Chapter 42:

Farewell to Remaining Friends

Sora no Kiseki: A Bittersweet Return to the Stars


The evening light streamed through the hospital room window.

"Hey Sora, do you remember the day I scored seven points on my math test?" Ume laughs with a hoarse voice. Next to her hospital bed, Ren lay wrapped in equally white sheets. Neither of them could even walk anymore.

"Yes, I remember. You were so happy about it, Ume."

"That's right! Back then, I said it was my lucky number..."

"Really, you've always been ridiculous about such things..."

Sora sits by their pillows, holding their hands as usual. Mysteriously, she can feel their body temperature slowly rising.

Just then, the door opens with an unexpected sound.

"Sorry I'm late," Yuta says as he enters, carrying a large paper bag. Takashi peeks his face in from behind him.

"Oh my, everyone's here to visit." Ume's face brightens instantly.

"Sora-chan!" Even in his seventies, Takashi's eyes still held the same sparkle they had in high school.

"You're all planning something, aren't you?" Ume bursts out laughing. Though she starts coughing, her face remains full of joy.

"Actually..." Yuta gently places the paper bag on the table. From it, he takes out old albums and mementos filled with memories of Ume and Ren.

"We wanted to reminisce together."

Takashi also pulls out his laptop. On the screen appears the title screen of a nearly completed game called "Sora no Kiseki"

"Sora-chan...! Finally, our dream game...!" Takashi's voice catches. The main character on screen was unmistakably modeled after Sora.

"All our youth is packed into this game!"

Takashi continues explaining excitedly.

"Oh... so all our silly memories are in there too?"

Ume laughs teasingly.

Hmph, your infamous seven points somehow ended up becoming one of the heroine's key episodes," Ren announces proudly.

"What! Are you making fun of me?"

"No, it's actually a key scene in the main story!" Takashi responds with a serious face.

The room fills with laughter. Yuta quietly smiles as he pours tea for everyone.

"Hey, Sora," Ume gazes at Sora. Her eyes no longer held their former bravado. Only a tranquil, clear light dwells within them.

"Sora, I'm so glad I met you."

Ume's voice trembles slightly.

"You know, I didn't like you at first. You were perfect at everything, loved by everyone... But becoming friends with you changed my life. I met Ren too."

"I think you've changed inside. Your smile used to be like zero gravity - somehow disconnected from earthly weight. But now it's different. It has weight and warmth."

Sora couldn't respond, only feeling something stirring deep within their chest.

"I feel the same," Ren's eyes soften.

"Back then, I was always thrown off by your pure-heartedness. Even when I confessed, you said 'I like everyone!'..."

"Haha, I remember! Ren turned bright red!"

"Shut up! ...Well, but back then, I didn't know what true love was."

Ren glances at Ume. His eyes hold no trace of his former princely character, only deep affection.

The reminiscing continued until late into the night. Looking at high school photos, everyone laughed, sometimes teared up, then laughed again. Ten sat quietly watching from the windowsill.

"Sora... we were truly happy," Ume whispered as they said goodbye.

"Yeah... it was the best life," Ren's voice echoes softly.

---

A week later, they both passed away peacefully together. When Takashi called with the news, Sora felt something surge within their chest. The sensation was unlike anything they had experienced in their life before, impossible to put into words.

On their memorial altar sat a cherished photo from their high school days.

It showed Sora laughing brightly and Ume smiling somewhat shyly. The words "Timeless Friendship!" were handwritten on the photo. That single shot contained all their youth and bonds.

Yuta quietly places his hand on Sora's shoulder.

"They both looked happy until the very end."

Sora could only nod. Outside the window, two birds flew together, side by side.

It was a day of farewell, but also the beginning of eternal memories filled with deep love.

Takashi's final words still echo:

"Sora-chan... their love story will live forever in this game."

Frieren
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Ameniwa
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