Chapter 36

After I die, I want to entrust Aina to you.

When I was told this, after a few seconds, all I could manage to say was,

"Are you joking?"

"No, I'm not joking. I'm serious."

Stella's eyes were dead serious, and her words conveyed her sincerity.

"I'm sorry for suddenly saying this, but I don't have much time left..."

Stella looked at her legs with regret.

"Have you heard about my illness from Aina?"

"Y-Yes, I heard just now. That... you have the disease known as 'Living Rot.'"

"At that time... was Aina crying?"

"Yes, she was. It seemed like a reaction to holding back her tears, she was sobbing uncontrollably."

"Of course."

Stella closed her eyes as if enduring something.

"I'm... a terrible mother."

She said this with a self-deprecating tone, then opened her eyes.

"I noticed that Aina has been pushing herself. She's been working hard for me, since I can no longer work."

"...Yes."

"I felt so helpless seeing Aina struggle like that. As a mother, I couldn't do anything. But what really hurt me was... seeing Aina force a smile in front of me."

"Force a smile?"

"Yes. She was putting on a brave face so as not to worry me. 'Don't worry about me, Mom,' she would say, forcing a smile. It was painful to see her like that. I felt so useless..."

Stella sighed and continued, "But recently, there's been a slight change in Aina. She only smiles genuinely when talking about something. It's not a forced smile, but a truly happy one, like in the past. I once asked her why she looked so happy. She said, 'I met a kind big brother.' She was talking about you, Shiro."

Stella's expression softened as she spoke. Just by looking at her face, I could tell how important Aina was to her.

"Aina only smiles genuinely when talking about you. She used to only force a smile, but now... occasionally, she shows a real smile. She talks about what happened today, or what you did, and I've been wondering. Can meeting someone change Aina this much? But... I found out the reason today."

"Reason?"

"Yes, the reason."

Stella looked at me and continued.

"You resemble that person... Aina's father."

Stella smiled sadly. Her eyes, filled with sorrow, seemed to be looking at her husband—Aina's father—through me.

"When you came to our house, I was actually surprised. I thought he had come back. My heart almost stopped."

"I'm sorry for showing up like this."

"No, that's not what I meant. I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression. I was happy. Thanks to you, I can vividly remember his face, which had become hazy."

I've never seen anything like a photograph in Niorich town. Assuming there's no technology to preserve the appearance of the deceased, memories are the only way to keep them alive. And even memories can fade over time.

"Thanks to you, I can remember his face. I think I can find him when I go to the other side. Or maybe, being the kind person he is, he'll come to meet me?"

"The other side... Stella, what are you saying—"

"It's fine. It's my body. I know better than anyone that I don't have much time left."

Stella raised her right hand and brought it in front of my face. Her thin arm was trembling slightly.

"I can't move my hands or feet freely. It's only a matter of time before I join him."

Stella shook her head in frustration.

"Aina was my only concern. What would happen to her after I die? But... after meeting you and seeing her smile with you, my concern disappeared."

Stella looked at me straight in the eye again.

"Shiro, I know this is a rude request, but could you... take Aina in after I die? She's... a big crybaby, and I'm worried about her..."

Tears welled up in Stella's eyes, and her words faltered. She couldn't wipe them away with her immobile arms, and the beautiful droplets continued to slide down her cheeks.

"Please, Shiro! Please take care of my daughter—Aina—ah!"

Stella, trying to get up, lost her balance and almost fell off the bed.

"Watch out!"

I quickly caught her and ended up holding her in my arms.

"Are you... okay?"

"......Yes."

"I'll put you back in bed now."

"......Yes."

Not knowing how to support her, I decided to carry her princess-style. I lifted Stella and tried to lay her back in bed—

"Huh?"

I suddenly remembered something.

"Sorry, Stella, can I touch your legs for a moment?"

"Wh-What? My... legs?"

"Yes, your legs."

"......"

"Oh, no, no! It's not like that! I just noticed something! I have no ulterior motives at all!"

"Feel free to touch my legs as much as you like, if you're interested in these skinny legs."

It seems there's a misunderstanding, but I got her permission.

"Alright, then."

I sat Stella on the bed, lifted her nightgown a little, and exposed her legs.

For an adult woman, they were quite thin.

"Alright, I'll touch them now."

"Okay."

I took a deep breath and gently touched her legs. I poked and tapped them a few times, and then—

"As expected."

I had a certain confirmation.

"Um... what do you mean? Do you like my legs, Shiro?"

Stella's cheeks turned slightly red as she asked, embarrassed. It seems there's a serious misunderstanding.

"No! It's not that! I just have a hunch about the cause and treatment of this 'Living Rot' disease!"

I explained hurriedly.

"R-Really? Treatment... for Living Rot... Huh?"

Stella was stunned, beyond surprise.

"Yes, a treatment. I'll cure Stella's disease."

"Can... can it be cured? This Living Rot...?"

"Yes, it can be cured. I'll cure it. I promise."

"Really...? Can this disease really...?"

"I promise. My uncle had much more severe symptoms than you, but he's fine now. Just leave it to me."

I made a confident face and nodded firmly. Stella's tears, which had been droplets, turned into a waterfall. She kept wiping them away, trying to hold back her emotions.

"Shiro... I... I..."

Stella said in a barely audible voice, but clearly.

"I... don't want to die."

Stella had been in despair, unable to see any hope and had given up on living. I gently held her hand to reassure her, to give her hope.

"Don't worry. You won't die. You can continue living with Aina."

"Shiro..."

Stella's eyes met mine. I nodded without looking away, "Don't worry."

At that moment, Aina and the others returned.

"Aina's back. Shiro, we're not done talking—"

"Mom, I'm—"

"Shiro-sama, I'm back—"

The three of them, who had been outside, returned at the same time and froze as they opened the door. They must have seen Stella with her legs exposed, holding my hand, and crying like a waterfall.

Now, how do I explain this?