CHAPTER 4 : THE GLIMMER OF LIGHT

The restaurant was cozy, with soft lighting and the faint aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air. The girl led Seimei to a table by the window, her steps light and playful as she bounced along. She gestured to the empty chairs with a grin.

"Here is okay!" she declared, plopping down into one of the seats and patting the one beside her invitingly.

Seimei hesitated for a moment before taking a seat across from her, his eyes still clouded with sadness. The girl watched him with gentle concern, her gaze filled with understanding.

"I'm Jiyuu, by the way," she said, offering him a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Seimei."

Seimei managed a small nod in response, his throat tight with emotion. He listened as Jiyuu chattered away, her words a soothing balm against the ache in his heart. She asked him questions about himself, about his music, about what inspired him to write "Happy."

At first, Seimei remained silent, his mind consumed by memories of his mother and the weight of his guilt. But as Jiyuu continued to talk, her carefree demeanor slowly breaking down his walls, he found himself opening up to her.

"My mother is suffering from cancer, stage 4," he finally confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have to earn money for her treatment, to make her feel better. But it's all my fault. If I didn't drop out, if I had a better job..."

Tears welled up in Seimei's eyes, his voice breaking as he spoke. Jiyuu's heart ached for him as she watched his pain spill out like a flood. Without a word, she stood up and moved to sit beside him, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting embrace.

"It's okay, Seimei," she murmured, her voice soft and reassuring. "Why are you suffering so much? Instead of saying 'what if,' let's take a walk. Let's go to the park."

Jiyuu gently wiped away Seimei's tears, her touch tender and gentle. She smiled at him, her eyes sparkling with warmth and compassion. Without another word, she took his hand in hers and stood up, pulling him gently to his feet.

"Let's go," she said, her voice filled with determination and kindness. "Let's go find some light in this darkness."

END OF CHAPTER 4