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Chapter 7: "I Held His Ring"
The room is silent.
Rei floats lazily above the ruined table, playing with a memory orb the size of a heart.
Rei:
> "First up…"
"Let's begin with grief."
"Suzune #7.
The one who never got her wedding."
"Show him your pain."
The orb glows in her hands.
Her eyes tremble.
She steps forward, holding the orb to her chest—and it begins to play.
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🕯️ Memory Orb: Widow's Past
> The scene: a battlefield at sunset.
Ayanokoji lies on the ground, bleeding. Dying.
Suzune rushes to him, dropping her weapon. She's wounded, crying, screaming his name.
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Suzune (in the memory):
> "Don't you dare—! Don't you DARE close your eyes—!"
Ayanokoji:
> "You'll be fine. You're stronger than this world ever deserved."
Suzune:
> "No… I didn't get to marry you yet…"
He lifts a shaking hand.
Pulls a small, silver ring from his chest pocket—blood-soaked.
> "Then take it now…"
He places it in her hand.
And dies smiling.
> "You were always my forever."
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💍 Back to the Present:
The orb fades.
Suzune #7 is on her knees, clenching the same ring on a chain around her neck.
Suzune (trembling):
> "I live every day as your widow.
I never got your voice at the altar.
I never wore the dress.
But I still say 'good morning' to your photo… every single day."
Tears drip down her face.
Even Suzune #5 turns her gaze away.
Even Suzune #8 is silent.
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Ayanokoji's face is unreadable.
But for the first time…
his fingers twitch.
And Rei?
Rei whispers to herself:
> "Oh… now we're getting somewhere."
"Guilt… sorrow… love beyond death…"
"Delicious."
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Rei (aloud):
> "One down. Seven to go."
"Who's next?
Who dares follow a love that even death couldn't erase?"
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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