Epilogue 3

Hiyori.: Mm, I get what you’re saying, but it just feels like it can’t possibly be real...

Well, I guess you could say that nothing about you has felt real from the moment we met, really.

Whenever we talk about your father, it always sounds like I’m listening to some kind of myth.

Nagisa.: ...Everything you say is true, Hiyori-kun.

...Neither Father nor my Mother. Not even the Priest who erased my memories remains in this world.

...The letter that Father wrote is like a myth: It is impossible to prove that it’s true.

...And so, it is our responsibility to decide whether to believe in this myth or not.

...Is it the story that Shaka-san told us? Or is the the myth that Father left behind?

...Hiyori-kun, which should I believe?

Hiyori.: Which one should you believe? Well, whichever one you want to believe, I suppose!

Nagisa.: ...Whichever one I want?

Hiyori.: Of course, I’m sure this is a crucial matter for you.

After all, you’ve always wanted to know who you are and where you come from.

But to me, that’s an insignificant thing.

Because no matter who you are, Nagisa-kun, you’ll always be my beloved family.

So if you ask me which one I prefer, all I can say is this.

Just believe the story that makes you smile! That is good weather ♪

Nagisa.: ...Fufu. You are always teaching me important things, Hiyori-kun.

...You’re right. I don’t know the truth, so I will believe what I want to believe.

Hiyori.: Yes yes! The best decision you can make is the one that lets you keep smiling after it’s all over!

Nagisa.: ...Hiyori-kun. The reason I am smiling now is because of you.

...You entirely rewrote this story of mine, which should have ended in tragedy.

...Because of that day. When you put your hand in mine and promised to guide the way to the stage of my dreams—

...No matter how often the world is steeped in darkness, my own world is illuminated by a radiant, shining sun ♪

A memory. The day that Nagisa was adopted into the Ran family

Nagisa: ......

Hiyori: Come on now, Nagisa-kun. Don’t just stand there staring into space. I’d love if you could help me get ready for your move, actually!

Here, can you put everything you think you’ll need into this bag?

Nagisa: ...Yes. Okay.

Hiyori: Well, I’m sure your new family will provide everything you need to live, but still.

It would be rude to make them do it all themselves. We should do what we can on our own.

Things like clothes, school supplies, your personal belongings. You need to make sure you bring all of your essentials... oh, wait!

(That photo of Nagisa-kun when he was younger... what should I do with it?)

(It’s just a guess, but I think that’s something the suspicious person had on him.)

(I told that guy never to come near Nagisa-kun again, but it’s not like we got it in writing.)

(It’s always possible that he’ll come back for the photo.)

(At the same time, it’s the only thing connecting Nagisa-kun to his past. It’s hard to just throw it away...)

(Oh, well. Sorry, Nagisa-kun, but just like the safe, I’ll just have to hide it for safekeeping.)

(Who knows? There may come a time when we need it again.)

Now then, Nagisa-kun. It’s about time to head out. Are you all ready to go?

Nagisa: ......

Hiyori: Nagisa-kun...

(Nagisa-kun hasn’t had much energy since that day. He’s looked almost depressed, like he was when we first met.)

(Well, the reason is obvious enough.)

(Since I’m the one who caused this, I should do something to cheer him up.)

(Isn’t there something I can do to make him feel better...?)

......

... ♪ ~ ♪ ~ ♪

Nagisa: ...! Hiyori-kun. Your song.

Hiyori: Fufu. How’s my singing, Nagisa-kun?

Nagisa: ...Very good. You are like idol, Hiyori-kun.

Hiyori: Ahaha, well, compared to a real idol, I’m pretty shoddy.

But I thought even if it’s shoddy, it would be worthwhile to try singing to lift your spirits.

Nagisa: ...Lift, spirits?

Hiyori: Yep. I sang that song just for you and tried to fill it with hope that you’ll feel better.

Back when you’d first arrived at the manor, you sang a song like this to me, too.

Nagisa: ...Wanted. Hiyori-kun, to smile.

Hiyori: Back then, you would just start singing for no reason. It really gave me a shock.

But thinking on it now, I realize just how amazing idols are.

They bring smiles to people’s faces and lift their spirits with their songs and performances.

So Nagisa-kun, before we go our separate ways, promise me something.

Nagisa: ...Promise?

Hiyori: Will you become an idol with me?

Nagisa: ...! Hiyori-kun, become idol?

Hiyori: Honestly, I fell hard for it. It was the way they make so many people happy just by smiling.

I found myself wishing that I could do the same thing with my smile, too.

So, Nagisa-kun. Let’s make sure to meet again when we’re in the entertainment industry.

Nagisa: ...Yes. I, promise.

Hiyori: Good. Then, let’s pinky swear to cement the pact.

Nagisa: Pinky swear?

Hiyori: Yep. You link your little fingers together like this—like this.

Now we’re bound to it. Cross our hearts and hope to die~

Nagisa: ...Hope, die?

Hiyori: That’s for when you break a promise. You don’t want anything bad to happen to you, so you’ll make sure to keep your word.^[1]

Nagisa: ...Make sure.

Hiyori: Ahaha. Well, we both know you’ll become an idol.

The one who has to work hard at it is me. I mean, I don’t know the first thing about idols.

I’ll need to do a whole bunch of—what are they called, lessons?—for singing and dancing, if I want to be a worthy idol.

So that when I stand next to you, I won’t be a total embarrassment.

Nagisa: ...Will, wait. Look, forward.

Hiyori: Fufu. It’s a promise. Then I won’t say goodbye.

I know for sure that we’ll meet again, Nagisa-kun.

Nagisa: ...Yes. We meet. Again, right?