It was, I'm sure, a scene from some time long, far, far away.
Hello, Lia?
　It's just the name of a village with fields, a river, mountains, houses for trees, and that's about it.

Hey, it's the name of the village. It's also the name of Aisha's mother.
　My father says softly with a smile.

'Mama's name!'
　Aisha, who had only counted three years, just said that happily.

'You're awesome, Mom!　Especially with the magic. That was so awesome!　He's helped me a lot, and he's been a step ahead of me in cultivating the land. Besides--
　I'm not sure what my father looked like at the time, but his voice was quiet, and yet it sounded strong and determined.
　But his voice was quiet, and yet it sounded strong and full of determination.

This is the place where your mother will return one day. We have to protect it.

Oh, baby, I'll protect you.

Oh, so you promise--

Yeah, I'm quick!

　-- a promise we had made to each other someday.




　It must have been a distant, some time ago.

Oh, Aisha, what's the matter with you? You'll lose all your happiness if you look so unhappy.

Because Saria and Aruna make fun of Aisha and say she's an a**h*le and a retard. --
　A large hand was on my head.
　My father patted my head gently.

'It's okay, let him say what he wants to say. Aisha just needs to grow up slowly at her own pace - and one day - Aisha will be better than everyone else, overtaking everyone who has made fun of Aisha!　After all, they're your mother and father's children.

'Well........'
　My father assured Aisha, who said this without confidence, without hesitation.

'Yes, that's right. My father will vouch for you.

Well, I'll be very, very grateful to you when I grow up.

Ha, I'll look forward to it.

　-- a small promise that was not fulfilled.




◇




　Special Development Zone.
　A new market that is supposed to be the next generation of King's City, from commerce to academia.
　My father, who said he was engaged in work there, was always inside the house when the sun tilted in the evening.
　By the time Aisha came home, he had finished preparing dinner and said with a gentle smile.　

'Oh, welcome home--Aisha.'
　And--

..........
　Normally I would answer with a smile, but Aisha just returned with silence.

'Aisha?'
　Aisha watched her father without answering it either.
　He was forty-two years old when they parted.
　Roland, who should be considered middle-aged, would look five years younger due to his childish face. His well-developed body was another factor that exaggerated his youth.
　The gentle twin eyes that Aisha liked to see and the sight of her father smiling happily were certainly recreated at this moment.

'But - I'm sure if I kept quiet like this, your father would be distraught and hugging me in a sore spot!　I have a herb, do you want to put it on?　Don't think I'd say that.
　Aisha giggled as she could easily imagine such a figure.
　And that kind of appearance made Aisha laugh even more because he looked like someone she loved.
　Puzzled, her father was about to say something, and Aisha controlled it with her hand.

'No, don't talk--'
　It kept its mouth shut in a gentle, yet strong stillness.

'The truth is - I knew somehow from the beginning - that you were not your father - that's why Aisha is a bad girl. Aisha is a bad girl who knew, and wanted her father, and Nacht-sama, and Izuna, and tried to get all of that.......
　It was Aisha's monologue, akin to a confession.
　There is no need for a counterpart there.
　It's just a ritual to spit it out and accept it - that's why it's a ritual.

"That was cute, then you'll be a good woman in the future.
　Yes, he had said.
　But if you think about it, it's just too strange.

''There's no way I can say that, no way I can say that - no way a person can say that after Nacht-sama's killing spree.......''
　Even Aisha, who had only been hit by the killing air beside her, stopped breathing and was so frightened that she couldn't do anything but shake. And moreover, the one that was directly directed at her was, 'Are you my friend?' There was no way I could fluently ask him questions or praise him for being 'cute' or anything like that.

　I've made all sorts of excuses, asked questions, fooled around, and pampered myself to be okay with that, but in the end, it was clear that it wasn't Aisha's father.
　There are many aspects of our life together that would feel different.
　The fact that he doesn't actively try to eat, the fact that he doesn't feel like he's getting any sleep, the fact that he can't smell the nostalgic smells, the fact that he doesn't see any physiological phenomena, anyone who looks at him for a minute will notice.
　Unless you manage it properly, it's easy to notice that something is wrong.

'But what's the matter with you - now you're talking about that?
　Such words stung my heart.
　All the kind words were only from the past.
　In none of them were there any words for Aisha now.　　
　It was just a misrepresentation, as if to reflect someone's intentions.

'I'm sorry, father--'
　The words of apology were not directed at him in front of me.
　They were words to his late father, who had supported Aisha for twenty long years.

'There was no way your father could have abandoned your mother and left the village, and yet Aisha insulted, insulted, insulted your father, even though it was impossible for him to stay in the city while Aisha was traveling...'
　I was impatient with the vision of my father, who had been kind to me.
　I falsely and falsely indulged in the hope that I could see that image again.
　I clung to him, saying that it was still okay.

'I'm so, so sorry--'
　He bobbed his head, struggling to keep his face from becoming distorted.

'But it's important for Aisha to be in the now. The present is important to her, walking with Izuna and Nahat-sama, with all the love her father gave her.
　So.

　Oh, God.

　That's enough--

　I've had enough of dwelling on the past - and that's enough.

　I told him so, the moment.
　It took on the form of Roland's body and was enveloped in light.
　As if the spirit was flying around it, the light rose in a circle to the heavens, grew smaller and then disappeared, leaving behind an awkward doll made of wood and iron in front of Aisha.

'Thank you, I had a good dream--'

　After telling the doll, Aisha left the house and looked up at the completely darkened night sky.

'Don't worry, I'll keep the promises of the one I can keep--'
　It's not.
　There's more to say than that.
　Even if the tears spill out.
　Even if you're sad and you cry and scream.
　There are things that need to be said, Aisha.

"I'm sorry I haven't been able to tell you...

　With all my heart.

"Thank you for raising Aisha, dad--

　Aisha's face, as she told him this, was filled with a fresh, crisp, joyful color, as never before.