Axel's Story "I Will Not Forget You": Kingdom Hearts Character Files translation

The Kingdom Hearts Series Character Files has received more story translations. This translation is courtesy of @AitaiKimochi!

For those unaware, the Kingdom Hearts Series Character Files features over 200 characters from the entirety of the series thus far, with several short stories from Tomoco Kanemaki (the writer of the Kingdom Hearts light novels).

You can purchase the book for ¥3,080 (approx. $28.03) from the Square Enix e-Store directly or from AitaiKuji, who deliver official and exclusive Japanese pop culture items!

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The translation for Axel's story "I Will Not Forget You" can be viewed below!

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Axel’s Story

"I Will Not Forget You"

My precious existence is surrounded by memories that have been burned into my heart, as well as important memories that guide me. The more precious the memory is, the further it regresses into your heart, making it hard to remember, you know?

“Is this yours?”

I picked up a strange sword made out of wood. If I knew what I know now, I think that sword might have been a Keyblade, but the me in the past didn’t know any better. I didn’t know at all.

“Lea, we don’t have much time.”

Isa stood next to me as he hurriedly spoke to me.

“I know, Isa. I’ll be right there.”

You really were someone who didn’t have time for games.

“You still playing with toy swords? What are you, a child?”

As I gave the sword back to the blonde boy, I also brought out my discs.

“These are what I work with! Look at ‘em! They’re awesome, right?”

My favorite red discs.

“Yours?”

“I have a name, you know! It’s Lea.”

He was about to say something when I bent forward and pointed a finger to my forehead and said, “Got it memorized? What’s your name?”

“Ventus.”

“All right, then let’s fight, Ventus!”

That was when we first met. I guess I sorta lost then, but when I think about it now, there’s no way I would have won against a Keyblade wielder.

“I feel like we’ll meet again someday. We’re friends now. Get it memorized!”

And so we went our separate ways. Isa looked at me with an annoyed expression.

“Why do you always go around picking up stray puppies left and right?”

“I want to leave an impression with a lot of different people. I can live forever if I remain in their memories.”

Isa then laughed at me bitterly.

“Well, at the very least I’m sure you’ll always be in my memories, whether I want you to or not.”

During that time, we had no idea that memories could be erased. Memories are not always clear, and they can even be replaced with something else.

I haven’t seen Ventus since.

The sunset today is burning red again. We finished our training and watched the sunset from the top of the hill near the Secret Forest.

“Do you know why the sunset is so red? Light is comprised of a variety of different colors, and within that spectrum, the red color permeates the furthest!”

“And how come you’re so versed in this all of a sudden?”

I remember speaking with Roxas about this on the 255th day when we sat on top of the clocktower. Although I know I should have had more precious memories of that time, I couldn’t remember them. I know there’s something that I was supposed to remember, but for some reason I just could not remember it.

The sunset burns my eyes. I’ve become a bit of a crybaby lately. I wonder if it’s because my upturned tear drop mark was gone.

“Axel.”

I turned around to the voice that called out to me. Kairi was standing there wearing new clothes.

“Oh, you cut your hair!”

“Yeah! Are you not going to change your clothes?”

“Hm, yeah, maybe not now,” I answered and looked back at the sunset.

“But you’ve only been wearing that, right?”

That’s right. I’ve been wearing this black coat for ages now.

“But this leaves a strong impression, ya know? People might do a double take if I don’t wear something familiar, right?”

“Well, that’s thoughtful…”

“Nah, that’s not the point but…”

Kairi’s words made me a bit flustered. Kairi then sat next to me, and we watched the sunset together.

“Our training’s almost complete, right?”

“Yeah.”

"I know that Namine resides within me, but if we can bring Roxas back, we can bring her back too.”

“I guess that’s what will happen.”

We talked a bit more about different things after that. I even told her about Ventus, who I never told anyone else about. I was always afraid that if I talked about Ventus to anyone else, that I would never meet him again. That’s why I never spoke about him to anyone.

“I’ve got it memorized!”

Kairi joked as she tried to mimic me. I laughed at her.

“We’re going to have to meet up with everyone again, and I’m a bit nervous.

“You don’t have to carry everything alone anymore, Axel.”

The sun started to set. Just like that time before.