204 Another Story: Wolf Girl Kingdom Walk (7) (2/2)

”I was actually aware of it. I had to change you. You were poisoned too much by the poison in the house. But I bet you've changed. I've changed, too. I took that opportunity forever.”

”... Al”

”Hey, Maurice. If I don't want to be king, if I don't have that confidence, I can't believe the power of magic. If you tell me you think the Spirit won't save us, will you? About the future of this country, about myself who was just blind to magic. Would that make us... friends?

Al's expression, which lowered his face, was no longer visible. But Al seemed to be crying when his speech buttocks trembled.

Reaching for his shoulder, I held my fist.... I shouldn't reach out here. Besides, it's okay. I believe you.

Al stood up slowly. There were no tears there. He just looks at the monument with a lonely look on his face. Once I blinked and breathed... there was the usual Al.

”I'll leave my regrets here. The next time I come, I'll bring you a souvenir of the future.... with her.”

Al puts his hand on my shoulder and pulls it a little closer to me. I left my shoulder with Al without resistance.

”If you come here alone, you're going to stop your feet. I won't stop. That's why Acrylic is watching.... so keep an eye on me.”

”... Al”

”... if I could end up halfway down the road, acrylic would instead dedicate flowers to this monument...”

Somehow, I pushed my elbow into Al's flank, saying something extra.

Al is desperately holding his breath as if he were moaning and kneeling on the spot. Ignoring Al, who coughed, I snorted.

”Al is weak. I'm still weak enough to say such stupid things!

”... uhh...! Acrylic, what...”

”But you can be weak! I'm trying to be strong, I'm trying to live! It's the privilege of the living! I can't give it to the dead! That's why I'm not saying that I might not be able to fulfill it!

A little puzzled Al says, pointing his finger at him.

”The more you fill this place with flowers, the better and stronger you are! If you're gonna leave regret here, you just have to turn around! Try to protect yourself like you said! If you can't do it alone, give me a hand!

Al looks at me with a stunned face. I exhale loudly and then put my fist on Al's chest.

”I'll make you happy if anyone says I won't forgive you. That's why Al gets happy. Al would be happy if he thought he could be recognized by these people!?”

”Ah, ahh....”

”Is that easy?

”... no, it's hard.”

”Does it hurt to go on alone?

”Ah, it's so painful...”

”I will help Al.”

Lean aside to keep Al's forehead in his chest. Al turned his hand around my back without hesitation.

”... sorry, acrylic”

”I don't know. Did you say you wanted to apologize?

”... no. Well, thank you.”

”Hmm. That's good.”

I look one step away from Al and then at the consolation monument.

Al said that he had made these people wrong. But I'm sure these people are the ones who fooled Al.

I don't know if that's the right understanding. Besides, what you say to these people doesn't change anything.

So there's only one thing I'm going to tell you. But don't say anything, I swear in my chest.

I'm not giving you Al.

Al said he wanted to be forgiven, but I didn't know.

You can hate Al if you want to. If you say you can't forgive me, you don't have to.

If Al says he hates being alive, it's good to be caught up in hatred.

Because the dead can't do anything. If it turns out, I'll stab you in the face.

Al will be happy with me alive. It includes mourning you, so I want you to sleep quietly.

Let's go home, Al.

”... ahh”

Let's go back to where we live. This is not the world we live in.

But there's something important here. Graves, regrets, the past, and mourning for it must be important.

We have to live to get something. So live to the fullest, and add flowers of consolation and mourning to your regretful past.

”Al”

”What is it?”

”Grow flowers when you get back, hire a gardener like your stepfather. Let's grow all those flowers and bring them here.”

”... I see. Maybe that's a good idea.”

That said, Al finally laughed at me. And I smiled back.

Let's walk without letting go of our connected hands. Al's happiness is my happiness. That's how I use my life, freedom of my choice.

The Kingdom of Palletia is a free country. He taught me the value of freedom and my responsibility to protect it.

That's why I keep choosing. Make this man happy by Al's side. Because that's where I got it, and it's a sign of my life.