20demayo Chapter 224 Who is he?
Chapter 224 Who is he?
First came darkness, an endless darkness, or perhaps it couldn't even be called darkness, for there was neither light nor darkness.
Then, in the empty void, a few unusual colors suddenly appeared; it started as a tiny dot.
"Nil, Nil, wake up, it's morning."
That voice sounds so familiar... Who is he?
The drowsy girl shook her head, her mind a blank and confused mess, as she tried to perceive everything around her.
Soon, the sensation of touch on the limbs gradually appeared, followed by the soft and warm bed beneath her.
A light appeared before her eyes, and she tried to open them, but her eyelids felt as heavy as lead.
Her heart was pounding, and out of some inexplicable impulse, she desperately wanted to open her eyes and see the other person's face clearly.
The owner of the voice called out a few more times, then seemed to give up, followed by the sound of footsteps coming downstairs.
This girl, on her rare day off, probably stayed up late reading light novels again last night, right?
He carefully pushed open the door, went downstairs, and saw steaming rice cakes and sweet milk on the table.
Why? I can see those images even though I've never experienced them.
No, that's not how it works. I've been through all of that!
Nilu still couldn't open her eyes. She forced herself not to think about those images, but she just couldn't.
No…who is he? Why can't I remember him at all? No…no! Remember me!
Before she knew it, tears welled up in the girl's eyes.
Why? Am I crying? I'm so sad... so sad, my heart aches so much, I can't breathe.
Why, why are you crying...? I clearly... don't know him at all, I don't know him at all...
"Hey? Why are you crying? Did you have a nightmare?"
A gentle touch came from her cheek, wiping away the girl's tears, and she felt her eyelids were not so heavy anymore.
As the first ray of light shone in, Nilu strained to open her eyes; this time, she was determined to see his face clearly.
The view brightened, revealing a pristine white ceiling, the room from my memory, and a smiling face.
His face was so unfamiliar, yet so familiar. Nilu opened her mouth and instinctively uttered words.
"Mu..."
It felt like something was stuck in my throat, and the words that followed were abruptly cut off, as if a radio had been put on pause.
The boy tilted his head in confusion, reached out and touched Nilu's forehead, muttering to himself in bewilderment.
"She doesn't have a fever... what's wrong?"
Then, he clapped his hands, smiled, and gently rubbed the girl's soft cheeks, a helpless smile appearing on his face.
"Alright, get up quickly. Today is the Flower Goddess's Birthday Festival that Nel has been looking forward to. Time waits for no one."
The Flower Goddess's Birthday Festival... Oh right, today is the day of the performance. It's morning now, time to get up.
As if possessed, a nonsensical question slipped out, and before she knew it, the words were already out:
Will you come to see my performance?
The boy seemed a little surprised, then his eyes suddenly curved into a smile, his tone filled with helplessness and doting affection.
"Of course, isn't it the same every year?"
Nilu's heart suddenly relaxed, and her sadness vanished for no apparent reason. She unconsciously smiled.
Oh, so you came to see the show.
Perhaps she was still a little groggy from sleep, as she couldn't quite recall his name for a moment, but she would eventually remember.
The sadness I felt earlier was probably just a nightmare.
Because a heartbeat doesn't lie, and past memories vaguely surface at this moment.
The boy in front of her was the most important person to her.
"Alright, stop lying in bed. I bought Nilu a rice tower. If you don't hurry, I'll feed it to Swan."
The boy closed the door with a wicked grin. Nilu panicked instantly, threw off the covers, and hurriedly got up to change.
"Hey, no, no, you promised last time you'd save me three rice towers, Mu..."
I still can't remember the name, but at this moment, the Rice Tower is more important.
Before long, breakfast was over. The satisfied little dancer changed into her dance costume and excitedly took the boy's hand as they went out the door.
The streets were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, candies adorned the shops, and flowers decorated every corner of the Flower Goddess's Birthday Festival.
"Yalda Candy, want to try your luck?"
The boy smiled at her and pointed with his free hand to the stall where the Flower Knight, dressed in finery, was stationed.
"Just so you know, forget about the herring beetle flavor."
Nilu pouted slightly, tightened her grip on the boy's hand. Did he really have no faith in her luck?
Five identical earthenware pots—where is the best-tasting sunset fruit flavor?
Instinctively, her hand reached for the number four ceramic jar. The orange candy wrapper reflected the sunlight, and her heart skipped a beat.
"Oh! Sunset Fruit flavor! Good luck! Hahahaha, may the Little Lucky Grass King bless you!"
The Flower Knight laughed so hard he almost fell over. With a huge handful of candy and the surprised look on the boy's face, Nel unconsciously pursed her lips and revealed a slightly smug smile.
"Okay, my big star, you're still the best."
Yes, that's exactly what she wanted to hear, to hear him say it.
Next up was the performance, the Dance of the Flower Goddess, a dance dedicated to the gods. I was a little nervous.
Nilu had thought the same thing when she was behind the scenes.
But through the gap in the curtain, she could see a familiar figure sitting in the first row. As if sensing her peeking, he waved to her subtly.
Honestly, what if she's not watching him?
The young dancer covered her mouth and laughed, her unease slowly dissipating, because she knew he was there.
What a cunning older brother! He guessed she would secretly watch, didn't he? He's so wicked.
However, she likes it this way, and as a reward, she'll pay for tonight's late-night snack.
Keep a close eye on me, Mu...
The melodious music began to drift, and lotus petals bloomed like water with the dance steps as the dancers gracefully moved through the festival.
She saw it; a lot of people came.
Mr. Judt, Mr. Zubair, familiar faces appeared one by one below the stage, and cheers erupted like a tidal wave.
Dina Zede and Dixia are over there. Is the person next to them the young lady's partner?
They actually kept this from her; I'll have to give them a good "interrogation" after the performance.
Senior Falussan and her students have arrived too. Who are Dolly and Doreen chatting with? They look so happy!
The one summoning the Seven Saints in the distance, isn't that Mr. Cyno?
Her companions' faces flashed by in the crowd, but Nilu's gaze settled on a familiar spot, and she smiled.
He was there, watching her performance with a smile, just as he had for so many years to come, never missing a show.
Did you see that? This dance was also performed for you.
Please watch me closely... just once.
The performance ended, the sky gradually donned its pajamas, the lights came on, and the celebration continued.
The small platform atop the canopy of the sacred tree was quiet. She nestled beside the boy, watching him fold a paper crane in a few deft movements, which then drifted gently into the distant, heavy sky.
Where in Sumeru will it land?
Nilu watched the tiny origami crane disappear into the myriad lights of the city, then turned to look at the boy's profile with tender eyes.
If time could slow down, let it stay in this moment.
Nilu has only one stage, and that is wherever his gaze falls; she will always dance for him.
I can't remember the name, but so what?
If only I could stay young forever. I can't remember your name anymore, but I still remember liking you.
Peaceful as a dream, the Patishal blooms quietly, but time still brings the sunset. The origami crane has flown for five years; has it found the hand it once hoped could rest in?
"Nilu, do you remember who I am?"
Nilu's heart felt as if it had suddenly plummeted from the sky into an abyss; in an instant, a chilling coldness froze her blood.
The two words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't utter a single syllable.
The boy anticipated her reaction. He smiled, then slowly got up and casually dusted himself off.
She seemed to know what he was going to do; the girl's eyes widened suddenly, and her heart pounded faster and faster.
No...no, I'll remember, don't go, don't go, don't leave me alone!
But it was too late. In what seemed like an instant, his figure was already very, very far away.
So far away that she couldn't remember his name, so far away that she couldn't remember what he looked like, so far away that everything about him was no longer clear.
Even that love has become distant and blurred.
Tears streamed down her face, and she remembered why she had been crying.
It turns out that the butterfly died in the summer, and the whale had already drowned in the sea.
Memories fade into obscurity, leaving only emptiness.
……