This standoff stayed for quite a bit of time as both image of the same individual looked at one another.
Same height, same face, same voice... All the qualities are a mirror image, except for the clothing.
On one hand, Katsuri was wearing a white dress.
Meanwhile, Faith was wearing an old baggy T-shirt, very much fitting of her personality.
But even with such difference in aesthetic sense, the two of them unanimously agreed that they are both one and the same individual.
That is set.
Katsuri silently watches, analyzing things that could barely be noticed.
Faith was doing the same.
They know what the other is doing, because they are one and the same.
In spite of the huge age difference, 'Faith' hasn't changed much compared to her teenage years.
If there was one pronounced change, it would be the deterioration of her social skills, which had already became a laughing stock even by her own standards.
While Katsuri was still Katsuri, nothing much to be said there.
"I am not a slut."
"I didn't say anything yet..."
"I can see it in your eyes, just so you know. "
"Sorry."
"I know you don't mean that." Katsuri snorted. Then, she swiped the lock of hair covering her eyes, clearing her sight, allowing her to capture the view surrounding them.
Then, she opened her mouth slightly to ask a question, "This place, where is this?"
Slowly, her gaze fell onto her own mirror image. Katsuri watched as those lifeless eyes also darted around slightly, probably realizing what the question was implying.
Faith slightly tilted her head upwards to looks at the lush leaves standing tall on top of this massive tree.
"You don't want to know. You shouldn't be here, not yet... But seeing you here really did a number on me."
Faith lowered her gaze and circled the tree, reaching the place where Katsuri was standing, they are both now standing next to each other, one gazing at the tree and one gazing behind the other.
"Do you want to know what this place is? I am almost certain that you don't. I am you, after all. And you know I am right." Faith, said monotonously, almost as if her previous act was but an illusion.
The image of a timid 'Katsuri' hiding behind a tree was nowhere in sight.
All that is left was an afterimage, and a person that couldn't be said to contain a soul.
Like an empty vessel programmed to talk facts.
Katsuri frowned slightly, and Faith took notice of this.
"Oh, you're still acting. Come on now, there's no need for that. It's just us two here, you can believe me this once. You can drop those micro adjustments you're doing to your expressions."
"The way your lips slightly curled, the way your eyes began to water, the way your nose twitches, the way your ears perked up, the way those eyebrows move in accordance to your... emotions. I know they're fake, we know they're fake."
"You didn't really think that I would also be tricked, did you? You know, there's a reason why magicians don't show magics to other magicians, it's because they both know the way the tricks are performed. There's no longer a sense of 'mystical' to something you already know the answers to."
In this case, they're the same. Although it wasn't said, they both know it's true.
"...No, it's not just us two here. There's another person here."
"...? You're kidding. I don't feel anyone else's presence here." Faith replied curtly, suspicious of Katsuri's words, but not fully against it.
There's no reason for her to lie right now.
"I can't prove it to you, but just know that someone... something, is watching us right now. I can feel their eyes peering at us, scrutinizing everything we do, listening to one and every words being said. And there is more than one."
'The voice, it's still narrating everything.'
And it doesn't seem like it'll stop anytime soon.
'...Thanks for the confirmation, bastard.'
"...You mean to say I've exposed myself?" Faith silently muttered.
"It's nothing like that. From what I could make out, I don't think there's anything they could do to us. Which meant that they can't actually affect us in any way, shape, or form. I just wanted you to know that we're being observed."
"Also, you didn't just expose yourself, you also exposed me. I am you, after all."
"Ah, sorry. I didn't know..." Faith's voice wavered, much different compared to her earlier representation of aloofness.
"That's besides the point. I don't care if I regret it, just tell me where this place is. Even if you don't, I think I already have an inkling of where I might actually be. In a way, you're just confirming my thoughts."
"...I thought so. Then, would you be shocked if I say that this is our... Eden?"
"What the fuck is that?"
"Ah, you don't know? I guess dropping school really had an impact on me back then..."
"Well, time for some history lesson!"
"Eden: A place that represent joy, happiness, and salvation. Biblically, it's a place where both Adam and Eve were created..."
"-Or so, I remembered. I'm not quite certain anymore."
"But you know, I guess you could say I created this space. Oh right, that reminds me... you would not believe who else visited this place a couple of hours back! I'm sure your jaw would drop to the floor!" With a small chuckle, Faith started to talk about her encounter with Female Rover and Zani, thinking that this younger iteration of herself wouldn't have imagined being able to meet up with one of their favorite fictional characters.
But... Katsuri decided to not break her older self's dreams. Instead, she was thinking about the way this place... 'Eden', came to be.
To be honest, she had also once imagined this exact same place in her younger days.
It's not a fond memory, but it is a memory that carried her throughout her life.
Knowing that an 'Eden', or so Faith had called this place exist after death, gives her the peace to go through life without worrying about the future.
Not that she's religious or anything, because although she's an atheist, she does know some basic information regarding the religions on earth.
Most pronounced example is Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, so on and so forth.
...Well, to be honest, she only knew of those three religion.
Based on some small context clue... Faith probably named this place 'Eden' as her safe place, knowing that it represents joy, happiness, and... salvation.
Indeed, that name kinda fits the way she imagined this place to be, her paradise after living a life of pain.
"Ah..."
It was then that Katsuri realized.
In order to reach paradise...
"Hm? What's wrong, me? Are you shocked? I bet you'd be. It's not everyday that your favorite characters came to life after all... But it's just a shame that Carlotta didn't appear. But if she did appear, I might just faint!"
"...Why are you here?" In a sharp tone, Katsuri spoke.
"..."
"If what I'm thinking is right, then you shouldn't be here at an age so young. 25 years is not that long."
"You're too sharp. As expected of me."
"..."
"Yes, it is exactly as you're thinking."
As Faith began to talk, Katsuri remembered her earlier words, when they were introducing themselves, "I am a forever 25 years old."
That wasn't just some gimmicky way of introducing oneself.
It was to be taken literally.
"I've successfully fulfill my... your dream. I've escaped the shackle of life. Now, I am in paradise."
"I am dead. I took my own life. Which is why it baffles me why you're also here. You shouldn't have died yet, not before me."
"Could it be that you're also dead?"
-----
Authors Note:
I am back! It took quite a long time to be able to access my computer again, but now I am back! LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Also, sorry but no chapter in stock. I'll be writing them daily again. Finally, I can write the ending to this arc soon.
Maybe not daily but at least every 2 days.