Ch.217On Being Forgotten (2)

“I’m sorry.”

Afterwards, I return the cruelest words.

The rose-colored stain wouldn’t wash from my hands.

“I wasn’t asking for permission.”

I speak firmly.

Swallowing glass shards.

“This is a notification.”

I already knew.

That I held precious meaning in your world.

That if I disappeared like this, I would remain like a curse.

I didn’t want such a tragic ending.

‘Even without me…’

I wanted you all to live on.

I wanted you to be happy.

That was the only ending I wished for this world.

Beyond my 1943 attempts, this was finally my last try.

“Please.”

Even if it means forgetting all our stories.

Even if it means not remembering me.

Even if it means cutting all our bonds.

Even if it means becoming a lie.

“Forgive this wicked being.”

I wished for your smiles.

In the end, this was all someone like me could do.

Because I was a liar from birth, distant from truth.

Now it was time to wake from the dream, time for eternal farewell.

“Please stay still.”

Snap-!

I flick my finger.

As that cracking sound erupts, deep darkness writhes.

The extending shadows firmly bind everyone.

Preventing all movement so they cannot resist.

“Ugh…!”

“M-Master?”

Voices colored with confusion.

I gather the indelible night at my fingertips.

Between my lips, I taste the dawn about to fall.

It was like passing sentence on someone.

“I’m going to erase your memories. More precisely, I’ll seal them away where they can never be reached.”

Even I didn’t know who the target was.

Perhaps it was myself who wanted to be remembered.

“What…?”

“What on earth…?”

I smiled.

Not because I was happy.

Simply because I didn’t know what expression to make.

I didn’t know how to cry. Dolls don’t know how to cry.

So, I smiled.

“It’s alright. It won’t hurt. Just close your eyes for a moment… and when you open them, everything will be over.”

Erasing memories.

So they could live on even without me.

Returning them to a world where I never existed.

Cutting the photos we took together into pieces, one by one.

When they look at the frames again, no one will be standing beside them.

My lies tailor that emptiness.

“What are you…!”

The group reacts, faces pale.

Regardless, I reached out my hand.

My decision was already made.

“Master.”

The first I approached was the woman with purple hair.

Red eyes filled with fear. Selena struggles desperately.

But it was utterly meaningless resistance.

“Judas…!”

Finally, moisture gathers in her eyes.

The voice that follows was clearly a plea.

“Please… Student Judas! I’m your teacher. How can a teacher forget her student…?”

Nevertheless, I raised my index finger.

Dolls don’t shed tears.

At this moment, that truth felt fortunate.

Because I felt like I couldn’t hold back my tears.

I said:

“I was always grateful.”

“No, please… let, let me go!”

“It was enjoyable. The banquets I attended with you… the nocturnes heard from afar, the grass tickling bare feet, starlight filtering through winter scents, and memories of dancing at the center.”

“You’re all I have…!”

“Now these will be memories only I keep.”

Selena wails.

Then.

Tap-.

My finger touches the woman’s forehead.

Like a gentle kiss, my fingertip touches lightly and pulls away.

It was the most tender severance in the world.

The beautifully blooming darkness paints a reverie.

“Ah…”

Her eyes, briefly wide open, soon close gently.

Immediately after, Selena’s body goes limp, losing consciousness.

She looked as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.

“……”

I quietly lay her down on the floor.

I wanted to say something, but couldn’t think of appropriate words.

So I only exhaled softly. The woman’s enchanting scent brushed past.

Then I turned my head.

“You…!”

“Professor!”

The other children were also watching this situation.

Their reactions were no different from Selena’s.

Resistance, resentment, persuasion… and finally, desperate pleas.

I swallowed the aftertaste and extended my index finger.

“Let me go…!”

“My lady.”

To Amelia, who was sobbing uncharacteristically.

“Don’t do this… please.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Irene.”

To Irene, who was resisting with a pale face.

“Commander.”

“You were always a reassuring presence by my side, Deputy Commander.”

To Neria, who was silently shedding tears.

“Let go, please… damn it! You promised. You promised you’d always be with us…!”

“In the end, it became a lie. I apologize for my life, Your Highness.”

To Elise, who was spewing something between anger and sorrow.

“No. Judas… I said I would live for you…”

“Your Highness Sharlotte. I’m sure you’ll find new meaning.”

To Sharlotte, who was blankly sobbing.

I recited my farewells.

Tap, tap, tap-.

Each time my finger touches, the children lose consciousness.

Limp bodies. It was time that would no longer be recorded.

I carefully lay each one down.

‘Memory seal.’

There are no side effects.

When they wake up, they’ll have forgotten only their memories of me.

They’ll live their lives, not much different, in ways not much different.

One person’s significance can never be great. That’s why I cut myself away.

If only I disappear, they can walk through the rest of their story.

I put down Sharlotte, whom I had been holding.

‘…Is this the last?’

And finally, the girl still bound.

Pink hair soaked with tears.

Green eyes trembling.

“Miss Lezia.”

I approach with hushed steps.

Lezia’s voice was hoarse.

“Master… please, stop…”

Another plea.

But I had come too far to stop.

I coat my fingertips with lies.

“No, I don’t want this…!”

As the farewell draws near, Lezia shakes her head violently.

But the writhing darkness holds the girl in place.

Gently, so it doesn’t hurt.

“Hic…”

“I’m sorry.”

This was the best option.

If only I could have sought another way.

If there had been a path where I could stay with everyone.

If there had been a life permitted for me…

“…It would have been nice.”

I didn’t know how to cry.

Dolls don’t know how to cry.

So, I smiled.

“Some things can’t be achieved just by wishing,”

I reach out my hand.

Deep confusion and bitter aftertaste mix together.

Like cheap liquor mixed into milk.

Perhaps because I didn’t want to forget this moment.

Even my narrowed eyes opened fully.

“I’m sorry for being such a liar.”

My pitiful protagonist.

Your life that I shared thousands of times, yet failed to save thousands of times.

This time I’ll definitely save you. I’ll definitely give you a happy ending.

Perhaps that was the beginning of my story.

“Master…”

A voice seeking me, drowned in tears.

The green eyes held only the golden-haired boy.

The girl finally parted her lips.

“…I love you.”

Words of love.

Feelings conveyed to someone who’s leaving.

Truly, the worst confession.

“……”

And.

I decided to return the worst answer.

Gently stroking her cheek, I lower my head slightly.

Our breaths mingling as we draw close.

Then, I erase the remaining gap between us.

Smooch-.

Lips touching softly and pulling away.

For a moment, our flesh overlapped.

The girl’s touch was hot and soft, making me reluctant to let go.

If I could live a moment as eternity, I would surely choose that instant.

But I knew.

“…Ah.”

“Miss Lezia.”

That I couldn’t.

I whispered softly.

“I loved you too, Miss Lezia.”

A cruel answer.

For you hearing it, and for me saying it.

Our relationship was destined to return to nonexistence.

I couldn’t hesitate any longer.

Tap-.

Before any response could come.

My index finger touches her forehead.

The creeping darkness finally makes the girl fall asleep.

Lezia succumbs to drowsiness and goes limp.

I lay the pink-haired girl down beside the others.

“…Sleep well.”

A quietly delivered phrase.

Soon I realize everything is meaningless.

I turn away.

‘Now.’

It was time to leave.

My heart holds a stirring.

‘Because they’ve forgotten.’

Now only I will remember.

The days spent helping the drunkard with his work.

The daily life spent bickering with the vain one.

The dawns when I lay in the same bed as the fox.

The mansion and winter I lived in with the lamplighter when I was inexperienced.

The walkway where I pushed the rose’s wheelchair on cool days.

The times spent sharing silly fantasies with the empress.

Even our first kiss, given to a certain pilot.

‘All of it.’

Has become mine alone.

Memories I keep by myself.

‘So.’

Goodbye.

Though these words of farewell won’t reach you.

May your stories be happy.

Even if you don’t remember me.

‘Sometimes… I hope you suffer from inexplicable longing.’

I left the room.

Leaving behind all lingering attachments and desires.

‘Demon.’

Seven days until his manifestation.

I took steps steeped in evil.