Again, he is at Kazuya's grave.

He puts the bucket of water at the side and begins to wash the flowers that have begun to wilt. Then, he puts the fresh ones he has brought into the small allotted vase. Then, he puts the burning incense on the circular cement.

At this, he clasps his hands together, praying to the gods for a good life for the deceased. Then, he steps down on the original cemented ground. Observing the solid white marker.

He remembers that face, frozen in time. That smile, filled with satisfaction, burning with sweat as he swung his arm to pitch the ball. His smaller body that was on the mound. Forever, he would remember him that way. Always be in Freshman. Never growing old.

The sun shines brightly.

"He won. Their team won."

The smoke from the incense wafts into the air, surrounding him. He smiles.

"Their substitute coach, Kashiwaba, helped them. We've heard a lot about him. We hear he and his brother are a lot like you and Tatsuya."

He chuckles.

"You would have hated him." Silent again. He puts his hands behind him.

Insects begin to chirp loudly at the hot rays from the sun.

"He helped them...go to Kohshien. You would have been proud of Tatsuya. He had no fear. He faced me. It was I who felt fear then."

There, before him, are the characters. Grave of the Uesugi.

"He gave up so much for you. His dream, his love, his studies. I know how much you loved each other. Was it worth it to give up everything you had in return for what he gave up?"

Silence.

Outside, he can hear children shuffling by, their usually loud voices turning hushed as they always do when they pass by the cemetery. A few giggles here and then. Laughter.

"He wouldn't have done it without you."

A car passes by.

"Just as you wouldn't have done it without him."

He touches the characters embossed on the grave. His heart is heavy with...what? "Minami-chan told me," he whispers, "that he feels that you are him on the mound. That was why he had your form when he pitched last year."

He pauses. "I waited for him. We waited for him. I know, we all did. Minami-chan, his friends, probably his parents, and I did. For a year, I waited to face him."

He bows low, respectfully. "It may sound morbid, Uesugi, but thank you. Thank you for dying. For giving him his chance."

A few moments.

And he straightens, staring quietly at the grave. There is a smile on his face. "I am blessed to have met you three."

The incense is beginning to die. He takes a step back and picks up the bucketful of water. Then, he goes up on higher ground, pouring the contents on the sink at the ground. He opens the faucet and lets the cool water run through his hands. Then, he turns it off.

The sun continues to shine quietly.

He wipes his hands at his jeans and goes out of the cemetery. He gets on his motorcycle, revs it and rides away.