Everything was going well… until, months later, tragedy knocked on the door again.
Haru became seriously ill.
The diagnosis, which he had kept to himself for months, could no longer be hidden: cancer.
His body, weakened by age and wear and tear, began to give out.
He took to his bed.
The days dragged on. They felt heavy.
Arika stayed by his side almost all the time. She changed the sheets, gave him water, made sure he was breathing calmly. Her movements were precise, constant.
Rain and Iris never left the room.
Rane visited him frequently. They tried treatments, adjusted medications… but nothing really changed.
They were just… waiting.
Until that night.
The air felt different.
Colder.
Still.
Rane finished examining him. His expression said it all.
He remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he looked at Arika.
—His heart is in very bad shape… he won't make it through another night —he said softly—. He'll probably… pass away today
Soleia covered her mouth, unable to hold back her tears. Her shoulders shook as she approached the bed. She took Haru's hand gently, as if afraid of breaking him.
—No… —she whispered—. Haru…
Haru opened his eyes with difficulty.
He looked at her.
—Don't cry, Soleia… —he murmured with a faint, weary smile—. It happens to all of us… eventually.
Soleia shook her head again and again, unable to accept it.
—No… don't say that… not yet…
Haru barely moved his hand, as if trying to reassure her.
Then he looked up at Rane.
—Rane…
Rane tensed at the sound of his name.
—I'm here.
Haru watched him in silence for a few seconds, as if gathering the strength to speak.
—Thank you… —he said finally—. For staying… all this time.
Rane clenched his teeth.
—Don't start with that —she replied, her voice cracking despite her attempt to keep it steady —. You don't have to thank me for anything.
Haru shook her head gently.
—If it weren't for you… —he continued— a lot of things… would have ended sooner.
She paused briefly to catch her breath.
—You were… more than a friend… like a brother.
Rane lowered her head.
Her hands slowly tensed until they closed into fists.
—And you were a problem from day one —he replied, trying to hold a smile—. Stubborn… reckless…
Her voice cracked slightly.
—But… I wouldn't change a thing.
Haru let out a faint laugh, weak, almost inaudible.
Soleia squeezed her hand tightly, trembling.
—Don't go… —she whispered —. Please… stay a little longer…
Haru looked at her.
There was something gentle in his eyes. Something final.
—I'm sorry… —he murmured —. I can't take it anymore.
Silence fell over them.
—But… I'm leaving with peace of mind.
His gaze shifted from one to the other.
—Because I know you'll look out for each other.
Rane frowned.
Haru glanced briefly at Arika.
Rane understood.
And he fell silent.
Soleia lowered her head, unable to speak.
Rane placed a firm hand on Haru's shoulder.
—We'll take care of everything —he said softly —. You don't have to worry.
Haru nodded slightly.
His eyes began to close… but he opened them once more.
—Thank you… —he whispered —. To both of you.
Silence fell gently.
Rane withdrew his hand carefully.
Then he placed his hand on Soleia's shoulder.
—We should let him rest…
Soleia didn't move at first.
But finally she nodded, still trembling.
She leaned in slightly and rested her forehead against Haru's hand for a moment.
Then she stepped back.
Before leaving, Rane paused by the door.
He looked at Arika.
—Stay with him.
Arika nodded.
Rane stayed for another second.
Motionless.
Then he left.
Soleia followed him.
The door closed softly.
Silence filled the room.
Haru was breathing heavily.
—Arika… —he said.
Arika moved a little closer.
—I'm here.
Haru looked at her.
His eyes were tired, but still clear.
—Forgive me… —he murmured —. Now… I'll leave you alone.
Arika shook her head slightly.
—I have nothing to forgive you for.
Her voice was calm. Unbroken.
—Thanks to you… I had a home. Although… it might have been difficult for you… to be with someone like me.
Haru let out a faint laug.
—Difficult… —she repeated softly.
She shook her head gently.
—Before I met you… my life was just emptiness.
Her fingers sought hers.
—With you… it made sense again.
He took her hand with what little strength he had left.
—You're not strange, Arika… —he whispered —. You're… someone very special.
A pause.
—Never forget that.
His eyes slowly drifted to the side.
Rain lay motionless by the bed, as if he understood.
Iris stood there, not moving for a single moment.
Haru raised his hand with effort.
The movement was weak… but enough.
His fingers reached for their heads, caressing them with a weary, familiar tenderness.
—Thank you… —he murmured —. My old friends…
Her voice trembled slightly.
—You were… the best company I could have had…
Rain let out a low whimper, crawling a little closer.
Iris bowed her head, brushing against Haru's hand, as if she didn't want that contact to end.
Haru's fingers moved one last time through their fur.
—You never left me… —he whispered —. Not even now…
Her hand began to lose strength.
But she didn't pull it away.
She let it rest on them.
As if she still wanted to keep feeling them there.
The dogs whimpered softly.
Without moving away.
As if they understood… that this moment would never return.
Haru took a labored breath.
And then… she looked at Arika again.
Her breathing was irregular, growing weaker by the moment.
—If you ever feel lost… —he murmured— remember the purple flower…
Her eyes narrowed.
—It's unique… because it's not like the others…
Her fingers clung lightly to Arika's hand.
—And yet… it's precious…
The air in the room grew heavy.
—You… are too…
Arika didn't move.
—And when the time comes that you see that in yourself… —he continued with effort— don't be afraid…
A brief pause.
—You won't be alone…
Her gaze wavered for a moment, as if she were looking at something beyond the room.
—I… won't be here anymore… but you'll find someone who'll stay by your side… no matter what…
Another breath, weaker.
—Just like I did…
A brief silence.
—Now… I'll be able to find them…
Her lips curved ever so slightly.
—Eleonora…
The name came out like a sigh.
—And Kwan…
The silence stretched on.
His eyes, growing heavier and heavier, began to close.
And in that final moment, as his consciousness faded, a thought formed gently:
"Wait for me a little longer… Eleonora… I'm on my way."
His hand went limp.
His chest stopped moving.
Silence filled the room.
Haru was gone.
Rain let out a low moan.
Iris moved closer, resting her head near the bed.
The wind whispered against the window.
Arika remained motionless.
Watching him.
Without visible emotion.
Without moving.
As if time had stopped for her.
Until a single tear slowly rolled down her cheek.
Without altering her expression.
—Goodbye… Mr. Haru.