The morning light spilled softly through the hospital window, painting the white walls with gold. The faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air, but it no longer felt cold — the tension of the past days had eased, replaced by the quiet rhythm of normal life trying to return.
Kuhaku sat on the bed, idly swinging his legs as he watched his little sister, Rin, running around with boundless energy.
Her laughter filled the room like sunlight, chasing away the last traces of worry.
When they stepped into the hallway, they spotted their parents speaking to the doctor.
Daichi's expression was composed as always, his posture straight, while Aoi stood beside him, hands clasped politely.
But when they turned and saw their children, both of them smiled — a soft, genuine smile that made Kuhaku's chest loosen.
"Ah, there you are," Daichi said, placing a hand on Kuhaku's shoulder. "We've talked with the doctor. You're all cleared to go home."
"Home?" Rin asked curiously, tilting her head.
"For now," Daichi replied, "we'll be staying at your grandparents' house in Kyoto. It's quieter there — safer, too."
Rin's eyes lit up. "Grandpa's house! Yay!"
Kuhaku nodded quietly, though his thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Grandparents' house, huh… it's been a while.
⸻
Their room soon became a flurry of motion — Rin chasing after a small stuffed bunny, Aoi folding clothes, and Kuhaku stuffing essentials into a bag with Bronya's help.
The silver-haired girl sat neatly on the edge of his bed, folding his extra shirts with machine-like precision.
"You lack organization," she remarked bluntly.
Kuhaku scratched the back of his neck, chuckling. "Hey, I'm efficient in my own way."
"Messy," Bronya countered. "Not efficient."
He grinned. "You sound like my mom."
Bronya blinked, momentarily thrown off, before returning to her task. "I will take that as… a neutral statement."
As they worked, she suddenly glanced at him. "Kuhaku. What are you planning to do with your free points?"
He paused mid-fold, tilting his head. "Oh yeah… I forgot about those."
With a thought, the familiar translucent window appeared before him. Soft blue light traced faint circuit-like patterns in the air.
Level: 24
HP: 100%
MP: 100%
Fatigue: 0%
Free Points: 36
Strength: 60
Agility: 48
Vitality: 36
Intelligence: 36
Sense: 48
Bronya leaned forward slightly, curious. "You have not distributed them since Nagazora?"
"Guess I've been busy staying alive," he said with a small laugh.
But as his eyes drifted down the interface, something caught his attention — a faint, glowing line beneath the stats.
[Blessing: Elysian Grace (Passive)]
"…Huh?" Kuhaku muttered.
With a thought, the system responded.
A warmth spread faintly through his chest as soft text appeared before him:
Effect: Slowly regenerates HP and MP. Greatly resists corruption.
Description: The warmth of a forgotten soul lingers within you. Her light soothes your pain… and remembers your heart.
Kuhaku's eyes widened slightly. A blessing? Since when…?
He thought back — the faint dream he had while unconscious.
A pink-haired girl smiling at him, her voice gentle, wrapping him in light.
"…It can't be," he whispered.
Bronya noticed his distant gaze. "Kuhaku? What's wrong?"
He shook his head. "Nothing. Just… I think I got a blessing."
That made her pause. "A blessing?"
He nodded, showing her the faint text.
Bronya's eyes narrowed as she checked her own system — but found nothing new. "Strange. Only you received it."
"Yeah," he muttered. "Weird, right?"
Before they could discuss it further, Rin popped her head through the door, smiling brightly. "Onii-chan! Bronya-onee-chan! We're leaving now!"
Kuhaku chuckled. "Alright, alright, we're coming."
Bronya sighed softly, but there was a small smile on her lips as she helped him zip his bag. "You are inefficient," she repeated, standing up.
He grinned. "And you talk too much."
⸻
The Hoshizora family was waiting near the car. Aoi immediately scooped Bronya into a hug the moment she stepped outside.
"Welcome to the family, sweetie," Aoi said warmly.
Bronya froze, her face immediately turning red. "W-Welcome… acknowledged."
Kuhaku laughed quietly as Rin giggled beside him. "Mom, I think you broke her."
"Nonsense," Aoi teased, patting Bronya's head affectionately.
Daichi was already at the car, adjusting his gloves as he opened the door. "Alright, everyone. Let's head out before traffic finds us."
As the car rolled down the quiet street, Kuhaku leaned against the window, watching the familiar scenery drift by.
The sunlight shimmered faintly through the trees — peaceful, almost too peaceful after all that chaos.
He opened the system once more, eyes landing on the words glowing faintly within his vision:
[Elysian Grace]
"The warmth of a forgotten soul…" he murmured softly, repeating the line.
Rin leaned over from the other seat, curious. "What are you saying, Onii-chan?"
Kuhaku smiled faintly and shook his head. "Just thinking, Rin. That's all."
He leaned back, closing his eyes as the car hummed gently along the road.
The faint blue light of the system lingered, then faded.
Somewhere deep within that unseen connection…
a faint, pink warmth pulsed once — like a heartbeat.
⸻
End of Chapter 2 – Part 3