Time had passed and simple conversations were made. Several minutes after the picnic, Yoimiya had to go back in a hurry as the new firework materials had arrived.
Heizou then randomly asked after Yoimiya's department, "Hey... should we get blessings from your friend for our relationship?" Kazuha remained silent, but eventually replied, "Alright."
Kazuha grabbed Heizou by the arm and walked below the Kamisato Estate where he saw Kamisato Ayaka, the Shirasagi Himegimi. Ayaka waved at the two and asked, "Kazuha... is this your friend's..." Kazuha nodded, with sadness in his eyes.
Ayaka said, "Well... as the new Yashiro Commissioner, I will do my best to honor your friend." Heizou then proceeded to pray.
Soon, Kazuha realized, this scenario was really similar to the dream he had when he first met Heizou. ("Was it a prophetic dream?") He wondered, curiously staring at the two.
They then proceeded to chat for a while and recited their prayers. Soon, Thoma, came for Ayaka. She then promptly began to leave, smiling at the two and waving goodbye.
Soon after, Heizou and Kazuha prayed once more and left. They then took a stroll around Narukami Island. After several minutes of walking, they decided to go back home as there was plenty of time left before Beidou and her crew arrived.
Moreover, Kazuha felt sleepy, most probably due to the fact that he stayed up late looking after Heizou. They had entered Heizou's house. Heizou took Kazuha to his room and tucked him in. However, he jumped in aswell.
"H-Heizou... what are you doing?" Kazuha asked. Heizou smirked while blushing, trying to make him flustered. "Oh nothing~" He whisphered, putting his lips near Kazuha's ear.
"I just want to cuddle with my 'boyfriend'~"
Kazuha blushed slightly, processing what Heizou just said to him. However, Kazuha reacted by kissing him on the cheek. "I don't mind." Kazuha replied.
Heizou blushed in embarassment, realizing he failed to get the reaction Kazuha gave him before. Both of them then layed on the bed, hugging eachother and cuddling with eachother.
Heizou placed his head on Kazuha's chest. Both their arms were wrapped around eachother and they proceeded to fall into slumber in eachother's presence.
An hour later...
Both of them awoke and got Kazuha's things ready. They packed up his clothes, items and blades(Fillet Blade/Kagotsurube Isshin). Kazuha tied his new sword on his waist.
Heizou asked, "So Kazuha... what are you going to name it?" Kazuha thought carefully for a while and replied, "It will come to me eventually...."
They then headed out and got some snacks that Kazuha could enjoy during the boat ride. Heizou grew sadder for every second passing by. However, he tried to feel happy for Kazuha.
Heizou then ran off after a while, telling Kazuha that he'd be back in a while. Soon after, Kazuha took a walk along Hanamizaka and saw Yoimiya once more. They chatted for a while.
After some time, Heizou finally saw them. Heizou then apologized for taking quite a long time. He then put something in Kazuha's bag, which no one noticed.
They then headed out for Ritou. However, prior to their journey there, Yoimiya gifted them both matching bracelets that they wore happily.
They were grateful for the gift and thanked her profusely. They then headed for Ritou, their final destination.
On thier arrival, they were once again greeted with the beautiful scenery filled scarlet leaves that had a fiery red passion burning within each of them.
As they took a step, a maple leaf fell on Kazuha's palm. Heizou looked at it and stated, "My friend used to tell me that maple leaves signifies love. Maybe it's a symbol of ours?"
Kazuha looked at it and let out a warm smile. He then gently put the leaf by his chest, close to his heart. "I will treasure you forever...." Kazuha then put the leaf in a safe place and began to walk towards the docks of Ritou.
Kazuha then saw The Alcor by the docks. Captain Beidou was waiting for him. "Ah Kazuha! You're here!" Kazuha walked up to her and waved.
"So... Who's this? Also, is that a new sword?" Beidou asked. Heizou introduced himself, showing a calmer side of himself. Beidou seemed to have taken a liking to him.
After a while of small talk, it was time to depart. Kazuha looked at Heizou smiling while waving him goodbye. "Write letters to me often!" Heizou yelled.
Both of them felt sad and sorrowful in their heart when they moved away from eachother.
When they faced away from eachother, both of them frowned miserably. Upon entering The Alcor, Kazuha proceeded to check if everything was there when suddenly, he came across a paper and some chocolates.
The letter read:
"Dear Kazuha,
I hope you find this paper as soon as possible.ย
Thank you for everything you've done
for me. I know I may not have been theย
best boyfriend and I know our time
together was short, but I want to tell
you that every moment we shared
together has been a memorable one andย
a one that I will forever cherish.
(By the way, if you're wondering why
this is here, this was the reason I ran off
earlier.)
I will make sure to write letters to you often and I hope you know that I love you. Please, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. Besides, when you come back, I'll throw a huge party for you and maybe we can do more things and spend more time together.
Lastly, all I want to say is that I wish you the best of luck on your travels. As much as I want to be together with you and fulfill my new role as your boyfriend, you're going on a separate path and I want to support it. I will try to visit Liyue whenever you're free. Please, never forget to keep the smile on your face.
With love,
Heizou."
As Kazuha read every word written by Heizou, he began to tear up. Beidou asked, "Shall we set sail?" Soon after. Kazuha felt mixed emotions flowing through his body. Kazuha ran out of The Alcor and ran all the way towards Heizou.
He spotted Heizou and grabbed him by the shoulder.
Heizou looked confused, "K-Kazuha! What are you doing here? You're going to get late!" Kazuha looked at Heizou.
As the sun began to set, so to did their time together. They knew this was goodbye for a while. As the sun set into a fiery red, Kazuha had spoken these words.
"Heizou... I found your letter.... I'm sorry our time together had to end this quickly. I promise to write back to you frequently... I wish you could have come with me."
Neither of them could control their tears. Tears rolled down their faces as they watched eachother drift away in their mind. Beidou had witnessed this from the sidelines.
"I love you." They both said.
Heizou and Kazuha leaned in for a final goodbye kiss. Heizou and Kazuha shared the passion that the sunset had. Love was blooming amidst the fiery sunset that slowly faded into the darkness of the night.
Their gaze interlocked once more and so too did their tongues. They shared a passionate kiss for about 5 minutes. Soon, Kazuha placed his lips on Heizou's neck. His warm, yet calm breath felt soothing to Heizou.
Kazuha then proceeded to suck Heizou's neck gently, giving him a small bite as well in the process. Heizou let out a small groan before Kazuha finished giving him a hickey.
They then kissed once more, before the sun had completely set.
"Kazuha... I will always love you...."
"I love you too. You're my reason to live."
"This is not goodbye. It has and will always be you."