Lonely Rock for the Blind.

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru paused for a moment.

Cold sweat trickled down Ichiji Hoshika's forehead.

Is that not quite right to say it?

“…Gurgle…”

Nekoyashiki Haru's eyes welled up with even more tears, which startled Ijichi Seika so much that her eyes almost popped out of her head.

"Wait, wait! Don't cry! Ugh, you'll be in trouble if you cry! I..."

"...I won't cry."

Nekoyashiki wiped away her tears and shook her head.

Ichi Hoshika was suddenly taken aback.

"Really...really?"

"Really, because Sister Xingge is really tired, and I don't want to cause you any more trouble."

Nekoyashiki Haru smiled and patted Ijichi Seika's hair.

"Sister Xingge, you've been working very hard ever since Auntie left."

"... "

Ijichi Seika's lips trembled slightly.

"Hongxia and I are very grateful to Sister Xingge."

Nekoyashiki Haru jumped off the bed and walked towards the door.

"The medicine has been applied. Sister Xingge, go to sleep early, your wound will heal faster."

"... "

Ichi Seika opened her mouth, but didn't say anything; she just nodded.

"I'm going to sleep now, goodnight..."

Nekoyashiki Haru walked towards the door.

"Wait a moment!"

Suddenly, Ijichi Seika called out to Nekoyashiki Haru.

Nekoyashiki Haru turned around.

"...In my heart, you and Hongxia are equally important! I promised her...but it wasn't just because of that promise. I...I don't hate being with you two kids, really!"

"Ichiyoshika!"

"...Yes, I know."

Nekoyashiki Haru smiled and then closed the door.

Click.

The door was closed.

Ijichi Hoshika sat blankly on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.

Actually, she was very scared that day.

It seemed like she only realized it when Nekoyashiki Haru was dragging her suitcase and preparing to leave.

Is there anything I haven't done well enough?

She watched the familiar person disappear into the escort of others.

It's as if they're dragging their suitcases and will never come back.

Something inside me was suddenly buried.

It seemed that only then did I realize that he was serious.

This is a scene that may mean they will be separated forever.

But it's so strange... I promised her I would take good care of them.

Why are we letting him leave now?

Even months after he left, Ijichi Seika still thought the same way.

Did I do something wrong?

Should I have stopped him back then? Should I have snatched him back from the other future?

Should I...?

Ichiji Hoshika doesn't know.

I wasn't particularly sad, just felt a sense of emptiness.

That empty space remained empty for many years until he returned, when it was suddenly filled with anger.

She angrily boarded the train and angrily opened the door of Shinjuku FOLT.

As if they were enemies, they grabbed the child who was missing a part and dragged him back.

"... "

Ichi Seika's hand gripped his tightly, her lips trembling uncontrollably.

That's why I don't want to break up again.

Once is enough; there can't be a second or third time...

No one can accept it, especially me.

Is this for the promise he made to his mother? Or for Hongxia?

At this moment, sitting on Nekoyashiki Haru's lap, feeling his grown-up body and that familiar warmth, Ijichi Seika seemed to finally realize what was happening.

No... none of that is right.

I won't make any excuses, and I won't use anyone as a shield.

I did all this just... for myself...

Chapter 398 Magical Masked Cat (Return)

Akame stared at Akame.

As Ichi Nijika watched the scene unfold before her, the smile on her face slowly faded.

"...Hong...Hongxia..."

Ijichi Hoshika's voice trembled, but her movements did not stop.

"I'm sorry... I... I'm so sorry... but this is the only way... You'll understand, right?"

Nekoyashiki Haru raised her head, as if to say something, but the next moment she was pressed down by Ijichi Hoshika with quick eyes and hands, her mouth tightly covered.

“Hongxia… I just had no choice… You have no idea what he’s done! You can’t do it yourself… so I had to come… He can’t leave again.”

Ichi Nijika's expression didn't change, only her lips pursed in a complicated way.

"Hongxia, you... say something... I didn't betray you... I..."

Suddenly, Ichiji Hoshika became terrified and began to speak incoherently.

"…Ugh…"

Ichi Nijika sighed.

"Don't overdo it, or you'll catch a cold."

Click.

The door was closed.

"...?"

Ichi Hoshika was suddenly stunned.

Why is Nijika reacting this way?

"Sister Xingge...can I say something?"

Nekoyashiki Haru's voice rang out, and then Ijichi Seika gently slapped him across the face.

Snapped…

"No...you mustn't say it! It's all because of you! My relationship with Hongxia after that..."

"... "

Nekoyashiki Haru shut her mouth.

...

……

.........

"Senior Ijichi? Did they start fighting?"

The group of people who had come over looked at Ichiji Nijika at the door with a puzzled expression.

Squatting on the ground with her hands cupping her face, Ijichi Nijika glanced at the group.

"A fight broke out."

"Then...we have to stop it right away!"

Goto Ichiri said in a panic, and then stepped forward to try to open the door.

She was hugged by Ichiji Nijika.

"It's alright, let them fight."

"Eh?"

Goto Ichiri was stunned.