The morning has arrived, and Joe Walker is the first person to breathe in the fresh morning air while Alice and Maria are still asleep.
He finds himself on the edge of a rather long bridge, sitting there.
I couldn't sleep all night. Luckily, Alice suddenly loosened her embrace so I could get out. But why do I feel afraid of sleeping with them? I know I'm afraid of being hated by them. But why am I scared? I didn't mean anything from the beginning. But my instinct keeps making me avoid it.
Sleeping together with them would be enjoyable... Talking all night until falling asleep together after laughing and sharing stories would be something beautiful if it happened.
Joe Walker shakes his head several times from side to side to snap out of it.
There's no point in thinking about this strange thing. I should focus on something more important!
Something more important? What is something more important? What am I looking for? After all, what am I doing from the beginning? Nothing... From the start, my only goal was to travel with Alice and Maria. I can't think of anything else.
Joe Walker looks towards their next destination city, which is very close. Just beyond the city's background, there is a large and tall tower that looks exactly like a tower he once saw.
He gazes at the sky to clear his mind. The gentle breeze makes him close his eyes to enjoy it. When he opens his eyes, he gazes at the sky again, sighing. There are no birds flying or chirping, just a blue sky with clouds and the sun. It seems like life in the sky has vanished in this era.
There is no disappointment in Joe Walker's heart because he had no expectations when he came to this world. There is only sadness and loneliness in his heart. But the loneliness vanished long ago when he met Alice and Maria. However, his sadness worsened because of meeting them.
Suddenly, Joe Walker remembers something very important.
Ah, I forgot to ask Sebastian about that! Damn! How could I forget? I want Alice and Maria to live in another peaceful world!
Maria wakes up from the vehicle, yawns, and notices Joe Walker's presence, greeting him, "Good morning, Joe!"
"Yeah, good morning too, Maria."
Maria approaches Joe Walker and says, "It's rare for Alice to be the last one awake. Usually, she's the first one up among us, right?"
"Yes, you're right..."
Maria sits next to Joe Walker and asks, "So, what were you thinking about just now, Joe?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your face looked like you were deep in thought. I thought you were thinking about something. Am I wrong?"
"No, you're right."
"So, what were you thinking about? Of course, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Joe Walker smiles, pleased to hear that, but he feels there's nothing to hide at the moment.
"Maria, have you ever heard of reincarnation?"
"Reincarnation?"
"You can live in a different world through reincarnation. How do you feel about being able to reincarnate into a peaceful world?"
Maria looks at Joe Walker with a puzzled expression and says, "What's wrong with you, Joe? Did you have a bad dream last night?"
"No! It just crossed my mind," Joe Walker starts gazing at the water under the bridge for no apparent reason.
While Alice briefly observes Joe Walker, she smiles and then gazes at the clear sky on that day. "Joe, do you hate this world?"
"I'm thinking about reincarnation not because I hate this world."
"I already knew that."
"...," Joe Walker falls silent and turns to Maria. He is surprised to find Maria also staring at him with a sweet smile.
"You feel sorry seeing two little girls exploring such a world. Traveling with them brings you closer to them. Getting closer to them makes you want them to be happy. Am I right, Joe?"
Joe Walker smiles and says, "I no longer understand if you are really foolish or just pretending."
"What do you mean by saying that!? I'm not foolish!"
"Yes, you're right."
Maria is slightly surprised, although she expected that response from Joe Walker. It makes her smile again shortly after. "So, what do you think, Maria? About reincarnation?"
"Why are you so serious about asking that?"
"I just want to know your perspective."
Maria looks pensive and then says, "If you ask if I would be happy, I'm confused about how to answer."
"Why?"
"If I reincarnate into a peaceful world with all my memories, maybe I will still be happy. But the loneliness will always be with me all the time."
"Why is that?"
"Because my beautiful memories with you both will make me feel that way. But if you reincarnate with me and we meet again, maybe I will be very happy with that."
"It sounds almost impossible..."
"Even I think so."
"Then, if you reincarnate without memories, what do you think?"
"I don't want to."
"Why? You can be happy without memories, right? And you can start a new life."
"You may be right about that. But my current self would not be happy with that."
"But why?"
"Memories are important! I don't want the memories of you and alice to disappear from my mind! Precious memories are far more important than my life. That's why if I were asked if I want to reincarnate without memories, my answer would always be the same. No! No! No! I would say it repeatedly! I don't want it!"
"Even if God were to ask?"
"Even if God were to ask!"
Joe walker chuckled before said, "Aren't you afraid of divine punishment?"
"Since the beginning, does God still exist? If He does, why does He allow this world to become like this?"
Joe Walker falls silent at that moment. The annoyed expression on Maria's face is clear to him, prompting him to gently stroke her head for no reason and ask, "Do you hate this world, Maria?"
Maria enjoys having her hair stroked and smiles happily. She gently replies, "Yes, I hate this world."
Joe Walker gazes at the sky after hearing that. Then he says, "I hate this world too."
"But I love you both! Even though I hate this world, it doesn't stop me from loving you guys."
Joe Walker, caught up in the moment, smiles and replies, "I feel the same."
Meanwhile, Alice, who has been awake for a while, looks at them with a puzzled expression and mutters, "Newlyweds?"