川辺での会話
Under the warm sunlight, Ryu and Lyra sat by the riverbank. The water flowed gently, reflecting the bright blue sky above, silently witnessing their conversation. Lyra, with a soft smile on her face, looked at Ryu, who seemed lost in thought.
“You’re daydreaming again,” Lyra said, swinging her feet in the air. “What’s on your mind this time?”
Ryu sighed deeply before turning to Lyra. “I don’t know. I just feel like this world is getting more complicated. Everything that’s happening... it feels too big to understand. God, the External, the battles ahead... I feel so small.”
Lyra nodded quietly, then gently placed a hand on Ryu’s shoulder. “Being small doesn’t mean being weak, Ryu. Even this river,” she said, gesturing to the flowing water, “looks small compared to the ocean, but look how strong it is. A river can carve through stone and bring life to so many.”
Ryu gave a faint smile at Lyra’s words. “You always have a way of making things feel lighter, don’t you?”
Lyra grinned proudly. “Of course. Someone has to remind you not to be so hard on yourself.”
Ryu gazed at Lyra with eyes full of gratitude. “I’m just scared, Lyra. Scared I’m not strong enough to protect everyone I care about. Scared I’ll fail.”
“Being scared is normal, Ryu,” Lyra said softly. “But you’re not alone. I’m here. We’re all here. You don’t have to bear it all on your own.”
The two sat in silence for a moment, listening to the sound of the flowing river and the distant chirping of birds. A gentle breeze blew, stirring Lyra’s long hair.
“You know, Lyra,” Ryu finally said, “I’m grateful to have a friend like you. Sometimes I feel like I don’t say that enough.”
Lyra chuckled lightly. “You don’t have to say it. I already know.”
Their conversation continued, filled with laughter and small stories of the past. Amid all the chaos of the world, simple moments like this reminded Ryu that there was still beauty worth fighting for.
Yet, behind Lyra’s smile, something was hidden. At times, her eyes held a distant sadness, as if she was thinking about something she couldn’t bring herself to share. Even so, she chose to savor this moment, knowing that peace like this might not last.
In the distance, the sun began to set, casting a golden-orange glow across the river’s surface. Ryu and Lyra watched the horizon together, enjoying the calm end of the day before returning to the challenging reality of their world.
