Onward, with No Turning Back
...Thank you for coming, despite your busy schedule.
As acting Master Maid of Candle Square, I offer my sincere apologies for the recent incident.
The maid involved has received a stern warning and been reassigned to another workplace, where she cannot approach the Saviors participating in the Journey.
Of course, this is only a temporary measure. Further action may be taken as appropriate.
The senior maids and I will personally ensure this is handled with the utmost care.
Thank you, Claire.
At Candle Square, we consider it our duty to serve everyone to the best of our ability, regardless of their past.
As such, we would have no grounds to complain even if you were furious with us, but...
...Yes, Captain.
Despite this unfortunate incident, I trust you will guide your member safely to the end of the Journey.
May the starlight illuminate your path, Captain.
...
It's open.
...I just watered the flower, actually.
The new pot you bought me is much sturdier than the last one.
So it won't break or get damaged again.
...Gille.
...
I know. I know the flower is dead.
But you told me something once.
You said caring for this flower could become my small goal.
I don't know when my master will return, and now I'm bound by the shackles of this Journey of yours.
If I give up on this flower too, I'll have nothing left but feelings that make me sick.
Things you people call lingering attachment and loss.
Gille seemed calm and detached.
But I thought she looked confused at the same time.
...What was it you wanted from me in the end?
What did you hope would become of me once I started with a small goal?
Did you want me to abandon everything I was as an Executor and become human?
I wanted you to find a way to live.
Even if you're not human, you can live like one.
...
Then do you think there's nothing wrong with my past?
Did you think a change of heart could wash everything clean whenever I wanted?
...
...Heh. I see. Maybe not.
I have no intention of repenting, either. It would mean nothing, and I have no desire to.
But there is one thing I have to admit.
You've taught me... a terribly insignificant, filthy emotion.
Which means I have one more reason to resent you.
...This will be my last outing here.
This room is far too stifling.
Let's go out together.
What?
Now you're saying it as if it's the most natural thing in the world.
...Fine. Very well.
I'll indulge you. Since it's the last time.
Gille walked one step ahead of me.
After we reached the park, I counted seven footsteps. Neither of us had spoken.
...Then came the eighth step.
...Why a flower, of all things?
Hmm?
There must have been so many other things.
I'm curious why you chose a flower out of all of them.
Hmm. What a trifling reason.
Though a small animal might've been even more bothersome...
So it wasn't something you gave much thought to?
I'd hoped it would become a small goal for her.
If that gave her even a little interest in the world...
Maybe she'd start thinking about how to live as herself, rather than as an Executor.
...You. Cat.
Did you think you'd get away with humiliating me last time?
What perfect timing, you insolent little thing.
The cat meowed, almost as if in reply.
Then it slowly approached Gille.
...
Hmph. Acting friendly now, are we?
Gille slowly met the cat's gaze and cautiously extended her hand.
The cat seemed to sniff her hand, then rubbed its head against it.
And Gille, of all people, began gently stroking the cat.
Captain.
I still hate you. No matter what happens, I doubt the long-standing hatred will ever change.
Even now, you're the same man who tied me down without asking and did things for me that I never requested.
...You told me to start with a small goal, but I don't know what to do next.
All your foolish meddling has taught me is what kind of being I used to be...
And how heavy that burden might be, if I were to call it a sin.
...Yes. Without you, I may have to carry that burden myself.
If it becomes my next goal, that is.
...Hmph. You always make it sound so easy.
If you'd left me to live in chaos as before, I never would have felt any of this.
Why did you make me feel these things? You should've left me as I was, with no attachment to this world and no affection for it.
I won't call it something precious, but just as you intended, I've found something I care quite a bit about.
And now I know the pain of seeing it destroyed.
If this dreadful feeling is what you meant by being human...
Then maybe, despite everything ugly that happened along the way, you got what you wanted.
...
I can never go back to who I was before I met you.
And it's all your fault, Captain.
You've only been through one Journey with me, yet you're acting so insufferably smug.
This is the last time I'll be bound to you.
Don't act like you own me.
If the feelings Gille had discovered were painful and negative...
Maybe that proved she was no longer the monster she used to be.
I pulled out two bags of seeds.
...Here.
...?
Violas. They're easy to grow, even for beginners.
What?
These are geranium seeds. This variety is easy to grow indoors...
What are you doing!
Hah. After all this time?
It's never too late.
...!
We can start small. One thing at a time.
Don't act like you own me.
Gille glared at me, but soon took the bags of seeds.
Well, fine. The Journey isn't over yet.
Until then... you aren't allowed to run away either.
We still have a [deal], after all.
...You say it so casually.
Even if you regret it later, I won't hear you out.
And I knew I had to guide her.
So she could keep moving toward something, even after the Journey was over.