The anxiety that the abyss-like darkness was about to devour her was just an illusion, and when given the chance to look straight at darkness, the realization might come that it’s actually not a big deal.
“Then you’ll be able to see the big, bright moon, the countless stars, and the little rabbit in the night sky.”
—Little rabbit…
“Look for it when winter comes. It’s a bit hard to find.”
This was a different dimension, so the constellation that Doah knew about might not even appear in this place.
The most important thing was that he’d be able to face his fear of darkness while he’s trying to find that constellation.
“That rabbit is actually me, you know.”
Doah made that bad joke again.
“I’m watching you from the sky.”
She spoke more earnestly this time though, and after a long while, the kid whispered softly.
—Okay…
This kid had been adamant about drawing the line between them all this time, but he suddenly answered her nicely.
Maybe it was because of that, but she was delighted to hear it more than she thought.
‘What’s this.’
Huh, it felt so sweet.
It’s like her nerves finally had a time to be a little relaxed now, what with having to deal with the Credel father and sons this whole time.
No, even further back in the past than that.
Before Doah became Bunny when she died, her mind had been in constant turmoil because of all the torment she had experienced in the Park household. It felt as if that had also melted away.
She was trying to comfort another child here, but she’s being comforted as well.
Doah let out a small chuckle.
—Why are you laughing?
Then, a curt answer came back to her. Maybe he thought that she was teasing him.
“Just, you know. This is nice.”
—What?
This moment.
This moment where she was having a conversation with a kid she didn’t even know, in this moment where they didn’t even ask anything about each other.
Right here and right now, Doah didn’t have to be a bad luck receptor or curse substitute.
She didn’t have to be the Park family’s youngest daughter, and neither did she have to pretend to be Ophelia.
She didn’t have to persistently analyze someone’s physiognomy or read their fortune in the name of her own survival.
As Doah couldn’t explain all this to the other person, she summed up her current feelings with a few words.
“It’s just, I think I’m going to like you quite a bit.”
Maybe it’s because they didn’t even know each other’s names.
Doah could only say these words that did not need any pretenses, towards this child who she would never meet in the future.
“So call me often, okay?”
—……
If they kept in touch like this, maybe one day they’d be able to open up and honestly tell each other what has been going on in their lives.
‘It’s ridiculous how he builds a wall first, but also calls me first, but…’
She was going to let it slide because she thought he was cute. It’s like raising a street cat.
To put it into words, perhaps it’s like she wished to tame him well and become his cat butler?
Though they didn’t know each other’s identities, it might be nice to provide a small shelter for this kid, just so he could take a breather once in a while.
No, honestly, he was the one giving Doah shelter.
With these thoughts in mind, Doah was able to settle her nerves and regain her composure.
‘Right, let’s just think about this calmly.’
There was no rush here.
Bunny was only ten years old. There’s still eight years left before she would come of age.
It’s fine to get to know each other little by little.