It Became a Time-Stop Slit-Eye

128 – Side Story. The Day After (7)

After the gift exchange, the adults drank alcohol, while the youngsters who had yet to grow out of their teenage awkwardness sipped on soft drinks.

Even though it was clearly a non-alcoholic beverage, Eris gulped it down like she was drunk, and Tokomo, who had exchanged gifts with Rin, sipped on cola with a melancholic expression.

I couldn’t understand why they were so downcast after the gift exchange. Of course, there were more people enjoying the festive atmosphere rather than sulking like them.

People were naturally excited about Christmas, and they were in the midst of hosting a long-awaited party.

Someone, seemingly trying to shake off the heaviness of the past, suddenly stood up and even sang an Enka (Japanese ballad, trot).

“My dear-! I still- think of you all the time! No matter- how much time passes-!”

“Darling! Darling! Calm down-!”

“I’m by your side, baby! Anytime-!”

“Darling!!”

As Shihei Rin sang suddenly and Dokomo held her back, a chuckle escaped me.

I must have made them quite gloomy.

I had accomplished a difficult task, so I thought I should ensure that such things do not happen again in the future.

Let’s live on, watching a noisy and lively scene like this for a long time.

I firmly vowed, looking at the snowflakes falling under the pitch-black sky.

“Merry Christmas.”

This year’s Christmas was peaceful and happy.

***

Even after spending a while during the Christmas holidays, the chilly wind continued to blow.

That must be the essence of the winter season, and the reason why we need to layer up.

I wrapped a pink muffler that resembled someone’s hair around my neck and stepped out the door.

Although the New Year had not arrived yet, it felt like I had received a gift of spring under the pretext of an exchange.

Strange branches, a pure white sky, snow piled up on the road, and a chilly wind.

Yet, despite that, not wearing gloves, my bare hands were incredibly warm.

The warmth of our skin touching each other added to the coziness.

“Haah.”

“Huuu.”

Watching the white breath dissipate, I followed suit to warm the cold air in my lungs and matched my steps with the other person’s.

Hand in hand, we walked like that.

For a very long time.

***

Crash…!

In the collapsing space along with the ground, the woman took a small breath as she embraced the end.

It was a long-postponed death, an ancient and well-ordered conclusion.

Or, after clashing swords for years, it could be called a fierce end.

Regardless of the final judgment, Deus Machina gradually felt the self that was fading away.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t a bad life.

Although it was a crown bestowed by others, ruling the world for a long time and encountering adversaries.

Meeting a better interpreter than the fate originally given, how joyful it was.

Even if the end was death, it was suffused with joy…

In the process where the remains of the castle and the black sky, even the red moon, all returned to nothingness, there was only one regret: not being able to stay together longer.

“… Should have enjoyed another hundred years.”

Apart from that minor regret, it was a splendid struggle and life.

As Deus Machina was about to close her eyes at the conclusion, she felt a certain fate.

Suddenly facing the impending fate, she stared intently into the distance and whispered,

“…It’s not over yet.”

Of course, this was not her story.

As Deus Machina drew its final breath, she turned into dark ashes, scattered.

She vanished along with my world.

***

New Year, the first day.

In a season when white snow usually falls, a change came.

That day, black snowflakes descended.