At that moment—
When Shinju opened his eyes, the world was spinning.
The ground was cold.
Even breathing felt difficult.
For a while, he couldn't remember where he was.
Then…
he felt a weight on his chest.
Slowly, he lowered his head.
Silver hair.
Fallen across his face.
Still.
Koharu.
Shinju's eyes widened instantly.
"What…?"
He tried to sit up out of reflex.
But as he moved, Koharu's head slipped.
She was about to fall.
Shinju panicked and reached out—
but fumbled.
"Wait—! Don't fall—I—!"
Koharu's eyes fluttered open.
They locked eyes at the same time.
A brief silence.
Then both of them flinched.
"A-ah—!""I—! Don't misunderstand—!"
Shinju's hands froze in midair.
He didn't know what to do.
"I didn't do anything! You were— I mean— on top of me— no, I was under— wait, that sounds worse—"
Koharu stared at him for a few seconds.
Then she couldn't hold it in.
She giggled.
"Relax… you're alive."
Shinju went quiet.
He steadied his breathing.
Slowly sat up.
Koharu also pulled back slightly.
A small distance formed between them.
Koharu's gaze lingered on his face.
A little too long.
"…so handsome…"
The moment the words slipped out, she froze.
"I… what am I saying…"
She quickly looked away.
Her cheeks flushed.
Shinju didn't know what to say for a moment.
Then he glanced aside as well.
Silence.
But this time… it wasn't uncomfortable.
Shinju spoke first.
"Why did you help me?"
A brief pause.
"They were calling me a demon."
Koharu's expression changed.
The question didn't surprise her.
But it made her serious.
She spoke slowly:
"They also called someone 'Koharu,' didn't they?"
Shinju gave a small nod.
Koharu took a deep breath.
"That Koharu… is me."
The wind stirred lightly.
"I said there was something wrong with the golden dome.""That it wasn't a blessing… but a curse."
She lowered her gaze.
"They didn't believe me.""And they… exiled me."
A short silence followed.
There was no shock on Shinju's face.
Only… understanding.
"…I see."
Koharu lifted her head.
Her eyes were clear now.
"But that's not why I helped you."
She slowly raised her hand.
Reached toward Shinju's chest.
"I can see people's hearts."
Her hand hovered close to him.
"Your heart…"
A brief pause.
"…is very pure."
Shinju's breath caught.
His eyes widened slightly.
He didn't know how to respond.
"Pure…?"
"What do you mean?"
Koharu met his gaze.
"There's no ill intent in your heart.""I can see that."
Shinju hesitated.
"I…"
He paused.
"I just wanted to destroy that curse."
He closed his eyes.
"I trained for 200 years… just for that."
Koharu's eyes widened.
"What—?!"
Shinju opened his eyes.
"That's all I did."
Koharu looked him up and down.
Seriously.
"So… you're really over 200 years old?"
Shinju gave a small nod.
"220."
Koharu took a step back.
"Then what am I supposed to call you…"
She paused.
Thought.
"Uncle…?"
She looked at him again.
"Grandpa…?"
Then a small smile formed on her lips.
"…but you're way too handsome for that."
The moment she said it, she blushed again.
"I really need to learn when to stop talking…"
Shinju let out a small, helpless laugh.
"My technique stops me from aging."
Koharu placed her hands on her hips.
"Alright."
She put on a serious face.
"I'll decide what to call you later."
They both smiled slightly.
Shinju glanced around.
The ground…
had changed.
The black earth was cracked.
And from those cracks…
small green sprouts were emerging.
Shinju frowned.
"…what is this?"
Koharu noticed too.
She paused for a moment.
Then spoke softly:
"I think… it happened while I was trying to heal you."
Shinju looked at the sprouts again.
"…life… in the Void."
Koharu smiled faintly.
"Maybe… this world can accept life after all."
The wind passed.
They both fell silent.
They weren't looking at each other anymore.
But they weren't distant either.