A wave of emotions washed over the girls, their faces reflecting a mix of sadness and understanding. They had witnessed Alicia's loneliness, her longing for connection, and now, they were witnessing her reunion with her loved ones, even in this ethereal form. It was a poignant moment, a reminder of the enduring power of love and the bittersweet nature of loss.
"That's so beautiful," Cherry whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
"I'm so happy for you, Alicia," Hanna said, tears glistening in her eyes.
I stood there, observing the emotional scene, but I couldn't bring myself to feel the same sentimentality. Well... I don't find it particularly emotional, just... a farewell. Because everyone will be gone at the end of the day, I thought, a hint of melancholy creeping into my mind.
Imagine... know Alicia's past I concentrated, delving into the depths of my imagination.
A vision flickered into existence, a memory that wasn't mine, yet felt intimately familiar. It began with a cozy scene: a small, happy family gathered in their modest home, laughter echoing through the rooms. A young girl, Alicia, played with her dolls, her face lit up with innocent joy. Her parents watched her with loving smiles, their hearts overflowing with pride and affection.
But the idyllic scene shattered abruptly. A flicker of orange light caught my eye, growing rapidly into a raging inferno. Screams pierced the air, the smell of smoke choking, the heat unbearable. Alicia's parents frantically searched for her, their voices hoarse with desperation. The young girl, trapped in her room, pounded on the door, her cries muffled by the roar of the flames.
Neighbors rushed to help, buckets of water thrown against the relentless blaze. But it was too late. The fire, fueled by fear and panic, consumed the house, leaving behind a charred skeleton of what was once a loving home.
Alicia's parents, their bodies broken and burned, lay lifeless amidst the debris. The young girl, her once vibrant spirit extinguished, stood frozen in shock, her eyes wide with uncomprehending horror.
The vision faded, leaving a cold emptiness in its wake. Tears welled up in my eyes, the weight of Alicia's tragic past pressing down on me.
And it seems her parents already ascended to heaven, but turned into butterflies to come and take her with them, I thought.
A surge of inspiration hit me, and I decided to create a fitting farewell for Alicia. For a moment, the five idols can see Alicia, and then a multitude of butterflies will appear from my back, flying towards her, I focused my imagination, weaving the scene into reality.
Suddenly, Alicia's translucent form became visible to everyone sitting on the bench. Gasps of astonishment filled the air as the girls finally laid eyes on the young ghost they had only heard until now. Alicia, in her vibrant, sparkling dress, stood radiant, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips.
"Wait... who...?" Cherry asked, confused, her gaze fixed on Alicia's now-visible form.
The other girls echoed her surprise, their eyes wide with wonder.
Then, as if on cue, a breathtaking spectacle unfolded. From behind me, a swarm of butterflies emerged, their wings shimmering with every color imaginable. They danced and twirled around Alicia, creating a mesmerizing vortex of light and beauty. The girls watched in awe, their hearts filled with a mix of sadness and joy.
Alicia, her eyes shining, exclaimed, "What is this? What is this!? Aaaaah, butterflies!"
The idols were speechless, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and disbelief. The sight of the ethereal butterflies swirling around the now-visible Alicia was a spectacle beyond their comprehension. It was as if a scene from a fairytale had sprung to life before their very eyes, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural.
"Is this... magic?" Sophia whispered, her voice barely audible above the gentle flapping of wings.
"It's more like... a miracle," Annie replied, her gaze transfixed on the mesmerizing display.
Hanna, tears streaming down her face, reached out towards Alicia, her hand brushing against the girl's now-solid shoulder. "Alicia..." she choked out, her voice thick with emotion. "Is it really you?"
Alicia turned to Hanna, her eyes filled with a warmth and love that transcended the boundaries of life and death. "You guys can see me!?"
The idols couldn't believe their eyes. They were staring at Alicia, no longer a translucent ghost, but a solid, tangible being. A collective gasp escaped their lips, and a wave of shock and wonder washed over them.
"It's really you!" Cherry exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.
Tears streamed down Hanna's face as she reached out to embrace Alicia. "We can see you, Alicia! We can see you!"
Alicia, her eyes wide with disbelief, tentatively returned the hug, her form solidifying even further in Hanna's arms. "I can't believe it," she whispered, her voice choked with tears of joy. "I'm not alone anymore."
The other girls joined in the embrace, their laughter and tears mingling in a heartwarming symphony of emotions.
I stood back, watching the reunion with a smile. Imagine... Alicia rests well and goes up to the sky with her family, I thought, my heart filled with a bittersweet tenderness.
With that thought, Alicia's body suddenly began to glow, a soft, ethereal light emanating from her form.
The girls gasped, their eyes widening as they witnessed the transformation. The light grew brighter, enveloping Alicia in a warm, radiant aura. She looked up at the sky, a serene smile gracing her lips. It was a moment of profound beauty, a testament to the power of love and the promise of a peaceful afterlife.
"It's time," she said softly, her voice filled with a peaceful acceptance.
With a final wave, she turned and walked towards the swarm of butterflies, her form merging seamlessly with their colorful dance. The butterflies lifted her into the air, their wings carrying her higher and higher, until she disappeared into the twilight sky, leaving behind a trail of shimmering light.
The girls watched in silent awe, their hearts filled with a mixture of sadness and hope. They had witnessed a miracle, a beautiful farewell between a lost soul and her loving family. It was a moment they would cherish forever, a reminder of the enduring power of love and the possibility of finding peace even in the face of tragedy.
< Chapter 174 > Fin.