelief.

“Ten years passed,” Kazuha said with a faint, bittersweet smile. “They were… the happiest years of our lives."

There was a pause.

“We were even planning to adopt a child,” he added softly. “We had already started talking about it seriously.”

Heizou’s expression softened at that.

“But…” Kazuha’s voice faltered.

He looked down, his hand curling slightly against the table.

“You were assigned to a case,” he continued. “A dangerous one. But you were determined, as always.”

Heizou exhaled quietly. That much sounded like him.

“You told me everything about your cases,” Kazuha said. “Even when you weren’t supposed to.”

A faint, almost amused breath escaped Heizou.

“That sounds about right…”

“But this one…” Kazuha’s voice dropped. “You didn’t come back.”

Heizou felt his chest tighten.

“The last thing you told me was that you had found the culprit,” Kazuha said, his voice trembling slightly now. 

“You went after them immediately.”

He swallowed.

“I waited,” he continued. “All night. I thought maybe you were just late… that you’d walk through the door like always.”

He takes a deep breath.

“But the next day… Kujou Sara came to see me. She was holding a box.”

Heizou’s breath hitched.

He didn’t need to hear the rest to know what happened.

“They told me they found your vision,” Kazuha whispered. “But it was too late.”

He looked up, tears gathering once more in his eyes.

“You died, Heizou.”

The words hit harder than anything else.

Heizou’s chest aches. Not just at the idea of his own death, but at the look in Kazuha’s eyes. The weight of those years, of that loss… it was all there.

“How… how long has it been since I—”

“Five years,” Kazuha answered quietly.

Heizou swallowed hard. His gaze dropped briefly. Only then did he notice the ring on Kazuha’s finger. His thumb brushed over it absentmindedly, as if it were something precious… something irreplaceable.

Heizou didn’t need to ask.

“Then somehow…” Heizou murmured, trying to piece it together. “I went back in time… fifteen years?”

Kazuha nodded, tears slipping down his cheeks.Heizou stood up and began pacing, his mind racing.

“But why?” he muttered. “And how do I go back?”

Kazuha let out a quiet, helpless sigh.

“I wish I knew.”

After a moment, he added with a faint, hollow chuckle.

“Now you understand why I reacted like that when I saw you walk out of the bathroom.”

Heizou stopped, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.

“…You must’ve been overwhelmed,” he said quietly.

Kazuha gave a small, tired smile.

“For a moment, I was almost happy. Thought it was all just a bad dream,” he admitted. 

“That none of it had happened.”

His gaze dropped.

“But I suppose… that was wishful thinking.”

Silence settled between them again, heavier this time.

Then Heizou spoke.

“How did I die?”

Kazuha shook his head.

“No one knows,” he said. “They couldn’t find the culprit.”

Heizou’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“I asked them to tell me when they found anything,” Kazuha continued.

“But…”

“They never did,” Heizou finished.

Kazuha nodded.

“Then the case was never solved,” Heizou murmured.

Another quiet nod.

Something in Heizou shifted. Suddenly he stepped forward and dropped to his knees in front of Kazuha, taking his hands firmly in his own.

“Then I’ll solve it,” he said, his voice steady and determined.

“I’ll find out what happened to me. You deserve to know the truth.”

Kazuha’s eyes widened in surprise. He reached up, gently cupping Heizou’s face.

“You don’t have to do that,” he said softly. “You still have time. You shouldn’t be burdened by something that hasn’t happened yet.”

Heizou shook his head.

“No,” he said firmly. “I’m not leaving you to deal with this alone. We promised we’d be there for each other, didn’t we?”

Kazuha’s expression softened.

“So I’m staying,” Heizou continued. “Until I solve this case.”

Kazuha sighed, but there was warmth in it. Leaning forward, he rested his forehead gently against Heizou’s.

“I forgot how stubborn you can be,” he murmured with a faint chuckle.

“I’m a detective,” Heizou replied with a small grin. “It’s part of the job.”

They stayed like that for a moment, sharing the quiet warmth of closeness before pulling apart.

“Well then,” Kazuha said, wiping the remaining tears from his eyes. “Where should we start, detective?”

Heizou tapped a finger against his chin, thinking.

“It might cause quite a stir if people suddenly see me,” he muttered.

Then he looked at Kazuha.

“You said you know all my cases, right?”

Kazuha nodded.

“Of course.”

“Good,” Heizou said. “Then let’s start there.”

Kazuha stood, gesturing for him to follow.

“Come with me.”

He led the way toward the bedroom, and Heizou followed. His mind was already racing. 

Maybe there was still hope for the future.

The room they stepped into looked almost identical to Heizou’s bedroom, at least at first glance. It looked almost identical to Heizou’s bedroom. The same layout, the same placement of furniture, the same quiet atmosphere that reflected his usual habits. 

But the longer he looked, the more differences he began to notice. Decorations that weren’t his. Kazuha’s influence was everywhere.

The shelves, however, drew Heizou’s attention the most. They were lined with documents, folders, and books. It didn’t take long for him to realize what he was looking at.

It was everything that had once belonged to him.

Kazuha had kept everything.

Every case file, every note, every piece of work Heizou had left behind.

Kazuha walked over to one of the shelves, as if he already knew exactly where to look. After a moment, he pulled one file out and began flipping through its pages. Once he found what he was searching for, he closed it and handed it to Heizou.

“It’s this one,” he said.

Heizou took the file, his eyes briefly meeting Kazuha’s before dropping to the pages. The case was straightforward at first glance. A missing girl, details of her disappearance, witness statements, timelines. All neatly documented in his own handwriting.

Heizou’s eyes moved quickly across the pages, piecing things together. He had been investigating it, and according to the file… he had found her. But that was where it stopped.

“A missing girl…” he murmured, flipping another page.

The case detailed her disappearance, the investigation, and the leads he had followed. It was thorough, very much his work. But the ending was incomplete.

Heizou looked up.

“Did I find her?” he asked.

Kazuha nodded, though his expression dimmed.

“She was found,” he answered. “But… she was already dead.”

A brief silence followed before he added, “They confirmed her body.”

Heizou’s grip on the file tightened just slightly.

“But yours…” Kazuha continued, his voice quieter, “they never found.”

Heizou hummed thoughtfully, his gaze drifting back to the file. 

If the girl was confirmed dead, but his body wasn’t found then something must have happened after he located her. Something that only his future self had uncovered, but never got the chance to report.

“There’s not much here,” Heizou said after a moment, closing the file halfway. “The rest must still be at the station.”

Kazuha didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he stood quietly, watching Heizou. There was something in his gaze, as if seeing Heizou like this again was both comforting and painful at the same time.

“The simplest solution would be asking Madam Kujou,” Heizou continued, mostly thinking out loud. 

“But that’s going to be difficult without revealing that I’m… well, not supposed to be here.”

“I can ask her,” Kazuha said.

Heizou glanced at him, raising an eyebrow.

“Kazuha… you’re a civilian,” he pointed out. “She’s not just going to hand over confidential files because you asked nicely.”

“I know,” Kazuha replied calmly. “But it was your case.”

Heizou tilted his head slightly.

“I’ll ask her to give me your belongings. Everything related to your work.” Kazuha finished.

Heizou frowned, crossing his arms.

“It’s not that simple, those files are restricted.” He said.

Kazuha’s lips curved into a faint, confident smirk.

“Trust me, I can manage.”

Heizou studied him for a moment. This Kazuha wasn’t just the gentle, wandering poet he remembered. There was a quiet resolve in him now. 

 It wasn’t like they had many options

Heizou let out a quiet breath, closing the file and setting it aside.

“…Alright,” he said finally. “Let’s go, then.”

“Wait,” Kazuha said suddenly.

Heizou paused, glancing back. “What?”

Kazuha moved toward the wardrobe and opened it, pulling out his own kimono. He stepped closer and draped it over Heizou, adjusting it until it concealed most of his features, especially his face.

“There,” Kazuha said, stepping back to examine his work. “Now no one will recognize you.”

Heizou blinked, then let out a soft chuckle.

“Right… I suppose that works,” he admitted. “I almost forgot I’m technically supposed to be dead.”

Kazuha’s expression softened slightly, though he said nothing. Heizou adjusted the fabric slightly, ensuring it stayed in place.

“Well then,” he said with a hint of his usual confidence, “shall we?”

Kazuha nodded.

And with that, they stepped out, heading toward the police station.

~~~

Kazuha stepped into the building, leaving Heizou outside. They had both agreed it would be too risky for Heizou to face Kujou Sara directly. She would recognize him instantly, there was no doubt about that. So, for now, it was safer for him to stay out of sight.

At least… that had been the plan.

But Heizou had never been particularly good at standing still when something important was happening. Curiosity gnawed at him almost immediately. 

After a brief moment of hesitation, he quietly slipped inside and stayed near the door, just enough to listen without being seen.

Meanwhile, Kazuha approached Sara’s office and knocked.

“Come in.” her voice called from inside.

Kazuha entered, closing the door gently behind him.

“Good evening, Madam,” he greeted politely, offering a small bow.

Kujou Sara looked up from her desk.

“Mr. Kaedehara,” she said. “What brings you here?”

“I came to ask for a small favor,” Kazuha replied calmly. “If it isn’t too much trouble.”

She raised an eyebrow, leaning back slightly in her chair.

“I’ll help if I can, but I need to hear what it is first.” She said.

“Of course,” Kazuha nodded. 

“I would like to request everything that belonged to Shikanoin Heizou. His personal items, and any case files that were not previously given to me.”

Sara’s expression shifted. Suspicion crept into her gaze, mixed with irritation, perhaps, or concern.

“Kaedehara… Are you investigating on your own again?” she said slowly, rubbing her temple.

“It’s been years,” she continued. “Even our best detectives couldn’t find his body.”

“I’m aware,” Kazuha said gently. “I’ve heard that many times, but that’s not why I’m asking.”

Sara studied him carefully.

“Then why?”

Kazuha lowered his gaze slightly.

“Lately… I’ve been feeling rather nostalgic,” he said quietly. “I wanted to revisit the past. The time when Heizou would tell me about his cases, his theories… his passion.”

There was a faint sadness in his voice that made the room feel heavier. Sara sighed, resting her chin on her hand as she considered his words.

“You know I shouldn’t allow this,” she said after a moment. “You’re not part of the Tenryou Commission.”

“I understand,” Kazuha replied. “That’s why I ask that this remain between us. It’s only for personal reasons.”

Silence stretched between them as she considered his request. Then, with a heavy sigh, she stood up.

“Alright,” she said at last. “But If I find out you’ve gotten yourself into trouble again, I’ll lock you in a cell for 24 hours. Understood, Kaedehara?”

Kazuha let out a quiet chuckle.

“Oh, please,” he said. “I have nothing left to lose anyway.”

Sara rolled her eyes at that but didn’t comment further. Instead, she gestured for him to follow. She led him to the archives room. After some time spent searching through shelves and boxes, she gathered a stack of files, everything that remained from Heizou’s office, and handed them over.

“Here,” she said curtly. “Now go before I change my mind.”

Kazuha bowed slightly.

“I’m in your debt, Madam. Have a good day.”

With that, he turned and left.

Outside, Heizou was already waiting.

Or rather… pretending to wait.

He straightened slightly as Kazuha approached, though it was obvious from his expression that he had heard everything. Kazuha stopped in front of him, holding the stack of documents with a faint, proud smile.

“Told you I could manage,” he said.

Heizou took the documents, flipping through them briefly. His surprise was evident, but something else bothered him.

“Kazuha…” he began slowly, glancing up. “What did she mean by ‘getting into trouble again’?”

Kazuha hesitated.

“Ah… that,” he said, looking away for a moment.

There was a brief pause before he answered.

“Well, after they couldn’t find the culprit… I tried to investigate on my own.”

Heizou’s eyes narrowed slightly.

“And?”

Kazuha exhaled quietly.

“And instead… I ended up in a few fights,” Kazuha continued. “With criminals.”

A pause.

“…I may have killed some of them.”

Heizou froze.

“You... what? How come they didn't arrest you?” he asked.

“I was put on trial,” Kazuha explained. “But I was found innocent. It was ruled as self-defense.”

He glanced back toward the building.

“Madam Kujou helped me back then.”

Heizou followed his gaze, looking at the station with a complicated expression.

“She didn’t seem very pleased,” he muttered.

Kazuha placed a gentle hand on his back, guiding him a little further away from the building. Once they were at a safer distance, he spoke again.

“She wasn’t the same after your death,” he said quietly.

Heizou’s attention snapped back to him.

“She blamed herself,” Kazuha continued. “She almost gave up her position. Said she failed to protect her best colleague.”

Heizou’s eyes widened slightly.

“For the first few years… she supported me,” Kazuha admitted. “She visited me more than once.”

He looked down briefly.

“But… I don’t think she’s ever forgiven herself.”

Silence followed.

Heizou stood still, absorbing every word. Slowly, he turned his head, looking back toward the police station in the distance. His expression had changed.

“I need to talk to her,” he said.

Kazuha wasn’t surprised. In fact… he had expected it.

“If you believe that’s the right choice,” he said with a small nod.

Heizou turned back to him, his eyes carrying both sadness and determination.

“I won’t let her carry that guilt,” he said. “Not if I can do something about it.”

Kazuha smiled softly. Stepping closer, he reached out and took Heizou’s hand in his own, holding it firmly as he met his gaze.

“Whatever you decide,” he said, meeting his eyes, “I’ll stand by your side.”

Heizou felt his face warm slightly. Even now Kazuha still had that effect on him.

“Thank you, Kazuha,” he said quietly.

They returned to the police station not long after. This time, there was no hesitation in Heizou’s steps. Kazuha led the way once more, stopping in front of Kujou Sara’s office.

He knocked.

A familiar, slightly weary voice answered from inside.

“Yes?”

Kazuha opened the door just enough to peek in.

“What now, Kaedehara?” she said, clearly irritated. “I thought I made myself clear.”

“Apologies for the interruption,” Kazuha said calmly, stepping inside. “But there’s one more thing.”

Sara let out a sharp sigh and stood up abruptly, clearly losing patience.

“What is it this time? I don’t have time for your games—!” she said firmly.

At that moment, Kazuha stepped further into the room, and slightly to the side, revealing Heizou behind him. Heizou moved forward, then reached up and pulled the kimono down from his head.

Sara’s words died in her throat. Her eyes widened, disbelief washing over her expression. She stared at him, as if trying to determine whether what she was seeing was real.

“…Is this some kind of joke?” she asked sharply.

Heizou shook his head slightly.

“Madam Kujou,” he began, his tone calm but serious, “please… let me explain.”

And so he did.

He told her everything he knew so far. About waking up in this time, and about the future he had been told. He made it clear that he wasn’t the Heizou she had known in these past years, but the one from fifteen years ago.

And most importantly, that he intended to find out how he died.

When he finished, silence filled the room. Sara didn’t speak immediately. She simply stood there, arms crossed, listening without interrupting, though her expression shifted several times throughout, as she processed every word.

“I see…” she murmured at last.

Her expression shifted slightly, though the tension remained.

“For a moment, I thought you had faked your own death,” she admitted. 

“But… the fact that you look younger… it aligns with what you’re saying.”

Heizou nodded.

“I’m not entirely sure why I’m here, but I have a feeling it’s connected to my death.” He said.

“And you believe solving this case will send you back?” she asked.

“I have to solve it,” he said firmly. “Not just to return… but because I can’t leave things like this.”

There was a firmness in his voice now, something unwavering. His eyes shifted briefly toward Kazuha.

“People deserve the truth,” he continued. “And I intend to find it.”

Kazuha watched him quietly with a soft, proud smile on his lips. Sara closed her eyes, exhaling slowly.

“Alright,” she said after a moment.

When she opened them again, her expression was steadier.

“I won’t interfere,” she continued. “But don’t go around revealing yourself like this. It will only cause confusion.”

“We understand,” Heizou replied.

She hesitated slightly before adding, “If you need help… ask. I’ll do what I can. Although…”

Her voice faltered just a fraction.

“We’ve already tried everything.”

There was something heavy in those words. Something worn down by years of failure. Heizou’s expression softened, and he stepped closer to her desk.

“Sara,” he said gently.

She looked up at him, her eyes betraying the weight she had clearly carried for far too long.

“It’s not your fault,” he continued. “Don’t blame yourself for something you couldn’t control.”

“How can I not? I couldn’t even uncover the reason behind your death.” She said quietly.

Her hands clenched slightly at her sides.

“What kind of officer… fails to protect her own people?”

Heizou shook his head slightly.

“We’re human,” he said. “We have limits. Not everything is within our control.”

She said nothing. Her eyes drifted away, lost in thought, in memory. Heizou placed a hand over his chest.

“One thing I know for certain,” he said softly, “is that I would never want you to carry that guilt.”

Her eyes snapped back to him.

“It was never your fault.” He added.

The words hung in the air. For a moment, she just stared at him.

Then her expression broke. There was still pain in her eyes, but also a relief she hadn't felt in years.

Slowly, she stepped around her desk and stopped in front of him. Then, without another word, she pulled him into a tight embrace.

“I wish I could have prevented it,” she whispered, her voice trembling just slightly.

Heizou returned the hug without hesitation.

“You can’t predict the future, General,” he murmured.

They stayed like that for a moment.

And across the room, Kazuha stood quietly to the side, watching the scene unfold.

There was something deeply comforting about it.

Even if this wasn’t the Heizou he had lost…

Even if he knew that one day, things might return to the way they were meant to be…

Seeing them like this… it eased something in his chest.

It warmed his heart in a way he hadn’t felt in years.

~~~

Thanks to Kujou Sara, they were able to gather more detailed information about the case. The additional reports filled in some gaps, offering timelines, witness statements, and a clearer picture of the events leading up to the girl’s death.

Heizou read through everything carefully, scanning every little detail. Even without finishing the entire report, he could already feel where to begin.

And so, they started investigating.

They spent the entire day following leads, revisiting locations, questioning what little information remained. Heizou pieced things together step by step, testing theories, and discarding them just as quickly. Kazuha stayed by his side the entire time, offering insight where he could.

But despite their efforts…

They had nothing.

No new clues. No hidden traces. Not even a small inconsistency they could build on. Even Kazuha’s heightened senses yielded nothing useful.

Still, neither of them gave up.

The next day, they continued. This time, they headed toward Chinju Forest, the place where the missing girl had been found. The forest greeted them with its usual quiet mystery. The air was calm, as if the place itself was holding onto secrets.

Heizou walked slowly through the area described in the report. He mentally reconstructed the scene, placing himself where the culprit might have stood, and where the victim had been found.

But something didn’t fit. 

Something was missing.

Kazuha stood a short distance away, watching him quietly. He had already been through this place countless times in the past, retracing these same steps in his own desperate search for answers.

“Heizou,” Kazuha called gently, breaking the silence. “We’re going in circles. Maybe we should take a break.”

Heizou shook his head immediately, pacing again.

“We can’t,” he said. “We’re close, I know we are. But something’s off. There’s just… something we’re not seeing.”

His gaze shifted, and walked toward the edge of a nearby cliff. The ground sloped downward sharply, leading to an open drop that disappeared into the vast sea below. 

Heizou stood there in silence, looking down. Then he turned, glancing back toward where the culprit’s camp had supposedly been.

A thought formed.

“If I were thrown from here,” he murmured, mostly to himself, “that would explain why my body wasn’t found.”

Kazuha stepped closer, listening.

“But even then…” Heizou continued, narrowing his eyes, “currents would eventually carry it somewhere. Someone should have found it.”

Silence lingered for a moment.

Then Heizou spoke again.

“You said it would’ve been impossible for me to just drown unnoticed, right?”

Kazuha nodded.

“Yes,” he said. “Beidou with The Crux searched the waters thoroughly.”

He paused before continuing.

“Kujou Sara also spread word of your disappearance to other nations. If your body had been found anywhere… it would have been reported immediately.”

Heizou hummed, deep in thought.

“Unless…” he said slowly, “someone found it first, and hid it.”

Kazuha frowned slightly.

“Even then, every nation sent people to search,” he replied. “It would have been difficult to keep something like that hidden.”

Heizou turned to him, eyes widening slightly.

“The entire world was searching for me?” he asked, clearly surprised.

Kazuha gave a small nod.

“Yes,” he said. “I know it sounds excessive, but… at Kujou Sara’s request, even the Raiden Shogun issued a reward for any information about you.”

His gaze dropped.

“But… no one ever found you.”

A quiet heaviness settled between them. Heizou stepped closer and gently cupped Kazuha’s cheek, lifting his chin so their eyes met.

“We’ll figure it out, I promise.” he said softly with a reassuring smile tugging at his lips.

Kazuha smiled faintly, comforted by his certainty, and nodded.

The next place Heizou insisted on checking was a cave not far from where the girl’s body had been found. It wasn’t far from the cliffside, partially hidden by overgrown branches, easy to overlook if one didn’t know where to search.

The air inside was cool and damp as they stepped in. Their footsteps echoed as they walked. The deeper they went, the quieter it became. At the far end of the cave, tucked against the stone wall, was a small grave.

Fresh flowers had been placed on top, and around it, several candles burned.

Someone had been here recently.

Heizou stepped closer, his gaze sharpening as he took in every detail. His mind immediately began working, piecing together what little they had with what lay in front of him. Kazuha approached more slowly. He stopped beside him, his expression softening as he looked at the grave.

“This…” he began quietly, “…is where the girl was killed.”

Heizou’s attention shifted to him.

“Her father made this,” Kazuha continued. “A place to remember her. A place where she could rest.”

Heizou’s eyes widened slightly in understanding.

So that’s why everything looked so well-kept.

The flowers weren’t part of the investigation.

They were part of someone’s grief.

The father must come here often.

He looked back at the grave, his expression softening just a fraction, as he exhaled slowly.

Losing a child…

That was something no one should have to endure.

Kazuha stepped a little closer to the grave and brought his hands together, closing his eyes in a silent prayer. Heizou watched him for a moment before he did the same.

The cave fell into complete silence.

After a minute, Heizou lowered his hands and opened his eyes again, as his thoughts were already returning to the case.

“Her father didn’t say much in the report,” he murmured, more to himself than to Kazuha.

Kazuha lowered his hands and nodded faintly.

“He was working when she was taken,” he said. “But he was the one who reported her disappearance.”

Heizou crossed his arms slightly, thinking.

“What about the mother?” he asked.

Kazuha’s gaze dropped.

“She passed away during childbirth,” he replied quietly.

Heizou’s gaze fell back to the grave.

“So it was just the two of them,” he said under his breath.

Kazuha nodded.

“Yes.”

A heavy silence settled between them again.

Heizou crouched down slightly, observing the ground more closely now. His instincts told him there was more to this place than just a memorial, but there were no signs of clues that stood out.

Everything pointed to grief.

Not crime.

Kazuha’s gaze lingered on the small grave for a moment longer before he spoke again, quieter than before.

“He was so devastated by her death… that he refused to hold a proper funeral.”

Heizou glanced at him, tilting his head slightly, one eyebrow lifting in quiet curiosity.

“…Refused?” he repeated.

Kazuha nodded.

“He didn’t want anyone involved,” he explained. “Not the shrine, not the officials… no one.”

Heizou turned back toward the grave, studying it more closely now, as if seeing it from a different perspective.

“Then who buried her here?” he asked.

“He did. Alone.” Kazuha replied.

Heizou’s eyes widened slightly.

“They said he wouldn’t let anyone near her body. Not even to help.” Kazha explained. “He carried her himself… and buried her here with his own hands.”

Heizou’s expression softened, though his gaze remained fixed on the grave.

“And no one questioned it?” he asked quietly.

Kazuha shook his head.

“No.”

He paused for a moment before continuing.

“Seeing the state he was in… no one had the heart to argue with him. He had already lost everything.”

It made sense.

A man who had already lost his wife… only to lose his daughter in such a cruel way. Grief like that didn’t follow reason. It didn’t allow space for tradition, for formalities, for the expectations of others.

He likely wanted control over the one thing he had left… her final resting place.

Or perhaps… he needed someone to blame.

The Tenryou Commission.

They hadn’t found her in time. They hadn’t protected her.

To a grieving father, that alone could be enough.

After a moment, he straightened again, exhaling softly.

“Poor man…” he murmured.

Kazuha didn’t respond, but the look in his eyes said enough.

“There’s not much here,” Heizou said reluctantly.

“Just the grave.”

They continued searching.

Every corner of the forest. Every hidden path. Even the caves scattered along the outskirts. They left no place unchecked.

But no matter where they looked…

Nothing.

Heizou finally let out a frustrated sigh and let himself fall back onto the grass, staring up at the sky.

“What are we missing?” he muttered. “There’s nothing that points to where my body could be.”

Kazuha joined him, sitting down beside him quietly.

“It’s like I just… vanished,” Heizou added, running a hand through his hair.

Kazuha remained quiet for a moment, his gaze drifting upward to the sky above.

“Perhaps…” he said slowly, “your disappearance is tied to something beyond our understanding.”

Heizou glanced at him, raising an eyebrow.

“What, you think I got dragged into some magical realm?” he joked lightly.

 But Kazuha didn’t smile.

“It’s not impossible,” he said. “There are forces in this world far beyond human understanding.”

Heizou let out a small sigh and pushed himself up into a sitting position.

“Maybe we should’ve just gone straight to the Electro Archon for answers,” he said.

At that, Kazuha’s expression dimmed slightly. He looked down, changing the conversation.

“How about we head home for now?” he suggested, turning back to him with a gentle smile. “I still have some wine left.”

Heizou didn’t need his detective instincts to understand.

That topic hurt.

Even after all these years… Kazuha still couldn’t face her.

Heizou didn’t blame him.

If their roles were reversed… he wasn’t sure he’d be any different.

“You just want to get drunk,” he teased.

Kazuha let out a quiet chuckle.

“Oh, come on. I’m not that much of a lightweight anymore.”

“We both know that’s not true,” Heizou replied, raising an eyebrow.

Kazuha sighed, looking away with a faint blush.

“Alright, maybe not,” he admitted. “But that’s not the point.”

He glanced back at him, his smile softer now.

“I just thought… we could spend some time together. Clear our heads, even if only for a while.”

Heizou studied him for a moment, then nodded.

“Yeah, I think we’ve earned a break.”

He stood up, brushing the grass off his clothes, and extended his hand. Kazuha took it without hesitation with a small smile returning to his face as Heizou pulled him to his feet.

By the time they returned home, the sky had already darkened. 

Kazuha headed to the bathroom first, taking a quick shower to wash away the fatigue of the day. Not long after, Heizou took his turn next.

The warm water helped ease the tension in his body, but his mind remained restless, circling around the same unanswered questions. By the time he stepped out, drying his hair lazily with a towel, he was already expecting to see Kazuha resting or reading.

He stopped in the doorway.

The living room was dimly lit, illuminated by the soft glow of several candles placed carefully around the room. On the table sat two glasses, already prepared, alongside a bottle of wine. Heizou blinked, slightly taken aback, and his cheeks warmed faintly.

Kazuha definitely had set a mood.

Kazuha, already seated on the couch, noticed him and smiled. He patted the space beside him.

“Come, sit,” he said gently.

Heizou returned the smile and walked over, settling down next to him. There was something comforting about the closeness, after everything they had been through that day.

Kazuha reached for the bottle and poured wine into both glasses. Heizou tilted his head slightly, watching.

“Red wine?” he asked. “I thought you preferred white.”

Kazuha gave a small, amused smile.

“I like good wine,” he replied. “And this one happens to be very good.”

He lifted his glass slightly. Heizou followed suit, lifting his own.

“To this moment,” Kazuha said softly. “And to the hope that not everything is lost.”

Heizou nodded. Their glasses clinked gently, and they both took a sip. The moment the wine touched his lips, Heizou’s eyes widened slightly.

“Wow…” he murmured. “You weren’t kidding. This is really good.”

Kazuha smiled faintly.

“I wouldn’t serve you something mediocre.”

Heizou huffed a quiet laugh and set his glass down on the table. He shifted his position, leaning slightly toward Kazuha, resting his chin against his hand as he turned his full attention to him.

There was a brief pause before he spoke again, and his tone turned more thoughtful.

“Forgive me if this is too much to ask, but…”

Kazuha swallowed the sip he had just taken and shook his head gently.

“You can ask me anything,” he said. “I’ll answer as best as I can.”

Heizou studied him for a moment.

“…Why did we end up like that?” he asked. “Why did you give up your life as a wanderer?”

The question lingered in the air. Kazuha closed his eyes briefly, as if gathering his thoughts.

“It was my choice,” he said at last.

“I loved traveling,” he continued. “Seeing new places, meeting new people… that was always a part of me.”

His gaze drifted slightly.

“But no matter where I went… I found myself thinking about you.”

Heizou’s expression softened.

“I started returning to Inazuma more often,” Kazuha continued. “At first, just to see you. Then… to stay a little longer each time.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“We traveled together sometimes. Though not as often as I would have liked. Your work kept you busy.” He added.

“But eventually…” Kazuha said, his voice quieter now, “I made a decision.”

He paused, and then he looked at Heizou.

“I wanted to stay.”

There was something gentle, yet firm, in those words.

“I wanted to build a life with you.”

Heizou didn’t speak immediately. His expression shifted slightly. There was a flicker of something soft in his eyes, touched with emotions. Kazuha reached for his glass again, taking another sip before his gaze wandered toward a nearby shelf.

There, resting among a few placed items, was a framed photo of them.

“When I moved in, I already knew what I wanted to do.” Kazuha continued.

Heizou followed his gaze.

“I planned to propose to you.”

Heizou raised an eyebrow, and a small grin formed on his lips.

“Planned? Why does that sound like it didn’t go smoothly?” 

Kazuha rubbed the back of his neck slightly.

“Well… I wanted it to be special.”

Heizou shifted, leaning more comfortably into the couch, clearly interested now.

“Oh? Tell me everything.”

Kazuha shook his head lightly, smiling.

“That might spoil things for you.”

“Then I’ll just propose to you first.” Heizou smirked.

That earned him a soft laugh, and a faint blush from Kazuha.

“Alright,” he conceded. “I suppose a little won’t hurt.”

He settled back, and his voice takes on a more storytelling tone.

“I prepared a picnic on Watatsumi Island.” He said.

Heizou’s eyes lit up.

“My favorite place.”

“Yes,” Kazuha smiled. “That’s why I chose it.”

He continued.

“I brought everything. Food, drinks… and more importantly, a ring.”

Heizou listened intently.

“But just as I was about to propose,” Kazuha added, “we were attacked.”

Heizou groaned softly.

“…Of course we were.”

“Treasure Hoarders,” Kazuha said. “They recognized you.”

Heizou smirked faintly.

“Well, that’s flattering.”

“We handled them easily,” Kazuha said with a quiet chuckle. “But after that…”

He paused, glancing away slightly.

“I panicked.”

Heizou blinked.

“You?”

“Yes,” Kazuha admitted. “I didn’t plan for that part.”

“And before I could second-guess myself… you turned around, and I was already kneeling.”

Heizou grinned.

“That is very you,” he said. “Spontaneous.”

“You were so happy,” Kazuha continued. “You jumped straight into my arms.

Heizou crossed his arms, feigning offense.

“I did not!”

“You did,” Kazuha insisted, laughing softly. “We both fell to the ground.”

“That doesn’t sound like me at all.”

“It is,” Kazuha said gently. “And… seeing you like that…”

He trailed off for a moment.

“It meant everything to me.”

Heizou’s expression softened again, and he grew quieter at that, listening more intently. Kazuha took another sip of his wine before continuing.

“We got married at the shrine on Mt. Yougou,” he said. “Guuji Yae herself gave us her blessing.”

Heizou blinked.

“Wait! So in the future I become Heizou Kaedehara?” he asked suddenly.

Kazuha shook his head lightly.

“No. We decided to keep our own names.”

Heizou looked down at his glass, swirling the wine thoughtfully.

“That… sounds like us,” he admitted quietly.

He could already imagine it, arguing over whose name to take, neither willing to give in.

A faint smile tugged at his lips at the thought.

As the evening deepened and the last of the wine slowly disappeared from their glasses, Kazuha continued telling stories. He spoke of small, quiet moments, of shared laughter, of arguments that never lasted long, of journeys taken together and evenings spent just like this one.

Most of them were happy.

Painful in hindsight, perhaps, but happy.

Heizou listened closely. At some point, he had stopped questioning whether this future was real or not. Instead, he found himself immersed in it.

As if it had always been meant to be.

He hadn’t realized just how well they fit together.

The way their habits fit together. The way they understood each other without needing words.

It felt natural.

But eventually, Heizou began to notice the subtle signs.

Kazuha’s voice had grown slower, and his words slightly slurred. His eyes were half-lidded now, unfocused at times, and there was a faint flush spreading across his cheeks.

Heizou exhaled quietly.

Still a lightweight.

Though, if he was being honest, the warmth in his own head told him he wasn’t entirely unaffected either.

“And then—hic! You said you loved me,” Kazuha murmured with a quiet laugh.

“In front of everyone… funny, isn’t it?”

“Kazuha,” Heizou said gently, reaching out, “I think you’ve had enough.”

He carefully took the glass from Kazuha’s hand and placed it on the table beside his own now empty one.

“But I haven’t finished…” Kazuha mumbled, with a faint pout.

“It’s alright,” Heizou said softly. “We can continue tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…” Kazuha repeated under his breath.

Heizou tilted his head slightly. 

“Hm?”

Kazuha’s gaze dropped.

“If we solve the case tomorrow…” he said quietly, “you’ll be gone.”

Heizou stilled.

Ah.

So this was where the night would lead.

“Hey,” Heizou began, trying to lighten the mood, “we don’t even know if that’s how it works. Maybe I won’t disappear right away. Maybe—”

“I don’t want you to go back!”

The words cut through him.

Heizou blinked, caught off guard.

Kazuha’s head remained lowered, his fingers curling slightly against his clothes.

Heizou’s chest tightened.

“Kazuha…” he said softly, but guilt was threading through his voice. “You know I don’t belong here.”

“I know,” Kazuha replied, almost immediately.

He paused.

“But for a moment…” he continued, his voice quieter now, “it felt like everything was back to the way it was.”

He finally looked up.

“You and me. Together.”

A faint, fragile smile touched his lips.

“It felt… nice.”

Heizou looked away, and his chest tightened.

He didn’t answer.

Because he understood.

But staying wasn’t an option. 

Not really.

Heizou sighed quietly, running a hand through his hair before looking back at him.

“I don’t want to see you like this,” he admitted. “But I can’t stay. Not forever.”

He hesitated before adding.

“The Kazuha from my time is probably worried about me.”

Kazuha let out a faint, almost humorless breath.

“…Right. I can’t even argue with that. It’s still me, after all.”

Silence settled between them.

Then Kazuha shook his head lightly.

“Forgive me, that was selfish of me.” He said.

Heizou glanced back at him.

“And… thank you,” Kazuha added. “For helping me. Even though you didn’t have to.”

There was a quiet pause.

Then Heizou leaned closer, gently lifting Kazuha’s chin so their eyes met.

“Hey,” he said lightly, though there was warmth behind it, “weren’t we supposed to relax? Not make things heavier?”

Kazuha looked at him through half-lidded eyes.

“Heizou…”

Suddenly before Heizou could react, Kazuha pushed him back against the couch and climbed up, settling himself in his lap.

“Kazuha! What are you—” Heizou started, startled.

But the words died in his throat.

The sight above him made his breath catch.

Kazuha’s robe had loosened slightly, exposing part of his chest. His cheeks were flushed, lips parted as he breathed unevenly, his eyes heavy and clouded with emotion and alcohol. His hand came to rest against Heizou’s chest, and his fingers curled slightly into the fabric.

“Heizou…” he whispered with a trembling voice. “I want you…”

Heizou’s face burned.

“It’s been so long…” Kazuha continued. “I need you.”

For a moment, Heizou couldn’t respond.

His mind raced.

Was this right?

This Kazuha was older, had lived years without him, had suffered, endured things Heizou hadn’t even experienced yet.

And yet…

He was still his Kazuha.

Still the same person he loved.

“Kazuha… you’re drunk,” Heizou said, trying to steady his voice. “You’re not thinking clearly—”

“I don’t want to think!” Kazuha interrupted.

His eyes shimmered.

“Because if I do… I’ll remember that you’re not really mine anymore.”

The words hit harder than anything else.

“That you’re just… a fleeting moment,” he whispered.

Silence fell, for a moment only Kazuha’s sobs could be heard.

“I miss you,” he continued. “Every day… I wonder if I should’ve just given up.”

His voice broke.

“I just…” he choked, struggling to hold himself together.

Then he looked at Heizou again, vulnerability laid completely bare.

“I just want to be with you.”

Something in Heizou’s chest cracked.

Seeing Kazuha so broken, so desperate, clinging to something already lost…

It hurt even more.

Tears slipped down Kazuha’s cheeks as he squeezed his eyes shut, trying to steady himself. After a moment, he wiped them away with the back of his hand, forcing a shaky breath.

“Forgive me,” he said quietly. “I got carried away.”

He shifted, pulling back slightly.

“You’re probably disgusted… that I’m much older now.” he added quietly.

He stood up then, stepping away, putting distance between them as he sat back down on the couch, burring his face in his hands.

“It was foolish of me… thinking you could replace him,” he whispered.

Heizou’s thoughts spun.

Replace him?

That wasn’t it at all.

This wasn’t just anyone.

This was his Kazuha.

And he couldn’t let him sit there, drowning in that pain.

He wouldn’t.

Not alone.

Without thinking further, Heizou sat up quickly and reached out, grabbing Kazuha gently by the back of his neck. Kazuha barely had time to react before Heizou pulled him forward into a kiss.

It wasn’t gentle.

It wasn’t careful.

It was desperate.

Raw

Like something that had been building all evening finally breaking free.

Kazuha froze for a split second, caught off guard. A quiet, shaky breath escaped him as his hands instinctively found their way to Heizou, one gripping his shoulder, the other curling into the fabric of his clothes. 

He leaned into the kiss, almost desperately, as though afraid that Heizou might disappear at any moment. He wrapped his arms around Heizou's neck pulling him closer. The kiss grew messy, hungry even, and suddenly Heizou slid his tongue deep into Kazuha's mouth.

Kazuha moans softly into the kiss, surrendering completely to the rhythm of their tongues. Saliva slicked their lips as they pant into each other's mouths, neither willing to pull away for air.

Finally, they pulled apart, though only slightly. Their foreheads rested together, close enough to feel each other’s warmth, their breaths uneven and shared in the small space between them. 

Their eyes met, locked in an intense, quiet understanding that words could barely hold.

“I don’t care how much older you are now…” Heizou murmured between breaths.

“I want you just the same.”

Kazuha exhaled softly, and a faint chuckle escaped him.

“You always know what to say,” he murmured. 

“Even now… you manage to make this old man feel a little happier.”

“You’re not that old,” Heizou replied with a small grin.

Kazuha laughed quietly, the sound softer than before. 

“If you say so.”

There was warmth between them again, easing the heaviness that had lingered earlier.

Slowly, Heizou guided Kazuha back, easing him down against the couch. He shifted above him. Kazuha didn’t resist, he simply looked up at him, his eyes never leaving Heizou’s face, filled with quiet trust.

He reached out, his hand coming to rest against Kazuha’s cheek, and brushing his thumb lightly across his skin. His expression softened, as if he were looking at something precious.

“Let me remind you,” Heizou whispered, “what it feels like to be young again.”

Kazuha’s breath caught slightly at the words, but he didn’t look away. If anything, he leaned into the touch just a little, as if he had been waiting for this.

Without breaking eye contact, Heizou's fingers find the sash of Kazuha's robe and slowly loosen it. The fabric falls open, revealing Kazuha's body underneath. 

Heizou smirks down at him, pushing aside his clothes. He leans down, and starts pressing open-mouthed kisses down Kazuha's chest. His tongue finds its way to his nipples, swirling around it before sucking it into his mouth.

“H-Heizou—!” Kazuha gasped.

Heizou chuckles against his skin, at the reaction. He bites down gently on Kazuha's nipple before switching to the other one, giving it equal attention. 

His free hand slid down Kazuha's stomach, trailing lower and lower, until it stopped at his abdomen. He wrapped his hand around Kazuha's already leaking cock, and gave it a slow, firm stroke from base to tip, smearing the precum over the flushed head with his thumb.

“Ahh—! Heizou…” Kazuha moaned, covering his eyes with his hand, as he tried to steady himself.

Heizou sped up his movement a bit, driving Kazuha crazy, when suddenly he let go of him, but his fingers found their way to his entrance instead. He pushed one finger in easily, expecting resistance but finding none. To his surprise, his finger slipped inside without any hesitation. 

He raises an eyebrow as he presses deeper, realizing he’s already already stretched open.

“Hmm... you're already loose.” He murmured, amused.

Kazuha slightly uncovered one eye, taking a look at the detective.

“I had… already prepared myself, just in case.” He replied.

Heizou let out an amused chuckle.

“Just in case…” he teased.

Kazuha's face flushes deeply at the implication.

“S-Stop teasing— AHH!!”

Kazuha cries out loudly when Heizou adds another finger without warning, curling them to hit Kazuha's prostate.

“Looks like I hit the jackpot,” he chuckled.

He moves his fingers faster, hitting Kazuha's prostate, and watching as he falls apart completely. Kazuha writhes beneath him, his body already clenching around the fingers despite being loose.

His toes curl as Heizou hits his prostate at just the right angle repeatedly. His breathing comes in short gasps, and he could feel his climax building dangerously close.

“Heizou—! P-Please... I'm close... just fuck me already,” Kazuha begged desperately

And he did as he wanted.

He removes his fingers abruptly, leaving Kazuha whimpering, and on the edge of orgasm.  He slowly removes his own robe, letting it slide down his shoulders and pool onto the floor. The fabric revealed his muscular body, which gleamed in the dim light.

Kazuha watched through half-lidded eyes, his gaze immediately locking onto Heizou's thick cock standing against his stomach.

His mouth goes dry at the sight. 

He forgot how big Heizou was.

The detective positioned himself between Kazuha's legs, and spread them wider to settle between his thighs. 

“Wait—!” Kazuha stopped him before he could move, sitting up.

Heizou looked at him, raising an eyebrow curiously. 

“What’s wrong Kazuhaaaa—!”

Before he could finish, Kazuha leaned down, and wrapped his hand around his thick cock, pushing him to lie back instead. He falls back onto the bed with a grunt as Kazuha climbs on top of him. The sudden shift in power dynamic caught Heizou by surprise.

“Who said you have the control here, detective?” Kazuha said, smirking down at him, positioning himself. 

He lines up Heizou's tip with his entrance and slowly lowers himself, sinking down inch by inch until he's fully seated.

Heizous length slid in with ease, his entrance accommodating the size without struggle. Heizou's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected smoothness. His hands instinctively gripped Kazuha's hips as he began to slowly ride him.

“F-Fuck—!“ he groans loudly, his head falling back.

It felt incredible.

The feeling was overwhelming. Kazuha's tightness and warmth enveloped his cock perfectly, driving Heizou wild. Every bounce sends shockwaves of pleasure up his spine, making his hands grip Kazuha's ass and spread his cheeks apart. 

Kazuha leaned forward, his hands pressing against Heizou's chest for balance as he rode him faster and harder. Each downward motion makes their hips slap together loudly, filling the room with their combined moans and heavy breathing.

“Hah… H-Heizou—!” He breathed. “You feel so good.”

“And I can make you feel even better,” he whispered.

Before Kazuha could ask, he reached between them, wrapping his hand around his neglected cock and stroking in time with his movements, while his other hand went to Kazuha’s chest, pinching his nipple.

“Ahh—! Yes! P-Please… don’t stop!”

Kazuha’s moans grow louder and more desperate as he feels himself getting close again. His movements became frantic as Heizou touched him in sync with his own thrusts. He looked down at him with half-lidded eyes and parted lips, not stopping for a second.

“H-Heizou… I’m close—“ he panted.

“M-Me too.” Heizou replied, breathing heavily.

With a final, broken scream, Kazuha spilled over Heizou's hand, coating his fingers and his own stomach with hot cum, coating them both in sticky warmth. His walls tightened violently around Heizou's cock, triggering the detective's release instantly. Heizou groaned deeply, burying himself deep as he came inside, filling him up.

Kazuha collapsed forward, resting against Heizou as he struggled to catch his breath. His body trembled faintly, refusing to fully cooperate after everything.  Heizou wasn’t much better. His own breathing was uneven, and his chest rose and fell as he tried to steady himself.

For a while, neither of them moved. They simply stayed like that, grounded in each other’s presence.

Eventually, Kazuha shifted.

Slowly, he pushed himself up, just enough to hover above Heizou again, supporting his weight with one hand beside him. He stopped, close enough that their faces were still only inches apart.

He brushed his hair back with a faint, satisfied smirk forming on his lips.

“Good boy…” he murmured.

Heizou immediately flinched at the words.

His eyes widened, and a deep flush spread across his cheeks almost instantly. He turned his head away slightly, trying to hide his reaction, though the small pout on his lips betrayed him completely.

“D-Don’t say that…” he muttered. “Unless you want another round.”

Kazuha’s smile widened with amusement.

“I wouldn’t mind.” He replied.

Heizou glanced back at him, letting out a tired sigh.

“For an old man, you seem to have plenty of stamina,” he teased.

“For a young boy, you’re surprisingly grumpy.” Kazuha teased back.

“Keep talking like that and I might just leave you in that state next time,” Heizou shot back, though there was no real bite behind his words.

Kazuha let out a soft, genuine laugh.

How he had missed this.

He leaned down, pressing a quick, gentle kiss to Heizou’s lips.

“We still have the whole night, before we bury ourselves in work again.” Kazuha said softly as he pulled back.

He leaned in again, clearly intending to steal another kiss.

But Heizou suddenly froze.

His eyes widened, and his expression changed so suddenly that Kazuha stopped mid-movement, noticing the sudden tension in him.

“…What did you just say?” Heizou asked quietly.

Kazuha blinked, confused.

“I said we still have the whole night,” he repeated.

Heizou shook his head.

“No. Before that.”

Kazuha hesitated.

“Before we bury ourselves in work?”

Heizou’s breath caught.

“Bury ourselves…” he repeated under his breath.

And then it clicked.

His expression changed completely.

He pushed himself up quickly, the urgency replacing the softness from moments before.

“Kazuha, get dressed. Now!” He said sharply.

Kazuha sat up properly, completely lost.

“What? Heizou, wait! What’s going on?” he asked, confusion turning into concern.

But Heizou was already heading straight to the bathroom to clean up as fast as possible. Kazuha followed him immediately.

“Heizou!” he called again, stepping into the doorway. “Please, just tell me what’s happening.”

Without answering immediately, Heizou finished quickly cleaning himself and grabbed a towel. Then he turned toward Kazuha and started helping him clean up as well.

“We were close,” Heizou said under his breath. “So close… and we didn’t even notice.”

Kazuha frowned.

“Notice what?” he asked, his voice tightening slightly. “Heizou, you’re worrying me.”

Heizou finally stopped.

Heizou looked straight into his eyes.

And in that moment, all the warmth from earlier was gone.

There was determination.

But also…

Fear.

“Kazuha…” he started.

“I know where my body is.”

Kazuha froze completely.

For a moment, he didn’t move. His eyes widened in shock, and a flicker of horror passed through them as the weight of those words settled in.

“…What?” he whispered.

~~~

They returned to the Chinju Forest in the middle of the night.

Heizou moved quickly, urgently, his pace was far faster than before. Kazuha followed closely behind, keeping up without complaint, though confusion lingered in his expression.

“Heizou—!” he called once, trying to catch his attention. “At least tell me what you’re thinking.”

But Heizou didn’t slow down.

“I’ll explain when we get there!” he called shortly.

When they reached the same cave, Heizou finally stopped. They stepped inside carefully, with their movements quieter now, and their senses sharpened. They moved deeper in, step by step, until the faint glow of candles came into view again.

Heizou slowed down as they approached the grave. His eyes scanned the area one last time, confirming what he had already pieced together.

“No one verified the body.” he murmured under his breath.

Kazuha frowned slightly.

“No one checked what was buried here,” Heizou continued. “No one confirmed that the body in this grave actually belonged to the girl.”

Kazuha’s breath caught.

“You think…” he started, his voice faltering, “…your body is here?”

Heizou didn’t answer right away. He simply stared at the grave.

“There’s only one way to find out.”

Suddenly he dropped to his knees and started digging with his bare hands. The soil was cold and packed, but he didn’t stop. He dug, ignoring the dirt under his nails, the roughness scraping against his skin.

Kazuha watched him but didn’t stop him.

Because if anyone could be trusted to follow the truth, no matter how painful it might be—

It was Heizou.

So Kazuha knelt beside him and began helping, pushing the dirt aside with him.

Time blurred.

Their breathing grew heavier, and the hole grew deeper.

Then Heizou froze. His fingers had touched something. 

He sucked in a breath and dug faster, pushing aside dirt with growing urgency until his hand fully grasped what lay beneath. His expression shifted instantly to shock and horror.

He drew his Anemo energy, channeling it through his fist. Kazuha quickly moved back giving Heizou space. Without much thinking, He strikes the ground, blowing away the remaining dirt, revealing what lay beneath. 

A body.

Or rather what remained of one.

A skeleton, partially preserved, dressed in the remnants of a Tenryou Commission uniform.

It wasn’t a child.

It wasn’t a girl.

It was a man.

And around the neck was a choker with a small maple pendant.

Kazuha’s knees gave out beneath him, as he collapsed beside the grave, staring at the remains with wide, horrified eyes.

“No…” he whispered.

Tears welled up instantly.

“Archons…” his voice broke. “Heizou…”

His hand rose to cover his mouth, but it did nothing to stop the sob that escaped him.

“My poor… little deer…”

Heizou’s chest tightened painfully at the sight. He placed his hand on Kazuha’s shoulder, grounding him.

They both knew the truth might hurt, but neither of them expected this.

All those years.

All that searching.

And Heizou had been here.

Right here.

All along.

Hidden beneath a grave no one had dared question

Heizou looked down at his own remains, his gaze hardening slightly.

“When you told me about the father…” he said quietly, “I started to suspect something.”

Kazuha looked up at him through tears.

“At first, it didn’t make sense… but then everything started connecting,” Heizou continued. 

“The untouched body. The refusal to let anyone near the grave.”

His eyes narrowed.

“He didn’t bury his daughter here.”

Kazuha’s voice trembled as he finished the thought.

“He buried you instead.”

Heizou nodded.

“That’s why he kept everyone away,” he said. “He wasn’t protecting her memory… he was hiding evidence.”

Silence fell again.

Then Kazuha wiped his tears with shaking hands, trying to steady himself.

“What do we do now?” he asked quietly.

Heizou’s expression hardened.

“We report this to Kujou Sara immediately.”

“You’re not going anywhere!”

A voice echoed from behind them.

Both of them turned instantly.

Kazuha rose to his feet, drawing his sword, and stepping in front of Heizou protectively.

From the shadows of the cave entrance, a man stepped forward.

The father of the missing girl.

His hands trembled slightly as he held a gun, aimed directly at them.

When his gaze locked onto Heizou, his eyes widened in pure terror.

“How…?” he whispered. “How are you alive? I killed you!”

Heizou’s eyes sharpened.

“Don’t worry,” he replied coldly. “I won’t be here for long.”

The man let out a shaky, almost hysterical laugh.

“What are you, then? A ghost?” he spat. “Come back to haunt me?”

Kazuha tightened his grip on his sword.

“Why?” he demanded, anger cutting through his voice. “Why did you kill him?”

The man’s expression twisted.

“Because he killed my daughter!” he shouted. “I saw it with my own eyes!”

Heizou stiffened.

“I searched for her myself since those Tenryou dogs failed,” the man continued, his voice shaking with rage. “And when I found her…”

He paused.

“It was already too late...”

His voice cracked.

“She was in their hands,” he said. “Terrified, shaking… surrounded by those bastards…”

His eyes snapped toward Heizou.

“And you—!” he pointed at him violently, “what did you do?!”

Heizou’s heart pounded.

“You rushed in without thinking!” the man yelled. “And before you could do anything, they stabbed her! Right through the chest!”

Heizou froze, and his eyes widened.

No…

“That’s right,” the man spat. “You failed. You let her die!”

The words hit harder than anything.

Heizou’s mind reeled.

He was supposed to save her.

That was his job.

“The criminals got what they deserved,” the man went on, his voice dropping into something darker. “But you… you were going to walk away from it.”

His lips twisted.

“I didn’t let that happen.”

Kazuha’s eyes widened in horror.

“I struck you from behind,” the man said. “Before you even noticed me.”

Everything fell into place.

Heizou had been distracted.

Focused on saving the girl.

And in that moment he let his guard down.

And paid for it with his life.

“You fool!”

Kazuha’s voice cut through the tension.

The man snapped his gaze toward him.

“How did you know she was already dead?” Kazuha demanded. “She could have been saved!”

The man hesitated.

“She was bleeding—” he started.

“And Heizou was trying to save her!” Kazuha shouted. “If you had gone for help instead of revenge, there might have been a chance!”

The man shook his head.

“No—no, that’s not—”

The words struck deep.

“You were blinded by your grief,” Kazuha continued, his voice trembling with anger. “And because of that… you took two lives in one night!”

He took a step forward.

“That’s not justice.”

His voice dropped.

“It’s cowardice.”

“No!” the man shouted, shaking. “You’re wrong—!”

“He’s right.”

Heizou spoke. Even now, his voice was calm, but cold.

“There could have been a chance,” he said. “For both of us.”

The man staggered back with panic, lowering his weapon slightly.

“No… no…”

“It was your choice,” Heizou continued. “And now you have to live with it.”

The man’s breathing became erratic.

The gun in his hands trembled.

With a scream, he raised the weapon again and fired.

“Look out!” Heizou shouted, grabbing Kazuha and pulling him aside.

The shot missed.

Then Kazuha moved instantly, closing the distance, and striking the man hard, sending him crashing out of the cave. Before he could recover, Kazuha pinned him down, and pressed his katana firmly against his throat. 

“Heizou meant as much to me,” he said, his voice trembling, “as much as your daughter meant to you.”

The blade pressed closer.

“I won’t hesitate,” he added darkly.

The man laughed bitterly.

“Then do it!” he spat. “I’ve already lost everything.”

Heizou rushed over, stopping just short. The sight before him made his chest tighten.

Kazuha…

He had never seen him this furious.

So angry.

So broken.

So close to crossing a line he couldn’t return from.

Kazuha’s hand trembled slightly on the hilt of his sword.

And Heizou understood.

This wasn’t just about justice anymore.

This was personal.

But then—

He exhaled slowly.

The tension in his body eased, just slightly. His grip on the sword loosened, and he closed his eyes, as if forcing himself to let go of something far heavier than anger.

He pulled the blade away and stepped back. He turned his back on the man, straightening.

“I’m not going to stoop to your level,” he said quietly.

His voice was calm, but the words fell like a final judgment. He paused, glancing over his shoulder with a cold gaze.

“You don’t deserve to see your daughter,” he added. “Not yet.”

With that, he began walking back toward Heizou. The man remained on the ground, staring up at the sky. His chest rose and fell rapidly, and his mind spiraled, crashing into guilt, and rage.

He snapped.

He reached for the gun he had dropped and raised it, aiming straight at Kazuha’s back.

“Kazuha!” Heizou shouted, lunging forward.

BANG!

The shot rang out.

Kazuha froze mid-step.

His body faltered.

He looked down slowly, as if processing what just happened. Dark red began to spread quickly through his clothes, and his fingers trembled.

“Ah…” he breathed faintly.

His legs gave out beneath him, and collapsed.

“KAZUHAAA!!”

Heizou moved instantly. Rage surged through him as he turned on the man, striking him hard with a burst of Anemo energy. The force sent the man crashing back, knocking him unconscious.

He didn’t look back.

Heizou reached Kazuha in an instant. Dropping to his knees, he carefully lifted him into his arms.

“Kazuha! Hey—! Stay with me!” His voice cracked. 

“Zuzu, look at me—!”

Blood stained Kazuha’s lips as he coughed weakly, his eyes half-lidded, struggling to stay open.

But despite everything—

He smiled.

Slowly, he raised his hand, cupping Heizou’s cheek with trembling fingers. He wiped away the tears that had begun falling without Heizou even noticing.

“Don’t cry…” Kazuha whispered. “We both knew… this could happen.”

“No, no, don’t say that!” Heizou choked, gripping his hand tightly, pressing it against his face. “You don’t deserve this! None of it!”

Kazuha let out a faint, breathless chuckle.

“Life doesn’t always give us a straight path… detective.”

His gaze drifted upward, toward the dark sky beyond the trees. There was something peaceful in his expression now.

“…At least,” he murmured, “I got to see him again.”

Heizou shook his head desperately, tears falling freely now.

“Don’t talk like that, please! Just hold on, we can still—”

His words cut off, and his breath hitched.

Something was wrong.

His hands…

They looked… different.

They were fading.

He could see through them.

His body was beginning to disappear.

No…

Not now.

Not like this.

Kazuha noticed too, and a faint smile touched his lips.

“You’re going back,” he said softly. “You did it.”

His voice was gentle.

Proud.

“You found the truth.”

“No!” Heizou cried, with panic in his voice. “I don’t care about that anymore! I can’t leave you like this! You’re bleeding, you need help—!”

Kazuha lifted his hand weakly, placing a finger against Heizou’s lips.

“Shh…”

His touch was light.

“It’s time to go home, Heizou,” he whispered. “Go… to your Kazuha.”

Heizou’s chest tightened painfully.

Every instinct in him screamed to stay.

But deep down he knew he couldn’t.

His hand slipped slightly, but he still managed to brush his thumb faintly against Heizou’s cheek.

“Don’t let yourself be defeated so easily,” he murmured. “Live your life… as fully as you can.”

Heizou let out a broken breath.

Then, with what little time he had left, he leaned down, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss to Kazuha’s forehead.

“I love you…” he whispered, his voice barely holding together. “Forever.”

Kazuha’s eyes softened.

“And I will always love you… the same.”

Heizou's body began to disappear more and more.

And then—

He was gone.

Only a faint shimmer lingered in the air where he had been.

Silence returned.

Kazuha lay there, staring up at the sky, his breathing growing slower… weaker.

A soft breath left his lips.

“I’m coming back,” he murmured quietly. 

“My beautiful cherry blossom.”

His eyes slowly closed.

And the night carried him into a long, quiet sleep.

Heizou’s eyes snapped open.

For a split second, he didn’t know where he was.

His body slipped.

Water splashed as he lost balance and fell out of the bath, hitting the floor. The warmth that had once surrounded him was gone, replaced by cold air and something far worse clawing at his chest.

His breath came in sharp, broken gasps. Tears streamed down his face before he could even process why.

“No… no—!”

His hands trembled as he pushed himself up slightly, only to collapse forward again. His forehead pressed against the floor, and then he broke.

The images wouldn’t leave him.

The cave.

The blood.

Kazuha’s voice.

His last smile.

A loud, desperate sob tore from his throat. His shoulders shook violently as he cried.

Suddenly the door burst open.

“Heizou!”

Kazuha rushed in with panic. He dropped to his knees beside him, and his hands immediately reached for Heizou’s shoulders.

“Hey, hey! I’m here,” he said quickly, trying to steady him.

Heizou slowly lifted his head. His vision blurred through tears, but when his eyes found Kazuha, they widened.

“K-Kazuha…?” he whispered, his voice fragile.

Kazuha’s expression softened instantly, though worry still lingered in his eyes.

“Yes. I’m here,” he said gently. “I’m right here.”

Heizou surged forward, crashing into him, his arms wrapping tightly around him as he buried his face into his chest.

Kazuha let out a soft breath, holding him firmly. One hand rested against Heizou’s back, rubbing slow, reassuring circles, while the other moved up to his head, fingers threading gently through his damp hair.

“Shh… it’s okay now,” Kazuha murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of his head. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

He didn’t understand what had happened.

Didn’t know what had caused this sudden breakdown.

But he didn’t need to know for now.

All that mattered was that Heizou needed him.

So he simply held him closer.

Heizou clung to him, crying into his chest, his body shaking as if trying to erase the memory of that other reality, the one where everything slipped through his fingers.

But he couldn’t forget.

Because he had lived it.

Watched it happen.

So he stayed there, in Kazuha’s arms for now, grieving something that hadn’t happened yet but would.

And only he knew when that day would come.

~~~

A few years later.

The quiet warmth of the house filled the house as Kazuha moved around the kitchen preparing a meal. The faint crackle of the stove, the gentle clinking of utensils, and the comforting aroma of dinner slowly filling the air.

He found himself glancing at the door more often than usual. The sky outside was already dark.

Heizou was late.

It wasn’t uncommon. Work often kept him longer than expected, especially when a case demanded his full attention. 

Still, tonight felt… different. There was a subtle unease sitting in Kazuha’s chest, one he couldn’t quite explain. He exhaled softly, brushing the thought away as he returned to cooking.

By the time the clock neared ten, a knock came.

Kazuha stilled.

Then he walked toward the door. As soon as he opened it, his expression warmed.

“There you are,” he said, crossing his arms lightly. “They really kept you busy this time, huh?”

Heizou let out a tired sigh, stepping inside.

“Sorry,” he murmured, leaning in to press a quick kiss to Kazuha’s lips. “Big case. It dragged on longer than expected.”

Kazuha shook his head, and a small smile tugged at his lips as he stepped aside to let him in.

“You can tell me all about it over dinner,” he said, already turning back toward the kitchen.

Soon, they were seated together at the table. For a while, they simply ate in comfortable silence.

Then Heizou spoke.

“Remember that missing girl case?” he asked casually, taking another bite.

Kazuha glanced at him, tilting his head slightly.

“The one you were so eager to rush into alone yesterday?” he replied.

Heizou huffed a quiet laugh.

“Yeah, that one. We found her.”

Kazuha straightened just a little.

“And?”

Heizou smiled faintly.

“She’s safe.”

Relief washed over Kazuha’s face almost instantly.

“And the culprit?”

“Already behind bars,” Heizou replied. “Trial’s coming up soon.”

For a moment, Kazuha simply looked at him. Then a proud, gentle smile spread across his face. He reached across the table, taking Heizou’s hand in his own, intertwining their fingers.

“I’m really proud of you,” he said softly.

Heizou’s expression softened. He squeezed his hand in return, his thumb brushing lightly against Kazuha’s knuckles.

There was a pause.

Then Heizou shifted slightly, his expression turning more thoughtful.

“I was thinking…” he began, a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Kazuha watched him carefully.

“Do you remember when we talked about… having a child?”

Kazuha blinked, then nodded.

“Of course. Did you… come to a decision?”

Heizou inhaled softly.

“I did.”

Then he stood up.

Kazuha’s eyes followed him as he walked around the table, then paused in front of him before lowering himself onto one knee. Gently, he took both of Kazuha’s hands into his own.

“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things lately,” he said softly. “About my work. About us. About… the future.”

Kazuha didn’t interrupt.

Heizou’s gaze lifted, meeting his.

“I’m planning to take early retirement.”

Kazuha’s eyes widened.

“You… what?”

Heizou smiled faintly.

“I know you gave up wandering for me,” he said. “But I don’t want you to feel like you lost that part of yourself.”

His grip tightened slightly.

“I want to travel with you. See the world together. Not just in passing moments between cases, but truly live it.”

Kazuha stared at him, and his lips parted, but no words came out.

“I want to spend my life with you,” Heizou added. “As fully as I can.”

Kazuha’s hand slowly rose, resting against Heizou’s cheek, his thumb brushing gently across his skin.

“Heizou…” he whispered.

Leaning into it, Heizou smiled.

“And when we’ve seen everything,” he added, “I want to come back… and adopt a child, and build a family with you.”

Kazuha let out a quiet, breathless laugh, his emotions too full to keep contained. He leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Heizou’s neck and pulling him into a kiss. Heizou responded immediately, slipping his arms around Kazuha’s waist as he lifted him slightly, holding him close.

When they parted, their foreheads rested together, breaths mingling in the small space between them.

“Whatever you decide,” Kazuha whispered, “I’ll always be by your side.”

Heizou smiled.

“I know,” he said. “And I plan to stay with you… every step of the way.”

Then he leaned in, brushing their lips together gently. It was soft and warm.

And as they held each other there, in the soft glow of their home—

Two golden rings caught the dim light, resting perfectly on their fingers.

After a while, Heizou stepped out of the shower, drying his hair with a towel.

When he entered the bedroom, he found Kazuha already asleep. He lay curled slightly beneath the covers, his strands of pale hair resting gently across his face. He paused at the doorway for a moment, just watching him.

Then he walked over quietly and sat at the edge of the bed, careful not to wake him. He leaned down, brushing a soft kiss against his forehead.

When he pulled back, he stayed close for a moment, his hand settling lightly against Kazuha’s hair, brushing a few strands away from his face.

For a moment, Heizou just watched it.

Thinking.

Remembering.

Then his gaze returned to Kazuha.

At the man he loved.

“I did it, Kazuha…” he whispered.

A faint, relieved smile touched his lips

“I saved our future.”

He let his hand rest there for a moment longer. His eyes slowly closed as he focused on the presence, the gentle rise and fall of his breathing.

It grounded him, anchored him firmly in this moment.

He never told Kazuha what truly happened that day.

Never spoke of the other timeline, of the loss, and of the fear that had once consumed him. 

And maybe… he didn’t need to.

Because Kazuha was here.

Beside him.

The fear of what might happen no longer ruled over what was.

Now, there was only this.

This life they still had ahead of them.

The future he had fought for.