“Chekhov’s Gun”

  “Nox silently watched as Luma cried beside him... saying nothing more.”

  ...Hmm... That’s good for the ending.

  Was that... a knock at the door?

  ...Could it be them?

  “So it really is you two. Hello, Nox, Luma.”

  “...You know us?”

  “Of course... I’m the one who created you...”

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “But... the person who made us... died a long time ago...”

  “Ah... I see. I guess... I just saw you, that’s all….huh? ”

  “Hehe, it’s okay, ‘Author.’ Your eyes... they’re beautiful.”

  “...Are they...? Th-thank you...”

  They... left.

  There’s still a little loneliness lingering...

  This is all I could see...

  Their story from here on—I’ll never get to witness it...

  Well then...

  Since I’m a character now,

  Would you allow me to borrow this identity, just for a moment?

  Hello, dear reader...

  If you’ve read this not-so-climactic story all the way to the end,

  You must be an interesting soul, right?

  But... Could I ask you to keep this part a secret?

  I don’t want first-time readers to know this exists...

  Ahhh, forget the formalities.

  You, the interesting one—

  In real life, you’re probably... not doing that great either, just like me, huh?

  Sadly, I can’t give you strength...

  But I genuinely hope this story gave you even just a tiny bit of courage—

  Just enough to keep you struggling forward...

  Keep going, my friend.

  ...

  Be quiet now.

  Someone will pass through the wind.

  Someone will remember your name.

  Someone... will choose to love you.

  Goodbye.