⌖ Straight For The Heart ⌖

Ogata kneels on the roof of the last car, rifle pointing to his eye.

A gunshot rings

But before Ogata could pull the trigger with his bayonet

One clean shot to the left side of Ogata’s head.

The sniper stumbles forward. He can hear someone running behind him.

And then,

Warmth.

Masayuki catches Ogata in his arms as they both fall off the car. The world is silent except for the wind and the distant clatter of the train.

When they land, Ogata is on the verge, barely alive. His eyes are closing, his heart shutting down.

And then nothing.

Not a sound.

Not even the white noise of the wind or the clatter of the railings.

And the last thing he sees

Those bright eyes. From the only people who loved him.

Masayuki smiles softly, not joy, but fullness, completion.

Ogata leans into him, eyes fluttering, no panic, no guilt, only the warmth of Masayuki

"...hm” Ogata sighs, taking his last breath

Masayuki's hand brushes across Ogata’s hair, brushing that stubborn loose strand away from his face.

“Now you can leave… without anything weighing on you.”

He pauses

"I'll take it. You can rest now. Good night, Hyakunosuke"

Ogata exhales, eyes closing. The world grows quiet. His last moments are in warmth, without regret.

"幸せになった。愛してる"

"You made me happy, I love you"