B-but would they be in the same place? 😉
Naki feels fuller and more free than he’s ever been. His sight is skewed and he’s dizzy and falling and yet rising all at once.
If this is death, it’s not as bad as people fear.
Naki spreads his arms wide. A city materializes of clouded color droplets, and someone awaits him, someone whose presence he would recognize even if blind.
“Big bro!” Naki screams and launches himself in Yamori’s arms.
To his surprise, instead of hitting him, Yamori embraces him in return. “Bet you didn’t expect to see me here.”
“I did. It’s the others who doubted. I didn’t,” Naki says proudly.
Yamori grins uncomfortably. “You know, when I look down and see – and see all I left behind – I think my tortures were meaningless.” He shrugs. “You learn things up here you didn’t expect. But anyways: You were my greatest achievement.”
“Me?” Naki shakes his head. “I can hardly talk good.”
“You have a good heart. You too the right lesson from my strength and not the bad ones, like caring for others.” Yamori looks into Naki’s eyes, and Naki’s surprised to see that Big Bro is crying. “I’ve seen what I’ve done, and you really were the best part. You’re special, kid.”
Naki hugs him again.
“I’m still not a cuddly person,” Yamori mutters, a bit like his old self.
And Naki laughs and laughs, because everything is beautiful and everyone will be fine and somehow he both feels like he’s understand everything for the first time while having always known.
Mercy and Magic 