『 "Now… It's just the two of us." Kakavasha stepped forward, looking at Aventurine and saying, "Could you take a photo of me? Just as a keepsake."
Aventurine nodded slightly. "Sure, go ahead."
Kakavasha slowly walked behind the four-person photo standee, stopping at the spot corresponding to his height. He stared blankly into the distance, seeming a bit uncomfortable.
Aventurine took out his phone and captured the past before him.
In the photo, Kakavasha was cute, innocent, and happy—completely different from himself.
This can be considered making up for my childhood, Aventurine thought.
After taking the photo, Kakavasha skipped over to Aventurine and looked at the picture on his phone, a faint smile gracing the corners of his lips.
"This is great. Now I can see what I look like, too."
Aventurine looked at Kakavasha gently, smiling as he patted his head. "Next time you take a photo, remember to look at the lens. Your expression will look more natural." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: This can be considered making up for his childhood regrets.
....
『 "Mhm, I will." Kakavasha nodded to show he understood, then looked at Aventurine with curiosity. "Then… Mister, are you going back too?"
"I can't leave just yet." Aventurine shook his head and replied gently, "I still have a… performance here."
Kakavasha showed a surprised expression. "Oh… so you're about to go on stage to perform, right?"
"Let's go then. I'll escort you to the grand stage."
"Mhm."
Kakavasha gave a happy reply upon hearing this. As he led the way for Aventurine, he curiously examined the other's gorgeous attire and couldn't help but marvel, "So you're an actor… no wonder your clothes are so beautiful."
Hearing this, Aventurine's heart felt a bit heavy, but he still corrected him, "Actually, I'm a… merchant. But I do indeed have a performance."
Kakavasha blinked his beautiful eyes and asked in confusion, "Are you like the people in black from the sky? But you aren't wearing black clothes."
"Only ordinary employees have to wear those clothes. My position… is much higher than theirs."
Hearing this, Kakavasha's eyes shone with admiration, and he exclaimed, "So amazing. I hope I can grow up to be a beautiful adult just like you."
"You will." Aventurine nodded and said with a firm tone, "You will definitely be better and more amazing than me."
The journey continued, and the floating text that had appeared once again seemed to reflect Aventurine's changed state of mind at that moment.
(Go up on stage, do not be afraid! Do not look back!)
(There is another person by your side!)
(But who is the person passing by your side?)
(Surging through the vast plains. Falling into the cracked earth.) 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: No longer trying to stop him like before; this time, the words are encouraging him.
〘Elysia〙: Mhm, it seems he has made peace with himself. Truly remarkable, isn't it? ♪
....
『 Looking at these characters, Aventurine suddenly felt that he had laid down many heavy burdens, and his body felt much lighter.
Finally, led by Kakavasha, he arrived in front of a curtain.
"Behind this curtain is the grand stage."
"It's almost time to go on stage. Are you ready? I wish you a very successful performance," Kakavasha said, looking at Aventurine with his blessings.
"Thank you."
Sensing Aventurine's slightly tense expression, Kakavasha decided to help him relax. "You still look very nervous…"
He smiled and held out his palm to Aventurine.
"Let's put our palms together. If you receive Gaiathra's blessing, you'll feel more relaxed."
Fearing that Aventurine wouldn't understand, Kakavasha explained like a little adult, "Putting our palms together is a simple ritual. By putting our palms together and reciting the prayer to Mama Fenge, SHE will bless us."
"If you are not familiar, I can guide you."
Aventurine smiled slightly, gentleness flowing from his eyes. He replied softly, "It's fine, I know how."
"Of course I do." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: So heartwarming.
〘Hanabi〙: Do you still remember what Lady Hanabi said before?
〘Kiana Kaslana〙: You're not going to give me a sudden scene transition right now, are you?
{How did you know?}
〘Belle〙: You're really doing it?
....
『 After a familiar black screen, the first thing heard was the sound of rain beating against the earth, followed by waves of sorrowful background music, as if foreshadowing a tragic past.
Little Kakavasha desperately wiped the tears from his eyes in the pouring rain, while his sister knelt before him, with either rainwater or tears streaming down her face.
"This is where we go our own way, Kakavasha. The Katicans are coming."
Kakavasha showed a look of despair upon hearing this. He looked at his sister in confusion, "Why? The Katicans have already taken all our money, food, and they killed our parents... What more do they want?"
"Katicans are bloodthirsty, cruel, and insatiably greedy. They want everything, only to end up with nothing." His sister gently patted Kakavasha's head. "This is a trick, an act of revenge. Remember? Today is the day of the Kakava, and also your birthday." 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: His own birthday…
....
『 "They know the Avigins will definitely hold a festival on this day. Taking advantage of this rain, they will come to destroy our caravans and plunder everything they want."
"But the Katicans don't know that this time, we will fight back, and the people in black from the sky are also on our side. The Katicans stand no chance against them and will surely pay the price for their arrogance."
"Without this rain, the Katicans wouldn't have acted, and we wouldn't have had the chance to deal with them." Saying this, his sister reached down and wiped away the tears flowing from Kakavasha's eyes. "This is all the Mother Goddess's blessing, and you are Kakavasha. Whose good fortune will bless your sister with success." 』
『 ....』
〘Aventurine〙: If I weren't a child blessed by the Mother Goddess, perhaps there wouldn't have been this rain. That was what I thought at the time.
....
『 "But… but people will die, and you will be in danger too… How is this good luck! Why do you all have to do this…"
"The Avgin always return their blood debts. Gaiathra calls for me, while Papa and Mama are waiting for me. I must answer the call. But SHE will bless you with good fortune and help you survive."
"As long as you are alive, the blood of the Avgin will never run dry."
"So run, Kakavasha, do not be afraid, and do not look back. Go to the other side of the mountain. The rain will accompany you, and the rain will bless you."
"As for us, we will reunite in Kakava's(Start of Gaiathra Reincarnation) next aurora."
In the scene, Kakavasha's palm pressed against his sister's. They were pressing palms, and this was also the last time his sister would press palms with Kakavasha.
"May the goddess Gaiathra close HER eyes three times..."
"Keep your blood eternally pulsing..."
"Let your journey be forever peaceful..."
"...and your schemes forever concealed."
"Farewell, Kakavasha." 』
『 ....』