Cocona looked at the young man before her. She did not know why, but she felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity with him. Yet when she tried to think carefully, she could not remember ever seeing him before. Nevertheless, that familiarity felt as strong as if he were a close friend or relative, making her willing to listen to the story he wanted to tell.
"It is the story of a young man from a prosperous family on a small planet in a remote corner of the universe."
Caelus slowly began telling Omacido's story. His voice was ethereal, and his tone was melodic. As Cocona listened, she gradually forgot where she was and everything around her. She became immersed in the story, as though witnessing every event firsthand from a third-person perspective while a narrator explained everything to her.
Cocona saw towering mountains and snowy plains. She saw people scheming against one another, as well as bonds of sincere friendship.
She saw an adventurer walking across a wasteland. Even though the surroundings were lifeless and empty, there was no pain or numbness on his face. Instead, he wore an appreciative smile, searching for the unique beauty hidden within that desolate landscape.
In a dense jungle, the young man held an ugly toad in his hands. There was no disgust on his face, only admiration, as though he were praising one of nature's miracles while studying a fascinating new species.
She saw the young man in a bar, befriending intelligent beings of all shapes and appearances. They drank together, fooled around, teased one another, shared their past experiences, and spoke of the countless magnificent sights hidden beneath the unknown and beautiful sea of stars.
She also saw the young man throw himself onto the battlefield, fighting and slaughtering all kinds of monsters. She watched him grow braver with every battle, yet in the end, he still failed to protect his companions. Many of them did not even leave behind a body.
She witnessed the young man's final days.
The adventurer returned to his homeland and compiled all his experiences into a book. It was both a way to boast about his adventures and a way to tell everyone about the vastness and beauty of the galaxy.
He had once been an ordinary young man constrained by his family, uncertain whether to advance or retreat, living each day in a daze.
Then, one day, he discovered a new possibility.
He resolutely abandoned everything, left his family behind, and stepped toward the distant unknown. Even though he knew the vast galaxy was filled with danger, and even though he understood that the aid granted by that opportunity would eventually lead to his death, he still chose to pursue his dream without hesitation, chasing his desire to escape an ordinary life.
"This is the story of a friend of mine. He pursued his dream with his life. He always called himself a great adventurer and was determined to become the greatest adventurer in the universe. Even though he knew that goal was impossible to achieve, and even though he understood that following this path would lead to his death, he still chased that distant dream without ever looking back."
"Ms. Cocona, if fate gave you another chance, would you be willing to summon your courage? Would you be willing to act recklessly for your own sake just once? Would you abandon everything you have, cast aside the shackles of the past, and give up your current comfort and stable job to pursue a dream that might lead you into a bottomless abyss?"
Cocona remained silent.
"Living the same life day after day creates a profound sense of emptiness. Some people do not feel that emptiness because they enjoy such comfort. But for those who yearn to pursue their dreams and see a wider world, that life becomes an unbearable cage."
"You are a bird trapped inside a cage. You could spread your wings and fly into the open sky, but you see how high the sky is, how fierce the wind is, how violent the rain is, and how loudly the thunder roars. You lack confidence that your wings can withstand those trials. So you passively accept the cage's protection, yet deep within your heart, you still harbor resentment."
"Then, when an opportunity finally arrives, when fate grants you stronger wings with which to face those trials, will you have the courage to leave the cage, spread your wings, and soar?"
A key appeared in the young man's hand.
It was an old, rusty key that seemed to correspond to a chain that had remained locked and sealed for a very long time.
Cocona's numb eyes stared fixedly at the key in his hand.
Reason told her not to go, not to challenge the sky beyond the cage. It was too dangerous. She might break her wings, or even fall from the sky and meet a tragic end.
But her emotions told her that if she never spread her wings and soared through the sky, then what purpose did those wings serve?!
She had already experienced how oppressive and painful life inside the cage was. Resentment still lingered in her heart, and she still yearned for something more. Since that was the case, what was she still hesitating for? Did she truly want to return to that boring, empty, hollow existence, living through the same numbing days over and over again?!
Cocona!
For the sake of his dream and the promise he made to you, Pound was willing to risk his life and challenge fate, even if he fell, even if he was shattered into pieces.
So why do you lack that courage?
Your teacher praised your talent, your eagerness to learn, and your singing ability from a professional perspective. Was it only because your parents denied you, because those outsiders who understood nothing dismissed your dream, that you began to believe you were not good enough?!
Have you forgotten the praise of your classmates, your friends, and even the person you loved?!
Caged bird, what are you waiting for?
Are you waiting to die completely? Waiting to accept your mediocrity as you repeat the same life day after day, until one day your mind finally collapses and you end your own life, dying in obscurity?
Then why not pursue your dream at least once?
Even if you fall, even if you die, you will still have challenged the sky. You will still have witnessed its scenery!
Meteors also fall from the heavens, yet they remain brilliant and dazzling. Since death will eventually come, and since emptiness will ultimately claim everything, why die unnoticed?
Why not become a meteor?
Even if you cannot shine as long as a star, you can still leave everyone who witnesses that brief moment in awe!
Cocona reached out and took the rusty key.
The key unlocked her sealed heart, and everything from the past flooded back into her mind. Everything she had once discarded and everything she had once forgotten returned.
Even the desire to pursue her dream, which had been buried beneath her parents' repeated denials, awakened once more.
After standing motionless for a long time, Cocona reached up and removed the work badge hanging around her neck. At the same time, she cast off the shackles that had kept her bowed and burdened.
At that moment, the smile on her face was pure, joyful, relaxed, and free.
Click!
The lock on the cage opened.
The bird whose wings had been clipped stretched them once more, though the movement felt somewhat unfamiliar. It looked toward the vast sky, let out a resounding cry, and soared straight into the clouds!
(To be continued.)