Saint's Prison - Chapter 128

Those Who Look Up at the Sky

――The time is ticking.

Tick, Ticks.

Alone, in the time that makes one feel faint, I kept looking up at the sky. My kin, or perhaps my mother, whom I can never return to. Far beyond the nebula.

Time is ticking.

Time is cruel, merciless, but above all, accurate.

Suddenly, I realized they were there.

Ah, I can hear many voices.

Laughter full of joy.

…How envious I am.

Therefore, I am――――

＊＊＊

“Kuro-dono, have you calmed down?”

Exhaling a breath, I look up at Johanna. Then I find myself in her eyes and feel relieved that I am indeed here and now. Even to me, it seems a simple thought process. But in this Stonehurst, where reality is somewhat elusive, losing a sense of self is the most terrifying thing.

“Kuro-dono, are you really okay?”

Johanna puts her hand lightly on my forehead and lowers her eyebrows. It seems she’s still worried about me. This one said before that kindness is finite. Surely Johanna’s kindness is something that will never run out in a lifetime. Johanna is not straightforward. But that’s what makes her Johanna. The feeling of happiness makes me smile.

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

Johanna looks at me and opens her mouth in surprise. Unconsciously tilting my head at her unusually surprised expression.

“What’s with that ‘de-carbonated drink’ face?”

“de-carbonated drink? Sometimes you use words I don’t understand. Also, I feel like you’re making fun of me. What do you mean by a de-carbonated drink?”

“…Hmm. It’s hard to explain. It’s like a metaphor for a dull, sweet-looking face without any stimulation?”

“Are you trying to pick a fight?”

“I’m sorry.”

I immediately apologize. I did something wrong, so I want you to let go of that fighting pose. I don’t think I can win against you. I raise both hands, surrendering.

“If you’re going to apologize, don’t act like that in the first place.”

“But you’ll forgive me, right?”

Johanna remains silent, puffing her cheeks slightly. She doesn’t deny it, so I guess I hit the mark. The childish gesture makes me smile unintentionally.

“Don’t laugh. Seeing your face makes me want to slap your cheek.”

“Really? Would you like me to offer my right cheek then?”

“After I slap the right one, offer your left cheek.”

“You’re such a sadist.”

“Idiot.”

Johanna says that and chuckles. It’s an innocent smile. That’s the smile I like.

“So, what surprised you earlier?”

“…Hmm.”

She hesitates and glances around. It doesn’t last long. She murmurs intermittently in a barely audible voice.

“…That smile earlier, I, like…your, smile.”

“Huh?”

I almost stop breathing.

It’s the same. The same.

I like your smile too.

I desperately hold back from saying that.

“No, it’s not like that. When I say I like it, it’s just a figure of speech. There’s no deeper meaning. I was just surprised to see your carefree, happy smile after such a long time!”

Johanna quickly covers her embarrassment with words. The gap between her flustered, blushing face and her usual self is too much. Stop it. Please stop. It’s making me embarrassed too.

I take a deep breath and compose myself.

“Phew, okay. I get it. Calm down.”

“…I, I am calm.”

Johanna turns her face away, clearly hiding her embarrassment. I pretend not to notice the flutter in my heart. …It’s just my imagination.

I sit up and look around. Orange sunlight filters through the trees. It seems I haven’t been unconscious for long.

“It’s still twilight.”

“That’s right. We shouldn’t be wasting time chatting like this. Let’s get out of here quickly, Kuro-dono.”

Johanna’s voice is firm, different from earlier. She stares at the long shadows cast by the setting sun with sharp eyes.

“Johanna?”

“Twilight is dangerous. You know that firsthand, don’t you?”

“Yeah. …You switch gears quickly, don’t you?”

“I just let go quickly.”

She says that, even though she can’t let go so easily.

I silently hold Johanna’s hand. I hope my warmth can warm her cold hand. Johanna’s hand trembles slightly, but she doesn’t shake mine off. She squeezes back tightly.

“Kuro-dono, let’s go. I’m sure that person is waiting for us.”

“Yeah.”

We start walking.

Weaving our way through the trees.

A sound rings out.

I instinctively look back.

A woman stands there, clad in blue.

Her silver hair is dyed crimson by the setting sun.

Her bright red eyes are gazing up at the sky.

“Kuro-dono…?”

I look back at Johanna when she calls me. I tell her it’s nothing as she looks at me worriedly.

We start walking again.

I glance back once more, making sure Johanna doesn’t notice.

But the woman in blue is nowhere to be found.

Only countless tombstones stand silently.