Hiyakura sat on the sofa, her hands unconsciously clasped tightly together.
She could feel her heart racing, and her breathing becoming a bit hurried.
Even though the person sitting opposite her was herself.
Or rather, it was her past self, which made her even more nervous.
She secretly observed Past Hiyakura, noticing how natural and graceful her posture was.
Even while simply sitting there, she exuded a calm and composed demeanor.
This only highlighted Present Hiyakura's current anxiety.
Present Hiyakura felt her throat dry.
She wanted to say something to break the awkward silence.
But she didn't know where to start.
Her gaze shifted uncertainly, sometimes looking at the other person, only to quickly move away, as if afraid to look directly into the identical eyes.
Just as Present Hiyakura felt she was about to be overwhelmed by this tension,
Past Hiyakura finally spoke.
Her voice was gentle and steady, carrying a subtle hint of emotion:
"Tao Yao really likes you. This is your luck, or rather, it's also my luck..."
Present Hiyakura was taken aback, her brows slightly furrowing, with a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
She opened her mouth but didn't know how to respond.
"Huh?"
In the end, she could only utter a single syllable, her voice filled with bewilderment.
Present Hiyakura felt her brain go blank, completely unable to comprehend what the other person was trying to express.
Her gaze wandered again, as if searching for clues that could help her understand this statement.
Seeing the confused expression on Present Hiyakura's face, Past Hiyakura gently smiled and continued to explain:
"Tao Yao secretly told me that you are me from some point in the future, and not some Shadow Fairy, asking me not to trouble myself any further."
"Honestly… while playing the game, she also secretly messaged me about this, specifically explaining your special circumstances; to tell the truth, she really does protect you quite a bit..."
Hearing this, Present Hiyakura felt a wave of disorientation, as if the entire world around her had blurred.
Her gaze became dull, her mouth slightly open, yet no words came forth.
Her brain raced, trying to digest this information.
Not only had Tao Yao figured it out.
Now, Past Hiyakura had also realized her current identity?
So that's why she was being so kind to herself?
But logically, she should feel relieved since Past Tao Yao and Past Hiyakura had seen through her.
But for some reason, she was troubled by a strange feeling of discomfort.
This feeling was like a tangled mess.
Entwined in her heart, it brought a subtle sense of loss and unease.
However, Past Hiyakura seemed to have not noticed Present Hiyakura's complex mental state.
She continued speaking, her voice carrying a hint of reassurance and expectation:
"After confirming that you're not a Shadow Fairy and seeing you here, I'm so happy because it means that I, in the future, can be by Tao Yao's side."
Present Hiyakura felt even more confused upon hearing this.
Her brows knitted tightly, her gaze filled with perplexity.
She understood every word.
But, when put together, it made no sense.
It felt like listening to a riddle.
"What does that mean?" she silently asked herself, "Is it implying that my self in the Crystal World is also uncertain about being able to be by Tao Yao's side?"
Present Hiyakura gradually began to organize her thoughts.
But thinking about some of the realities led to a profound sense of loss.
She didn't know if she should tell the other person.
In fact, even she in her current state was not by Tao Yao's side.
This fact felt like a heavy stone pressing down on her heart.
She felt a deep sense of helplessness, as if all her efforts had become meaningless.
Present Hiyakura lowered her head, her hands tightly clasped together, her knuckles whitening from the pressure.
She could feel her eyes heating up.
But she fought to hold back the tears.
At that moment, Past Hiyakura seemed to notice her abnormality.
She gently leaned forward, her voice layered with concern:
"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
Present Hiyakura took a deep breath, struggling to calm her emotions.
She raised her head and forced a smile.
"It's nothing, just... just..."
Present Hiyakura's tone was somewhat hesitant.
Unsure if she should reveal the true situation regarding Tao Yao.
Past Hiyakura looked at her thoughtfully, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes, and gently said:
"I understand. The road ahead might not be as smooth as I imagined, right?"
Present Hiyakura was taken aback.
She hadn't expected Past Hiyakura to be so keenly aware of her thoughts.
She hesitated for a moment, then gently nodded.
Past Hiyakura fell silent for a moment, then revealed a warm smile:
"It's alright. No matter what the future holds, I believe if it's truly me, then I will definitely find a way back to her."
This statement left Present Hiyakura astonished.
But it also made her even more confused.
She couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you... aren't you worried? What if you, meaning the present me, aren't able to be by Tao Yao's side...?"
Present Hiyakura wanted to say something.
But Past Hiyakura interrupted her with a smile:
"Of course I would worry. However... if, as Tao Yao secretly told me, you are from the future, exploring everything that happened in the past."
"Doesn't that already prove that my future self is still trying to change something, seeking to pursue that beautiful ideal?"
"For me, isn't that already enough?"
Present Hiyakura was left stunned by these words.
Her eyes widened slightly, her mouth unconsciously opening, yet no sound emerged.
The trust and expectation embedded in Past Hiyakura's words brought an inexplicable pressure to Present Hiyakura.
Present Hiyakura's gaze wandered around the room.
She tried to find a focal point that could calm her down.
However.
No matter where her gaze landed, it felt as if she could sense Past Hiyakura's gentle and firm gaze.
This feeling made her both moved and uneasy, like facing an elder who had high hopes for her.
She took a deep breath, trying to quell the turmoil within her.
Yet, the more she tried to calm down, the more intense that strange feeling became.
Past Hiyakura's words echoed repeatedly in her mind, each word like a tiny hammer striking her heartstrings.
How should she describe this feeling?
Past Hiyakura's demeanor was like a last will...
Or rather, it seemed that after seeing her, the other person appeared to be more relaxed and carefree...
Thinking about this, Present Hiyakura mustered her courage, raised her head to meet Past Hiyakura's eyes, and finally asked, "And what about you?"
Her intuition told her that as the same person, there shouldn't be such a distinction between them.
Yet, Past Hiyakura's attitude made her feel an inexplicable distance.
"I can't understand why you're suddenly saying all this to me?" Present Hiyakura continued to press for answers, her voice trembling slightly, "Are you implying that you will encounter some misfortune and can't be with Tao Yao?"
Her question struck at the core of the issue like a sharp sword.
Present Hiyakura could feel her heart racing, her palms beginning to sweat.
She both anticipated and feared hearing the answer.
Because she vaguely sensed that this answer might not be good.
Just as Hiyakura waited for a response.
At that moment, the bathroom door suddenly burst open.
A burst of steam accompanied by cheerful sounds surged into the room, interrupting the tense conversation between the two Hiyakuras.
"I'm done! It's your turn now!!"
Tao Yao dashed out of the bathroom, wearing a cute nightgown, with her hair still dripping wet.
Her cheeks were flushed from the hot water, and her eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation.