A large metallic train arrived on the station tracks, similar to the one where Kaito had fought before—probably the same one. The screeching brakes, the steam, the reflection on the polished metal…
Kaito was momentarily shaken. At the sight of the train, worry and sorrow took the place of the irritation he had felt moments earlier. Even Hauromi's composure began to falter.
(Wait... Yume isn't...) thought Kaito, as the crowd started flowing toward the carriages, each person looking for their seat.
"Shit... what happened to her?" Hauromi muttered, as if the calm from moments ago had never existed.
"Kaito, wait. I'm going out to look for her!" said Hauromi, already moving away.
"No, Hauromi." Kaito stopped him. "You wouldn't make it in time…"
Kaito's expression turned serious. "Like I told you earlier, take care of her." With those words, he turned toward the train, ready to board.
"Wait, Kaito! She had—"
Suddenly Hauromi's voice was drowned out by another.
"Kaitooo!"
The boy spun around. A figure was running toward him through the crowd, carrying two travel bags.
It was Yume.
Kaito froze, his expression surprised. (She made it...) he thought, lowering his gaze with a slight smile.
"Yume, you're late. The train was about to leave!" Hauromi scolded, though visibly relieved.
The girl arrived, out of breath and clutching the bags. She had been running the entire way.
Yume was soaked from the rain. Her outfit was different from usual: a short black top, a brown jacket that reached her hips, light blue jeans, and black-and-white sneakers, visibly comfortable.
"I'm sorry... I thought I had enough time but... because of the rain... I got stuck for a bit," she said, panting, leaning forward with her hands on her knees.
"Well, at least you made it in time," said Kaito.
Kaito's voice made her heart skip a beat. She caught her breath, stood straight, and looked at him for a moment.
"Yume, I have to go now. Take care of yourself, alright?" Kaito said, his voice calm but relieved.
She looked at him. For a moment, she didn't know what to say. (I have to tell him...) she thought. She took a breath, then spoke:
"W-wait, Kaito."
The boy looked at her, ready to listen.
"I've made a decision. Kaito, I want to..." She took a breath, remembering everything that had happened. "I want to go with you! I want to help you, and... I want to meet someone very dear to me!" she said, full of determination.
Hauromi watched her with pride. She had made her choice. (Good job, Yume, he thought.)
Yume looked at Kaito, waiting for an answer.
(Will he be okay with it?) she wondered.
Kaito smiled softly once again.
"Are you sure about what you're saying? Are you sure you want to leave the inn… and Hauromi?" he asked.
Yume brought her hands to her chest. Then, with the same determination, she replied:
"Yes..." She paused briefly. "After all this time… I'm finally free to decide what to do. And I want to go with you."
Kaito turned to Hauromi.
"And you? Will you be alright alone? Won't you feel lonely?" he asked.
"Don't worry about me. One way or another, I'll manage."
He lowered his gaze for a moment, then raised it again with a smile that moved Yume.
"I'll probably miss her... but I'm proud of her choice."
Kaito turned his back. The gesture startled Yume, who lowered her gaze, fearing rejection.
"What are you doing?" he asked, glancing back.
His words shook her.
"Come on, you don't want to miss our train," he added with a gentle smile.
Yume was speechless for a moment, then came back to her senses.
"Y-you're right," she said with a smile as he boarded the train.
She was happy… but there was still someone she had to say goodbye to.
She turned to Hauromi and bowed her head in gratitude.
"Hauromi…" she began, her voice trembling as she remembered everything he had done for her: that rainy night he had found her, the way he had taken her in, the day he encouraged her to follow Kaito.
"Thank you for everything. Thank you for welcoming me at the inn... for taking care of me..." her voice cracked. "Thank you for treating me like a daughter."
Tears streamed down her face.
"Raise your head, you idiot…" Hauromi said, his own voice shaking.
"I should be the one thanking you, for always being there…"
He didn't have time to finish before Yume ran to him and hugged him tightly.
He returned the embrace, holding her close.
"Don't catch a cold, alright? You're already eighteen, but don't overdo it with alcohol or anything… And... and…"
His voice trembled. "There's still so much I want to say... but above all: take care of yourself."
"I will…" Yume replied through tears.
Hauromi slowly stepped away from her.
"Yume, you need to go now. Have a safe journey," he said, wiping away a tear with his thumb.
"Yes," she nodded, gripping her bags.
"Hauromi... take care of the inn until I return," she added, her eyes still red but with a reassuring smile.
Moments later, Yume boarded the carriage and sat across from Kaito. Through the window, she watched Hauromi as the train prepared to depart.
Hauromi watched them go, waving.
(No doubt about it. They'll be fine together, he thought as the train left the station.
"Yume," said Kaito, breaking the silence.
"Yes?" she replied, turning from the view outside.
"Thank you for deciding to come with me. I promise I'll do everything I can to help you find the person you mentioned."
Yume looked at him in surprise. She hadn't expected him to thank her. A natural smile formed on her lips.
"There's no need to thank me," she said after a pause. "...And maybe it's time I tell you everything. About what happened—before and after meeting Shirogane."
Kaito looked at her for a moment, then replied:
"There's no need."
Yume's eyes widened at the response.
"I have a past I don't want to talk about either," he continued.
"It doesn't matter what happened to you. You don't need to explain. If you want to see someone again, that's all that matters."
For a moment, Yume laughed.
Kaito looked at her, confused. "What did I say?"
"Sorry…" she said, shaking her head. "It's just... you thanked me earlier, but in the end... I should be the one thanking you."
Kaito lowered his gaze, touched by her words.
"Did my words move you?" Yume asked teasingly.
"What are you talking about? As if. Just go get changed—you're still soaked… and you're getting the seat all wet!" he replied, snapping back to himself.
That was just the beginning of their journey—a journey that would take them far.