Ch.220Epilogue. The Flame (3)

I remember the fireworks I watched with my friends last year.

Among all the fireworks I’ve seen, those were the ones I could watch from the closest distance.

I wonder how it was for Kagami.

Has she ever seen fireworks in her childhood?

Judging by how she was walking around with my friends earlier and eagerly pulling my wrist, I don’t think she has.

What kind of people were around Kagami?

Kosuzu didn’t even consider Kagami as family. Even if she recognized her as family in the dictionary sense, she didn’t do anything that one would normally expect from family. To Kosuzu, Kagami was merely a tool. A tool for her to become a god.

The followers that Kagami had to manage after Kosuzu left couldn’t be called her friends or family either. It was inevitable. With Kosuzu gone, Kagami had no choice but to take the position of cult leader. The followers probably just revered her.

So, today must be the first time in her life that Kagami is enjoying a festival with people.

Come to think of it, all the emotions my friends felt toward me could actually apply directly to Kagami.

A child who grew up abused, without friends or a proper family.

…She may look grown up on the outside, but inside, she hasn’t grown at all.

“Is there something on my face?”

Kagami asked me again.

I keep finding myself staring at her.

I kept wondering if this joy was just pretense.

There’s no basis for that thought. I don’t really know why I thought that way.

“No.”

But I didn’t try to find out.

If Kagami was enjoying herself, that was enough. If it was genuine, there was no reason for me to intervene.

If it was an act, well…

If… yes. If she had no joyful childhood and was just trying to imitate one, I couldn’t help with that either.

I could only hope that Kagami would overcome it someday.

“…”

Though I never managed to overcome it in my previous life either.

I picked up my camera and took a picture of Kagami.

Click. The distinctive loud shutter sound of the DSLR was heard, and I felt a slight vibration in my hand.

“Are you having fun?”

I asked while looking at the photo. Fortunately, it wasn’t blurry. I seem to be improving a bit with each shot. Maybe I should consider joining the photography club as well?

Well, it’s just a thought.

“Yes, I’m having fun.”

I looked up when I heard Kagami’s voice.

Kagami was looking at me with sparkling eyes.

She resembles Koko.

“That’s good then.”

For some reason, I felt relieved seeing that expression.

*

The fireworks soaring high into the sky were beautiful.

With a boom, they left a white trail as they ascended, then with another boom, they blossomed fully.

Just as one burst of fireworks was fading, pa-pa-pak, a series of smaller fireworks exploded in succession.

Questions like how they manage to make fireworks spread at such precise angles, or how they achieve such vivid colors despite the mix of various colored sparks—honestly, none of that mattered right now.

Like watching a magic show, there was no need to worry about the tricks. Right now, all we had to do was enjoy it.

The children were also looking up at the sky with their mouths slightly open.

I was with these children last year too.

I remember sitting together, the four of us, looking up at the sky and chatting about various things.

When I turned my gaze, I saw Koko.

Koko, who likes anime with flashy scenes when watching TV.

As if enchanted by the fireworks, she was looking up at the sky with her mouth slightly open.

Whether it was intentional or not, the surroundings were a bit dark, allowing for a better view of the fireworks. Each time fireworks burst in the sky, colorful lights showered Koko’s face.

That face, looking up at the sky without any thoughts, somehow seemed a bit different from the usual Koko.

That focused face without saying a word… somehow didn’t look as young as usual.

I found myself thinking that she resembled Kagami.

Click.

I took a photo, timing it with the moment light fell on Koko’s face.

I wonder what my face looks like.

Do I resemble Koko and Kagami as much as they resemble each other?

I don’t think it’s just about having identical faces.

The resemblance in atmosphere comes from gestures and habits too.

I was about to check the photo on the camera but decided to turn it off instead.

And I looked up at the sky.

Fireworks painted patterns on the black sky.

Beautiful.

So beautiful that I want to come and see them again next year.

And the year after that, and the year after that.

Even if we continue to change, even if we fight a little and disappoint each other.

I hope we can meet again like this, sit together, and look up at the fireworks.

*

“Kotone, that’s great.”

Mako said with a bright smile.

After I cleared up Mako’s misunderstanding last time, she’s been talking to me more frequently. Not just when we meet, but she sends more emails regularly and even calls occasionally.

I had only intended to clear up her misunderstanding and ease her burden, but it seems I’ve made her worry more, which makes me feel a bit sorry.

“That you reconciled with your mother.”

Actually, this too was somewhat of a misunderstanding.

Kagami and I… were never that bad to begin with.

We did have times when we didn’t trust each other. Kagami was wary of me, and I was cautious of her.

If Kagami hadn’t approached me first, we probably would have lived that way forever.

…So, while it’s somewhat of a misunderstanding, in a way, it’s also true.

“Yeah.”

“How were the fireworks?”

Harumi asked Kagami.

Being my mother, not appearing to have a significant age difference on the surface, and most importantly, having spent the whole day together talking, Harumi seems to have opened up quite a bit to Kagami.

“They were amazing.”

Kagami replied with a smile.

What did I tell these kids last year?

Did I say that fireworks were just something to be viewed from a distance?

I’m not sure if Kagami has seen fireworks before, but judging by her face now, whether she has or hasn’t in the past, she clearly enjoyed them very much.

“By the way, everyone.”

Kagami suddenly said, as if she just thought of something.

“Since we’re out late anyway, would you like to stay over at my place?”

“Oh!”

Harumi responded to Kagami’s suggestion.

“Is that really okay?”

“Of course. I have plenty of spare rooms anyway.”

It was more like spare buildings than spare rooms, but still.

Come to think of it, it’s quite reassuring that Kagami is a property owner. Even if the building itself is old, if you need a room, you can just fix up any space.

“I don’t have any plans tomorrow, so that’s fine with me.”

Yuka said.

Looking at Yuu and Mako, they both nodded as well.

To be honest, saying “since we’re out late” doesn’t quite fit because our home is quite far. It’s an hour by train from Tokyo and then a 30-minute walk.

It would be much faster to go to Mako’s, Yuu’s, Harumi’s… or even Yuka’s house.

Of course, with Kagami there, that might be a bit awkward.

“Then, shall we change clothes first and meet up again?”

“Yes, yes. We’ll wait leisurely around here, so take your time, get your things, and come back. Let’s meet up and leave together. Kotone, Koko, is that okay?”

“I’m fine with that.”

“Me too!”

Hearing our answers, everyone’s faces lit up with smiles.

We decided to escort them to the nearby station first, and then the three of us would spend some leisurely time around the area.

It’s vacation after all.

We went into a convenience store and each bought a carbonated drink.

Somehow feeling like we should do this, all three of us chose ramune.

“Oh, do you drink alcohol too?”

I asked when I saw Kagami carefully selecting a chuhai after some deliberation.

“I’m not going to drink it now.”

Kagami said with a slightly awkward smile.

“Just… somehow I felt like doing this.”

I can’t grasp how many things Kagami hasn’t experienced. Not just things she couldn’t do in her childhood, but also things one would naturally try as they grow up—I’m only now beginning to realize this.

I see.

While one could travel alone without friends or family if they wanted to, Kagami hadn’t even thought of doing so until she went away with Koko and me.

“…”

I feel like I want to drink with her.

But Kagami would be horrified if I said I wanted to drink. Honestly, I’m not even sure if she’d allow it after I become an adult.

No, maybe if it’s my first time drinking, she might actually suggest drinking together.

Imagining the three of us—me, Koko, and Kagami—going to a yakitori place and drinking beer or highballs felt a bit strange.

“Do you dislike a mother who drinks?”

Kagami asked a bit awkwardly, and I shook my head.

“No. I was just thinking if we should buy something to eat on the way.”

I said, sling my camera like a messenger bag.

“Should we buy karaage?”

“Is karaage usually eaten with it?”

“Besides karaage… we’d eat a lot of things, right?”

I was a bit taken aback by Kagami’s response.

Any food can be a drinking snack, whether it’s karaage, skewers, or just meat.

“Then let’s buy a few varieties on the way.”

Normally, Kagami would cook herself, but it’s an awkward time for that.

Tap.

When I pushed the marble into the ramune bottle, the distinctive sound of a carbonated drink opening rose with a hiss.

Taking a sip of the soda-flavored carbonated drink, I walk forward.

Some might call it undignified, but who cares? The streets are bustling with excitement. No one’s going to say anything about us walking around and drinking something.

The three of us walked side by side, taking in the streets leisurely.

Were they all people who came to see the fireworks? The bustling streets were full of energy.

Even though the fireworks were over, somehow that excited feeling hadn’t faded, and we wandered those streets for a long time without any particular reason.

Wishing that this time would never end.