After the recent battle, the Yankai members found themselves enjoying a rare moment of peace. With Yokai sightings way down, many took the chance to head home and catch up with their families for the first time in months.
Daichi asked Fukame to come with him to visit his parents' graves. They stood quietly in front of the simple headstones, the wind rustling through the trees nearby.
"These two... they were the kindest people I ever knew," Daichi said softly, his voice steady but full of feeling. "They always wanted to help others, even if it meant sacrificing their own comfort."
Fukame put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "You carry their spirit, Daichi. They'd be proud of you."
After that, it was Fukame's turn to show Daichi her world. She took him to her family's charming countryside home, a cozy spot surrounded by fields bursting with flowers. Her younger siblings swarmed them with questions and playful teasing, making Daichi laugh more than he had in weeks.
Meanwhile, Atama decided to visit her family and left the Yankai headquarters behind for a few days. But she chose to leave Kazu, and that decision hit him harder than he realized.
Kazu sat alone on the balcony, staring out at the quiet city. He usually had lots of energy, but today it was missing, replaced by a sadness he couldn't shake. His parents' unfair hatred had always weighed him down, but being left behind by Atama, his sister, hurt even more than he expected.
"Figures," he muttered to himself. "Guess it's just me again."
Time dragged on in silence until he heard footsteps that pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Kazu!"
He turned to see Shiro and Unmei approaching, their smiles brightening the gloomy mood.
"You look like you've been sulking all day," Shiro teased, plopping down next to him.
"Yeah, it's not like you to be so quiet," Unmei said, plopping down next to Kazu.
Kazu chuckled a bit, though it wasn't his best laugh. "You got me. I've just been… thinking."
"Overthinking isn't good, man," Shiro chimed in, giving him a light elbow nudge. "Come on, we need to do something fun!"
Unmei's face lit up. "How about we grab some food and hit up that arcade you love?"
For the first time that day, Kazu's mood shifted. "You guys really know how to cheer me up, huh?"
"That's what friends are for," Unmei said with a grin.
The three of them spent the whole day wandering around the city, cracking up over silly games at the arcade and swapping stories over steaming bowls of ramen. For Kazu, it was a good reminder that even if his family wasn't on his side, he had found a new kind of family with the Yankai.
As they walked back to headquarters under the glow of the streetlights, Kazu felt a bit of weight lift off his chest. Maybe he didn't need his parents' thumbs up. He had people who cared about him, who were there no matter what. And honestly, that was enough for now.
But even after a fun day with Shiro and Unmei, there was still a lingering ache in Kazu's chest that laughter and good company couldn't fully fix. That night, as the rain softly tapped against the windows, he decided to visit Kami's grave—his special place where he felt truly connected to someone who accepted him just as he was.
With an umbrella in hand, he strolled through the dimly lit streets to the quiet cemetery on the city's edge. The air was chilly, and the soft rain hazed the lights from nearby lanterns.
When he got to Kami's tombstone, Kazu hesitated. A tall guy in a crimson coat stood there, motionless in front of the grave. He seemed tense, and his face was hard to read under the shadows of the rain.
Kazu's heart raced as he recognized the figure. It was the same person he fought against recently—the man in red, the enemy he had nearly taken down. His first instinct was to go on the offense, but something held him back.
The guy's shoulders shook a little, and Kazu realized he wasn't here to start trouble. He was just… grieving.
Kazu pushed aside his anger and fear, moving closer. He didn't pull out a weapon or raise his voice. Instead, he held out the umbrella, keeping it over the guy's head to block the rain.
The man looked up, shocked, and their eyes locked.
"Why are you here?" Kazu asked, trying to sound calm but still a bit wary.
The guy hesitated before answering. "Her name was Kami. She meant everything to me."
Kazu felt a lump rise in his throat. "Kami was my sister."
A heavy silence fell between them.
"She… talked about you a lot," the man said finally, his voice soft and filled with regret. "I'm Camron. Kami's… boyfriend. Before she…" He trailed off, unable to finish.
Kazu nodded, holding the umbrella tighter. "I'm Kazu. Her younger brother."
They stood there in the rain, connected by their shared love for Kami. As time passed, Kazu felt his tension fade. Camron didn't feel like a threat anymore; he seemed just as lost as Kazu.
They ended up chatting for what felt like ages. Camron shared stories about his time with Kami—how warm and kind she was, and how proud she always was of her little brother, even when she couldn't see him much.
"She always said you had the brightest soul," Camron said, a faint smile appearing. "I never got why I never met you when I visited."
Kazu's face darkened a bit. "I wasn't allowed out of my room when guests were around. My parents kept me hidden."
Camron frowned, clearly regretting things. "She couldn't stand how they treated you. She just wanted you to feel loved, no matter what."
The chat shifted to lighter stuff, and for the first time, Kazu actually felt a bit of comfort he wasn't expecting. Camron shared that he got kicked out of the Yokai ranks after losing a fight, which was basically his punishment for failing his mission. He was left with nowhere to go and no one to turn to.
Without missing a beat, Kazu said, "Let me help you."
Thanks to Yankai's resources and Kazu's determination, they found Camron a small house in the city and even got him a chill job. Camron was blown away by the kindness, especially coming from someone he'd just battled days earlier.
Over time, Kazu started to see Camron as the brother he never had—a connection formed from their losses and their shared love for Kami. For Kazu, it was a step towards healing, and for Camron, it was a chance for a fresh start.
Even though the rain had stopped, its memory stuck around, marking the way their paths crossed, leading to an unexpected friendship neither of them had seen coming.