Stelle explained the situation to Welt Yang and Himeko.
Well, actually, it wouldn't have mattered if she didn't explain, as Welt Yang and Himeko already knew who Sparkle was.
They were only pretending not to know anything because it was fun.
『I think every single member of the Astral Express Crew has the makings of a good follower of Elation』
Of course. After all, the best Emanator of Elation is Akivili, and the best Emanator of Trailblaze is Aha.
What a loving family.
Sparkle, unaware that she had been completely exposed, was still diligently impersonating Stelle.
She questioned the later-appearing Stelle:
"You say I'm Sparkle in disguise? I say you're an alien Hydrosylph in disguise!"
Himeko looked at Sparkle, then at Stelle, and said:
"Hmm... The Fool's ability to change appearances is indeed impressive. It's truly difficult to distinguish based on appearance alone."
Welt Yang, who was beside her, chimed in:
"Why don't you two compete to see who is more like the real Stelle?"
Sparkle secretly chuckled at the suggestion.
She was eager to muddy the waters like this.
So, she put her hands on her hips and said to Stelle:
"Gladly! The loser should just be humanely destroyed!"
Hearing this,
Bai Luan, Welt Yang, Himeko: (Suppressing laughter)
Generally speaking, there was nothing wrong with what Sparkle said, but everyone knew she was an imposter except for her, and when she said such things, it created an indescribable comedic effect.
Bai Luan looked at Welt Yang and Himeko.
Their encrypted channel conversation went as follows:
Bai Luan: I know this is hard, but all personnel, please keep your mouths turned down.
Welt Yang: Received.
Himeko: Received.
"Sparkle's move is too ruthless..."
Stelle hadn't joined the private channel yet, so her reply was still relatively normal.
The competition officially began, with Welt Yang posing the first question:
"Round one, please listen: When encountering a trash can by the roadside, what would the real Stelle do?"
Sparkle said with a hint of obviousness:
"Of course, I'd rummage through it."
Meanwhile, Stelle also gave her answer:
"I'd stick to it. The trash can walls are cool and feel very comfortable to touch."
"Both sound like Stelle's style."
Hmm... Welt Yang stroked his chin in thought for a moment.
"One point for each."
At this point, Himeko spoke:
"Round two, since we're in a bar, let's ask a question about mixing drinks. The real Stelle's favorite drink is..."
"I'm currently cutting down on sugar..."
Stelle answered first:
"I'm determined not to drink beverages, and I've maintained it for a full half system-hour now."
Bai Luan couldn't help but retort:
"I hope you don't re-dedicate yourself to refreshing your status after half a system-hour."
Stelle looked at Bai Luan, with an expression that said, 'How did you know what I'd do next?'
"Does that even need asking?"
Sparkle spoke with a hint of triumph.
"Of course, it's Sister Himeko's coffee."
Himeko didn't hesitate, smiling as she added a point for Sparkle.
Bai Luan remarked.
"This one chose to directly win over the judge herself."
Stelle patted Bai Luan on the shoulder.
Uncle, well said, truly well said.
"So what?"
Sparkle said:
"Doesn't this indirectly prove that I'm very familiar with everyone's preferences?"
Alright, alright,
Then I'll really give her something big.
He was going to... trick Sparkle into crawling into a trash can.
Bai Luan cleared his throat twice and said:
"Then, for the third question, I will be the one to ask it."
He paused, successfully attracting everyone's attention, especially Sparkle's, who slightly raised her chin in a 'bring it on' posture.
"As everyone knows,"
Bai Luan's voice carried a hint of solemnity.
"Stelle has an extraordinary love and obsession with trash cans that goes beyond simple rummaging; it's a spiritual resonance and exploration."
Bai Luan extended a finger, pointing to a mini metal trash can fixed to the wall in the corner of the bar, specifically for recycling bottle caps.
Its opening was narrow, its internal structure complex, and it had curved pipes to prevent blockages from foreign objects. More importantly, it was firmly welded to the wall.
"See that 'Cap Receptacle'?"
Bai Luan's tone was serious.
"The real Stelle, in this bar, with her irreplaceable 'Trailblaze' spirit, would insert her entire upper body into it without damaging it, to feel the lonely whispers of discarded bottle caps emanating from the cold metal inner wall, and—at least—remain there for a full ten minutes."
As soon as he finished speaking, a faint cough was heard.
Welt Yang looked down to hide his expression, his shoulders slightly shaking.
Himeko elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth with a tissue, as if erasing a non-existent smile.
Sparkle looked at the trash can, then at Bai Luan.
Are you serious?
Stuffing her upper body into that dirty, narrow-mouthed metal bin fixed to the wall for ten minutes? What kind of fetish is that?!
Stelle patted her chest and said:
"I'll do it!"
Bai Luan, however, held out his hand to stop her and said:
"As the questioner, I have the right to choose who goes first. And there's only one trash can, so only one person can be tested at a time."
Bai Luan subtly winked at Stelle.
Stelle looked at Bai Luan and instantly understood. So, Uncle already knew who was real and who was fake.
Seeing that Stelle understood, Bai Luan looked at Sparkle and said:
"I saw you seemed a bit hesitant and unwilling just now. I suspect you are Sparkle, so you go first."
Under Bai Luan's urging, Sparkle walked out from behind the bar and approached the trash can.
At this moment, an important decision lay before her—should she really crawl into the trash can for this performance?
While Sparkle was hesitating, the real Stelle behind her began to gather information.
Uncle had returned earlier than her. If Uncle already knew who was real and who was fake... then did Uncle Yang and Himeko also...? Stelle looked at Welt Yang and Himeko, and they both returned her gaze with a knowing smile.
Stelle immediately understood after seeing that smile.
Ah... so that's how it is.
Everyone knew that the one about to crawl into the trash can was Sparkle.
Stelle also showed a hint of a smile.
At this moment, Stelle also connected to the encrypted channel.
Bai Luan, Welt Yang, Himeko: You're here?
Stelle: Everyone's here?
Stelle: It has to be Uncle.
At this moment, Sparkle also made up her mind.
An actor, after all, is someone who does all sorts of things to get closer to the role they are playing.
She had come this far; there was no turning back!
Crawl in, then!
Anyway, after she crawled in, Stelle would have to do it too. It would be a one-for-one trade, not a loss!
It was easier than having her prove the Gubo Algorithm.
With a nearly tragic feeling, Sparkle crawled into the trash can, preparing to hang there for ten minutes.
Stelle looked at Sparkle hanging there, stroked her chin, and said:
"So this is how you usually see me..."
At this moment, Himeko walked over, looked at Bai Luan, and said:
"Alright, I think the prank should end here. It's time to tell her the truth."
It seemed Miss Himeko had a soft heart after all.
Well, the fun ends here then.
Bai Luan stepped forward, knocked on the trash can, and then said:
"You can come out now. You passed the test."
Sparkle instantly pulled herself out of the trash can, then shook her head.
Although she was a bit confused as to why ten minutes passed so quickly, it didn't matter now. The most important thing was to quickly make Stelle crawl into the trash can too.
I must exchange one for one with her!
Sparkle pointed at Stelle and said:
"It's her turn!"
"No need anymore."
Bai Luan smiled and said:
"Miss Sparkle, we actually knew you were Sparkle from the very beginning."
"Eh?"
Sparkle tilted her head in confusion, looked at Bai Luan, then looked incredulously at Welt Yang and Himeko.
"You all thought so too?"
Welt Yang smiled apologetically and said:
"That's the truth, Miss Sparkle."
Sparkle fell silent for a moment, then asked, puzzled:
"How did you find out?"
"That would be..."
Bai Luan's voice came from beside her. Sparkle turned to look at Bai Luan.
"I told them."
Sparkle looked at Bai Luan, fell silent again for a moment, then sighed and returned to her original form.
"Sometimes I really want to beat you up."
...