A large metal train pulled into the station, similar to the one Kaito had fought on—probably the same one.

The screech of the brakes, the steam, the shine of the metal...

Kaito stood there for a moment, shaken.

Even Hauromi’s composure began to waver.

The crowd started to stream along the cars, each person looking for their place.

«Damn… what could have happened to her?» Hauromi burst out, as if the calm from a few moments before had never existed.

«Kaito, wait. I’ll go out and look for her!» he said, already stepping away.

«No, Hauromi.» Kaito stopped him. «You wouldn’t make it in time…»

Kaito’s expression turned serious. «Like I said before, take care of her.» He turned toward the train, ready to board.

«Wait, Kaito! She had—»

Suddenly Hauromi’s voice was drowned out by another.

«Kaito!»

The boy turned sharply. A figure was running toward him through the crowd, carrying two travel suitcases.

It was Yume.

Kaito came to an abrupt halt, surprise on his face. —She made it…— he thought, astonished.

«Yume, you’re late. We almost left without you!» Hauromi scolded, visibly relieved as well.

The girl arrived out of breath, clutching the suitcases. She had been running the whole way.

Yume was soaked from the rain. Her outfit was different from usual: a black cropped top, a brown jacket that reached her hips, light blue jeans, and comfortable-looking black-and-white shoes.

«Sorry… I thought I’d make it, but… the rain held me up…» she said between gasps, bent over with her hands on her knees.

«Well, at least you made it in time,» Kaito said.

His words touched her slightly. She caught her breath, composed herself, and looked at him for a moment.

«Yume, I have to go now. Take care of yourself, okay?» he said calmly but relieved.

She looked at him. For a moment she didn’t know what to say. —I have to tell him…— she thought. She took a breath and spoke:

«W-wait, Kaito.»

He looked at her, ready to listen.

«I’ve made a decision. Kaito, I want to...» She took a breath, recalling everything that had happened. «I want to go with you! I want to help you and… I also want to meet someone who’s very dear to me!» she said with determination.

Hauromi watched her with pride. She had made her choice —Good job, Yume— he thought.

The girl looked at Kaito, expecting an answer.

—Will he be okay with this?— she wondered.

Kaito smiled slightly.

«Are you sure about this? Are you sure you want to leave the inn... and Hauromi?» he asked.

Yume put her hands to her chest, then, with the same determination as before, replied:

«Yes...» She paused. «After so long… I’m finally free to decide what to do. And I want to leave with you.»

Kaito turned to Hauromi.

«And you, will you manage? Won’t you feel lonely?» he asked.

«Don’t worry about me. I’ll manage one way or another.»

He lowered his gaze for a moment, then looked up with a smile that struck Yume.

«I’ll probably miss her… but I’m proud of her choice.»

Kaito turned his back. Yume lowered her eyes, fearing rejection.

«What are you doing?» the boy asked, turning just slightly.

Those words shook her.

«Come on, you don’t want to miss our train,» he added.

Yume was speechless for a moment, then came back to herself.

«Y-yes, you’re right,» she answered with a smile, as he climbed into the cabin.

She was happy… but she still had to say goodbye to someone.

She faced Hauromi and bowed her head in gratitude.

«Hauromi…» she began, her voice trembling as she remembered everything he had done for her: the night he found her in the rain, how he took her in, the day he pushed her to follow Kaito.

«Thank you for everything. Thank you for taking me in at the inn… for taking care of me…» Her voice broke. «Thank you for treating me like a daughter.»

Tears ran down her face.

«Lift your head, you fool…» Hauromi said, his voice broken too.

«I should be the one thanking you, for always helping me…»

He never got to finish the sentence before Yume ran to him and hugged him tightly.

He returned the embrace, holding her close.

«Don’t catch a cold… You’re already eighteen, but don’t overdo the alcohol, or anything else… And then… and then…»

His voice trembled. «There are still so many things I want to tell you… but above all: take care of yourself.»

«Yes… I will,» Yume replied through her tears.

Hauromi slowly pulled away from her. «Yume, you have to go now. Have a good trip,» he said, wiping a tear with his thumb.

«All right,» she nodded, clutching the two suitcases. «Hauromi… take care of the inn until I come back,» she added, her eyes still red but with a smile that reassured him.

A few moments later, Yume climbed into the car and sat across from Kaito. From the window she watched Hauromi’s figure as the train prepared to depart.

Hauromi watched them pull away, waving his hand.

—I have no doubts. They’ll be fine together— he thought as the train left the station.

«Yume,» Kaito called, breaking the silence.

«Yes?» she answered, turning her gaze away from the scenery.

«Thank you for deciding to come with me. I promise I’ll do everything I can to help you find the person you mentioned earlier.»

Yume looked surprised. She hadn’t expected him to thank her. A spontaneous smile crossed her face.

«There’s no need to thank me,» she paused, «…and maybe now’s the time for me to tell you everything that happened—before and after I met Shirogane.»

Kaito stared at her for a moment, then replied:

«That’s not necessary.»

Yume’s eyes widened, struck by his answer.

«I, too, have a past I don’t want to talk about,» he continued. «No matter what happened to you, you don’t have to explain. If you want to see someone again, that’s all that matters.»

For a moment Yume laughed.

Kaito looked at her, confused. «What did I say?»

«Sorry…» she replied, shaking her head. «It’s just that earlier you thanked me, but in the end… I should be the one thanking you.»

Kaito lowered his gaze, moved by her words.

«Did my words move you?» Yume asked teasingly.

«What are you talking about, not at all. Anyway, go get dry clothes—you’re still soaked… and you’re wetting the seat!» he replied, trying to change the subject and bringing himself back to the present.

That was only the beginning of their journey — a journey that would take them very far.