Chapter 75

Ȓеɑ​ԁ өṅ ​КａｔȒҽａ​đıṅ​ǵＣаϝε

The cool spring air was gradually growing warmer, signaling the season’s end.

Truthfully, the cherry blossom festival was already nearing its closure.

That was natural—cherry blossoms bloom fully in spring and bear fruit by summer.

The festival itself was a small event centered around enjoying the vibrant blossoms, but as spring slipped away, it was clear the festivities would soon draw to a close.

Despite this, the park in District 4 was more lively than expected.

It was bustling with people, and the cherry trees were still adorned with soft pink blossoms, resiliently clinging on despite the warming weather.

I felt relieved. I’d worried that most of the blossoms might have already fallen, leaving the trees bare. However, seeing the crowd was a bit of a downside. Alice wasn’t fond of overly crowded places.

Even now, she was sticking close to me, refusing to stray far. Still, I figured she’d adjust once she got more comfortable. Holding her hand, I scanned our surroundings.

Perhaps it was the weekend, or maybe the weather was just perfect for an outing.

The park was filled with all sorts of people—families, friends, couples—all strolling about, admiring the blossoms.

Some had spread picnic blankets, chatting merrily, while others posed for photos with the cherry trees as their backdrop.

Street vendors sold snacks, laughter filled the air, and spring-themed music played softly from speakers mounted on lampposts.

It wasn’t a bad atmosphere.

To be honest, I quite liked it.

It gave me a light, cheerful feeling, and I found myself smiling unconsciously.

But I hadn’t come here to enjoy myself.

Looking ahead, I observed Eugene.

Unlike Alice, who seemed uneasy amidst the lively commotion, Eugene appeared relaxed.

There was a peculiar wistfulness in his expression, as if he was reminiscing about the past.

One thing was certain—he didn’t seem to dislike it.

The faint smile playing on his lips was enough to dispel my worries that he might find this bothersome.

If he’d been annoyed or reluctant, I would’ve felt a bit disheartened since it was my suggestion to come here.

“Lucia, do you like flowers?” Eugene asked.

A cherry blossom festival—also known as a “sakura festival”.

It made sense for him to assume I enjoyed flowers, given the nature of the event.

Truthfully, I’d chosen this place because I believed it would help deepen the bond between the two of them.

If I’d thought of a better spot, I would’ve taken them there instead.

Not that I disliked flowers.

I didn’t love them passionately, but I didn’t have anything against them either.

After all, who dislikes something beautiful?

“I like them.” I replied.

That wasn’t a lie. Even if cherry blossoms weren’t my favorite, saying I liked them felt natural enough.

I mean, it would seem strange if I admitted I didn’t care for flowers after bringing them here.

Still, Eugene, you should really be talking to Alice, not me.

Your destined match is right there beside you.

Alice is shy, so it’s up to you to take the initiative! Don’t you get that?

I swallowed my irritation and forced myself to stay silent.

Currently, Eugene and Alice were practically strangers—just acquaintances, like classmates who happened to share a friend.

They had mutual interest but were held back by their hesitations.

Well, progress doesn’t happen overnight.

For now, I needed to temper my expectations.

“How about you, Alice? Do you like it here?” I asked.

“Y-yes… I do. I really like it.” Alice replied without hesitation, her voice soft and trembling.

It didn’t feel like she was just being polite.

Her gaze was fixed on the fully bloomed cherry blossoms, and her cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue.

Dressed in the yellow dress I had gifted her nearly a month ago to celebrate our newfound friendship, Alice looked so adorable I wanted to pinch her cheeks.

Her shy appreciation for the blossoms made my efforts feel worthwhile.

Hehe, as expected, everything suits Alice. Honestly, anything would look good on her—she’s naturally adorable, so whatever she wears just amplifies her charm.

Eugene, on the other hand, showed up in his school uniform. Not that he looked bad—he’s handsome enough to pull it off effortlessly—but come on, talk about being oblivious. Does he really not understand how to impress a girl? A little effort wouldn’t hurt!

Not that I’m one to talk. I don’t exactly know much about a girl’s heart either. A boy’s heart, maybe, but that’s different!

We walked along the park’s path. It was a sprawling national park, well-maintained and filled with sights. 

Statues commemorating fallen heroes and protecting citizens from monsters, benches for resting, a towering fountain spraying water high into the air, and colorful balloons floating lazily.

Far in the distance, there was a stage likely set up for performances earlier in the festival, though it now sat empty, signaling the event’s final days.

“Thanks for making time on the weekend.” I said, turning to face them with a slightly awkward smile.

“I’ve always wanted to visit a place like this. It’s my first time. What about you two? Have you been here before?”

“Th-this is… my first time as well.” Alice stammered, answering quickly.

“…I came here once when I was a kid.” Eugene said, his tone somber.

“About five years ago, I think.” he murmured to himself, almost inaudibly.

He must have visited with his younger sister, promising to come back the next year. But a few months later, disaster struck, and…

Eugene’s expression darkened for a moment, his smile turning bitter as he shook his head, brushing away the weight of his memories.

Recollecting moments with lost family is bittersweet—both comforting and melancholic.

I felt a twinge of guilt. I had brought them here specifically to evoke this nostalgia in Eugene. Even the yellow dress Alice was wearing had been part of my plan.

Walking the same path he once shared with his sister, but now with someone who resembled her—of course, it would stir strong emotions.

I had mapped out this scenario carefully over the past few days.

Nothing overly complicated, just a simple plan to give them opportunities to talk and connect. That was enough. No need for convoluted schemes.

Eugene and Alice were good people—pure and kind hearted, almost to a fault.

They weren’t pretending to be kind like me. They genuinely were.

Alice, for instance, trusted and grew attached to me in just a month. At this rate, she’d probably give me her heart and soul! Well, I’d rather give her mine—figuratively or literally, if it came to that.

For now, the plan was to leave Eugene and Alice alone for short intervals.

Too much alone time could be counterproductive. Neither of them was particularly outgoing, and without someone to steer the conversation, things could quickly become awkward.

If left alone too long, they might just feel uncomfortable and want to leave rather than growing closer.

Especially Alice—her shyness could easily make things worse.

Still, I was confident such a worst-case scenario wouldn’t happen. The mutual interest between them was obvious. Eugene was already drawn to Alice, and Alice… well, she couldn’t take her eyes off him, could she?

If given the right opportunity, their relationship could progress in no time.

The only wildcard was the “Frey” aspect lurking within Alice, but…

“Ah…”

Lost in thought, I felt a soft touch against my cheek. A pale pink petal had brushed against me, carried by the wind.

The branches of the cherry trees trembled in the breeze, scattering petals into the air, which danced and swirled like waves.

“So beautiful.” I murmured.

The petals resembled snowflakes—not cold, but tinged in pink. They reminded me of the color of Lucia’s eyes.

“…Yeah, they are.” Eugene agreed softly, clearly moved by the sight.

Alice glanced at him briefly before nodding in agreement.

Right? Cherry blossoms really are beautiful.

◈

“Walking this much has made me thirsty. I’ll go grab some drinks.” I said, suddenly stopping.

“I’ll come with you—”

“No, it’s fine! The view here is lovely, so just enjoy it. I’ll be back in no time!”

Before Eugene could finish his sentence, I dashed off.

I had already noted the location of the convenience store earlier, and it wasn’t far.

It was tough leaving Alice behind when she seemed hesitant to let me go, but this was for their sake.

Stay right there, you two! Mom’s going to the store!

Or rather, Lucia is heading to the store!

After about an hour of walking, I figured they were comfortable enough to be left alone for a bit. I even gave them a topic to chat about:

“Sunny-side up eggs—fully cooked or runny? What’s your preference?”

By the time I returned, they’d probably have reached a conclusion.

I hadn’t asked what they wanted to drink, but it didn’t matter—I already knew.

Alice disliked carbonated drinks, favoring fruit juices, especially grape juice.

Eugene wasn’t a fan of sodas like cola or lemonade either; he preferred isotonic drinks.

I’d pick something similar to Alice’s drink for myself.

Once I got back, we’d sit on a bench, enjoy the drinks, and then take photos.

Ah, yes, photos!

Lucia doesn’t own a smartphone. I never bought one since I didn’t see the point.

Instead, I brought a camera.

The plan was to use the excuse of taking pictures to get Eugene and Alice close to each other.

After that, we’d have lunch!

Hehe, I woke up early this morning to prepare a picnic.

Though my cooking skills are basic, I managed to make rolled omelets and gimbap(a Korean dish of cooked rice, vegetables, meat, or fish rolled in dried seaweed sheets and cut into bite-sized slices).

It was a modest spread, but I knew Eugene liked rolled omelets—they were his sister’s specialty.

If the food got good reviews, I’d credit Alice. If not, well… I could always take the blame myself.

It wasn’t technically a lie—Alice did help with the cooking.

I smiled softly, reviewing the plans I’d made for the day.

My brisk pace could almost be called running, driven by enthusiasm. But I would have kept moving if not for the peculiar sight that caught my eye.

“…?”

A street vendor stood at the side of the path.

An older man, likely in his fifties, was spinning a wooden stick in a round machine. With every turn, white, cloud-like threads gathered around the stick.

Cotton candy.

It was a treat I used to enjoy as a child. But it wasn’t the candy that captured my attention.

Nor was it the vendor himself.

It was the child standing in front of the stall.

Even from a distance, the figure stood out—distinct, almost unsettling.

The child wore a long-sleeved shirt that covered their wrists and dark, heavy trousers. Despite the season’s warmth, they were wrapped in a thick padded jacket, the kind you’d wear in the dead of winter.

But none of that was the strangest part.

It was the face—or rather, the mask covering it.

A mask that looked like a white, fluffy cloud, almost resembling sheep’s wool at a glance.

The white cloud mask.

“…!”

A shiver ran down my spine, raising goosebumps on my arms.

Cold dread coursed through me, making my blood feel like ice.

“Hey there, kid. Are you by yourself? Where are your parents?”

“…”

The vendor looked flustered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. Judging by his expression, the child had been standing silently in front of the stall for quite some time.

There was no response.

The mask obscured the child’s face entirely, leaving their features unreadable. Their thick clothing made it impossible to guess their gender or build.

The child tilted their head slightly, silently gazing up at the man.

What could they be thinking?

The vendor, for his part, seemed clueless. But I knew.

“Kid, sorry, but I sell these for money. I can’t just give one to you, no matter how much you stare.”

Though he said that, the man sighed deeply, his resolve wavering.

Perhaps sensing his hesitation—or maybe disapproving of it—the child finally moved.

Lifting a delicate, pale hand, they pointed directly at the vendor’s head.

Before anything could escalate, I intervened.

“I’ll buy it!” I called out, stepping forward quickly.

“Huh? Oh… uh, sure, okay.” the vendor stammered.

Ignoring his confusion, I grabbed the child’s wrist, pulled a few crumpled bills from my pocket, and practically threw them at the vendor.

I snatched up the cotton candy, thrusting it toward the child.

“This is what you wanted, right?”

“…”

The child turned their masked face toward me, in silence.

Slowly, I released their wrist. They took the cotton candy cautiously, holding it with both hands.

Then, lifting the mask just enough to reveal their mouth, they took a small bite.

The sight of the child burying their face into the candy sent a cold sweat down my back.

The cheerful anticipation I’d felt moments ago vanished, replaced by a sinking dread.

This unexpected encounter had shattered the mood like glass hitting the floor.

I stared down at the child with the white cloud mask, biting my lower lip.

Why are they here?

…Then again, perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised.

After all, the girl with the red fox mask had appeared just as suddenly, without warning.

Swallowing hard, I forced myself to review what I knew.

Four devils had descended upon this world, tearing through the fabric of space-time.

Beings as powerful as Astaroth, who had toyed with Angelica.

The child with the white cloud mask.

Murmur.

In some ways, she was even more dangerous than Astaroth.

And now, she was standing right in front of me.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Lucia had a plausible plan.

Until a devil intervened.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Yes, Murmur is a girl, it’s just that the outfit hid her features!