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odorekijin[Sky]
Snow in the painting: Don't even begin to think that the divide of life and death would separate us! Living, dying—such concepts are insignificant to us.
He and I are different individuals. Our dreams diverge just as between any other pair, but our desire to be together never wavers.
We will always be with each other. I am sincerely grateful, from the bottom of my heart, for the happiness brought to me by having White by my side.
White in the painting: Snow…
Snow in the painting: I have been holding the “Twilight Banquet to Our Lost” for hundreds upon hundreds of years, full of the hope and gratitude that White has remained with me, now and for eternity.
Dear Owen, this bond is not one so superficial that it will yield to the whims of your petty malice.
White, your hand!
White in the painting: Yes!
Snow & White: 《 Noscomunia 》!
(Bright flash.)
Owen: !? Dammit, my eyes...!
A dazzling light flared in the skies above.
Far away, from its remains, something resembling Snow and White’s painting plummeted from the sky.
Snow in the painting: Kyaaaー! The lake beneath us slipped my mind!
White in the painting: I’m going to die, I’m going to die—! No no, am I not already dead?!
Snow & White in the painting: Someone, please—!
Murr: You called?
Snow & White in the painting: Murr!
Murr: Gotcha~! Rescue mission success!
Snow & White in the painting: ...Phew, we’re safe...
Murr: A few more inches out there and you'd have been deep in the lake! If you want to go for a dip that bad, I can drop you again if you want!
Snow & White in the painting: You will not! Please!
Snow in the painting: We owe you, Murr, well done.
White in the painting: We shall reward you plenty later.
Murr: Really? So I can come to your mansion without the blindfold next time then?
Snow & White in the painting: Absolutely not.
Murr: Welp, I tried!
Snow in the painting: In any case, Owen’s behavior was rather distressing in its own right—his tricks would have been of great consequence this time.
White in the painting: Yes, absolutely.
...However, I am at fault in this matter: I was the one who instigated his anger.
My emotions overtook me earlier and I spoke without thinking. Do forgive me, Owen.
[Sky]
Owen: ...
Owen vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving the twins in their painting with Murr.
Snow and White returned to the crowd, and the festival resumed without a hitch.
⁑⁑
[Lake]
On the banks of the lake, the villagers set off sparklers following the twins' instructions.
The Afterglow Lilies delicately illuminated the lake as the shore bound sparks whirled and crackled.
Snow & White in the painting: On cue… Now!
Mithra: 《 Arsim 》
Bradley:《 Adnopotensum 》
At the call of their spells, the fluttering Afterglow Lilies soared along with the blast of the fireworks.
Like a flock of softly-glowing balloons, they slowly ascended into the skies, reaching higher and higher.
Such a magical view, without thought or intention, drew solemn emotions out of our hearts.
Chloe: Wow...
Rustica: What a majestic spectacle.
Shylock: Yes, truly… Such a sight tugs at one’s heartstrings, does it not?
As we gazed in awe at the gorgeous scenery, White murmured from within the painting:
White in the painting: The banquet has finally opened its gates.
Snow in the painting: And guided by these lights, the deceased can return to their loved ones—let us welcome them all.
When I took a look at my surroundings, all of the townspeople were humbly looking up at the night sky.
An old watch, jewelry, a child’s pair of shoes... Each and every person was clutching what seemed to be keepsakes.
I recalled their relieved smiles when they learned that the festival would still be taking place.
Akira: (...The dead are returning home to their loved ones…)
A myriad of lights flickered in the night sky. Despite basking in the pale moonlight, the Afterglow Lilies’ subtle glow brought warmth to my heart.
The number of lights in the sky reflected all their feelings. Every grieving heart was praying, sending silent pleas up to the precious souls they lost.
I naturally clasped my hands in prayer, touched by the sentiments of those who eagerly awaited the festival’s arrival.
Akira: (...Hang on, where has Owen been all this time?)
I hadn't seen Owen since he disappeared above the lake, so I broke away from the others and decided to look for him. I found him a short walk away, isolated from most of the crowd.
He observed the festival and the surrounding people with a look of disinterest.
Akira: Oh, there you are, Owen.
Owen: ...What do you want.
Akira: Nothing, I couldn’t see you around, so I was just wondering where you went...
Owen: I left. All the noise was grating my ears.
Really, I couldn't sneak into the twins' house, I had to pick up those flowers, and now I have to go along with this stupid festival. This is the worst.
I shouldn’t have come here if it was for this. I'd rather have been struck by Oz’s lightning than go through this crap.
Owen looked vexed, throwing hateful remarks one after the other.
Akira: But look over there! Aren’t the fireworks and the Afterglow Lilies exceptionally gorgeous?
Owen suddenly turned his gaze away from the sky I was pointing at.
Owen: ...
Owen: White was right. After I turn to stone, no one would ever put on a festival like this for me.
Owen muttered under his breath.
It was far too lonely a sound to be heard under the light of the fireworks—still, I spontaneously spoke up.
Akira: No, that’s not true.
I don't even want to consider that you might turn to stone, Owen, but if, somehow, someday… If that were to happen to you…
I’ll definitely look for Afterglow Lilies to welcome you back, at the Twilight Banquet to Our Lost.
Owen: Ha?
(Fireworks.)
At that moment, the echo of an explosion made my eardrums ring.
Akira: Wha-what is...!?
——————
