odorekijin

[Lake]

(Fireworks)

The commotion arose from the booming of enormous fireworks: the skies were entirely blanketed in their sparks, beyond even what eyes could see.

Taking a better look around, it was Mithra, in fact, who was setting them off.

Mithra: You'll be losing your audience’s attention with such weak, faint lights, won’t you?

All of this would be pointless if they were to blend in with the background.

Bradley: Goddamnit, yer one lousy bastard… That whole shebang a'ight with you geezers?

Snow in the painting: Yes, yes, very much so!

White in the painting: Anything to liven things up!

The rhythmic blast of the fireworks continued without pause.

The show was wild and intense, where each of the detonations almost felt like it punched holes in the blue of the sky, blowing away the night’s darkness and loneliness along with it.

Akira: That’s just like Mithra, doing things in that bold and unreserved way of his…

For a brief moment, we stared up at the fireworks, appalled. It didn’t take long before Owen erupted in gleeful laughter.

Owen: Hey, remember what you said earlier, about the Afterglow Lilies… You won’t have to look for them.

No, instead you’ll have to set way bigger fireworks than those once I turn to stone

Then, maybe… I’ll give it some thought—I might consider coming back to you.

⁑⁑

Child: Look Mommy, look! There’s lots of big fireworks!

Citizen: The festival is so exciting this year.

Older Citizen: Wonderful, how grand! My deceased son must be smiling from ear to ear from where he is.

Chloe: Everyone looks so thrilled! Mithra may be scary, but he’s just as amazing.

Shylock: We cannot afford to be outdone in that regard, can we?

Rustica: We must address them our gratitude for inviting us to these splendid festivities.

Murr: I’m all fired up! Let’s razzle-dazzle with all we have!

Shylock: Now then—to the souls returning to the Town of Ice, may you accept this gift of our gratitude, from yours truly.

《 Invibelle 》

Murr: 《 Eanul Rambul 》

Rustica: 《 Amorest Viesse 》

Chloe: 《 Suispicibo Voitengok 》

As though singing, the Western Wizards chanted their spells one after the other. In their wake, all of the sparks provided by Mithra and the townspeople morphed into multicolored butterflies.

With each blast, a butterfly sprung forth and gracefully fluttered away.

The flowers complemented by their delicate forms, the starry night was all the more dazzling.

It was far different from the neon and blinding spotlights of a shopping mall in the heart of a city. As if dreaming with my eyes wide open, my surroundings were as bright as day, despite the moon and stars being out.

Mithra: …　...?

Did you just call for me, Bradley?

Bradley: Huh? Hell no.

Mithra: Oh, I see, it must have been my imagination. I felt something calling for me, in a nostalgic, familiar voice I used to hear quite often…

…Ahaha. Well, if that’s how you see it.

However, if the rites performed brought you back, please do visit those children of yours instead of me.

”You’re still here?” was the last thing Owen said before chasing me away; I had no other choice but to walk around the lake, looking for Snow and White.

The skies above were still lit like a glittering show of sparkles and gold; wherever the large petals of the fireworks bloomed, bewitching flocks of butterflies danced about in their wake.

Everybody’s gaze was cast above, as though fully embracing the scenery. Perhaps, even for a moment, they were indulging in this performance with their dear lost ones.

Akira: (I'm so incredibly glad that the festival went well in the end...)

Two shadows stuck out at the back of the crowd: Snow and White had slipped out of their painting and, glued to the hip, stood close to one another, overlooking the scene that the festivities offered.

Snow: ‘Tis quite splendid.

White: This year saw one of our finest, most magnificent banquets—and it was made possible only with the aid of everyone else.

Snow: I was initially concerned about what may or may not arise, but...

White: All's well that ends well.

Bradley, seemingly determined to not be outshone by Mithra, began setting off more fireworks. The sky glowed even brighter, and the banks of the lake cheered in an uproar of joy.

Snow: There once was a child, newly born into that town, who was so startled by the fireworks it began crying—do you remember, White?

White: Oh, of course I do! We even used our magic to change the blasts to that of a cat’s meow, did we not?

Snow: That was quite the attraction, if I recall. It was most popular.

White: That takes me back to those years; it truly was an entertaining night.

Snow: My beloved White, I am delighted that we could indulge in this scenery together once more this year.

You once said that you loved watching these festivities with me, did you not?

‘Tis why… No matter how I looked at the situation, I could not bring myself to cancel it this time. Forgive me for being so stubborn.

A forced smile stretched on Snow's face.

White narrowed his gaze, slowly shaking his head.

White: That I know, dear Snow.

Yesterday you were endlessly crying and lamenting the very fact that we were in disagreement, hurt that we were not the same any more, were you not?

Snow: …! How come you—

Snow: Was it Mithra? Did he tell you that?

Good grief, quite the loose-tongued lad. I expressly forbade him from letting anyone in on the secret…

Snow mumbled the last bit of his sentence, embarrassed.

White: ...Snow, I understand and share your feelings. I think just the same as you do.

I, too, wish to be with you—forever and ever!

Particularly large fireworks rose into the skies, illuminating both of their figures as White stretched out his slender arms, tightly embracing Snow.

Butterflies and fireworks adorned this rare encounter between the living and the dead. The surface of the lake, always reflecting back the weather patterns, acts as a glimmering mirror.

They may replicate the same landscape and look identical, but they are still different. Even so, the two of them are far more alike and intimate than anyone.

Snow: We are by each other’s side. We may differ, and we may not be the same any longer, but even so…

Snow & White: We will always be together, forever.

Like those who welcomed the dead clinging to their mementos, Snow and White firmly squeezed each other’s hands.

The living grieve whom they lost, and give their prayers to the Afterglow Lilies—and I am persuaded that the dead pray for those who they left behind in return.

Even if they differ, even if they’re not the same any more, even if they cannot die together—may their hearts remain united for eternity.

——————

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