Ch. 1: Dark Words
Kingdom of Vox in the Land of Voice, Month of Azure…-
The town was so full of energy that lively voices reached my ears no matter where I walked.
OO: “It’s so busy here.”
Lied: “It’s quite foolish, for them to be trying so hard.”
OO: “What?”
Lied was looking at a single young boy.
He was doing his best as he worked around a town bar, but he seemed to still be an apprentice and wasn’t used to the job.
Lied: “People all die some day. And yet they say there’s nothing to be done and they work so hard.”
OO: “U-Um…?”
Contrary to his gentle smile, Lied spoke such dark words.
Lied: “For example, the world could end after I take 5 more steps.”
Lied took a single, quiet step forward.
Lied: “You know, I don’t think that would be so bad. After all, the future is such an uncertain thing that people become unable to see the happiness right in front of them, right?”
OO: “…w…well…”
I couldn’t think, just blink at his odd words.
Lied: “Well, let’s put a pin in this conversation for today. In the meantime, I’m here to show you around the town as thanks for waking me up.”
Saying that, Lied turned away from me and started walking again, humming to himself.
(…even though he just said something so depressing.)
His song had a delicate beauty to it, echoing a feeling of comfort.
Ch. 2: A Meaningful Time
Lied: “After all, the future is such an uncertain thing that people become unable to see the happiness right in front of them, right?”
(What on earth…)
After that, Lied continued to walk while humming a little tune but…
Lied: “Ah…I’m a little tired.”
He suddenly stopped walking and sighed deeply.
OO: “U-um, Lied, how about we take a break and get something to eat?”
Lied: “Good point. It could be our last meal.”
(A-again…)
Lied: “That shop over there is pretty good. If this is my last meal, I think that would be a good place to eat.”
Lied guided me to a small open-air café, hidden down a deserted back alley lined up with other shops.
OO: “It all looks so good! I wonder what I should get.”
There were pancakes piled high with honey, ice cream topped with cookies, and fluffy waffles.
There were so many choices that I was having difficulty picking just one when…
Lied: “We’ll take everything.”
Lied spoke quietly to the shop keeper.
OO: “What!?”
OO: “I…I can’t eat all of that.”
Lied: “Then will you hurry and decide?”
OO: “Th…thank you.”
Lied: “It’s nothing. It’s pointless to spend time fretting about it.”
Having finished the order, Lied promptly took a seat and pulled out a piece of paper.
OO: “Is that…a musical score?”
Lied: “…”
Lied deftly brought out a quill.
Lied: “I believe that rather than spending time worrying, you can use your time for something more productive. After all , no one knows how many hours they have left to live.”
Lied’s gaze fell to the score as he spoke quietly.
OO: “Are you composing something…?”
Lied: “Yeah. Even if it’s not a lot, it’s better to put my time into this instead of worrying.”
(I really don’t get him…)
Behind us, the shopkeeper had flown into a panic as they started to prepare our order.
Ch. 3: An Idiotically Bright Song
After that…-
I was unsure whether he had finished his composition, but Lied put down the pen and languidly leaned back in his chair.
Shopkeeper: “My apologies for the delay, Lord Lied.”
Lied: “Yeah, thanks.”
The shopkeeper set the food we had ordered down on the table.
I cut off a small piece of the pancakes with honey and took a bite. The delicious sweetness flooded my mouth.
OO: “This is really good.”
Lied: “…yeah.”
Lied didn’t touch the food, only took the occasional sip of water.
OO: “Excuse me, Lied?”
Lied: “You don’t need to be so formal. It’s a pain, isn’t it?”
OO: “Oh alright then… aren’t you going to eat?”
Lied: “Still too formal.”
OO: “A…are you gonna eat that?”
Lied: “I will if you feed it to me.”
OO: “Eh…”
At Lied’s sudden request, I…
OO: “F-feed you…”
Lied: “Are you fretting again? If it’s a problem, just say so.”
OO: “…a-alright.”
At that, I put a piece of my pancakes on my fork and moved it to his mouth.
Then, he grabbed my hand and bit off a piece of pancake.
Lied: “…it’s good. Even if it’s my last meal, it’s good.”
(That depressing stuff again…)
OO: “Why…why do you say things that are so depressing?”
Lied: “Depressing? What is?”
OO: “I feel like you should try saying something more positive.”
Lied: “Positive? It’s not like I was intending to be negative but…”
OO: “Maybe without talking about the end and stuff, you say you’ll have even more fun tomorrow…or something.”
Lied: “…”
OO: “Um…”
I was reflected in Lied’s pale-colored eyes.
Lied: “…when I look at you, it inspires a song in me.”
Saying so, he once again took up the quill.
Lied: “I think I can write a song that’s almost idiotically cheerful.”
OO: “…”
Lied: “It’s a compliment.”
I could only sit and stare at him as he hummed a tune and moved his pen.