AWB Chapter 386 [Empire] Miyou's Funeral
Chapter 386 [Empire] Miyou's Funeral
There was no crying at Miyou's funeral, only gentle remembrance.
We prepared a sweet funeral for her. A huge cream cake exuded an alluring aroma. Candles dotted each tier like colorful stars, shimmering with warm light. Balloons floated in the air, and silk ribbons tied with large, delicate bows swayed gently in the breeze. Every decoration was filled with joy and warmth, just like Miyou's former dream: that simple, hopeful girl, waiting for her mother's return in this warm world.
Yet, the funeral had very few guests. Aside from me, Nightingale, Wen Ya, and the officer, no one else showed up. Miyou's mother, a captain in the army, likely didn't leave behind many connections, and perhaps her sacrifice remains a distant story for many. Miyou's world was too small, lacking even a single, complete companion. She remained alone, watching over that candle until she melted into a wax statue.
I stood before that three-tiered cake, and everything before me seemed like a gift meticulously prepared for Miyou. Even though she would never again taste these delicious treats or blow out these flickering candles, it all symbolized our respect and our longing for her. She was the little girl who would never be forgotten, the girl who waited in the park for her mother's return.
"Miyou likes these," Nightingale whispered as he stood beside me. Although his tone was soft, I knew he was weighed down by it. He knew better than anyone that Miyou's past and her story had endowed each of us with an unspoken sense of responsibility—to remember that girl once existed.
Wen Ya stood on the other side of the cake, his eyes deep as he silently gazed at the gorgeously decorated scene. Although he didn't say anything, his silent support and companionship made me feel warm. Perhaps he didn't understand Miyou's past, but everything he did for me silently expressed his love and care at this moment, every moment.
The officer stood a little further away, his gaze complex. His face showed no emotion, simply observing everything in front of him. I could almost sense the complexities within him—a child he once knew, Miyou, had her life ended in such a sudden and horrific manner. Perhaps he, too, didn't know how to cope with such an ending. His deceased lover's only child.
"Miyou would love this," I whispered to myself, looking at the twinkling candles, the emotion welling up in my heart indescribable. Miyou never truly had anything of her own, and until her last moment, she still held that candle, waiting for her mother. Her life was so short, yet so strong. I don't know how to describe the mixture of pain and warmth she brought to me.
The candlelight is dim, yet warm. The floating balloons, seemingly carrying Miyou's unfulfilled wishes, drift gently into the distant sky. Each candle represents a small hope she once held, each balloon a dream she once held. Though her life was brief, though her existence was so lonely, her presence is forever etched in our hearts.
"Miyou, you deserve a happy ending." I said softly to the balloon floating in the sky. Although she couldn't hear, I hope she can feel our blessings in the other world.
I stood beside the cake, my gaze fixed on Miyou's wax figure. She stood quietly, holding the bear, as if she had never left. Her eyes remained empty, but this time, I no longer felt sadness. Instead, I felt a sense of relief. Miyou was no longer alone. Her world had ended, but we had left her a beautiful memory. She no longer needed to watch over that candle, because she now had a warm home.
"You won't be alone anymore." I whispered, bidding her a final goodbye.
I bought a new space button, a beaded bear pattern, which I put on the necklace around my neck. Miyou was placed inside.
This bear-shaped beaded pendant, like a tiny heart, hangs around my neck. Through it, I feel a gentle strength. It's clearly no longer just an ornament, but a bond that connects me to Miyou. The delicate carving of the beaded bear bear is a striking resemblance to her beloved bear, its round eyes and warm smile radiating through the beads. This bear pendant is more than just a precious jewel; it's a lasting memory of Miyou.
Miyou's soul is housed within this knot. She remains silent in this space, speechless, yet I can sense her presence. Her warmth and innocence remain undimmed by the passage of time. Just as the little bear has always protected her, she is now protected by this small yet steadfast guardian.
Whenever I look at this necklace, the image of Miyou emerges in my mind. She once sat quietly in the park, holding her teddy bear, waiting for her mother, who hadn't returned yet. That wait, that perseverance, also became the final touch of color in her life. And now, her presence remains, never fading, but lives on in this gentle way in my life.
I stroked the little bear bead and felt a subtle sense of peace.
It represents a silent promise - Miyou will never be forgotten in this world. She is no longer the lonely little girl, no longer waiting silently, but a part of me and every corner of this world that is closely connected.
Sometimes, I would close my eyes and quietly feel the tiny vibrations of the pendant, as if Miyou was telling me that she was doing well, quietly guarding her teddy bear, guarding her dreams, and also guarding the unspoken warmth in my heart.
Miyou seems to have become a part of my life and will never leave. Her story is no longer a sad ending, but a warm beginning. With her former innocence and determination, and with her little bear, she continues to bloom gently at every corner.
At this moment, I seemed to be very much like Miyou. What she cherished was the candle bear, and what I cherished was the candle bear, Miyou who had become one with the bear, and her past dreams.