Eden was a good older sister. Perhaps it was because of Elysia. Perhaps she was simply someone deeply gentle with children by nature. Perhaps Shiraha was genuinely skilled at providing emotional warmth. Or perhaps it was all three.
"This place is vast." Eden's voice echoed softly through the great hall, carrying a gentle resonance. "It's your first time here. No need to rush through it all. There'll be plenty of time later."
After a brief introduction to the surroundings, Eden couldn't hold back any longer. She crouched down and asked softly, "Elysia... out there. Is she happy?"
Shiraha thought for a long moment. "Most of the time, Nee-chan is very happy."
Like when she was teasing children. Like when she discovered something new. Like when she ate something delicious... at those times, Nee-chan's eyes would curve into crescents, her starry gaze sparkling.
But occasionally, late at night when she couldn't sleep, Elysia-nee truly would show traces of melancholy. She'd sit quietly on the windowsill, gazing out at the night, saying nothing. Not moving.
Though after Shiraha woke up one night and sat with her in silence, Nee-chan rarely did that anymore. After the second time, Shiraha stopped waking up at night so often either.
"I see." Who knew what Eden was thinking. After a quiet pause, she steered the topic back. "Actually... there's an Elysia here as well. When there's time, I'll take you to meet her."
She paused, then added, "The Elysian Realm, as a training ground, it's still a little too advanced for you right now."
Grey Serpent had been far too hasty. But for someone suspected of being the new era's Origin... Ah. Eden suddenly blinked. A thought flashed through her mind.
She asked slowly, as if each word carried weight. "Has Elysia... not appeared before the eyes of the world?"
Grey Serpent seemed to have no intention whatsoever of inviting Elysia here. Why?
Shiraha answered frankly. "Others can't see Nee-chan."
He thought for a moment, then added, "Except for me."
To put it plainly, other than the self-proclaimed title of World's Number One Killer, Shiraha wasn't planning to lie about much.
Every lie, as time went on, only became harder and harder to maintain. Someday, when he was bearing multiple seals of authority, one contradiction could easily ignite everything.
"Can't see her?"
A flood of possibilities surged through Eden's mind, quantum states, residual consciousness, Authority backlash, but she voiced none of them.
She simply nodded, her voice as natural as ever. "Being friends with an invisible person... it must look very strange to others."
"It's not so bad. I don't really care what others think. Besides, Nee-chan stays with me all day. She's taught me so many things, and the special effects look so cool. With Nee-chan by my side, I feel like I can do anything."
"And I also have..."
Shiraha stopped mid-sentence, frozen. His voice trembled. "Where's Mei-nee?"
For the first time, his expression slipped out of control, panic unmistakable. Mei didn't land in the beginner hall with me?
"Don't worry, don't worry." Eden quickly soothed him. "That Mei-nee of yours... she's not here. She's genuinely just playing a game."
Only then did Shiraha's expression slowly settle back to calm, though his heart still raced. The Elysian Realm had thrown too much at him, making him forget that Mei-nee was online too.
Mei had already suffered enough. She was only nine. Running into something dangerous in the Realm could easily frighten her to tears. Psychological scars at that age could last a lifetime.
Eden's gaze softened further. "Don't worry too much. Just think of this place as an amusement park."
"Elysia used to love going to amusement parks to play with the children. She was so well-loved, and she always said she wanted to become a hero for all the kids."
"Out there... has she ever said anything about becoming Shiraha's great hero?"
Eden suddenly asked, a mental image forming in her mind. The corner of her lips curved upward.
"No. Nee-chan... actually wants me to become the great hero."
Shiraha guessed it was because he was a fake child. Nee-chan might love teasing kids, but when it came to truly important matters, she rarely treated him like one.
Eden was silent. Her smile held a trace of surprise. "It seems Shiraha is truly held in very high regard by Elysia."
After saying this, she fell silent for a long while. Other than Kevin, Elysia had rarely ever placed her hopes on anyone else to carry the banner and save the world.
Was it because Shiraha's talent was simply that exceptional? Or... had something gone wrong with Elysia herself?
An invisible person. Was it the inheritance of Origin? Or some other situation she couldn't yet grasp?
At this thought, she closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh. When she opened them again, those golden eyes had grown even gentler.
"Let's talk about Elysia, then. After all, isn't Shiraha planning a surprise for her?"
Eden drew the topic back. "She loves going to amusement parks. She has a sweet tooth. She's a little mischievous. And for things that can make others happy, she seems to feel no fatigue at all..."
As Shiraha listened, he cross-referenced everything with the Elysia-nee in his memory. In the end, he reached a conclusion, Eden truly did view her through the filter of a close friend. In everyday small matters, her impression score of Nee-chan always jumped from a 70 to an 85, or higher.
Finally, Shiraha estimated the time. It was probably about time for afternoon classes. He looked hesitantly at the burgundy-haired sister before him, his voice a little embarrassed.
"Eden-nee... I'll see you tonight. I have to go back to class. Otherwise, the teacher will tell my parents."
Eden smiled. She offered one last piece of advice. "Elysia loves little surprises. Whatever you do, you don't need to be too secretive about it."
Shiraha nodded obediently, then silently recited Exit game.
The Elysian Realm fell quiet again. She found herself alone once more on the vast street. She stood in place, looking at the spot where Shiraha had vanished, her fingertips rubbing together lightly, as if still savoring the feel of that soft, tender cheek she'd pinched earlier.
"I hope Shiraha doesn't act too mature and make Elysia suspect he's been deceived by someone in the Realm."
She raised her hand toward the distant lights. Eden suddenly felt a little dazed. Ever since she'd awoken here... she hadn't sung yet, had she?
Aside from a few counter-current souls carrying the old era forward, everything else had begun anew. Even Origin had drawn back a new curtain. So what of the songs for this new era?
Next time... she'd ask Shiraha to memorize some of this new era's classical music.
"SHIRAHAAAA!!!"
A voice thick with fury, a child's voice, suddenly rang out across the empty street. Eden, hearing Dr. Mobius's enraged roar, couldn't help but let out a soft, amused laugh.
♪ Golden wheat fields sway in the breeze ♪ ♪ Where does the traveler on horseback call home ♪
Her voice was languid and lovely, light with an unconscious smile.
"Shiraha... can you tell Nee-chan now? What exactly was inside that game?"
On the way back to the classroom, Elysia's voice was equally sweet and syrupy, almost like Mobius. Though saying that felt odd, since it was Mobius who had learned it from Elysia in the first place...
Shiraha put on a look of utter exhaustion. He made a small, quiet plea. "Can I wait until we're home tonight to tell Nee-chan?"
Honestly, waiting a few days would be even better. That way, after discussing it with Uncle Ryoma face-to-face, the surprise could be prepared far more perfectly. But dragging things out like that could easily make someone unhappy. And if the unhappiness lasted too long... a surprise stopped being a surprise.
Elysia glanced at Mei, clearly still not having had her fill of the game, then at Shiraha, drained and weary. Did something happen inside the game?
She didn't press further.