You too, Jupiter…
“You can use whatever’s left of it after we’ve fixed up Fumika.”
…You can also be healed.
“…It heals anything?”
I nodded.
“Can it heal even Eliza’s face? Put it back to how it was before?”
I nodded again. Just then, I felt a sharp sensation at the back of my nose.
“A-and then maybe Eliza will…hic…plant flowers with me again…”
When I nodded the third time, it was too much. My eyes blurred, and my head suddenly got really hot. I lost my grip on my thoughts, and they began to jumble.
…Goddamn it. This is why I hate the rain. Once it starts pouring, it’s almost impossible to stop. What a pain in the ass.
Drops of water tumbled down, both inside and out.
Between the two of us, it was a veritable downpour.
It fell, and fell, and fell.
We sat like that for a while. After some time, the clouds moved across the sky, and slowly but surely, the rain let up. The smell faded, and the gray clouds scattered. It was as if the heavens had been scrubbed of filth, leaving the world brighter and more cheerful than before.
“We’ll head back to the dungeon tomorrow.”
This was the perfect opportunity, and I wasn’t going to miss it. You can’t underestimate the effect of the weather clearing up on a person’s feelings. Light filters in through the clouds, warmth returns to the air, and the body releases a bunch of serotonin. The effect is incredibly calming, both mentally and physically.
“Yeah.” Jupiter nodded. It was a slow, conscious gesture. She seemed to be back to normal.
“It’s finally time to end things with Keraunos.”
“…Yeah.”
“It won’t be an easy fight. You might have to face some painful memories.”
She didn’t answer me. I could guess why. I’d be terrified, too. I’d probably want to run if I were her.
But you’re going to be fine, Jupiter. ’Cause you’ve got people to support you.
“If it gets to be too much, and you wanna throw in the towel, why not just think back to the good times?”
“The…‘good times’?”
“Yeah. Like times you found an awesome new game. Or when you ate something really tasty. Or, if that’s too tough to picture, just remember the past two weeks you spent living with us. Isn’t that how all the best games do it? The hero gets a flashback that awakens something inside them, then they score a huge victory.”
“But what if I forget everything?” Her red gaze wavered anxiously.
Her fears were reasonable. Keraunos might steal her precious memories of our time together as payment for using its power. Or it might do it just to break her heart.
But as long as it only stole her memories, that wasn’t a big deal. They wouldn’t disappear—it couldn’t destroy them forever. She could always get them back, just like she’d done only a day ago.
“You remembered Eliza, didn’t you? And you were able to remember us right away, too. So I’m sure you’ll be fine, Jupiter. Your memories of us won’t disappear.”
Besides, I had an ace up my sleeve. I’d prepared a special talisman just in case.
“I want to give you something.”
I placed a drawstring pouch with an arabesque pattern on her hand. It was pretty big and very heavy.
“…What is it?”
“It’s a protective charm. And I mean that in more ways than one. If things get bad—and I’m talking really bad—just open that bag. What’s inside will give you the power you need.”
“Thanks,” she said, accepting the gift.
I flashed her a smile. “I’ve got one more piece of advice for you. If that crappy ‘dad’ of yours really starts getting to you, just punch it right between the legs. That’s enough to shut most guys up.”
I’d been saving that advice for last. And, yes, it was a bit vulgar. But I knew it would be effective. As someone who’d spent plenty of time getting kicked in the balls by a devious goddess, I knew that better than anyone. A guy’s biggest weakness was his crotch.
“I wonder if I can really do this…”
“You can. I know it— Whoa.”
The disgusting rain clouds had retreated into the distance, and with that obtrusive filter gone, the warm sun began to shine down on Sakurabana once again. And as it did, the town reflected the light back up to us in an array of prismatic colors.
“…Wow,” came a tiny voice from beside me.
“Now that is one hell of a view. Isn’t this place great? And no one in town even knows about it.”
Sakurabana sparkled in the sunlight. The gargantuan trees interwoven between the buildings gave the scene a dreamlike quality. I never got tired of the view from the shrine grounds. And we were treated to something even more special a moment later.
“…It’s a rainbow.”
A seven-colored bridge of light stretched across the heavenly blue canvas. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen a rainbow so clearly.
…Damn rain. How am I supposed to keep hating you when you go and leave us such a beautiful parting gift?
“Rain might call down lightning, but it also brings rainbows. It’s not all bad.”
“…Yeah. I guess you’re right.”
We stood in our raincoats, now unnecessary, and stared out at the rainbow.
“Let’s win tomorrow,” I said.
“Yeah.”
We bumped fists. Her tiny hand, damp with rain, still felt a little cold.