𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙩 & 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚| 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙭 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the park where Y/N had agreed to meet March and Himeko. She arrived early, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had to say. The decision to move felt right, but that didn't make the goodbyes any easier.
Boothill had offered to come along for support, but Y/N had told him this was something she needed to do on her own. These were her friends, her family in so many ways, and she owed it to them to say goodbye properly.
The familiar sound of laughter broke through her thoughts, and she looked up to see March and Himeko walking toward her. March's pink hair bounced with every step, her usual exuberance on full display, while Himeko's calm, steady presence brought a sense of balance to the pair.
"Y/N!" March called, waving excitedly. "You're early! That never happens."
Y/N managed a small smile, standing to greet them. "Figured I'd surprise you for once."
March grinned, throwing her arms around Y/N in a tight hug. "Mission accomplished."
Himeko smiled warmly as she approached, her sharp eyes softening with affection. "You look... different," she said, studying Y/N. "Calmer, maybe."
Y/N shrugged, her hands slipping into her pockets. "A lot's been on my mind lately."
March flopped onto the bench, patting the spot beside her. "Well, spill! What's going on? And don't even think about leaving out the juicy details."
Y/N hesitated, glancing between them. The words caught in her throat, but the supportive looks on their faces gave her the courage to continue.
"I've made a decision," she began slowly, sitting down. "Boothill and I are moving. Somewhere quiet, away from the city. We're... starting fresh."
The silence that followed was deafening. March's eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing as if searching for the right response. Himeko's expression was more measured, though her brow furrowed slightly.
"You're moving?" March finally blurted out. "Like... for good?"
Y/N nodded, her heart aching at the crack in March's voice. "Yeah. It's time. I need to think about the baby, about what kind of life I want for us. The city... it's not the right place for that."
March's shoulders slumped, and she looked down at her hands. "I mean, I get it. I really do. But... I'm gonna miss you so much."
Himeko reached out, placing a hand on March's shoulder before turning to Y/N. "This isn't goodbye forever, right? We can still visit each other."
"Of course," Y/N said quickly, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm not disappearing. I just... need to do this. For me, for Boothill, for the baby. But you're still my family. That's never going to change."
March sniffled, wiping at her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket. "You're gonna be such a great mom," she said, her voice trembling. "And Boothill? He's actually stepping up? I always thought he was more of a lone wolf type."
Y/N chuckled softly, her heart lifting slightly at the attempt to lighten the mood. "He's surprised me, too. But he's... he's been amazing. I couldn't do this without him."
Himeko smiled, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You've come a long way, Y/N. We've seen you face so much, and now you're stepping into something completely new. I'm proud of you."
The words hit Y/N harder than she expected, and she found herself blinking back tears. "Thank you," she whispered. "For everything. You two have been there for me through so much. I don't know how I'll manage without you."
March leaned in, wrapping her arms around Y/N in another hug. "You'll manage because you're strong. But I'm still gonna call you all the time. And I expect updates. Pictures. Videos. Everything."
Y/N laughed, the sound watery but genuine. "Deal."
Himeko joined the embrace, her calm presence a steadying force. "No matter where you go, we'll always be here for you," she said softly. "That's what family does."
They stayed like that for a long moment, the three of them holding onto each other as if they could freeze time.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Y/N felt a bittersweet mix of emotions. She was leaving behind so much, but she was also stepping into a new chapter of her life—a chapter that held both uncertainty and promise.
When they finally parted ways, March and Himeko walked her to the edge of the park, their conversation filled with laughter and memories. It was a reminder of the bond they shared, one that distance could never break.
As Y/N watched them walk away, her heart ached with the weight of goodbye. But she also felt a quiet strength growing within her. She wasn't just leaving—she was moving forward.
And with friends like March and Himeko, she knew she'd never truly be alone.