Chapter 10
“To the cute and pitiful Enoch,
Are you feeling down because of me? Because of the fact that I’m going to die? Don’t be too heartbroken. I’m just someone who will briefly pass through your life. We haven’t even met in person! We’ve only exchanged letters.
If I suddenly disappear one day, you’ll surely be sad. Maybe for about a week. But as time passes, you’ll forget me. That’s the natural course of things. You’ll meet many people in your life, go through many experiences, and in time, past memories will fade away. Just wipe away your tears once and forget about me, okay?
Wise witches and wizards surely have never started, nor been dragged into, something like a war. That’s for thick-headed people to get involved in. As you said, this is just a contest of “who can lose more people” until one side is cornered and finally raises the white flag. From the moment a war starts, the deaths of millions—no, tens of millions—are already set in stone.
I volunteered simply because I didn’t want to hide away only to die a meaningless death. At least this way, I’ll die doing something with a bit of meaning.
I understand that you’d like to put me on a broom and take me far away beyond the skies, but don’t you dare actually show up! If I was going to run away in fear, I wouldn’t have come here in the first place. I intend to do as much as I can, so can’t you just watch over me from there?
As for Major Morton—what about him? He’s just an ordinary superior officer. Well, actually, not so ordinary. His face is the kind you’d expect to see on a movie poster, walking around in real life—it’s unsettling! Sure, I like handsome men, but Morton is my superior. That’s why I force myself to pretend I haven’t noticed.
Rumor has it Morton’s father is a big shot in the army. If he had joined the army proper, he’d be living in comfort, so why come here of all places? And with that kind of background, wouldn’t the usual move be to dodge military service entirely? Most highborn sons do that. I suppose it must be because of his father’s reputation.
Maybe that’s why Morton always has such gloomy eyes. I don’t know if it’s because he wants out of the military, but even if that’s the case, I wouldn’t blame him. Anyone would want to get out of this place.
This is something I’m telling only you—I honestly hope Morton makes it out alive. Every time I look at him, I think, “It’s such a waste for someone like him to die here.”
—H. A.
P.S. The camera? Not yet. I’m getting a bit desperate here.”
“To Miss Helen, who says such cruel things,
You make me cry again and again. How can you so easily tell me to forget you forever? It hurts so much to know you believe I could forget you so easily. My feelings for you are anything but light.
Helen, there are ponds that never dry up. Some are carved so deep that even after many days, the water refuses to leave. And eventually, it rots with whatever is trapped there. After that, even if you pour in fresh water, it will never be purified. It becomes a pain that never disappears.
I’m not trying to burden you. I’m just saying that even if you disappear, I won’t be able to forget you easily. My feelings are not light, and I even have your letters.
Memories are like water—no matter how much you try to hold them, they slip through your fingers. But letters will always stay by my side. I’ll read them again and again until they wear thin, and think of you each time…
If you wish to face your fate, I will respect your decision. But remember this—I can help you at any time! If you ever need me, promise me you’ll ask!
As for that Morton, I hope he doesn’t hurt your feelings. He’s probably not a bad person… probably. I suppose you’ll be seeing him often now? I sincerely hope you survive as long as he does and become another “Delta Four” squad member. (I mean it!)
A night comforted by a crow,
Enoch Greer.
P.S. Sorry… borrowing a camera is proving harder than I thought.”
“To Enoch, who is kind, pretty, and gentle—a true angel compared to Morton,
I was careless. I shouldn’t have said that. I only said it because I didn’t want you to be too sad because of me. I didn’t want to be a burden to anyone. But if you do remember me, I think I’d actually be happy. To be remembered by a wizard—that would be an honor!
But I don’t want to be the reason your happiness is ruined. I want you to keep your smile. Especially because you’re an angel, Enoch. I’ve thought this before, but lately I’ve realized it more than ever. Compared to that Morton guy… Can’t he at least be half as nice as you?
It’s already unfair enough to be stuck on an express train to the afterlife, but do I really have to spend it with someone like him? How can a person be so cold, irritable, and unsociable?
Anyway, I’ve made friends in the new squad. We pretty much had no choice. From now on, the three of us have to face everything together. Their names are Rose and Maelle. Even on this express train to hell, they manage to keep their spirits up! Or maybe they’ve just lost so much they’ve gone completely wild… because if you don’t at least pretend to be lively, you really will lose your mind.
We held a singing contest. The train is barreling toward hell, so we might as well do something, right? So we started singing. And guess what—Rose brought Morton along! At first, I thought it was hilarious. Just imagining that stiff man being asked to sing was killing me.
And here’s what happened—”
“Dear Miss Helen,
Uh… what? Your letter seems to have been cut off. Did something happen to the fireplace? Sorry, but could you please resend the rest?
Nothing happened, right? You’re starting to scare me!
A night checking the fireplace,
Enoch Greer.”
“To Enoch,
Ah, sorry. I almost got caught writing to you by my new squadmates. So I quickly hid it, and in the process, the letter disappeared.
It’s not like I’m committing any grand crime, but if I got caught, I’d have to explain everything from the start! Too much hassle. And besides, I want my letters with you to stay just my little secret.
Anyway, we decided to have a singing contest. Not because we’re good at it—acting like lunatics is surprisingly good for mental health! We just planned to squawk and scream.
I thought it would just be the three of us going wild, but then Major Morton got dragged in! It was hilarious. We were throwing a mad witch’s festival, singing pop songs, and there he was, frozen awkwardly at the edge.
‘Why did you bring the Major?’ I laughed. Rose just said, ‘Why not? It’s fun! And we can’t just leave the squad leader out. You’re the one who said Delta Four must always stick together. Am I wrong, sir?’
Morton just looked confused and said nothing. Clearly, he had no idea what to do. Poor guy—he had the face of someone who’d never been to a party in his life. Has he even sung before? I mean a real song, not a military march.
Then Maelle took it a step further. ‘Sir, Helen’s new here too, so we should all get along! Are you just going to keep exchanging awkward glances? Let’s sing together!’
Then she started singing right away. And wow, I’ve never heard anyone so loud. But to Morton’s misfortune, Maelle chose a song that was anything but refined. You know how pop songs usually are.
Morton, clearly flustered, tried to make an excuse about being busy so he could leave. But we all rushed to stop him. We were determined to see him sing no matter what. I honestly thought he’d get mad—officers usually do. But he let himself be caught, which surprised me.
So there we were, with Morton as our prisoner, making a huge racket. We sang every popular song we knew. But then Morton gave us a strange look.
‘Sir, don’t tell me you don’t know the songs we’re singing?’
To our shock, Morton’s ears turned bright red and he dodged the question. And we had picked songs that were famous nationwide! How could he not know them? It was hilarious, but we tried hard not to laugh for his sake.
‘Then what songs do you usually listen to, sir?’
‘Do I really have to say?’
‘We just want you to have fun with us!’
‘I’d rather just sit quietly here, can’t I?’
‘That attitude is unworthy of Delta Four’s glory. Come on, tell us!’
Morton looked like he really wanted to escape, but it was just too much fun to let him go.
He sighed, and then—gave us an answer none of us had expected.“
