Chapter 25: The Sound of Rain
[Time gradually passed until ten at night, that is, midnight…]
[The night was already deep, but the sound of rain still pattered on.]
[For the safety of both, you didn't dare let Aesc stay outside too long. After finishing the stroll at Chaldea's shopping mall, you hurriedly took her home, which was also Morgan's home.]
[The last time you visited Morgan's house, she had given you a key card; unexpectedly, tonight it came in handy.]
[The two of you sat on the living-room sofa, chatting idly, spending together the final hours of the evening.]
[If Da Vinci's words were true, then the transformation effect from the Valentine Chocolate was about to end.]
[That would mean…]
Midnight, in Morgan's house.
The darkness of night grew thick, the noisy rain outside becoming a hazy sound that nevertheless brought peace of mind.
The pendulum clock in the living room ticked softly, the hour hand moving slowly.
Gawain and the others were in the dormitory, so tonight it was only the two of them here.
In the dim room, the light from the window cast a tranquil bluish hue, accompanied by the shifting shadows of the rain.
The two quietly sat on the sofa, listening to the rain falling outside the window.
"…I really like listening to the rain. This sound makes me feel so at ease."
After a long while, Aesc suddenly spoke.
"Umu, I also really like this kind of atmosphere." Eikou nodded.
The witch carefully set down her pointed hat, revealing golden hair as radiant as the sun, with one rebellious strand standing upright. At the end of her braid was the black bow he had given her.
"Today I had so much fun, Eikou, thank you." Aesc smiled, "I like you very, very, very much!"
"Why do you like me?"
"Why do I like you?"
"Because when I came to this world today, the first person I saw when I opened my eyes was you. Perhaps this is the baby-bird imprinting effect." She spoke softly, "That makes me unable to help but want to rely on you, especially when holding a heart-shaped chocolate in my hand."
"Haha, is that so."
Eikou found it a little funny.
"Don't get too pleased. The love of a witch is inherently heavy and complicated. Even in this state of mine, once someone is clung to, it's very troublesome."
Aesc spoke with a serious expression, but her adorable face made it impossible for the tone to stay serious.
"At this point it's too late to say that. I've long since become your prey."
"Accepted your fate already, huh," she smiled gently, "That's even better, I was just thinking if you tried to run away I'd simply use Magecraft to turn you into a gemstone and pin you onto my clothes."
…Somehow, hearing this from Aesc made it even scarier.
"Of course, although that's the truth… I still feel very embarrassed. When I'm more grown up I should be more confident and composed," she said, blushing, "I still don't quite understand you humans' matters, and I don't really understand social etiquette either."
"Even so, when we first met, didn't you boldly pat my head?"
Eikou suddenly remembered at Da Vinci's Magic Workshop, Aesc had unexpectedly patted his head; that wasn't something her personality or level of boldness would normally allow.
"Ah, that actually has a reason…"
Aesc also suddenly recalled that incident.
"Mm… let me think how to put it…"
She pondered for a while, then carefully began to speak: "This Spirit Origin of mine can observe certain possibilities of yours, so from the very first glance when I saw you, I observed your possibilities in other worlds."
"What?" Eikou was stunned.
"When I look at you, I can actually see two different versions of you."
"One is playful and frivolous, outwardly smooth-talking, seeming very skilled at socializing but not loving anyone."
"One is dark, lonely, wearing a black mask, never revealing his true face to others."
"Those are two forms you might become in the future, or forms you have already become in another world."
Hearing her say this, Eikou couldn't help but be taken aback.
Two possible futures of his… Aesc could actually see such possibilities?
Eikou unconsciously fell into thought.
So when Aesc looked at him, she was also seeing the Eikou of a parallel world, the figure named Servant Mochizuki.
And under the premise of Servant Mochizuki, were there other possibilities?
Which of those two possibilities did Servant Mochizuki belong to?
No, whichever it was, neither was something Eikou truly wanted; he would have become a form he hated.
His mood inevitably grew a little complicated.
Aesc again stroked his hair, her slender white hand unexpectedly very warm.
"But the first time I saw you, you were a gentle and radiant person."
"No matter which of those two possibilities, they are both too cruel for you. When I saw you, I also simultaneously saw the forms you might take, and that made me feel sad for you, so I couldn't help but pat your head."
Eikou slightly widened his eyes, looking at her.
Aesc gave him a gentle smile like spring rain, grasping his hand and interlacing their fingers tightly.
"You must continue to hold on to this gentleness, Mochizuki Eikou."
"Mm… Aesc, you too."
For some reason, in the bright light of that smile, he gradually felt a peace he had never known before.
Outside the window, the night rain still fell without pause, tapping evenly and rhythmically on the window frame.
Blurred streaks of light reflected through the water onto both their faces.
"…Tonight is almost over," Aesc softly said.
"Right."
"I will forever, forever remember you, Eikou."
"I also will not forget tonight."
"I think I'm about to go back. Another me might seem colder and more domineering, not good at acting spoiled, and won't use this current name. But she and I are essentially one, even though you may feel the difference is great…"
"No, to me it's all the same. You are you."
In the reflection of the deep blue rain, Eikou spoke softly.
"Is that so, then that's good."
Aesc seemed utterly satisfied with that answer.
Her slender, stunning body leaned slightly toward him, and that pure face, now tinged with shyness, became even more adorable and captivating.
Carrying a trace of timidity yet also the courage to move a step closer,
Aesc—Morgan in her innocent, youthful nature—brought her face right up to his.
Eikou's heartbeat instantly quickened, but he could also hear the pounding of hers.
"Then… before we part, could you give this witch a goodbye kiss?"