Waking up early in the morning, I prepare for Sol's departure. It's been... Truly a life-changing week.
In that period of time, I've got to know more people than I thought I would ever have. And all thanks to two individuals that arrived in this god forsaken village.
Sol and Oswald Emerade.
Daughter and father duo.
It's due to childish curiosity, we managed to hit it off.
And my desire to feel like a child again.
Unfortunately, all things come to an end. After all, Sol is ultimately merely a visitor.
Yet, somehow, I don't feel sad. In fact, I feel like I'm... Grateful.
Sure, part of it is because she isn't dying, merely going back to her country; but what should be a sad moment for me regardless - feels... Warm.
Visiting that flower field again with Sylvie's headband at hand and looking at the sapling we planted yesterday, I began to pick out flowers for my bouquet.
That fight... It was truly something special. I've never thought I would see something so mesmerising, so beautiful in my entire life. Yet at the same time, it feels like I'm only scratching the surface.
It's a bouquet fully dedicated to one and only person - Sol. Your light pierced the overcast skies, introducing colour into my world.
And for that, I'm forever grateful.
...
"THE VISITORS ARE DEPARTING! THE VISITORS ARE DEPARTING!"
The crowd gathers around the fantastic aircraft docked in the village. It's time.
"Oh, Fortune! Came to say goodbye?" Carolyn notices me and I nod, with a bouquet in hand. She smiles "Then let me guide you through. I also... Want to say some parting words."
Together, we push through the crowd and manage to reach Sol and Oswald. Sol immediately brightens up and rushes towards me
"Fortune!!!" She beams "I knew you would come!"
"Obviously. How could I not say goodbye to beauty like you."
"Shut up~" Sol holds her cheeks "You're making me blush. It's rude to make a proper lady flustered, yanno?"
"Still at it, huh?" Oswald chimes in "Oh! And you're here, too miss."
"Yeah..." Carolyn averts her eyes slightly "You know, I feel like I should apologise for my behaviour. It's just... I guess the stress of work got to me and I acted quite irrationally. The truth is, I really wanted Fortune to have a normal life, I really do. And I guess, I too wanted to have a normal life, away from magic. And thrown into it all over again... It's just too much. I'm sorry."
"Ah-uh... No I feel like I should apologise as well! I admit, I tend to be rather way too eager when it comes to discovering peculiar stuff. And perhaps, in my pursuit of knowledge, I tend to be neglectful of how others feel about it. I apologise for my unnecessarily rude comments about you, miss - just as non-magician doesn't understand magician's ambitions, someone like me wouldn't understand the blessings of ordinarity."
"Yeah, but!... I acted way too irrationally!"
"I acted way too negligent!"
""Can't you admit that you're both in the wrong?"" Me and Sol bark; we're not ready to hear endless apologies, thank you very much.
"..."
"..."
""Yeah, I'm sorry..."" Carolyn and Oswald bow down to each other
"Either way, thank you for taking care of Fortune." Oswald smiles and Carolyn bows down once again "Thanks. I appreciate it."
As Carolyn and Oswald continue to chat, I used this opportunity to give Sol her bouquet.
"... Here is my bouquet to you. I've picked the flowers of various colours because they remind me of you. Me and my sister used to make bouquets for our mom during mother's day as a sign of appreciation."
"... I..."
She takes the bouquet from my hands and looks at me with awe.
"... Thank you... I have a present for you too..."
"Hm?"
Sol removes her rose hairpin and sticks it onto the side panel of my cap.
"Please... Remember me lots and lots! I really enjoyed spending time with you and I truly hope it isn't our last time together! Please keep this hairpin as a reminder of me... And our promise."
"Of course, I will keep it close to my heart." I smile and Sol blushes profusely.
"T-T-Truly... I'm glad that you exist..."
"I...
... I'm glad that you exist as well, Sol."
Sol gives the bouquet to Oswald and we embrace each other one last time. As I hug her, I can hear quiet sobs and her body slightly trembling from it all.
"It's alright. We'll meet each other again."
"... Hey, guys. If it makes you both feel any better: you'll be able to communicate with each other through letters. I've already recorded the post office of Praeya, so you should be able to write a lot of letters to each other."
"Really?!" Sol turns her head towards Oswald "Oh, thank you papa!!" She rushes to embrace him and he hugs her back, ruffling her hair.
"Well, my little sunshine. You can go inside. I have some words to exchange between Fortune, alright? It'll be a long flight, so make yourself comfy."
"M'kaaaay!"
Sol then quickly embraces me one more time for real, whispering something inaudibly, before retreating into an aircraft. Oswald looks at her with pride before leaning in to whisper into my ear.
"I know what you are. And I know exactly how you can free yourself from the curse.
Destroy the pact.
Use the knife I gave to you if you have to.
The rest is up to you."
Huh?
How does he know?...
He then distances himself from me and says his last words
"Looking forward to seeing you around!"
And just like that, the aircraft departs. Crap, forgot to give Sol the headband.
"Now, would you like to have breakfast at my place? I have some leftovers lying around, thought you might like it." Carolyn offers
"Sure, miss."
I enter the hospital's kitchen and Carolyn serves me some leftover soup. Cathy is here too, studying medicine.
"? Slowly introducing her to the workflow?"
"Yeah; given that you're here - I feel more safe introducing Cathy to the outside world. She's a diligent little girl."
"Hmm... Can she really see things like this? Her hair is obstructing her view and all."
"I tried. But it seems her hair just refuses to be tucked away."
Perhaps this gift won't be wasted.
"Oi, Cathy, I have something for you."
"Hm? Fortune?"
Putting the headband onto Cathy's head and fixing her hair, I can see her eyes much more clearly.
"Hwah?"
"Here we go. Do you see better?"
"Yeah! Thank you, Fortune!" Cathy smiles
"Consider this a luck charm. Keep it safe, alright?"
"Aye!" Cathy smiles before she runs back to her room to play with her plush friends.
"Feeling generous, Fortune?" Carolyn teases
"Well, I wanted to give Sylvie's headband to Sol, but I guess Cathy needs it more. She's a good kid. I want Sylvie to protect the wearer beyond her grave."
"Hehe, you're too kind, Fortune."
I finish my soup and begin my shift. It's admittedly a very uneventful shift, as not many people came to visit. Carolyn then asks.
"How are you feeling, Fortune?"
"... I'm fine, miss. Truly."
"Really? Are you not sad?"
"I mean, in part - yes. But it's warm. In a sense, I've never felt so happy in my life."
"Hm..."
Carolyn hugs me lightly "Then I'm glad. Life can be ever-changing - so I'm glad you're taking it in stride. Farewells can be painful sometimes..."
"..."
"Sorry... I think I got too used to you. I feel so immature now. I should be way better than that..."
Carolyn then gave me my payment for the day and retreated into her chambers without uttering a word besides "You are a good kid, take care."
What's it to her? Why did she look like she was on the verge of tears? Are farewells that painful to her?
Either way... I return back home.
"I saw a contract under our parents' bed that states that this bastard only operates within a certain range."
"Destroy the pact. Use the knife I gave to you if you have to."
Is this the end?...
Can I finally be free?...
I shall strike at night.