The nurse's room was quiet, filled with soft sunlight coming through the curtains. Outside, the distant voices of students could barely be heard. Tenkei lay on the bed with his eyes closed, his breathing slow and weak. Although his body was resting, his mind was drifting somewhere far away.
In his dream, he found himself standing in a wide open field under a bright golden sky. The air felt warm and gentle, and a strange sense of peace surrounded him. He looked around in confusion, not knowing where he was or how he had arrived there.
"Where… am I…?" he whispered.
Then, a familiar voice called his name.
"Tenkei…"
His heart skipped. He slowly turned around.
A woman stood a short distance away, smiling softly at him. She had long silver hair that shone in the light and eyes filled with kindness and sadness at the same time.
"Mom…?" he said in disbelief.
She walked toward him and gently placed her hand on his head. Her touch felt warm, just like he remembered.
"You've grown so much," she said. "I'm proud of you."
Tears filled his eyes. "Why did you leave me…? I was scared… I was alone…"
"I'm sorry," she replied softly. "We never wanted to leave you."
Behind her, another figure appeared.
A tall man with calm eyes and a gentle smile.
"Dad…?"
His father nodded. "You've been strong, even when you thought you were weak."
"I'm not strong," Tenkei said, shaking his head. "I'm useless… everyone hurts me… I can't protect anyone…"
His mother knelt in front of him and held his hands. "Being kind in a cruel world is strength," she said. "You've never given up on your heart."
His father placed a hand on his shoulder. "And one day, you will remember who you truly are."
"Remember…?" Tenkei repeated.
Before he could ask more, the light around them began to fade.
"Wait!" he cried. "Don't go! Please!"
His parents smiled one last time.
"We're always with you," his mother said.
"Inside your heart," his father added.
The world dissolved into light.
In the nurse's room, Tenkei's fingers twitched slightly.
Tears slipped from the corners of his closed eyes.
"Mom… Dad…" he murmured.
Miko, sitting beside him, heard his voice and held his hand tighter.
"I'm here, Tenkei," she whispered. "I won't leave you."
And for the first time that day, his breathing became calm.