It was as if she was in another world.  

She knew where she was, the forest of eternal darkness and yet, she had never heard of such a beautiful place existing in that nightmarish forest. 

It was a river shining so brightly, the stones and sediments within it glowing, illuminating the area around them. The forest of eternal darkness was embraced in a lukewarm glow, making one’s heart feel at ease as they took in the mesmerising scene before them. 

“Woah!” Maemi gasped out in amazement, twirling around the area. “Akio, wh-what is this? This is absolutely beautiful!” 

“It’s common for travellers to stumble into the forest of eternal darkness. If they did, they would end up wandering alone in their entire life, in this forest. In cases that they do escape, their minds are still trapped in this place.” 

“So, this river…?” Maemi asked in disbelief. “Did you actually…?” 

“It’s a creation of my own, to carve a path out of this dreadful forest.” Akio nodded, reaching his hand out to her and giving her a soft smile. “I haven’t named it yet, and…” 

Maemi accepted his touch naturally, walking back to his side. 

“I would like you to name it.” 

“M-me?” Maemi pointed to herself. “You are the one who worked so hard to create this! Don’t think I didn’t notice the dark circles around your eyes! How could I–” 

Akio began to laugh, his smile not diminishing in the slightest. “As expected, only you would say those words to me.” 

When he informed other people of the same news, they only clapped their hands together, praising him with empty compliments. Once again, he heard the same words. 

“Just one would expect from the son of the archmage!”

“Geniuses truly are born different!” 

“A noble heart and a genius, what a perfect man!” 

He left the conference room with a glum look on his face. 

However, he was no longer glum now. 

Since you aren’t willing to give it a name…

I’ll just do this. 

“Maemi, your birthday is in three days, isn’t it?” Akio asked, his eyebrows furrowed. “I am unable to attend your party but I prepared a gift for you.” 

Akio stepped aside, gesturing to the river. 

“This is my birthday gift to you, along with its name.” 

Maemi covered her mouth, astonished. “Thi–this creation of yours…is for…me?” 

Akio nodded. 

Tears welled up within Maemi’s eyes and she lowered her hands, there was a shaky smile on her lips but anyone could see the bliss in her black irises. 

“It glows indefinitely, providing a path of escape for the poor souls trapped within the forest.” 

Akio stiffened. 

Indefinitely? 

It only glows if it senses a presence nearby but…

No matter. 

I’ll just have to make it glow indefinitely. 

Akio looked at her. 

There she was standing as she admired the river, a wide smile on her face. The events from earlier clearly weren’t on her mind anymore, and that was exactly what Akio wanted. 

…along with that captivating sight of her. 

Making it glow indefinitely was not a problem at all. 

“I name it, the Infinite River.”

Maemi cleared her throat, feeling somewhat shy as she continued smiling. “Ho-how does it sound?” 

It doesn’t matter how it sounds or what it’s called. 

It was hers. 

Akio took his hand gently in his, lifting his hand to her lips as he pecked it softly. “It’s perfect, Maemi.” 

That day, Shinohara Maemi wore the most brilliant smile on her face. 

***

After he sent her back to her house, Akio dropped by the river once again. He lifted his hand, snapping his fingers together. 

A copious amount of mana swept over the river, and Akio brought his hand down that was shaking. Droplets of sweat formed on his forehead, and it was clear to anyone that the spell he did took a toll on him. 

Despite that, Akio wore an extremely pleased look on his face. 

“Master.” 

A shadow emerged from the ground, appearing as a masked young man as he knelt before Akio. 

“What news do you have of my father?” 

“He’s being extremely careful, and he has hidden something within his secret library. I’ll be able to find a way in within a day.” 

“Good, and be careful.” 

“Yes master, and…” 

“What is it?” 

“This…creation of yours. Why are you pointlessly wasting your magic to preserve its beauty?” 

Akio recalled the sight of Maemi playing within the river, the smile on her face never faltering. 

“Is that what you see it as?” Akio asked with a cryptic smile. 

"What else could it be?" 

Akio chuckled, looking at the river and his eyes were full of adoration. He opened his mouth, telling his familiar the reason. 

The reason behind pointlessly wasting his magic. 

The entire time, his familiar could only look at his master with an astonished expression. 

***

A few months passed and before Maemi knew it. 

A certain day was closing in. 

“Mhmm…” 

“Mmmm.” 

“Mhmmmmmm!” 

Maemi dug her hands into her hair, collapsing down onto the table with a sigh. 

Rei walked into the room, carrying a tray of snacks and tea. “Maemi, what’s wrong?” 

“Akio’s birthday! His birthday is closing in, and I–” Maemi glanced over at Rei, a desperate look on her face. “I don’t know what I can give him!” 

Her face planted itself onto the table again, and she lifted her hand weakly. Her fingers started to count the gifts. 

“Not money, since he has it more than me. Not land, since he has it more than me. Not clothing, since he has it more than me. Not food, not prestige, not status, not–anything!”

Maemi burst up from her seat. 

Rei stumbled back in shock, blinking at her master. 

“Didn’t the young master give you something on your birthday? Why not give him something equal in return?” Rei suggested. 

Maemi straightened herself, her eyes lit up in glee as she grasped Rei’s hands. “Oh my goodness, Rei! You are an absolute genius!”

“Thank you, my lady.” 

“A spell, I have to think of a spell to create!”

“Yes, a spell to create–what?” Rei froze, her eyes growing wide. “The young master gave you a spell of his own for your birthday?” 

“Didn’t I tell you? It was wonderful, and so, I’ll do the same!” 

Rei began to sweat bullets. 

There was no possible way for her master to give an equal gift this way. After all, her magic was…

“Maemi–” 

Rei looked up, reaching her hand out. 

“...” 

“...she’s gone.” 

***

A week passed. 

In three days' time, it would be the deadline for Maemi. 

Akio’s birthday. 

Just like Rei had suspected, it was not possible for Maemi to give something equal in return. Whenever she tried to talk to her master, Maemi wouldn’t even give her a listening ear and rushed off to practice another spell. 

In the end, she strained herself and was utterly exhausted. 

She was supposed to meet Akio today, but sadly, she couldn’t. 

Maemi wept without tears, her body aching all over as she pushed herself up from the bed. 

“My lady, a…a guest is here!” 

Maemi heard the voice outside her door, and she called for Rei to enter.

“Who is it?” 

“It’s…the archmage–” 

“Akio?!”

“No, the archmage himself. The father of the young master.” 

Maemi was dumbfounded. 

***

She clutched at her dress with her clammy hands, giving the older man before her a bow. She gathered the courage to lift her head up, looking him in the eye. 

There it was again. 

The look of contempt. 

She never told Akio, but she had met his father once by coincidence. 

His condescending look never changed at all, and he still treated her as if she was dirt. 

“Sit, Shinohara Maemi.” 

“Yes, archmage.” 

She sat down, sipping at her tea with shaky hands. 

“Though you may be unworthy of my son, I heard a curious rumour floating around the city.” 

“...a rumour…?” 

“You were frantically looking for a creation of your own to give to my son, are you not?”

Maemi gasped. “How did you–?!” 

“A curious rumour, and I, as a father, want what is best for my son on his birthday,” he cleared his throat, placing a book on the table. “He treasures you dearly, and I shall help you in making the perfect gift for him.” 

“This is…!” 

“You can temporarily enhance your mana pool with the methods listed in the book, and with that, you can create a spell of your own.” 

Maemi lit up. 

Akio, wait for me! 

I’ll do it! 

A creation from the bottom of my heart. 

I’ll give it all to you!

“Th-thank you, thank you so much, archmage!” 

“You can dismiss yourself.” 

Maemi bowed, rushing out of the guest room with a big smile on her face. 

“Hmph,” the archmage wore a malicious look. “Foolish girl.” 

Now, all he needed to do was wait. 

Her exposed mana essence shall be his nourishment to expand his mana pool. 

***

Akio was seated on his couch, staring blankly into space. It was an appearance unlike him, but Akio couldn’t help it. 

He was going crazy. 

Going crazy from missing her. 

“Master!” 

His familiar appeared before him, kneeling. 

“Why do you sound so–” 

“It’s forbidden magic!” 

“...what?” 

“Your father purchased a magic spell book from the black market, and it’s forbidden magic!”

Akio rose from his chair in an instant, a grave look on his face. “Where is he now?”

“I-I don’t know! He sensed my presence and tricked me, I lost him completely…” 

“Where did you last see him–no, nevermind.” 

“...?” 

His familiar glanced up in bewilderment. 

Akio frowned deeply, heading straight for the wooden doors. “He just arrived back home.” 

Pushing the doors open, he walked down the corridor of his lonely and cold home. There, he saw his father walking towards him. 

“Father.” 

“Son.” 

“I know you have it,” Akio stretched his hand out, glaring at his father. “The magic spell book containing forbidden magic. You know I've been watching you this entire time. ” 

“I did…? Ah, that’s right, I know it all.” 

“...?” 

“...but just moments ago, you see…”

His father lifted his hand, a vision orb hovering over his palm and playing a scene before Akio’s eyes. 

Every second that passed, the fear became more apparent on Akio's face. 

It was clearly seen that Maemi took the book and dashed off with it, a big smile on her face. 

His face was completely drained of colour. “Oh…oh god! Maemi!” 

He teleported away. 

Akio’s familiar started to fight with the archmage. It was as if his master’s rage was transferred to him. 

The entire time, the archmage mocked the familiar. 

That he was too late. 

Shinohara Maemi…was gone.

***

Maemi finished drawing the magic circle on the ground. She had followed the instructions written on the book studiously, and she reached forward, pricking her finger with a needle. The drop of blood plopped onto the magic circle and it started to glow in blue. 

She lit up in happiness, still holding the book to her chest. 

“It worked!” 

Just then, the blue hue began to change its colours. 

…to an ominous black. 

Maemi dropped the book onto the ground, horrified as she realised the monstrosity she had released. 

Every part of her body began to throb and she felt as if she was being burned alive. The pain was excruciating as she let out a scream, collapsing to the ground and convulsing. 

She caught a glimpse of the book through her tears. 

The concealment spell, which she could not catch due the lack of magic on her end, started to wear off. 

She widened her eyes in disbelief.

Akio said…

He was suspicious of his father…

I…I am such a fool. 

All I wanted was just… 

The doors to the room burst open. 

“My lady?! So this is where you were–my lady! Oh my god–m-my lady!” 

“...Re-Rei, do–don’t…come…”

Rei scooped Maemi into her arms, the tears rolling down her face as she watched her friend suffering from excruciating pain.  

“You there, inform the entire mansion! The lady has collapsed–”

Maemi let out a harrowing scream, the ominous black glow from earlier were now settling into her veins, travelling throughout her whole body. 

Black tendrils burst out from her body, lifting her weak body into the air and strangling Rei and the other servants in the vicinity. 

“N-no, do-don’t…pl-please…” Maemi pleaded weakly, the tears streaming down her pale face. 

All I wanted was…

The black tendrils were on the verge of twisting their necks and Maemi opened her mouth to scream. 

At that moment, a wave of dense magic swept past the entire house and a presence teleported directly below the hovering Maemi. 

Time was completely frozen. 

Maemi blinked through her tears, her heart starting to race as she struggled to look down. 

The only person capable of this is…

He stepped forward from the shadows, creating floating stairs as he ascended towards Maemi in the air. She started to cry, shaking her head at him. 

“No-not you, Akio, you can’t…” 

You can’t be here. 

He reached out for her, his hands caressing her face. Her eyes were bloodshot, blood flowing out from her nose and mouth. The veins on her face were lined with an ominous black, and she looked nothing like her elegant self. 

Her beautiful smooth long, straight hair was now a dishevelled mess. 

Despite that, Akio still regarded her with love.

His lips shook and a tear slid out of his right eye.

Maemi had never seen the man in such pain and sorrow. 

“I’m…I’m so sorry, what have I…” Akio struggled out in a hoarse voice. “What have I done…? How could this happen?” 

It was only yesterday he saw her smiling right at him. 

“It…wasn’t…yo-you…Akio…” 

"If only I selfishly came to see you, if only I stuck to your side."

"Don't…"

Akio’s face twisted painfully, the tears flowing out endlessly. "Why does it have to be this way? I only fell in love with you."

Maemi cried just as much as he did.

"I loved you, that's all. Was that so wrong?"

"Akio…"

"Why is it you that has to suffer like this? Why…you?" 

"Akio…I'm so…rry."

"Please. Don't apologise, you did nothing wrong. It's me, it's all my fault."

"You did…nothing wrong…too…"

"Maemi…oh god…" he sobbed out, his shoulders trembling violently, his tears continuing without stopping. "To free you, I…have to kill you. Maemi, I…I have to kill you. Maemi, Maemi…"

"Do…it…"

"How could I ever do that? How could you say that? I love you, I love you…"

"It's…o..kay. It's really…okay."

"I don't want to."

Akio slid his hand down her face, stepping forward as he raised his hand, snapping his fingers. 

“N..o…!” 

No!

Akio!

All I wanted was for you to–

Just like that, time resumed and the black tendrils rushed straight for him, releasing its poor victims. 

Maemi could only let out a helpless, strangled scream, shaking her head vehemently.

She could never forget it. 

The sound it made as it dug into his body, feasting on his magic, it was something she would never forget.

“I'm here for you, Maemi."

He leaned in and Maemi could feel the tendrils digging further into his body. She couldn't scream anymore, the tears blocking her words and voice. 

"I'll take it all from you, so you can live," Akio breathed out, a smile on his pale face. "So don't cry anymore."

Maemi let out a broken sob, lifting her weak hand to touch his face. 

Nishikawa Akio. 

My love. 

All I wanted was to give you the same happiness you gave me back then. 

That…was all. 

She stroked his cheek with her remaining strength, and Akio nuzzled against her hand. The blood spilled out from his lips, but he didn't care, his eyes solely focused on her. 

The pain of having his body impaled was nothing to him. 

Nothing at all. 

"Yo-young master, my lady." Rei rasped out, covering her mouth in horror. 

Maemi continued crying, choking on her own tears. 

"Let's go, Maemi."

"..."

Akio closed his eyes, his hand covering hers on his face. 

A second later, the pair of lovers disappeared. 

***

The black tendrils sprouting out from her back retreated into her body, as if they were satisfied by their meal. The black veins throbbed, making Maemi grunt as she felt power coursing through her. 

I don't want this… 

Not this. 

With the lack of support, Akio fell forward and Maemi caught him. She collapsed onto the ground, leaning against the tree trunk and his head laid. 

His face was utterly pale, his breaths were too faint. 

Maemi leaned down, touching his face as tears plopped onto his cheeks. 

"Akio…"

"Open your eyes."

"Akio, I love you." 

His eyelids lifted open, and there was a hazy look in his eyes. Despite his fading consciousness, he could still see her clearly. 

She looked truly beautiful. 

He didn't care about the black veins crawling throughout her whole body. 

Her dishevelled hair. 

Her blood-red eyes. 

She was still Shinohara Maemi. 

The woman he loved. 

"It was supposed to be your birthday gift. I wanted to create an essence of my mana, and present it to you."

She clutched at her chest. 

"I wanted…to give you my heart."

Akio breathed out, lifting his hand. She immediately grabbed it, placing a kiss on it. 

"Thank you, Shinohara Maemi."

"I can't live on like this, Akio."

"Thank you for loving me, and for teaching me love."

"Please…don't leave me."

"Here...on that day..." Akio grinned weakly. "I will never forget how you looked."

"How did I…look?"

"Just like you are now," he whispered, his eyes looking into hers. "Bright and beautiful."

Maemi smiled sadly. 

"My gift will remain here forever, and so will my heart. All for you."

"What should I do…? What can I do? I love you so much, I love you. Akio, Akio…"

"Smile. A smile…suits you best."

Akio closed his eyes, the strength completely leaving his hands. Maemi grasped at it with both hands, pressing her cheek against it in a crazed manner. 

He's cold. 

So cold. 

You can't die like this…

You can't leave like this…

She let out a strangled wail and she cradled the ash-blonde haired man in her arms. There was a peaceful smile on his handsome face, and his clothes were drenched in blood.

"Akio! Akio, Akio…! Come back, don't leave me!" 

The black veins on her face were starting to recede. 

…this was not what she wanted. 

Maemi knew she couldn't live on. Even if she did, she had to walk around with a cursed body.

She had envisioned it.

His reaction to the gift. 

Their first kiss. 

Their first night. 

Their countless dates. 

Their future...together.

Nishikawa Akio. 

The man she loved. 

The strongest person in the world, the greatest archmage to have ever graced the world. 

Someone like him made her feel like they were equals. 

Someone so great and so kind like him. 

How was she supposed to go on without him?

"..."

Maemi summoned out the black tendrils within her, and she proceeded to clasp her hand around his cold ones. 

"In the next life, I'll make it up to you. Everything that I am, I'll give it to you."

She impaled herself with the same black tendrils, her blood splattering onto the tree trunk. There was a smile on her face as she placed their entwined hands on her chest. 

Till the end of time. 

I will love you.

In the dead of night, a pool of blood surrounded the pair of lovers. Their clothes were also splattered with blood, leaving behind a gruesome sight. 

However, the serene smiles on their faces was a contradicting sight.

– FIN –

***

《 start 》

それは、彼女の笑顔です。(It’s her smile)

彼女の笑顔を残したいと思いました。(I wanted to preserve her smile)

《 stop 》