Chapter 5

This is the last greeting, don’t be so downcast, my friend.

I’ve reviewed our previous correspondence—did I really reveal that much information?

“Handsome appearance”—well, I did mention that; “hard to refuse him”—hmm… I really couldn’t do anything about that look of his, could I? I admit I took note of his preferences—but why did you count my ability to describe the environment of that amoeba bar as “evidence”? Oh, wait—alright, I see it now, “highly focused attention when in close proximity to the other party…”

Qikeliyah, doesn’t your sharpness scare your partner?

Just kidding.

A toast to your outstanding analytical skills.

Honestly, your conclusion startled me. My own analysis wasn’t as certain and straightforward as yours. But as you pointed out, “even the scene of limb disassembly and reassembly can be considered a memorable image”—this can only stem from “the magic of love.”

So, let me answer those two questions you posed:

Yes, Qikeliyah, I like him very much. Maybe not quite to the point of love yet, but it certainly goes beyond friendship.

Yes, I wasn’t planning to admit it.

There was no need to confess, was there? He’ll start a brand-new life, and I’ve chosen to bear the consequences of my decision.

That’s enough.

How wondrous the universe is—I stole a “planet” and refused to return it. I’ll become a legend of The Alliance. So don’t be so downcast, my friend. This isn’t a tragic story.

The festival has reached its final night, and tomorrow everything will come to an end. Yog and I have agreed to have one last drink at that amoeba bar¹Refers to Yog Bubble Bar—I should get going now.

Qikeliyah, my friend, may the radiance of the stars forever shield you and your partner.

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  Refers to Yog Bubble Bar