Private Finished Holding onto the past

Everyone sure was asleep... Except for Kiroku, who has had his sleep but woke up before the sunrise, popped open a cheap beer can and was drinking by himself alone at the kitchen... Well, until Izumi walked in. "Oh, morning, Izumi. Woke earlier, had to check to see that I wasn't having a drunk dream and that what happened yesterday really did happen... And then decided to stay up.", he addressed her the moment he caught her by the corner of his eyes, "But, grab a beer in the fridge, or maybe water, or iced coffee and drink with me."

"Specially because... You know, this kind of dream is common: where you lose someone, then suddenly you dream they are there again, then you call them and hear that the number doesn't exist anymore. It's like a huge wake-up slap. That actually happened shortly after Yakou's passing too, had a dream where he called me back and said he was fine, had his medicine and all... Then called the number and it didn't exist.", Kiroku wasn't sad, just shocked that for once... "For once the dream wasn't a dream."

He laughed happily, since his life has taken on such a new light. "I can't ask for more... On second thought... Izumi, I have something to ask you of.", Kiroku took a long sip, before continuing, "If it's not asking too much... Can you watch over Neon for me? I can't be there, since i have to live my life here, so there's only so much an old man like me can do..."

"A Protective Deity, you say?! Didn't know your resume went that far. But... I'm equally surprised on how much he matured since then. From a child that, after losing his parents, became secluded and took little care of his well being... To a man with a heart of gold who is already a good parent at such young age.", Kiroku let his voice convey the surprise, his expression changing as well. As he finished his beer, he placed the can on the table and watched Izumi.

"So, you said something about offering, heh? I think a single cheap beer is quite meager. I'll do this: I'll make you some rum bon bons and sneak a box in the sweets basket that I planned to give you before you had to head back home.", he decided, "But think of it more of a gift, really. After all, I owe some presents, don't I?"

"That's incredibly cheesy, you know. I'd say him knowing I was never angry at him is already a huge gift in itself, plus the celebration. But I'm eager to give him more. Hopefully he still likes coffee-flavored candy as much as he used to, but to be sure I will also pack in a fine saké from the local store.", Kiroku pondered, "But for now, let them sleep, we got a whole day of reopening the store ahead of us, and it will be quite busy..."

"Shinme and Rin will have theirs as well, I am not gonna forget.", how would he anyways? After all, all of them left quite the impression on him... And surely, the day would go on, the reopening of the candy store has been busy, with Rin and Shinme making new friends that were normal human children for once.

And as the week would pass by, the initial overflow of customers has soon stabilized, people were still coming but at a way more sane rate, one that surely Kiroku could manage alone once they left. In the spare time when the store was closed, he would get back on preparing the basket of sweets, including some of his homemade goods too.

Time went by fast, and at the station they were, Kiroku delivering the basket in the hands of Kabano and Izumi. "Thank you for all you have done to me. This week has been the greatest of my life.", the old man even dressed sharp to see them off. "This is just the first of many visits to come, uncle.", Kabano responded. "You still owe me some gifts too!", Shinme joked, and both Kabano and Kiroku laughed lightly.