"Sister! Over here!"
The same pink long hair reminded Sakura of many things, but add the striking red highlight at the forehead, and its meaning became unambiguous.
"No need to rush, Rin." She smiled wryly and shook her head, yet quickened her pace regardless—every action felt natural, flowing effortlessly.
Her right hand was held by Rin, leaving only her left to adjust the straw hat on her head. Fingertips pressed lightly against the brim; even through the thick weave, she could feel the smooth long hair beneath, the warmth between the strands.
She paused slightly—something seemed... missing?
But before she could ponder further, a pull on her right hand interrupted her thoughts—Rin, like a lively foal, pulled her forward through the bustling crowd.
"Wait, Rin, where are you taking me..."
"Alright! We're here!"
Sakura stopped, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her sister before a tall, grand building.
"Look, look! This is our school library! Uh... actually, it's supposed to be a museum. It has lots of writing tablets, pottery shards, and amber slabs, supposedly genuine artifacts from the library of the Mu Empire—humanity's first empire..."
Rin then put an arm around her sister's shoulders, leaned in mischievously close to her ear, glanced around at the crowd, and whispered conspiratorially, "The school claims every stone brick used in this library dates back to the Mu Empire era. I can't tell if it's true, but if it is... look at this color! The ancients would probably crawl out of their graves in anger!"
Sakura's eye twitched as she looked at the library... or museum... before her, starkly divided down the middle by the main entrance doors, painted in jarringly distinct shades of blue and pink.
Neither color was particularly dignified, ill-suited for a building meant to evoke historical weight, let alone when combined like this.
"This... Who did this? Your principal... wouldn't he be angry?"
"Ha? Angry?" Rin tilted her head, wagging her index finger. "Sister, don't you think these two colors perfectly match our school's two silly... uh, those two principals?"
Pulling Sakura inside the museum, Rin lowered her voice further:
"That new vice-principal wanted to paint all the school buildings pink. The principal refused, of course. So the vice-principal snuck out at night with a few buckets of paint and painted half the museum pink. The next day, when the principal saw it, he got mad and painted the other half blue."
"...And then what happened?" Sakura suddenly felt sending Rin to this school might have been somewhat... unreliable... But it was too late for regrets.
"Then? What then?"
"Just... the other buildings don't seem to have such strange paint jobs."
"Ah... that... That's because the two principals looked at the museum and realized plain old paint actually looked better..."
"..." Sakura shook her head. She'd heard the school's principals were young, but now she just thought—could they possibly be less mature than Rin?!
"Oh my, little Rin, is this how you talk about me behind my back? That really hurts my feelings!"
"Uh... Uh... Ah!" Following Rin's movement, Sakura stiffly turned her head. A girl, looking about her own age, stood watching them with a radiant smile.
"You are..." Sakura started to ask, but Rin cut her off:
"Um... Um... Principal, good day! How... How do you remember my name? I'm just a new student, hahaha..."
"Oh dear, your question has quite stumped me." Seeing the girl's flustered state, Elysia beamed, a brilliant smile blooming on her face. She crossed her left arm over her chest, lightly sucked on her right index finger, her blue-and-pink eyes subtly shifting:
"Hmm... Let me think, how best to explain this! Ah! How about this! Dear little Rin, make a choice—between [Elysia likes you because you're the only beautiful girl in this school with the same hair color as her] and [Elysia likes you]. Choose now: three, two, one, quick answer!"
Rin stared with deadpan eyes, her mouth twitching, clearly unwilling to answer, and besides...
"Vice-Principal Elysia, aren't those two options basically the same?" Sakura covered her forehead, having already guessed the identity of the suddenly appearing girl.
"...My! This young lady also has the same hair color as me... Eh, wait! Looking at your features, could you be little Rin's legendary older sister?"
"..." Knowing full well the other was changing the subject, Sakura found herself somewhat... speechless?
"Oh dear! What should I do, what should I do! I finally confessed 'I like you' to the girl I admire, only to have her family member overhear... This is so embarrassing!" Elysia covered her face dramatically.
Sakura initially thought this was just the vice-principal's playful banter, but seeing the blush beneath Elysia's fingers and her flushed earlobes, a string of black ellipses formed in her mind...
Is she genuinely embarrassed? Or... does she have ulterior motives?"
Sakura tried to figure out the other's intentions. As women, she thought it wouldn't be too difficult.
But attempting to grasp Elysia's thoughts, she found her own reasoning becoming hopelessly tangled, like twisted dough.
This made it impossible to see through the woman's smile.
Except... Sakura frowned. She had a strange feeling she'd seen this Vice-Principal Elysia somewhere before.
"Speaking of which, Rin, are you taking your sister to tour the school museum?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Ah, wonderful! No one knows this museum better than I do. Let me be your guide!" Elysia didn't seem embarrassed by the attention from nearby students, instead waving cheerfully at them.
Then, without waiting for Rin's agreement, she took Rin's wrist. Since Rin was holding Sakura's wrist, the three pink-haired figures began weaving through the museum together.
"Look quickly at this three-legged pottery li! While perhaps too plain for modern aesthetics, considering the technological level fifty thousand years ago, it's quite impressive—look at these large black and white patterns, and the droplet-shaped feet. It's easy to see the inspiration for this li was a dairy cow. Sigh, thinking that our ancestors had only just walked out of the African savanna at the same time makes one feel a bit regretful..."
Rin lowered her head thoughtfully. These were things the history teacher wouldn't cover. Vice-Principal Elysia seemed less like a guide now and more like a teacher! Rin wished she'd brought a notebook to take notes; who knew how much she'd remember back in the dorm.
As she thought this, she noticed Elysia looking at her with a teasing expression. She soon heard the latter's laughter:
"Hahaha! Just kidding! Whether dairy cows even existed fifty thousand years ago is debatable. Besides, the so-called earliest human civilization, the earliest empire—the Mu Empire—was just a facade."
"A facade?" Sakura and Rin exclaimed almost simultaneously. Sakura had been hesitant; judging by Rin's reaction, she clearly wasn't familiar with Elysia. A vice-principal paying special attention to one student seemed off...
But if there were ulterior motives, their parents were just ordinary Far East citizens, and she herself was just a white-collar worker at a modest company. What could they possibly offer...
In Sakura's mind, the only thing about Rin worth pursuing for this Vice-Principal Elysia was Rin herself—remembering the woman's bold confession earlier, and her blatant gaze towards both Rin and herself... Sakura's cheeks flushed red again, unsure if it was embarrassment or anger.
If that were the case, she should be angry. Yet, based on prior observation, while Elysia's words were flirtatious and her gaze wandering, her hands were proper, holding Rin's wrist three inches up, appearing close yet maintaining a distance that avoided misunderstanding, handled perfectly.
This confused her even more—if Elysia's goal wasn't what she thought, then what was it?
Her thoughts stopped abruptly as Elysia began sharing new knowledge. Sakura couldn't help but clear her mind and prick up her ears. After all, she'd taken leave from her company to visit Rin, partly to see her sister, partly out of her own interest in the supposed Mu Empire.
Having Elysia, the vice-principal of the academy owning this museum and also its deputy curator, as a guide was clearly ideal.
Although, in Sakura's experience, most so-called experts and professors weren't that impressive, often surpassed by wealthy, leisured amateurs with resources for independent research. But Elysia was different. Sakura couldn't judge her academic level, but she spoke comfortably, like a normal chat, yet subtly built suspense... and her voice was genuinely pleasant.
Unexpectedly, Elysia's opening words sounded alarmist:
"Let me put it this way—based on archaeological findings, the so-called Mu Empire, most likely, did not exist. Or rather, the Mu Empire... was more than just an empire."
Her beautiful peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly, making them appear long and alluring. Her blue-pink pupils, like pools of clear water, perfectly reflected the expression she saw.
Sakura glanced; the reflection was her own.
Her face flushed deeper.
"The earliest archaeological teams did discover numerous cultural sites on the Mu continent, covering almost the entirety of a civilization from birth to demise—look here, from pottery li to bronze ding to iron cauldrons, from stone yue axes to bronze swords to iron spears. Of course, some items aren't suitable for display here."
"Then... according to your explanation, shouldn't that actually prove the Mu Empire existed? And that its civilization level was higher than imagined?" Sakura asked curiously.
"Oh my... The following information involves classified material... Should I tell you or not... Sigh, I really want to tell you... Ahhh, I can't hold back! Anyway, if I tell you quietly, you won't spread it around, right?"
Elysia winked playfully, further confirming Sakura's thought—this woman, aside from her title, had absolutely nothing in common with a typical vice-principal.
She seemed genuinely just a girl in her early twenties...
"Ahem! I'm starting now..." She lowered her voice slightly.
Sakura and Rin, true sisters, widened their eyes almost simultaneously, holding their breath, gazes fixed on Elysia's lips, as if lip-reading could reveal the truth faster than sound.
But they only saw Elysia's lips twitch slightly.
Because a sigh had already sounded behind her before she could speak:
"Sigh... Knew you couldn't resist..."
"Prin... Principal Michael, good day!" Rin instinctively straightened up, looking at the silver-haired man who had suddenly appeared behind Elysia.
He wore a wry, helpless smile. Rin could clearly empathize with his emotion, though perhaps their reasons were entirely different—
Michael's helplessness was clearly due to Elysia... while Rin's, and certainly Sakura's, helplessness stemmed from a captivating story being cut short.
It was truly frustrating, yet difficult to pinpoint why.
Elysia was equally frustrated. From her perspective, the words were about to spill out, only to be forcefully shoved back by Michael. How could she be comfortable?
But just as she turned to glare at Michael as usual, expressing her indignation, Michael chuckled playfully.
The first sight of that smile sent alarms ringing in her mind.
Sure enough, Michael's next words utterly defeated her—
"But... hmm, actually, I meant to tell you last night. Regarding that matter, a large portion of the materials has been declassified. At least what you were about to say is no longer within restricted information!"
"Ah? Ah!" Elysia cried out twice, eyes wide with disbelief.
But she quickly reacted. Ignoring the crowd of students watching, she lunged at Michael, arms flailing.
Fortunately, the other party retained his senses. He caught Elysia's wrist with one hand, pulling her slightly aside. Their movements were somewhat intimate, yet upon closer inspection, maintained a sufficient distance.
The onlookers let out a collective "Ooh" and dispersed, clearly unsatisfied with the outcome.
But from another perspective, it also proved this wasn't the first time these two had behaved this way in public; at least the students were accustomed to it.
Rin's eyes sparkled. She leaned towards her sister's ear, about to say something... but unfortunately, they were too close to Michael, overhearing the low whispers between the other two—
"You didn't even tell me something like this! Made me struggle for so long!"
"I was going to tell you last night, who knew you wouldn't come to my room!"
"I... Why would I go to your room! No, wait! Did you have to tell me in person? Couldn't you text?!"
"I just..." Michael scratched his head awkwardly, turning his head. His gaze met the two sisters, who were arm-in-arm, watching the drama unfold.
The atmosphere became even more awkward.
Sakura sighed inwardly, feeling increasingly that this academy was unreliable.
But then she wondered, was this just their playful interaction? Judging by Vice-Principal Elysia's earlier expression, she genuinely intended to reveal "that matter." She must have known what she was about to say was classified, merely feigning ignorance.
Thinking this way, Sakura found the woman even more inscrutable.
Thankfully, Michael walked over then. He sized Sakura up briefly, smiled, and extended his hand. "Hello, you must be Rin's sister. Welcome for your visit. Elysia and I will be your guides from here!"
Sakura took his hand without hesitation.
So decisively it surprised even herself. Only after their hands parted did she clench her fist, various thoughts surfacing.
Regardless, upon reflection, this was quite strange—Rin was just a freshman, less than a year in, not involved in student council or clubs. Why were both the principal and vice-principal so familiar with her?
Even knowing she had a sister?
Besides, why were both principals so young...
Sakura tried to think deeper, but before her thoughts could delve further, they were suddenly diverted—
"Principal... Michael, Vice-Principal Elysia... Have... Have we met before?"
After Sakura hesitantly asked this, Michael and Elysia exchanged an undisguised glance. Then both sighed simultaneously. Michael said:
"Sakura, you finally remember. It was 8 years ago, or maybe 9? Elysia and I were traveling scholars back then. Your parents took us in for a while, and I even asked your father for swordsmanship advice."
Sakura's memory finally completed itself, though some contradictions remained. For instance, eight or nine years ago, Michael and Elysia would have only been around ten years old. How could they be traveling scholars?
But it wasn't inexplicable. After all, in her homeland, a 16-year-old girl had published a paper on relativity a few years ago, stunning the world. Compared to that, these two leaving home early for studies was nothing remarkable.
Though a faint sense of strangeness lingered, Sakura quickly accepted this reality.
But her doubts hadn't completely vanished, for example:
"So, Principal Michael, what Vice-Principal Elysia was about to say earlier..."
"Oh, that. It's actually quite simple." Michael spread his hands, looked back at the rows of antiques in the display cases, his voice tinged with distance—
"All these excavated items, under C14 dating, share the exact same origin time. Yes, fifty thousand years ago..."
"Fifty thousand years ago..." Sakura repeated the time point. A sense of familiarity washed over her again. She felt like she had read a report somewhere mentioning the concept of a "fifty-thousand-year" cycle...
As she began to ponder this, some indescribable shackle broke. Sakura clearly felt it. The dreamscape beneath her feet began to lose support, everything starting to shatter.
But her first reaction wasn't—"Oh, this was a dream."
It was—"Rin! Grab my hand, Rin!"
However, no one could hear her cries. The light and shadow before her dissolved into blinding white.
Then she began to fall...
The man fell from the mountain peak into the lake, then from the lake into space, repeating the cycle endlessly.
When he could no longer bear this [Samsara/Cycle], his body suddenly lightened, free from the inertia of falling. Then he couldn't help but jump up.
The surrounding light told him it was night—of course, the weakness in his body and the heaviness in his head confirmed it too.
But that wasn't important. What was important...
Who am I, where am I, what should I be doing?
The man stared blankly at the "Kevin" name tag on the desk and the already cold cup noodles beside it.
The greasy broth reflected the faint neon lights of the night, mirroring Kevin's weary face.
Somewhat dazed, he pushed the noodles aside and began organizing the files on his desk.
He was the only one working overtime in the vast office. The rustling sound of paper echoed incessantly, yet his mind felt surprisingly calmer.
Still, nights like these, working late, inevitably brought a sense of loneliness, didn't they?
Footsteps suddenly sounded in the corridor. Kevin instinctively stood up, warily watching the motion-activated lights flicker on along with the sound.
But then he realized something and gradually relaxed his muscles.
A moment later, Mei's silhouette appeared at the office doorway.
"What are you doing here?" Kevin asked evenly, organizing files while simultaneously shutting down his computer.
"I waited at home for a long time, but you didn't come back. You didn't reply to messages either, so I had to come check..."
"Alright, I've finished my work." Kevin secretly disposed of the noodle remnants during a trip to the restroom, locked the office, then took Mei's small, cold hand.
"Why are you still wearing your lab coat?" Noticing the chill, Kevin quickly took off his down jacket and draped it over Mei's shoulders.
"I rushed out earlier. I meant to grab that woolen coat, but grabbed the wrong one." Mei shook her head, signaling Kevin not to worry about her.
Her purple high ponytail swayed with the movement, naturally drawing Kevin's gaze. No, more accurately, what caught Kevin's eye was the polka-dot bow...
"What's wrong?" Mei touched the bow shyly.
"You gave this to me last Christmas," she reminded him softly. This reminder wasn't asking for a gift, but guiding Kevin's attention to their surroundings—
"So it's already Christmas..." Christmas trees lined the street, adorned with dazzling lights. Faint sounds of laughter drifted on the air...
No sorrow, no screams, no stench of decay from the dead soldiers, no suffocating presence of Honkai energy...
"Is this the life I was supposed to have?"
This was a dream; Kevin knew it clearly.
He had realized this reality when the first dream layer shattered.
Perhaps the beauty in these dreams was too unreal; perhaps the enemy, in haste, couldn't construct a more perfect, more realistic dream...
Whatever the reason... perhaps it was impossible, perhaps... anyway, he hadn't escaped this world.
He felt he wasn't unwilling to face reality, but... just wanted to gaze a little longer at this world, this world without Honkai.
This world wasn't perfect, quite ordinary even. Kevin once thought he preferred an exciting life, but now he realized how deeply his heart yearned for simple, peaceful days, how much he missed the time before Honkai entered his life...
A world like this was beautiful enough for Kevin, so beautiful he couldn't bear to leave—If it's just a dream, why wake up? He somewhat understood the meaning of that phrase now.
He even had a strange thought—why was this current experience a dream? What if? Compared to ordinary life, the world with Honkai seemed more like a dream! Maybe everything before was just a fleeting dream during an overtime shift?
As for the enemies in the dream... he trusted Michael and Elysia could handle it...
So he walked silently with Mei on the way home.
The cold winter wind pressed their figures closer together.
"Is this your trick, Eighth Herrscher?"
Only one person wasn't dreaming. She held the longbow named Fleeting Flower, arrow aimed straight at the enemy close before her.
The Eighth Herrscher remained unfazed, merely smiling faintly at her.
The large, peacock-like bird spread its wings, attempting a psychic attack, but Elysia remained unmoved. The power that could manipulate hearts, that could lull the other two MANTISes into a slumber they wouldn't want to wake from, had no effect on Elysia.
"So, are you really going to kill me?" The Eighth Herrscher suddenly looked sorrowful.
Elysia's hand, drawing the bowstring, abruptly relaxed.
---||---
After the crowd on the central avenue dispersed, Michael immediately rushed to Elysia's side, only to find Mahamayuri's corpse and a pool of blood on the ground.
"Am I too late?" Michael asked.
But Elysia just kept her head down, silent.