Tomorrow to shinkase

Three weeks had passed since the battle between Kaito and Shirogane.

The inn was wrapped in the quiet calm of morning. The scent of freshly baked bread and warm tea drifted gently through the hallways.

Yume walked carefully, balancing a breakfast tray in her hands. She stopped in front of Kaito's door and knocked lightly with her foot.

"Kaito, it's me. I brought you something to eat," she said softly.

"You can come in," came the muffled reply from the other side.

Yume pushed the door open with her hip, making sure not to drop anything. As she stepped inside, she saw him kneeling by the low table. In front of him lay a half-zipped backpack, surrounded by neatly folded clothes.

"Good morning," Kaito greeted her, standing up slowly.

Yume's smile faded as soon as she saw the backpack. She stopped mid-step.

"K-Kaito... why are you packing your bag?" she asked, trying to hide the sadness in her voice.

Kaito looked her in the eyes, serious.

"My body's healed enough. I'm leaving for Shinkase tomorrow."

There was a brief silence.

"Right... you told me that already. Well, safe travels then," Yume said, forcing a smile as she quickly placed the tray on the bed. She turned to leave.

"Yume, wait," Kaito's voice called out.

She froze in the doorway.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Yume turned to face him, still wearing that strained smile.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"Alright then," Kaito said, watching her silently as she walked out and gently closed the door behind her.

Yume stood still in front of Kaito's door.

(Why... why does this hurt so much?) she thought, clenching her fists.

The morning at the inn went on as usual. Yume and Hauromi served the customers with practiced ease, but something about her felt... off. Her smile was forced, her eyes distant.

"Excuse me, Hauromi," said an elderly man sitting at the counter — clearly a regular.

"What is it, Ichibei?" the man replied, filling a mug of beer with practiced hands.

"I think I got the wrong dish. I ordered meat, not soup," said the old man, more confused than upset.

"Sorry, must've been Yume's mistake. I'll fix that right ..."

CRASH.

A sharp sound of glass shattering cut him off.

Everyone turned.

Yume stood frozen. The tray had slipped from her hands, and three beer mugs had smashed on the floor, foam and shards spreading everywhere.

Her gaze was empty like her mind had wandered far from the room.

All the customers fell silent.

"Yume, are you okay?!" Hauromi called out in concern.

She blinked, snapping back.

"W-what? Y-yes, I'm fine, I'm so sorry everyone," she said, flustered, bowing her head deeply.

She crouched down, gathering the shards. Around her, quiet murmurs of surprise spread through the inn.

(What am I doing?) she wondered, her mind spinning.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned quickly and froze.

"Kaito?" she whispered.

He was there, holding a broom and dustpan. He had come down without saying a word.

"I'll handle this. Go help with the customers," he said calmly.

"You don't have to… it was my mistake."

"Don't worry about it. I've got it."

Yume looked at him, moved by his quiet kindness.

"Th-thank you," she murmured, rising slowly.

She walked back toward the counter, where Hauromi was waiting.

"Yume, come outside with me," he said seriously.

The two stepped out behind the inn, where a faded fence and a couple of old bins greeted them. A cool wind rustled their hair.

Hauromi pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one calmly.

"It's a nice day, don't you think?" he said.

"Aren't you going to scold me?" Yume asked, surprised.

"Ahaha… for what? A small mistake like that? Ever since I met you, you've been a huge help."

He exhaled smoke, watching the burning tip.

"You know, Kaito's leaving for Shinkase tomorrow."

"...I know," she answered in a low voice.

"That's why you're out of it today, isn't it?" he continued, bluntly.

"You two got pretty close these past weeks."

"I-I… yeah. That's why. I wish he'd stay. I know it's selfish, but…"

"Youth… it's a wonderful thing. Sometimes we don't realize the meaning behind our own desires," he said, cryptically.

"Yume, we've known each other a long time. When I first offered you this job, I never thought this place would turn into a cage for you."

"A cage?! No, it's not!" she replied, instinctively.

"Maybe not yet… but thanks to Kaito, you have the freedom now to go wherever you want.

You never told me much about your past, but… isn't there someone you'd like to see again?"

At his words, a face flashed in her mind her mother's.

"Yes… there is someone I want to see," she whispered with a tinge of longing.

Hauromi paused, taking a slow drag before adding:

"Then go, Yume. Find her. See all the beautiful things the world has to offer.

Why not go with Kaito? Help him… and then find that person you've been missing."

THE NEXT DAY

Kaito's window was slightly open. The cool morning air drifted in beneath a sky covered in stormy clouds.

He was finishing packing his bag.

(This is fine) he thought, taking a deep breath as he slung it over his shoulder.

He approached the door, ready to leave, but stopped for a moment.

He turned, taking one last look at the room.

"Strange…" he muttered. "It's been a while since I had a roof over my head. And now that I do… I have to leave it."

A bitter smile crossed his lips. With one final glance, he closed the door gently behind him.

He descended the stairs for the last time. His footsteps echoed through the stillness until he reached the lounge.

"Hey, Kaito. Looks like you're ready," said Hauromi, looking up from his newspaper. He pointed to the overflowing bag with a playful smile.

"Alright then. Let's go. I'll walk you there."

"Are you sure it was okay to close the inn today?" Kaito asked.

"Of course. I wanted to send you off properly," the old man replied with a warm grin.

For a moment, Kaito looked down, a little surprised… then returned to his usual calm.

He glanced around. The lounge was quiet, like it was silently preserving the memories made within its walls.

"Yume… where is she?"

"She had an errand to run. She'll meet us before your train leaves," Hauromi explained as he slowly opened the inn's door.

"Got it…" Kaito muttered, stepping outside.

They began walking through the peaceful streets toward the station.

"Kaito," Hauromi said after a while, his tone more serious. "I want to tell you something."

Kaito nodded, ready to listen.

"You try to hide it, but you're a good kid. I don't know what happened to you, or where those blades come from… or why it's so hard for you to trust others."

Hauromi paused. The first drops of rain started to fall.

"But… take care of yourself, Kaito. Open up. Try trusting people a bit more."

"Hauromi…" Kaito murmured.

"I'll try. And you… take care of yourself too. And look after Yume. She's strong, but sometimes she overdoes it."

"Hahaha, no need to worry," the man laughed heartily.

"What do you mean...?"

His question was drowned out by a loud metallic announcement from the station speakers:

"The train to Shinkase is now arriving at Platform One."

"We've reached your stop," said Hauromi, glancing up at the grey sky. The rain had picked up.

Kaito and Hauromi crossed the queue and arrived at the station platform. It was outdoors, covered by a simple wooden canopy. A few benches and trash bins completed the minimal layout. They sat on one of the benches, waiting.

"They sure fixed up the train quickly after that fight with Shirogane," Kaito noted, watching the rain glisten on the tracks.

"You probably don't know this, but Shinkase is the most advanced city among the Four Great Nations. Repairing a train is child's play for them," Hauromi replied.

"Is that so," Kaito muttered, mildly surprised.

Time passed. The train's arrival was near. Kaito, growing uneasy, turned to the old man.

"Hey, Hauromi… what's Yume planning, anyway?" he asked, annoyed.

"Be patient. She's coming," the man answered, unbothered.

"If she won't even bother to say goodbye..."

Once again, his voice was drowned out this time by the sharp metallic screech of the train pulling into the station.