Prayers

The Cemetery Visit

A gentle breeze passed through the quiet cemetery, carrying the scent of freshly fallen leaves. The sky was gray but calm, the air still and reverent.

Two women stood before a modest gravestone, their hands clasped together in prayer.

One was Sayaka Nozomi—Hikaru and Hikari's mother.

The other was Misaki Utsuro—Yami's mother.

Both of them stood in silence, their eyes heavy with unspoken grief.

The name carved into the gravestone read:

Hana Kanashii

A Beloved Friend and Mother

Sayaka's chest tightened as she read the name, just as she had countless times before.

Misaki sighed softly, placing a small bouquet of white lilies beside the gravestone.

"She would have loved these," Misaki murmured.

Sayaka nodded. "She always said lilies reminded her of new beginnings."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then—Sayaka closed her eyes, remembering.

High School Memories

There was a time when Sayaka, Misaki, and Hana were inseparable.

Teenagers in high school, filled with dreams, laughter, and unshakable bonds.

They did everything together—studying, skipping class, sneaking into concerts.

Hana had always been the boldest of them. The one who would drag them into trouble just to make life more exciting.

Misaki had been the quiet and logical one, always trying to keep Hana from getting too reckless.

And Sayaka?

She had been the bridge between them—the one who balanced their wild and calm natures.

Together, they had promised to stay friends forever.

But that promise… had been broken by time.

And by tragedy.

A Prayer for the Lost

Sayaka opened her eyes, returning to the present.

She and Misaki bowed their heads in prayer.

"Hana…" Sayaka whispered. "Wherever you are… we hope you found peace."

Misaki exhaled, her voice softer than usual.

"And we pray that Hinote is still alive. That he's somewhere safe."

A cold gust of wind blew through the cemetery.

The two women stood in silence, letting the moment settle in their hearts.

Then, slowly, they turned to leave.

A Familiar Face

As they walked down the stone path, Sayaka hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Misaki…"

Misaki glanced at her. "What is it?"

Sayaka hesitated for a second, then finally said,

"There's something strange."

Misaki raised an eyebrow. "Strange how?"

Sayaka's expression was unsure, as if she wasn't certain she should even say it out loud.

But then, she sighed and spoke.

"Hikaru has a friend," she said slowly. "His name is Teshii."

Misaki frowned slightly. "And?"

Sayaka swallowed.

"He… looks like Hinote."

Misaki stopped walking.

Her eyes widened slightly.

A heavy silence settled between them.

Sayaka forced a small chuckle, trying to shake off the thought.

"Maybe it's just a coincidence," she said. "But I couldn't stop thinking about it."

Misaki didn't respond immediately.

She just looked back toward Hana's grave, deep in thought.

As if something in her heart had been disturbed.

As if something long buried was about to resurface.