# 768
Chapter 769: Cemetery
Under the gray overcast sky, fine rain fell continuously.
Wooden sandals clacked against the ground, making crisp tapping sounds as three figures walked along the damp stone-paved path, each holding their own red paper umbrella, heading toward the cemetery in the distance.
The appearance of these three people immediately drew the attention of everyone who had come to the cemetery to pay their respects.
They turned to look at the three figures, discussing quietly among themselves.
In this cemetery filled with black suits and solemn faces, these three people were wearing black-and-red, blue-and-gray, and yellow-and-white patterned floral yukata respectively, walking side by side with red umbrellas. On their backs was the logo of the Black Phoenix Club—
—Welcome to Black Phoenix Club!
—Starting tomorrow, all drinks are 15% off!
The text written in white marker had already faded, and the phone number and club address below were completely illegible. But even if they had seen and found it, there would only be a desolate ruin left.
The Black Phoenix Club was destined to exist only in the past, because the man who had supported this establishment had departed forever.
The three figures passed through the public cemetery, following the path scattered with falling cherry blossoms, walking steadily inward. This cemetery was divided into two sections—the outer ring held open public graves, while the inner ring contained privatized family cemetery plots.
The setting and environment of the private cemetery were clearly much better than the outside.
The three of them stopped simultaneously.
In the distant private cemetery, figure after figure dressed in black kimonos with cherry blossom patterns stood around the outer edge of the cemetery, heads bowed, as if in mourning.
All of these were members of the Kazari family.
Before the grand and solemn headstone at the heart of the private cemetery, a white-haired boy and a black-haired girl stood side by side.
The girl was two heads shorter than the boy, appearing especially petite. She wore a solemn black kimono, her hair pinned up with a cherry blossom hairpin. On her delicate and fragile face, tear tracks marked every inch.
She clutched an opened envelope in her hand, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Father..." Yuzuri Nana bit her lip, her eyes crimson red. She crouched down and gently stroked the cold headstone. "I haven't yet given you and my brother a good life... How could you leave us like this..."
Yuzuri Nana knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
This cemetery plot had been secured using the wealth and status of the Kazari family—a待遇 few in all of Japan could enjoy... But at this moment, her heart held only endless desolation.
She had become the head of the Kazari family hoping to live a carefree life with Yuzuri Kurotetsu and Yuzuri Takishiro, so that their father wouldn't have to struggle for a living anymore, and their brother could go to school happily like any normal child...
She had everything now. She could give their father and brother any life they desired.
But now, all of this could only be exchanged for a headstone and a spacious cemetery.
This wasn't what she wanted.
"Sister..."
Yuzuri Takishiro watched Yuzuri Nana curl up into a ball, he opened his mouth, his voice hoarse. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I couldn't save Father..."
Yuzuri Nana wiped away her tears and shook her head, her disheveled hair swaying gently with her movements.
She stood up, looked at the boy who was much taller than her, stood on her tiptoes, reached out—wanting to pat his head, but could only reach his chin at most.
Yuzuri Takishiro froze, then slowly crouched down.
Yuzuri Nana's small hand gently caressed Yuzuri Takishiro's white hair. A faint smile appeared on her tear-stained face:
"This isn't your fault, Takishiro. You've done really well... The fact that you're standing here healthy must already make Father very happy."
"But..." Yuzuri Takishiro tried to say more.
"Father worked so hard for us for so many years. Now he just wants to rest. He just misses Mother." Yuzuri Nana turned to look at the headstone. "We can't be so selfish as to keep Father by our side... After all, we've grown up, haven't we?"
Yuzuri Takishiro was silent for a long while, then nodded heavily.
"Takishiro."
"Yes? Sister?"
"Father isn't here anymore. From now on, Sister will take care of you in his place." Yuzuri Nana looked at him through her tears with a smile. "Don't think Sister isn't capable just because she's so much shorter than you~"
Yuzuri Takishiro gazed at Yuzuri Nana's smile. For some reason, an inexplicable warmth surged in his heart...
Perhaps this was what Father called... family affection.
"Yes." Yuzuri Takishiro smiled faintly. "I believe in Sister."
While the two were talking, the three figures in floral yukata had already passed through the Kazari family members and arrived before the headstone.
"Qiye-ge, Amemiya-ge, Xiao Jin-ge." When Yuzuri Nana saw them, she froze slightly. She immediately wiped away all the tears on her face, stood before the headstone, and bowed respectfully to the three of them. "Have you come to see Father?"
Yuzuri Takishiro didn't understand proper etiquette, but he still bowed following Yuzuri Nana.
"Yes." Amemiya Haruki put away his umbrella and nodded. "We've come to see Kyosuke-ojisan off as well."
Lin Qiye looked at Yuzuri Nana with concern. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Yuzuri Nana shook her head. "Don't worry about me, Qiye-ge. I'm already a grown-up."
Lin Qiye gazed at her for a long time, then made a sound of acknowledgment.
Xiao Jin crouched down, his hand gently stroking the headstone. Deep sorrow appeared in his eyes.
Though he was merely the blade spirit of 【Illusory Pupil】, he had been by Yuzuri Kurotetsu's side for a long time. Yuzuri Kurotetsu had never treated him merely as a blade spirit—even at the Black Phoenix Club, Yuzuri Kurotetsu had arranged a separate room for him to rest, paid him wages, cooked meals for him...
In Yuzuri Kurotetsu's eyes, Xiao Jin was more like a junior.
More often than not, it wasn't the blade spirit protecting its master, but Yuzuri Kurotetsu protecting him.
So today, he absolutely had to see Yuzuri Kurotetsu off one last time in the posture of a "person"...
The three of them mourned at Yuzuri Kurotetsu's grave for a long time. By the time they left the cemetery, the sky had already grown dim.
Lin Qiye and Amemiya Haruki walked side by side on the road.
Xiao Jin had already returned to 【Illusory Pupil】, held in Lin Qiye's hand.
Before departing from the world, Yuzuri Kurotetsu had personally placed 【Illusory Pupil】 by Yuzuri Takishiro's bedside. But in his letter, Yuzuri Kurotetsu had specially instructed that this blade was a gift for Lin Qiye.
This was the agreement between them from before.
After a while, Lin Qiye and Amemiya Haruki arrived at the entrance of the club.
"I should be leaving now." Lin Qiye said slowly.