Hiver Another Episode

FLOWERS -Another Episode- is an extra and mini episode for Hiver volume in a promotional brochure. It is distributed for free at the website here.

Translation by billybob300c
The Night of Her Final Moment

...My body froze every time the strong wind rattled the stained glass.

Even though I was in a sanctuary where I'd usually pray at, I felt uneasy because it was late at night. The candle fire vaguely lit the surroundings, almost as if someone were hiding in the blind spot of the pillar shadow or those long seats. I knew it was disrespectful to hold fear in a place as holy as this, but listening to the wind rattle both the building and the stained glass made it feel like someone's breath was there.

To calm myself, I placed my hands on top of my kneecap and tapped a certain rhythm with my fingers.

It's a habit my friend does when she tries to face something head on. After doing that several times and becoming her somewhat, my fearful heart disappeared - all thanks to the adorable habit of my precious Amitié.

Fear out of sight within a gloomy sanctuary, I shut my eyes and recalled the time I met her.

She looked up at me, bewildered, underneath a tree of fluttering cherry blossom petals of spring - our very first meeting.

After we became each other's Amitié...I got injured at the orientation, but she found and looked after me. I think it was at that time that something beyond friendship started flourishing inside my heart.

And those times we helped each other in ballet were irreplaceable.

And then, there was...

Um...that Virgin Mary Festival that tore us apart.

I...didn't even want the Virgin Mary role. After being chosen for the part, all the cogs in the wheel went nuts, as though a curse was cast upon me.

I nodded my head in denial and tried to drive away those thoughts. I know I shouldn't think ill of the Virgin Mary. When I shook my head, the shadow swayed big to where it appeared something was coming out of it.

Gazing intently, it was a blue butterfly flying around helplessly, as if looking for something...and suddenly vanishing as though consumed by the walls. Although I think I was having a delusion of it hiding somewhere in the shadows, I felt an awful premonition surge inside my chest, like a thunder cloud booming faraway.

...A premonition that made me hold on to doubt that she probably won't come for me, even though I finally got the chance to talk with her.

Looking up at the owner of the ceiling, I prayed.

"Please, just give me one more chance to be with my beloved Amitié."