Hiyakura was struck by Tao Yao's words as if hit by lightning.
Her body trembled slightly, and her hands unconsciously clenched, her nails nearly sinking into her palms.
Her gaze darted between Tao Yao and the surrounding environment, her mind a blank, as if all thoughts had frozen at that moment.
"Tao Yao knows... Tao Yao knows everything!"
This thought echoed in Hiyakura's mind like a bolt from the blue.
She felt her heartbeat accelerate sharply, her breathing becoming short and rapid.
She opened her mouth, wanting to say something.
But realized that her throat felt as if it were blocked by something.
Not a single word could escape.
A complex expression appeared on Hiyakura's face, a mix of panic at being seen through, embarrassment at having her thoughts laid bare, and a hint of indescribable relief.
Her eyes flickered restlessly, as if searching for an escape route.
Seeing Hiyakura's panicked demeanor, Tao Yao revealed a gentle yet playful smile.
"Hiyakura is really adorable…"
Tao Yao spoke softly, her voice like morning dew, clear and full of vitality:
"Don't worry, even though you're different from the Hiyakura I remember, that doesn't mean you aren't the real Hiyakura. On the contrary, the kindness and passion you've shown while fighting the Disaster Beasts remind me so much of the Hiyakura I know."
Her tone carried a hint of curiosity and anticipation as she continued, "However... there's one thing I don't understand. If you aren't the Shadow Fairy, then where do you come from?"
Tao Yao's voice grew softer, carrying a hint of pleading:
"This was supposed to be your secret. Yet now I'm presumptuously wanting to know. Can you share these secrets with me?"
As Tao Yao said this, a sweet smile remained on her face.
Her eyes sparkled with the light of curiosity, like a child waiting to hear an exciting story.
Her demeanor was both mature and composed.
Yet, with a playful cuteness that perfectly showcased her unique charm.
Upon hearing Tao Yao's words, Hiyakura seemed to fall into a state of daze.
Her gaze became somewhat vacant.
Like she was staring at a point in the distance, or reminiscing about something.
Her lips trembled slightly, as if wanting to say something but unsure where to begin.
The inner conflict left Hiyakura in a brief silence.
She wanted to confess everything, yet worried that speaking the truth would lead to unforeseen consequences.
Her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes revealing hints of hesitation and uncertainty.
"Since Tao Yao has already seen through it... should I share my purpose?"
This thought spiraled through Hiyakura's mind.
Her fingers intertwined unconsciously, her heart filled with anxiety and unease.
At that moment, Shiro, who had been watching from outside the past world, suddenly spoke up.
Her voice was only audible to Hiyakura.
Yet, it cut through the fog of uncertainty in Hiyakura's heart like a lightning bolt.
"Be honest, Hiyakura."
Shiro's voice was steady and firm:
"Just tell Tao Yao that you are a time traveler from the future. You came here to find some crucial information and data left in the past. This information is vital for the peace and stability of the future world."
Upon hearing Shiro's words, Hiyakura took a deep breath, lifted her head, and looked directly into Tao Yao's eyes.
However.
Just as Hiyakura simply stated that she was from the future, here to look for some important information left in the past,
Tao Yao's reaction to this explanation was unexpectedly different.
"I see... I understand now." Tao Yao said lightly, her expression softening and warming, "Just stay with me for now."
Then, Tao Yao's eyes suddenly lit up, a childlike excitement appearing on her face.
Her voice trembled slightly with enthusiasm:
"Let me think! Having two Hiyakuras by my side means I can have two Hiyakuras sharing meals and having fun with me!"
"Oh my! This is something I would have only dared to dream about before…"
Tao Yao's response caught Hiyakura off guard.
She had been prepared to answer a variety of questions.
Yet found that Tao Yao didn't seem to have any intention of continuing to pry.
Hiyakura hesitated before speaking, "Tao Yao... don't you have anything else you want to ask? Like, how I came here? What will happen in the future?"
When Tao Yao heard these questions, her expression became even gentler.
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She gently shook her head, her voice soft yet firm:
"It doesn't matter. All I need to know is that you are my Hiyakura, and seeing you live well, even harnessing the power of the fairies, is enough for me."
"As for the rest, I don't care."
Upon hearing these words, Hiyakura felt a strong sense of shock within her.
Her eyes revealed deep emotions and disbelief, as she whispered:
"You..."
Only now did she realize.
The past Tao Yao not only saw through her identity.
But even sensed the power of the Flame Fairy within her...
Just as Hiyakura was about to say something more, Tao Yao gently took her hand.
That hand was warm and soft, providing an inexplicable sense of security.
With a smile, Tao Yao began to pull Hiyakura back into the city.
Not far away, Past Hiyakura had already dealt with the surrounding Disaster Beasts and was waiting in place.
After seeing this, Tao Yao reached out her other hand to take Past Hiyakura's.
In this way, Tao Yao held one Hiyakura in each hand, her face beaming with a happy smile.
She boldly said, "Wow! It's hard to tell which one is real. Why don't we go back and play some games? While playing, we'll figure it out!"
Tao Yao excitedly held the hands of both Hiyakuras as they walked into the city.
Present Hiyakura felt a bit uneasy, glancing secretly at Past Hiyakura, and found her smiling at Tao Yao, her eyes full of affection.
Perhaps sensing Present Hiyakura's gaze.
Past Hiyakura turned to look.
The two Hiyakuras locked eyes.
Present Hiyakura instinctively avoided the gaze.
For some reason, facing another version of herself from the crystalline world,
She always felt a sense of innate inferiority...
Yes, it was her own inferiority toward herself.
Although they had not spent long together.
She could feel that the other was far superior to her.
This point was confirmed in their subsequent interactions.
...
After dealing with the surrounding Disaster Beasts.
No longer entangled in the question of which Hiyakura was fake, Tao Yao dragged both Hiyakuras to do many things.
Shopping, exercising, playing games, and cooking...
During this process.
Past Hiyakura not only displayed strong athletic talent.
But she also played games well, occasionally letting Tao Yao win.
Unlike when she played with Tao Yao, only thinking about winning for herself, focused on her own happiness.
Especially when cooking.
She was able to satisfy Tao Yao's appetite, making her incredibly happy.
In summary.
Capable in both the parlor and the kitchen.
In every detail, Past Hiyakura completely outperformed Present Hiyakura.
Moreover, this gap became increasingly apparent as the three spent time together.
To the point that in the end.
Hiyakura could only hide in a corner, feeling disheartened:
"How foolish I am, really…"
These subtle differences.
Could not be compensated for by mere disguise, and besides, she wasn't fake to begin with.
And Past Hiyakura soon noticed this.
Thus, taking advantage of a moment when Tao Yao was temporarily away.
Past Hiyakura proactively sat down on the sofa opposite Present Hiyakura.
The two Hiyakuras faced each other.