curtain call Ⅲ If it is with you, it will work

Do you believe in fate, my dear?

I was born always waiting for someone.

I am certain this is fate.

Our family is proud.

Our form, our very soul, unchanged since the age of gods...

Some may call it folly.

But that is our pride, our bond.

Therefore, I will never entrust my back to anyone but my destined one.

Though some among us give up on their destined one and serve any passing master, I would never choose such a path.

Yet I have not yet met my destined one.

You understand, do you not, the frustration of searching since birth and still not finding?

It is loneliness, far deeper than you can imagine—so sharp, so hollow, it leaves my very being empty with pain.

Remember this.

Bear this deeply in mind: the one you have chosen is far more precious than any mere partner for reproduction.

If my fated one commands me to die, I shall die. I am certain I can accomplish nearly anything, so long as it does not wound my fated one.

What? You say I should not think so heavily on this?

To me, such thoughts carry no weight at all…

Very well. Our kind, once servants of the divine spirits, were born of the forest’s ancient blood—originally meant to live for ages beyond measure.

But it is said that living among humans shortens our lives.

It is believed that when we meet our fated one, we remain until we witness their life’s end, then depart.

Others say that if we never meet our fated one, we despair at the slim chance, and that is why our lives grow short. But the truth of this remains uncertain.

After all, I am of the wild wood, raised to roam free in the forest—never have I lived among humans, so I cannot say for certain.

Yet still, I believe fate is like a thread that, one day, must tangle with ours…

So I continue searching for that unknown person.

Traveling as though across the entire world…

I decided to spend that summer within the Empire.

It was my first time coming to this land, yet I felt a strange sense of familiarity.

I stayed for a time in the woods near the capital.

A grassy plain that stirred longing—bittersweet, almost painful—near a water source; a forest that offered just enough cover to hide within; a thicket from which one could observe others at a distance.

Not bad, I must admit.

Though I cannot linger long, being so close to the capital, it should be fine to stay through this summer.

Since arriving here, I have looked upon the night sky on several occasions.

That particular night, the constellations were especially beautiful—the Milky Way seemed to flow like thick milk, and three shooting stars streaked across the heavens.

Something tells me tomorrow will bring good fortune.

Holding that quiet hope in my heart, I fell asleep that night.

The next day, it seemed the world had taken a rest.

The watering holes and meadows are busier than usual today.

There are too many people, almost overwhelming.

I watched them, half in expectation, half in resignation.

Among them is a family that holds my gaze fixed.

A family perhaps—two elder brothers surrounding a young girl, a dog watching over them, their parents observing from afar…

Found her…‼︎

My destined hour...

Tears spill from my eyes.

The flow does not cease, my heart constricted, my legs move of their own accord toward her.

To meet you in such a disheveled state—how disgraceful… yet I cannot halt my steps.

Though there was still some distance between us, the gap between her and me closed in an instant.

They notice me approaching and somehow try to flee, but I call out.

She turns to me, as if she has heard the cry from that soul. Then she opens her arms, as though to welcome me.

No, upon calmer reflection, perhaps I merely extended my hands to shield the young girl...

Yet, the joy of seeing myself reflected fully within her eyes was overwhelming—I kneel before her, unable to stand.

And I expose to her gaze the part of myself I least wish to be touched by another.

She hesitated, pausing as if uncertain, yet still reached out to touch my corner.

And bestowed a name upon me.

This is what it means to feel one's heart rise as if toward the heavens.

Ah, if I am with you, all shall be happiness.

Everything will surely go as planned. I will show you by running.

I shall color your life in this world with happiness, alongside you.

It happened all at once.

On that day, she had come to a picnic spot slightly removed from the capital, following a spontaneous idea from the previous night, accompanied by the children on holiday.

It was a happy afternoon, watching the children play with joy after finishing their meal, sharing the moment with my husband.

That bright holiday abruptly changed with the sudden intrusion of a stranger.

A scream and dust rose from the forest, rushing toward us.

Among the cries, words like “Monster!” and “Help me!” could be heard.

We struggled to gather the children and flee, but the dust surged toward us with terrifying speed.

In that instant, the puppy Fret, carried by our youngest daughter Stella, panicked—whether from the suddenness of it all or mistaken for play—slipped from her grasp…

And the girl lost her balance…

Instinctively, I spread my arms wide to shield her, turning to face the monster.

I clenched my teeth, resolved to cast aside my very body if it meant protecting my beloved child, my gaze fixed upon the approaching beast.

It was a single unicorn, its coat a pure, flawless white.

I felt both fear and awe, and for a moment, time seemed to halt—a fleeting illusion—before the unicorn did something unexpected.

It knelt before me, lowering its head, its eyes glistening with tears, looking at me as though pleading for something.

It reminded me of the ancient bond once shared between a friend and a unicorn, a pact of loyalty.

A unicorn never lowered its head except before its chosen master…

I recalled, clearly, that the contract was sealed only after one stroked its horn and spoke its name.

Yet I was bewildered.

For this unicorn was a mare.

I am a proper woman with three children already—no one, not even the most casual observer, could call me a maiden, nor can I claim purity, though I must confess, I do not possess it.

For a moment, I wondered if this creature were demanding a bond from the daughter behind me, yet its gaze did not waver from me.

To doubt such a thing, truly, is only natural.

In the depths of my thoughts, my memory speaks once more.

This creature, so painfully innocent and devoted, will devote its entire life to the one it chooses as master—and if that bond is denied, it will take its own life, so deeply does it long, so sorrowfully greedy in its nature...

I hesitated only briefly. My family would surely accept it.

And like me, they would offer it love.

I turned toward my husband, standing a few meters away with our sons, watching us, and smiled, saying, "You, forgive me. We’re adding another to our family!" Then I faced the unicorn once more.

"Am I truly worthy to be your master?"

The unicorn nods solemnly.

I confirm once more that I hold no reins, then place my hand upon the unicorn’s horn.

"Caro di Luna… what do you think of this name?"

The name means moonlight. Her coat, radiant and pure white, reminded me of the soft glow of the moon.

As I speak the name, Luna suddenly rises, trembling with joy, lifting her forelegs high into the air and neighing.

She must be deeply pleased. Then she presses her face gently against my cheek. I twist slightly, tickled, yet continue to stroke her, responding to her quiet plea.

My husband stands stunned, my sons gaze in disbelief, and my daughter laughs, delighted—but once they regain their senses, they crowd close, peppering me with questions.

I said I myself did not understand the situation, yet I decided to return home with this young one, now my family.

On the way back, my daughter wished to ride on Luna despite there being no saddle; at the castle gate, she was met with astonishment, as no one had ever tamed a wild unicorn before—she closed her mouth with a wry smile and a quiet breath of wonder.

Next week, I must build a stable, for we have never had one in our home.

This new family came suddenly, but our household, now filled with joy, will grow lively.

On the day we named her, I pressed my face against hers, my heart brimming with gratitude and delight, mingled and indistinguishable.

I took care not to brush against her proud horn.

She laughed, tickled by it.

I was happy then.

They built our home for me, and on days of rest, they let me run through the meadow of memories.

She seldom climbed upon my back, yet she spent time with me.

She would stroke my spine and always bring me my favorite sour grapes on days of rest.

And she loved me until the end, as a family—no, she called me family.

Above all, she left behind what must be protected.

Honesty, I had believed I would be lost in a world without her.

But she left behind so many who were dear to her, and she wished for me to watch over them.

So I shall watch over those who carry her memory.

That is my purpose now.

Waiting for the day I may meet you again…

If it is you, then it will work. I will run forward, as I did before, with ease. So I look forward to the day we meet again.

curtain call Ⅲ if it is you, it will work

〜end〜

Happy New Year!

Since this year is the Year of the Horse, I have decided to share the story of this child in lieu of New Year’s greetings. (^^)

I believe the discussion regarding publication has progressed considerably. When further details are settled, I shall report back through our regular updates.

Last year, I was deeply grateful for your kind support and for the many connections you helped foster. With heartfelt prayers, I wish for each of you a year that is even more fortunate than the last, and I offer this message in place of traditional New Year’s greetings.

Sato Maito