#12. Past0

… On that day five years ago, as the greatest star in the world set, Deculein died. Without a shred of a doubt, without any way to turn back the clock, Sophien witnessed that all too certain final moment of his death.0

Whoooooosh—0

From the end of the winter mountain, at a snowline altitude where her body was scattered by the frigid cold northern winds, Sophien witnessed the scene inside Rohakan’s cabin where a warm bonfire was burning, with a sight that surpassed a human's.0

— Brother.0

Sophien took in the sight of Yeriel calling out to Deculein, the sight of Deculein smiling at her, and the sight of their last conversation with her own two eyes.0

— Yeriel.0

Deculein called Yeriel, who had come to him, and he silently reached out a hand to comfort the child who was mourning.0

— … Why have you been hiding all this time?0

Yeriel asked, her voice trying not to break but cracking with tears.0

— I was not in hiding.0

Deculein replied.0

At that moment, Ellie stepped toward them and gave Deculein a slight nod—a small, simple gesture of greeting that carried more weight than a hundred words—and Deculein met her eyes with a light nod, and with that, their greeting was over.1

— I was waiting here.0

Deculein continued to speak to Yeriel.0

The emotion in the word waiting was so tender, affectionate, and warm that Sophien rested her chin on her hand with a smile, exactly as Deculein once treated his own sibling, even though Yeriel was without a doubt not related to him by blood.0

— … I see you have been doing well.0

Deculein’s voice was filled with warmth, and with every syllable, every resonance, that warmth glittered like light.0

— You think... I'm doing well?0

Yeriel replied, sobbing at Deculein's compliment.0

However, it was impossible to tell from Yeriel’s expression whether she was happy or sad, even with the teardrops hanging from her wide eyes.0

— Have...0