Under the full moon's glow, Haru and Yuliy began to confront the pain of his past. Instead of going alone, this time, together, they visited the shrine, offering prayers for Aiko's soul.
Sitting on the bench, overlooking the town. Yuliy spoke of his regrets, while Haru listened with quiet patience, a soothing presence that calmed his restless heart.
"I returned after the treaty was signed," he wavered, "but..."
Yuliy held onto his chest. Haru took it all in, finally understanding why his journey had taken so long.
"She felt isolated. I wasn't there for her, her... her...feet..." his voice cracking.
She averted her eyes onto the town's lights. Listening to his crushing voice under the truth was enough for anyone to break down.
He reached into his pocket and retrieved the only thing left from Aiko: "The moonlight showed me her note on the desk." Placing the note in his lap, looking at his feet, "She thought I had died in the war."
"It wasn't your fault", Haru inserted.
Yuliy laughed psychotically, "It's all my fault," coming down from his high, "I left her alone."
The conversation became quiet as Haru nourished his being.
Haru realised that he helped her step beyond the confines of her routines and had shown her the beauty of the world surrounding her. She had grown used to overlooking the soft sounds of the forest, the low hums of the birds and the brightness of the moon next to the river. Even though he showed her all of this, it was as if he were trying to let go through her.
Her heart ached for a different reason, grabbing the lower part of his cloak, "For the first time in years, I feel truly alive."