She was a little surprised to see the young man at the gravesite on that day, but not as much as she would have expected herself to be.
"You came to see her after all," she said.
"You must think I'm a
terrible person for not coming to visit in so long. But ever since
that time... I haven't been able to bring myself to come see her.
When I came to say goodbye, she looked so... disapproving."
Although he spoke as if answering her statement, he stared at the
grave instead of looking at her as he talked.
"Do you think
it was because you saved me?"
He frowned. "No. ...She
was disappointed in me, I think."
She laid her hand on his
shoulder, causing him to flinch visibly. After so long, he still
wasn't used to any woman's touch. "You're wrong. No matter what
you do... she can't ever be disappointed in you."
For the
first time, his gaze met hers. "Why? How can you say that? After
all I did..."
"Her true self... is kinder than anyone or
anything. And she loves you. Nothing you do could ever make her lose
faith in you, because she knows what you're like in your heart."
He was crying by now. "H-How can you say these things? How can you possibly know how she felt? How could you possibly understand her? Understand us?"
"I know him. She left
herself inside of him." She smiled at him. "I'm not her
'replacement,' you know. You can't think of me that way."
"Do
you think she understands that?"
"Someone as kind as her... I'm sure she does. So don't cry anymore. Don't cry. She's always watching over you."