Kyouka (強化)

Chapter 27 - Of Those Separated...

Distant rumbles of force were being felt right at the heel...

And just as you look at the horizon-

The blue skies parted ever so slightly-

Until...

The skies themselves were cut in half...

Creating an uneasy empty blue, the clouds dissipating upon contact...

Of whatever that was...

Multiple heads turned and looked into the distance-

Curved chins and eyes glued to the sight-

A figure stood by the rooftops, assessing the situation...

He blew into the air, a dead toxin that filled his senses blindly-

He didn't care...

How could he stop...?

When he already started in the first place...

With him in awe and with an ever-growing realization that played right into his memories...

"This aura..."

The lit cigarette right between his fingers kept on burning and shrinking-

"I-it... c-can't be..."

And so...

It burned his skin, the sensation of pain he didn't register-

His mind kept playing on repeat...

That day...

Where they both resorted to extremes...

A sharp pain entered his temple-

Blurred visions of what had happened-

Screams of those he held close-

And screams...

He threw into the void...

"One day..."

"They would've come for us..."

"Suzu-nii..."

He checked his pack only to find...

None left...

He clicked his tongue and shook his head-

He reached out towards his inner pockets-

Only to find a crumpled and slightly worn-out cig...

He lights it without thinking-

And as he inhaled that which he'd been saving in case of moments like these...

Where the inevitable took place...

A pack of no cigarettes...

And...

His beloved brother...

Finally retaliating in return...

"Vengeance only eats itself..."

"Suzu-nii..."

"I can't keep doing what you've been doing..."

And as he exhaled once more into the air-

A flock of crows flew away...

Making ear piercing noises that dug deep right into your subconscious...