Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 83: New Year Festival – You are not alone.

''Hey, let's go over there!''

''Alright, alright! Slow down!''

''You brats! Look ahead properly!''

Amidst the noisy crowd, Chloe, Nydia, and I stand blankly before a certain booth. Silence flows between us as we each sigh in helplessness.

''Claire, this is...'' 

When Chloe finally opens her mouth, the girl with shoulder-length pale blonde hair turns to us excitedly.

''Impressive, isn't it?!'' She grabs Chloe's hands, stars beaming in her pupils. ''Our Silaerob gallery!''

'''' ... ''''

In the relatively spacious booth, a mini tour has been set up. The central theme is a certain figure who has been on the news constantly as of late—Silaerob.

Newspaper cutouts, illustrations, paper standees, clay figurines, etc.

Nothing is missing. The people seem intrigued as well. It is genuinely impressive.

Inside the counter, I notice a few other members beside Claire, so clearly this is not her effort alone. With that in mind, I turn to the realistic model of Silaerob, staring at it with curious eyes and a popsicle in my mouth.

''Hm...''

I don't get it. Why are they obsessed with this identity in the first place? Is it similar to how people are attracted to idols or superheroes? I guess I sometimes do exterminate demons, so there is that.

Still, does it deserve this much love? The galaxy in the mask of this isn't even moving.

''Oh, I just noticed something.''

Right then, Claire pokes out of the side, alternating between me and the doll.

''You guys have the same height!'' She smiles. ''That's awesome!''

''...How do you know exactly her height in the first place?''

''Heheh... I directly conversed with her in close proximity the other day, so of course I know!''

I wouldn't say that encounter counted as a conversation, but alright.

''For that, I was promoted to the president of the fan club!''

...Good for you, I suppose.

After much effort, we finally pulled Claire out of the silly booth and into the market. Hand-in-hand—metaphorically—the four of us continue cruising around the campus, searching for some simple fun.

This night, the whole area around the academy is lit, and people fill the space, bringing laughter along with them. Even if I am in another world, the festive atmosphere for special days like this is the same.

''...''

It has indeed been a while since I have felt like this.

In my vision, I see my friends goofing around without a care in the world, happily smiling for the moment. Now I know. Even if the world itself is alien to me, as long as I have my friends with me...

Unconsciously, the corners of my mouth perk up.

This makes the other three look at me strangely, yet they must have realized something and simply smiled along.

''What should we try next?''

''I saw a dart booth earlier.''

''That sounds good. Let's grab something and go there!''

''How gluttonous can you be...''

''The shopowner was so angry at me...''

Pushing her newly acquired and shiny pair of sunglasses up, Chloe lets out a chuckle. This is the best prize for that archery booth, and Chloe absolutely demolished it with her aim.

Without Nydia and Claire here, she would say, 'What do you think I play FPS for?!' and be even smugger.

''Still, it seems you're enjoying this a lot, Aurora?''

Nydia turns to me with a soft smile.

Indeed, I currently have three kinds of dessert in my arms, one in my mouth, two more wrapped and stuffed inside my pockets, and a bunch of festive badges on my chest, ones that our team earned during this trip.

''Mhm.'' I nod.

Nydia giggles sweetly and wipes the sauce on my lips, then casually takes a piece of takoyaki in my hand for herself.

Enjoying the burst of flavor in my mouth, I turn to the sky. Although the stars are less visible thanks to the street lights across the city, I can still see some bright ones.

clang—! clang—!

Right then, the clock tower rings, signaling a new hour.

''It's already eleven, huh...'' Claire says.

''Time passes faster as you have fun.'' Chloe shrugs.

''I guess...''

''Shall we prepare to watch the fireworks?'' Nydia interjects.

''I'll leave it to you, Nydia.''

''Understood, Lady Luminous.'' 

Fireworks.

There is that, too, I suppose. It'll be memorable for sure.

''...''

Suddenly, somewhere in the back of my head, an unsettling sentiment spreads. My heart feels as though it has a piece missing. Somewhere... I need to find it. Somewhere. But what do I need to find?

...I see.

''Sorry, I'll go somewhere first.''

''Huh?''

''Aurora?''

Dumping the stuff onto Claire and Nydia, I dash off to the distance.

According to Chloe, she should be somewhere near the dormitory. Unless she is not at the academy due to my intervention... No. Believe in the power of the plot, Aurora.

Passing through the crowd, I eventually reach the Luminous Dorm after a few minutes. At this time, only the guards are left, so the elevator is obviously free. I quickly get in and ascend to the tenth floor.

I step forward hurriedly, a strange melancholic feeling enveloping my heart as I ascend the stairs leading to the rooftop. The light from outside filters through the slightly ajar door, casting a vibrant orange glow upon the wall.

As I open the door and turn to the side, a familiar pink head greets me.

At this point, she is hugging her knees, gazing blankly through the railings to the scene below. Her long and smooth twin tails cascade onto the ground, spreading out, unmoving.

''...Saintess.''

Carefully, I walk over to her.

''...''

''...''

Without turning her head, Luxia suddenly lets out a bitter laugh.

''You know, they told me to get back to the academy because I wasn't helpful with the investigation.'' She says, her regard still. ''Deep down, I know they are suspecting me as well. How laughable. How... How pathetic I am.''

''...''

''Not only did I not notice anything my entire life, but I also couldn't solve a thing on my own. This power, this talent, this worthless—''

''Stop.'' I crouch right beside Luxia. ''You are not worthless. Not at all.''

''But... I feel like I can't move forward, no matter what. I really do. What's the point of having power if I can't utilize it properly?''

''Hah... Idiot.''

''...?''

''Did you ever think about asking other people for help?'' I grab Luxia's cheeks and turn her face around. ''Eventually, someone will make use of your power well enough. Humans are social creatures. You can't live without others, so don't try to shoulder the blame all by yourself.''

At this, Luxia's bitter smile grows wider, and her star pupils begin to tremble.

''But others are evil. They're greedy, deceitful, lustful, arrogant, and, and...''

''Some are not. Nydia and Claire are not. You know this well, don't you?''

Luxia bites her lower lip, diverting her gaze. In response to this, I take a deep breath and once again fix her head facing mine, making sure she looks at me in the eyes.

''Remember, Luxia Neveah. You are not alone.''

''...''

The saintess looks at me, eyes widened, and before long, tears start to well up in her eyes. Within seconds, she is sobbing uncontrollably, breaking her usual image.

Luxia Neveah. Percipient Saintess. The one who never trusts others, always keeping a distance from everything she knows, has now become a vulnerable teenage girl. But this is for the best. After all...

''C-Can I really...?'' She asks. ''Can I... hic... ask for help...?''

''Yes, you can.''

''I... hic...  I don't know what to do. What should I do now...?''

''We can discuss it with the others later.'' A faint smile unknowingly blooms on my face as I stroke Luxia's head. ''For now... Let's watch some fireworks together.''

At some point, the uneasiness within my heart has disappeared. I don't know if this rash course of action is a good choice or not, yet I don't think I will regret it in the future.

As for Luxia... I'm just glad she seems better now.

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