I Want To Die One Day Before You - Chapter 69
Sarubia’s touch on his nape was felt, an unbearable warmth enveloping Rufus’s body, covered in scars and calluses.
The two stopped in front of a small pond. Small goldfish freely swam in the clear water.
“There’s a pond here. How strange.”
“I made it.”
Memories of his childhood came flooding back.
As a child, Edel suddenly became obsessed with keeping goldfish.
Initially, Rufus thought it was just a whim that would pass. But Edel’s obsession only grew stronger. She even started singing songs about goldfish. Rufus remembered his grandmother’s words then. If he liked goldfish that much, why didn’t he go live in the water?
On the third night of Edel’s incessant pleading, Rufus, in his pajamas, headed to the garden. He dug through the night.
The result was this pond before Rufus and Sarubia.
Technically, it was more of a makeshift water hole than a pond. But it was a labor of love by a young Rufus for his sibling.
“You really care about your brother.”
Sarubia whispered from behind Rufus, having quietly listened to his story.
“Of course.”
He’s the last gift my parents left me, Rufus murmured to himself.
How was Edel doing now? He wondered if Edel was crying thinking of him, if she was not throwing tantrums and listening to their grandmother.
“But it’s just the two of us here.”
Sarubia, perched on Rufus’s back, laughed playfully.
“Isn’t it strange? As if everyone in the world has disappeared.”
“Maybe.”
Rufus gazed intently at Sarubia’s eyes reflected on the water’s surface. Looking into her eyes, he felt alive again.
It was ironic.
Rufus had never been dead, yet why did he feel like he was coming back to life?
Then, Sarubia poked Rufus’s cheek.
“What is it?”
“Please let me down now.”
“You can stay up. Isn’t that more comfortable?”
“It is, but now I want to hold your hand, Lord Rufus.”
At her words, Rufus immediately knelt down. Sarubia hopped off his back and stroked his hair.
Then, with a broad smile,
“You’re really like a dog, Lord Rufus!”
Rufus stopped dead in his tracks.
What did Sarubia just say?
“Is that supposed… to be a compliment?”
“Hm? Of course. It means you listen to me well. But why do you look like that?”
“I was wondering what I did wrong to you.”
“Ahaha, that’s impossible. You’re really like a dog in how easily you get upset.”
“I’d rather you call me a puppy.”
Feeling Sarubia’s hand stroking his head, Rufus grumbled, not really complaining.
“You like puppies? Then, Rufus, you be the puppy. I’ll be the cat.”
“Why a cat of all things?”
“Cats have nine lives, you know.”
Sarubia smiled playfully.
“Cats live long. Since puppies get lonely, I, as a cat, should live long to keep you, the puppy, company.”
“……”
Rufus silently took Sarubia’s hand.
Truly.
Such a Sarubia-like, unique response.
Humming a tune, Sarubia stopped in her tracks.
“What kind of flower is that?”
It was a fairy-like flower. Below the flower stalk, crimson and purple petals split like the hem of a skirt. The dangling threads beneath resembled elaborate ornaments.
It was the flower Rufus often mentioned when explaining the origin of his name.
“It’s a fuchsia flower.”
“Wow, it looks just like a fairy. So cute.”
Stepping into the meadow where the fuchsia flowers bloomed, Sarubia was lavish in her praise.
“It’s so beautiful. I feel sorry for myself for only seeing such beauty now.”
Seeing her unending smile made his heart flutter.
“Do you want it?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll give it all to you. If you want it.”
Rufus moved closer to Sarubia.
“Sarubia, the fuchsia only grows in my homeland, the Inferna Estate. So, come with me to Inferna.”
At this, Sarubia looked at Rufus when he asked.
“Rufus, you’re really sly.”
Rufus was taken aback.
“Me, sly?”
“Yes. Trying to lure me by selling your hometown’s flowers, isn’t that sly?”
“No, I just…”
“Sly, I tell you.”
