Arashi's eyes slowly opened. He was lying on a hospital bed. Blinking at the ceiling, he pushed himself up to sit. The door creaked, and someone stepped into the room. That someone was Izumi.
"You're awake," she said. Arashi's voice came out rough. It was edged with worry."Where's Bento? How is he?" "He's alright now," Izumi replied. "He lost a lot of blood, so he needs plenty of rest. The doctor said he shouldn't move for a while. That claw wound was too deep—if he moves too much, it might tear open."
Arashi followed Izumi down the hallway until they stopped at another room. Inside, Bento was laying on the bed, his chest was bandaged, his face was pale but he was smiling faintly when he saw Arashi.
"Bento…" Arashi stepped closer, his voice was low with guilt. "I'm sorry. You got hurt because of me."
Bento shook his head weakly. "Don't say that. You… you're a good person, Arashi." His smile widened a little. "I want you as a friend."
Arashi froze for a second, his eyes widened. "…Friend?" "Yeah," Bento said, his voice was firmer despite his injuries.
"And listen… when I'm gonna fully heal—when I'm strong enough—I'll join you on your journey. Is that okay with you?"
For a heartbeat, Arashi couldn't answer. Nobody had ever said those words to him in years. Nobody had ever wanted to be his friend—only feared him, hated him, or pitied him. And now, lying broken on a bed, Bento was saying it so simply, so honestly. Arashi's throat got tightened. Slowly, he gave a small and almost a shy nod. "…Yeah. I'd like that."
With that, they smiled at each other—simple, genuine smiles that needed no more words. For the first time in years, Arashi felt what it meant to have a friend.
Then, Arashi stepped out of the hospital beside Izumi. The streets outside were crowded with people waiting, their faces were alight with relief.
"Arashi," one of them called, "why don't you stay here with us?" Arashi lowered his gaze, unable to answer. His silence stretched until Izumi spoke up for him.
"He will. He'll stay at my house." The crowd seemed to be satisfied with her reply. It slowly moved off with nodding and smilling.
Soon, Arashi and Izumi walked through the quiet streets until they reached a beautiful and a warm-looking house. Evening light painted the sky in fading orange.
Inside the house, Izumi turned to him.
"Your people abandoned you, didn't they?"Arashi froze, his eyes widened in shock.
"How… how did you know?" Izumi met his gaze calmly. "I can tell it by seeing your eyes. They carry the sadness of someone who's been unloved… someone who's been left behind."
Arashi's lips trembled into a bitter smile. "Yes… you're right." "Then live here," Izumi said gently. "Live here with us. You don't have to carry it alone anymore."
Arashi's chest got tightened at the warmth of the offer. For a moment, he wanted to say yes. He wanted to stay with this kind peoples. But the memory of claws, bloods, and the fear in people's eyes struck him harder than any wound.
He lowered his gaze, his voice was trembling.
"…I also want to live with you all. Really, I do. But… if I stay here, you'll be in danger. I don't even know what this power inside me is. If I lose control… if it happens again… you all will get hurt. And if I stay, Dreadclaw might come back for me here again. I can't let that happen." Silence fell.
Izumi studied him quietly, then sighed with a faint, knowing smile.
"Even if you push people away from you, kindness will still pull you back. You'll understand it one day."
Without another word, She led Arashi to a small room. The bed was simple, a lantern faintly glowing on the desk. "You can rest here," she said gently. "At least for tonight."
When she left, the room grew quiet.
Arashi lay straight on his back on the bed. He was staring up at the dark ceiling. His thoughts were swirling. He remembered the battle—the moment his vision turned black, when his body was no longer his own. He saw himself clawing like a monster, tearing through Dreadclaw with rage which wasn't fully his. His hands clenched the bed sheets.
"…If I lose control again…" he whispered to the empty room."... I might destroy everything."
He swallowed hard, the decision was forming in the silence of the room.
"I'll leave tomorrow,"he told to himself. "Without saying goodbye to anybody.
Slowly, he turned to his side, shutting his eyes tight, as if sleep could hide the heaviness which was pressing on his heart.
The next morning.
Arashi walked alone through the quiet streets, the first light of dawn was painting the town in pale colors. He hadn't told anyone that he was leaving. His steps were heavy, but his heart were more heavier than his steps.
Faces flashed in his mind—the sisters, the children, that old woman's gentle smile. He had felt kindness here, something he hadn't known for years. Yet he couldn't stay. If he did, more people might get hurt. He didn't even understand what cursed power lived inside him, or how to control it. If he stays, one day, he might destroy this town just like he had destroyed half of his own hometown. He reached the edge of the town, where his small boat was waiting. A sharp ache twisted in his chest. Leaving hurt—but it was the only way.
Just as he stepped toward the boat, a voice rang out. "Arashi!" It was a girl's voice. He froze, then turned to his back. Emi was running toward him. Her hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and for a moment, Arashi caught his breath—she was looking too different, sharper and more prettier than before. His face got warmed, and he couldn't move his eyes from Emi. Emi skidded to a stop in front of him, bending over with her hands on her knees, breathless.
"What are you doing here?" Arashi asked. He was startled. Emi straightened, brushed a strand of hair back, and walked right past him. As she passed, she muttered to him, "Fool. I'm going with you." Arashi blinked, then spun to her side.
"What…? What did you mean by going with me?" Without hesitation, Emi hopped into the boat, crossed her arms, and then sat down.
"I don't know," she said simply.
"Ehhhhh!?" Arashi's jaw nearly dropped." Don't ask any questions," Emi replied coolly, her voice was calm and steady. Her eyes locked on the path ahead.
"Just… look behind you." Confused, Arashi turned to his back. His eyes got widened. All of them were there—the townspeople, the old woman, Izumi, and Yuri. They had followed quietly and now they are standing infront of him.
Izumi stepped forward first, her voice was soft but firm.
"Please take good care of her." Then Yuri put a hand on her hip, glaring at Arashi with fire in her eyes.
"If something happens to her, I'll never forgive you. I might even kill you myself."
Arashi's brows drawn tight over his eyes. "What… what is happening?"
Before anyone could answer, Emi's thoughts drifted back to the night before. Inside their small, dimly lit room, the three sisters had sat together in silence. The air was heavy, each of them knowing what was left unsaid. Emi never imagined that her sisters would suggest the unthinkable.
Izumi's voice broke the silence first."Emi… you should go with him."
Emi's eyes widened. "What? No. I can't leave you two!"
Yuri leaned back against the wall, her arms folded. Her tone was sharp, but her gaze was softened.
"You've always wanted to see the world, haven't you? To sail across the seas and… find him."
At the mention of their father, Emi's chest tightened. It had been twelve years since he vanished on that mission, twelve years since their family had been left waiting with no answer. Izumi placed a gentle hand on Emi's shoulder.
"This is your chance. Arashi is strong, kind, and also reckless enough to drag you into adventure whether he means to or not. If you go with him, you'll be safe. And maybe… you'll find Father too."
Emi bit her lip and her throat got tightened. She didn't want to leave her sisters, not after everything. But in their eyes, she saw trust—not just in her, but in Arashi as well. Yuri smirked faintly, brushing Emi's cheek with her knuckle.
"Besides… you've been dreaming of this your whole life. Don't waste it now."
Emi's fists tightened on her knees as she thought "To see the world… to find him…"
The sisters held each other close that night, knowing the decision had already been made. Emi's memory faded, and back in the present she let out a long, quiet sigh. Her eyes softened, but her voice was steady as she looked at Arashi.
"I've already decided," she murmured under her breath.
Arashi's mouth opened, but no words came from him. The weight of the moment pressed on him—yet somehow, with Emi sitting in the boat and the whole town standing infront of them, the road ahead didn't feel so lonely anymore.
He was still looking at the crowd, still speechless. Before he could say anything, Emi kicked the side of the boat."Are you getting in or not? We don't have all day."
Flustered, Arashi stumbled into the boat, nearly tripping over the paddle."W-wait! I never agreed to this!"
"You don't have a choice," Emi said flatly, arms crossed. "I've already decided.
"Arashi groaned, burying his face in his hands.
"Why do I feel like my life just got ten times harder…?"
From the dock, Yuri cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Don't screw it up, idiots!" Izumi just shook her head with a faint smile.
Then, the boat drifted out to sea, leaving the cheers, glares, and farewells of the kind peoples behind.
Emi sat like she owned the vessel, while Arashi rowed with a mix of frustration and embarrassment. And somewhere beyond the horizon, their next storm was waiting.