Epilogue-
Three days after Kagami’s death, outside of Banora.
The skies were as dark and as solemn as the small group of people huddled around an open coffin. The lid was open so they could view the young woman, her white hair neatly brushed and her hands folded on her chest as if in prayer over her plain white dress. She looked like an angel asleep on the clouds.
Out of the group stepped a man with chestnut hair and sky blue eyes. His step unwavering, he gently kissed the girl on the forehead and slips a small rose in her hair.
He was trying so desperately not to cry, but a single diamond tear escaped his power and landed on the girl’s cheek. “Good night. Sleep well.” He said and went back to the group.
His gazed was as unwavering as his step while he watched the coffin slowly lowered into the ground and the undertakers cover her in soil. No more tears were shed by him outwardly, but on the inside, his heart was crying like never before.
Even after everyone else left, the man stayed.
His friend walked up to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “You can't beat yourself up over this; there was nothing any of us could do.”
“I know.” He sighed, still blaming himself. “I just wish I had gotten to her sooner. Maybe I could have saved her.”
“If you had gotten there earlier, you could be dead also. And you know how she would hate that.”
The memory of his promise the day she died echoed in his thoughts. Promise me that you'll live...
“Yes, she would hate that.” Their conversation was cut off by his friend’s phone ringing with an urgent call from their workplace. “Go on ahead. Oh, and do not worry about me. I won't try to kill myself.” He laughed weakly. “She made me promise not to.”
Even though he was slightly worried, his friend nodded and left him alone to kneel down by the gravestone. “Why did you have to leave me so early?” As if out of habit, he began humming one of her favorite songs. “You loved that song, didn’t you?”
The girl was on the rooftop of a tall skyscraper. It was nighttime, but still very bright out due to all of the city lights.
“This is what I brought you, this you can keep.” She sang, her voice resonating throughout the darkness. “This is what I brought you, you may forget me. I promise to depart, just promise one thing-”
Her lover entered, carrying an open copy of his book. “What a lovely song.”
Startled, she jumped up and stopped her melody. “Ak! What are you-?”
“I was planning on reading up here when I heard your lovely singing.” He explained, taking a seat next to her.
A modest blush formed and she looked away. “I’m not really that good…”
Putting his arm around her shoulder, he kissed her on the top of her head. “I find it beautiful. Why don’t you sing more? I’m curious to hear the rest of it.”
After a moment’s hesitation, she closed her eyes and continued. “This is what I brought you, you may forget me. I promise to depart, just promise one thing: kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep. This is what I brought you, this you can keep.”
Before he knew it, he was singing along with his memory. “This is what I brought you, you may forget me. I promise you my heart just promise to sing. Kiss my eyes and lay me to sleep.”
He sighed and traced her name on her gravestone. “If only you were here to sing it with me. But you're singing your heart out in the Lifestream, aren't you?” He chuckled. “Well, perhaps not. You'd get bored with that easily.” Just as quickly he gained it, he lost his previous cheer. “Do you remember that day in Banora when you made me promise to be there when you woke up? You looked so pitiful, so sad, so lonely, it just broke my heart into pieces to see you like that. I had vowed to never see you like that again.” With a breathless whisper, he went on. “Looks like I can't seem to keep any of my promises lately.” He paused and sat back on his heels. “It seems that I also can't shake this feeling of guilt. I feel as if it was my fault you died.” An unbidden tear formed again, but he ignored it with another sigh. “I'm sorry. I failed you when you needed me most.”
A breezy laugh was heard behind him and he swore he heard her voice. “It isn't your fault, Genesis! If anything, it was my own stupidity.”
Startled, he turned around, half-hoping and half-despairing that she was there. “KAGAMI!” However, no one was. It was his own memories playing tricks on him. He said her name again and with new conviction, stood up. “I'll visit you again soon, alright?” Before he left, he placed a small wrapped gift on the grave.
What he didn’t see was that once he left, the wind swirled around the gift, unwrapping it and unveiling a Banora Apple and small note. The note read:
I guess I wasn’t so loveless after all. Thank you for everything.
With love,
Genesis
