My legs moved on their own, and as I scrutinized the field, I found a little boy. I recall him wearing rags, but they were clean.
And he was picking flowers– sunflowers, to be exact.
His skin was brown like caramel coffee, his hair was like a mixed scarlet red sunset, and his eyes were a gradient of salmon orange and yellow.
It looked as though the color of the sunflowers was reflecting upon his face. He was smiling, but for some reason, it looked as though he was sad.
Our eyes locked, and I flinched, then he smiled at me. His smile was warm and amiable.
He then approached my way.
"Hello," he said. It sounded soft and welcoming.
It took me a while to reach my voice.
"H-hi, who might you be?" I replied
"My name is Tokyo Rykuta. Are you, by chance, a traveler? I've never seen you around here, and I have a good memory… your hair too, I've never seen it around here before."
I couldn't let this opportunity slip so I quickly went with his suspicion.
"Yes, you are right; I am not from around here and have traveled a long distance. My name is Alice Knight."
And of course I had to lie. But at the same time how can I tell anyone that I just appeared out of nowhere and found myself lost in a world unfamiliar to me?
"Wow, you're a knight!" The boy got closer with excitement and a shimmer in his eyes.
"Haha, unfortunately, I'm not. It's just my name; from where I'm from, knights are only in fairy tale books." I felt more relaxed around him after that chuckle.
"That's weird. Even if you're not from around here, your capital should at least have some knights; every kingdom does. If you don't, then maybe, by chance, you came from a poor village?"
"I suppose." I giggled and let off a grin when the wind passed us once more as the sun's rays grew brighter.
"Wow, miss, your smile is charming," the boy said.
"You are quite bright yourself. Not many kids can talk so well to older people."
He looked confused, so I brushed it off with a smile while patting his head.
"Say, why are you so far away from home?"
Tokyo hesitated a bit before answering me.
"I came here to pick flowers, Miss! Mama isn't feeling too well lately…" as his voice decreases, "but it's okay since I pray for her every day and look after her!"
Oh my, how my heart aches for him. Why do people who deserve to live longer die?
"Do you mind if I help?" I suggested in sympathy.
"Not at all. Mama will be so happy, hehe."
Tokyo ran down the hill excitedly, and some flower petals also jumped alongside him.
I followed behind him, and the field slowly filled with more colors, it was such an enchanting sight to behold!
As I was picking flowers, I swear I felt someone tape my shoulder behind me, but to my surprise, no one was there.
"Meow."
I looked behind my shoulder, only to find a ginger cat with green eyes and exceptionally long whiskers.
Tokyo was already far away from me so I yelled a question that should have been obvious; cat's shouldn't be in fields that don't have water or food, let alone this far in, right?
"Um, Tokyo, is it common to find cats here?"
"Haha, there are rarely any cats in town; why should there be any here?"He then walked further down the field.
"Oh… really", I said. Still trying to comprehend this world's norms.
The cat meowed once more. I knew that if that cat came along with me I would only attract unwanted attention. It was already weird enough that a girl with blonde hair traveled such a long distance from her homeland with nothing but her body.
It was indeed an interesting cat.
Just like him… he too was unique.
…wait…
Who was…?
#2 Dead —
Death is genuinely never a beautiful sight unless you are longing.
I was longing for death, and so was he.
Nabi couldn't take it anymore; he was a lovely mess, was he not?
People who lose their way have also lost their meaning, their place in this world, and their will to live.
I've always found it hard to grasp on to those who lose the sense of living. I yearn to know what drives them, and I yearn to understand how some people in the world are capable of constantly causing that pain– how are they okay with marginalizing people for the sake of fame? How are they able to sense pleasure?
Like a cat, you were told you had many lives, chances, therefore it's okay if you can be reincarnated a second time yet, you know it's just sweet pretty lies, however you still choose to lie to yourself, do you not?
I 've always found it hard to grasp on to the ones who lack the sense of empathy or compassion. I yearn to know who raised them, and I yearn to understand how some people in the world are capable of teaching such a mindset– acknowledge the fact that this can be a trait. How is this now normalized?
How is it that humans are such dehumanized-enforced creatures when we are created humane? What is the use of knowledge when it isn't in use for situations that inquire for such? Why do we let the monsters rule?
Is it not the case?
Only those who were not planned can live once again.
Only those who are genuinely faithful can live once again.
Only those who are ready to repent can live once again.
Only those who are ready can live once again.
Only those with strong resolve can live once again
It's starting to sound like everyone can live again, does it not?
Alice Knight, my new life.
Nabi, charged with 2nd-degree murder, they claim.
I am neither pure nor as innocent as my name describes me.
You can say lemon to lemonade, perhaps.
But neither am I, nor was I, genuinely guilty. It will come to pass one day when you shall know of her.
No matter how many times you may reincarnate, the price is not just your soul but your mind and, later on, your sanity.
The past itself will never leave me behind because the past is also another part of me. Change is not an eraser; change is an evolution.
And so am I.
I will be a soul rather than a heavy word in this world. It's the least I owe to you.