A Story About a Girl Who Took Life for Granted and Fell in Love With a Kind and Introverted Boy

Then Tadashi, sitting beside Giovanni, exclaims loudly.

“Scorpions are bugs, right?!”

“Yes, they are.”

“They’re bad bugs! They’ve got a hook on their tails that stings, and it can kill you! That’s what my teacher said!”

“That’s true. But they’re good creatures too. My dad told me a story like this.”

The older sister begins to calmly tell the story.

“Once, there was a scorpion on the field of Baldura. This scorpion lived by killing and eating small insects.”

Naito-san, who plays the role of the older sister, has a relatively deep voice for a girl, which makes her calm, unhurried way of speaking in moments like these especially fitting.

“One day, the scorpion was spotted by a weasel and almost got eaten. The scorpion tried desperately to escape, but it was nearly caught. In its panic, it accidentally fell into a well. It couldn’t get back out and started to drown.”

Everyone quietly listened to her story. Soft, melancholic background music filled the gymnasium.

“And in that moment, as the scorpion was on the brink of death, it prayed like this.”

──Ah, I don’t know how many lives I have taken until now.

And even as I was about to be taken by the weasel, I fought desperately to escape.

But in the end, this is what it has come to.

Ah, nothing in life is reliable. Why didn’t I just give my body quietly to the weasel? Then the weasel could have lived another day…

Please, God, look at my heart.

Rather than losing my life in vain, please, next time, let my body be used for the true happiness of all…

“And so, in the end, the scorpion became a beautiful, bright red flame, lighting up the night’s darkness. At least, that’s what my father said.”

“……………………”

Hearing this story again left a deep impression on me.

The scorpion, who had always been the one taking lives, was now the one about to be eaten, blaming itself, wondering why it didn’t just give itself up.

I felt like I really understood the scorpion’s feelings at this moment.

Though I can’t put it into words, every time I hear this story, something aches deep inside my chest.

“Sacrificing oneself is a crucial element in Night on the Galactic Railroad.”

Kenji’s words from our phone call echoed in my mind.

“……………………”

The siblings exited, and we finally reached the climax.

On stage, it was just Giovanni and me.

“Campanella, it’s just the two of us again, huh?”

“…Yes, it is, Giovanni.”

“Hey, Campanella. Let’s stay together forever, no matter where we go.”

“……………………”

Though Giovanni was saying this to me, my mind was on something entirely different.

After the play, I intended to apologize to Kenji.

For lying to him.

I’d apologize for everything that hurt him, make it right…

And then, after today…

I would never approach Kenji again.

I wouldn’t speak to him, and I wouldn’t stay by his side.

Today, I had also invited Miyuki to the cultural festival.

So she could be there with Kenji.

‘…Are you serious, Sis?’

Miyuki’s words from yesterday flashed through my mind.

‘Are you really giving up on Kenji-san? Are you going to stop loving him?’

‘No. It’s not that I’m going to stop loving him. It’s because I love him that I’ve decided to leave.’

‘……………………’

‘I hurt Kenji. Instead of staying by his side, someone kinder, like you, Miyuki, should be there for him. I know Kenji would be happier.’

‘Sis…’

‘This is for the best. If I think about Kenji’s happiness, this has to be the right choice.’

Yes, for Kenji’s happiness, I had to let go.

I had been struggling with this for so long, crying myself to sleep, wondering how many times I almost gave up because it hurt so much. My heart felt torn apart, but finally, I’d made up my mind.

If this is what’s best for Kenji, I have to do it.

Even back when Miyuki hit me, I’d thought, “She’s a better match for him than I am.”

They have common interests, she’s considerate, she’s serious; Miyuki is everything Kenji needs.

All this time, I hadn’t really thought about Kenji’s happiness. I stayed with him simply because I loved him, clinging to him selfishly.

Since our breakup, Kenji has never smiled at me. He must despise me. No wonder—who wouldn’t hate an ex who betrayed them?

Whenever I spoke to him, he would always look sad or troubled. I couldn’t bring him happiness.

So, if I truly care about him, the best thing for me to do is to let go.

For Kenji’s happiness…

“Let’s go together, seeking true happiness for everyone, forever and ever, Campanella.”

“……………………”

“…? Campanella?”

Giovanni looked at me worriedly.