One day, on the Azure Isle…-.
The sun told all that morning was starting, shining in the sky as if banishing the darkness of night.
Ray: “Hey, don’t pull.”
The island of natural beauty was filled with the delighted voices of Ray and two children.
The children of the island, Monica and Guido, had been pestering Ray about seeing the morning sunrise, so the three and Ray’s childhood friend Fio went to a place where they could watch the sunrise.
Monica: “Hurry up Big Brother Ray~!”
Guido: “Let’s have a match to see who can get to the edge of the island first!”
Ray: “You two, listen when others are talking!”
Ray tightly grabbed both of their hands as they seemed about to run off.
Ray: “Don’t run. You’re just going to fall right away. Then you’ll end up whining and crying.”
Monica: “I won’t cry!”
Guido: “Me either!”
The two children continued to laugh in delight even as Ray let out a sigh.
Seeing the three of them, Fio smiled.
Fio: “Come on, it’s fine right? They’re just happy to be able to play with you Ray. Recently you’ve been pretty busy helping the chief with his work and all.”
Ray: “You’d think that, but these two have no problem with coming by when I’m working.”
Fio: “Well anyway, just play with the kids now and then. They always seem to be looking forward to when you come back with the flowers you pick from the surface.”
Ray: “Geez, now you’re being too demanding too.”
Despite letting out a sigh, Ray didn’t deny what Fio said and listened to him attentively.
Finally, they came to the edge of the island and the four watched the bright red morning sun as it rose into the sky.
Monica: “The sky is so pretty!”
Ray: “…yeah.”
Guido: “Big Brother Ray, can we come here together again?”
Ray: “Only if you two behave yourselves.”
Monica: “Yay! It’s a promise! Oh, and I really want another flower from the surface. It was super pretty!”
Ray: “Geez… what makes them so different from the flowers on the island?”
Monica: “They’re totally different! We’re told not to leave the island because it’s dangerous but… I’d like to see the flowers that bloom on the surface for myself someday.”
Ray: “Humans are dangerous to us. If you’re on the island, I’ll protect you. And I’ll bring you flowers. So… don’t leave the island.”
Ray looked at Monica, and perhaps from sadness, tears that he couldn’t hold back began to overflow.
Guido: “Aah! You made Big Bro Ray cry!!”
Ray: “Wha…”
Fio: “Monica. Someday, Ray… will connect the surface and the Azure Isle.”
Monica: “Really!?”
Ray: “Hey, don’t go spouting stuff like that.”
Fio: “So let’s trust in Ray… so that someday that happy future will come.”
Fio looked at Ray and winked.
Ray: “I’m fine as long as you can all live happy, peaceful lives on the island. I couldn’t wish for anything more.”
Fio: “But you can’t limit your own happiness to this island Ray, alright?”
Ray: “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Fio: “I mean hurry up and find a girl or two you like and bring back a bride.”
Monica & Guido: “I want to see your bride!”
Fio: “When that time comes, you better introduce all of us. Because I bet you’ll love her and keep her all to yourself.”
Ray: “…if you all are my family, I’ll think about it.”
Monica: “That’s a promise too!”
It was a pleasant time spent on the island with Fio and the two children…
Those promises that bound them on that day and could not be kept would continue to linger in Ray’s heart.
END