The afternoon sun, dimmed by the harsh winter air, cast a muted glow across the cemetery. The cold pierced through the air, but the grass, still frosted from the chill, shimmered faintly beneath the light. In the heart of the cemetery sat Kai Hashimoto Krause, a 5'10 figure draped in a dark coat that clung to his athletic, toned frame like a protective shield. His legs were raised, feet planted firmly against the ground, attempting to ward off the cold as his piercing blue eyes fixed on the gravestone before him.
Martin Hashimoto Krause
August 12, 1972 – October 26, 2021
The name carved into the stone seemed to weigh heavily on the air around him, though his face remained unreadable, void of any emotion.
Beside him, Hannah Blume sat in quiet solidarity, standing at 5'7, her presence soft yet strong. Her blue eyes were a stark contrast to Kai's—gentle and vulnerable—but her jaw was clenched, a sign of the quiet storm within. Her coat, too, wrapped tightly around her curvy frame, shielding her from the biting cold. One leg raised, she rested her chin on her knee, her gaze unwavering from the grave.
"They're going to close the case. What are your plans?" Hannah's voice was soft, but there was an edge to her words.
Kai glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "I don't think I have any plans. What can I do? There's been no lead for years." His voice was steady, calm—almost detached.
She's right to ask, but... what can I do? The case has gone cold, and I'm not going to risk everything trying to dig up something that's been buried for years. There's nothing left for me to fight for. Right?
Hannah raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp as she studied him from the corner of her eyes. "No plans? So, you're just going to let them close the case?"
Kai didn't meet her gaze this time. His attention remained fixed on the grave, his expression unreadable.
"Hmmm," he murmured, the sound barely above a whisper.
Is she mad at me? The thought gnawed at him for a moment. He felt her eyes on him, but he couldn't bring himself to look at her yet.
Hannah's eyebrow shot up again, her lips tightening with frustration. "Really? Just 'hmmm'?"
She's frustrated. Why does it feel like every time I don't react how she wants, it becomes a problem?
Kai closed his eyes, a long breath escaping his lungs as he composed himself. "What do you want me to do? It's the authorities' decision to close it. Besides, it's illegal for me to interfere with their investigation without their consent."
Kai stood up, adjusting his coat as he did. He glanced down at Hannah, whose gaze remained fixed on the grave. "Are you angry?" he asked, his eyes studying her unreadable expression.
She hasn't said a word. Why does it feel like everything is going wrong between us right now?
She didn't answer right away, her focus unwavering.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," Hannah replied, her tone sharper than her usual softness.
Her voice... it's shaking. What's going on with her?
Kai slipped his hands into his coat pockets, his eyes never leaving her. "I have nothing to offer this time. Besides, it's better to let go and let him rest peacefully than to seek revenge," he said, his voice carrying a weight heavier than usual calmness.
Does she think I'm giving up? I'm not, I just... I just don't want to make this worse. If it were up to me, I'd find out who did this, but I can't. And that frustrates me more than I let on.
Hannah froze, taken aback by his words. For a moment, she processed them. "A—" She started, but Kai cut her off.
Did I just say that out loud? The realization hit him hard. Maybe he'd gone too far with those words. But was it wrong to want peace? To move on?
"It's not the right time to argue. What's the cost of avenging someone who's already gone?" His words were clipped, almost biting.
Am I being cold? Is she going to hate me for this?
Hannah froze again, her gaze dropping to her raised leg, her eyes focused on the winter grass. She didn't look at him.
She's not looking at me... Is she crying?
"Do you even care?" she asked, her voice cracking as she lowered her gaze.
What? Is she... crying? No, I must be imagining things. I can't deal with this if she's crying. I—
Kai's expression remained unmoving, but a thought struck him like a bolt of lightning. Did I just make her cry?
Dammit, I didn't want this. Why did I say that? His heart tightened, the thought of her being upset eating at him from the inside. He flinched, but tried to maintain composure. He couldn't let her see how much it bothered him.
"How about you?" Kai's voice cut through the stillness, firm and serious. "Do you even care about the man who kept us apart, who controlled me?"
Was that too harsh? I shouldn't have gone there. But I don't know what else to say. I need her to understand.
As Hannah remained silent, Kai kneeled down on one knee beside her. Gently, he patted her back before cupping her temple and pulling her into his chest.
She's shaking. I— His thought trailed off as he felt her tears wet his shirt. Her body trembled in his arms, but she didn't pull away.
I didn't want this. But... she needs this. I need to hold her. Maybe it's the only way to fix this.
"We shouldn't be arguing like this," Kai murmured, his voice softer now as he massaged her back in soothing circles. He rested his chin on top of her head, the weight of the moment settling between them.
Hannah's sobs grew heavier, her palms pressed to her eyes as she tried to suppress the grief. What have I done? Kai's heart sank. He didn't know how to fix this. He could feel his own chest tightening, his throat dry as her sobs filled the air.
"I don't know what to say," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Just be here for her. That's all I can do right now.
Kai, seeing her silence, wrapped his arms around her waist and gently lifted them both to their feet. Hannah didn't resist. Her palm stayed on her eyes, her head lowered as she stood.
He rested his chin on her head again, his voice steady but warm. "I'm not mad, okay?" His hands worked soothing circles on her trembling form, offering comfort in the midst of her sorrow.
I don't know why this feels so wrong. But maybe I was too distant. She needs me now.
Hannah leaned against his shoulder, burying her face into it. Her arms hung limply at her sides. "I don't know how to react," she confessed, her voice trembling.
Kai's arms instinctively tightened around her waist. He pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes steady. "Should I take you to your mom?" he asked, his voice thick with reluctance.
She's going to be okay. I'll make sure of it. But... I can't help but feel guilty. Was I too harsh with her?
Hannah looked up at him, her eyes shining with vulnerability. "No... please..." Her voice cracked with quiet desperation.
Slowly, her sobs subsided, the tension in her body easing.
Kai pressed his face into the crook of her neck, his arms wrapping her tighter. "I won't, don't worry," he murmured, his tone softening.
I don't want to let her go. She's been through too much already.
Hannah nestled closer, her voice barely audible. "Sorry for... mugging you about doing something..." she whispered.
Kai chuckled softly, the tension in his own chest loosening. "I'm not mad. You're just overreacting by crying," he teased gently, his fingers brushing her shoulder as he pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. "If I made you feel that way, sorry, okay?"
Hannah met his gaze, the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. She nodded slowly, like a child accepting reassurance, then buried herself back into his shoulder.
Kai couldn't help but smile, a warmth filling him as he held her. "I love you," Hannah murmured, her voice quiet but certain.
"I love you too," Kai replied, his voice matching her softness.
"Sorry, my love, okay?" Kai's voice softened again, his words carrying a tenderness that contrasted with the tension earlier.
Hannah nodded against his neck, her response muffled. "Mhmmm-mhmm."
Kai pulled away reluctantly, his hands gently cupping her shoulders as he looked down at her. "It's cold here, let's go now, my love."
Hannah met his gaze, nodding once more, her demeanor quiet but unwavering, like a child seeking comfort.
A smile tugged at the corners of Kai's lips as he lowered his arm, his hand reaching for hers.