When someone you love becomes a memory,
That memory becomes a treasure
*********
October 12th 2015.
Later that day, Benville City Hospital announced the death of Korra Hamura. The news quickly spread nationwide, shaking the hearts of the people in Haiwa. With no surviving family to claim her, the hospital decided to cremate her body.
Takimo Zenoshi, a close family friend, was contacted by the hospital since he was the nearest to Korra's family in her final days. It was his responsibility to receive her ashes after the cremation.
After her body was cremated, Takimo carefully collected the ashes into a jar. His hand trembled slightly as he performed the solemn task.
Takimo: This feeling again? It's been so long since I felt this hollow... not since Mom, Dad, and Grandma.Why does it always come back like this?
As Takimo worked, Dana entered the room. She wore a white lab coat and had a warm but somber presence.
Dana: You're Takimo Zenoshi right?
Takimo: Yes ma'am.
Dana: I was the one who made the call that brought you here. I'm sorry if it's too much for you.
Takimo: (shakes his head) It's fine. Mrs. Hamura was like a second mother to me. After my parents and grandmother passed, Kato and his mom became my family. And now... this.
Dana: (to herself) So this must be Kato's best friend. (to Takimo) Are you going to be alright?
Takimo heaved a sigh.
Takimo: I will. I've known deep down for a while that this day would come. But… I'll be fine.
Dana: (to herself) Are you sure about that?
As Takimo turned to leave with the jar of ashes, Dana reached into her coat pocket and pulled out an envelope.
Dana: Wait. Korra asked me to give this to you. It's a letter she dictated before she passed.
Takimo: A letter? From her?
Dana: Well, technically, I wrote it for her. She told me what to say.
She stretched the letter out and then Takimo reached and took it.
Takimo: Thank you ma'am
Dana: No worries. I'm just doing what she told me to.
Takimo: I'll be on my way now.
Dana: You take care of yourself alright?
Takimo waved back at her without bothering to look back as she slowly walked out of the hospital.
After walking for a while, he stopped beneath a lonely streetlamp. A soft drizzle began to fall, and with trembling fingers, he opened the envelope.
As he read Korra's final words, the sorrow in his face deepened. The drizzle became a downpour, as if the sky itself was grieving with him, mirroring the storm raging in his heart.
*******
A few hours later, Takimo stood alone in the rain at the cemetery. Three tombstones loomed before him; the graves of his mother, his father, and his grandmother. The earth was dark and wet beneath his feet, and the air felt unbearably still.
In his hands, he held a small jar containing Korra's ashes..
Takimo: (to himself) Why do they all keep leaving me behind?
Footsteps approached, and an umbrella was suddenly held over his head. Takimo turned to see Silva standing beside him, her soft expression on her face. Rin stood a short distance away, under his own umbrella, silently offering his presence.
Silva: You'll catch a cold.
Takimo: (smiles faintly) Thanks, but I can regulate my body temperature. I'll be fine.
Silva: Well, I'm still going to keep you dry.
Takimo: Do what you want.
A heavy silence settled over them before Silva finally spoke again.
Silva: We all heard what happened. I'm so sorry.
Takimo looked down at his feet.
Takimo: You know, Mrs Hamura was one of the only people I had left to call family. Everyone who seems to be close to me is always leaving me behind. First it was my mother and father, Grandma, Kato & now Mrs Hamura. Now, nothing is left of them except for the tombstones and the ashes in my hand. Kato's out there somewhere, hiding because people think he's a monster. It's just me now.
Silva and Rin listened quietly, letting Takimo speak his heart.
Takimo: My parents were pilots. They were hardly ever home, but they made up for it by taking me on their plane and showing me how it worked. They promised one day they'd take me on a trip. But a few years later, their plane's engine failed, and they... (voice breaks) they never came back.
Rin gently patted Takimo's shoulder.
Silva: (to herself) That's awful.
Takimo: After they died, my grandma took care of me. She was everything. But one night, a burglar broke into our house. She told me to call the police while she distracted him. He tried to attack me, and she fought him off... but she didn't make it. (clenches his fists) She died protecting me.
Takimo's voice trembled as he continued.
Takimo: Then it was Kato becoming a Shadow, and now Mrs. Hamura. Everyone's gone.
The rain began to ease and Silva then reached out and held Takimo's hand.
Silva: I know we don't say this a lot but we're here for you. I know it feels like everyone is leaving youtube we won't. We promised to watch each other's backs right?
Rin: That's right. We have each other's backs now. We gotta ensure that no one feels the kind of pain we're all feeling right now.
Takimo: (takes a deep breath) But we can't get rid of this feeling. It's not possible as long as people die at the end of their lives. So even if I'm going to die, I want to use the time I have while alive to cherish the memories of those who have died & everyone around me and keep working towards the goal I have in my mind.
Silva: (smiles) That's the spirit.
Takimo: (looks at them) Thanks for coming guys. It means a lot
Silva: Don't mention it. What are friends for?
Takimo: (turns to Rin) Although I'm surprised that you're here Rin. What about the others?
Rin: Kazemaru and Tendo couldn't make it, and Eric doesn't know you well yet. Besides, he's grieving too.
Takimo: (to himself) Everywhere I look there's death. Would I lose you guys too when we officially become Hunters?
Silva: So, what are you going to do with her ashes?
Takimo: (looks at the jar) I'll keep it until I see Kato again. Then we'll spread them in Keys Town. It's what she wanted.