Epi.1-EX: You Said “Always Together,” Didn’t You…

Shinobu was in the room on the second floor.
From the window, the forest could be seen clearly.

—“I’m just going out for a bit.”

Sayuri said that, and wandered off somewhere.

“You said, ‘I’ll be with you, always,’ didn’t you…” Shinobu murmurs in a small, sulky voice.

Still, Shinobu understood.
Sayuri wasn’t the kind of girl who could stay in one place for long.
Even so—after all, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Maybe she wouldn’t come back—
that thought quietly settled deep within her chest.

Having a friend made her happy.
She had a feeling that the days ahead would be different from before.
But the thought of that newness fading away—was unbearably frightening.

A tear traced down her cheek.
She tried to stop it, but couldn’t.

“I’m home—!”

The door burst open, and Sayuri came flying in.
“Eh? Did I startle you again? Sorry!”

Seeing Sayuri hurry toward her, Shinobu quietly wiped away her tears.
“No… I’m just happy.”

Sayuri would never betray her.
So—even if they were apart, even if she felt lonely—
she would believe, and wait.
So that she could smile and say, “Welcome back.”

“Welcome back.” Shinobu greeted Sayuri with a gentle smile.