The night air trembled.
Cherry blossom petals drifted through the street like snow, but something was wrong—each petal shimmered unnaturally, glowing faintly before dissolving into ash the moment it touched the ground.
Hijuku felt it in his bones.
"They're coming," he whispered.
Sakura stood beside him, her posture rigid, eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the streetlights. The wind tugged at her hair, carrying with it a pressure so heavy it made breathing difficult.
Hideo stepped out of the cafe, metal rod still in his hand.
"I don't care who they are," he said firmly. "This ends tonight."
Sakura turned sharply. "No. This only begins tonight."
The streetlights flickered.
One by one, they went out.
Darkness swallowed the road.
Then—
Tap.
A single footstep echoed.
From the shadows emerged five figures, not cloaked like before, but dressed in black combat-like attire etched with glowing sakura symbols. Their presence distorted the air around them, bending light and sound.
Bloom Hunters.
But stronger.
More refined.
The one at the center stepped forward, long hair tied neatly behind his head, eyes cold and sharp.
Hijuku's heart skipped.
"Kaito…" he muttered.
Kaito Aoyama exhaled slowly. "I told you I wouldn't hold back next time."
Sakura's hand glowed faintly as she formed a seal. "You brought Hunters with you?"
Kaito shook his head. "They brought me."
One of the Hunters smiled. "The Heart, the Guardian, and the Anchor."
Hideo frowned. "Anchor?"
Sakura's breath caught.
"…Hijuku," she whispered urgently. "Whatever happens—protect your father."
Before he could respond, the Hunters moved.
The street exploded.
A blade of compressed shadow tore through the air. Sakura deflected it instantly, but the impact cracked the pavement beneath her feet.
Hijuku grabbed Hideo. "Dad—inside!"
They barely made it behind the cafe counter before the front windows shattered, glass raining like knives.
"Hah—!" Hideo grunted, shielding his head.
Hijuku clenched his fists.
His chest burned.
"Stay down," Sakura shouted. "Both of you!"
Roots burst from the ground outside, twisting violently as Sakura fought back, seals flashing around her like fireflies. But there were too many.
A Hunter slipped past her defense.
Straight toward the cafe.
"HIDEO!" Hijuku screamed.
Time slowed.
Hijuku stepped forward.
And the sakura tree behind the cafe answered.
The earth split open.
A massive root surged through the floor, impaling the Hunter and slamming him into the far wall. The impact shook the entire building.
Hijuku staggered, blood trickling from his nose.
"Hijuku!" Sakura shouted.
Kaito watched silently, eyes narrowed.
"So instinctive manifestation," he murmured. "No control… but terrifying output."
Another Hunter lunged.
Hijuku raised his arm—
Pain exploded through his body.
He was thrown back violently, crashing into a table. His vision blurred.
"Hijuku!" Hideo shouted, trying to reach him.
A Hunter grabbed Hideo by the collar.
"Anchor confirmed," it sneered. "Remove him."
"No—!" Hijuku forced himself up, legs shaking.
Before he could move, Sakura appeared in front of Hideo, taking the strike meant for him.
Blood splattered across the floor.
"Sakura!" Hijuku screamed.
She collapsed to one knee, clutching her side, teeth clenched in pain.
Something inside Hijuku snapped completely.
The world went silent.
Petals filled the air—thousands of them—each glowing bright crimson.
Hijuku stood slowly.
His eyes were no longer brown.
They glowed soft pink.
"Let her go."
The command wasn't loud.
But the ground obeyed.
Roots erupted violently, wrapping around Hunters, crushing them, pinning them to walls and streetlights. The sakura tree blazed with overwhelming light, petals slicing through the air like blades.
Kaito finally moved.
In a flash, he stood in front of Hijuku, blocking a root with his bare hand.
The impact sent shockwaves through the street.
Hijuku stared at him, breathing ragged. "Move."
Kaito's eyes widened slightly.
"…So this is the Heart when pushed."
He gritted his teeth. "Stop. If you keep going, you'll kill her."
Hijuku froze.
Sakura's weak voice reached him. "…Hijuku… stop…"
The petals faltered.
The light dimmed.
Hijuku collapsed to his knees, gasping.
The remaining Hunters retreated instantly, dragging their wounded with them.
The street fell silent.
Kaito stepped back slowly, eyes still fixed on Hijuku.
"You survived," he said quietly. "That's enough for tonight."
He turned away.
"Next time," he added, "you'll need to choose who you save."
And vanished into the darkness.
Hijuku crawled to Sakura's side, hands shaking.
"Don't—don't die," he whispered desperately.
She smiled weakly. "Idiot… it'll take more than that."
Hideo knelt beside them, holding Hijuku tightly.
"That's enough," he said, voice breaking. "You did enough."
Sirens echoed in the distance.
The sakura petals slowly returned to pink.
But the street would never be the same again.
And neither would Hijuku.