Kartellis - 8
While spending time doing all the things Kartellis wanted, the hours slipped away in a blur.
It felt like I'd only just arrived in Atlantis yesterday... but now, only about three hours remained until the destruction.
It really wasn't much time left.
"We've had so much fun that time flew by, huh? Seeing how quickly it passed."
"Yeah. Time really does fly."
"I still have so much I want to do. It's a shame."
Claw machines until we emptied my wallet, people-watching at atmospheric cafes, hopping from one famous eatery to the next...
Even after doing all that, Kartellis looked genuinely wistful.
"How many items are even on your bucket list...?"
"Anything with you, Creator, is perfect. I want to do everything in this world with you."
"At that rate, isn't just breathing with me on your list too?"
It was a joke, but Kartellis answered with a straight face.
"...How did you know?"
"......You're kidding, right?"
"Like I said earlier, I want to share everything with you, Creator. That's why it got checked off on the first day."
Breathing together was actually on her bucket list. So quintessentially Kartellis.
"Nothing else you want to do right now?"
"Hmm. Too many ideas popping up... I can't decide where to start. It's the last day, so I want to make it meaningful."
Kartellis propped her chin on a tentacle, staring blankly at the passersby on the street. She seemed lost in deep thought.
After this time ended, she'd have to endure a long separation, after all.
"...How about taking some photos?"
I suggested it for Kartellis, who would be alone. If we had pictures together, maybe she could look at them and ease her loneliness a bit.
"Photos?"
"Yeah. It'd be nice to have some of us together. You could hang one on your wall."
"...Sadly, that won't work."
Kartellis gave a bittersweet smile.
"Any photo not taken before the loop vanishes after the destruction."
"Oh......"
Right—everything resets after the end.
I'd said something pointless. As I clamped my mouth shut, Kartellis stood and extended her hand to me.
"...Still, I do want a photo with you, Creator."
"You sure it'll be okay?"
"Yes. At least for the time we have left, I can smile looking at it."
I took her hand, and she pulled me up. Her smile was a shade brighter than before.
"And I've wanted a photo with you for ages anyway."
"Alright, then. Let's go take some."
Luckily, there was a photo booth not far from where we were.
Inside, we were greeted by props and photos from previous couples.
"No wonder it's a classic date spot—tons of couples."
"Yeah. More than half are pairs."
"Shall we try for that vibe too?"
Kartellis linked arms with me playfully.
"We're not a couple—think it'll come out that way?"
"I like you so much, Creator, it'll turn out perfect♡"
"No confidence it'll be that good..."
"Even if it's not perfect, I'm taking it because I want to."
"Still, that one's a bit......"
"We don't have much time left before we part—can't you indulge me?"
I couldn't refuse that. I finally nodded.
"...Fine. Let's do couple shots."
"You're the best, Creator♡"
And so we donned heart-shaped sunglasses and stepped into the booth.
Having never done this before, I pondered poses—then Kartellis hit the start button.
"We didn't decide on poses—is it okay to just go...?"
"Natural shots come out prettiest. But for the first one, I do have a pose in mind... shall we try it?"
"What is it?"
"Hand hearts♡"
Kartellis beamed, forming half a heart with her fingers and holding it out.
"Hurry and make the other half, Creator♡"
"...Does it have to be hand hearts?"
"If not now, never. Quick!"
If I'd done this once before, it wouldn't feel so awkward.
But it was her request, so I hurriedly formed the other half.
Click.
We ended up looking a bit odd in the shot. Well, Kartellis looked cute anyway—must be her face.
"Kyaa♡ It came out so well."
"......I look awkward."
"That's what makes it cuter to me."
Kartellis giggled and linked arms again.
"Now we can go fully natural."
"Even so, I don't know how to look natural..."
"Just do a peace sign if you're stuck."
True, peace signs are common in photos.
Thinking it a good idea, I flashed one as the timer hit two seconds—then Kartellis pecked my cheek.
Mwah.
"Kartellis...!? Out of nowhere like that...!"
"Come on, look at the camera♡"
Caught off guard, I couldn't pose properly—but the camera didn't wait.
"Ah, perfect."
The photo captured my flustered face, cheeks flushed, with Kartellis smirking mischievously.
"...You."
"Why? This one's way more couple-like and cute. Your flustered look is adorable."
"Haa......"
She's so unpredictable.
Her constant surprises make my heart feel like it's free-falling off a cliff.
"Warn me next time."
"Okay, then—kissing for this one♡"
"What did you just—"
Before I could stop her, Kartellis pressed her lips to mine.
Her tentacles pinned me in place. The photo snapped mid-kiss.
"Pha♡ I warned you, like you said."
"...I didn't mean warn me in a way I couldn't react."
"You didn't specify, so I did it. But it came out great, right?"
The photo was pretty, leaving me speechless.
"How am I supposed to stop you...?"
"Hehe...♡ No more surprises now, promise."
"Do it again and I'm walking out."
"Don't worry. I keep my promises."
Thankfully, she behaved after that.
...She really does listen well, in a weird way.
After dozens of shots, the photo session finally wrapped.
I thought just browsing would take time, but Kartellis meticulously picked her favorites one by one.
"Hmm... They all came out well, but the second and third are the prettiest."
"I don't get why those appeal to you..."
"You're cute in them, Creator. And they look so couple-y."
"Can't you pick at least one without me?"
"Nope, these two are must-haves."
Despite my pleas, she insisted on those two.
She selected one more for the remaining slot, and two prints emerged.
Kartellis's beauty made even simple standing shots look great.
"Yay, perfect♡"
She clutched one, beaming with pure joy.
But with destruction looming—or maybe because the photo would soon vanish—watching her smile only weighed on my heart.
"Kartellis, I..."
As I opened my mouth to speak—
Rumble rumble rumble!!
The ground shook violently.
The destruction had begun.
"......!!!"
Looking out the window, I saw a colossal giant rising—too vast to take in fully.
The same one I'd seen with Selphira. The one that plunged its massive sword into the world I'd created.
Was it about to repeat the act?
A blood-red sword erupted from the crumbling plaza below.
"Creator."
Kartellis, watching beside me, pulled me into a tight embrace. Her back tentacles wrapped around me too.
"I hope we can hug like this next time too."
"This doesn't seem fixable quickly, so we'll probably hug again..."
"That's not what I meant."
She looked up, eyes locking with mine.
"I hope, when you return, Creator, my place in your arms is still here."
Her gaze brimmed with unspoken sorrow.
I nodded quietly, and she hugged tighter.
"Go, Creator. I'll be right here, waiting."
With those words, a deafening roar erupted. As my consciousness faded amid the ear-splitting noise, her final whisper enveloped me.
"I love you."