Saint's Prison - Chapter 133

Someday, I’ll think about it

When was that?

I let my thoughts wander to distant, distant memories.

Ah, that’s right… It was the season when snow danced and fell.

***

The frozen air entered my lungs, and the breath I exhaled painted the world in my field of vision white. When I looked up, thick gray clouds hid the sky, giving me a feeling of being enclosed.

The sky should be free, I think.

That’s what I want, I think.

“—Ryuu-niisama.”

I heard a voice from behind. Rather than breaking the silence, the voice seeped into the stillness. I turned my head back and stared at the owner of the voice.

“Shizuyo, huh…”

“Yes, Nii-sama.”

Shizuyo nodded with her eyes narrowed happily. As she did so, her raven-black hair, as long as a wet feather, swayed. As always, Shizuyo had a beautiful and elegant appearance. Her clear, translucent skin, her fresh, red lips, and her cold eyes were all beautiful. I have never seen anything more beautiful than my sister in this village.

In the pure white world, her bright red kimono stood out terribly. I felt a vague unease at her figure, which seemed to be cut off from the world. To cover it up, I threw words at Shizuyo.

“I didn’t think it was time for your duties yet, did something happen?”

“No… Can’t I come to see you if there’s no reason?”

Shizuyo smiled somewhat sadly. I immediately shook my head left and right.

“No, there’s no such thing. You’re always welcome, Shizuyo.”

“…I’m glad. Thank you.”

Her cheeks slightly blushing, Shizuyo softly smiled. Then, she put her hands together in front of her chest and shyly lowered her eyes.

The gesture of a maiden in love in front of her beloved. Thinking so far, I scolded myself for being ridiculous. What a foolish thing to say about my sister. Oh, how sinful it is.

I deliberately took my gaze away from Shizuyo and looked up at the sky again.

“Nii-sama—”

“Hmm?”

“You often look up at the sky.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Nii-sama, do you like the sky?”

“I wouldn’t say I like it, but… You know, the sky is vast, right? Unlike this closed village, it goes on forever. That’s right. It’s more like admiration. Because the sky is—”

“—Free, right?”

“Eh?”

Flutter, flutter, I hear the sound of a bird flapping its wings. Black feathers snake down from the sky.

Shizuyo was laughing.

She had smiled earlier, but this smile was colder. No, it could even be called ominous.

“The sky goes on forever. That’s why it’s endless… Hey, Nii-sama. The abyss is also endless, isn’t it? Can’t you be there?”

“Shizuyo?”

“…No, I’m sorry. I said something pointless. A sister shouldn’t have an opinion about her brother. It’s unforgivable. Please forgive me.”

She muttered weakly.

Stop it. I don’t like it. I don’t like any of it. The sky fades. Shizuyo is bound by the stale values of this village.

Shizuyo should be more free than anyone else.

“No matter who decides that a sister can’t have an opinion on her brother, you should say more things to me without considering it. Good things and bad things, even anger should be expressed. I won’t let anyone complain!”

“Nii-sama. Even so, I am…”

Shizuyo’s words cut off there. After a brief pause, Shizuyo stared at me.

“Do you believe… in God, Nii-sama?”

Frowning at the unrelated question, I organize my thoughts and spin my words in fragments.

“I don’t believe, but… I want it to be there.”

“Why is that?”

“For 500 years… We’ve been praying to Oyaza-sama for 500 years. We keep walking around the womb cave. I don’t want to think it’s all meaningless and just a waste of effort. I don’t believe, but I want it to be there. No, I can’t forgive it if it’s not. Besides, if there’s no God, then who else can I blame?”

“I see.”

“So, what about you, Shizuyo?”

Shizuyo flinched slightly at my question. Then, she lowered her gaze to the ground. As if peering into the abyss, she gazed intently at the ground… no, the cave deep within.

“I… believe. In both its existence and its nature. And if Oyaza-sama isn’t there, my wish will never come true. It will never come true.”

“Shizuyo’s wish?”

Without answering my murmur, Shizuyo whispered in a small voice. Her whisper was swallowed by her shadow.

“Oyaza-sama has been waiting for you all this time. Because I wished for it, Oyaza-sama also wished for it. So, please…”

The words beyond that sank into the darkness of the shadow and were erased.