Bastian

a foreign language that he had never mastered.

“By the way, Bastian,” 

A voice as enchanting as the night itself broke through the deepening silence.
Odette had a tendency to frequently address her conversational partners by name, a habit Bastian found himself somewhat drawn to avoid acknowledging.

“I don’t believe it’s a negative thing that I can’t ride the Ferris wheel.
Thanks to you, I had the opportunity to admire it from here to my heart’s content.
It appears even more beautiful up close.”

“Don’t you think you’re excessively justifying yourself?” Bastian retorted, questioning her line of thought.

“You’re welcome.
Inside the Ferris wheel, you can’t see the Ferris wheel itself.
If I had been riding it, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this beautiful view,” Odette replied, turning her head and gracing Bastian with a radiant smile.
“Thanks to you, I’ve created wonderful memories.
Thank you, Bastian.”

“Let’s ride together next time.
There’s a Ferris wheel like this in Ratz as well,” Bastian impulsively promised, his words tinged with the sense of bidding a final farewell, stirred by Odette’s presence.

Odette, who had been gazing at Bastian for a while, responded with a soft, smiling glance instead of providing a verbal answer.
Then, with a graceful and effortless motion, she rose from the bench.
Her purpose was to discard the empty paper cups, a task she accomplished naturally.

However, even after attaining her objective, Odette didn’t return.
She halted a few steps away from the bench, her gaze fixated on the Ferris wheel with awe.

Bastian rose from his seat and approached Odette.
She must have sensed his presence, yet she refused to meet his eyes.
Growing impatient, Bastian advanced, positioning himself to block her path.

Taken aback, Odette turned her head away, but Bastian remained determined.
He reached out his hand, gently cupping her face, and looked at her intently.

Gone were the surprise and fear that once filled her eyes, replaced now by a gaze that held only him within its depths. Their radiance resembling the serene and crystalline surface of calm waters. 

She appeared anxious, yet there was no sign of resistance in her expression.
Bastian’s hand, which had been tenderly grazing her cheek, gently brushed against her quivering red lips.

“Sister!”

At that very moment, when the unfamiliar sensation that had stirred within their chests transformed into a lingering sigh, a familiar voice resonated.
Startled, Odette hastily retreated from him, taken aback by the sudden interruption.

Bastian, choosing to step back at that moment, willingly released his hold on her.
As he lowered his gaze to his fingertips, still tingling with the lingering sensation of her soft touch, Odette departed.
Her path led her towards Tira, the beloved family member she cherished dearly, despite the delay.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“I believe the teachers genuinely like you.
But who wouldn’t? Their fondness for you has even bolstered my own spirits.
See? How high did it soar? It must be taller than the Ferris wheel at the amusement park,” Tira’s enthusiastic voice resonated across the campus, mingling with the falling autumn leaves.

Odette attentively listened to Tira’s lively chatter, responding with a warm smile.
She knew that Tira tended to exhibit more varied emotions when her feelings were intense.
Yet, Odette refrained from pointing it out, understanding that Tira was making an effort to conceal the sadness that lay ahead of their impending separation.

Odette’s vacation reached its conclusion as she arrived at Gillis Girls’ Academy for the parents’ event.
It was 4:00 PM, and she stood in front of the school gate, only ten minutes away from the time Bastian had informed her earlier that day.

“I still can’t believe you’re here, sister,” Tira remarked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
“Even though I saw you every day for three consecutive days.
Is it because our time together was too short? It feels like a dream.” Tira’s steps slowed down significantly as she noticed a black car parked outside the school gate.
Although she wore a bright smile, her eyes already showed signs of redness.
She was a child who shed tears as readily as she laughed.

“Take good care of yourself and study diligently, Tira.
So when I next meet your homeroom teacher, my pride will soar like a Ferris wheel.” Odette halted her steps and gently opened Tira’s school uniform jacket, a tender gesture filled with love. 

“I’m sorry, sister.
Even though I love you, it seems challenging,” Tira confessed, her expression a mix of a grimace and laughter, on the verge of tears.
Odette reached into her purse and retrieved a handkerchief, delicately wiping away Tira’s tears.

“When we meet again, I’ll introduce you to my new family.
I’m sure you’ll love Margrethe too.
You’ve always wanted a dog, haven’t you?” 

“What good is that? My family is broken apart now,” Tira responded, her gaze fixed on the car beyond the school gate, resembling a child who had lost a cherished toy.

“If you’re going to throw a tantrum like that, you might as well go back,” Odette replied calmly, diffusing the tension.
Tira quickly realized her outburst and promptly apologized.

As Tira’s agitated emotions gradually settled, Odette resumed walking, their footsteps creating an echo on the path adorned with fallen leaves.

“I’m glad you’re doing well.
Thank you, Tira,” 

“What is there for you to be thankful for? I’m just a younger sister who doesn’t contribute much.
It’s me who should be grateful and apologetic,” Tira responded, her voice tinged with a mix of emotions.

By the time tears welled up in Tira’s eyes once again, the two sisters had reached the gate.
The driver, recognizing Odette, hastily emerged from the car.

“Goodbye, sis.
I love you,” Tira sobbed as she hugged Odette tightly, her voice filled with tears.

“Take care and stay well,” Odette bid farewell in a composed tone.
“I love you, Tira.”

A soft sob echoed in the air, but fortunately, Tira seemed unaware of it.
After gently disentangling herself from her sister’s embrace, Odette approached the waiting car where the driver stood.
The sound of Tira’s whimpering reached her ears, yet she resisted the urge to look back.

Taking a seat next to Bastian, Odette closed the door behind her, and the car began to move.

It was not until the driver settled back into the driver’s seat and the passing scenery outside the window began to blur that Odette mustered the courage to steal a glance behind her.
Tira was still there, waving her hand and crying as if she were Odette’s own child.

“Odette,” Bastian called out, his voice cutting through the moment.
The car was now picking up speed, and Bastian gently grasped Odette’s chin, redirecting her gaze away from the distant landscape.

Momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected gesture, Odette quickly regained her composure.
Politely, she gently moved his hand aside and composed herself, straightening her posture.
Instead of uttering words of apology, she expressed her remorse through a brief moment of silence.