Agath

Chapter 25

(25)

Once we started hunting, we lurked in the thick grass without eating or drinking.We observe everything, the outstretched form of a branch, the myriad shadows reflected in the clouds.It took me five hours to count the leaves on a tree, and I could see the figure of a dung beetle moving a heavy object in the distance.I used to think Dad loved hunting, but then I figured out, he was for me. "Sometimes you have to do something bad before you go all bad," he once said.

— Ymir

"Ymir, I will go to the barbershop tomorrow. Before that, I will empty your father's study."

When Ymir came to his father's study, he saw that there was already a thin layer of dust here, as if telling the visitors that the owner here had really been gone for a long time.

There was still the photo of Ymir and his father on the table. On it, he was huddled in his father's arms, smiling contentedly, showing a row of white teeth.Next to the picture frame was Noveth's compass, and some random bird information, which they had used when they were hunting.Ymir picked them up and put them into the bag he carried with him.

There is a drawer under the table. Ymir tried to pull it, but it couldn't be opened.There is a keyhole on it, the style is old, it seems that it does not belong to this era.

Ymir stood up, took out the key hanging around his neck, and opened the keyhole.

"Click", the lock was opened.

The drawer was empty, except for a rustic reddish-brown wooden box.

The box is made of precious Andaman red sandalwood, with intricate patterns carved on it.Its color is bright and its surface is extremely smooth, as if the owner of the box loves it very much and often caresses it with great care.

Ymir opened the box and saw a few old photos on the top.

A dignified beauty is sitting on the steps at the gate of the manor. She has long golden curly hair and an oval face with a slightly pointed chin.Fair skin, straight nose bridge, deep eyes, dark blue pupils seem to contain the stars of the whole sky, bottomless but shining.

In her arms was a tiny baby who looked just like her, with blond hair and blue eyes.His face was plump, like a delicate doll.He sat quietly in the arms of the woman behind him, with a calmness in his eyes that was different from those of his peers.Next to the woman sat two brown-haired children, one looked five or six years old, holding a red balloon in his hand, having a great time playing, his eyes were not looking at the camera at all come over.The other child looked a little older, and he was sitting close to the woman, smiling very happily.He has the thick eyebrows and deep eyes that Ymir is familiar with, and this man is Ymir's father Novus.

Inscription on the back of the photo: "Novis 15, Jonafin 5, Jorman 2. Rarely Quiet, 1984."

The second one is a solo photo of the blond boy. He seems to have grown up a bit, his eyes are fixed on the person taking the photo, but his face still has the usual closeness that a child of this stage should have. Indifferent look.Ymir picked up the photo, and the little boy's head fell to the ground, and he didn't know who it was, so he cut off his head.

"Yourman was 3 years old, in 1985. If one day I am no longer here, you have to be strong, Youerman, my dear son."

The next photo is of three people standing at the gate of the manor.Last of all was Mrs. Margaret, who was then young, with a kindly smile on her face.Next to Mrs. Margaret was the brown-haired Novice. He seemed to be angry because of something, his mouth was tightly pursed, and his expression was guarded and alienated.It was Yeorman, who stood some distance away from the two of them, with his hands behind his back, showing a smile that was not a smile.There is only one date marked on the back of this photo, "1987." The handwriting is obviously different from the previous two.

The last one is a photo of Yeorman and Nowys standing at the door of what looks like a hospital.Both of them were wearing black suits with no expressions on their faces.

"Novis was 20, Yeorman was 7, 1989."

Beneath the photograph lay a thick stack of letters, tied into a bundle with a piece of cotton thread.

Ymir picked it up carefully.

On the envelope was a line of beautiful and elegant cursive words: "To Ymir Dear - From Yorman Gund."

Ymir got up with both hands and closed the curtains, then sat down again, and opened the letter with trembling hands.

"Dear Ymir, happy fifth birthday. I want to go to your party so much, but I'm far away in Africa taking pictures for magazines."

"I am sending you this letter from Florence, and I look forward to bringing you here as well one day."

"I went to see the David statue yesterday. He's holding a stone in his hand and his weapon is on his left shoulder."

"I recorded all the beautiful scenery I saw with a brush, and I hope that one day you can see them too."

"You are my only nephew, my silent and invisible partner."

"I'll teach you a lot after the reunion."

"Dear Ymir, congratulations on your one year older."

"I can't see your first teeth coming in, or your smile when your teeth change, or see your wisdom teeth growing in."

"When I went to France, people here insisted on kissing on both cheeks. You must not like the custom of hugging and kissing. But if I hug you, I can make an exception. Will you too?"

"Happy Valentine's Day."

"Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas. Though you never answer, I often read your messages among the stars and music at night. It's the whistle, from the lonely wanderer."

"I can perceive things with such precision that I can't stand them. I know you can too."

"Life is hard because you hear what others don't and see what others don't."

"You're going to be someone special, and you are now."

"I know you're lonely, and I understand it. Because you're the only one."

"I will always be with you because we share the same blood."

"When I go to sleep tonight, I will fantasize that you have grown up and inherited the Gund family."

"I look forward to being reunited with you."

"We shall meet soon."

"Love you, Yorman."

Ymir put down the letter in his hand, and found himself in tears.