Ch. 1: A Reunion Beneath the Blue Sky
Land of Pirates, Ancula…-.
Looking up at the blue sky, the sun shone brightly…-.
Using the Heavenly Blue Stone, Ray had wished to revive the Dragon Clan…-.
And with the purification of the stone, Ray’s wish was destroyed.
He had transformed into a dragon and flown off somewhere into the sky.
(The incident the stone caused was terrifying, but… if everyone I held precious were gone, I…-. …I don’t know if I could handle the idea of being completely alone.)
I thought of Ray’s past and how even now it wore away at his heart as he resigned himself to solitude, and it caused my chest to ache horribly.
As I looked out at the wide sea before me, there were no traces of the crystallization. It was so beautiful and calm, as if nothing had ever happened.
(A number of weeks have already passed since the stone was purified…)
I dipped both my hands into the sea water, as if trying to ascertain that the world had gone back to normal, and the water I scooped up quickly dripped between my fingers.
As I felt the emptiness against the palms of my hands, I heard the sound of footsteps on the sand coming from behind me.
OO: “…?”
Ray: “…so you’re back here again huh.”
OO: “Ray…!?”
I was still crouching as I looked up, blinking as Ray’s long shadow fell over me.
(I didn’t think he’d come back.)
I shook the water off my hands and stood, and Ray frowned slightly.
Ray: “What’s with that face? Am I inconveniencing you in some way by coming back here?”
OO: “No, it’s just that… welcome back.”
Ray’s pale eyes opened a little wider at my words.
Ray: “… …you’re odd.”
His moment of surprise disappeared almost immediately as his expression changed to one of disgust…
But that intense expression I’d seen slip out for just a second was strangely burned into my memory.
Ch. 2: Memories Left Behind
As if to show the slow passage of time, the waves broke quietly against the shore…-.
OO: “Ray, why are you here?”
Ray: “…I was looking for you.”
OO: “Eh?”
I tilted my head slightly at the unexpected answer, and Ray looked down at his leg.
Ray: “This shackle is my punishment for what’s been done. It’s strange that I wasn’t executed immediately but… I intend to take responsibility for what I did.”
Around his ankle shone a shackle that was designed to suppress his magic, something that had been given by the ones who had decided on how to deal with him.
OO: “Ray…”
Ray had lost everyone due to the thoughtlessness of other people and had committed a grave sin in trying to carry out his plan.
OO: “But why are you here looking for me?”
Ray: “…this shackle is designed so that only when the Princess of Traumere has forgiven me will it come off. As long as I wear it, I’ll travel the world with you and see things here on the ground… that’s what I was told.”
(So that’s it… that’s why he was searching for me. Then I wonder if when Ray transformed into his dragon form and flew off… if he’d already decided to atone for his sins.)
Ray: “They should have just killed me or implemented some way to restrict my movements and stopped me from being able to go out… humans really are naïve.”
Ray’s sigh was intermixed with his muttering, and he suddenly looked up at the sky.
(I can’t easily forgive Ray for what he did, and he deserves his punishment, but… …is he really that terrible of a person?)
What I knew now was that Ray carried the sorrow of his past on his shoulders, and that he presented himself as coldhearted for the sake of his goals…
I imitated him as he stared fixedly up at the white clouds drifting in the clear sky.
Ray: “…I was also curious about whether there was any power left in the world from the stone.”
Ray’s quiet voice echoed alongside the sound of the waves.
Beside me, he looked back up at the drifting clouds as if looking for guidance.
Ray: “Actually, I had thought about it taking root in the sea after it was destroyed. I… have no interest in using it again. The Dragon Clan were a cheerfully arrogant people. I don’t want people to think back on us as monsters with no trace of dignity.”
He continued to speak with a serious expression but a disinterested tone.
Ray: “There’s no one left except me, but I don’t plan on forgetting the pride of my clan.”
As he watched the clear sky, his expression was the same as when we’d first met, and I could sense a steady, unshakable will there, but…-.
At the same time, he seemed to have lost sight of where he belonged, and I could see the cloud of loneliness that hung around him.
Ray: “Well, if I die, there’ll be no one left to remember anyway.”
It was as if his expression loosened when he spoke poorly of himself.
(It’s true that human memory fades. But…-)
I slowly shook my head, then turned to look at his face in profile before I spoke.
OO: “…I’ll remember.”
Ray: “…what?”
Ray’s eyebrows moved up sharply.
OO: “That’s not true.”
Ray: “Is this some false sympathy?”
OO: “No. I don’t want to forget you, Ray.”
OO: “I don’t want to forget you, or what happened with the stone… nor the Dragon Clan who lived their days up in the sky. I will remember.”
Ray: “…”
Ray, who had seemed absentminded as he looked up at the sky, now looked at me.
His deep eyes were scrutinizing, as if trying to discover my true intention.
Ch. 3: The Path From Here On
Ray’s eyes were like the sky as they transitioned from dusk into night as he held me in his gaze.
OO: “I will remember.”
Ray: “…fine.”
Ray let out a dry laugh before turning on his heel.
As he turned his back on me, he waved his hand dismissively and walked away.
OO: “Where are you going?”
Ray: “Since it’s not like I can remove this shackle without you, there’s no need for you to be around me twenty-four seven.”
OO: “Eh, but…-.”
(I wonder if it’s alright to start things out that way.)
He suddenly paused, his black plaited hair swinging around as he turned to look back at me.
Ray: “Are you wondering if I’m going to try something again?”
(Now that he says it… I don’t actually know why I don’t want Ray to be alone.)
I tugged on those feelings within myself, but I couldn’t tell for certain how it was different than just feeling pity.
OO: “I’ll watch over you… so that nothing else happens.”
Ray: “Ha, if I’d known you’d spout ridiculous words of sympathy like that, isn’t that even more of a reason?”
At the words that were wavering in my heart, Ray remained distant from me as he let out a gruff laugh.
Ray: “If you want to come, do whatever you want. Ah, but… I’m not going to do more than the bare minimum. You have to look out for yourself. I’m not a prince or a knight. I’m not giving you the princess treatment.”
(He’s allowing me to come along but…)
His words were sharp, drawing a line between us, and I could sense the thick wall around his heart.
OO: “I understand.”
Ray: “Fine then. Do what you want.”
OO: “That’s…”
Ray: “Just don’t come if you’re worried. It’s your choice.”
That was all Ray said as he once more turned away from me and started walking.
With each step, he left a firm footprint on the sandy beach, but I had no way of knowing if he was following some ancient path.
(I only know what I can see now, but I don’t think that’s all there is to Ray. In that case… I’ll watch the path that he walks with my own eyes.)
I chased after him, leaving behind a new, second pair of footprints alongside his.
Ray: “At the very least, I don’t mind if you’re watching me just so I don’t commit any other crimes.”
OO: “…”
I didn’t know if he was really trying to atone for what he’d done, or if he was out for revenge, but…
(I want to know more about Ray so that I can learn to trust his words.)
As that small wish was born in my heart, we continued to walk along the dry sand…-.
…
……
After that, we continued to travel around to various kingdoms to make sure that all traces of the Heavenly Blue Stone had been completely erased…-.
Seeing nothing out of place as we visited the Land of Weaponry, the people were going about their daily lives in tranquility.
Child: “Mommy!”
Mother: “Hey! You’re covered in mud again…”
Child: “Ahaha, sorry!”
Observing the town from the quiet rooftops, I saw an innocent child running around.
(Haha, it sure is lively.)
I felt my cheeks warming as I took in that calm and normal sight, and from beside me I got the sensation of someone smiling slightly.
I moved my focus to Ray and saw him looking down at the child with something akin to longing in his expression.
OO: “That child sure is energetic isn’t he.”
Ray: “Yeah, to the point where it’s annoying.”
Contrary to his sharp tone, I didn’t sense any coldness in his eyes as he looked at the boy.
OO: “What’s wrong?”
I tilted my head in puzzlement, and I thought I could feel just the faintest bit of warmth from the aura that he normally wore.
Ray: “Nothing…”
Ray: “…I was just thinking that kids are all the same, whether they’re humans or dragons.”
For just a second, he bit his lip.
Ray: “I wanted to make the people who stole my family from me feel the same thing…-.”
Within the light of the setting sun, Ray looked as if he were reminiscing as he looked at the children playing…-.
But I could see an equal amount of pain and sadness reflected in his eyes.
Ch. 4: A Face Seen for the First Time
The orange light of the setting sun fell on Ray’s black and white hair…-.
OO: “Did you come down to the surface when you were living up in the sky?”
Ray: “Sometimes. I’d hide myself with magic so the other dragons wouldn’t find out. …the kids on the island were always nagging me about wanting to see a flower from the surface or to read a book.”
He spoke as if it had been a bother to do, but his eyes were gentle as he looked at the happy children.
(…it isn’t just my imagination when I see him like this. He isn’t a bad person deep down.)
I couldn’t look away from his profile as I saw the longing and gentleness intermixed in his expression, and I started to speak.
OO: “It’s good to take care of someone else isn’t it.”
Ray: “What makes you say that?”
Ray furrowed his brow as he looked back at me.
OO: “Well, you didn’t come down here just to have fun… you said you took a risk and came for the children, right?”
OO: “You’re very kind.”
Ray: “Is that… what you got from the conversation just now?”
As I looked at him, Ray looked at me as if I were being ridiculous.
OO: “Well, you used your magic and came to the surface for those children. That’s why I think you’re kind.”
(If those cruel people hadn’t killed Ray’s clan… Ray would still be living his calm life up in the sky. And we never would have met…)
His home had already drifted away, and he wouldn’t be able to find it in the night sky no matter how much he searched…-.
This is how things had been with Ray, and I discovered an expression I hadn’t seen before.
(…I’m certain he’s not just a terrifying person.)
I thought of the new side of him that I’d seen and furrowed my brow as I tried to determine what Ray was thinking…-.
Ray: “…don’t put too much faith in that idea.”
OO: “Eh…-.”
In the next instant, he grabbed my hands and pushed me against the wall.
Still holding tightly to my hands, Ray looked down at me with eyes that lacked any warmth.
OO: “Ray…?”
Ray: “Your reaction is pretty relaxed even though I’m doing this to you.”
I was confused as Ray sneered at me.
OO: “Wh-what are you doing…?”
Ray: “I told you, didn’t I? To not put any faith in that idea of me being kind.”
My voice was panicked and loud as he pinned me to the wall, then Ray suddenly brought his face in much closer.
Ray: “You are human, and I am a dragon. Those poachers wanted to satisfy their curiosity and obtain dragon scales, so they lied and captured my clan. They may be irrelevant now but… don’t think a lying human can understand me.”
His low, dispassionate voice brushed against my ear.
The angle of the setting sun cast a dark shadow over Ray’s steely expression.
Ray: “Dragons… don’t lie. They were cheerful and arrogant, and they didn’t choose to live their lives relying on their strength to take what they wanted from others. …so don’t even think you can come to understand.”
The kind expression intended for the children below was gone, and all that was left was the chilling gaze that went straight through me.
(I don’t think Ray has always hated humans so much. It’s because of his sorrowful past… how his way of life was stolen from him that made him this way.)
At that moment, still held against the wall, my heart hurt more than my hands did.
It was like there was a warning in his eyes, an awkward kindness, that was telling me not to come any closer to his core.
Ch. 5: Birth of a Wish
Ray’s icy gaze pierced me…-.
His large hands were cold as they still held mine, as if showing how cold his heart was, and without thinking, I squeezed his hands.
Ray: “…? What are you doing?”
OO: “Is it wrong that I want to learn about something I don’t know? I didn’t want to give up on the idea of us coming to a mutual understanding… before I got to know you.”
I looked straight back into his eyes, and Ray shrugged his broad shoulders.
Ray: “…I really don’t get you humans. What do you plan to do if you get to know me? Would you help me if I said I wanted to try and get my family back? Or would you just stop them from killing me?”
OO: “Even if you think me saying this is just lip service, I would search for a way so that no one else gets hurt.”
Ray had lost those important to him and his own purpose in life and secluded himself. But I was sure there was something deeper that I couldn’t begin to imagine…-.
(That’s why I won’t let Ray or those around him get hurt anymore, and I’ll find a way to make it so that never happens again.)
OO: “I want you to be able to enjoy this world once more. I will find and show you that kind of ordinary life… so you can enjoy it as you take a step forward into tomorrow.”
I could feel both of our body heat from where our skin was touching.
I experienced some relief as his chilled hand began to slowly warm up.
Ray: “Even though originally it was fate that your group and I clashed…?”
Ray asked his question quietly.
However, I still heard it, even though it sounded as if he thought it was impossible.
OO: “But that’s what let us cross paths. If it hadn’t… we probably never would have met.”
(It’s possible that one misspoken word will have Ray thinking I’m an idiot and leaving…)
For an instant, that sense of unease blossomed in my heart, but I didn’t dwell on it in the moment.
(But I don’t want the two of us to keep walking separate paths like this.)
Wanting to get across those feelings that were welling up inside me…
OO: “That’s why I want to learn more about you Ray. I want to know… and think about things together.”
My mouth kept going before I could think if what I was saying was the right thing to do.
Ray continued to stare at me with those unreadable eyes, and I couldn’t turn away.
Ray: “…you really are just saying pretty words.”
OO: “It’s fine if I am, because I…-.”
I tightened my fingers that held his lukewarm hand.
As if sensing I was trying to stop him, Ray raised an eyebrow and stood perfectly still.
Ray: “What reason do you have to say something like that?”
OO: “I…-.”
————————
Ray: “…you’re odd.”
————————
Suddenly, I was reminded of the shocked look he gave me when we had been reunited.
(Aah, that’s right. I…-.)
OO: “I can’t make your real wish come true, but… I still want you to smile from the heart. I want to see your real smile.”
With a jolt, I realized that at some point, that wish had been born within my heart…-.
Slowly, so as to express the emotion that lay in the depths of my heart, I focused in on Ray as he was wrapped in the light of the setting sun.
Ch. 6: What is Expressed
Faintly, I could see the serious expression on my own face reflected in Ray’s eyes…-.
OO: “I want to see your real smile.”
Ray: “You…-.”
At the same time as his words fell, I felt his hand that held me relax slightly.
In the next instant, I heard what sounded like the roar of a monster in the distance.
OO: “!?”
Ray: “…”
Soldier: “A monster is headed for the castle walls! Hurry and find shelter!”
A soldier cried out in a rush, and the townspeople started running.
Ray: “Is it a result of the stone?”
OO: “…I don’t know. This country has always had monsters appear in the surrounding area.”
Ray: “I need to go check for sure.”
Ray turned his intense gaze towards the sound of the roar, then his eyes went back to me.
As soon as our eyes met, I felt myself being lifted up…-.
OO: “Ray!?”
Ray: “You’ll be slow, so this is the fastest thing to do. Grit your teeth so you don’t bite your tongue.”
While holding me up, Ray ran, easily jumping from rooftop to rooftop.
(It’ll be fine if I trust him like this right…?)
I was surprisingly calm and silent at the unexpected action, and Ray spoke as if he was surprised.
Ray: “What’s this? I thought you’d panic but you’re suddenly pretty calm… did you already bite your tongue?”
OO: “I-I’m fine.”
OO: “…”
Ray: “Stop struggling and hold on.”
I felt fear as the scenery rushed by with his intense speed, and Ray’s arms tightened around me.
(Is he doing this so I don’t fall…?
(Ah…)
With each jump, Ray’s braded hair twisted and snapped in the air.
It made me think of when I thought I’d never see him again… and of the last glimpse I had of his dragon tail.
…
……
Beneath the red sky, the sound of weapons clashing echoed…-.
Beyond the outer wall that protected the city, soldiers were locked in combat with the monster.
Ray: “…that isn’t from the stone’s power, it’s just a normal beast.”
As Ray’s eyes caught on the monster, his expression changed to disgust.
Ray: “I don’t know if this serves as atonement but… I want to get this troublesome shackle off as soon as possible.”
Readying his trident with strength in his eyes, Ray confronted the monster.
(I want to help, but I don’t think I can do anything in this situation since I can’t fight…)
As I tried to think of a way I wouldn’t be a hindrance, arrows began to fly, and between those I noticed a frightened child, clutching a flower, near the rocky craig close to the monster.
Child: “Oohh…”
OO: “That kid…!”
(It’s one of the kids we saw playing earlier…! I have to help him.)
Having noticed the trembling child, I didn’t give myself time to think as I saw a gap while the monster looked away from the rocky area, and I started running.
When I was just a step away from the rocky area where the boy was, I suddenly sensed the monster close by.
OO: “!”
(No way, the monster is right behind me…!)
Ray: “Hey! …shit!”
In the moment I shut my eyes in fear, I heard the monster’s roar overlayed with Ray’s angry shout.