“That’s true… but what I’m a little worried about is, could there be someone trying to misuse this reincarnation magic?”
“Misuse?”
“Yes,”
Everyone was surprised by his statement.
“Based on what Kasumi said, there is a strong possibility that we aren’t the only ones who have reincarnated. If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be strange for someone to appear who intends to abuse this magic called reincarnation.”
“……That is certainly true.”
“If such a person tried to utilize reincarnation magic on a larger scale, or attempted to tamper with the magic, couldn’t the effects—like crop failures or mass outbreaks—spread even further? There is even the possibility that it could reach a level where people are harmed……”
“…………”
Hearing Rain’s concerns, everyone looked toward Kasumi, wanting to hear her opinion. Kasumi placed a hand on her chin and fell into thought for a short while.
“……Nah, that’d be difficult.”
The reply was a denial.
“……Is that so?”
“Yeah. Even an ordinary person can be on the receiving end of reincarnation magic and become aware of its existence, but interferin’ with the magic itself is impossible. This magic is strangely complex; there’s not a one-in-a-million chance an amateur could meddle with it.”
Kasumi explained.
“If there were a human capable of abusin’ the magic like that, it’d have to be a survivor of the mages from four hundred years ago. Unless a mage from back then reincarnated, there’s no way such abuse could be possible.”
“Then……”
“But—”
Rain tried to voice an opinion upon hearing Kasumi’s words, but as if to cut him off, Kasumi continued speaking.
“……There ain’t no such person.”
“…………”
“At that time, no one could reincarnate. ……I saw it with my own eyes. No one activated the reincarnation magic……”
As Kasumi explained, her words gradually grew quieter. Anyone could tell that her voice was filled with deep sorrow.
“No one reincarnated. No one……”
Kasumi murmured. Remembering the past, the memories flickered deep within her eyes. Painful memories of the past crossed her mind, naturally clouding her expression. Seeing her like this, Zeke and the others realized that for Kasumi, four hundred years ago was not a distant past, but a present reality she continues to shoulder the memories of.
The winter sunshine shone brightly. The sun watched over everything in the world just as it did in the past, but it told no tales of those memories, merely pouring down its light.
There was not a single person in this world who could fully understand what was inside Kasumi’s heart, and Zeke and the others sipped their tea, which had already gone cold.
“…………”
Then, Kasumi raised her head and gave a small smile, as if to smooth things over.
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Evening came, and the gathering at Zeke’s house came to a close. The days were getting shorter, and the red setting sun was approaching the horizon. Kasumi and the others were reincarnators and had higher mental ages than ordinary children, so there was no worry about them needing to be home before sunset, but if they lingered too long, Zeke’s children, Yuki and Haru, would return. Kasumi and the others left Zeke’s house.
Kasumi, Tuli, and Rain walked side-by-side down the street. Kasumi lived not too far from Zeke’s house, but Tuli and Rain had to take the train home. The three were heading toward the station, and withered leaves scattered by the roadside trees littered the quiet residential street. Stepping on the dry leaves with a crisp crunching sound, the three retraced their path home with a calm gait uncharacteristic of children.
“Even so……”
Tuli spoke up, and both Kasumi and Rain turned their faces toward her.
“I’ve said it so many times already, but to think even you were a reincarnator, Kasumi.”
“Ahaha, I’ve heard that plenty of times already.”
“I want to say it as many times as it takes—something like this.”
Haa, Tuli let out a loud sigh.
“I didn’t notice at all. I mean, you’ve been acting like an idiot with Yuki and Tiffy the whole time.”
“That’s wrong. That was mimicry, dosu. I was desperately actin’ to blend in as a child, dosu.”
“You liar.”
“Ahaha!”
Tuli had been inconvenienced by Tiffy, Yuki, and Kasumi time and time again, and had her hands full taking care of them. Tuli had thought that because she was a reincarnator and they were real children, it couldn’t be helped—but it turned out Kasumi was an unexpected reincarnator too.
Her actions contained not only childish innocence but also a significant amount of cunning mischief.
“I’m not going to look after you anymore, Kasumi. If you get into trouble, handle it yourself. You’re a grown adult, aren’t you?”
“Oh come on. Have some mercy, Tuli-han. Look after me just like before, okay?”
“No way.”
“Look, includin’ my past life I’m still only 30, but Tuli-han is 43. Just as I thought, Tuli-han is my big sister.”
“D-Don’t say 43!”
“Eh, are you a little desperate?”
Tuli was slightly sensitive about her current age combined with her past life. Rain spoke while groaning in thought.
“Since Kasumi was a reincarnator, don’t tell me… is there a possibility that Yuki and Tiffy are reincarnators too?”
“No way, no no no. Those are real children.”
“That’s cruel, Tuli-han.”
Tuli waved her hand vigorously, and Kasumi laughed happily with a clatter.
“Still, while it’s surprising that Kasumi was a reincarnator, for me, the fact that a witch from four hundred years ago actually exists in this era is even more surprising. If historical researchers found out, wouldn’t they chase Kasumi around with eyes sparkling?”
“I definitely want no part of that. Dead men tell no tales. There’s nothin’ left to talk about now.”
“Aren’t there any words you wanted to leave behind?”
When Rain asked that lightly, Kasumi’s feet came to a sudden halt.
“Eh……?”
Surprised that their friend had suddenly stopped walking, Rain and Tuli turned back to look at her.
“Ka, Kasumi……?”
“…………”
Kasumi’s face had stiffened. Her mouth was shut tight, and her eyes were slightly wide. Her eyebrows were raised, forming an expression that could be taken as either anger or sorrow. Seeing that face, the two were slightly taken aback.
Words she wanted to leave behind. Just before Kasumi’s past self, Aoi, was executed, she had left words for the judge and the crowd. They were words of resentment that had no effect; she had simply tried to leave her hatred behind.
But those words were never passed down to future generations; they were ignored and silenced. Aoi’s feelings at that time were disregarded by the people and never conveyed. Remembering that, she clenched her fists tightly.
“Kasumi……?”
“Ka, Kasumi……?”
“…………”
Tuli and Rain called out to her worriedly. Hearing them, Kasumi took a small, deep breath. She relaxed her body, broke her stiff expression, and gave a small laugh.
“It’s nothin’. Come on, let’s go?”
“…………”
Kasumi began to move her feet again. Tuli and Rain were dumbfounded, but unable to understand the true intent within her heart, they chased after her as she overtook them and walked ahead.
Tuli timidly called out to Kasumi’s back.
“Hey, Kasumi……”
“What is it?”
“By any chance…… do you still hate the Church that executed you……?”
“…………”
Tuli looked toward Kasumi, but only her back was there, and she couldn’t see her expression. And she couldn’t circle around to the front to check. She didn’t have that kind of courage.
Perhaps a terribly angry voice would fly back at her. Tuli and Rain waited for Kasumi’s next words in fear, but the response was a voice so leisurely it was almost anticlimactic.
“I wonder……”
A voice like a sigh leaked from Kasumi.
“I don’t really know.”
“……You don’t know?”
“Yeah. That’s right.”
Kasumi looked up at the evening sky.
“The humans who were alive back then aren’t here. In that case, there ain’t no humans to take revenge on either. The Church has repented for its past actions, and my comrades are still being memorialized with great care.”
“…………”
“Time has flowed on. There are no enemies to hate. There are no comrades with whom I shared joys and sorrows. Nothing is left.”
Tuli stepped forward a few paces to line up beside Kasumi and peeked at her face. Deep emotions, not just loneliness, were seeping out. It was to the point that Tuli, with her life experience living in a peaceful era, could not fully comprehend the depths of Kasumi’s heart.
“There’s no one. There’s no one left……”
The red of the setting sun dyed their faces. In a world stained by twilight, Kasumi just continued to walk aimlessly. Tuli and Rain walked beside her with worried faces, but they didn’t know what words to say.
Kasumi simply continued walking through a world where no one remained.
The wind blew, and the fallen leaves rustled as they shook on the ground. The delicious smell of dinner being prepared leaked from the surrounding houses, causing one to sense the peace there. The peace she wanted to taste with her old friends was right here.
Even so, Kasumi had no choice but to keep walking.
Not a single star had come out yet.
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