Proof of Existence
True to her reputation as Candle Square's former Master Maid, Carnelia had never failed to keep a promise.
Training, external schedules, trials... No matter what it was, Carnelia had never once been late or absent.
...But today was different.
...She's running late.
Could something have happened?
With that in mind, I decided to look around Candle Square.
The garden leading to Candle Square's back entrance.
For an instant, I almost recalled the memory of searching through NOA on the first day of the Journey.
But unlike then, I found her almost immediately.
Oh, Captain. What brings you all the way to the garden...?
...My apologies. I forgot all about the training schedule.
Fufu, yes.
Back then, I used to enjoy planting and tending flowers here in the garden.
Thinking about those days led me back here today.
Though... I didn't expect to become so absorbed that I'd lose track of the training schedule.
That is usually the case, yes... but in my case, the work simply became a hobby.
Whenever someone said they'd maintain the garden, I would insist on caring for the plants myself.
Oh, this works out nicely.
This gives me a chance to show you the flowers on our way back.
Perhaps anyone shines a little when speaking about something they love.
Carnelia calmly guided me through the garden, explaining each flower she pointed out.
The yellow flowers over here are known as coreopsis. They're flowers that announce the arrival of summer.
Those white flowers over there are shasta daisies, and the round purple ones on the right are alliums.
Alliums symbolize... a fading heart, and endless sorrow.
That's a pretty sad meaning.
Fufu... Indeed. Learning a flower's meaning can change the way you see it.
And as for the flower over there...
Carnelia's gaze drifted across the flowers in bloom.
And then her eyes settled on a single flower.
Among all the vivid colors, there was one that had lost its light and withered away alone.
...
...It's wilted.
It seems to have lost its life quite some time ago. Even the petals... have all fallen.
I suppose no one noticed because the other flowers were all so vibrant.
Perhaps it realized that the beauty of this garden would remain un changed even without its presence.
Carnelia quietly sat down and gently gathered the wilted flower.
I wonder if this flower knew... that it was destined to wither one day.
...Poor thing.
I wonder how it felt... waiting for the day it would lose its light, only to finally meet its end.
You're planting a new one?
...Yes. I can't just leave the spot empty.
This flower I'm planting now will take the place left behind by the withered one.
And someday, it will bloom and became part of the garden's beauty.
As Carnelia pictured the flower blooming someday, a faint sadness crossed her face.
Seeing that expression, I stopped her with a question.
I want to ask you something.
Yes? What is it, Captain?
I recalled Carnelia's words from the day we met, when she said we would slowly come to understand one another.
Perhaps now she would finally answer the question I'd been wondering about.
Oh, have I not told you yet?
...My reason is much the same as anyone else's.
There was something I desired, and I had been looking for it...
That was when I unexpectedly received an invitation to the Journey.
I wondered if the power of the Star Savior might allow me to reach what I desired.
...That's all.
Could you tell me... what is it you want?
...
Instead of answering, Carnelia simply smiled quietly at me.
Her silent smile alone was enough to tell me she could not answer that question yet.
...Fufu. Yes, perhaps a little.
I departed in order to search for that thing I desired.
...There was something I desired more than planting and caring for the flowers in the garden.
Perhaps... someday soon, I might be able to tell you.
Though I'm not certain what you will think of me once I tell you.
I see... then I'll wait until you're ready to talk about it.
Fufu. Thank you, Captain.
What I want to do...?
You're asking what I want to do... not what I desire?
...
What I want to do, you say...
I'm not sure.
...Nothing at all.
Huh...?
Well then, should we head back?
I've taken up a bit of our training time.
We should proceed with training as scheduled for the remaining time.
With that, Carnelia said no more and walked ahead.
In the end, I couldn't bring myself to ask the name of the flower she had planted.