Once Minosashi and Sewn Mouth are out of the portal, they find themselves at the Aokigahara forest. Minosashi brushed the leaves on the nearby tree, a soft smile spreads across his face. He tidied his torn mantle that his mother had made for him, then, opened the string that held his hair tied up. After a brief moment, he tied them up again, this time, a bit more precise.
Sewn Mouth adjusted the hilt of his weapon, looked at Minosashi. His dark skin shining under the sunlight as he put his hood back on his head. Hiding the horns and his white hair.
Minosashi : our paths are divided from now on, my friend.
Sewn Mouth smiled slightly, his lips bleeding again.
"It is. But in the end, all roads cross to one."
Minosashi lets out a small laugh : Well, guess I will see you here then. Once I'm done with the training...
Sewn Mouth : it's not all about training. Am I right?
"Yes..." he admits softly.
"I'm also going to farewell my mother..." a tear traces down his cheek and falls to the ground.
Sewn Mouth : why a farewell?
Minosashi : Because... I'm certain my duel won't have a survivor...
Sewn Mouth : then I will join you in the afterlife... Won't let you have all the burden alone.
Minosashi just smiles. An unguarded one. As he moves toward Tokyo, he glances back at him one last time, his gaze, meeting Sewn Mouth's. The unspoken vow in their relationship, exchanged between their eyes one last time.
.
.
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Tokyo, 15 October 2023, 13:44.
"Woah! Since when we got television and 3D effects on buildings!? I've been absent for few years and it feels like a century!" Minosashi walked down the streets of Tokyo, his eyes shimmering and his mouth agape as he was analyzing the whole new stuff on his hometown.
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"Oh My GOD! So many good anime I've missed in past years!!" he said with joy.
A stranger : dude! Your samurai cosplay sucks!
Minosashi : it's not a cosplay! I AM a samurai!!
Stranger : keep thinking that pal! You definitely are a samurai hahahaha!
"Son of a... arghh... Who cares? I should go and find the Cafe. That's the important part." he murmured to himself.
He walked down the street, seeing the same plants on their neighbor's balcony, Minosashi knew that he was on the right direction. He went inside the alley, the sweet aroma of coffee and its warm smell, already filling the alley, attracted Minosashi more than anything ever could.
"I think I found it..." he couldn't stop his smile at this point. The feeling of homecoming, was better than any victory in any battle...
Minosashi stopped by the doorframe of the Cafe, his hand trembled as he heard the voice of Akemi, his mother.
Akemi : table eleven! Ordered ice coffee? Here! Enjoy your drink!
Akemi : Madam! Here's your green tea!
"M-Mom... You are... You are just as energetic as I remember..."
He glanced at the dual swords under the name of the Cafe, Amanokaze.
Minosashi hesitantly opened the door, tears well in his eyes the moment he glanced at his mother. His fists clinching in overwhelmed emotion.
Akemi turned her face toward the door.
Akemi : do you need anything Si...
Her words died in her throat, witnessing the old mantle that she made for her son, the dual katana, the blue sky pupils...
Her chest seemed too small for her heart. Her beloved son, finally returned, after years of waiting.
She threw away the tray on the ground. Her eyes filled with unshed tears.
She ran toward him. The whole world forgotten on that moment.
"M-Minosashi!" Akemi screamed in happiness, tears of joy falling freely on the ground. She opened her hands to hug her son. A desperate act from their departure.
"M... Mother!!" His held tears finally began to fall, the emotional overload completely taking over him. His knees collapsed to the ground, shoulders trembling, his arms feeling numb under the weight of reunion.
Akemi hugged him, Minosashi stayed motionless, only letting his cries fall on her shoulder.
Akemi : I'm... I'm so glad you are back!
People in the Cafe watched in silence, letting them have the moment, for it was heavy, even for those watching the scene.
Minosashi swept his tears away, pulling back just enough to look at his mother, every feature was just as he remembered. Sharp, elegant, full of peace and love.
Minosashi : mom... Get up... We... We need to serve people...
Akemi smiled : just like the old times?
"just like the old times" he confirms with a nod.
Few minutes later, Minosashi was standing behind the ledger, checking the services needed for the customers.
Minosashi stretched his body, weight of his tiring travel, finally leaving his shoulder in his home.
Minosashi : let's see! Back in the old times! what do we have here? ICE COFFEE!!? Since when people drink hot stuff with ice?!
Akemi smiled at him, her voice, a soft melody to Minosashi's ear.
Akemi : I added some... New drinks when you were gone... It has its own taste. Younger generation likes it a lot.
Minosashi : younger generation!? Are we that old!?
Akemi : we are Mino. It has been twenty three years since I was running the Cafe.
Minosashi's eyes widen in joy : twenty three...! That's... Yeah that's basically a generation or two.
"are you going to serve the customers or you just want to ask questions!?" she said with a teasing voice.
Minosashi : yes mom! At your service! I'll make the tea! You do the rest! Because I don't know how to make them!
Akemi let's out a bright laugh at his words. The feeling of her son, that young boy without powers, finally taking over her...
