In Akeno's eyes, there was something difficult to conceal—deep longing, mixed with memories of warm days when her mother was still there. Her face remained calm, but the look in her eyes clearly told more than the words she spoke.
Jun watched her from the side. He didn't step closer too quickly, nor did he allow the distance to turn cold. After several seconds of silence, he spoke in a low voice, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the place.
"Shall we clean it… together?" he said softly.
Akeno turned her head. For a moment, she looked surprised, then a small—gentle and sincere—smile bloomed on her lips.
"Yes," she replied briefly.
Jun immediately walked toward the small shed at the corner of the cemetery. The place was indeed prepared for visitors: basins, water, brushes, and simple cloths. He returned with the equipment in hand, then knelt in front of the gravestone.
Akeno crouched down on the other side. Her hands began pulling out the weeds growing between the stones, her movements slow and careful, as if each blade of grass carried memories she didn't want to damage.
Jun scrubbed the moss clinging to the surface of the gravestone. Water flowed gently, carrying the remaining dirt down into the soil. There was no long conversation. Only the sound of the brush scraping, the rustle of the wind, and the occasional deep breath being drawn.
And yet, it was precisely there that the warmth could be felt.
Two people standing side by side, doing something simple, without any promises—yet it felt so harmonious. As if they were not strangers who happened to meet, but a pair just beginning their first steps together, quietly, without needing to announce it to the world.
Akeno glanced at Jun briefly, then returned to her task. On her face, there was no longer only sadness. There was peace.
And for Jun, that was already more than enough.
...
Some time later, the grave was clean again. The moss had been scrubbed away, the weeds pulled out, and the gravestone stood neatly as it had before. Jun returned the basin and tools to their place, then stood again beside Akeno.
Akeno took a small wooden box out of her bag. The box was simple, without any ornate carvings—just smooth wood polished neatly. She placed it gently in front of the gravestone, both hands holding it there for a moment, as if making sure it was set in the right place.
Jun fell silent.
He knew that, as a devil, Akeno could not pray to any god. Even so, there were moments that required no rules or specific beliefs—only sincerity. Jun closed his eyes, bowed his head, and prayed in his own way. A simple Shinto-style prayer, without loud words, only a wish that the departed soul would rest in peace.
From the side, Akeno seemed to bow her head as well. Not praying—more like remembering. But Jun pretended not to notice. There were things better left to flow naturally.
Akeno Himejima—former Fallen Angel. Daughter of Barakiel, one of the strongest generals in the Fallen Angel faction, wielder of thunder magic that roared like a storm. That blood flowed through her body. That power lived within her veins.
Yet her past was far from the brilliance of strength.
Because of Barakiel's strategic position and the many enemies surrounding him, the existence of his human family was a dangerous secret. When that secret was exposed, the attack came without mercy. Shuri Himejima—Akeno's mother—became the final shield. She took the blow that should have been aimed at her daughter.
When Barakiel returned, all he found was a destroyed home… and a young Akeno crying beside her mother's body.
From that day on, hatred grew.
Akeno blamed her father. Barakiel, with his silence and his own guilt, never truly explained. That misunderstanding froze into a chasm that was never bridged.
But today, that chasm narrowed just a little.
Jun opened his eyes. Akeno had also finished with her own world.
"Done…?" Jun asked softly.
"Yes," Akeno replied, letting out a light breath. "I feel… relieved."
Jun glanced at the small wooden box, but didn't ask. He knew there were things that didn't need to be spoken at moments like this.
"Let's go," Akeno said as she stood up.
"Mm," Jun nodded.
They walked away side by side, leaving behind the grave that was now peaceful—and the small wooden box containing a locket with a family photo inside.
—
Not long after they left, another set of footsteps echoed among the gravestones.
A middle-aged man stopped in front of the grave. His eyes were narrow, his face stern, with a thin beard along his chin. An aura of tightly restrained power enveloped his body.
Barakiel.
He stared at the clean grave for a long time, then his eyes fell on the small wooden box. With slightly trembling hands, he opened it.
Inside, a locket.
A photo of his wife.
When he turned the locket over, a small piece of paper fell out. Simple Japanese writing, yet piercing deeper than a thousand words.
"I forgive you."
Barakiel stood frozen.
Then, slowly, his eyes welled up. His shoulders trembled, and for the first time in a very long while, the thunder general bowed his head—not as a warrior, not as a leader, but as a father filled with regret.
Before that grave, sorrow finally found its way out.
...
Their steps moved in unison along the path leading out of the cemetery grounds. The afternoon wind blew gently, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves. For a while, neither of them spoke—until Akeno broke the silence with a soft voice.
"Today… is my mother's birthday."
Jun turned his head, slightly surprised. "Really? I thought this was the day she died."
Akeno chuckled softly. "Fufufu~ that's still a few months away." Her tone returned to normal—playful, light, as if the previous topic hadn't been something heavy. "If it were that day, I probably wouldn't be this calm."
Jun nodded slightly. "I see…"
They continued walking, until Jun suddenly spoke again.
"Are you done?"
"Huh?" Akeno turned, confused.
"Pretending not to know is hard," Jun said casually.
Akeno stopped. "Eh?" Her face stiffened for a moment. "What do you mean… don't tell me—you noticed!?"
Jun chuckled softly. "Yeah. Ever since the first time you talked about it, I didn't think it was just about a 'friend.'"
"Moo…!" Akeno puffed out her cheeks, clearly flustered. "I should've been more careful."
"Ahahaha, sorry." Jun raised both hands in surrender. Then his expression grew a bit more serious—or at least, more mysterious. "By the way… close your eyes."
Akeno blinked. "Now?"
They were already on a small bridge crossing a river. The water below reflected the afternoon light, shimmering softly.
"What is this?" Akeno asked suspiciously.
"Just close them."
After a few seconds of hesitation, Akeno complied. Her eyes closed, a faint smile appearing on her lips. Jun moved quickly—removing the hair tie Akeno usually wore, then replacing it with a new one. His movements were careful, almost soundless.
"Done," Jun said. "You can open them now."
Akeno opened her eyes… and blinked.
"Huh? There's nothing." She narrowed her eyes at Jun. "Are you messing with me?"
"Hehehe." Jun pulled out a small mirror from his pocket and handed it to her. "Take a look."
Akeno accepted it. As she saw her own reflection, her eyes widened slightly.
"My hair tie…?"
"I felt bad for arriving late earlier," Jun said. "When we went to the market, I bought this. I thought… it might suit you."
Akeno gently touched her new hair tie, as if confirming that it was really there. Her fingers paused for a moment, and then that smile appeared—not the teasing smile she usually wore to flirt, nor the playful one meant to lighten the mood, but a warm, honest smile.
"…It suits me," she said softly. "Thank you, Jun-kun."
The evening wind blew once more, sweeping across the small bridge. Leaves rustled quietly, and the river below shimmered, reflecting the fading twilight. The atmosphere between them felt light—no burdens, no heavy topics. Just two people walking side by side, enjoying what remained of the day.
By the time they arrived at the foot of the stone steps leading to the shrine, night had fully fallen. Small lamps along the road were lit, casting a soft yellow glow.
"Let's stop here," Akeno said as she came to a halt. "And… thank you. I really had fun today."
Jun gave a small nod. "Yeah. Then I'll head home."
He had just turned around—
"Wait."
Jun stopped. "Yes?"
The answer came without warning.
Something soft, warm, and slightly damp touched his cheek.
Jun froze.
Akeno had risen onto her toes to reach him, then immediately stepped back. Her face was lightly flushed, but a mischievous smile curved her lips.
"That's my return for the ribbon," she said lightly, as if she had just done the most natural thing in the world.
"Ah—" Jun cleared his throat, clearly trying to stay calm as a faint blush crept onto his face. "Yeah."
Akeno laughed softly, then ran up the stone steps toward the shrine. Her steps were light, almost skipping, her new hair tie swaying with her movement.
Meanwhile, Jun stood on the sidewalk for a few seconds, his mind blank. Only then did he start walking home—his steps steady, but his gaze slightly distant, as if still processing what had just happened.
And that night, for the first time in a long while—
No one was watching.
//--//
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