Kimoko stiffened. She let go of Kigami’s hand and slowly turned to Estella. Something dangerous flashed in her eyes.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJzV2fyaaZ
“What?” Her voice was low, tense.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx3fttENsk
Estella didn’t flinch from her gaze, even though she felt her heart pounding in her chest. Sooner or later she had to tell them. And she’d rather do it now than if they found out in the worst possible way.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6vGnPQv6K
“I don’t have it,” she repeated quietly. “I never had it.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4TqFzjB4x
There was silence, so deep that Estella was almost certain she could hear her own blood pulsing in her temples. Kimoko looked at her as if she didn’t believe it. As if she wanted to hear that it was a joke. But Estella wasn’t joking.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa9fUoaPwJ
“You lied to us,” she said finally, and there was no anger in her voice anymore. Only cold disappointment.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69qZNHpffz
“I had to,” the goddess replied. “If I told you the truth, you wouldn’t help me.” Kimoko laughed quietly, but it wasn’t a happy laugh. It was empty.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZdL9kMH1O
“So it’s like this. From the beginning… all this time…”
“I had no choice,” Estella interrupted sharply. “If you knew…”
“If we knew, then what?” Kimoko interrupted. “We wouldn’t risk our lives for you? Didn’t trust you? Don’t you think it’s too late now?”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡweLFZrwlGx
Estella clenched her hands. She couldn’t deny it. She couldn’t even pretend that what she had done was right. But… she still didn’t regret it.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfAzeMnMZz
Kigami, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQmxAgoJPd
“So where is the crystal?” he asked calmly. Too calmly.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfShiETnkwf
Estella swallowed.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb1ZNq9etKY
“It’s… in the hands of my oldest brother, Icaros, maybe you know him better as the ‘personification of law’.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFHrtntah0
Kimoko froze. Her breathing became shallow, as if she was trying to calm herself, but her trembling hands betrayed her true emotions.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWZ38VbeXJj
“Icaros.” She repeated the name with such coldness that the air around them suddenly seemed thicker. Are you telling me that all this time we were chasing something that was out of our reach from the start?
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jcwJ00Var
Estella was silent. She felt the weight of their gazes on her, like blades dug into her skin.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgeP85BePj
‘' So what now? ‘' Kigami turned to her slowly. ‘' Do you have a plan? Or did you just hope that somehow it would work out?’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTp0aziDhUt
‘' I couldn’t tell you.’’ the goddess began, but Kimoko immediately interrupted her.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGHfBxjHEP
‘' You couldn’t or didn’t want to? ‘' Anger flashed in her eyes. ‘' You can’t tell me you didn’t know how this would end!’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ79TIJdWPEv
Estella fell silent. Kigami stood still, staring at his feet. Kimoko wasn’t sure if it was from anger or disappointment, but she saw hidden fear in his eyes.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknK1M7rSgh
‘‘Kigami… what is it?’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUV8zl97KT2
Kigami looked at her.
‘' “The personification of law” is the god Veridona. In practice, nothing is known about Veridona, except that everyone must obey the laws devised by this god, no matter how absurd they may be. And their god… has some sick obsession with demons, he wants to judge us all.’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQghow4kuso
His voice was quiet, almost as if he had already accepted that they would never recover Estella’s crystal.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZZUlvLmSp
Kimoko raised an eyebrow.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWmkWdzjfp
“What do you mean nothing is known?”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojJlT7RqyG
“Veridona has been missing for centuries,” Estella replied.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL2VZ94GMf
“Even I don’t know where my brother is or what he’s up to.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pUMILgb7S
“So who does?” Kimoko asked, trying to hide the frustration in her voice.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjvx3u4pWt
“Anstellerette. He had the best relationship with Icaros from the beginning. If you want to find out anything about Veridona, you have the best chance with him.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8b1Jde8oQQ
Kigami looked at the goddess with a cold, reproachful gaze. Kimoko saw how much he held it all against her, the lies, the fact that he almost died because of her, and now the fact that she had only just revealed the identity of her oldest brother.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qChGJjbNV
“Why… why did he take it from you?” he whispered.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6DAgWHwe6
Tears welled up in Estella’s eyes, as if her own words had struck her like blades.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPdRlHnQQh
“He didn’t trust me. From the beginning, he thought I wouldn’t be able to protect that crystal.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyW230ethr2
“And he was right…”
After those words, the world seemed to stop for a moment. Estella stood still, only lowering her head. Kigami didn’t say anything more. He simply turned around, grabbed Kimoko’s hand, and pulled her along. The girl moved without resistance. She didn’t understand anything anymore. She didn’t know what was right. She was tired of both Estella’s and Kigami’s secrets and lies, and yet her heart told her something else—that each of them had their reasons. But would she ever be able to trust Estella again?
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvC4aVi6Cm
She cast one last glance over her shoulder. Estella stood there, watching them as they got further away from her.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0QGTP0mWs
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnr2X8LR7h
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnviWoAQUAq
- in the Evening
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jtLS8XFdF
Kigami and Kimoko sat by the fire. They were silent the whole way. The girl looked up at the boy who was staring into the flames. However, the dancing tongues of fire were not reflected in his eyes. He no longer reminded her of the Kigami she knew - he was just an empty shadow of himself. She sighed quietly and put one of the berries lying on the hem of her blouse into her mouth.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbo11pfgx6
“Tomorrow we have to find a way to get to Nokta.”
Kimoko swallowed hard.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5HQD56Wwu
‘‘Is he telling me that he intends to leave Estella to her fate?’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBOqZbXJK2
“Wait… weren’t we supposed to help Estella first?”
Kigami looked at her, then burst out laughing. The sound made a shiver ran down her spine.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIBgSW92Vq
“Do I look like an idiot to you who would risk his life for a spoiled brat who can’t handle herself?”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmMhulq3oT
“Don’t forget we had a deal with her.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OjnXXBnxQ
“A deal?! Kimoko, do you hear yourself? That deal lost its value the moment she admitted to lying to us!
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPjcI4ZzGm
“You know that doesn’t make you any better than her?” His gaze softened. He looked as if it had only just now really sunk in.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgG06L1B1tX
“…So what? It doesn’t matter anyway. To her I’m already a monster…” Kimoko clenched her fists.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmLOutVUMK
“Do you really think so?” she asked quietly.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtiR43QZUb
Kigami didn’t answer right away. Staring into the fire, he gave the impression that he was talking to himself, not her.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBTSAvoCAg
“And isn’t that true?” his voice was devoid of emotion. “Maybe that’s for the best. After all…what else am I if not a monster?” Kimoko narrowed her eyes.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVHnyqmGdZ
“Stop talking nonsense.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvq2wFu7wnV
“Nonsense?” He smiled bitterly. “I knew the whole way there that she was hiding something from us, but I still believed her. I was an idiot.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfPmdYbqk6D
“Maybe.” Kimoko shrugged. “But that doesn’t mean you’re right to leave her to her fate.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnSaA72Xrfw
Kigami looked at her sharply.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4w4ns38Qc
“Why not?”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdY705WzVJE
“Because if we leave her, we’ll be just like her.” Her gaze was hard. “Or maybe worse.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITqPBxs6M6
“Worse?” he snorted.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMqe2PgQTQ
“Yes. Because at least she had a reason to lie to us. We… we just want to turn away from her because it’s more convenient for us.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡplSM8ZOiir
There was silence.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwOUece0x9U
Kigami clenched his jaw, looking away. Kimoko could see him struggling with his thoughts. Fighting with himself.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbTpmbU4ff
“It’s not that simple, Kimoko…”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbiazQ6KdS3
“It never was.” She looked him straight in the eye.
‘' But isn’t that what we’re here for? To do things that aren’t easy?’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiyXsm5y3a8
Kigami took a deep breath, as if trying to calm himself down.
‘' Even if… ‘' His voice was quiet. ‘‘How do we know she won’t lie to us again?’’
‘' We don’t.’’’ Kimoko shrugged. ‘‘But you know what? We weren’t completely honest either, were we?’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡctNNbEhpkc
Kigami looked at her in surprise.
‘' What are you…’’
‘‘Come on.’’ Kimoko rolled her eyes.
‘' Do you think I didn’t notice how long you’ve been hiding something?’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1yiMAkt3h
He didn’t answer.
‘' So what? Are we supposed to pretend that she’s the only one to blame now?’’ Kimoko tilted her head. “ Or are we old enough to admit that we all have our secrets?”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbd5w7BMRz7
Kigami bit his lip.
‘' Do you know how annoying it is?’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiu2qbGuGS
Kimoko smiled crookedly.
‘‘I know. But does that mean I’m wrong?’’
He didn’t answer.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw9FNbS4GcE
They sat in silence for a long moment, looking at the flames. Finally, Kigami took a deep breath and tilted his head back, looking at the night sky.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRoihVaY2x
“Shit…”
Kimoko smiled.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpEagVh8Ci
“So it is.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86qVPZM9oH
“I’m not saying, you’re wrong.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPld6KGNKtc
“But you’re thinking about coming back.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIiLDKDLEi
Kigami clenched his fists, but didn’t deny it.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGqtnsMmksp
Kimoko knew that would be enough. For now. Kigami stared at the night sky for a long time, as if searching for an answer he couldn’t find in himself. Finally, he sighed heavily, closing his eyes.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSjnudDOUm
“If we go back… what next?”
Kimoko crossed her arms over her chest.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dqQmiOVBC
“We’ll find a way to get the crystal back. That’s our goal from the beginning, right?”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zETcGxbx8
“Our goal…” Kigami shook his head. “I don’t think it’ll be that easy anymore.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEWhu8IyMm
Kimoko raised an eyebrow.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3IqnUQA9cg
“It never was.’’
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdUHoGIFVVY
“That’s why.” He looked at her sharply. “It’s even worse now. Before we even knew Estella had it. Now… we have to get to Veridona.” Kimoko nodded reluctantly.
“But first we need to find Anstellerette.”
“If he agrees to help us at all.” There was a moment of silence. “You think he won’t help his own sister?” she finally asked.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPEkVc4pxt
Kigami snorted. “The question is, does it even matter to him.”
Kimoko had no answer. She didn’t know Anstellerette. She didn’t know how he would react if they mentioned Estella, after all he was probably still mad at her.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGG2qcClwc
“We’ll go back to her tomorrow.” Her tone left no room for argument.
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡij9ky6IATe
Kigami looked at her skeptically. “And what will you tell her?”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRawpzHF19x
“That we believe her.” Kimoko shrugged. “Or at least, that we want to believe her.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYM511I9LMM
“A lie.”
100Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgysdUfo13N
“Maybe.” She smiled faintly. “But sometimes a lie is the only way to find out the truth.” Kigami watched her for a moment, then looked away. “I hate it when you’re right.” Kimoko laughed quietly. “Get used to it.” The silence between them wasn’t as heavy as it had been before. There was still something uncertain about it, full of unspoken words and hidden wounds, but at least they both knew what they had to do.
然後按「加至主畫面」