Chapter 7: A Moment That Isn’t Acting
With a bang, I slammed the door shut, breathing heavily as I leaned against it and slid to the floor.
That was close.
I was talking freely with Purina, thinking no one was around, but Neuvillette must have been in a blind spot.
He didn’t figure out my existence… did he?
If he did, that’d be a problem. How would I explain my presence, or even Purina’s true identity?
That would ruin the ‘you in the mirror’s’ plan.
“No way.”
No one must discover Purina’s true identity.
He’ll never know how my heart raced during that conversation with Neuvillette.
The thought that I almost ruined everything still makes my hands tremble.
It seems Neuvillette hasn’t caught on to my existence yet.
Though he’s noticed something off about Purina’s state.
‘What’s wrong? Are you okay?’
Purina’s worried, panicked voice.
Smiling bitterly, I stood up to respond.
“It’s nothing. Just got a little startled.”
More like a lot startled, but still.
I have to be Purina’s emotional anchor and idol, so I smiled as I spoke.
Yes, I’m her sanctuary, her shield to soothe her weary heart.
A shield to block the arrows raining down on her, to be discarded once its purpose is served.
But someday, when my role is done, I’ll disappear.
That’s the promise I made with the ‘you in the mirror.’
Cruel, you say, to take on all the hardship and then vanish?
I don’t care.
It’s what I wanted from the start.
Purina’s happiness is my dream, her smile my wish.
That’s the purpose of my new life.
For her, I’d gladly give everything.
‘Purina’s’ days are busier than expected.
Handling follow-ups for various incidents or overseeing judgments are the surface-level tasks, but her real work happens in secret.
The prophecy.
To prepare for the catastrophe that will engulf Fontaine, Purina investigates the prophecy daily.
She even gathers information through certain factions.
But despite 89 years of searching, she hasn’t found a solution.
Over those 89 years, Purina grew increasingly exhausted, mentally strained.
Hiding her true self to act as another is incredibly taxing.
Yet she pushed through, playing the God of Water despite her struggles.
If it weren’t for me, she might have had to act for centuries more.
“Purina.”
I spoke as I put on now-familiar clothes.
‘Yeah?’
“Anything you want to do?”
‘Um, not really. I’ve never had the luxury to think about that…’
For Purina, rest was only for sleep.
Every moment was a tightrope walk, leaving no room for rest.
That’s why I want to do something for her.
‘And lately, we’ve been playing too much…!’
“What’s the big deal?”
After working for 89 years, a week of rest isn’t too much.
“Hmm.”
Where should we go this time?
‘Hey…!!!’
‘Ugh, we really need to work now…’
Despite Purina’s protests, I dashed out of the office.
I had to listen to her whining for a whole hour because of it.
“Doesn’t it feel nice to get out, though?”
‘It does, but…’
The cool breeze tickled my cheeks, and the blooming flowers gave off a sweet fragrance.
I crouched down and picked a flower, bringing it to my nose to smell.
“Hmm, smells like Purina’s hair.”
‘Hey…!!!’
Ignoring Purina’s voice ringing in my head, I kept walking.
I stopped at a place with a clear view of the vast sea.
Purina let out a gasp at the sight of the sun dipping beyond the horizon and the expansive ocean.
‘Ah…’
“…”
Seizing the moment, I handed control of the body back to ‘Purina.’
“Eek.”
‘You have to see this for yourself.’
Startled by the sudden shift in control, Purina stumbled and sat.
But seeing the view again, she lay back on the grass, taking in the scenery.
We stayed there in silence for a while.
How long were we like that? Purina spoke in a voice unlike her usual self.
“Purina.”
Maybe that’s why I answered in a serious tone too.
‘Yeah.’
Purina touched the flower I’d picked as she spoke.
“Thank you.”
A warm breeze brushed past my cheeks.
As the sunset bathed Purina in its light, it was like a spotlight on a stage.
“Just, really, thank you.”
I chuckled at her words.
‘Glad to hear that.’
“Hehe… Yeah.”
Until the sun fully set, we stayed there.
Until the deep darkness fell.