Kazutora remembered the scene that day, the day he killed Baji himself.

When the sound of the cops resounded, his barren hands were once again tied with iron handcuffs. Mixed with the sound of the police, he also heard the pitiful cry of a boy.The image of that person hugging Baji's cold body was always etched in his memory. The face was delicate but full of wounds from the battle, the hands were scratched, the eyes were wet.

Kazutora was someone who never regretted his actions. He always keeps a cool head, regardless of right or wrong he always thinks "It's all because of Mikey". But...that day he was heartbroken.

For the first time, he felt his chest tighten. Perhaps he did not know, when sitting in the police car, his tears fell.

*

The days at the prison were like torture for Kazutora. Not a single night he slept peacefully, every time he slept, he saw that sad image again. The image of Baji lying on the ground, red blood flowing, interspersed with a pitiful cry. That dream kept haunting him, as if God wouldn't let him rest after what he himself had done. Is this something called "Evil Retribution"?

At the beginning of each month, each prisoner here receives more or less items from family or friends. Letters, cakes, fruit, sometimes they get new clothes too. Everyone has it, only Kazutora doesn't.

He had already predicted this would happen, so it wasn't a surprise. The first time he was in prison, only Baji visited or sent him letters. But now...no one else. He has no parents, his last friend is also dead. Kazutora looked at the prisoners who were laughing and talking, but he turned and walked away.

Then one day, when he and his inmate were talking, the warden called him and gave him a paper bag. 

When Kazutora returned to the prison with the paper bag, the inmates there were curious. Although they and him were locked here for 5 years, but not once did they see him receive anything outside. Everyone here, every time they see you like this, share with you. When they saw that he received the goods, everyone was happy. One of them came over, patted Kazutora's shoulder, and said:

"Have fun !"

Kazutora clutched the paper bag tightly, he nodded once and scurried back to his cell. Placing his bag on the bed, he sat on the ground and looked at it thoughtfully.

"Who sent it ?"

"Does a bad guy like me deserve it ?"

Thousands of questions popped up in his mind.

Kazutora sighed and took the bag, he didn't even open it but just left it under the bed. The prison door closed, he left the room and wandered off to work as usual. The prisoners saw him happily chatting, they were curious to see what he received. He was silent for a moment and then answered politely.

After that every month he received the same bag. Not only at the beginning of the month but also at the end of the month, he also received the bag on Christmas or his birthday. There were more and more bags, but even if it was piled up under the bed he didn't care. After each time he received it from the jailer, he kept it under the bed. He didn't even look at what was inside.

For the Christmas of his ninth year in solitary confinement, Kazutora once again received a gift bag. But unlike the previous ones, this time the bag looks smaller and is decorated with a very lovely Santa Claus image. Also this time, he did not choose to keep it under the bed, but curiously took it out.

Inside was a letter, some cake and a Christmas hat.

Kazutora picked up the letter and took it out and read it.

From the first line, his pupils froze.

"From Chifuyu"-2 these words made Kazutora dumbfounded. He folded the letter, his hand gripping the fold, making a mark. He knows you, he still remembers you, the person he hurt the most. It was he who took the life of Baji, whom Chifuyu loved and cherished, and brought loss and despair to him. So why did you write to him, a bad guy who deserves to be imprisoned ?

Kazutora quarrels with his mind. He dazedly guessed the contents of the letter. What will Chifuyu write? But after a while he decided to read it too.

"From Chifuyu

Kazutora-hello. Are you still fine ? Are you eating enough ? Did you know today is Christmas ?There are a lot of people on the road today, and they also sell a lot of things. I'm sorry you didn't get to go out for Christmas, so I made some cookies and bought you that hat, do you like it ?

Although I have written to you a lot, you have not replied to me so I am very worried. Are you still okay?  Hey, I heard something about you from Draken, don't try to kill yourself in there okay ?! Don't beat yourself up too ! Baji forgave you and everyone else too !

Kazutora, only 1 year left. I wait for you and everyone is waiting for you.

Chifuyu"

Kazutora quietly read the letter. His chest felt tight. He is not alone, there are still people waiting for him. Waiting for him to get out of this prison to rebuild his life. He was heartbroken and felt very sorry for Chifuyu. More than anyone else, Chifuyu was the one who was hurt and suffered a great deal of mental attack when Baji left. Baji is Chifuyu's light, the bright spot in his heart, the goal for him to move forward. He was the one who stole everything from you, yet you still cared about him. He felt that he did not deserve the kindness of an angel like him.

Counting Christmas that day, the lone tiger felt the warmth. It no longer growls and acts without thinking. He gulped down the cookie as he opened the bags under the bed. I read the letters while crying, like a big baby.

During the rest of his days, Kazutora kept trying to make good. He is determined to try to change himself, because now he has found a fulcrum. A bright star in his gray heart.

Matsuno Chifuyu.

-- The content of this story is not mine --

I'm just the translator