Dark clouds stretched to the horizon, black lightning flickering endlessly and filling everyone who wished to sail out with fear.
The sea was deep.
Sea monsters coiled beneath it.
Pitch-black lifeforms.
Sakura stood by the shore, gazing out at the sea.
Rin stood beside her, watching her younger sister.
"Hey, Sis."
"What is it?"
"What kind of wish do you think Skadi older sister will make?" Sakura asked.
"Sakura, don't you understand Lady Skadi better than I do?" Rin tilted her head.
"That's why I don't know what wish Skadi older sister would make."
Sakura said.
"I see." Rin fell silent for a while, seeming to think. After some time, she finally spoke. "She... was only just 'born,' wasn't she? She hasn't even had the chance to see much of this world. To speak of 'beauty'... that really is something she can't do."
—So she could only speak of the future.
Sakura seemed to come to a realization.
Those were words she had once spoken to this world.
It was precisely because humanity had tomorrow that people could continue living strongly in this suffering world.
Even if they had yet to experience beauty, there was still a chance in the future.
"...She probably wants to understand this world more—from her own perspective."
Like a traveler, never lingering in any one place.
Seeing humanity's true beauty throughout her journey.
All joy, all happiness, all sorrow, all fear.
"So her wish would probably be to experience that beauty—to become something like a 'real person.'"
Rin finally gave her judgment.
"Yes, that's right. You're amazing, Sis." Sakura sighed sincerely.
Her feelings changed slightly.
A sense of longing slowly welled up within her.
That feeling was changing bit by bit.
"I'm just guessing. Besides... didn't she say so, Sakura? She'll be waiting for you."