Saya tightly held onto Ryohei's neck as they both ran for their lives from Hibari, while Jinnai stayed behind to buy them time. And then—
BOOM!!!
However, the explosion didn't come from the hospital they had just escaped, but from the pharmaceutical research institute next door. Ryohei stopped in his tracks to look, just as his phone rang—it was Reborn calling.
"What's going on? Why haven't you stabilized Saya's flames yet?"
"The cherry blossoms bloomed everywhere, so Hibari got really mad!" Ryohei explained.
A moment later, another explosion roared from behind. When they turned to look, Saya's room had been blown apart. Through the thick smoke, two figures emerged—the first was Jinnai, and the second was Hibari.
Jinnai was holding an IV stand, while Hibari wielded a tonfa in one hand and a pair of handcuffs in the other. A hedgehog-like creature floated beside him. Unlike Hibari, who was completely unscathed, Jinnai was in terrible shape. His left eye burned with the bright flames of the Sun attribute, just like the wounds scattered across his body.
Ryohei quickly focused on stabilizing Saya first. It wasn't just the cherry blossoms—all plant life had started blooming, not only in Namimori but in the surrounding cities as well.
"I got it." With that, Ryohei set Saya down, igniting his ring before grabbing her hand. Slowly, the glowing plants began retreating back into her body. However, Saya herself was still radiating light, with small orbs floating around her.
"It's not working! The residual effects of the flames haven't fully disappeared!"
"It takes at least fifteen to twenty minutes. Honestly, I should've sent Lussuria to help you, but I needed him to secure Saya's medicine first, so I sent him to the research institute. We'll handle this step by step."
"…O-okay," Ryohei replied, but before he could say more, another loud boom rang out. This time, Hibari was walking toward them, while Jinnai clung onto him from behind, refusing to let go even though his eyes were unfocused. The flames of the Sun continued to burn on his wounds, trying to heal him—but his injuries weren't closing at all.
"Not yet… I won't let you hurt the young lady…" Jinnai mumbled deliriously.
Hibari scowled. "Annoying." With that, he slammed his tonfa into Jinnai, knocking him to the ground.
"Jinnai!" Saya called out and tried to run to him, but Ryohei stopped her, wrapping his arms tightly around her from behind.
"You're next," Hibari said, shaking the dust off his tonfa. "For making the cherry blossoms bloom out of season. And besides—I hate cherry blossoms."
"Hold on, Hibari!" Ryohei quickly stepped in front of Saya, shielding her. "Calm down. Saya-chan didn't do it on purpose!"
"Move." Hibari wasn't listening. He was clearly irritated as he stepped forward, twirling the handcuffs a few times before gripping them firmly.
"If you use those handcuffs, Saya-chan won't be able to handle it," Ryohei warned, sweat dripping down his temple as he frantically thought of a way to reason with Hibari.
"I'm just going to lock her up so she can't go anywhere," Hibari replied. "Let's see if she still makes the cherry blossoms bloom after that."
"I'm already doing my best to help Saya-chan—to the extreme!" Ryohei insisted. "Look, she's getting better! And the elemental stabilizing medicine that squid-head is making is almost ready too!"
"…And where is it?" Hibari asked, raising his tonfa.
"…." Ryohei hesitated. How was he supposed to answer that? The research institute had just exploded!
Seeing the dangerous look in Hibari's eyes, Saya quickly stepped forward.
"Mr. Hibari… I just need twenty minutes. That's all I ask."
Ryohei looked down at the girl in his arms—her eyes were filled with determination, but her small body was trembling. He knew she was forcing herself to be brave.
"Even though I haven't received the proper medicine yet, I can return to normal if Ryohei-senpai helps me within twenty minutes. If I also get Jinnai and Mr. Lussuria's help, it'll be even faster. As for the cherry blossoms—since we're already nearing winter, they'll naturally fall within three days."
Hibari stopped in his tracks. Sensing an opportunity, Saya continued.
"And if that's not enough, I will personally leave Namimori if necessary. Joining Vongola is also an option I've considered."
"I have several ideas for resolving this issue in a way that satisfies you, Mr. Hibari. But if none of them work, then please tell me… What must I do to live peacefully alongside you? How can I avoid being a nuisance or a burden to anyone?"
"…Saya-chan…" Ryohei murmured.
In that moment of distraction, Saya slipped free from his arms and stepped toward Hibari, stopping right in front of him. Her eyes remained locked on his as she tilted her head up to meet his gaze.
"I don't know how much longer I can live, even with everyone's help. I know my body is growing weaker, even if Reborn doesn't tell me," Saya said softly. "And if Gokudera-kun's medicine fails again before the next cherry blossoms bloom, I probably won't be alive by then. So save your strength for something else. Besides, I've already died once."
The young man remained silent as Saya met his gaze, unafraid. "But if you really want to, then go ahead—tear me apart however you wish. Where do you want to start? My arms? My legs? Or something more than that?"
"...Don't challenge me," Hibari warned, eyes dark with intensity as he raised his tonfa. For a brief moment, Saya's deep blue eyes wavered with fear, but she didn't look away, nor did she even try to dodge. Hibari hesitated for a split second before her determined gaze returned.
"Don't do it, Hibari!"
At the sound of his name, Hibari glanced toward Ryohei, who shook his head before turning away with a bitter nod. It was the truth—he had seen Saya die right before his eyes once before, despite all his efforts.
'She's telling the truth,' Reborn's voice came through the line. 'That's why Gokudera still can't forgive himself.'
Saya watched Hibari for a moment. When she saw that he neither spoke nor acted, she quickly ran to Jinnai. The scruffy young man was still somewhat conscious, though tears streamed down his face as he raised a trembling hand to lightly touch his lady's cheek.
"I'm sorry, my lady," Jinnai whispered.
Saya shook her head and smiled. "No, Jinnai. You've always been there for me."
Jinnai gave a faint smile. "I'd die for you, my lady."
"Don't die for me. I don't want that," Saya said firmly. Jinnai let out a soft, breathy laugh.
"I won't die that easily," he replied, but the flames of the Sun attribute within him no longer healed his wounds like before. The damage from the Cloud attribute flames had deepened his injuries beyond natural healing, making recovery impossible.
"You know, Hibari," Ryohei spoke up, "she tried so hard. A normal girl, untrained, not strong—but she fought to survive and to live a good life. I don't expect you to understand, but Saya-chan truly wanted to be happy in this town."
Hibari lowered his gaze. Just then, Saya's glowing body radiated a burst of light, which surged toward Jinnai, beginning to mend his wounds. However, the power of the Cloud flames remained, preventing complete recovery.
At that moment, Saya sensed a pair of bare feet stopping in front of her. A hand reached out, touching a ring with the Rain and Sky attributes. She looked up—it was Yamamoto and Tsuna.
"Yo, we're here to help, Saya-chan. Though we're a bit late," Yamamoto said with a grin.
"We had to help the people inside first, so we were delayed," Tsuna explained. "But hey, you're not glowing anymore."
Saya looked down at herself and realized her light had faded. The energy had flowed into Jinnai, and although she didn't fully understand it, the result was good.
With the Sky and Rain flames assisting, the Sun flames within Jinnai—and the ones he had received from Saya—could now work at full strength. They slowly neutralized the Cloud flames and restored his elemental balance. His wounds gradually closed, but by then, he had already lost consciousness.
Jinnai was left with only minor scrapes. Tsuna, Yamamoto, and Saya smiled in relief, while Ryohei let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
But just then, Hibari strode forward and yanked Saya's wrist.
"You!" Saya barely had time to react before a black handcuff snapped around her wrist. Hibari locked the other cuff around his own wrist and, without hesitation, scooped her up into his arms in a bridal carry.
Saya gasped in shock. "Wha—?!"
"We're taking her to the institute, right?" Hibari asked Ryohei.
"Yeah... the medicine is there," Ryohei replied. But before he could finish speaking, Hibari had already vanished, taking Saya with him.
"If you're lying, you'll regret it," Hibari warned, casting a sidelong glance at her.
Saya blinked up at him with the same innocent, blue eyes as always. "Lying about what?"
"...Everything."
Saya was silent for a moment before responding with firm resolve. "If that time comes, I'll give you everything I have."
"...Is that a lie too?"
Saya gently shook her head and smiled sweetly.