With a groaning sound, the door opened.
She did not look back at , but quietly disappeared into its depths.
“Wait, wait!”
I hurriedly chase after her.
There’s no way. She’s supposed to be dead. This must be a daydream, a fantasy. Even so… even so, why am I chasing after her?
I ran without glancing to the side.
While running, I wondered whether I wanted to deny her existence or affirm it. I thought, and thought, and in the end, I couldn’t find an answer. Ah, how can I express this chaos of feelings?
I forcefully push open the heavy door and cast my gaze down the hallway.
Candles flicker on the orderly arranged candle stands. A dimly lit corridor. Despite the light, it seed utterly dark.
I consciously take a breath. Swallowing the oxygen, I take a step forward.
Once I step forward, I can lt into the darkness without resistance.
I start running. My hurried footsteps echo.
Why can’t I catch up with her even though I’m running with all my might? But, that doesn’t matter. Just once more, just once more, that’s all I want, that’s all…
Her long black hair gently flutters.
I saw the figure of a woman entering the chapel.
Ah, good. I caught up. This ti I made it in ti.
I also step into the chapel following her.
chanically arranged pews.
Warm, damp air.
The sll of dust and rotten wood.
Countless candles. Cast shadows.
A woman with black hair reaching her waist stands in front of the stone statue. I slowly walk and approach her. I call out to her.
My trembling, disappearing voice reaches my ears belatedly.
“…Shizuyo. Is it Shizuyo?”
The woman doesn’t answer.
I wait for her answer, the few seconds feel long.
In this hushed place, only my breath sounds eerily vivid.
Her hair smoothly, slowly sways. Seeing that movent, I understood that she turned back. I anxiously gaze at her face.
Cool, cat-like black eyes. A well-ford nose with a slender contour. Pale cheeks. In contrast, red lips. A face that can be described as a traditional Japanese beauty. A face I’m familiar with.
The woman… Ando Shizuyo seed to be smiling even though she was expressionless. I just stared at her face. That was all I could do. My throat was dry. My head felt like it was about to explode.
“…Onii-san.”
The calm soprano voice reached . Ah, Shizuyo. My sister. It’s you. I’m glad. I’ve wanted to see you all this ti. , to you.
“Ah, Ahh! Shi, Shizuyo! Shizuyo! Shizuyo!”
I shout.
I call Shizuyo’s na over and over as if to confirm her existence. Until my voice grows hoarse. No, even if it’s hoarse.
Shizuyo narrows her eyes. I don’t know what kind of emotion is in there. Is she happy, is she sad… does she resent ?
“Onii-san… I’ve missed you. Onii-san, I wanted to see you, just you.”
Her voice is gentle.
I gently close my eyes.
Shizuyo is dead.
I knew it. After all, I saw her corpse. I saw her thin, crumbled bones in the crematorium.
I’ve been visiting her grave every year since Shizuyo passed away. I’ve put my hands together in front of the cold gravestone.
So, this must be…
When I open my eyes, there was no one there. From the start, there was no one there.
Even though I knew it. Why am I so sad? I heard the sound of water droplets falling on the floor. Ah, am I crying? It’s only then that I realized.
“Shizuyo, even if you’re a ghost or an illusion, it’s fine. You ca to see , didn’t you? Can I think that? No, I want to think that.”
Even though there are no windows or any passage for air, I felt a breeze caress my cheek.
As if to comfort, as if to console.
It felt as if Shizuyo was right beside .
I touch my cheek.
“Shizuyo…”
I thought I heard a voice calling , “Onii-san.”
“Did you bring
to this place, Stonehurst?”
No answer ca back.
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