Flowers Bloom Even in an Abandoned Garden
Calling me to the station out of nowhere. What's this about?
The reason I asked you here today is...
Ta-da!
A random train ticket...?
What does that even mean...?
...Huh? It literally means a random trip to somewhere?
So you're saying, we board a train without knowing the destination...?
And go on an aimless trip? That's actually a thing?
Exactly!
...What kind of moron came up with this?
Have fun. I have work to d—
W-who says?
Weren't you the one who told me to have it my way?
Th-that was...!
How do you... make yourself feel better?
I try to do something fun!
So let's do fun things together!
*Sigh...* Forget it.
You being willful isn't new.
A hard-boiled egg...?
I'm not hungry—mmph?!
D-don't just shove it in my mouth...!
It's not bad, but...
Huh? Look out the window...?
What's the fuss—
...
Haydee scoffed at first, but then quietly watched the passing view.
Fields rolled out, with flowers on low hills swaying in the wind under sunlight.
Well... the scenery isn't as bad as I thought.
...But it's nothing special.
...For Haydee, who measured all things by revenge...
What she needs is to set that yardstick down for a moment, and accept a passing scene as it is.
...Not bad.
I'll give you that much.
The train stopped at a quiet rural station.
Mesmerized, Haydee drifted down to the platform.
Then as allured by something, she started walking toward something.
Her eyes trembled and her breath grew rough.
...
Hey.
...What's wrong?
Did you know where we were going?
...No.
Of course, you didn't.
Because I never told you about this place in detail before.
So... this is just coincidence.
Behind the station, gentle knolls spread like a field.
Below the wind-tossed grass, a few piles of stones lay carelessly.
At a glance they were just broken, neglected walls.
I told you once, right?
That I woke up in the ruins of some ancient site.
Wait, is this...
Yes. Right under our feet.
Very few people know this, but there's a huge cavern under here.
The ruins of a long-lost kingdom lie below.
Not that I know that because I have memories of it...
Ngh...
...Are you okay?
Where... am I? Who... are you...?
Mm... That's a hard question to answer.
I can only say it's the ruins of a forgotten kingdom.
Before you ask more, let me ask you a question first.
Who are you, to be lying here?
These ruins haven't seen light for centuries at least.
I'm... Haydee...
And I...
I...
...It must have been a tiny country.
It vanished without a trace, not even a side note in the history books.
No one remembers. Not even its sole survivor, me. What a hollow end.
All I recall are fragments from the last day.
Destruction and slaughter. Lives guttering out.
Painful screams and hopeless moans...
After Cristelle woke me, nothing remained.
Only the powerlessness and anger of that final moment. That's all.
So I have to finish my revenge.
Because... that must be why I'm alive across an unfathomable span.
Haydee...
I know. I look like a fool to you.
I know this isn't normal.
But...
I really don't have anything left.
A stiff gust blew.
A petal drifted on the wind and stuck to her cheek.
...What's this?
It was a familiar red petal.
So anemones bloom here too.
...Do you know anemones's meaning?
Fleeting love and solitude.
Hah! Suits me perfectly, doesn't it?
I turned toward the wind. Overgrown thickets, tall as a person, swayed in the breeze.
And a pale color flickered within.
...?! H-huh? Where are you going?
Why are you grabbing my hand? You perv... What indecency are you planning—
I scooped the panicking Haydee up and gave her a shoulder ride.
Ngh...?! Y-you shameless pervert...!
D-do you want to die?
Her thighs tightened against my neck.
Gah...! Th-that's not it...!
Die! Perv! You brazen-faced lecher!
Filth with nothing but dirty thoughts!
You brought me to a secluded place to do this to me, didn't you?!
My vision dimmed as my carotid was squeezed, then a soft scent tickled my nose.
Mm. A familiar scent—the perfume Haydee wore frequently...
...Wait, that's not important!
I surrender...! I surrender...!
Tap! Taaap! Let me go!
I'm dying! I'm dying! I can't breathe...!
...Huh?
It's all for a reason, so wait...?
...Hmph. Then say so first. I almost killed you.
If it turns out to be nothing, you'll pay.
With Haydee calmed, I carried her through the thick brush, shoulder ride.
After only a few steps, a breathtaking scene opened.
...
...You wanted to show me this...?
A small field overflowing with red anemones.
Something... feels familiar.
A very... very long time ago...
I'm sure... back then... I was happy...
My chest... It hurts...
But... I don't dislike it.
So I... do have memories like this...
Haydee sank into the flowers and sat there, lost in thought for a long while.
So, how was today's trip?
...Hey.
Why are you so smug after dragging me around however you pleased?
But you had fun, right? Or did you dislike it?
...I didn't dislike it.
Hey.
Do you know the other meaning of anemones?
What is it?
It's anticipation and waiting.
Maybe I'm... waiting for something too.
...Foolishly so.
Your stupidity must be rubbing off.
...Something in your eyes look indecent.
Perv. You're always scheming something dirty, aren't you?
Go away.
Keep a step's distance!
Any closer and I'll kick you...!
Haydee kept throwing kicks, but I stuck close at her side.
Despite her harsh words, she didn't shove me away.