Chapter Text
Sony was no longer in the hospital, though sometimes it was hard to remember that. She’s older now, not by much, yet still older. Her spirit never wandered off, though. It stayed still, it attacked any intruder that dared take away her sun. Yet, sometimes it didn't work. Sometimes. Sometimes it fell victim to time and stayed for a while. Sure, her friends were there to help her at any chance, and sure, she had started talking with Carl the tattoo guy, she was happy, she was free. But freedom was still an inmate in the prison of time, it was no better nor of use as much as the rest of us.
Sony knew time better than most, she’s resented it for as long as the winds could sing and the flowers could grow. She knew that the second she officially left that hospital, that prison, that time was now distant. In the past, she could feel it. It was unusually comforting knowing she could reach for it and be there with her friends – her family. But now? Now she didn’t see it, she couldn’t feel it, touch it. She was alone in her own world.
The world did regain its residents, however. Slowly more people escaped the prison – escaped time. Couer was the first, followed by Neo, then Hikari joined them. All of them, Sam included, had a new life.
Hell, Hikari was their first hope, one they all knew would end, but kept believing in it anyways; but now she was right. Hope turned into reality, you could say karma was at hand, but even the devil has a heart.
Once again, here she stood with Hikari at the beach talking and talking until the sun set and Eric picked them up. The sun was beautiful, she couldn’t help but be reminded of everything she could do now. She could hike to the tallest mountain now and witness this exact view: the sun melting away into the night as it let her lover take care of this side of the earth. How tragically beautiful, it was a poet’s words; or more or less what Carl said while telling a tale of an old man who sat next to him on the bus ride home.
Hikari, ever the romantic, turned to the side, greeting the sight of her friend's (and fellow thief’s) longing stare. There was a sense of both melancholy and happiness lingering in her eyes. Her face was beautiful, and the glimpses of love between the sun and moon’s goodbyes made her look like a woman from a painting. She understood that feeling. Leaving the darkness that you lit up for a new light that you don’t hold. Hikari checked her phone, her curfew was soon. Though, she felt the need to keep this moment a while longer. Just for Sony’s sake.
Hikari glanced every now and then ever since the air went quiet. She kept listing things she could think about. Sam was one, she loved them very much, what else could there be? Oh right! Neo and C’s book! It was beautiful, a tragic beauty. But, like Hee when they were all reading, something flipped the pages out of her mind once more.
“Hikari,” Sony spoke simply, her tone not as energetic as usual; though, her fire was taking a break for the last week or two.
“Hm?” The blonde glanced to the side once more.
“I’m planning on going to school to become a teacher.”
Sony smiled. She had always loved taking care of kids, she even still volunteered at the hospital, and now was her big shot at cementing it. She was talking to Carl, they planned on moving in once they both got good paying jobs and they found a place big enough for all three of them – Hee was of course going to be with them as well. Her life was moving. And she loved it, no matter how tired it got her at times. Eric knew and supported these decisions, not before getting to know the boy, however.