Chapter 25:

Fragments of memory 7

Sora no Kiseki: A Bittersweet Return to the Stars


The evening sunlight streamed into the library. Sora held a medical school brochure, silently gazing at its pages. For some reason, with each turn of a page, a strange nostalgia stirred in her heart. Every time she encountered the word "doctor," it felt as if a distant memory was being awakened...

Sora tilted her head at her own sensations. Such memories couldn't possibly exist in her current self. And yet, this sense of déjà vu was undeniable...

"I thought I'd find you here."

A light voice reached Sora's ears as she was lost in thought. Turning around, she saw Ume standing there with career guidance materials in hand. Her customarily flashy uniform modifications created an unexpected harmony with the library's serenity.

"Ume..."

Sora returned her gaze dispassionately. Restraining her emotions had become her emotional armor over the years.

"I was curious, you know. I picked up some career materials too."

Ume sat down next to Sora and spread out the documents. Her gestures, though carrying her usual cheerfulness, revealed an undercurrent of uncertainty.

"Are you going to college?"

At Sora's quiet question, Ume's expression showed momentary vulnerability.

"Well, yeah... Everyone at this school is expected to go to university, but..."

While flipping through the materials as if searching for words, Ume continued.

"My parents told me, 'After university, think about the shrine.' Honestly, I'm not sure what to do."

Sora listened silently. While maintaining her observer's perspective, she could sense the uncertainty woven through Ume's words.

"...Do you dislike the idea of inheriting the shrine?"

Sora asked, her voice gentler than usual.

"It's not that I hate it..." Ume lowered her eyes, choosing her words carefully with an unusually serious expression. "It's more like... I want to discover what truly makes me happy."

After a moment of silence, she smiled as if regaining her usual brightness.

"Well, I probably shouldn't be talking about dreams with my terrible grades."

Looking at Ume's laughing face, Sora caught glimpses of anxiety hiding behind her smile. Seeing Ume wavering between academic performance and future dreams, Sora felt a strangely familiar sensation. It felt as if she had experienced similar doubts herself...

Just then, a small sound came from behind the bookshelf.

"...Excuse me."

Looking toward the voice, they saw Takashi standing there with an awkward expression, holding an engineering department brochure.

"Oh, it's the usual otaku! Takashi-kun, right?" Ume exclaimed.

Takashi froze in surprise, taking a step back. However, Sora's eyes remained fixed on the materials in his hands. Game Development Lab. The brochure proudly displayed "Creating Games That Move Hearts."

In that moment, a powerful sense of déjà vu struck Sora's heart. Someone had said similar words... When and where...? The memory was certainly there, but when she tried to grasp it, it dissipated like morning mist.

"Game development?"

At Sora's quiet voice, Takashi nodded shyly.

"Wow, you can make games yourself? That's incredible!" Ume peered at the materials with genuine interest. While clearly flustered by this unexpected reaction, Takashi gradually began to find his voice.

"Um... I'm still learning..."

In his hands was a notebook filled with dense programming notes. The neat handwriting revealed traces of solitary dedication.

Looking at that notebook, Sora was struck by a familiar ache. It felt as if she had experienced similar loneliness herself...

"Actually..." Takashi continued, his voice slightly trembling. "In middle school, I was bullied. When I couldn't stay in the classroom, I'd find refuge in the computer room..."

Those words resonated deeply within Sora's heart. The wall she had built to protect herself after losing her parents in an accident seven years ago. The days she spent maintaining distance from others, carefully guarding her emotions.

Takashi continued speaking. "When I showed my first game to a friend, they smiled and said 'This is good'... That moment really..."

"I think I know how you feel."

Sora's voice carried a warmth that surprised even herself.

"Hojo-san... did something painful happen to you too?"

At Takashi's direct question, Sora momentarily lost her words. Usually, she would have responded coldly right away, but today, for some reason, his words touched something deep within her.

"...Yes."

For the first time, Sora allowed a glimpse into her heart.

"I built walls too. To keep everyone at a safe distance."

At those words, Ume smiled gently.

"But you know, Sora. We can see it now—the genuine kindness behind those walls."

Sora looked at Ume in surprise. Perhaps she had perceived something that Sora herself hadn't yet recognized.

"I... I want to create warm games," Takashi said with determination. "Games that can help melt someone's emotional walls, even just a little."

Those words resonated deeply in Sora's heart. At the same time, they carried a familiar feeling, as if she had heard them somewhere before. As if in a previous life...

Ten purred contentedly by the window, watching over the three like a silent guardian. In the library bathed in sunset light, time flowed gently as their respective walls began to melt, slowly but surely.

From that day forward, whenever the three met in the library, they gradually began to exchange more words. Starting with brief greetings, they eventually discussed their future paths, Takashi's game development, and the future of Ume's shrine.

One day, Takashi gathered his courage and showed them a demo of his game. Though simple, it conveyed an unmistakable warmth.

"...This is quite good."

At Sora's words, Takashi's face lit up with joy.

"Right?" Ume continued, genuinely impressed. "You should show this to more people."

Takashi nodded happily, though somewhat embarrassed.

Watching this scene, Sora smiled quietly. Sora, who had always kept her distance from others, was now slowly yet undeniably starting to feel the warmth of human connection. It was a strange but certain change.

Ten watched the three with quiet satisfaction, tail curled contentedly. In the library touched by the setting sun, a gentle time flowed as each of their emotional walls slowly but surely began to melt away.

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