[Hijikata and Shirobeko have both been doing fine - as a matter of fact, they've even fought some successful aerial battles by now rather than merely travelling to and from quest locations together!

Hijikata's eyes are drawn to Nikkolaus' amulet as he lets go of it so hastily, but he has just enough tact to not ask about it. Probably an heirloom from someone who meant a lot to him. The boy is clearly going through it, and Hijikata doesn't want to make it even harder for him.]

In my world, we have celebrations and rituals to honour the dead, but nothing quite like this either. It's nice, isn't it?

[For the living to be able to help the dead pass on, remember the ones who are long gone as a community, and feel that their sentiments are shared by others... he's come to find it unexpectedly comforting.]