Today is the day Olympia and I made plans to hang out at the park. The park, I say, but I've always had trouble remembering the names of places. There are multiple signs around the park that I've passed by numerous times as I walk around aimlessly, but I don't think I've ever read them. Odd, I know. But it's not that I disregard it, but my vision always gets blurry whenever I'm reading signs like that. That's why I don't try to learn the names of places anymore.
As I head towards the rendezvous point, a familiar face appears. I face I haven't seen in a while. A face that I doubt remembers who I am. Should I even greet her?
"Hola, hola, Kiyomi-swan. It's me, Emanon. You haven't forgotten me, have you?" What? How does she remember me?
"How do I remember you, you must be asking. It's simple. I've already told you before: I know everything, there isn't a thing I don't know."
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"Pathetic as always, huh? Listen well, Kiyomi. I won't go into specifics, but I do know everything. There's a certain owl who appears in certain areas to aid the player; think of me like that owl. I'm here to help. I'm here to help you, Kiyomi. Trust me, I'm not someone you need to fear. I'm not someone you should fear. So go ahead and ask me what you want to ask me. And don't act like you don't have any questions, you know that I know you do."
I hesitate to speak.
I hesitate to ask what I desperately want to ask.
If she knows my question, then why the hell doesn't she just tell me the answer already? She doesn't need me to ask.
"You're right," she responds to my inner thoughts, "I don't need you to ask. I can tell you whatever you want to know without you uttering a single word. But, Kiyomi, that isn't how you should live your life. You shouldn't expect the world to give you the answers without something in exchange. You have to put in some effort. So, go on, Kiyomi, ask away. And don't add any inner monologue once I'm done speaking. The readers won't like that."
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"H-How, how can I not be killed? I know it's going to happen again, but I don't want to die. I don't want to die anymore. It hurts. Please… help me."
She looks at me with disappointment in her eyes. What was wrong with my question? I did what she said and asked. Why is she looking at me like that?
She pulls out a cigarette from her person. Or at least, I think she did. I had my eyes glued to the floor once I got tired of her stare, and once I looked up, I noticed a cigarette between her lips. I didn't notice when she lit it, either. How long were my eyes on the ground?
She finally exhales the smoke after holding it in for a good while. Then she sighs. Finally, she speaks, "Kiyomi, you asked for help, which is a good thing. But you could've asked a better question. Or maybe I should say you could've asked a less selfish question. But you're on the right track. You'll learn in due time the better question you should have asked. But for now, that will do."
…
"Um, are you going to answer my question?" I ask. She didn't answer my question, right? Or did she answer my question indirectly?
"No, I didn't answer your question indirectly. That was a compliment. You don't get those often, huh? Well, to answer your question, it's really simple what you have to do: ask more questions."
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What?
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
"It means just that, Kiyomi. Simply ask. I won't say what exactly, and I already know what you're going to ask. You're going to ask the wrong question. Wait… I just forgot to give a spoiler warning… Never mind that. But, yeah, just ask. It's that simple."
Just ask.
That's it?
It can't be that simple, right?
"Do the readers know the murderer yet? I know the answer already, but I still want to ask."
"No, I don't know who the killer is, nor do the readers."
She slaps me across the face.
Her face was furious, filled with rage.
"Don't lie to me, Kiyomi. You already know it's not going to work, so why the hell would you try?"
She caresses my face, the area she slapped me in. She rubs her thumb on my cheek comfortably.
And then—
She kisses me on the forehead.
"Kiyomi," she begins, "the only person who can save you is you. In life, you're going to make plenty of mistakes. You already have, and you'll continue to do so. But that's not a reason to give up. Failing doesn't mean that you shouldn't try again. Of course, there are moments where failing does mean not being able to try again. But I'd argue, for the most part, in most areas where a person can fail, they can always get back up. You're lucky. Even in death, if you choose to, you can get back up. And if you don't have the strength to do so, you have people who will always lend you a hand. And, spoiler alert, you're going to meet others who will also lend you a hand when in need. I know everything, so trust me, there are and will be plenty of outstretched hands waiting to lift you. Believe me. Trust me. Never give up hope. You'll have your happy ending."
She takes her hand off my face. I don't know how to respond to her, so I don't say anything. I stare into her eyes for a moment and head on my way.
Every conversation I have with her, I learn something new. But is that the case with only her? I've learned plenty of things from Olympia, Kumiko, and even Kagami.
All the people I've met, interacted with, and spoken with, I've learned something new.
Have they learned anything new from me, too?
I hope so.
Just like how they will have their arms outstretched for me in my time of need, I'll also stretch my arms out for them when they need help.
The only person who can save me is me.
I'm not sure if that's 100% true, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't think there was some truth to her words.
As I'm about to leave, she calls out to me, "By the way, Kiyomi, one day, you'll learn how many seconds are in eternity. Sorry, I don't have a magazine for you this time. But maybe you won't need it. Have a blast (not so literally)."
I walk towards my destination quickly to avoid showing Emanon the smile I have on my face.