Part Six
story concept: LAREINE
photos by: Hideaki Imamoto
written by: Fuzuki Watanabe
translated by: Bronny
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The voice which called to Lillie seemed to belong to the lake itself.
"According to the tales, this place can only be entered by a chosen few; however, it is not up to us to choose who enters - people themselves decide. Perhaps it is due to having something to ask of the lake; and that some people harbour certain emotions which become a key to entering that they are chosen. For you see, that is the difference between those who reach this place, and those who do not."
As she stood motionless, Lillie began to understand.
"My feelings become the key?"
"Yes. However, within you lies yet another key. For you came here, and you will now peer into the lake."
Lillie did as she was told, and began to walk timidly towards the lake. As she did, a pillar of light appeared; it was the same emerald green as her eyes, and so bright that it was impossible to look directly at it.
"What is this......?"
Looking closer, a spiral staircase stretched from the edge of the lake to the centre of the pillar, before extending downwards.
"Now go. For the sake of realizing your feelings!"
Contrary to the hestitation she felt, Lillie's feet were drawn towards it, and her body sucked in. Lillie carefully proceeded down the stairs, which were transparent like crafted glass, one at a time. Suddenly, from behind her came the noise of something flapping.
"Oh, so he arrived after all!"
The one who called this out was none other than the guiding spirit. Lillie turned around. The door to the Lake of Reminiscence, which had appeared into the scene, was distorted and warped, as a picture seen in a dream.
"Jérémie!"
Seeing her beloved, every emotion in Lillie's heart whirled up. Love, happiness, sadness, fear...... her heart beat intensely.
"Lillie? Lillie, where are you?!"
Jérémie could not see her. All that met his eyes was something resembling a swan. Or perhaps it was a white lily fairy.
No. It was Lillie. Lillie was floating in the lake. When he realized this, Lillie had her back turned towards him, and had already begun decending the stairs. Jérémie rushed after her at full speed. As she felt his pounding footsteps, Lillie cried out.
"Don't come any further! Just go! If I see your face now, I'll...... I'll......"
Jérémie had no time to listen to her words. Nor did the fragile stairs worry him. If he couldn't hold her tightly in his arms, then somehow he would chase after her, somehow he would reach her. That urge drove him on.
"Lillie, wait! I need you! Please, just give me one more chance.... just one more...."
At this moment, Jérémie went to touch Lillie with this tips of his fingers.
"Don't come any further!!"
Lillie, deaf to Jérémie's cry, lurched forward. Shaking, she lost her footing on the stairs. Perhaps she became unconscious from the shock; her motionless body sank straight towards the bottom of the lake. The shoulder of her silk dress slid half off, exposing a large, unbecoming scar. Her long, beautiful hair stretched out behind her like the tail of a comet.
As Lillie was set free, descending in slow motion, Jérémie too let go of the staircase.