LAREINE - Lillie Charlotte Story in English

Chapter 1

The edges of the sky began to be tinted a light shade of crimson. As the minutes passed, twilight drew nearer. It was this which had just begun to worry the girl walking alone along a continuous path through the heart of the woods.

Her name was Lillie Charlotte. She had graduated from the innocent period of childhood years earlier, and was at a delicate age where she had just taken the first steps to becoming a woman. She was not typically beautiful, but her long hair was perfectly straight, like the impressively slender line of her back, and if she was to be described in a single word, it would be graceful. However, in her large emerald green eyes, it was always as though a darkness dwelled there.

However, Lillie's reason for going into the woods was not due to this 'unrest'. Hidden in her heart lay an important feeling, and it was in order to eternally hold on to this that she proceeded. In the heart of the forest was a special place... a 'Lake of Reminiscence', and only those chosen were permitted to enter – it was here that she was heading.

Naturally Lillie's lonely journey had a reason for beginning. It was out of desperation, and possibly hopelessness, that she had come this far, but now once more she carried an immense hope.

The beginning of it was an infatuation. We'll open the curtain on this tale, from the point where Lillie had feelings for a certain young man…

This man's name was Jérémie florence de Jarger. He had blonde wavy hair which he wore loose to his waist, and his eyes resembled the color of sapphires - it was this gorgeous, gallant appearance that drew the attention of others. Lillie's heart was taken at first sight - being deeply enchanted by this man was entirely natural.

If he had been bewitched by Lillie, then I imagine this tale would settle into that of a typical love story.

However, the woman that Jérémie had his eye on was not Lillie at all. Even so, if Lillie had only had the courage to confess her feelings for him, then we might have been greeted with a different course of events. But as it was, she had no desire to push her feelings onto him. She was content just to gaze at him, while at the same time praying that Jérémie would take notice of her.

If that is so, then why did Lillie cease gazing at Jérémie and make the decision to embark upon this journey ? The answer to this lies in Lillie's pure soul.

Her infatuation had changed earlier than expected into love. Consequently she wanted to avoid having her emotions, which were becoming more and more serious, spoil to jealousy. Watching Jérémie besotted with someone other than herself was something like trying to swallow a wafer of happiness with pain and agony in that pain in small quantities can be a good thing, but if it accumulates and is ignored, with no means of release, before long it becomes concentrated and jealousy is born. Jealousy distorts the mind, and stain love that should be pure. For Lillie, it would not have been endurable. She decided that to get through this love, rather than merely continuing to stare at Jérémie she would protect the feelings that she held for him.

That resolution became the turning point in Lillie's way of life. So far in her life she had been shown no mercy ; from a young age - however you choose to say it - her life had been full of misfortune. Pain and suffering and sadness were all connected ; words such as "fate" and "destiny" were endlessly bound to her heart. Even whilst holding on to dreams, she did nothing to make them come true ; she merely let herself be led by the current. She thought she would not be free from this until death.

However, meeting Jérémie brought about a change in Lillie. By loving Jérémie she became a little stronger, acquiring the power to face what was in her own heart. Shaking free from the feeling of wanting be by Jérémie's side was painful, but she did so. The love which remained filled Lillie's heart with the energy to walk along this unknown path.

Today she had nothing to lose. In order to protect a love more precious to her than anything else, in a place she had yearned for since childhood, she felt she could break through any wall.

She forgot her anxiety and fatigue, and as if to aid her further in the skies the dense forest pushed back the approaching dusk. I imagine that soon, and after much effort, Lillie was able to reach her destination...

...the place where only those chosen were permitted to enter - the Lake of Reminiscence

Chapter 2

This young man that Lillie loved, Jérémie, was certainly in love with another woman. However, these feelings were only one-way.

Despite this, he had not sunk into despair, for he had been supported by a certain person. That person was Lillie, the one who had been gazing at Jérémie with her warm looks.

It was just that he was a little slow to realise this. When he understood how Lillie felt about him, it was already too late - Lillie had disappeared from his sight. And this was how mutually they brought the burden of disappointment and despair on to themselves.

Jérémie and Lillie's chance encounter was a cruel act of fate. However, Jérémie was not going to get caught up in that. Instinctively he pursued Lillie. He had no clues. What he relied upon was his sixth sense, which sensed the movement of strong emotions, and on the wind, which carried Lillie's scent…

In other words, he pursued any indication of her.

"Why didn't I realise it ? " he murmured. Jérémie looked as though he was being crushed by his regrets.

How would Lillie be viewing herself now...? Why couldn't she be honest about the way she felt? It wasn't because she was with Jérémie for a time so short that he didn't notice. Despite that, why had she seemed so unmoved by it all...?

A feeling of irritation closed itself around his heart, and it seemed as if he would cry. If he didn't hurry,he might miss meeting her the second time around. If the direction of the wind changed, Lillie's scent and all traces of her would be carried away. He had to hurry !

The more her yearned for Lillie, the more hazy the traces of her grew. The fleeting, smiling image of her which Jérémie had, changed to that of someone who cannot bear to be alone.

"Lillie...... Lillie Charlotte ! "

By the assistance of the "Messenger of Emotions", Jérémie's bitter scream defied the direction of the wind, and crossed the distance between the two before it reached Lillie. Lillie, however, simply thought she was hearing things. And because she was convinced of this, she kept on moving.

Lillie also had to hurry. She was going fairly slowly, even though twilight was clearly making its progress. Once the sun had completely set on the huge trees buried in the middle of that forest, the chances of her losing her way became increasingly higher.

Chapter 3

"!"

Lillie felt something, and froze. Even under ordinary circumstances this time of day had a strange mood about it. At any time encounters were not uncommon - it was possible she might be attacked by a beast hungry for blood.

Just as wild ideas caused her body to tremble, it appeared.

"You're Lillie?"

It spoke in a voice unlike the one she thought she heard earlier. Without thinking she took a step back.

"Ne~, are you Lillie Charlotte ? "

Right before her was the owner of the voice, neither human nor wild animal. It had things which were like wings and a tail, which flickered, but it was unlike any animal that Lillie knew. The fact that the enquiring voice was heard in her mind rather than her ears was also unusual.

For the time being, Lillie was relieved that it didn't bare its teeth or claws, so she answered.

"Yes, I am. I'm her, but..."

"Ok. Well, let's have some answers. Which is more valuable; love or dreams?"

This strange and abrupt question caused Lillie to feel even more lost.

"Wait, what are you? You appear suddenly, without even telling me your name...... It's incredibly impolite."

"The impolite one is you. Just what exactly do you think you've been looking for?"

Lillie had no recollection of looking for this creature at all, but cleverly realised that it was trying to ascertain something about her. For that was the duty of the fairy that would lead her to the Lake of Reminiscence.

She didn't have time to argue with it. Lillie answered hurriedly.

"Love is a dream, and dreams are love. Both are fleeting, like our minds and bodies, but to only have one, there is no meaning at all."

She honestly thought so…

"Well then, you're just doing things with no meaning. Do you intend to live with only your mind and love? What about your dreams? And what is going to happen to your body?"The words that the fairy left stabbed her straight in the heart. She remembered many times being criticized for her beliefs, but her resolve had been firmly set. Now while walking she thought about this,and when it all began to worry her she'd stop, and once these 'new thoughts', which could be thought of either as reality or an explanation for it had been found, once more she'd go on walking. Lillie repeated this series of actions over and over.

Chapter 4

This guiding fairy who had separated Lillie from her origins went off in search of another. This spirit seemed to pride itself on the speed with which it worked, for shortly thereafter it headed towards the second person whom it had located, and descended with great vigour.

"Yo, are you Jérémie ? "

The young man who had stepped back in the same way that Lillie had was, of course, Jérémie. He was at the entrance to the forest, which had taken on the light crimson colour of the twilight sky.

"Oi~, were you listening when I asked if you were Jérémie florence de Jarger??"

".....…"

Jérémie did not open his mouth. It was not because he was afraid and lost. He objected to the rude manner of this creature, but as an experiment he answered in his heart.

Even with just that the spirit nodded, "Ok." It could read his mind. Jérémie could not conceal his astonishment at the outcome of the experiment.

The spirit saw straight through this and laughed, "Fufun!"; it then raised its tail and questioned Jérémie.

"Well then, answer this. Of happiness and sadness, which is unnecessary?"

Jérémie let out a breath and looked up at the heavens. The sky was tinged with blue, and the white tips of a few stars had appeared.

"The people who feel happiness are the people who know sadness. The people who feel sadness are the ones who know happiness. Even at the times when you have hope, and despair seems unlikely, both are essential; you cannot compare the two."

This time when he spoke out and clearly answered the question, the spirit raised an eyebrow in shock, but again laughed at him sarcastically.

"Hmm. Well, you seem to know and need both, so does that mean they're precious to you?"

"....what?"

Surely, for Jérémie, who was now in the vortex of sadness, obtaining this happiness which would wipe sadness away was 'precious' to him, but before that, meeting with Lillie again had been the only thing of great importance. He had never before thought about what sort of things true "happiness", and "sadness" were, nor whether he himself actually 'knew' them. In regard to sadness, he was burdened with a tolerable amount, but it was doubtful whether happiness lay in this sadness. A happiness that would enhance his heart and dazzle his eyes was something that he would once have relished.

Jérémie felt himself choke up. Even if he was bitter about the cynical nature of fate, the anguish and the impatience which he now felt after Lillie had vanished were not two things which could be compared. Every single one of Jérémie's innermost feelings became directed towards Lillie. Happiness and sadness, the anger at himself - born from regret, hatred; everything became connected and entwined with this one being, Lillie.

Just a single figure - one girl, had caused Jérémie to realise so much......

"Well, take your time worrying about which path to take, won't you? It'll still be a while before you reach your objective."

And with that, the guiding spirit turned itself around, spread out its wings, and flew off in the direction of the forest. When Jérémie next looked, another spirit was flying by, this one with hair and clothes of a different color than the one who had just spoken to him. Jérémie had thought he was hallucinating by simply seeing one spirit, but now having seen two actual spirits threw him into confusion.

Seeing this bizarre spectacle brought out in Jérémie a strange sense of nostalgia as he entered the forest. Lillie's frangrance only just remained. This was not only owing to the direction of the wind, but also to the "Messenger of Emotions", who had caused Jérémie's scream to reach Lillie.

When he looked up at the sky, the number of stars had increased since the time when he had spoken with the spirit, and the glimmer of them could now been seen. It was like the twinkling of the stars was pushing him onwards, and so Jérémie continued stamping out the gloomy path.

On the other hand, Lillie, on the same path which Jérémie was hurrying along, had stopped.

"......nothing. The Lake of Reminiscence isn't here?"

No one answered her question.

"Well, I don't know... What was it that I came here believing in? What on earth should I do now? I don't know......"

As tears welled up, Lillie felt all her strength leave her. Her resolve, on which she had risked everything, and the troubles in this battle that plagued her incessantly; it all became meaningless. As her tears overflowed and ran down her face, from above her head a softly echoing voice came down to her.

"There is nothing for you to be disconcerted about. Pull yourself together, and ascertain your feelings."

Chapter 5

The exact origins of the story of the Lake of Reminiscence are unknown. By saying "the heart of a forest", it is unclear as to the exact location, or whether the lake actually exists at all. There are no historical records of its existence; it appeared solely as a legend passed down orally and aurally.

However, regardless of where it is mentioned, this lake, lying within an immeasurably long space of time, with its eternally unchanging beauty, continues to endure; it continues to emit its sublime aura. Its magnificence was something beyond imagination; there were no words that would adequately describe it.

Jérémie had vaguely heard that much. However, Lillie - who from childhood had heard a far more detailed story, and who had continued to dream of the day she herself would visit it - Lillie's fantasies followed one after another.

Owing to the towering trees surrounding it, the Lake of Reminiscence was protected. The proudly blooming flowers, which bordered the lake, drifting in sweet perfume, were a symbol that the lake was indeed pure. The deep green leaves of the trees were reflected ; and below the glimmering emerald surface of the lake, the endlessly serene water extolled the mysteries of life. However, regardless of the people who set out to peer at it, the bottom of the lake would never show itself to human eyes.

It was said that the lake was a sacred place left by the gods; that it was a sunken metropolis from ancient times ; that it contained an eternally sleeping garden of flowers ; however there was no one who actually knew for certain.

The light of the sun and moon shone mutually from the heavens, and even though there was no wind the air was moving ; and it could be heard - a voice, like music......

It was this scene which truly opened Lillie's eyes. She took a breath, and inside herself, her spirit was also breathing.

Lillie tiptoed forward, and simultaneously the trees, the flowers, and the surface of the lake were all astir. Lillie, with pure white silk veiled about her, must have looked almost like an angel. The various beings around the Lake of Reminiscence appeared restless, but in a way that was like they were surging forth and conveying a greeting.

"Welcome. You've come a long way."

Chapter 6

The voice which called to Lillie seemed to belong to the lake itself.

"According to the tales, this place can only be entered by a chosen few; however, it is not up to us to choose who enters - people themselves decide. Perhaps it is due to having something to ask of the lake ; and that some people harbour certain emotions which become a key to entering that they are chosen. For you see, that is the difference between those who reach this place, and those who do not."

As she stood motionless, Lillie began to understand.

"My feelings become the key ? "

"Yes. However, within you lies yet another key. For you came here, and you will now peer into the lake."

Lillie did as she was told, and began to walk timidly towards the lake. As she did, a pillar of light appeared ; it was the same emerald green as her eyes, and so bright that it was impossible to look directly at it.

"What is this......?"

Looking closer, a spiral staircase stretched from the edge of the lake to the centre of the pillar, before extending downwards.

"Now go. For the sake of realizing your feelings!"

Contrary to the hestitation she felt, Lillie's feet were drawn towards it, and her body sucked in. Lillie carefully proceeded down the stairs, which were transparent like crafted glass, one at a time. Suddenly, from behind her came the noise of something flapping.

"Oh, so he arrived after all!"

The one who called this out was none other than the guiding spirit. Lillie turned around. The door to the Lake of Reminiscence, which had appeared into the scene, was distorted and warped, as a picture seen in a dream.

"Jérémie!"

Seeing her beloved, every emotion in Lillie's heart whirled up. Love, happiness, sadness, fear...... her heart beat intensely.

"Lillie ? Lillie, where are you ? ! "

Jérémie could not see her. All that met his eyes was something resembling a swan. Or perhaps it was a white lily fairy.

No. It was Lillie. Lillie was floating in the lake. When he realized this, Lillie had her back turned towards him, and had already begun decending the stairs. Jérémie rushed after her at full speed. As she felt his pounding footsteps, Lillie cried out.

"Don't come any further ! Just go ! If I see your face now, I'll...... I'll......"

Jérémie had no time to listen to her words. Nor did the fragile stairs worry him. If he couldn't hold her tightly in his arms, then somehow he would chase after her, somehow he would reach her. That urge drove him on.

"Lillie, wait! I need you! Please, just give me one more chance.... just one more...."

At this moment, Jérémie went to touch Lillie with this tips of his fingers.

"Don't come any further!!"

Lillie, deaf to Jérémie's cry, lurched forward. Shaking, she lost her footing on the stairs. Perhaps she became unconscious from the shock ; her motionless body sank straight towards the bottom of the lake.

The shoulder of her silk dress slid half off, exposing a large, unbecoming scar. Her long, beautiful hair stretched out behind her like the tail of a comet.

As Lillie was set free, descending in slow motion, Jérémie too let go of the staircase.

Jérémie was the first to awake. Both of them were lying silently at the bottom of the lake. He raised himself half up and surveyed his surroundings ; on one side, flowers bloomed in profusion, in a myriad of colours. Lillie, unconscious, lay buried in the flowers ; it seemed as if she was asleep, or as if she wasn't breathing. Jérémie slowly approached her, and put his ear to her heart. He was met by the sweet sound of her heartbeat.

"....thank goodness..."

He sighed in relief, and after gazing intently at her face, he reached his hand out towards Lillie's hair. As he gently stroked it, Lillie opened her eyes.

"I'm sorry. I......"

Jérémie sealed Lillie's pale pink lips with his finger.

"You're not the one who should apologise. Nothing more needs to be said ; just look into my eyes."

This was perhaps the first time the two had looked at each other with such warmth between them. It suddenly occured to Jérémie that this may be what true happiness is. Lillie too was thinking ; this was what she had been wishing for.

Time was forgotten in this passionate exchange. With their palms together, fingers entwined, and bodies wrapped intensely around each other, in the distant heavens the moon prepared to depart.

Chapter 7

For just an instant, Lillie hid her shoulder. The force with which Jérémie held her had caused the scar on her back to hurt. Jérémie's face took on a worried expression, and he suddenly unwrapped his arms from around her. Lillie turned her head slightly to the side, and murmured in a thin voice.

"I think I loved you too much. And surely that was what I was running away from. From you, from fate, from this scar..."

Jérémie wanted to tell Lillie, who seemed so heart-broken, that there was no longer any need to run away.

"Right now, I love you too much. Is that such a crime?"

Lillie smiled. It was a smile so short-lived that it seemed as though it would disappear.

"I don't know. However, that is a very sad thing for me."

Jérémie could see she was shaking. Disconcerted, he lay his hand on her shoulder.

"......you see? I knew it would turn out like this ; that was why I didn't want you to come."

Somehow it seemed as though Lillie was fading from his touch.

"Turn out like this...? What... what's happening to you ? "

A wind which should not have existed blew across the flower garden at the bottom of the lake. It carried a lilting melody, and from somewhere, pained-sounding singing could be heard.

"I'm sorry. In just a little while we will have to say goodbye. This time, for good."

Lillie's words brought up the idea of an eternal separation. This true grief tore through his body like a flash of lightning.

"You're lying. It's a lie ! You're here, you're in my arms. Where are you saying you're going to go ? Is someone going to separate us ? This "goodbye"... it's a lie !! ", he screamed, and his hold on Lillie grew stronger. Lillie merely smiled. Full of love, like a mother with her child, like the omnipotent mother of Christ, she smiled at Jérémie.

"If this is fate, then I'll never forgive the bastard who decided it." he muttered, and from Jérémie's eyes, tears spilled out in drops. While wiping away his tears with the tips of her slender fingers, Lillie spoke quietly.

"Even though I'm sincerely grateful for this ? For this fate - fate which has allowed you to be here...? "

Chapter 8

Holding Lillie up in his arms, she was far lighter than he could have imagined.

"We never watched the stars together, did we?"

Her lingering words echoed around and around, as if swirled in the whirlpool of Jérémie's heart.

"I'm sorry... I didn't make it in time."

When Lillie had wanted to look at the stars, the dark colour of the sky had completely faded ; already, even the studded gems of stars had changed to pale dots.

Lillie had one more ungranted wish. By visiting the Lake of Reminiscence, she had wanted to shut up all her love for Jérémie in her heart, and in that state, settle into an everlasting sleep.

However, that wish deprived her of being reunited with Jérémie ; Lillie was tied to both him and to her emotions, and this gave rise to a far greater wish. Whilst the two were blessed in this Lake of Reminiscence, they had pledged their eternal love. Because of this, their separation would only be transient. 'Eternal Separation' was no longer a part of their destiny. Nor were sadness nor suffering.

Jérémie remembered when they had exchanged their first and last kiss. That frangrance, cruelly sweet,still now remained along with Lillie's warmth on his lips.

Embracing Lillie, whose eyes were again closed, Jérémie left the bottom of the lake behind. As the two ascended, countless petals whirled up and encircled them. Washed in the light of the new day, the petals soared up and shone like stars.

Jérémie could feel his consciousness gradually fading. Sensation in his arms was lost, and there was no distinction as to where his body ended and Lillie's began. This vagueness in his mind was only a pleasant feeling. Was Lillie - in his arms, staring at the petal-stars - was she happy ?

Nothing could tell him that. Nothing gave him an answer. The spirits of the Lake of Reminiscence remained unchanged ; they were just as they had been before the two had visited.

However, the Lake of Reminiscence itself was certainly watching. The guiding spirit, the Messenger of Emotions, the singing voice; they all looked on, smiling. They were watching, in the heavens recoloured by the light of the new day, two content, pale-coloured birds spreading their wings and flying away...

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