“Nothing more to do? Should I go to the afterlife and gently pick some flowers or jump into a pit of fire and come out?”

“Gently? What’s that?”

“Oh, nothing.”

It’s good as long as it’s straightforward.

I quickly closed my mouth just in case I got caught. Cecilia, after tilting her head for a moment, soon let out a sigh of relief.

“Well, I’m leaving now.”

“Huh? You’re leaving?”

“Of course, I have to go. Why? Don’t want me to go? Will you turn that carcass back for me?”

“No!”

“I won’t let you go.”

I was so surprised that I stood up. Edric was also speechless.

“Oh, come on, isn’t that enough? Even if you wanted to change, you couldn’t. You’ve already decided.”

“Then… Cecilia, where are you going? Is it okay for me to use your body?”
“Of course, I no longer need that body. The curse has been fulfilled, and my long-cherished wish is resolved. You may have someone you love here, but the people I love are not here. I need to go to my beloved family.”

As Cecilia spoke, she seemed relieved. Her clear face now bore a childlike smile that matched her age.

Cecilia’s family, the unjustly deceased hedgehog companions, seemed to be waiting for her there.

I felt relieved, too.

Cecilia didn’t seem unhappy, which eased my mind.

“Well then, I’m really going. My body, no, it’s now yours. Use it well. Since you’ve decided to stay, be happy without any regrets. Although I no longer have the power of the curse, I’ll pray for eternal blessings. Oh, and…”

Young Cecilia approached me.

Why, why?

Her cool fingers brushed my hair back. Then, she whispered ticklingly into my ear.

“You can kiss now. And forget about the curse. I don’t know if you already knew, but the more you share love, the weaker it becomes.”

“That means…”

Cecilia stepped back with a mischievous grin.

A child’s face, and what was that!

My face turned completely red.

Well, it’s good news anyway… Share a lot of love? Hehe.

Cecilia laughed loudly, then distanced herself again. She returned to her original position, facing us once more.

Young Cecilia shook hands.

“Well, it’s time for me to go. Goodbye, see you someday.”

She quickly blurred.

“Thank you! Really, thank you, Cecilia! I wish you happiness too!”

As soon as I finished greeting her, Cecilia completely vanished.

I stared blankly into the empty space. Somehow, a corner of my heart felt empty and lonely.

Maybe Cecilia was with me until now. Is that why it feels so empty?

I turned my head to look at Edric.

Somehow, the sun had risen, and the inside of the tent was a bit brighter than before. It was better because I could see Edric more clearly now.

“Now, have I truly become a person of this world?”

“Yeah.”

Edric nodded seriously.

In the place where Cecilia left sadly, an emotion even hotter and warmer than before rose. I exaggeratedly pinched my eyebrows and brushed my chin.

“I still don’t feel it completely. Maybe to really feel it…”

I firmly held Edric’s cheeks. His lips popped out.

Cute lips on a serious face.

I suppressed my laughter.

“I think I need to try kissing first.”

“What…”

I swallowed Edric’s words along with his lips. Edric was shocked, probably worried that I would disappear because of the kiss. But nothing happened.

I was still holding Edric’s neck, and our lips transmitted each other’s warmth.
As soon as Edric confirmed that I was okay, he enveloped my face in his hands. His urgently entering breath was incredibly sweet, and his embrace was cozy as he pulled me tightly. I could suffocate like this. No, I don’t want to suffocate. I want to live with Edric for a long, long time.

Is this what it feels like to take in a mouthful of clouds in heaven? My whole body felt like it was floating into the sky, and the touch of our hands embracing each other became more fervent.

Edric tilted his head and came a little closer.

In no time, even the surrounding air seemed to warm up as much as the temperature of the emotions we shared.

Feeling dizzy and short of breath, I finally pushed Edric away. Soon, our eyes met, and without saying who would start first, we burst into laughter. As if to confirm once again, I kissed Edric’s lips multiple times.

Even after kissing, nothing changed.

It’s not a dream. The war is over, and I’m not going back. Everything has been resolved.

Oh, I shouldn’t laugh and cry at the same time. My eyes felt warm.

As if knowing my heart, Edric wiped away tears with his sleeve.

“You’ve endured a lot on your own during this time, Cecilia. If you allow me, from now on, I want to take on anything in your place. Will you let me do that?”