Chapter 94 - 94
Her memories... were gone.
With that single sentence, I understood that Anna-san had lost every trace of An's memories.
"Are you an acquaintance of Rachel-san's?"
"No... It's nothing. Forgive me for asking such a strange question."
Anna-san looked at me with a puzzled expression, her head tilted in curiosity. My throat felt parched, and I took a sip of the tea before me.
"I've interrupted our conversation. Please, help yourself."
"Thank you. I shall."
A pang of loneliness pricked at my heart. Regardless of her methods, the An inside Anna-san had been someone who struggled to live her life without giving up. The sense of loss—as if she had never existed in the first place—lingered hollowly in my chest. I was the only person left in this world who truly knew her.
Still, Anna-san herself hadn't changed. Since An's soul and Anna-san were one and the same, fragments of An surely remained within her. I offered a smile, trying to convince myself of that truth. Anna-san nodded back, her eyes widening as she took a bite of the manju.
"It's delicious..." she murmured.
I decided to try one as well. I picked up the one Samuel had described as containing cream and took a bite. The fluffy dough gave way to a custard filling with just the right amount of sweetness, making my cheeks relax. It paired wonderfully with the tea. The straight tea cut through the sweet cream, refreshing my palate. Samuel had mentioned that a different kind of tea suited the bean paste version better, but since it wasn't drunk in this country, even he hadn't tried making it yet. He'd said that different processing of the same leaves could produce various teas, though the details escaped me.
Regardless, these manju were delightful. They were round, charming, and incredibly easy to eat.
"You're right! It's wonderful. I think I'll try the bean paste one next... Oh? Anna-san?"
When no response came, I looked up. Anna-san was staring at the manju, dazed.
"Anna-san? Is something wrong?"
She didn't seem to hear me. She stared at the manju as if possessed, and then, large tears began to spill from her eyes. I wasn't the only one surprised; Anna-san herself looked up, appearing confused as to why she was crying.
"Why... Why am I crying...?"
"Are you alright? Does something hurt? What's the matter?"
"No, it's just... while I was eating this, the tears just started falling..."
"From the manju?"
"It feels like... I've eaten this somewhere before. It's such a nostalgic taste."
Nostalgic? Was it similar to a taste from her memories? Anna-san wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, but the flow wouldn't stop. Large droplets welled up in her wide eyes before vanishing into the cloth.
"...I... I've had this before..."
She whispered the words softly. Setting her handkerchief on her lap, she picked up the other manju—the one with bean paste. She stared at it for a long moment as if bracing herself, then took a bite. Her expression shifted instantly to one of realization. She stood up so abruptly that her chair clattered.
"A-Anna-san?"
"Rachel-san!"
"Y-yes?"
"That person from earlier! Where is he!?"
"From earlier? ...Um, who do you mean? Do you mean Samuel?"
Anna-san remained standing, her large yellow eyes fixed on me with an air of desperation. Overwhelmed by her intensity, I managed an answer. Her lips moved silently, forming the name "Samuel?" as if processing it.
Then, she bolted toward the door. Her behavior was a far cry from the composed Saint Anna Carroll. I sat there stunned, unable to grasp what was happening. However, the shock lasted only a moment. Regaining my senses, I chased after her, calling her name.
I stepped through the open door to find Anna-san standing frozen in the hallway, staring straight ahead.
"What is it? You startled me, running out like that."
I spoke to her back, exhaling a long breath to calm my racing heart. She didn't respond. Sensing something was amiss, I stepped up beside her. Anna-san's eyes were sparkling with joy, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as she trembled with excitement. She was staring at a single point.
I followed her gaze and saw a familiar figure. It was Samuel. He was pushing the cart that had carried our sweets, likely heading back to the kitchen. I couldn't fathom why she was staring at him so intently. I turned to speak to her again, but she took a step forward and called out in a loud voice.
"Makoto-kun!"
Makoto... kun?
What did she just say? Did she call him Makoto-kun?
Questions swirled in my mind, but there was no time for them. I thought I should calm her down, but she called out the name again and again.
"Makoto-kun! Makoto-kun!"
"Um, Anna-san. He's... Samu—"
Was there a misunderstanding? I tried to say Samuel's name, looking toward him. Hearing the voice, Samuel turned around instinctively. Samuel always wore a kind, gentle smile for everyone, but this was different. It was a soft, warm expression reserved for someone truly special.
"What is it, An?" he replied.
A split second later, his expression shattered. He looked shocked by his own words. His narrow eyes widened to their limit as he frantically scanned his surroundings. When his gaze landed on me, his face went pale.
But as soon as he spoke, Anna-san moved. She sprinted forward and threw herself at him. Wrapping her arms tightly around his waist, she began to sob loudly, like a child. Samuel caught her in surprise, his gaze darting between her and me in obvious confusion.
Between her sobs, Anna-san kept repeating the same name. "Makoto-kun," "I missed you," "An"—the words came out in broken fragments as she struggled to convey her feelings. Samuel gripped her shoulders, peering into her face. "An!? Is it really you, An!?" Anna-san, her face a mess of tears, nodded over and over again.
Watching them from a distance, I could only stand there in a daze. Yet, seeing Anna-san call him "Makoto-kun," I realized in that moment that her smile was genuine—unlike anything I had seen from her before. It was the most brilliant, beautiful expression she had ever worn.
And then, the truth clicked. Her Makoto-kun was Samuel. The An who I thought had vanished had returned. Before me, Anna-san clung to Samuel, refusing to let go. Samuel's face was a mixture of bewilderment and a joy he couldn't hide. I felt a warmth swelling in my own chest.
Thank you for the bookmarks, ratings, comments, and typo reports.
To those who mentioned the bean paste and soybeans, or the wagashi and tofu shops in the comments—and those who wondered if it was him—thank you! (lol) It's finally Makoto-kun's turn.