Life always continues, and even though Uesugi Sakura is not a nostalgic person, he is often awakened by dreams of Hanabi's childhood likeness.
The clock ticks beside his ear, sounding like the chime of a classic pendulum clock.
With each tick, a second of time quietly slips away.
Few people care about this passing of a single second, but when these irretrievable moments accumulate, the past is born.
The first thing Uesugi Sakura does upon waking is to reach out and touch the little forehead of Hanabi beside him.
She always sleeps so peacefully, carefree as if forgetting everything.
"Thank goodness, the fever's gone down."
Uesugi Sakura's hand leaves her little forehead, pulls up the blanket, and lies back down on the bed.
He gazes at the ceiling, muttering softly Hanabi's names for him: "Sakura brother, Sakura-kun, Uesugi-kun, Sakura-kun..."
As he calls out, he imagines the sweet and tender tone in her voice, and warmth fills his heart.
