Chapter 125: Date (At Its End)
The rooftop was bathed in the glow of the setting sun, dyed a deep crimson.
The distant buildings had already sunk into shadow, and the sky was painted in a gradient of vermilion and navy blue.
It was an almost dreamlike sight, so fantastical it felt detached from reality.
"Graduation...?"
I murmured, as if to confirm what Alicia had just said.
『Yes, that’s right. Although, I’m not officially enrolled in school, so it’s just the sentiment, really.』
Alicia said it in a lighthearted tone.
『I have no regrets for myself. Just like I told you on the Ferris wheel. The only thing that lingers in my heart is you, Ikuto.』
"...Me?"
『...I’m sorry—for not being able to stay with you. And also for keeping that from you this whole time.』
"Don’t apologize. It's not your fault we can’t be together. And if you couldn’t bring yourself to tell me, it's because I wasn’t strong enough to make you feel safe—"
『Keeping it to myself was purely my selfishness. It’s not your fault at all, Ikuto.』
Alicia quickly cut off my words with a firm denial.
『Seeing the same sights as you, eating the same meals, spending time together, laughing together... All of it is precious to me. That’s why—』
She must’ve thought it was all her fault because she lied for her own sake.
But those memories are irreplaceable to me too. And if we’re talking about gains and losses, I’ve gained far more—Alicia helped me so many times.
『But that’s not the only thing I need to apologize for. I became your girlfriend while hiding how little time I had left. I knew the deeper our bond grew, the more it would hurt you when we parted...』
Alicia’s voice was filled with guilt.
『When you confessed and I realized you felt the same way, I was truly happy... So even though I knew I shouldn’t accept, I couldn’t bring myself to turn you away.』
"I'm glad I got to be your boyfriend, Alicia. So please don’t talk like that. I think it would’ve been way more painful if you had rejected me."
I replied with deliberate cheer.
I didn’t want Alicia to carry any guilt over this.
『...Thank you, Ikuto.』
But Alicia’s voice remained heavy.
『Still, I have one more selfish thing to ask. I need to say this.』
Then, after a short pause—
『Ikuto, please end our relationship as a couple.』
That’s what Alicia said to me.
『I’ve received so much from you. I know I’m being selfish... But your life will continue from here on. So please, graduate from me. If you do that, I can go in peace.』
Alicia said it with an exaggerated brightness.
She called it selfish, but it was clear she was only thinking about me, the one being left behind.
Even so...
"No."
That was the one thing I couldn’t accept.
『U-um... Not even if it’s my final request...?』
"No... I can’t. I won’t let you be alone in the end."
『If you say that, then I’ll end up worrying, with regrets still in my heart...』
"Sorry, but just stay worried about me… I’m still completely in love with you, Alicia. The least you can do is take responsibility for that, right?"
『…If you say that, it’ll only make things harder for you, Ikuto.』
"I don’t care. I don’t know what the future holds, but at the very least—I want to stay your boyfriend until the very end."
『…Honestly, you really are hopeless, Ikuto.』
Alicia replied with a troubled look—but she sounded happy.
『Just promise me one thing. Whether or not you end up dating someone in the future is up to you. But please, don’t use me as the reason to turn someone down.』
"Got it."
"Whether I date someone or not, I’ll make sure to face them properly when I give them my answer. Be it Hisui, Souta, or anyone else…"
"…Wait. Why are you bringing up those two specifically?"
『Because no one’s feelings for you are as deep or sincere as Hisui’s. Even after learning everything about me, she refused to take a default win and challenged me as an equal rival. She was truly relentless…』
Alicia sighed softly.
She must have been remembering everything that happened with Hisui.
…A lot really did happen.
『I’m grateful to Hisui. Without her, I probably never would’ve dated you, Ikuto… She scolded me when I was hesitating to face you, and gave me the courage to do so.』
Listening to all that just made me even more confused about what Hisui was really thinking.
Was she supporting me and Alicia? Or not?
『Lately, she’s been holding back a little—maybe out of consideration for me. But once I’m gone, I wouldn’t be surprised if she seriously went after you.』
"Ugh…"
The sound escaped my lips before I could stop it.
It’s not like I dislike Hisui or anything.
But whenever I’m with her, I feel like I stop being myself—like she keeps turning me more and more into a girl. And honestly… that’s kind of scary.
『Also, when it comes to Souta, I think he’s the person you’re most emotionally open with, Ikuto.』
"But we’re both guys…?"
I’m not into guys.
There’s no way I could fall for someone like Souta.
『Right now, you’re male and female. And honestly, Ikuto, I think you’re deliberately pretending not to understand that.』
"That’s not…"
I know Souta sees me as a sexual being.
But that’s something I figured a guy couldn’t help, and it’s not necessarily the same as romantic feelings.
…Still, I guess it’s only natural if Alicia doesn’t really get the difference.
『Well, it’s fine either way. In the end, it’s up to you who you choose as your partner—just do what you think is right, Ikuto.』
"Even if you say that…"
The only one I love is Alicia.
I can’t even imagine being with anyone else.
『Ah… and please be careful not to get caught up with any bad guys, okay? You’ve always been pretty defenseless, Ikuto… Someone like Aymok is absolutely off-limits, got it!?』
"…Yeah, yeah."
She sounded just like my mom, and I couldn’t help but smile wryly as I answered.
With Alicia talking like this, it was hard to believe this was really the end.
"Isn’t there really anything we can do? Like… maybe extend your rest period a bit longer…?"
Such a pointless question I asked.
『…I’m sorry, but that’s impossible.』
My shallow hope was denied instantly.
Of course it was.
There’s no way Alicia hadn’t already considered that possibility.
『My soul can no longer hold its form. Even if I had more rest days and could replenish my energy, if the vessel itself can’t be sustained anymore… there’s nothing to be done.』
Alicia explained her condition with calm detachment.
『And my link with you, Ikuto, is almost completely severed. Only my sight and hearing remain… and even those are fading. Right now, it feels like I’m watching a TV in the dark—everything’s distant, faint.』
"That can’t be…"
『It’s like I’m flailing in the middle of a lake, just barely keeping my face above water. If I let my guard down, my consciousness will slip beneath the surface… and I’ll never come back.』
The reality Alicia described was far worse than I’d imagined.
She must’ve told me this on purpose—to stop me from clinging to empty hope.
"Then maybe I should take my soul out and return your body to you—"
『That’s not necessary.』
I blurted it out on impulse, and Alicia cut me off without hesitation.
『It was my vow to return you safely to your world, Ikuto. I couldn’t do that perfectly… but I did save your life. And I’m proud of that. So please… don’t erase that by taking it back.』
"…So there’s really nothing I can do anymore?"
『…That’s not true. Let’s see… then, please remember me.』
Alicia smiled and added, 『That’s selfish too, isn’t it?』
『The days we adventured together… the time we spent in this world… all of it is my treasure. So I hope those memories are just as precious to you.』
"Yeah."
Without a doubt.
『And please… enjoy your life, Ikuto. Live it fully. And someday, when you happen to look back, if you can remember me with a smile… that would make me happy.』
"…Yeah."
I’m not sure I can yet, but…
『Maybe I should say, "forget about me," so you can move on… but I can’t. I’m selfish. I want to live on in your memories, Ikuto.』
"You don’t need to ask. There’s no way I could ever forget you."
Just then, the school bell rang—signaling the end of the day.
『…Looks like it’s time.』
The sky had deepened, with only a faint trace of crimson left.
The sun had vanished behind the buildings, and a pale half-moon was starting to show.
『My soul will return to Lady Minstia, but I think a trace of it will remain within you, Ikuto… So even from now on, we’ll always be together.』
That was the last thing Alicia told me.
Even though she’d no longer feel anything… even though she’d no longer be able to speak to anyone.
『So… I won’t say goodbye.』
I stopped myself from looking down and forced my eyes forward.
The school rooftop. The city hidden in twilight. The fading red sky.
I widened my eyes—to show Alicia this view, and to burn it into my own memory.
『Thank you for everything until now… and I’m sorry I couldn’t keep our promise to go swimming in the sea.』
That’s right… in the end, we never did go to the beach.
Why didn’t I go that summer?
Just because I was embarrassed about a swimsuit? I could’ve just dealt with it…
『Well then, Ikuto—please take care… I love you. My brave hero.』
"Yeah… I love you too, Alicia!"
I clenched my teeth and forced a smile.
Smiling to the very end.
『Ahh… it was so much fun…』
With those last satisfied words, Alicia whispered—
"—!?"
A sudden, overwhelming sense of loss.
Alicia's presence vanished from within me.
"Ah… aaah…"
I clutched at my chest with my right hand, as if trying to hold back the gaping emptiness. I couldn’t stay standing. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the ground.
"Uuh… ahh…"
I curled in on myself, folding my upper body forward.
Tears began to fall, drop by drop, leaving stains on the concrete rooftop.
"A… Alicia…"
I called out—but there was no answer.
Images of Alicia danced through my mind, one after another, only to fade away.
Alicia, smiling innocently as she enjoyed something delicious.
Alicia, losing herself in excitement at a new experience.
Alicia, hesitantly shaking me awake in the morning.
I wanted to live together with her.
I wanted to share more joy, more laughter.
I wanted Alicia to feel happiness—so much more of it.
"Alice!!"
A familiar voice echoed somewhere nearby.
Someone rushed over and hugged me as I crouched there.
I already knew who it was.
"Yuna… Alicia’s gone…"
I had to say it.
No matter what—it needed to be said.
"I know! I know…!"
Yuna wrapped her arms around me and held me tight, telling me I didn’t need to say anything more.
"Hey… was I able to keep smiling till the very end…?"
There was no way Yuna could know the answer to that.
And yet, I found myself asking.
Everything began to blur and drift away.
It hurts… It’s painful, Alicia.
A world without you is unbearably lonely.
…I want to hear your voice again.
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