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 weakmindedness 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.