(Lucien’s Call: Midnight Call)
[Lucien’s Route – Intro]
As I got out of bed and opened the curtains, a wisp of longed-for sunlight lit up my room.
As if it had overheard the promise I’d made to the kids, the weather was cooperating beautifully.
I opened the window and took a deep breath of fresh air, feeling every cell in my body revitalized.
But those foggy memories were still lurking, with no sign of being restored themselves.
I could only remember that I had made a decision, but not a thing about before or after it.
The genial sunshine didn’t have answers for me. It only told me the world outside was good as new–
The aroma wafting from the breakfast joint downstairs had attracted a long line of hungry customers.
Everyone standing in line made chit-chat to pass the time, happy as could be.
People who moments ago were strangers now got along like old friends.
Though mid-winter, the world below was warm and harmonious, the complete opposite my dream.
Recently, I’d been having the same nightmare on and off–
The people in it were greedy, selfish, backstabbing, and murderous…
As if anything good in people had been wiped away, leaving only a primitive “animal”.
I’d scream out, trying to stop them, but it was like I was cut off by an invisible screen.
No one could hear my frail little voice…
But I was constantly hearing a familiar yet strange voice in my ear–
???: “The evolution of humanity… is inevitable…”
The voice was soft and low, but more piercing than a shrill cry.
If evolution was inevitable, then was all this killing and plundering its inevitable path?
I shook my head mournfully, wanting to tell that person there had to be another way.
But every time I turned my head, all I could see was the hem of a black gown in the wind.
And not just once. Each time the nightmare ended in the same place.
And I would sit up in bed, my body soaked, gasping for air like a fish out of water.
The only bright side was that all this evil only existed in the dream.
And this world of the here and now was peaceful and safe.
{{MC}}: Maybe I’ve been under too much stress lately…
{{MC}}: I’ll go ask Lucien and see if he has any ways to relieve stress.
I patted my cheeks to wake myself up and got ready to go out.
As I left, I realized it was colder outside than I’d imagined. I should’ve gotten a thicker coat.
In the cold wind, a sweet aroma warmed me, wafting over from nearby.
It was puffs fresh out of the oven!
{{MC}}: I’ll bring some for the kids. They’ll be sure to like them!
Besides, Lucien seems to like them too.
Every time I bring these, his eyes squint with laughter as he happily takes them from me.
When he does, he loses a bit of his mature wisdom, but makes up for it with playful innocence.
As I entered Loveland University with two bags of puffs in hand, the bell to end class was ringing.
A tide of people surged from the school building and split off energetically in all directions.
Before I had acquired my target, I was lightly smacked over the head by a folder.
Followed shortly by a gentle voice I’d recognize anywhere–
Lucien: Miss {{mc}}, not afraid of catching cold standing out in this wind?
{{MC}}: Lucien!
I turned and met his warm gaze, which was both somewhat reproachful, yet also resigned.
Lucien: It’s windy out. Next time if you come early, wait for me in my office.
{{MC}}: I only just got here…
Lucien: Really? Then why is the tip of your nose frozen red?
Lucien: I saw you from a distance, looking just like a snowman set up in the street.
{{MC}}: You saw me and still snuck up behind me on purpose…
Lucien: Are you calling me devious again?
{{MC}}: …You!
Lucien: Well, it’s all your fault. The expression on your face was just asking to be pranked.
Hearing that, I wanted to cover my burning cheeks, but I was still holding the two bags.
He casually helped take them from me, touching his warm fingertip to my frozen hand.
Lucien: Your hand is ice cold.
Lucien: It looks like the only warm place on you is your blushing face.
I looked away nervously as he teased me, feeling the heat on my face rise a few more degrees.
{{MC}}: …I…
Lucien: Alright, I won’t tease you.
Lucien: Let’s warm you up with a cup of tea first, shall we?
I gently nodded and followed him to his office.
Everything within was just as I’d remembered, tidy and clean.
The gardenia by the window hadn’t flowered yet, like mine at home, but it did brighten things up.
Lucien: Did you buy all these to give to the children?
Waiting for the water to boil, Lucien pointed at the two bags of puffs on the table.
{{MC}}: Right! There’s some in there for you too!
Lucien: What a coincidence. I’ve got some for you, as well.
He went over to his desk and brought over a small cardboard box.
On the box was the same logo that was printed on the bags.
{{MC}}: You bought some too!
Lucien: Yes, because you were coming.
I watched him carefully open the box and discovered the ones he bought were a little different.
{{MC}}: You actually got some of the cat-shaped ones?! They only make 50 a day!
Lucien: Then taste them carefully and see if they’re different from the normal ones.
He put the box on the table and pushed them closer to me.
Then he skillfully prepared the tea. The porcelain pot in his delicate hands glowed with warm light.
The pale steam imparted a honeyed sweetness to his smile as it evaporated into the air.
Not long after, the aroma of tea mingled with the sweet-smelling warmth of the room.
Lucien: Be careful when you drink it. Don’t burn your tongue.
{{MC}}: Would I really be that careless… Ow, hot!
He had just warned me, and still! I bashfully lowered my head, blushing more at his chuckling.
Lucien: Here, let me wipe that.
{{MC}}: You’re still laughing…
Lucien: If it bothers you, then I won’t.
A fresh breeze blew in through a crack in the window, kicking up the curtain and rustling his hair.
His slender eyes beamed with a smile impossible to resist.
The same as always.
[Lucien’s Route – 1]
As we set foot inside the orphanage, the children crowded around us as usual.
Girl: Mr. Lucien, will you make a snowman with us today?
Boy: As if! They already promised last time to have a snowball fight with us!
Watching as the children argued back forth, for a moment I didn’t know how to break it up.
{{MC}}: Um… well…
Lucien: If you all talk at the same time, we can’t hear what you want to do.
With that same, affable smile on his face, Lucien quieted the bickering kids with one sentence.
{{MC}}: …That’s Lucien for you.
Perhaps because he heard me muttering, he turned and looked at me smilingly.
The sunlight fell evenly on his face, making his smile even more tender.
I didn’t know whether to avoid his gaze, or follow my true feelings and stare back at him.
After just a few seconds, this smile that he only made for me once again turned toward the children.
Not minding the snow on his coat, he squatted among the children, discussing their afternoon plans.
Lucien: Let’s make a snowman first, and then have a snowball fight. How does that sound?
The girls who wanted to make a snowman with him nodded in unison, but the boys weren’t having it.
Boy: Why is the snowman first…
Girl: That’s what Mr. Lucien said. What’s with all the questions!
Seeing a second war about to break out, I chimed in with what I thought was a reasonable suggestion:
{{MC}}: How about this? To make things fair, how about we do paper-rock-scissors?
Girl: I’m not doing that! I always lose…
Boy: Then wait for our snowball fight to finish, then make your snowman!
Girl: …I don’t want to.
Seeing glimmering tears form in the girl’s reddening eyes, I offered another solution.
If I was this fast-thinking at work, I probably wouldn’t be getting these stress nightmares…
The thought made me realize I’d forgotten to ask Lucien about stress-relieving techniques…
Several unsolved problems flashed through my mind, but most pressing was still these kids’ dispute!
{{MC}}: How about this? Those who want to build a snowman, go with Lucien. Those who want to have a snowball fight, come with me.
{{MC}}: This way, everyone can play what they want!
After a few seconds of silence, and then a few more of hushed discussion, the children accepted.
As the children were splitting up, I glanced at Lucien and happened to meet his eyes.
A warm gaze fell undisguisedly upon me, more radiant than the sun, warming me to the core.
{{MC}}: …Why are you looking at me…
He didn’t answer me, only drawing a little closer.
I subconsciously drew back, but he lightly pressed on my shoulder. His hand played with my bangs.
Lucien: Don’t squirm. There’s a snowflake stuck here.
Seeing the almost-melted white flake on his fingertip, I looked up reflexively at the winter sky.
{{MC}}: Huh? Wasn’t it not supposed to snow today?
Lucien: Yes. It must have blown down from the tree branch.
Hearing that, I looked at the branch over head. When I looked back, the children were all split up.
Innocent smiles hung on the faces of the children. They were the incarnations of “purity”.
It just made you want to protect them, to give them the utmost care.
{{MC}}: Look how excited the kids are. I really hope the weather stays clear today!
Lucien: It’s not just the kids. I’m excited too.
This time, he didn’t give me time to blush. After standing up, he held his hand out to me.
Lucien: Stand up. If you squat too long, you’ll start to get stiff.
Lucien: After all, you have to have a snowball fight with these kids.
As soon as he said the words, the “snowball fight” kids crowded around me.
Not to be outdone, the “snowman” kids also started pulling Lucien to the other side of the yard.
{{MC}}: …Lucien! After you make that snowman, remember to come sub in for me!
He nodded at me from a distance, then went off with the kids, who were looking contented as can be.
{{MC}}: I hope I have enough stamina to last a round with them…
Then the cruel truth quickly hit me in the face–
{{MC}}: …Stop, wait! Time out! Time out!
{{MC}}: Why don’t I help you all keep score…?
Boy: She’s too chicken…
Thankfully the kids weren’t too unreasonable, and after a little ribbing, they let me go.
Exhausted, I sat on the side keeping score for them. The sound of kids playing surrounded me.
{{MC}}: All this noisy chaos isn’t half bad…
The children chased each other gleefully across the snow white playground, causing quite a ruckus.
Occasionally a kid would fall, and before I could help, another friend had already helped them up.
The children, who were fighting like cats and dogs just before, were now all fine as could be.
No one was holding a grudge or plotting revenge. In these kids’ eyes, the world was pure and simple.
Lucien: You just subbed out without waiting for me to come over?
{{MC}}: When did you come here?! You finished that snowman?
Lucien: Just now.
Lucien: Seeing you sitting here all alone and smiling so happily, I was too curious not to come over.
Lucien tilted his head at me. The sunlight glinting in his eyes showed nothing but curiosity.
Lucien: Did you think of something happy?
{{MC}}: I was just thinking, a world like this is really nice…
Lucien followed my gaze toward the children on the playground and gently nodded.
His brilliant black hair swayed in the wind, just covering his eyes.
Then I heard his voice, sounding a little distorted in the wind, ask something unexpected:
Lucien: So, aside from a world “like this”, what other worlds have you seen?
{{MC}}: I… none.
My heart skipped a beat.
{{MC}}: How could I have seen other worlds? This isn’t a movie.
Lucien: True. I was just curious. A remark like that makes it sound like you’ve lifted the veil on reality.
His keen mind seemed to sense that something was off, but he only gave me a gentle smile.
Just like always. If I didn’t want to talk, he never would pry for more answers.
Should I tell him about those scenes from my nightmare?
But those absurdist calamities were surely just part of my imagination? Unless…
But if I had been through all that, how could I sit like this now, feeling so peaceful beside him…
[Lucien’s Route – 3]
If you were looking for something that brought short-term happiness, “sweets” would be my answer.
Seeing the smiling, crumb-specked mouths of the children, I felt my heart smiling too.
Lucien: Why do I get the feeling you enjoy watching them eat more than you, yourself, enjoy eating.
{{MC}}: Seeing them so happy, I just can’t help but feel happy too!
{{MC}}: And why ask me that? Aren’t you grinning too?
As he helped me clean up, his irrepressible smile widened more at my words, looking just like–
Just like the joy would start suffusing the air around him.
Lucien: Yes, but it’s because of your smile that I can’t help smiling.
He turned my words back around on me, and then he carried on with his cleaning.
I was actually flustered by it and took a few seconds to react.
To hide my loss of composure, I quickly changed the topic.
{{MC}}: Anyway, puffs do a good job bringing happiness all by themselves!
{{MC}}: Whether it’s sadness or stress, there’s no problem something sweet can’t solve!
Lucien: I’ve seen you carrying boxes of cream puffs home quite a lot recently. Is that why?
Lucien: Has something happened?
How did he know about that? My attempt at changing the topic was turning awkward again. There’s only two things recent stress could be for me: normal work stuff or that nightmare.
And proportionately, that nightmare from out of nowhere was definitely the larger of the two.
And it was strange enough to begin with. I wouldn’t know where to begin talking about it.
And then that faint, dull pain in my heart… I didn’t know how to describe that either.
The more I thought about it, the more I felt I should keep it to myself. Probably for the better.
Although I knew I couldn’t fool Lucien, I still tried my best to force a smile
{{MC}}: I… I’ve had so much sugar at this point, there’s nothing wrong now!
{{MC}}: Although, if you have a healthier stress-relieving method, I’m all ears!
Lucien: A healthier method?
Lucien: Actually, I do know one.
He had one hand on the table beside me as he leaned in toward me.
I found myself caught between the table and him, and all I could do was turn my head away.
This just invited him to play with a strand of my hair by my ear, where I could feel his breath.
My ears felt hot, and a little ticklish.
{{MC}}: …Lucien?!
Lucien: Didn’t you want to know a healthier method to relieve stress?
Lucien: I’m afraid you’ll forget again, so listen to me very carefully this time.
Not giving me time to refuse, he leaned close to my ear and spoke slowly and deliberately–
Lucien: I’ve told you before, if you ever have any trouble, you can tell me about it.
Lucien: No matter if it’s about a show, or your life. You can tell me anything.
With that, Lucien released me from his fetters.
His sweet scent soon dissipated, but the words he spoke were carved into my mind.
{{MC}}: But…
Lucien: Do you still think that a puff can help you more effectively than I?
{{MC}}: That’s not what I meant!
{{MC}}: …And also, who would compare themselves to a puff?
Lucien: I’d be more curious about who would choose to keep a problem bottled up and not talk about it.
{{MC}}: I’m just afraid…
Lucien: I know, you’re afraid of being a burden to others, but this is not a good habit to have.
Lucien: Furthermore, I would hope that I’m not just some “other” in your mind.
His words were like the warm winter sun, melting away the anxiety in my heart bit by bit.
After cleaning the table, I realized that there was a little girl sitting quietly in a corner.
{{MC}}: Has that kid been here this whole time?!
Lucien: Yes. She usually doesn’t play with the other kids.
{{MC}}: That’s not it! You clearly knew there was a child here, and… and…
Thinking of how he had me pinned against the table, my face once again grew hot.
Lucien: And what?
Lucien: I was just trying to help you remember something. Is that not appropriate to do in front of a child?
{{MC}}: You…!
Unable to rebut him, I just walked over to the girl, turning a puff over and over in her hand.
Even as I came even closer, her focus never strayed from the puff.
{{MC}}: Does she not know how to eat it?
Lucien: It’s a possibility. This child reacts somewhat slowly to the outside world.
Lucien: Only something that catches her interest will trigger imitative behavior in her.
{{MC}}: I see…
I took a leftover puff from the box, then crouched in front of her and made an “eating” motion.
{{MC}}: Aaah–
Girl: …Ah.
Imitating me, the girl opened her mouth. Then she started tearing into it, and a smile formed.
{{MC}}: Haha, you can take your time and eat it.
Lucien: If you take too much time with yours, it’s going to fall.
As he spoke, he squatted beside me and grabbed my wrist before I could react.
As he stooped down with his tall frame, he carefully wiped the cream off my hand.
Seeing him hunched over so awkwardly, I wanted to laugh, but I also felt a surge of warmth.
The girl, almost finished eating her puff, looked up at us and held out her last bite for Lucien.
He gently tilted his head and smiled at her, then took the remains of the puff without hesitation.
Lucien: Thank you.
Perhaps afraid Lucien would waste her gift, the girl waited as he finished it before running off.
He turned and looked at me, and the last bite of puff in my hand.
Lucien: Are you waiting for me to take care of that last bite of yours too?
{{MC}}: No, no need!
{{MC}}: If you want more, there’s a whole one over there!
I pointed at the nearby box as I stuffed my last bite in my mouth and munched it down.
He looked at me again teasingly, his eyes brimming with laughter sweeter than cream.
[Lucien’s Route – 4]
After their snack, the other kids all went out to the playground. Only that one girl had stayed.
A giant sketch book and a table strewn with colored pens seemed to be her entire world.
She leaned over the table, busily sketching something, as if she had to draw everything she saw.
A tiny figure, striving in her own way.
{{MC}}: If possible, I really hope she can join in with the other kids.
Hearing sounds of laughter from outside, I wanted to take her by the hand into their noisy world.
Of course, I knew that you couldn’t force that kind of thing.
I felt disheartened, like my hands were tied. She was so small, but I could do nothing.
This feeling of powerlessness, of being unable to save someone, felt like something I’d felt before.
Snippets from my nightmare flashed before me. My hands broke out in sweat from the sudden panic.
Lucien took my hand without minding and led me over to the girl in the corner.
Lucien: With enough time and love, she can be like the other children too.
Lucien: Do you want to try to help her?
{{MC}}: Huh? Won’t we disturb her?!
Lucien: If we can get permission to enter her world, then it’s not a disturbance.
Lucien: Now, we just need to wait quietly for her to invite us in.
We stood at a distance that wouldn’t disturb her, watching her gracefully sketching away.
Irregular-shaped puffs filled the page, some square-ish, some oblong, but each with a huge smile.
It seemed, in her eyes, this was what the world was like.
Happiness, it seemed, could manifest itself in such a simple manner.
After emphatically drawing the last smile on the last puff, the girl finally turned to us.
She stared at me. After a long time she suddenly stood up, walking towards us with pen in hand.
She’s finally extending an invitation to us!
I happily accepted the pen she handed me, swaying in front of Lucien as if I’d won an award.
He smiled approvingly and lightly pushed me into the seat next to the girl.
{{MC}}: You’re not coming too?
I patted a stool next to me, but he just smiled and shook his head.
Lucien: If I sat there, I don’t know where I’d put my feet.
{{MC}}: Right…
Perhaps sensing my disappointment, Lucien patted my shoulder and said in my ear:
Lucien: You’ll have to do your best to fill in for me.
Lucien: You guys have fun drawing. I’ll just watch from back here.
{{MC}}: Okay, but you gotta watch all the way until we’re done!
Lucien: Yes. After all, I want to see what this world is really like in your eyes too.
The girl tapped my elbow, interrupting our exchange.
I took the pen that she handed me and waited for her to give me some paper.
She originally wanted to give me a whole sheet, but she ended up tearing me off a lop-sided half.
She looked sorry holding up that half sheet of paper, but I held out my hand.
{{MC}}: Give it here. It’s fine.
The girl looked back from me to the paper, and with a decisive look, she finally plopped it down.
{{MC}}: Thank you. Now we can start drawing.
The girl had already started. As she drew, her color choices were always surprising and interesting.
I also starting sketching, thinking hard about what my ideal world looked like.
It should be a world without fighting or disasters, a dreamland as simple as a child’s heart.
Even thinking about it, my mouth unconsciously curled up into a smile.
As I put pen to paper, ideas just poured out of me.
For a while, I forgot about time, about the outside world, only wanting to get this drawing out.
When I do, I want to show it to the girl, and to Lucien, and see if it aligns with their ideal worlds.
But, before I could finish, my pen started losing its color.
I swapped for another one, then another, but none of them left a solid mark on the page.
As I was anxiously swapping pens, the little girl had finished her masterpiece.
She excitedly held up her drawing to me, completely unaware she was holding it upside-down.
On the page, I could make out a tall man wearing a black coat.
The smile on his upside-down face didn’t look happy, but instead looked somehow upset.
Clearly this was most likely just a character the girl made up, but he felt familiar to me.
{{MC}}: Who is this guy you drew?
Hearing my question, the girl plopped the paper down on the table.
I thought my prodding question may have offended her, but she pulled me by the hand toward the door.
Girl: Mr. Lu-lu.
Is she talking about Lucien?
Seeing the empty hallway, I realized that Lucien had taken off without me knowing.
Did he have to leave because of some emergency?
And why did I get a feel of deja vu from his lingering scent in the air?
My memory was like a broken radio, just sputtering noise, unable to pick up a clear signal.
I wanted to call him or send a message and find out where he ran off to so suddenly.
As I took out my phone, a pen dropped out of my pocket and rolled under the table.
I bent over to pick it up, feeling something carved into its surface.
{{MC}}: Iridescent?
The pen lying in my hand looked both familiar and strange at the same time.
The name carved into it was beautiful, but it only awakened those horrible memories in my mind.
That Lucien looked quite like the one the girl had drawn. Dark, fierce, no trace of tenderness.
That Lucien was both unfamiliar, yet so like the one from the nightmare that plagued me so.
At this moment, the world I knew split into complete opposites: half heaven, and half hell.
I felt strongly attached to the tender, affectionate Lucien and the wonderful world I was in.
But I couldn’t simply disregard that world of strife, that cruel and strange Lucien, as imaginary.
My palm gradually turned cool, not just because of the cold steel pen.
More so because of a chill welling up from deep within me.
This world was splendid and warm, but there was a place in my heart that was only an oppressive black and white. And it was expanding outward, bit by bit.
At a speed I could not control, it eroded away everything beautiful that I held dear.
[Lucien’s Route – 6]
From that day forward, I couldn’t get in touch with Lucien again.
When I wasn’t working, I can’t count how many times I got my hopes up and tried to call him.
But each time, a stiff, electronic voice cut off what was left of my hope.
“The caller you have dialed has not answered. Please try again later…”
“The phone you have dialed is powered off…”
“The number you have dialed does not exist…”
The piercing dial tone stung in my ear, in stark contrast to sound of music outside.
{{MC}}: It seems the holidays are already here…
Although I knew going out would only make me sadder, I also couldn’t stay cooped inside any longer.
{{MC}}: I’ll go out for a walk…
The street was lined on both sides with decorations and filled with people.
We used to walk this street together who knows how many times.
We’d look up together at the sparse, dim stars dotting the sky above the city.
We’d complain together about things at work.
We’d encounter a little cat in the bushes, and we’d crouch down and try to get its attention…
In my memories, this was a place full of joy and laughter.
But now, there seemed to be an invisible screen between me and the crowds. I was completely cut off.
As the celebration drew near, the street grew more crowded, until we were packed in.
I was pushed along with the crowd and accidentally bumped into the person in front of me.
The person turned impatiently, his snarling expression making me swallow back my apology.
Man: You’re a grown adult. Haven’t you learned to walk yet?!
{{MC}}: S– sorr…
???: She’s apologizing, isn’t she?
A cool voice sounded from above me.
I turned in surprise, finally seeing that face that had appeared in my dream so many times–
{{MC}}: Lucien?!
The gaze that fell on me was mirthless, even more chilling than this winter evening.
That person was still pitching a fit, but Lucien had pulled me back through the crowd the other way.
{{MC}}: …Lucien, where are you going?
A howling wind blew away any warmth I had. I wasn’t sure if he’d heard me, but he didn’t respond.
His rough pull on my wrist and his alien, icy tone both jarred me, like a stabbing pain.
Could it be… the unsmiling Lucien from my nightmare is the real him?
Are the things that happened in my nightmare all things that I really experienced?
Before I could untangle this confusing knot of thoughts, he had led me out of the crowd.
When we got to a place that wasn’t so crowded, he let go of me and gave me a look.
Lucien: You came out in a crowd like this all by yourself?
Lucien: Want to walk? Or do you want to stick around and see the celebration fireworks?
Although it was a question, I didn’t hear any hint of invitation in it, more like a threat.
In my memory, all our plans to watch fireworks together always fizzled out, like it was never meant to be for us to enjoy their fleeting splendor together.
This time was no exception.
I forcefully shook my head and tried to keep up with him.
I didn’t know where we were going, but compared to fireworks, he seemed even more… ephemeral.
On the snowy ground, a confusion of footprints stacked upon each other, blurring their outlines.
The lights from the celebration turned the slushy ground into a fantastical cascade of colors.
Engrossed with the ground, I wasn’t paying attention and bumped into his back.
Lucien stopped walking and pulled me beside him.
Lucien: Come closer, so you don’t get bumped again.
{{MC}}: …Okay.
He pulled me closer, then hesitated and drew his arm back from around my shoulder.
The crowd suddenly erupted with noise. The celebration seemed to have entered the countdown phase.
I regarded his angular profile, which seemed cold and detached from the boisterous crowd.
Seemingly sensing my gaze, Lucien’s dark eyes fluttered a moment.
A passing light fell on his eyes, gleaming over his cheeks and mouth, outlining a false tenderness.
Lucien: That “really nice” world you speak of, is it just like this…?
The second part of his sentence was drowned out by the countdown. I didn’t hear it clearly.
Crowd: 3…
Crowd: 2…
Crowd: 1!
Fireworks lit up the night sky till it was more brilliant and eye-catching than the daytime.
Though it didn’t make much difference, people in the back of the crowd still jostled to get closer.
Before I could react, Lucien grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a little gap in front of him.
Embers of glittering silver light streamed down, melting into his soft hair.
At first I thought it was from the fireworks, but then I realized snow had filled the sky again.
A flake melted on the tip of my nose, making me sneeze and breaking the awkward silence.
Lucien held me with one hand and took off his coat and draped it over me with the other.
{{MC}}: Thank you…
I followed behind him. As the thick, falling snow slowly separated us, I felt compelled to speed up.
But I also had the feeling that I wasn’t going to just blindly follow along behind him anymore.
The me from my nightmare didn’t seek his help when faced with disaster far crueler than some wind and snow. She boldly made her own decision.
So why should the me now just tag along behind him?
And moreover, he was only focused on the unknown in front of him.
Thinking this, I slowly halted my steps. He carried on silently, fading into the snowy night.
Lucien: You’re not coming along this time?
The sweeping snow obscured his form. I could only faintly make out that he’d stopped walking.
{{MC}}: Because… our directions… were never the same from the start.
I strained to announce my decision in the direction his voice had come from.
Lucien: If we meet again, I hope you’ll remember these words you’ve spoken.
His voice wafted back at me through the pure white snow, as he faded away without looking back.
The chill winter wind howled past me, stinging my eyes.
I couldn’t tell if it was the snow or tears that first caused my eyes to blur. I wiped at my face.
Then I turned and walked off in the opposite direction from him–
The empty swath of snow in which the cruel truth lay hidden.