Although there was a little incident on the way, Isis-san and I, who had thoroughly enjoyed the third day of the Festival, came to see the fireworks that would be held at the end of the third day.
Moving to a small hill overlooking the festival which was specially prepared by Isis-san, the organizer of the event, we sat down side by side.
There seemed to be "a certain flower" planted all over the hill, and I could see it clearly even though it was getting darker.
The flowers, with their clear blue crystalline petals, makes me feel nostalgic and seemed more appropriate for this occasion than any other.
[...Kaito...Do you remember... this flower?]
[Yes, it's the flower that Isis-san gave me when we first met... Blue Crystal Flower, right?]
[...Unnn... It's the flower that represents... my memories together with Kaito...]
[I guess it really is.]
The blue crystal flower that Isis-san gave me is carefully displayed in my room. I guess it's just as she said, the flower is the first thing that represents my memories together with Isis-san.
I know that it happened not that long ago, but it feels like it happened a long time ago. I even feel as if I've been with Isis-san for years now.
I wonder when did it start? When did I start feeling at ease when I was with Isis-san? When did I feel like each of her gestures became so unbearably endearing...?
With each passing memory, her presence in my heart grows larger and more endearing. It's as if her loveliness held no limits...
[...I've... always... hated this world... and myself.]
[...Eh?]
As I was thinking about this, Isis-san muttered, as if she was talking to herself, to which I turned towards her.
[...The world... isn't kind towards me... I keep... scaring other people away... and that's why... I've always... always... hated this world.]
[...…]
[...Why was it... that I was even born? ...Why was it...that the magic power of death... dwells within me? ... I thought about it... over... and over again.]
I can somehow understand the feeling of hating oneself, even if what I felt was comparatively smaller than hers. I hated myself for always making some gentle excuses to run away, never being able to change myself.
However, I guess you could say that this is the difference between dreams and reality? I've continuously suffered from my own weak-mindedness for close to a decade.
Even after all that time though, I still helplessly suffered. I remembered the time when I thought that my existence wasn't necessary, and how painful and freezingly cold it was within my heart.
She had suffered the same, or perhaps even greater suffering than I did, for what she had experienced is something that occurred because of a special characteristic she had since birth and not something that she can just run away from.
How many years has Isis-san endured a life like that? Thousands of years? Tens of thousands of years? It's easy to put it into words, but I, a mere human being, can't understand the weight of the suffering she felt.
[...But now... it's different... I've met Kaito.... and I've come to love... this world... that I thought I knew... and this me... that loves Kaito.]
[...Isis-san.]
[...Unlike Fate... I can't see... things like fate... However... If fate really exists... I'm sure... that I'm born... to meet Kaito.]
Slowly weaving her sentences, Isis-san put more feelings than she could express into each word.
Her words sounded like a song, and with her beautiful voice, I could feel as if it was penetrating deep into my heart.
[...Kaito.]
[Y- Yes!]
[...Kaito... I love you... I treasure you... More than anyone... More than anything... That's why... I'm fine if it's not immediately... but when Kaito is ready... one day... I want us... to get married.]
It was the same thing that Isis-san had said to me when we first met. But receiving her marriage proposal now, my heart was filled with a completely different emotion that I had back then.
At that time, I was very confused because someone I had just met suddenly asked me to marry her... I didn't mean to be rude, but I actually found it a bit scary back then.
However, right now... I was just happy to hear those words and feeling Isis-san's affection towards me.
That's why, after a bit of silence, I looked straight into Isis-san's eyes and spoke.
[...I think I would still need some time. When I've finished preparing to live in this world for the rest of my life and finished saying goodbye to the people who have taken care of me... at that time, I will definitely tell you these words to you myself. That's why, please wait for me.]
[...Unnn!]
[...Thank you, Isis-san. I'm really happy to have met you.]
[...Unnn? ...Arehh? ...Kaito... You're not using honorifics anymore?]
[Eh? Arehh? I- I'm sorry! I- I unconsciously spoke casually...]
[...No... I'm happy... that you're speaking casually... instead... That's why... if Kaito is fine with it... I'd like it... if Kaito speaks casually.]
[I understand... Ah, no, alright. I- I'm kind of confused on how to speak now.]
[...Fufufu.]
Isis-san smiles happily at me, a little confused by the fact that I've unconsciously spoken casually.
And then, right at that moment, as if to congratulate our promise that we did tonight... a large flower bloomed in the night sky.
[...Ah... Fireworks.]
[...Isis-san?]
[...Unnn?]
[I want to say it again. I love you.]
[...I love you too... Kaito.]
No more words were needed other than that. Under the night sky lit up by flowers of varying colors... Our shadows overlapped with each other.
Dear Mom, Dad————- When I first met her, I was very confused and feeling sympathetic for her. But as we spent time together, my feelings for her turned into tranquility and affection. From stranger to friend, from friend to lovers... And from lovers to a future where we accumulate more and more memories————- We've taken a step forward towards such a future.