audience: akane

[cyclists]

Comments

[specialdog]

They're scary.

[cyclists]

Mm, I would agree with that. I have lived long enough that I rarely find myself surprised, and it is not always fortunate when I do.

What do you do - when you find yourself scared, Akane?

[specialdog]

I usually don't have to worry about it. That's the whole point of that world.

[ the world that she ran to. because she was scared. ]

[cyclists]

Ah. A goddess would normally have no reason to worry.

[that makes sense.

but - ]

Were you truly happy there?

[specialdog]

Of course I was.

[ why even ask... everything was definitely perfect and she's definitely... fine... ]

[cyclists]

Someone dear to me had once said that in a life without surprises, your heart will die before your body.

... if you were truly happy, then I am relieved to know that such a thing did not happen to you.

[specialdog]

Or it's just too late to be worrying about something like that.

[ maybe her heart already died. ]

[cyclists]

Oh?

[someway, somehow, lune manages to still sound concerned]

Is your heart ailing?

[specialdog]

No. Not at all.

[ which is probably bad. because of all the murders she's already done, back home. ]

[cyclists]

Oh...? Hadn't you lost someone precious to you recently?

[specialdog]

People die and we still get messages from them.

[ That makes it. Better? Sure. Sure. ]

[cyclists]

You do.

But that does not change the fact that they are no longer here with you, does it?

It would be understandable if this upset you.

[specialdog]

[ She's forcing her own voice even. ]

It doesn't matter if it upsets me or not, there's nothing I can do about it.

[cyclists]

Even if such a thing is in the past...

Your feelings are in the present, and they matter plenty.

[specialdog]

As soon as I can go home, none of this will matter anymore!

[cyclists]

Do you intend to forget it all...?

[specialdog]

No...!

No, but when you leave it behind, it stops mattering.

[cyclists]

Is that what you believe? Or simply what you wish for?

[ . . . ]

Might I ask you to entertain the thoughts of an old man, Akane?

[specialdog]

[ ... she's quiet. he can talk if he wants, whatever... ]

[cyclists]

... I have lived a rather long life, and I have come into contact with a large amount of people - some of them numerous times, even though they may not realize it.

Even if they forget our meeting, I cannot. Time and fate do not forget either.

The words that they spare for me, the actions that they talk on my behalf - I cannot strip them from my being, nor do I wish to. For if I were to forget all the pain, along with it would disappear all the kindness shown on my behalf.

Is it possible - to feel love without sorrow? Or will it leave you only with a cheap imitation?

[ . . . and lune will just cant their head to the side as they regard her]

Your feelings matter, even if you seek to leave them behind.

[specialdog]

What's wrong with an imitation?

[ she's focusing on the wrong thing. ]

[cyclists]

If you were to receive the genuine artifact of love -

Would you recognize it?

[specialdog]

[ No. ]

Of course.

[cyclists]

May I ask if there is a reason why you are so certain?

I suppose you can say that I ask as someone who has been able to receive reverence -

But still does not entirely understand the concept of love.

[specialdog]

Love's not complicated. Feeling loved isn't complicated.

[ Says a girl who claims an imitation is just as good. ]