Chapter 168

“Kunpei-san? Kunpei-san! Pull yourself together, please! Kunpei-san!”

Ah, I was able to say it.

I was able to say what I wanted to say, what I needed to say.

I can go to sleep now, right?

I’m feeling really sleepy.

“Now, Clay! The kids and the spirits consciousness are separating!”

“Oh my God! What a pain in the ass!”

The sound of the explosion was so loud that I felt a pain behind my ears.

The vibrations that shook my body and the fast flickering lights frightened me.

I’m scared.

The sound and the lights are really scary.

I don’t know what it means, and I can’t even use my brain to understand it, but fear just takes over my mind.

My body began to tremble in small increments.

Everything in me is afraid of that light.

“Kunpei-san! Don’t worry, Kunpei -san! I’ll protect you! I promise! I’ll protect you for sure!”

Aoi hugged my head tightly to her chest, shouting as loud as the sound.

I buried my face in her chest and felt her smell and body heat.

Aoi’s hand around my back was reliable.

Aoi’s breathing, with her face buried in my hair, conveys a warmth to my brain.

More, more, still not enough. Both of my hands move, wanting that heat.

My left hand wason Aoi’s waist, and my right hand was searching for her hand.

“I’m here. I’m here.”

Aoi found my right hand as I wandered in search of warmth.

She immediately grabbed that hand and held it.

She intertwined her fingers, never to let go.

“You’re so frightened, poor thing. Don’t worry. I won’t leave you alone. I’ll be with you. I’ll always be with you.”

She laid her cheek against my hair and stroked me with her arm.

“… Ah, forever. Always.”

“… Yes. Because we can only stay with you.”

The violent sound and light was still raging around us, over and over again.

But I was no longer afraid.

If Aoi is next to me, I’m not afraid of anything.

I’m sure we’ll be able to overcome anything.

“Kunpei, won’t you play with us anymore?”

A very young, sad voice echoed inside me.

“Why do those snake and rat keep us and Kunpei away?”

“Seraphy did the same.”

“You told me you’d play with us forever.”

“I thought you said you’d stay with us forever.”

“I miss you, Seraphy.”

“I want to meet you, Seraphy.”

“That snake is detestable.”

“That rat too.”

“But the devil loved Seraphy.”

“And Seraphy loved the devil too.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I don’t understand, Kunpei.”

Ah… I’m sorry. I’m sorry, okay?

It’s not that I don’t like you guys.

But there are kids who can’t live without me.

There are children who won’t stop crying unless I’m around.

I want to live with them.

I want to see their smiles.

And I want to be by Aoi’s side.

That’s why I can’t stay playing with you guys all the time.

Because I…

“I’m Jaja and Nana’s… father.”

That’s right.

My name is Kazamachi Kunpei.”

I’m the father of Jaja Dragoline Kazamachi and Nana Dragoline Kazamachi.

The husband of Aoinoun, Dragoline Kazamachi.

“Yes! You have to be you!”

Alba’s voice echoed in the night sky, drowning out the sound of the explosion.

“Listen! My old friend!”

Alba barked in a voice so dignified that it was hard to believe it was coming from his tiny body.

“This child you love is the very wish that Seraphy had at that time! Perfect, yet imperfect! That kind-hearted founder dragon who loved the fragile because they was powerful! The very thing they begged and pleaded for until the moment of their death! So listen! The ancient wind that carries life! The innocent spirits of life!”

It echoed.

The voice resonated not outside, but inside.

A wish that I want to convey deep in my heart.

Alba Germain’s true words, devoid of all lies and falsehoods.

The words vibrated through the air, conveying not sound, but only meaning to my heart.

“Please watch over him! Your anger! I know your hatred better than anyone! Please, my friends! My old friends! This is the miracle the white dragon wished for! I beg you to watch over it and not harm it!”

His voice sounded as if he was crying.

“The devil is crying.”

The young voices of the butterflies reached my ears.

“At that time, the tears of a devil…”

“Then…”

“Let us once again protect.”

“Let us once again look after the future of Kunpei.”

“The devil’s promise…”

“But we will not forget.”

“But we will not forget Seraphy’s sadness.”

“So, Kunpei…”

“We’ll be back.”

“Whenever you want.”

Yeah, that’s right.

But for now, it’s okay.

“Demon of the Beginning! The promised Alba will not forget your thoughts! That’s why I’m looking! That’s why I want to know! The answer to the question Seraphy asked the world that day! I’m sure it will clear up all our thoughts!”

Alba Germain’s cry was surely a cry of sorrow.

A part of my heart squeezed tightly at the sound of his sorrowful voice.

Soon, all sounds were drowned out.

The only thing I could definitely feel in the ear-splitting silence was Aoi’s warmth.

The pure white light that Alba and Clay must have emitted swallowed up the blackness of the night and the light of the stars.

I held Aoi’s hand tightly in the all-white world that still spread even after I closed my eyelids.

Suddenly, I felt the presence of someone other than Aoi.

It wasn’t next to me, it wasn’t near me, it was a presence I could feel from inside me.

“Alba loves you.”

Who are you…?

“I am Seraphy, the world itself.”

Ah, you’re Seraphy.

You’re Seraphy, the First Dragon.

They’re looking for you, aren’t they?

“Yes, I’ll be with you all the time. Even Alba knows that. But I can’t see anyone, and I can’t hear anyone. But…”

But?

“I believed you could hear me.”

I can hear you…

“Yes, you and your brother.”

Me and Shouhei.

“Children born to Hildegarde through a series of miracles. The world’s most twisted, yet the world’s purest lives. I am certain that you will grasp the future that I want for you.”

The… future that you wanted.

“It’s the future you’ve been hoping for, and it’s shown to you by Aoinoun and your daughters. It is a very happy and very kind future. But you don’t have to worry about anything. You can live your life your way. Don’t worry. Alba will protect you.”

Alba.

“I love you… and…”

Seraphy…?

Wait, Seraphy.

I have a lot of questions.

Please don’t go.

“Seraphy…”

In my slumber, I called out her name, even though I didn’t know her face.

Aoi held me in her arms while I listened to her heartbeat.

My consciousness was slowly being swallowed by the dream.

All that comes to mind is that completely white person who was looking at me worriedly.

Mother.

I don’t even know what I don’t know anymore.

But I’m going to live.

With Aoi, the twins, and the whole family.

So please tell me someday.

Everything.

“… It’s fine. Kunpei-san. It’s okay to sleep. You’re tired, aren’t you? You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you? I understand. I won’t let you go until you wake up. So, good night.”

Is it okay to sleep?

Yeah, that’s fine.

Then I won’t hold back.

“Ah… good night, Aoi.”

“Yes, at least have a good dream. I love you too. Kunpei-san.”

I wish I was with you, even in my dreams.