Aria’s mind went blank upon hearing Bonita’s words. The immense sadness and despair she felt just a moment ago faded away in an instant. Her heart thumped loudly.

“H-How…”

“You told me. For the first time.”

Aria recalled when Bonita mentioned ‘for the first time.’ The first thing that came to her mind was right after childbirth, but that was undoubtedly impossible. Bonita’s ability to remember or not was not the issue. Elodie never saw Bonita’s face and encountered a deceased baby.

Then, inevitably, she must be talking about the day when she possessed Aria. Aria, recalling that moment, took a deep breath.

Yes, that was indeed the case.

She said such words.

Aria’s blue eyes, reminiscent of log pieces floating on waves, shook.

Was it because of the lack of reality? Or perhaps, due to being a child, she believed that even if she heard such words, she wouldn’t understand anything?

It was probably both.

Aria had to admit her mistake. Her daughter was more sensitive and intelligent than she had thought.

“From when.”

Aria asked in a trembling tone.

“From when did you know?”

At this point, asking this question seemed meaningless. It was clear that it wasn’t now when she became aware. Bonita probably didn’t easily notice that she was different from Aria, to begin with.

Bonita’s eyes reflected in Aria’s eyes.

In the next moment, Aria felt the warmth on her cheek.

It was a small and cute hand.

That fidgeting hand wiped away the tears remaining on Aria’s cheek. The small hand became damp.

“I don’t really know.”

Bonita said.

“I just naturally knew. Because Aria and Mom, just by looking, are obviously different people.”

Aria’s lips trembled.

She had no idea what to do in front of her daughter.

It was a completely different sentiment from when she was exposed by Renn.

A heartbreaking mixture of affection, sadness, and shock overwhelmed her. Bonita, seeing Aria like that, spoke with a low and calm tone.

“And when I knew it, that’s not important, is it?”

“…Right…”

A terrible voice flowed out.

Aria swallowed hard.

It wasn’t very effective.

“W-Well, you’re right. Yeah. When I knew it, it’s not important…”

Yeah.

Earlier, she thought that wasn’t important.

There was one thing Aria wanted to ask.

“Are you scared… or do you dislike it? I am already a dead person. And Aria is the one who raised you, no matter what…”

She asked with a trembling voice. Even as she spoke, an absurd thought crossed her mind, given the fluttering of her heart. She might die if she continued like this.

“Mom!”

At that moment, Bonita shouted.

Aria, who had been tensed up and huddled, was startled and trembled.
Due to being in that embrace, Bonita fully felt Aria’s trembling. Holding onto Aria’s shirt collar with both hands, she lifted her head, causing Aria to see Bonita’s face directly.

“Why are you so scared?”

“…Huh? What do you mean, scared? Why would I…”

“But you seem that way.”

Aria mumbled.

Afraid?

That statement wasn’t wrong.

No, it was accurate.

She was afraid that Bonita might find her repulsive or see her as some kind of evil spirit. She was scared that she might no longer receive love.

Bonita keenly sensed Aria’s emotions.

“I told you last time.”

“…”

“I like Mom. If I say it like this, it might not be right, but I like Mom much more than Aria who raised me.”

With a confident tone, Bonita spoke.

“Being with Mom, I realized that love doesn’t necessarily depend on the time spent together.”

“Bonita…”

“I called someone else’s name when I looked at you. I think there was someone more precious to Aria than me.”

Bonita, who was tightly hugged by Aria, murmured.

“But the most precious person to Mom is me, right? Oh, it might not be true…”

“Of course not!”

Aria exclaimed, surprised.

Seeing Aria’s reaction, Bonita chuckled softly.

“Right? That’s why I like Mom the most.”

Aria’s eyes glazed over.

She thought that the pregnancy, conceived with a slim chance, had ended in a miscarriage. Afterward, her body weakened rapidly. Slowly dying, when she finally woke up as Aria, she believed in a miracle when she first met Bonita.

Bonita was fine not knowing for a lifetime.

Even if others, even her beloved husband, didn’t recognize her, she would be satisfied just being alive, able to witness the child’s growth.

However, Bonita, much more clever and perceptive than she thought, not only realized that she wasn’t the real Aria but also knew who she was inside, without Bonita having told her.

Without her having said anything.

After that,

Wiping away tears affectionately,

Knowing everything but still,

Yet, she still declared that she loved her.

What name could be given to the emotions she felt now?

Thinking about it, Aria couldn’t resist kissing Bonita on the forehead.

After receiving the kiss, Bonita, with a momentary puzzled expression, soon smiled and kissed Aria’s cheeks.

In human relationships, it’s natural for closeness to increase after a secret has been revealed.

The same happened between Bonita and Aria.