[Short Story Collection - Flower Crown] Episode 22: 'The Wind Carrier (Part 4)'
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The Wind Carrier (Part 4) - Grage -
Salim's words arrived, carried on the wind.
"Hey Grage... did you like Fail?"
That question pierced my chest like a surprise attack.
I didn't answer, just stared at the fire.
Fail stood up slowly.
He looked up at the night sky, smiling as if shrugging his shoulders.
"Hey Grage, what do you think those shining stars are?"
"...I don't know."
"Right. There's no meaning in things you can't reach.
I was always destined to inherit the family home, you know. But it was a house where you wouldn't be recognized unless you achieved 'glory' in battle. Otherwise, they said you were just a decoration."
The past me heard those words from Fail and just watched the fire in silence.
The current me is the same, unable to say anything.
"But when I'm sitting by the fire next to you... that kind of stuff starts to feel unimportant."
Fail looked at me. The me in my memory didn't look away.
I looked him straight in the eyes.
"Fail. What... do you want?"
"What I want?"
"If you hate the country, then destruction. If you desire honor, then victory. If you seek freedom, then a path to escape. What is it that you want?"
After a moment of silence, Fail held his hands over the bonfire and muttered.
"...I want a friend."
I didn't move.
I just stared at the fire.
The flames flickered suddenly. In that flicker, Fail smiled.
It's about time to sleep. Once tomorrow is over, this battle will reach a turning point.
Fail.
The me in my memories spoke that name for the first time.
He looked a little surprised, and then he smiled more innocently than he ever had before.
Yeah.
The wind quietly enveloped the night. Fail did not stand up, but remained sitting in front of the campfire. He was just staring at the flames.
In truth, there were more things I wanted to say, more things I wanted to talk about. I had thought there would be nights like this again and again.
Thank you. Before I knew it, I had whispered those words. They wouldn't reach the past. No, they were a small, small voice that wouldn't even reach Salim beside me.
For talking to me. For staying by my side. For always showing me your smile.
I was grateful. For all of it.
The campfire crackled softly. I felt as if the wind had grown colder.
Morning is coming. For Fail, the final morning.
The night already knew it was coming to an end.