Distant worlds freckled throughout the darkness almost seem surreal. As I stare at a small, odd looking one, I feel a small hand grab my arm.
“Hey, do you think there is a beautiful world out there, awaiting our arrival..?”
I hesitate, unsure if even I know the answer. After a few moments of silence, she got tired of waiting for me to reply.
“I’d like to think that if we explore enough worlds, one of them would welcome us.”
For the first time in a while, a warm, comforting smile appears on her face.
Letting out a small chuckle, I turn over to her.
“Maybe so.”
As she returns my gaze, her smile suddenly disappears.
“Hey, if you had one wish, what would it be?”
I let out a small laugh, still somewhat shocked from all that had happened.
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“Why do you ask such a thing?”
Her gaze hardens as she speaks once more;
“Just answer it, please.”
I pause, staring into her eyes as I think. For a moment, I swore I saw a pleading glint in her eyes. I let out a small sigh as I decide on my answer.
“I suppose.. I would want to be loved by everyone, with you.”
“How foolish,” she chuckles.
Smiling as I look down at the ground, I quietly mumble;
“yes, I suppose it is.”
As she stares at me, her gaze begins to soften. After a few minutes, she looks down into her hands. She’s holding a small, blue rose that looks like it’s on the brink of death. Whispering something under her breath, she carefully brings the rose to her face. Closing her eyes, she gently covers the rose with her hands. After a moment of silence, a soft, golden light shines through the cracks of her hands.
Opening her eyes, she removes her hands from the rose. The rose now in full bloom, its blue petals practically glowing. She smiles, looking up at me. Handing me the rose, she whispers, “take this, and please, remember me.”
She smiles, holding my hand in hers.
“I’ll do my best to grant this one last wish of yours, so please, grant mine.”
Before I had the chance to respond, a bright gold star begins to form in the distance. Its powerful glow blurs my vision. I reach out my hand, trying to grab her.
“Aki? Aki!”
I desperately shout, trying to find her in the golden blur.
A small, soft hand begins to pat my shoulder, as if comforting me.
A sudden wave of drowsiness begins to overwhelm me.
“May we meet again, Kaito.”
Those warm yet distant words filled my thoughts as I drifted off into a deep sleep.