The wind whispered through the open window, brushing gently against Aizen's skin. He sat quietly on the edge of the castle balcony, lost in thought. The sky was pale blue, and the golden sun began to rise above the peaceful horizon. Yet his heart remained clouded.
Lyra walked slowly behind him, her long silver hair swaying, her golden eyes filled with uncertainty. Her dreams had become more vivid lately—Raizen, her first love, the boy who protected her when no one else would. The boy who smiled so gently yet turned into a beast when someone threatened her.
Just like Aizen.
She stopped a few steps behind him, holding her hands tightly to her chest. Her voice trembled as she said softly,
"Raizen…?"
Aizen's eyes widened.
That name—he hadn't heard it since the final moments of his previous life. That name was buried deep inside him, the name that belonged to the boy who died protecting the girl he loved.
His heart pounded.
He turned his head slowly, golden eyes shimmering.
"...Miyako?" he whispered.
Lyra gasped.
That name.
Her eyes watered instantly. Nobody had called her that name since her death.
Aizen stood up, shaking slightly. "I… I don't know why I said that. But... why did you call me Raizen?" His voice was confused but warm.
Tears rolled down Lyra's cheeks. "Because... I've been dreaming about someone named Raizen. Someone who was just like you—his soul, his pain, the way he smiles, and how he fought for me…"
Their eyes locked.
For a moment, everything around them disappeared. The castle faded. The sky paused. Time froze.
Then—
FLASHBACK
Two teenagers sat beneath a sakura tree on the school rooftop. Miyako leaned on Raizen's shoulder, her violet eyes closed, her soft silver hair shining in the sunlight.
"Let's be together again in the next life," she whispered.
Raizen, eyes full of love, nodded. "Even if we're born in a different world, I'll find you."
Gunshots. Blood. Screams. Darkness.
END FLASHBACK
They both collapsed to their knees, clutching each other, overwhelmed by memories crashing into their minds like a storm. The past and present merged. Every touch, every look, every word—it all came back.
Lyra held his face. "You… you're really him. My Raizen…"
Aizen's voice cracked. "And you're… my Miyako. You were always the only one I wanted to protect. Even in this world… I didn't understand why I cared so much. Why I couldn't let you go. Now I know."
She smiled through tears. "We're soulmates."
They kissed—slow, emotional, full of years of longing. The sky above them shimmered, the wind danced with joy, as if the world itself celebrated their reunion.
They leaned their foreheads together.
"I love you, Miyako," he whispered.
"I love you too, Raizen…" she said softly. "But in this life, I'm Lyra. And you're Aizen."
He smiled. "Then I love both Miyako and Lyra. And you love Raizen and Aizen."
Their laughter rang like a melody.
Behind them, the door creaked open. Mikaela peeked in, her red eyes wide.
"He's awake! THEY'RE CRYING!" she shouted.
The twins came running. Lina tripped on the floor in excitement.
"AIZENNNN!!" the kids yelled, tackling him in a tight hug.
He laughed, still crying. Lyra held them all close, like a mother. The entire family had never felt more whole, more complete.
Later that night, under the stars, Aizen looked at Lyra.
"I finally found you again."
She smiled, holding his hand.
"You never really lost me."
---
(END OF CHAPTER 34.5)