Two people silently watched the girl's monologue until one said to the other,
"And... We... We have to do something, right?"
"Wait a little. Maybe she'll say her last words to him. Then, it'll be easier for her to close her eyes to his murder. Then she'll come with us without any fuss."
"Hmm... All right. You know, I just can't wait any longer."
The second man silently agreed.
...
Meanwhile, Annabelle continued to talk about her love, completely oblivious to everything around her.
To her, Elion always shone brighter than the whole world, and she focused all her attention on him.
"From that moment until my death, I will live for that look, for that laughter, for that smile... Forever."
"I have never felt warmer than I did at that moment."
"I have never experienced more pleasant feelings than I did then."
"At that time, I did not yet understand what this feeling was, but now I do..."
"It is love." The girl's voice was always filled with this feeling.
"From the tips of your hair to your toes."
"From shouting to silence."
"From smiles to tears..."
She looked at her beloved brother, and her face lit up with a radiant smile that made the sun seem like the dim light of an old lantern.
No.
She was glowing with a warm light, illuminating her brother.
"I love you, Elion," The happiest and most wonderful voice in the world reached the boy's ears.
"That's why I'm asking you..."
"Run."
Elion looked at his sister, but he didn't seem to notice the warm light emanating from her. His attention was focused entirely on her incomparable smile, and he listened intently to her words.
The boy immediately wanted to object, but he could only manage to say in a hoarse voice,
"N-no, sis, I'll only go with you."
"Elion..." She began softly.
"I didn't tell you that I have a secret power, did I?"
"W-what, really?" The boy said, not quite believing her.
"Of course... Can't you see this light?" She smiled sweetly at him. Elion finally noticed the warm light emanating from his sister, but it resonated strangely with him.
"Wow... B-but why do I have to run away? Can't we go together?" The boy asked innocently, ready to burst into tears again.
"Don't worry. This power can hurt you if you stand too close."
"B-but even so, I won't leave you..." The boy started to object, but his sister interrupted him in a soft voice.
"Elion, I already told you that you don't need to worry... As soon as I'm done, I'll come right back to you," She replied, still smiling warmly.
She did her best to hold back the tears that were about to flow again.
"Really?" The boy asked, calming down a little.
"Of course."
"Sis, you promise that?" the boy asked, wanting to be sure.
"Of course." She replied just as warmly. The boy nodded and began to get up from the wall.
"Elion," She called softly.
"What?" The boy said, sounding strange.
"I will always love you..." She said, her voice filled with infinite love.
The boy looked at her innocently and sighed.
"I've always loved you, too, sis, and I always will! I'm... sorry I didn't say it before."
Annabelle smiled like a blossoming flower and said,
"I know..."
"Now run."
Believing his sister completely, Elion ran to the door, or at least what was left of it.
Annabelle silently wiped away the tears streaming down her face as she watched her beloved brother run away.
After ensuring that he had left the house, she finally stood up, forced back her tears, and turned to face the people who had ruined her life.
The first person said,
"You shouldn't be so hard on the boy. We'll find him anyway."
"You?" The girl said in a cold voice.
"Um...yes."
"Strange... I don't see any of you in front of me..." After a short pause, she added under the stunned gaze of the two people who realized something was wrong.
"I only see white ashes in front of me. Just ashes."
With these words, the brightest star of this generation lit up.
...
Elion ran out of the house, but after running a short distance, he stopped and turned around.
The boy witnessed the birth of a star.
He met the star's gaze.
She looked at him, and the expression on her face was... Peaceful.
The boy couldn't hear what she said, but he could clearly read her lips.
"Ah... I'm so happy you're okay..."
Shining brighter than a supernova, the star burned so brightly that only white ash remained.
Looking at its fading light, the boy said in disbelief,
"No..."