The Eternal Fragments of Moonlight
Chapter 23: Death Parade (Part I)

A week passed without feeling. Finally I came to that sacred day, Wiwitan Day. Although for a whole week Laras always threatened me to never leave the house on Wiwitan Day, but of course I can not just keep quiet. Knowing that Mira is likely to meet her end today.

In the previous timeline, I remember once that Laras once said that Mira fell into a ravine in the eastern courtyard of the Temple between 22:00 and 22:05 p.m.

And so I was ready with a plan. That is by bringing Mira as far as possible from Nitehake Temple at least until the period of 22:00 to 22:05 ended. Today I've made up my mind to be next to Mira all the time, looking after her. Always was.

"Mas Aji, where are you going?"

As I was about to open the door of the house I heard Ami calling me.

"Tumben you care about this Mas-mu. Usually you never go anywhere." I replied, I was busy wearing shoes.

"Ami.. want eskrim!"

"Huh?"

"Now Ami wants escrim! Mas Aji should anter Ami buy ice cream right now!"

"Eh? Buy yourself, right? Give me the money."

Ami ran up to me but instead of taking the ten thousand I gave him, he held my hand. Then put on his neck quickly while smiling spoiled.

I also saw her acting so sweet. Ever since he went up to 3rd grade of Elementary School he's never been attached to me again like this. If I had not been carrying out an important plan, I would have been happy to take him to play wherever he wanted.

"Ami, Mas Aji has important business now. Ami bought her own ice cream, right?"

"No want! Anyway Mas Aji should anterin Ami now!"

Ami continued to whine despite having been persuaded repeatedly. If not today he was acting like that, maybe I'd be happy to see him. But, at that time, without being able to control it, I finally snapped Ami who was fussing over the arm of my shirt.

"Femin!"

I saw Ami was surprised not to play. How not, this is the first time in my life I've yelled at him so loudly.

Ami's eyes began to look teary and her body was seen trembling a little. I thought he was going to run straight into the house. But it turns out that he's holding on to my arms getting stronger. Of course I feel sorry to see it that way, but I have no other choice. My business with Mira today is very important.

I forcibly removed my arm and walked towards my Matic parked in the yard. Before I drove away, I had a chance to see Ami who was still standing on the porch of the house. He looks still in shock because I snapped earlier. Fortunately, he did not cry.

***

As soon as the parade party followed by Mira arrived at Nitehake Temple, I immediately set plans. I saw that Mira was currently in a tent booth where the marching band members of the school were gathered. He seemed to be chatting with his group of friends.

I walked over, and without saying anything I pulled Mira's hand to come with me. This made all the eyes that were there turned to me. I don't give a shit. Because all I cared about at that time was taking Mira as far away from Nitehake Temple as possible. Anywhere, as long as it's not there.

"Eh, uh, what do you want to drag Mira's hand?" Dian who was also in the tent immediately stopped me.

"It's none of your business." I said while clasping his hand that was trying to reach.

"Ah, at most you just want to do mira again right? Can't! Mira still has important business here."

"Please Di, please do it this time. You can appreciate me."

Dian looked at me with a pause. I thought he'd let me go. But he even played his main card.

"Hey, look at Aji! He wants to bully Mira again!"

All the students inside the tent stood up. Some of them started walking towards me. One of them I already know who he is. A large-bodied disciple was muscular with his eyes that were like they were about to come out. A bentot!

It is true, in addition to being the chairman of the fan club Mira lovers, Bentot is also the drummer bass from the Marching Band school troupe. Though I'm not sure he joined because he really liked the drumban or just because Mira was there.

"Udah Ben, take him back!" One of the keroco exclaimed.

These fools are really stupid. They don't know that Mira, the idol they adore, was owned by Alan a week ago. If only they knew, would they be exactly like this? Cih, it's impossible! Let alone to adore him, they would not even care anymore.

Bentot also pulled my hand so that it separated with Mira's ladder. Then he dragged me strong. I staggered but soon fought back.

"Hey, I really have important business with Mira! If you want to make a fuss, I ladenin elo Ben, whenever you want. But not now!" I stared at those glaring eyes sharply.

"Mira" Bentot spoke. "Yes, you have important business with Si Aji?"

"I, yes." Mira answered nervously.

After looking at me for a long time with his eyes glaring at him, Bentot finally let me go. Slowly the crowd around me was running away. There was a lot of grumbling sounds accompanying the footsteps that were leaving. Until finally, there is only Dian who still lives with me and Mira.

While shaking her waist, she showed a suspicious face. He hasn't given up.

"Me, is there any important business are you with Mira?"

There I was tempted to tell Dian everything. I can't believe he was the only person I could possibly ask for help at the time. Should I just tell you? Can I count on it at a crucial time like this?

"It's none of your business." I finally decided not to get him into trouble.

"Hmm, okay I'll let you go with Mira." Further. "Ta, but you have to promise. You should tell Alan about this."

Oh, I finally understand. So this is what made him stop me from taking Mira away? Just be right.

I did not look at Dian anymore and just left while holding Mira's hand. Anywhere, as long as it is far from the Nitehake Temple area.

***

All day I took Mira wherever I wanted. We have visited shopping centers, restaurants, until finally cycling around the city square. Everything went well and was fun. I can see Mira also seemed to enjoy her time together with me all day.

Without even feeling like the day changed the night. After we were satisfied cycling, we rested in one of the long chairs directly opposite the Square. Then, after two hours of long conversations there, I also began to run out of conversation. Only silence came to fill our conversation.

“Hmm?” Mira tilted her head when she realized that I was looking at her.

“Bu, not nothing.” My speech.

Mira never once asked me about the "important dealings" that I had previously made a reason to take her away. Because that's how Mira is. He's the most understanding person I've ever known.

“Aji.” I felt Mira tugging at my shirt arm. “It's getting late, how about we go back to the temple now?”

I didn't answer it right away but looked at my watch. There I saw the time showing at 20:11 p.m.

“If I may Mir, I still want to be here first.” My answer.

“An hour again huh? You see, the walk from here to the temple is not far enough. Later we can miss the fireworks show.”

Yes, it was our entire trip that time we took it on foot. The reason is, of course I can't just hand Mira over to a traffic accident that we can easily meet if traveling by vehicle.

Mira was initially astonished by my decision to completely refuse to use my matic parked in the southern area. But after he saw my gurgling who was having trouble finding an argument, he didn't even ask why and just smiled at me and said.

“Already, let's just walk! Rarely do we enjoy the atmosphere of the city on Wiwitan Day as it is today.”

An hour passed so quickly. I've run out of excuses to be able to hold us back any longer in City Square. And it seems that Mira was starting to look moody and bored because there was no conversation between us.

I mean how could I possibly make a conversation if my whole mind was filled with a gripping fear. Because soon the time set for Mira's destiny is coming.

“Udah hour half ten.” Mira's words spread my daydream. “Yuk, we go back to the temple now?”

“I, yes.”

I stammered as I answered. Because what I saw from Mira's face at that time was an expressionless face with an empty view. Just as percis as when we parted in the previous timeline. At once I felt the fur of my romance stand up and I felt a shuddering sensation from the neck to the tip of the foot.