I did not write the lyrics of the song I used. It belongs to The Lord of the Rings.
Chapter 49 Identity
They say, when humans become contractors, they do not possess sentimental perceptions anymore.
They say, when humans become contractors, they are no longer in control of their passions.
They say, when humans become contractors, they can only develop into self-seeking individualists.
And they say, contractors are just incomplete dolls.
…
"Hei."
Her lips have made their call.
It is such an unfair piece of evidence to suggest that a doll does not understand human sensations when they do not react in the humans' perspectives.
In the realm of nothingness, she is standing right there at the opposing end of the town, looking extremely conflicted at herself.
Perhaps it is the darkness that is making everything so cumbersome.
Yes, it has to be the darkness.
The silent and cultivated night well managed itself into contrasting the luminous figure of the silver-haired girl. Upon anyone's field of vision, the girl herself can be the most formidable component of this alternating reality.
If it were not for the half-hoping and half-pleading tone of her calling –
"Hei. Is that you?"
Then one might as well indulge him or herself into another possible choice in escaping their mind prison.
"…"
Standing in the middle of all this controlled madness, the Black Reaper chooses to react in silence as he holds onto his attention.
"Hei. I feel your presence."
Watching the scene steadily unfold in front of him, Hei knows that this situation must be solved by no one other than himself, sooner or later.
"Yin."
He replies.
There is an absence of intention in his voice. It is no quite the usual emotionlessness one can observe in Hei's voices – it is just a plain response to the girl's calling.
Hei knows exactly who this person is. Accessing Li's memories again, the Black Reaper cannot mistake the person for whom his original self developed a sympathetic affection.
She is Yin, the evolving doll who encompasses the power of the destructive Izanami.
She is Yin, the Finnish pianist who has given up her own name to follow the one in which she found comfort.
She is Yin, the blind girl for whom the legendary Black Reaper has abandoned his entire world.
Hei knows all of that.
But does that matter to him?
He is not the legendary Black Reaper. He does not know love, he does not understand human kindness, and most importantly, he is not the one she loved.
That is why his empty reply is so arid.
"Hei. Please."
There really isn't that much in her sentence, but that else can be said? The girl's life is tragic enough to speak for itself.
Blinded, watched her mother die by saving her, became a doll, gave up her name, burdened by the power of the Izanami, hunted by the Syndicate, and finally asked the one for whom she developed love to kill her – in order to save the world.
No doubt, her life is the combination of the works written by the likes of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides.
No one wouldn't develop an implicit sympathy for her.
And yet she is presented in front of him.
"…"
Words fail to form from Hei's vocal cords. His mouth remains in its original position. With his head slightly bending, his rectangular glasses completely cover any sign to discover his intentions by showing the reflection of the silver moonlight.
"Hei."
Her words are limited.
But who says the tone itself cannot carry what her heart conveys?
Unmistakably, the sound of her calling has evolved from hopefulness to assurance, from assurance to confusion, from confusion to desperation, and ultimately, from desperation to sorrow.
Perhaps it is the sorrow for recognizing that her attempts have fallen apart.
For recognizing that this man is not the one she seeks.
Tears begin to emerge on the edge of her violet eyes. They fall like the autumn leaves – gently and vigorously at the same time.
Dolls do not cry.
But when a doll cries, indescribable emotion can only be the conclusion, whether It is elation or melancholy.
"Then, kill me."
One has to endure all of the anguish in the world to make that final statement.
It is the final resort for the ill-fated girl to find her happiness.
Happiness through eternal peace.
The look of conviction can be seen under her silver hair. When all hope is lost, death is the only resting place for her.
CLICK.
Hei, what are you doing?
Pulling his right hand out of his pocket, the black pistol recurs into his palm.
Why are you readying your pistol?
Slowly aiming the weapon toward the direction of Yin, the Black Reaper does not express even a small notion of hesitation.
HEI, ARE YOU REALLY A COLD-BLOODED MURDERER?
"Yin."
The silver-haired girl unnoticeably shudders at his voice – why does it sound so different?
"I promise you."
What?
"I will be there."
…
"Liar."
…
"No, Yin."
When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
But in dreams
I can hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
…
…
…
BANG!
Zanku has fallen.
A girl is being reborn.