⚠️ Warning: The following content, while featuring scenes perfectlyenjoyable for any audience 🍃, contains a reference to meat consumption 🥩.The author does not intend to offend any vegetarians 🌱 or animal rightssupporters 🕊️. This is merely a narrative reference.Reader discretion is advised. 📖
✍️ Author's Note: Did you know that, to create my characters,besides making drawings 🎨, I also listened to songs 🎧to inspire their personalities?Interesting, right? 😌 Sometimes music says more than a thousand words. 🎶
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Kamei-san and Adelaida woke up early.They had planned something unusual — a moment alone.Everything was kept secret.
It was Adelaida's idea.She wanted to have a meal with Kamei-san, just the two of them.
"Jack and Dánae are very busy," she said, nervously.
"They're working on the sled. And Nuriel… he's still asleep.He fell asleep yesterday and doesn't seem
like he'll wake up anytime soon."
Stammering, she continued:—So… what do you think if we go to the meadow,where the flowers are, and eat something?It can be anything.Days in Vermont are so long you can barely notice the night.I guess that makes sense, right?
Kamei-san didn't fully understand,but he was starting to suspect something.She always acted strange whenever she was with him.
"Well… I'll take it as her wanting to spend some time with me, he thought.If it's what I think it is, honestly, I don't know how to respond."
"He stopped to look at her."
"I shouldn't worry so much… I just have to make sure that,if something happens between us,we can both enjoy the moment."
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Jack and Dánae were halfway through their work.The skates were ready, the box frame almost done.They just needed a bit more wood, but they had run out.The nearest tree was down the hill.
"Hey, why don't we go eat instead?I'm tired. Let's finish tomorrow," said Dánae.
"Alright, what do you want to eat?" asked Jack.
"I want to kill the cow this time.I'm tired of chicken."
"Fine," said Jack, nodding.
As they went down the hill,they saw Adelaida and Kamei-san on the other side,near the lake and the flowers.Dánae was about to shout,but Jack covered her mouth.
"Hey… let's go, idiot."
Back at the cabin, Jack led her to the kitchen.
"You can't bother themif they just want a moment alone," he said."Why are you so insistent?"
"You don't get it," Dánae replied."As a woman, I do. It makes me angry.They've taken decades. Decades, Jack!"
"There must be a spark."
"There has to be something that drives them to romance,like in The Price of Salt,something intense, dramatic, but beautiful."
"It bothers me.It boils my blood to see it."
"To see that nothing happens! Nothing, Jack!"
"What do you mean?" asked Jack.
"I think I have a theory about why Kamei-san doesn't return Adelaida'sfeelings, and why Adelaida hasn't opened up more," said Dánae, loweringher voice.
Jack paid close attention.
"It's because… it's not that Kamei-san didn't want to return Adelaida'sfeelings. But I think he still hasn't gotten over the mourning for hislast son," explained Dánae.
Jack listened in silence.It seemed Dánae knew more than he did, for some reason.
"In a conversation I had with Kamei-san," she continued,"he said he'd wanted to leave for a long time…he wanted to visit the graves of his son and his wife.
"The closest one is in the Yunann jungle.He can't go now; it's not essential for the saints.That's why he gave up and came back.It was a year ago.
"I imagine that, given the number of wives and children Kamei-san had…Something tells me that explains why he doesn't accept Adelaida as apartner.
"It also explains why he didn't visit you when you were with Galton,"added Dánae.
Jack reflected for a moment, then said,"Let's change the subject, Dánae. I'm going to make your beef stew."
Dánae looked at him for a few seconds."You didn't deserve that, Jack.You really didn't deserve it."
Jack stayed quiet for a moment, then said,"None of us did. The good thing is that idiot isn't here anymore.I'd rather not talk about it."
"Don't hide that pain, Jack," said Dánae. "We've talked about this.You and I are like siblings. It makes me angry that Adelaida couldn'tget close enough.
"And it angers me that Kamei-san can't visit his children.I don't know what kind of pain he's going through,because I've never had kids, and it's not like I'm interestedin having them now.
"I don't even know how it's done.I don't know how it's done… how do you do that thing?"
"I don't know, woman," said Jack. "Yeah? I have no idea.I think the only one who'd know is Kamei-san…and he's not exactly interested in that.And Nuriel, well, you can see it yourself.He just went into hibernation.No idea when he'll wake up."
"By the way," said Dánae, "we didn't see the cherub, right?"
"That's true," Jack replied. "I haven't seen him in years."
"The last time he appeared was only to announce the saint of earth,the saint of light, the saint of ice… and…I think… I forgot his name."
"The saint of metal," noted Dánae."Yeah, exactly. No… why hasn't he called? I don't get it.He said these saints wouldn't be born in this era.But… I don't even understand what era we're in,or if it's already begun."
"The truth is, years have already passed," said Dánae."But maybe a few more still need to go by.We're not in a hurry, Jack.This place is strange. I count the years,but I might've gotten a month wrong, a day, a date."
"So we don't even know what year we're in," she went on."The only thing I can guess is from Kamei-san.He went out to buy records, music, and movies.We know they're from the year '50, '52,and the vinyls from '58 and '59.But there's no exact date.At least we can estimate our age."
Jack paused, deep in thought. Then he said:
"If you want them to move forward, like you said,you have to leave them alone."
"Yeah, but I can't," replied Dánae."It makes me mad. It infuriates me.Adelaida doesn't deserve this. Neither does Kamei-san.Why both of them? I don't get it."
"Dánae, they're eating by the lake…alone… isn't that progress?" said Jack.
"Yeah," she said, irritated."Like, ten years of being stuck."
"And how did you know Adelaida liked Kamei-san?"asked Jack. "If "like" even means something,because I don't really know what it means."
"Well," said Dánae, "liking someone is strange.It's not like what you and I have.Liking someone means wanting that personto be a part of you, and you a part of them."
"It's when you feel things inside," she continued."You want to spend time with them.You feel like your world should be sharedwith someone else. It's about sharing more than anything,something deep. Not like you and me —but somethingthat gives origin to life itself."
Jack stayed thoughtful. Then he said:"Now that I think about it…I've never stopped to really consider it,but maybe it was that instinct… or that principle…that made my parents have me."
I'm not really sure how that works.I don't even know how… babies are made.It's strange.
"Wait, so how do they do it?" said Jack."Do the father and mother just get together,and suddenly… a baby appears?Or is it like plants, where you have to plant somethingfor it to grow?"
"I have no idea how that works either," said Dánae."Now that I think about it, my mother always saidthat babies were brought by a lady…She'd show up and leave the baby in a basket,at the orphanages. But I don't know anything beyond that.Nuriel should know."
"Alright, let's just… drop this topic," said Jack."You want to eat meat? Should I kill Bessy or Juni?"
Dánae thought for a moment."Hmm… Bessy's too skinny. Kill Juni."
"You're unbelievable, seriously, that's cruel," said Jack."It's not my fault I like meat so much," replied Dánae."You all spoiled me way too much."
Meanwhile, the hours passed.Dánae and Jack ate.Adelaida and Kamei-san finished their picnicand returned to the house.They had spent a pleasant time together,and both looked less tense.
Kamei-san thought:Well, I think this is fine.I'm not going to worry about it.
Adelaida, in her mind, said:Okay, okay, okay… don't get nervous,we're already spending time together, just us,try not to screw this up.
At that moment, they saw Jack and Dánaetrying to balance themselves on their legs.Dánae was doing a handstand,and Jack was standing on her legs,trying to keep his balance.
"What are you two doing?" asked Kamei-san and Adelaida.
"Isn't it obvious?" replied Jack."We're bored. We're seeing who can hold the other longer."
"Yeah, she's losing," said Jack.
"Shut up, I've only been holding this for, like, thirty minutes,"said Dánae. "It's not the same."
"Get down from there, you pair of idiots!" shouted Kamei-san,laughing.
After such a show, they all sat down, drank some tea,and let the food settle. Everyone went to sleep—except Adelaida and Kamei-san.
Night had fallen over the forest,and the starry sky looked like a cosmic performance.Adelaida watched as Kamei-san finished his tea.
"Alright then, I'll go to sleep.I'll be waiting for you in the room," he said.
Adelaida stopped his hand."Kamei-san, may I ask you something?"
Kamei-san paused."You just did… what's wrong?"
Adelaida felt a knot in her throat.Even though the day had been peaceful,she couldn't deny that every small step she took toward himwas the result of years of distance.
He had always been kind, yes,but also emotionally unreachablewhen it came to talking about himself or his feelings.
"You're a man, I understand, she thought."
"I know you keep things to yourself,and at first, I believed that was normal."
"But now I realize that men stay silentwhen something truly hurts them…and I don't want to ignore that. I won't ignore it."
Nervous, pausing between each word, she said:
"You once said you had many women, children, and grandchildren,"said Adelaida. "You don't look like someone who's lived that long,but the way you speak… you've convinced me it's true.Tell me… Kamei-san… why don't you go see them?"
The question hit Kamei-san hard.He wanted to ignore it—or at least deflect it—but he thought: Well, you're not giving up, are you…You've already asked me this five times…I suppose you won't rest until I give you an answer.
Kamei-san replied seriously:"My grandchildren have nothing to do with this,nor my children, nor my wives, with the saints.I wanted to visit them, but I don't want to face God's divine wrath.I want to obey to the letter this time.I want to see what happens if I obey.Besides, I have to protect all of you."
"Protect us from what?" asked Adelaida."What's happening in the world that's so dangerous?"
"I don't know," said Kamei-san."But it's not safe to go where the gravesof my wives, my son, and my grandchildren are."
He grew serious again and sat back down at the table.
"Why don't you go visit them?" asked Adelaida."If I had the chance to visit my mother's grave,or my sisters', or my father's, I'd go.But I don't even know if they have a grave.They died in the war, and they're probably buriedsomewhere I don't even know."
"That's why I built the stone altar behind the garden…but why don't you go to them, Kamei-san?Don't they matter to you?"
Adelaida let a few tears fall.She felt that this man carried too many things inside,and that made her feel left out.It troubled her that he wouldn't talk,that he wouldn't open up to her in particular.
"Adelaida," said Kamei-san, "don't think I never cared.The truth is, a long time ago, I was irresponsible, Adelaida.I had children I didn't know about until years later,and others I left behind because I thoughtindividuality mattered more. I used to tell myself," "Why bother? They'll die eventually,
and I'll still be alive. Let them live as they wish."
"What an idiot I was… Adelaida… I hurt so many people.It's not that I didn't overcome it—I knew it, and knowing it, I still did it…It's as if I never learned a thing…And now that they're gone and I'm still here,it hurts not having been with them."
"And when I was, it was only for a short time…before I left for adventures, waiting for Galton to find the new ones…I think I understand Jack now…No one wants to be the chosen one of a prophecy."
"That stupidity turned me into what I am now," he said."That's why I want to make things right.Not that I compare myself, but I understand Galton in some ways."
Adelaida listened carefully and said,"Galton… maybe I can understand the reason behind his anger."
"What do you mean?" asked Adelaida.
"When I was traveling with my wives,Galton stayed confined in one place for a long time,"explained Kamei-san. "We're all experiencing that here.But being just an idea, this forest is spirit itself,and if it responds to our emotions,then I can understand why Galton became so violent."
"Galton was violent, but not as much as the last time I saw him,"he went on. "He was extreme, but not to the point of hurting saintsor breaking their bones. Maybe it's because I abandoned him too."
Adelaida paused to think."What do you mean? You abandoned him?"
"I feel guilty for what happened to Galton," said Kamei-san."When his son died, he left.I found him again, and he became another confined forest."
"Another forest?" asked Adelaida. "Have there been more than one?"
"No, it's the same forest, just in different locations,"answered Kamei-san. "When you place it somewhere new,it takes on another personality. Like a rebirth."
"It used to be in the jungles of Yunnan.Then in a desert near the Sahara.When the Cherub sent Galton to move it again,it was because the Saint of Fire was about to be born.It took fifty years for that to happen.I don't understand how he did it,because he only dug a deep hole,and from nothing, all of this appeared."
Adelaida was left in shock.Kamei-san held her hands and said,"Adelaida, don't think I don't care about my children.They're gone now. They are in Sheol… sleeping.They'll awaken on Judgment Day.The love I had for them is what drives meto stay with you… with all of you."
"I've abandoned everyone, Adelaida," he continued."My immortality led me to commit many foolish acts.I thought I needed independence,but I ended up distancing myselffrom my wives, my children… even from Galton."
"I won't leave this place, and I won't because…"
He looked straight into her eyes.
"I won't leave because I love you all.And because I love you, I'll stay."
Adelaida felt the urge to hold him.She could feel his pain, his guilt, his exhaustion.She pulled him toward her shoulder,and with tears trembling beside his ear, whispered:
"I love them too.But it hurts that you can't visit your grandchildren,your children, your wives… if you ever had the chance."
"It's the weight I must carry for my mistakes," said Kamei-san."God has forgiven me, but that doesn't mean I should forget.I have to learn from all of this and…"
Kamei-san spoke with difficulty;his words weighed as much as his tears.The truths slipped through his eyes and voice.
"Adelaida… you have no idea how much guilt I feel."
"I don't want to make mistakes anymore."
I won't use my immortality to do whatever I please.Now I have a purpose: to be here, with you all.—I won't… separate myself from you.
Adelaida saw him cry for the first time.It was a cry heavy with guilt, but also with humanity.The serene image of that man was crumbling,and from the fragments, a new form seemed to rise—a different mold.
She ran her fingers along his cheeks and murmured:
"You're a good man. Don't cry."
"She cried too, and added between sobs:"
"Don't cry, because I don't see you as someone bad."
"You're a man who makes mistakes,but now wants to make things right."
"If that's what you've decided is right… then it's okay."
They looked into each other's eyes.And something happened: their souls began to intertwine.
In that instant, they sought comfortin the only way their hearts allowed—by giving themselves completely.
Perhaps out of naivety,or perhaps out of the desire they both carried within.The future, with all its judgments, didn't exist.
Only the darkness of the room,a flickering candle, and the two of them…just them, in the middle of nothingness.
Kamei-san had been with many women…and others he might have never even met.But with Adelaida…
Why am I telling her this?Adelaida knows nothing.Why is she looking at me like that?Why did I trust her with all this?Why am I so nervous?... Why… does she look so beautiful?
Adelaida, meanwhile, was trappedbetween desire and the valuesshe had learned under the Nazi regime.
It took her years to break free from those prejudices,but now, seeing him before her…
"Kamei-san, don't cry.""I want to comfort you.""I want to share your pain so we can heal together.""I don't know why I see you this way…""I only hear my heart, and it doesn't want to let you cry."
"You're immortal… and so am I.""Maybe… maybe God will allow it.""Maybe that's what I truly want.""I want to have you, Kamei-san."
Their lips drew closer,as if two worlds on the verge of collidingrecognized each other for the first time.
What am I doing? —thought Kamei-san—.What am I doing…?For once, he wasn't thinking. This time, he let go.
Kamei-san… if you cry, I'll cry with you.And if you let me, I want to share my life with you —thought Adelaida.
They were so close.The approach was slow, silent, trembling.Both hesitated, but neither stepped back.
Only one step separated them from collision.They both closed their eyes.
The candle's flame flickered one last time…and died on its own,so that when the wick was finally consumed,no witness would remain to what was about to happen.