Work Text:
As the boy held the rope in his hands, he thought.
For a long time.
'Maybe, in another world,
We were lovers.'
The shadow reminded him,
'But never got to talk with each other.'
The boy continued.
'Maybe, in another world,
We didn't care about other people.'
The shadow reminded him,
'But the people cared.'
The boy continued,
'Maybe, in another world,
...
We loved each other truly.
That's my wish.'
The shadow reminded him,
'Your wish will be ignored.
No matter the time, no matter the people,
No matter how much other lives you experience,
None of them will be happy.
Because there is no such thing as happiness in your life.'
The boy looked at the ceiling, where he had tied the rope. And climbed to the little chair beneath him.
"Why do you think that? Why, shouldn't I be happy?"
The shadow tied the rope to the boy's neck.
'Because you...
Made a promise.
To us.
To yourself.
To him.
That you would die if it meant saving him from the cruel world.
And you have to keep your promise.'
The shadow finished his words just as the boy finished his life.