[Some time after that incident.
Inexplicably, around the time I befriended the Molded Giant (or rather, its head), which claimed to be the lingering consciousness of Eveline—the one Ethan defeated three years prior.
As Eveline had foretold, Ethan's body, pushed to its limits, slowly deteriorated. He passed from this world just recently, two years after the deadly battle in the village. Until the very end, he wore a smile to avoid worrying Rose, surrounded by me and many others who watched over him. I've taken custody of his calcified remains to prevent them from being exploited. It's a shame to have lost that cheeky little kid and my sharp-tongued friend.
He entrusted me with caring for young Rose and Mia. Including Rose's mysterious powers, I'll protect them with all my might, honoring the man who fulfilled his role as a father to the last. ...Piers. I won't let sacrifices like yours happen again... (It ends here.)]
"The scorched remnants of the forest remind people of the father's sacrifice... and even now, children who stare at that desolate land are said to dream of getting lost while picking berries."
Some months had passed since the tragedy in the village. Inside a certain bus, a girl softly read aloud from the picture book Village of Shadows—the one Miranda, disguised as Mia, had once read to Rose. She placed a bouquet on the adjacent seat, draped in a military jacket with an odd pattern like dried bloodstains. On her left index finger gleamed a ring, an earpiece adorned her left ear, and long golden hair cascaded to her neck beneath a black hat. This girl, in her mid-teens, bore a face reminiscent of Mia or Eveline. She smiled while overhearing a parent-child conversation from the seat ahead, then gathered her things as the bus reached her destination and stepped off.
"...Yeah, I know, Dad."
With that quiet murmur, she alighted at a hillside cemetery. Tucked away in a secluded spot stood the gravestone. An empty one, inscribed with [Ethan Winters].
"...Dad. Happy birthday."
She placed the bouquet before it, her gaze not on the stone but lifted toward the sky.
"I couldn't come last week—sorry. Tests and all sorts of things... You already know, right? You told me not to come, but I will anyway. Because..."
Her words trailed off as the sound of brakes and a horn echoed. Turning, she spotted a sleek, black, rugged vehicle. Out stepped a figure in dark clothes and sunglasses. The girl made no effort to hide her displeasure.
"Ugh, worst timing. Looks like work. Don't get so mad... I love you."
"Ah, found it... That spot, of all days."
With a wry smile, the girl approached the man. He seemed to have been contacting someone, then straightened up to face her.
"It's your turn. We're counting on you, Eveline."
At those words, the girl's face twisted in fury as she grabbed his collar, her eyes blazing with murderous intent.
"Don't ever call me that again. That's my sister's name. I won't tolerate the insult."
"Whoa, whoa, just a joke, Rose."
The man raised his hands in surrender. The girl—grown-up Rosemary Winters—kept her grip on his collar as she continued.
"I could test that 'power' Chris doesn't even know about on you, you know?"
<<"Ready to fire anytime.">>
"Stand by. No issues. Still just a kid."
She shoved him away, then obediently climbed into the passenger seat. The man adjusted his tie after another call and returned to the driver's side.
"I still can't control it..."
"You're starting to take after him."
"...I know."
The girl had been downcast about something, but the man's words brought a smile to her face. The car sped off. This was undoubtedly a happy ending. Rose, whom Ethan and Eveline had fought desperately to protect, had grown into a strong and beautiful young woman. Ethan couldn't escape his body's collapse in the end, but his will endured. Why?
'What the hell? Did that guy just call my little sister by my name? And with total malice! If Ethan were alive, I'd probably let him deck the bastard.'
'Agreed. Acting all high and mighty while messing with my daughter. As if I'd let Rose dirty her hands.'
'And calling her a kid? That's awful! She's grown so much!'
'Rose... all grown up (teary-eyed).'
'He said you're starting to take after Ethan. How's that feel, Papa?'
'Thrilled, obviously. Even that shades-wearing jerk says something right once in a while.'
'But Ethan, you're right here— she doesn't need to visit the grave so often. It's not like your body's even buried there.'
'She's a good kid, honoring her parents. Makes me happy.'
"Dad, Sis. You're both ruining it—happy as I am, just shut up."
Rose muttered this with an exasperated look, complaining softly. And that's why. Floating around her were two apparitions—lingering thoughts or ghosts—visible only to Rose and Mia: a smaller one, looking younger than Rose but every bit her dignified big sister, the girl Eveline; and a man in a shirt and jeans, Rose's father, Ethan.
'But seriously, who would've thought Ethan would end up like me?'
'Thanks to the data BSAA gathered on Eveline and the unique mold, we figured out most of your powers. Once I knew how to use it, I could do the same.'
'Ethan's more B.O.W. than I am—Miranda would be shocked.'
Ethan, unable to let go of his regrets, had mastered his body using the cells within Mia and Rose until he could achieve the same state as Eveline. Even after losing his physical form, he still spent his days happily with Rose and Mia. His main entertainments were watching movies and dramas—since, like Eveline, he couldn't eat, he often felt a pang of hunger.
'No physical body for Ethan anymore, so no manifesting. And just when we'd formed the Molded Giant's head on Ethan's right hand to let him eat. Only two years—he barely got to enjoy his favorites.'
'Quit complaining. Be grateful to Mia for all the cooking she did to indulge your gluttony.'
'I am grateful, but come on— I wanted restaurant food, Japanese stuff like sushi, oden, udon, soba, miso soup...'
'Weird lineup... Your eating style is straight-up monstrous; no way we could've gone to a normal place.'
'Pizza was amazing, though. And now we can't talk to Chris directly anymore. That was fun, you know? We bonded over having little sisters.'
'Yeah, not being able to chat with Chris except through Mia or Rose is tough. He felt responsible for my death, even though it was my choice.'
'Well, yeah—Chris not explaining anything hurt you more than necessary.'
'As a dad, I couldn't just leave it be.'
"...Shut up. You're too loud."
'Sorry.' 'Sorry.'
On the bus ride home after work, Ethan and Eveline shrank back under Rose's cold glare as she silenced their ghostly chatter. Satisfied with their reaction, Rose smiled and turned her gaze to the Village of Shadows in her hands.
Eveline had told her countless times—ear-gratingly so—about how she and Ethan had defeated the four monsters and the witch, just like in this book, to save Rose! (Though they hadn't beaten the iron horse.) A faint smile escaped Rose as she recalled the hazy memories of her father and sister's efforts. Noticing their puzzled looks, she turned to them with a beaming grin.
"Dad. Sis. I love you guys."
'We know.' 'We know.'
"Ugh, ruining it again."
The bus carrying Rose hurtled toward the future—a future forged by her gentle father and lively sister. True to her name, Rosemary, an unchanging love bloomed there.
Ethan, like Eveline, became a "remnant" lingering with Rose. This ending was the first idea that sparked this story. Ethan's extension lasted only two years, during which he enjoyed happy days with Eveline.
The opening is Chris's diary, succinctly summarizing what happened next. Right after, it's revealed that Ethan and Eveline are casually still around.
Rose spends her days with Ethan and Eveline. A certain love is there.
Next up: Side stories! What-if routes and random ideas. Probably starting with the long-awaited Heisenberg survival route? Hope you'll look forward to it. I'd appreciate ratings, comments, typo reports, etc. The more feedback, the faster I write!
---------------------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 Unlock 10+ early chapters on my Patreon!
💖 Support me here: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
🔓 Get ahead of the story today!