[Gavin’s Route – Intro]
It was late at night, but the city was still bustling with excitement.
But only the sound of my keyboard reverberated through the big office.
Life. Work. Everything was going along as normal.
Except that my memory from a week ago seemed to have been scrambled into confusion.
All I remembered was that about a week ago, I made a decision. But I couldn’t remember about what.
When I asked folks about it, they all looked at me puzzled, asking if maybe it was a strange dream.
The snippets I remembered were indeed strange. Maybe it really was all a dream.
After all, everything else seemed fine. Why get myself all worked up about it?
I made a big stretch and then walked toward the window and the brilliant neon lights.
The thousands of lights looked like a star-filled night sky. Just looking at it made me feel warm.
As the celebration drew near, the work setting up decorations grew more intense.
Both sides of the street had workers hanging lights and ribbons. It was quite festive.
My eyes followed the lights into the distance. I couldn’t help but think of Gavin, away on mission.
{{MC}}: This mission seems to be lasting longer than usual…
{{MC}}: Although, I’m sure he’ll get the job done!
Whenever he’s in danger, that fire for justice in him always burns even brighter.
It made you believe there was no problem he couldn’t handle. That this peace would last forever.
Thinking of his resolute, clear eyes, I couldn’t help inwardly wishing him well.
Just as I was looking away, I happened to catch a glimpse of a familiar silhouette.
{{MC}}: Gavin?!
He was wearing street clothes, but he hadn’t ridden over on Sparky.
I couldn’t see his face. I could only see him holding a phone and pacing around.
The next second, the phone on the table started vibrating.
Gavin: It’s me. Just finished a mission and I was passing by your office. I see your light’s on.
Gavin: If you’re still working, I can wait and give you a lift home?
{{MC}}: Yeah…
I almost said yes on the spot, but then I thought if he just got back, he probably needed rest.
I could feel the softest spot in my heart spasm as I told him a lie:
{{MC}}: …about that. Someone else is in the office. I went home early today.
Gavin: Okay…
His tone sounded maybe a little dejected as it scattered in the night breeze.
Aside from that was a clear sound of fatigue that couldn’t be covered up.
I & Gavin: Well, get some rest.
I didn’t expect us to both say the same thing at once.
After a short silence, the sound of his laughter came through the receiver.
And a question that was too observant.
Gavin: Did I just hear the sound of the elevator?
{{MC}}: You heard wrong!
I tried to change the subject and bluff my way out of it.
{{MC}}: So, did the mission go smoothly this time?
He played along and answered, seemingly without suspecting anything.
Gavin: Don’t worry, these days the missions haven’t been dangerous.
When talking to me, he always made everything sound so easy.
Even if he was bloodied up from head to toe, he’d undersell it as just a few scratches.
{{MC}}: Don’t lie to me… When have any of your missions not been dangerous?
His tone grew softer, like a warm hand giving me a comforting pat on the head.
Gavin: How about this?
Gavin: Next time we go out, if you can find a new scar on me, then…
{{MC}}: Then what?
Gavin: …I can’t think of anything right now. You pick.
Before I had a chance to reply, the elevator had reached the first floor lobby.
A flicker of shock flashed across Gavin’s eyes. I suppressed a laugh as he ran over.
Gavin: Didn’t you say you went home?
{{MC}}: I…
Gavin: If I had left, were you planning to walk home alone in the dark?
{{MC}}: It’s not that late right now…
{{MC}}: You, on the other hand, have a bet to settle!
I grabbed his hand, checking it all over, and of course… on his left index finger was a new scar.
It wasn’t deep, but it was in a very noticeable place.
{{MC}}: Caught you red-handed, literally, huh?
Gavin pulled his hand back, and he couldn’t help averting his gaze.
Gavin: This one doesn’t count…
{{MC}}: What do you mean, it doesn’t count?
He was avoiding my eyes on purpose, but after some hesitation he explained quickly and quietly.
Gavin: I didn’t get this injury while out on a mission…
Gavin: I cut it while I was making food…
I pictured him awkwardly trying to cook as I failed to fight back a laugh.
His ears turned red, and he let out a cough as he turned away.
Not many people knew this side of him, but this was the real Gavin.
This person who would get shy and have a little temper, that was him.
And that decisive, brave man of integrity, that was him too.
Everyone can choose to live a life safe and sound.
But he chose to put his life on the line, to protect the safety of all of society.
In my eyes, this was a tremendous act.
Before I could take back my captivated gaze, he caught me.
Gavin: Why are you staring? Do I have something on my face?
Gavin wiped at his face, but there was nothing on it except the glow of lights.
His lips formed into a smile more enchanting than the lights, and I was drawn in even more.
{{MC}}: Who’s looking at you?! I’m just looking at these festival decorations!
Gavin: If you want to look at the lights, then I know a place.
He suddenly took my hand and strode off in the opposite direction of the metro station.
A warmth surged from his hand through my whole body. I followed him eagerly.
Small flurries of snow floated on the wind, falling on us like a wonderful icing.
In this moment, I wished I could save that emotion filling my heart forever.
All the way until the day we grew old together.
[Gavin’s Route – 1]
We stopped walking as we came to a red light.
The central mall before us was decked out in shining holiday lights, every window a different theme.
The different lights and designs were like little worlds, each drawing you in for a closer look.
{{MC}}: I didn’t know there was a light display over here!
Gavin: Yeah, I only knew because I passed by here earlier.
Gavin: At the time, I was thinking I just had to take you to see it.
His gentle words warmed my heart like a mild spring breeze, lighting me up inside.
But then, before our light turned green, the mall lights started going out one after another.
The building brilliantly lit up just a second ago was now dark and colorless.
The decorative lights in the windows were still lit, but you couldn’t go in and view them.
Gavin’s face also seemed to dim. His brow pinched together, seemingly in self-reproach.
Gavin: …I forgot to check what time they close.
{{MC}}: No worries. We’ll just come back another day.
Gavin: No need.
To my surprise, he roundly rejected my proposal.
Gavin: Now is fine.
A determined smile formed on his handsome mouth as he slipped off his coat and wrapped me in it.
I looked at him in surprise, not sure what he was planning to do.
{{MC}}: But they’re closed, aren’t they?
Gavin: When have I ever been a stickler for the rules?
Our crosswalk light started flashing, right in time with my racing heart.
Before the light changed, Gavin put his arms around me and took off, flying me across the street.
I closed my eyes as a chill wind hit my face, and I could feel the dazzling lights on my eyelids.
The smell of baked sweet potato also wafted on the wind, completing the merry atmosphere.
{{MC}}: Mm, that smell…
As I got lost in that simple joy, I reflexively licked at my lips.
Gavin: If you’re hungry, we can go buy one.
His tone was playfully teasing. I bashfully opened my eyes and protested.
{{MC}}: I was just making a passing remark… Aah!
Just then I realized I was hanging in mid-air. I clutched tighter to his sleeve.
Gavin: If you’re scared, don’t look down.
{{MC}}: I– I’m not…
Gavin: Then why is your hand grabbing me so tightly?
{{MC}}: …I’m just a little out of practice!
Clearly this wasn’t the first time he’d taken me flying, but it felt like it had been a long time.
I suddenly didn’t know where to put my hands, but he gently put them back on his arms.
Gavin: In the future, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to practice.
There was a lilt to his voice that sounded like banter, but also like a promise.
The wind wooshed past my ears, but it didn’t drive away his warmth or his sincere words.
Gavin: Look, it’s the rabbits you like.
I looked toward the window where he was pointing. Inside were a bunch of lifelike rabbit lights.
He also seemed to be enjoying the lights and kept pointing out new ones for me to look at.
Before I had a chance to take in all the lights on one floor, he was taking me to the next.
We pored over the various displays, totally forgetting the time.
The blinking lights took the place of the cloud-covered stars and lit up my heart.
Seeing my reflection in the glass, I suddenly felt like I had fallen into that timeless world too.
On this floor, golden ginkgo leaves swayed and danced in an autumn wind.
I thought of that fall day when Gavin and I reunited and couldn’t help looking at him.
As I did, I just so happened to meet Gavin’s gaze.
I & Gavin: You…
Suddenly–
The chiming of a clock broke our gaze as a cheerful tune wafted down from the top of the mall.
The main door of the clock tower slowly opened, and out filed two lines of wooden puppets.
I’d always heard of the clock show that happened at this time, but never seen it with my own eyes.
I eagerly tugged Gavin’s hand and pulled him toward the clock tower.
He held me in one hand as we ascended and buttoned up my coat with the other.
{{MC}}: I can do it myself…
I took the button from him. Even with the night wind, my face started turning hot.
As I buttoned up the last button, we arrived directly across from the clock.
A gentle wind enveloped us and kicked up flecks of snow, like playful elves.
On the clock, the detailed, animated puppets holding all kinds of musical instruments performed.
As I listened to the tinkling, cheerful music, I couldn’t help swaying my hands to the beat.
Gavin remained stiff at my side, and I grabbed his hands and swayed them too.
{{MC}}: We’ve got music, so we can’t leave out dancing!
An awkward look came over Gavin, but the warm glow of the lights softened his features.
Gavin: I’m happy with just watching you dance…
{{MC}}: It’s more fun if we dance together!
Gavin: Okay, I’ll dance with you this once.
He relented and tried his best to keep time with me, but his arms always seemed so awkward.
{{MC}}: Haha, your moves are stiffer than the dolls!
Gavin: …Stop looking at me, you’ll miss the performance.
He gently pushed my face away, but his gentle complaint was drowned at by the bells.
The solemn bells chimed twelve times.
The little puppet troupe gave their bows as they retreated into the bell tower.
{{MC}}: It’s so nice being able to watch from this close…
Gavin: If you ever want to see it again, just let me know and I’ll take you.
As he said that, he slowly took me back to the ground.
A breeze ruffled his bangs, playing mischievously with several strands.
He didn’t seem to notice, so I reached out a hand toward his tousled bangs.
{{MC}}: The wind messed them up.
Gavin: Yours too.
Gavin helped me tuck back my wind-blown hair, his rough fingertip brushing the back of my ear.
It felt coarse, but it carried his warmth too and felt reassuring.
Just catching the puppet performance. A snowy evening, yet not too cold. And him by my side.
It was all just perfect.
[Gavin’s Route – 3]
The workers setting up decorations had all left. Only the howling wind was left on the streets–
And my empty, growling stomach.
Gavin: We should probably go find something to eat.
{{MC}}: It’s fine. I just need to go to sleep!
But my quibbling couldn’t drown out the gurgle of my gut. I awkwardly put a hand over my stomach.
Gavin looked at my groaning belly with a slight frown.
Gavin: Did you forget to eat again because of work?
Unable to hide from his interrogating tone, I meekly nodded in confession.
Gavin: Then you’re going to eat now.
Gavin: I’ll go with you.
Neither his words nor his actions left me any room to refuse.
Before I could respond, he already lifted me into the air.
I held myself tightly to his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist.
A chill night wind billowed his shirt, flapping the bottom hem around wildly.
Even Gavin was susceptible to catching colds…
I decided to give his coat back, but the chill from undoing just the first button made me recoil.
Gavin instantly noticed what I was doing and held my hand down to stop me.
Gavin: It’s too windy. Sit tight.
{{MC}}: I’m just worried you’ll catch cold…
As I spoke, I saw his furrowed brow relax.
In the next instant, he held me even tighter.
Gavin: If you’re worried, just hold me tighter.
Gavin: This way I won’t get cold.
Another gust of wind blew by, but I was completely blocked off from it by his towering frame.
The persistent wind billowed his shirt again. In the dim light I could make out scars on his waist.
I grabbed his shirt tail in the wind and clamped it down with my arm.
In mid-air, we held to each other for warmth. From his chest, I could hear his heartbeat.
It was even more delightful than the music just now.
Amidst the aroma of food, Gavin turned and took me to an out-of-the-way alley entrance.
As soon as our toes touched the ground, my no-good stomach let loose another barrage of gurgles.
I ducked my head in shame, but he just chuckled and patted my head as he led me inside.
Gavin: No shame in being hungry. Forgetting to eat, on the other hand…
{{MC}}: I know, I know…
The smell of food cooking forced me to surrender to the fact that I really was hungry.
Even this late at night, this little diner was in full swing and packed with customers.
Gavin ordered a few things with great familiarity, and each one made my mouth water.
Gavin: Is there anything else you want?
{{MC}}: If we can finish everything you just ordered, I think we’ll be doing good!
As we waited for our food, I looked around– I never knew this place existed so nearby my home.
{{MC}}: So, how did you find this place?
Gavin: We often don’t have time to eat when we’re out on missions, so we usually hit up this place when we get back.
{{MC}}: Isn’t this a little far from your house? Not very close to the station either…
A suspicious look flickered in his eyes, and his voice sounded quieter than usual.
Gavin: …It’s on the way.
Our conversation was cut short by the food’s arrival. Looking relieved, he pushed a plate toward me.
Gavin: Eat up. I already ate earlier.
Looking at the mountain of food before me, for a moment I didn’t know where to begin.
{{MC}}: You’re just trying to keep me quiet, aren’t you…
Gavin: Yep. If it’s not enough, I can order more.
As he bantered with me, he dumped some more food onto my plate.
I hastily tried to cover my plate, nodding like crazy.
{{MC}}: That’s enough! I won’t ask anymore!
{{MC}}: I won’t be able to sleep if I eat too much this late…
Gavin just ate up without a care in the world and proposed an irresistible idea.
Gavin: Then after we eat, let’s go for a walk. When you’re feeling sleepy, I’ll take you home.
I was about to accept when I noticed the heavy dark circles under his eyes.
I originally wanted to let him go home early and rest, but instead I’ve kept him out all night.
I suddenly came to a realization…
Gavin didn’t just exist for me alone. He had his own life…
At that thought, a wave of guilt welled up in my heart.
I stopped eating for a moment so I could look him in the eye and politely refuse his kindness.
{{MC}}: That’s okay. Won’t you be busy tomorrow?
Gavin: I just finished a mission. Unless something happens, I’ll be free to rest these next few days.
These next few days… Wasn’t there some big event happening?
I racked my brain and finally remembered the big celebration was the day after tomorrow!
The people of this city, whom he protected from the shadows, celebrating so happily…
I wanted to see it with Gavin.
{{MC}}: Gavin, do you have plans the day after tomorrow?
Gavin: None at the moment. Why?
{{MC}}: That’s the day of the celebration!
Gavin: Celebration? I think I saw ads for that on the street.
As he spoke, he pushed some more food onto my plate.
Gavin really didn’t seem interested in the celebration. If that was the case…
A rare day off might better be spent at home. That was the better choice for him.
With that in mind, I once again swallowed back the invitation on the tip of my tongue.
Gavin: If you want to go, I can go with you.
{{MC}}: But, it’s your day off…
Gavin: I only need a day or two of rest.
Gavin: And now that you mention it, I wanna go check it out too.
I really wanted to go with him anyway, so without any more second-guessing, I accepted.
{{MC}}: Then it’s a deal. I hear at night there will be fireworks!
Gavin: So, day after tomorrow, I’ll pick you up from work?
Wanting him to get as much rest as possible, I shook my head at that idea.
{{MC}}: My office is out of the way. Let’s just meet up at Central Park!
Gavin: Sure. Give me a call when you’re about to leave work.
This time, I nodded firmly, giddy with anticipation for the day after tomorrow.
(Gavin’s call: Good night)
[Gavin’s Route – 4]
The snow had been falling off and on for days, but people were still as excited as could be.
People in high spirits waved little flags and convened on the celebration venue from all over.
I followed the tightly-packed crowd, slowly moving to our agreed-upon location.
{{MC}}: How long will this take…
I looked impatiently at my phone, which showed I’d already passed my meetup time with Gavin.
I didn’t even have one bar of signal, so I couldn’t even give him a head’s up on the situation.
An ember of worry soon flared up into a raging fire. I stomped my feet and futilely craned my neck.
Through the thick crowd, the faint lights from the venue shone like the shore of a fantasy world.
{{MC}}: I really wish I could hurry up and see it with him…
Before I’d finished talking, the other end of the crowd started pushing forward.
Suddenly, the packed crowd erupted into pockets of disputes. The shouting grew louder and louder.
Those fragmented snippets from my memory overlapped with the commotion before me.
They were similar, but not completely, like a jumbled jigsaw, producing strong cognitive dissonance.
The music in the air was manipulated by my memory into a source of panic.
Those formerly disconnected scraps started to connect, playing back uncontrollably in my mind–
Chaos, looting, indiscriminate of age or sex.
Hitting, cursing, crying, shouting… loud enough to wake the dead. Even my mind started to tremble.
Were these all things I really experienced?
Or was it all just a nightmare that was all-too-real?
I looked beside me and saw a kid on hands and knees trying to get up.
Seeing that someone was about to fall on him, I reflexively bent down to protect him.
The boy’s clothes and hair were all disheveled, but he still thanked me very politely.
{{MC}}: Did you get lost from your family?
The boy timidly nodded as tears brimmed in his reddened eyes.
I couldn’t just return him back to the crowd like this, so I pulled him out to the roadside.
Radio: “…Little boy, please go immediately to the service desk. Your father is waiting for you.”
Child: Miss, the announcement just now said my dad is waiting for me at the service desk.
{{MC}}: Great, let’s go over there right now. Don’t be afraid. You’ll see your dad soon!
We made our way through the crowd. His hand gripped mine the whole way, afraid of being lost again.
Child: Miss, did you come here with a friend?
{{MC}}: Yes, but we still haven’t met up yet.
Child: Well, will your friend get mad? …I can go to the service desk by myself.
This unusually precocious child made me forget those frightening memories for a moment and laugh.
If Gavin was here instead, he definitely wouldn’t leave the kid to fend for himself.
{{MC}}: Don’t you worry about that. My friend is a good person and would understand.
That’s what I said to the kid, but thinking about the silent phone in my pocket, I still worried.
Where is Gavin now?
Has he been waiting a long time?
Or did he have to go on a last-minute mission like in the past?
All kinds of conjectures only added to my unease.
I forced my focus back onto the boy and finally noticed that he looked a little familiar.
{{MC}}: Where have I seen…
The child, who didn’t seem to have heard me, let go of my hand and ran upon seeing his dad.
Man: Perry!
Perry: Dad!
{{MC}}: …Perry?
The instant I heard the boy’s name, my memory and reality came crashing violently into each other.
Scattered memories turned into a spray of bullets, barraging my mind painfully.
The ashes obscuring my memory were blown away. This time, the protagonists were Gavin and this kid.
An unreadable expression was on Gavin’s tense face, like he was making an arduous decision.
The boy was wiped out by Gavin bit by bit, until where he should’ve been was nothing but dust.
As I watched him, I slid uncontrollably between memory and reality until he came and said goodbye.
Perry: Goodbye, Miss!
Sure enough, he had the same appearance, same height, and the same voice.
The only thing different was–
He was still alive and well!
I watched him walk off, hand in hand with his dad, skipping as he went.
It was clearly a warm reunion, but it made a chill run down my spine.
I don’t remember leaving the service desk. When I came to, I was on a quiet little path.
An evening breeze blew down the narrow path, unable to undo the knot of emotions in my heart.
{{MC}}: …Oh yeah, I still need to find Gavin.
I took out my phone and hesitated for a long while, unable to press the call button.
In my mind, Gavin’s solemn expression stood out as clear as day.
If those things all really happened, then what he went through was a thousand times worse than me.
I didn’t even want to imagine it. What must have he endured to come to such a decision?
The phone in my hand started vibrating. In shock, I loosened my grip.
The phone lay silently on the snowy ground, with Gavin’s name blinking on the screen.
I bent over to get it, but still hesitated. I didn’t know how I’d begin to talk to him–
Should I bring up that incident? Ask him if he ever doubted this world was real?
Or pretend nothing happened, and protect what beauty is left here and now?
The phone obstinately urged me to make a decision as it emitted its low buzzing noise.
I grit my teeth and answered the phone before the notification light extinguished again.
Gavin: I thought I wouldn’t be able to get in touch with you.
{{MC}}: …No, I’m here. It’s just, something happened. Are you there?
I tried to make my voice sound calm, and he didn’t seem to notice anything off.
Gavin: Sorry, I’m still on the way.
Gavin: That day after taking you home, I got an urgent mission…
Gavin still seemed to have something to say, but he held it back.
Gavin: I’m hurrying over there now. Has the celebration started?
As I looked at the raucous crowd and glittering lights in the distance, I lied to him:
{{MC}}: Not yet. Be careful on the road.
Although I didn’t know how I should feel meeting him, I still wanted to have a talk.
{{MC}}: I found another place to wait for you. Hang on, I’ll send you the location.
Gavin: Okay, try to find somewhere out of the wind. It’s cold tonight.
I told him I would and hung up the phone. A bone-chilling wind hit my face.
Snow on my face melted into water, but before it could fall, the wind blew it away in the night air.
Just like a sudden, soundless tear.
[Gavin’s Route – 6]
Under the snow-filled sky, I listened to the opening music of the celebration.
That far-off cheers seemed to have nothing to do with me. My excitement had all evaporated.
Not much time seemed to pass, and yet it also seemed like a long time had passed.
When another snowflake was about to melt in my palm, a figure landed in a nearby shadow.
{{MC}}: Gavin?
He didn’t respond. He just stood silently in the darkness untouched by the streetlight.
His light brown hair was tangled in the wind and contained flakes of snow, glinting a silver glow.
The light was like a shard of moonlight, giving off a cold, solemn ambience.
His expression was somehow different from before, making me worry unconsciously.
{{MC}}: Gavin? Did something happen?
Just like on the phone that time before, he showed a rare hesitation.
His Adam’s apple slid up and down, and then he slowly opened his mouth:
Gavin: …It’s nothing.
Gavin: Let’s go. The celebration’s already started.
His amber eyes seemed to contain too many secrets, not leaving any room for his usual fire.
His lightless gaze drifted to the distance and didn’t land back on my eyes again.
Those once-familiar features were alien to me now. His whole face seemed subdued.
As if he’d been through some intense mental battle, he finally left the shadow and walked toward me.
The forced smile on his face no longer brought reassurance. He seemed estranged instead.
His heavy military boots left deep prints in the snow, and carved away at my heart with each step.
When he’d walked fully into the light, I finally saw he was wearing an entirely new army uniform.
It was the one from my memory, the memory I wasn’t sure was real or false.
The pure black uniform was breathtakingly solemn. The deep black color seemed made for shrouding over other colors.
Was that the reason for the all-black gloves too?
I wanted so much to hear him say this was all just me jumping to conclusions.
{{MC}}: Gavin, do you remember Perry?
{{MC}}: I just saw him.
No confusion, but no denial either. His pursed lips had not one word to say about any “Perry”.
But his silence already proved everything–
Those remnant fragments in my mind, they all really, truly happened.
The music from the celebration replaced his silence, wafting over from the distance.
I pursued him, wanting to grab him and ask him more, but he dodged me instinctively.
As I lunged at air, all I grabbed was the cheerless wind, empty and cold.
I saw those black-gloved hands flex into fists, then loosen, but they didn’t reach for me.
In the music-filled air, just a few indifferent words drifted from him–
Gavin: …Let’s go.
Our shadows elongated under the streetlights and overlapped, like our closeness of former days.
But in reality, we were like two magnets with the same polarity, always keeping a slight distance.
As we approached the noisy crowd, my mind was already far from the celebration.
I looked over at him, but even the warm lights couldn’t soften his unusually severe expression.
As if all I had to do was poke it, and I’d tear open some brutal truth.
He noticed my gaze and was about to turn his head a few times, but he kept his eyes glued forward.
{{MC}}: Gavin…
At my softly uttered call, he finally turned his head toward me.
{{MC}}: Are you not going to tell me anything…?
Gavin: It’s all stuff you don’t have to know.
{{MC}}: Am I really that untrustworthy…?
Gavin: That’s not the problem!
He bristled at my question, growling like an injured wolf in the open field.
Seemingly annoyed at his momentary loss of control, he looked away and rubbed the back of his neck.
For a long while after that, the only sound between us was the whistling winter wind.
He took a deep breath and eased his tone, but he still couldn’t conceal his stiffness.
Gavin: The more you know, the closer you are to danger. I…
A red warning light flashed on his comm radio, interrupting him.
An agitated look flashed across his face, but he still turned from me and pressed the button.
The whole time, he barely said a thing, just mechanically repeating the same words.
I don’t know what he agreed to during the discussion, but I had an increasingly bad feeling.
I waited until the end, hoping in vain that when he turned around, he’d be the same old Gavin again.
Back to that man with admittedly few expressions, but never any so icy cold.
A moment later, he holstered his comm and looked at me with an even more confused expression.
Gavin: {{mc}}, I gotta…
I could guess what he was going to say, but I still wasn’t ready to face it.
I ran at him, wanting to cut him short, but I was tripped by a thick bank of snow.
This was the first time I’d felt that snow, normally so soft-looking, was actually so unyielding.
Gavin hurried to me and squatted down, holding a hand out to me.
But as I was reaching out my hand, that black-gloved hand stopped in mid-air.
Snowflakes fell upon it, and seconds later melted away, as if sucked in by a black hole.
When did those hands that always strove for justice suddenly get shrouded in shadow?
And when did he stop holding out a helping hand to others?
His thin lips opened tremblingly, then closed again, with the same hesitancy as his hand showed.
In the end, his hands just brushed some stray hairs back behind my ears.
Gavin: Get up. The ground’s cold.
I stood up with grit teeth, dusting off the dirty snow and dust stuck to my clothes.
My hands and knees both felt scraped up, but I couldn’t feel any pain anymore.
All I could feel was the way my heart recoiled when he made a face like that.
That expression of goodbye– it wasn’t the first time.
This time there were no raging fires or pursuing soldiers. Just snow, and music in the distance.
Everything looked so wonderful.
Too bad it was just looks.
The truth under this boundless snow was waiting for me to face sooner or later.
Holding back a tingling in my nose, I forced a smile– a farewell present for him.
{{MC}}: Gavin, remember you still owe me a celebration.
The words I left unspoken were–
No matter what, you have to come back alive.
He looked surprised at first, but then nodded gravely.
Then, a glimmer finally reignited in his gloomy eyes.
Gavin: I will. I promise you.
After saying goodbye, he walked away from the happy music and lights and into the darkness.
White snow and a black cyclone swirled around him, soon swallowing up his rigid silhouette.
The snow fell harder, turning the pure black night into an expanse of grey.
I also resolutely set foot on the path he had just taken, turning my back to the cheers of the celebration and walking into the pure white stillness.
If the other end was original reality, then I’d spent enough time in this beautiful dream already.
It was time to wake up.