A moment later, the clinic door opened again.
Bronya stepped outside.
Her face was filled with obvious confusion, bewilderment, and helplessness as she looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings.
Standing at the clinic entrance, she took a deep breath of the Underworld’s air, as though making up her mind to personally witness the real Underworld—
One so different from the version described by the propaganda of the Overworld.
“Welcome back…”
Celine murmured softly from her seat high above.
Her voice was so quiet that it was almost impossible to hear.
Duck…
For a brief moment, Celine’s thoughts drifted away.
Hopefully…
Your relationship with Seele will continue to develop smoothly…
Just as she was lost in thought…
The clinic door opened for the third time.
This time…
March 7th walked out.
The pink-haired girl had completely recovered her energy.
She first stood in the doorway and lazily stretched before looking around with a puzzled expression.
“Where did Dan Heng go? Even Dr. Natasha said she didn’t know…”
March 7th scratched her head.
“Oh well. With his abilities, he definitely won’t get lost.”
She quickly put the matter aside.
A bright smile immediately returned to her face.
“Since we’re already here…”
“Time to take some pictures first!”
She happily pulled her treasured camera out of her small bag.
“When we get back, I can show Sister Selene all the photos from our adventure!”
She raised the camera.
Adjusted the angle.
And skillfully pointed it toward herself.
Click!
The crisp sound of the shutter echoed through the street.
March 7th eagerly lowered the camera and looked at the picture she had just taken.
In the photograph…
Her own smile was as bright as ever.
It contrasted sharply against the gloomy background of Boulder Town.
However…
Near the upper edge of the picture—
In a place she hadn’t noticed at all—
A figure had clearly been captured.
Someone sat atop an abandoned steel beam.
Long purple hair flowed gently behind her.
She seemed to be looking toward the camera…
And was even making a playful “V” sign.
“Hm?!”
March 7th froze.
She immediately looked up toward the place shown in the photo.
Celine still sat quietly upon the steel frame…
As though the peace sign she had made a moment ago had been nothing more than an illusion.
But March 7th possessed excellent eyesight—
A basic skill for an archer.
She could clearly make out Celine’s delicate face…
Her long purple hair…
And…
The beautifully crafted mechanical joints visible beneath her clothing.
(An android?) Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
March 7th instantly reached that conclusion.
Yet instead of feeling frightened…
Her eyes sparkled.
(So pretty…)
(What a beautiful android big sister!)
In March 7th’s opinion…
Although this “android sister” looked somewhat cold…
Her eyes were gentle.
And someone who quietly sat alone like that…
Couldn’t possibly be a bad person…
Right?
Maybe she could even ask her about the situation here.
Unlike Dan Heng—
Who remained constantly on guard and viewed the Stellaron Hunters as extremely dangerous enemies—
March 7th had never seen Celine’s wanted poster.
Nor did she truly understand the complicated power struggles spread throughout the universe.
Her judgment relied mostly on instinct…
And appearances.
To put it simply…
How could such a beautiful girl possibly be a bad person?
From atop the steel frame…
Celine looked down at March 7th’s completely unguarded—
Even curious and excited—
Expression.
She almost imperceptibly shook her head.
(Didn’t I…)
(Tell her she should be a little more cautious around strangers?)
(This child…)
Just then…
March 7th enthusiastically waved both hands.
“Hey!”
“Big sister!”
“Big sister up there!”
Seeing how energetic she was…
Celine didn’t remain seated.
With a light leap…
As though completely weightless…
She landed gracefully a short distance in front of March 7th.
Her movements were smooth.
Silent.
And elegant.
“Whoa!”
March 7th’s eyes widened.
“Big sister, you’re amazing!”
“What is it, little sister?”
Celine calmly asked after coming to a stop.
“Just call me March!”
March 7th introduced herself with a bright smile before curiously asking,
“What’s your name, big sister?”
“Celine.”
She answered simply.
“Ce…?”
The moment she heard that name…
March 7th’s eyes suddenly lit up.
It was as though she had discovered an incredible coincidence.
She hurried a step closer.
Her smile became even brighter.
The feeling of familiarity between them instantly skyrocketed.
“What a coincidence!” This story is hosted at g.com.
“I have a big sister too…”
“And her last name is Celine!”
Because of that shared surname…
March 7th’s opinion of the cool, beautiful, and incredibly capable “android big sister” standing before her instantly rose by several levels.
However…
Those innocent words…
Created the slightest ripple within Celine’s normally tranquil heart.
(Selene…?)
(I don’t think…)
(I’ve ever told March my surname.)
Everyone aboard the Astral Express—
Including Himeko…
Welt…
Even Pom-Pom—
Always addressed her simply as “Selene.”
March 7th always called her “Sister Selene.”
No one ever used her full name.
As for March 7th…
With her carefree personality…
She had probably never bothered to investigate Selene’s full name.
She simply assumed “Selene” was her complete name.
After reaching that conclusion…
The tiny ripple in Celine’s eyes quickly disappeared.
Looking at March 7th’s cheerful smile—
One completely free of worries…
Simply happy because of such a small coincidence—
Celine felt both amused…
And helpless.
(This child…)
(Really…)
Then…
A new thought quietly surfaced within her mind.
Like a pebble dropped into a perfectly still lake.
(My surname…)
(Might become a very useful clue…)
(For those players in the future.)
(In that case…)
Her calm gaze returned to the curious March 7th standing before her.
A trace of hidden meaning quietly flashed deep within her eyes.
(Then…)
(I’ll simply let this misunderstanding continue.)
She didn’t correct March 7th’s misunderstanding about the “surname.”
Nor did she explain the possible connection between “Selene” and “Celine.”
She merely maintained her usual calm expression…
And lightly nodded.
“As it happens…”
“That really is quite a coincidence.”
Her tone remained flat.
No obvious emotion could be heard.
Yet she never denied March 7th’s assumption.
At this moment…
All she needed to do…
Was continue playing the role of this somewhat mysterious “android big sister” named…
Celine…
Whom March 7th had supposedly met by chance in the Underworld.