Oshi No Ko: PHOENIX [OC x Oshi No Ko]

Ch.8 - FUNERAL:

It was a small funeral.

One that was standard for a rural town like ours. The locals came to pay their respects. Not because they knew Sarina, but because it was the polite thing to do.

The small, old church was filled with the sounds of quiet murmurs and soft footsteps on the wooden floor. The air was heavy with the scent of fresh flowers. The local townsfolk filed in and took their seats, chatting quietly among themselves as they waited for the service to begin.

The church was filled with an oppressive silence, every breath heavy with the weight of grief. The small group of mourners were all dressed in black, their faces drawn and pale. It felt like a funeral more than a funeral, if that were even possible.

Kira allowed me to leave the house for this occasion because to keep me away from my best friend's funeral would have been too cruel.

Kira looked at Sarina's mother, eyes red and tear-soaked. This was the first time he'd ever seen his best friend Marina cry, the first time he'd ever really seen her vulnerable. I'm sure he wished there was something he could do to ease her pain, to make the hurt go away, even for just a moment.

The same way that I wished I could have comforted Sarina.

KIRA: "I'm sorry."

He whispered, his voice hoarse. It seemed like such a banal thing to say in the midst of so much sadness, but what else was there to say?

Tears trailed down her face, making tracks in her makeup.