Farewell to Ariel and Fireworks of Promise
At the village outskirts, a massive carriage bound for the capital stood loaded with heavy luggage. The warm morning sunlight bathed everything, but my heart felt as cold and numb as midwinter. Even the murmurs of the gathered crowd around the carriage seemed distant.
Ariel's parents bustled about, securing the last of the baggage with ropes. Ariel stood before me, her usual cheerfulness gone, dressed neatly and composed. In her hands, she clutched a small bundle holding her final memories of this village.
"Roen... you really have to go now. Why does time have to be so cruelly fast...?" Ariel's voice trembled faintly. "I don't want to say goodbye to you..."
I swallowed the sorrow rising in my throat and forced a smile, but Ariel couldn't hold back any longer. She threw herself into my arms. The familiar scent of flour and sweet vanilla from her body pierced my heart, making it ache even more.
"Roen! We have to meet again! The moment I get to the capital, I'll write you letters every single day. If your reply is even a little late, I'll really cry."
"Got it. I'll stock up on stationery."
Ariel looked at me with anxious eyes. "You're the most precious and only friend in the world to me—never forget that! Got it?"
"Yeah, of course. Ariel, please don't cry. If you cry like that, I won't be able to let you go either. We'll definitely meet again, so let's both be even cooler adults by then."
I stroked Ariel's sobbing shoulders as she wept in my arms, running my fingers through her hair again and again. My own eyes grew hot, blurring my vision. Ah, crying is embarrassing...
The Baker, who had been silently watching from the side, gave a kind smile and patted my shoulder firmly. His touch conveyed more pride than sadness.
"Roen, I've spoken to the folks taking over the bakery about your situation, so you can keep living like you are now."
The Baker turned to leave but paused, as if remembering something. "Oh, right—one more thing. I'll keep sending you royalties even after I go to the capital, so don't worry."
...As expected, he's a good man. Working with him was truly a blessing.
"...Thank you, sir. Really... I don't know how to repay you... Please stay healthy."
The Baker smiled encouragingly and headed to the carriage. Once the loading was done, Ariel wiped her tear-streaked face and turned to Psyche, who had been standing beside me. The air between the two—who had been tense, jealous, and wary of each other—shimmered oddly.
Ariel slowly knelt to meet Psyche's eye level and extended her hand carefully. "Psyche, I'm sorry for being mean and petty to you all this time. Next time we meet... let's be friends."
Ariel's all grown up.
"Take good care of Roen. Don't make our Roen cry."
...Sounds like a line from a tragic male lead. Whatever, that's not the point. I'm proud she's reflected on herself these past few days.
Psyche's purple eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then she gripped Ariel's hand tightly and nodded vigorously. Tears welled up in the child's eyes too.
"Yes, Ariel unnie. Have a safe trip. Until you come back, I'll be a good girl and a reliable little sister right by Roen unnie's side."
"...Thanks, Psyche. I'm going now. Take care—you too, Psyche and Roen."
Ariel climbed into the carriage, and the wheels began rolling over the gravel path. The horses neighed, their cries scattering into the air. Ariel leaned halfway out the window, waving nonstop until we shrank to a dot and vanished completely.
I stood there like a tree rooted to the spot, watching her receding figure long after the dust settled and even her silhouette faded into the haze.
Back home, I collapsed onto the bed listlessly. Even the decorations on the front door—touched by Ariel's hands—were hard to look at. The silence in the empty room made her absence feel cruelly real.
It was impossible to believe that my friend, who used to knock on my window unannounced with the scent of fresh bread every day, was now a fortnight away by carriage. My chest felt hollow, like a cold wind whistling through a gaping hole.
"Unnie..."
Psyche entered the room cautiously. The child who would normally pounce like a kitten and burrow into my arms instead sat quietly at the foot of the bed today, respecting my grief fully.
She fiddled with my fingers and whispered softly. "Unnie, don't be too sad. Ariel unnie will surely come back as the most famous and amazing person in the capital."
I nodded weakly. With Ariel's talent, success was certain—whether in magic or baking.
"Oh, right. Today's the last day of the festival. They say there's a huge fireworks show at the square tonight. I've been waiting so long to watch it with you."
"Fireworks..."
I stared blankly at the rough wooden beams on the ceiling, then suddenly remembered the necklace tucked away in the cupboard. The purple gemstone necklace that perfectly matched Psyche's deep eyes.
Pushed aside amid the whirlwind of parting with Ariel, this necklace was a symbol of our new beginning—our promise to trust and rely on each other completely.
Yeah, Psyche's trying so hard for me too...
I dragged my heavy body up and gently cupped Psyche's soft cheek. Seeing a bit of life return to my reflection in her eyes brought me some relief.
"Psyche, thank you. Thanks to you, unnie's coming back to her senses. Let's go watch the fireworks together. We'll eat tons of delicious festival treats at the square and enjoy the finale."
"Really? Wow! Yay, unnie! Hurry and get ready! I'll bring out my prettiest clothes!"
As night deepened, the village square and lakeside teemed with people eager for the festival's grand finale. Colorful lanterns lit the darkness like daylight, and the air carried merry laughter mixed with the sweet aroma of snacks.
My heart still ached with emptiness, but watching Psyche cling to my hand so tightly, bouncing with excitement, I forced a smile. To keep me from sinking back into gloom, Psyche chattered nonstop, pointing out every corner of the square.
Her extra cheerfulness and goofy expressions revealed such deep, warm care for me that my chest swelled with emotion.
"Unnie, look at that big blue lantern! Under the night sky, it's so fantastical, right?"
"Unnie, those sugar-coated fruits over there look so yummy—should we get one? I'll pop it right into your mouth!"
Like she was filling Ariel's absence, Psyche described every sight in the square and led me along. Her pure efforts gradually parted the heavy clouds weighing on my heart.
Finally, the massive signal flare announcing the festival's end rocketed into the night sky with a boom.
Boooom—!
Golden sparks and red flames cascaded like a massive waterfall across the pitch-black heavens. Cheers, gasps of awe, and applause erupted everywhere. Psyche stood mesmerized, mouth agape, eyes sparkling as she drank in the spectacle.
I gazed at her profile for a moment, then carefully pulled out the purple necklace box from my embrace.
"Psyche, look at unnie for a sec?"
The instant she turned, amid the majestic roar of successive fireworks, I fastened the necklace around her slender neck. The intricately cut purple gem reflected the brilliant fireworks, shimmering mysteriously and brilliantly just like Psyche's eyes.
As the cool metal touched her skin, Psyche's shoulders trembled slightly.
"Psyche, this is my true heart. Thank you for coming to my side and for believing in me. It's proof that unnie's feelings are always with you."
Psyche touched the necklace now resting on her chest with trembling hands, unable to speak for a long while. Her large eyes filled with tears clearer and purer than the fireworks, spilling down her cheeks.
It wasn't sorrow, but tears of感動 and relief.
"...It's so beautiful. I'll cherish it like part of my body until I die."
I smiled and hugged her. Thousands of fireworks poured down like a galaxy above us. We held each other gently, sharing our warmth until the festival's final spark faded completely into the night sky.
Time always flows quickly. In my previous life, and here too.