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. . .

''Hey Y/n.'' Milour spoke, leaning against a dark-barked oak tree and resting her head against the hard surface.

I looked around, confused. Am I... Actually here? This is another memory, isn't it? Another playback of everything I lost.

''Yes?'' I absent-mindedly answer. ''What is it?''

''How do you feel about this place?'' She asked, fixing her dark hair. ''I mean, it's our hangout spot, yeah, but more than that. I mean how attached are you to it?''

''Attached?'' I hum. ''Well... I'd say it has been here since the beginning of my childhood... So I guess I have a sentiment towards it.''

''Gotcha...'' Milour nods slowly.

I take this moment to look at my surroundings.

We were both in a forest. Though, not in a dense one. This one had an open sky, unbridled by any leaves. Letting the sunlight cast itself upon us as the day continued.

The trees around looked healthy. The grass, the green bushes, everything looked just as Mother Nature intended it to.

I saw a grasshopper bounce over a flower, and a caterpillar eating away at a fallen leaf. In all honesty, I had never seen such liveliness in a quiet place as this.

''Say... What would you do if I told you they are planning to flatten this place to the ground and build a parking lot?''

''Huh?'' I looked back at her, surprised. ''The hell you mean? Where's your source?''

''Calm down, champ.'' Milour chuckled. ''I'm just putting up a scenario. This is a huge part of your childhood, right? So I was thinking, what if the government decides they don't want to see the green anymore? Instead, they replaced it with a parking lot. Or a fast food place. Anything but a park.''

''...'' I looked down, scratching my head. ''I'd feel...''

''Angry, right?'' Milour finished, going up to me. ''You'd feel angry, furious at that. Who are they to do this? All for greed, right?''

''Y-Yes...'' I stammered, scratching my head as I lightly shoved her away. ''What is this all about, why are you saying this?''

''Ah, well...'' She says. ''A couple years ago, when we were just kids, there was actually a petition to tear this place down. Though it never went into power, it just shows how greedy and unsympathetic people are.''

''... We're talking about politicians here.'' I point out. ''They'd jump the gun at the slightest profit. No lie in that. I'm just glad we got to keep this place and... These animals along with it.''