He was no longer nine. But the tears were the same.
“What happened? Were you having another nightmare?”
Itecho was right beside his bed, like always. He had woken Rosei up; he must’ve seen him tossing and turning through the security camera. He’d been doing this for ten years. He wore his life away in atonement for his failure. He was nineteen then, twenty-nine now, and still keeping an eye on Rosei. It was like a curse.
“…Itecho.”
“It’s okay, Rosei. Spring is back now.”

















