Like the sea in the sky, I saw the reflection of a woman.
That woman in the reflection looked broken.
I don't know why she looked that way.
Saeris… that was my name. Why do I look like this?
"I was supposed to have changed by now. My path to follow—the first one I discovered for myself."
Why do I feel like this?
Is it because of her?
That woman… she was always in strange situations. Though looking closer, it seemed she just got caught in "bad luck"—always in the wrong place at the wrong time.
I felt something strange when we were paired up in school. Though she wasn't even a millionth as strong as me or the others in class, she still managed to keep up with us.
At least until a few days ago, when she left.
I couldn't react. I was absorbed in fighting, trying to hold myself together while keeping others from getting hurt in our battle…
I wasn't strong enough.
Why, out of everyone, did you have to suffer for this fight?
Didn't you always say you could escape anything?
Why couldn't you do it, you "damn idiot"?
The sky darkened.
Why did you have to die? Didn't you say we'd be together? Wasn't I supposed to be the one protecting you? Or were you protecting me? Weren't we invincible together? Didn't we watch each other's backs? If you knew this could happen, why did you stay with me? Why didn't you run like the others? Didn't you fear me? Wasn't I strong enough to scare you? Why couldn't you be stronger so we could stay together? Wasn't that why I became stronger—to protect you?
Even if I don't want to remember, the time you "disappeared" still haunts my mind.
My vision blurs, and liquid wells up in my eyes—not enough to spill over.
I remember you were already safe. So why did HE go after you?
Wouldn't it have been better if I disappeared instead of you? Did HE know how important you were to everyone? THAT WRETCHED, DESPICABLE BASTARD—I'LL BRING HIM BACK TO KILL HIM AGAIN!
My fists clenched too tight. My nails dug in like blades, drawing tiny droplets of blood.
I tried to unleash my hatred with force, but I couldn't. It vanished when I remembered her…
I remember how she stopped me from doing this. She didn't like it. Said it was annoying and didn't help—it would only hurt me more.
Then why aren't you here? Do I need you to remind me? Do I want to see you again? Do I miss you? What do I feel for you?
Splash.
I fell into the puddle where I saw my reflection.
ANSWER ME! WHAT DO I FEEL FOR YOU?! I screamed at my distorted reflection.
No one answered.
Liquid spilled from my eyes. Incomprehensible. Why would this spill from my eyes? Why do I feel this when I remember how you left?
No one answered.
I looked up at the dark sky. The two moons shone close, bright—yet the faint glimmer of stars was still visible.
"Y'know… you're amazing. Even though you're so strong, you still have a weakness."
"Huh?"
An image flashed before my eyes. I'm with that woman, eating, while she gazes at the sky. But I can't see her face clearly.
All I hear is her voice:
"Look at you, enjoying dessert. See?
You're no different from the rest of us.
You're just like us, even with that strength few possess.
Well… except me. But everyone else in class seems to have it… Haha…"
…
"Some are born with the strength of a thousand stars. If you get too close, you could get hurt. But even so, they burn so fiercely they've learned to contain their fire.
Their light doesn't flicker like others'. That's why few can bear to look at them. But that doesn't make them less beautiful—it just makes them harder to glimpse."
"Why are you talking about stars?"
"Hmm? Well… I think you'd remember this. I'm not the best at giving advice, but maybe this'll help you someday."
"But hey… what do you think of this, partner? Listen—"
"Mhm."
That woman… I couldn't tell if she was joking. Or had she drunk something again without me noticing?
She still didn't look away from the sky.
"Look at the two moons. They orbit so differently, making it impossible for them to ever meet. But every so often, there's a tiny moment when they align. No matter how many times they've circled, they always find a way to be together.
See? One moon might not find you right away… but someday, one will find its way to you."
"Huh? But… I'm not a moon."
"Seriously… what would you do without me?"
What would I do without you?
What
Would I
Do
Without
You?
…
"Guess I'd do what I always do… go look for you."
!
I snapped back from that memory.
It's true. You couldn't have really di—disappeared forever. I just have to find a way to reach you.
I looked at the sky again, my eyes clearer now.
Watching as the two moons were about to become one again—if only for an instant.
I'm sure I'll see you again…