Ouma's POV:

I walked past the crowds, Dice seemed tense for some reason, as I waited for Shuichi to find Aito so we could find out what he wanted to tell me.

The night was chilly and ominous, as I remembered the warmth the lanterns had emitted and sighed with a happy smile.

It had been better than I could have ever hoped, Riko's mother was kind to me again. I didn't remember her being so sweet, and Shiro's dad was such an awkward goof it almost made me regret us not spending time at each others houses.

Even sensei was a bit kind, she didn't speak to me but that seemed to be her own kindness.

She cried the most when we sent the letters, and that said enough to me about what the evening meant to the both of us.

Eventually the noise of the evening became drowned out, as I heard footsteps approaching.

"I...thank you for waiting" Aito told me, his tone was nervous, "if it's still about what happened when we first met it's fine, today was great and-"

"I know" he said and my eyes widened, "what..." I mumbled, "I know what really happened, I think I do at least" he told me.

"What do you...huh?" I asked trying to keep calm, "it was an accident, the fire at the school, wasn't it? And you didn't go to the bridge on purpose, maybe you didn't even go at all. There was some man, I don't know who he is but-"

"How do you...how? I never...I only told..." I muttered as I covered my mouth nausea coming over me.

"O-Ouma?!" A voice called out, "sorry am I interrupting something?" A voice asked, a hand placed on my shoulder cold as ice.

I froze.

"Who...?" Aito asked confused, "sorry I'm his uncle" the voice apologized. A cold voice, a voice that whispered sweet things, a voice that came from a snake, a voice that belonged to someone who laughed and smiled when he-

"Sorry I just need a few more minutes with him" Aito apologized he seemed nervous, as the grip on my shoulder tightened.

Dice growled, "I'm sure it can wait till later" he scolded his voice laced with the tiniest hint of annoyance.

"Wait...I recognize-" Aito called out when I heard something slam against the wall, and a scream erupted as I felt myself shaking a dry ghost of a scream buried in my throat.

"Help!" Aito screamed, "SOMEONE HELP M-" he tried to call out when the sound of beating continued, Dice barked louder and left my side as a harsh yelp came from him as I felt myself shaking.

"Stop..." I mumbled. "Oh your turn will come later, just wait" he told me. I bit my tongue and felt blood being drawn as I heard the raspy breath.

"STOP IT!" I screamed, "stop it! Stop it! STOP IT! Leave him alone!" I blurted out as I felt a harsh grip on my chin, forcing me to look up.

"What was that?" He asked, "leave him alone...leave him alone or I'll scream. There's a whole group of people nearby, all it would take is my screaming and they'll come, leave him alone and I'll go quietly" I bargained.

He hesitated before shifting his grip to my wrist and yanked me so harshly I dropped my cane and had to limp harshly.

"O...Oum..." a raspy voice called after, I smiled sadly, "you asked me why I couldn't let your brother come home...I didn't have an answer back then but...

"This time, I'll make sure you go home" I promised as I awaited my fate.