Chapter 31

Sunlight streaming through the lobby window shatters onto Helena’s silver hair.

What I had thought to be somewhat excessive golden decorations in the hotel now felt like a temple dedicated to a goddess with her standing in the middle of the hall.

So… I relaxed my body for the first time in a long time.

Even if there had been a cataclysmic war that regressed civilization in between, almost two hundred years had passed since then, creating a significant time gap between me and this city.

Given the memories and common sense I had been implanted with, and considering that instead of a singularity that completely replaced electricity and machinery, a cyber revolution occurred, if that had not happened… I would not have dared to act so aggressively.

Although I occasionally caught sight of familiar objects or systems, I believed that the fundamental sense of alienation would never fade away, which is why I decided to stay for a while in this hotel that merely mimicked the designs and services of a bygone era….

The emptiness that even familiar furniture, décor, and nostalgic food could not soothe dissipated the moment I faced Helena Valentine.

Ah, this is indeed Neo Haven.

Dangerous… brutal… and bleak, yet it undeniably remains the world of romance that I cherished the most.

“…….”

“…….”

Even after I lost my thoughts for a while, she showed no sign of moving away from my presence.

…Let’s stop this escapism here.

Why did she appear here? …A hotel vacation? Then why did she suddenly grab my face? Is there someone who resembles a wanted criminal? She was surprisingly kind, though…?

Questions piled upon questions, growing larger by the moment.

Focus. No, I must focus. No matter how welcoming and charming she is, I had resolved not to act in ways that would distort the original story…!

Even this brief confrontation with her in the present could, in the distant future, transform into a massive storm that alters every scenario. So, even if the reasons for this meeting are unknown, I must somehow ensure it ends safely.

“…Miss Helena? It’s nice to meet yo….”

“Helena unni.”

“……Miss Helena?”

“Unni.”

…She responds instantly. Thanks to that, I understood her purpose, even if the method of approach was unclear.

If an unfamiliar individual suddenly pretended to become part of a family by grilling an elder, anyone would suspect it.

Forcing titles… she probably thinks it’s worth a try if there’s any sense of shame left in calling oneself that.

…Denying relationships is simple.

One could say they merely made false identification with the same last name because it sounded nice… or that I manipulated the data as I wished… Various excuses could be made with different reasoning.

However, this is a token given to me by the bizarre Grandfather Heinrich. It serves as proof that aside from the collapsed research facility or the dreams, I have a home to return to and a family to share greetings with.

As precious as the gun and the clothes I received from some nameless carebot.

So while I understand that I have the right to be angry at Helena Valentine… this is something I absolutely cannot give up.

“…I’m sorry, sincerely.”

“…?”

I breathed life into my slackened body and tensed my face.

My eyes are the windows to my heart; I made it clear this is not something I would say lightly.

“…I know you’re not pleased with my existence dropping down from the sky… I understand that I have no right to raise my voice, especially since we have no shared memories or moments. Still…! I don’t want to say the name I’ve been given is worth nothing.”

“……Impressive. I wonder where they found a kid like you…?”

Helena’s voice held a tone of admiration, as if she was speechless by my convoluted reasoning.

I almost unconsciously bit my lip but managed to hold back. If I had to define roles, she is the victim and I am the perpetrator. It’s me that appeals to sentiment without logic.

“…I cherish the name Valentine, and I’m grateful to my grandfather. I swear I wouldn’t exploit it in any way…! So please… allow me to live with it…!”

Pull… tug…

A familiar hand motion that felt like something I had experienced before tugged at my cheek and poked my forehead.

“…I know my little sister doesn’t listen to anyone. I’ll be coming to get you before anything happens… Did you escape from somewhere you were being abused?”

“Uh…? Huh?!”

The absurd words of the night’s battle police began to overlap with Helena’s image, reviving a hypothesis I had completely discarded and ringing alarm bells in my mind.

I thought I had ruined the first impression… but it seems I had already completed a first contact without realizing it.

Upon this realization, I found Helena’s thoughts incomprehensible, despite thinking I understood her based on my long experience and comprehension.

“Um… um, Helena…?”

“Helena unni.”

Ah, in her previously expressionless eyes, a spark began to flicker. It’s clear she doesn’t find the anomaly of Anastasia Valentine particularly displeasing.

…But beyond that, I know nothing.

“…….”

“……Hurry.”

I forced myself to continue this absolutely disadvantageous stare-down. Even her urging voice was sweet, which I tried to ignore.

I’ve been living in this high-performance yet delicate body for almost a month now, and it feels like it could break with the slightest mistake.

The sudden change in my physique, which my brain has compensated for based on familiarity since the facility days, still leaves a bitter taste every time I become aware of it, especially regarding the altered gender.

…I’m not denying the dark history where I actively made use of it. The outcome was nothing short of perfect.

However, for someone like me who normally holds a somewhat conservative perspective contrary to gaming preferences, it feels uncomfortable to experience a gender reversal while having so little consent.

So far, this had primarily occurred near restrooms (…). But now, one more thing has been added.

Every title calling me lady or sister… will I have to endure? Yet, if I want to hear ‘unni’ or ‘oppa’ from my mouth, it means I’ll have to go through tougher trials…!

“…Helena unni.”

“…….”

In a situation of capitulation and compromise, I dramatically reached an agreement.

If she wanted to be regarded as the elder, she would probably be satisfied with this. But if that’s not the case…

“Helena?! Ouch…! Ouchouchouch!!”

“Hah… It’s really like me that when you push, you bounce right back.”

My cheeks pinched fiercely, strong enough to obliterate all trivial thoughts. Yet, with her other hand, she started to ruffle my hair, and if this was her strategy to break me, I must say it was quite brilliant.

My hands are hot, my skin stings, and my head is spinning. Someone help…!

“…So, after finding a kid who just entered the city in the morning, I heard the old man immediately grabbed you and told you to live together. What would have happened if you hadn’t been discovered by chance?”

“I’m sorry…! I’m really sorry!! I’m so sorry…! …Unni—!!”

Pop!

I painfully learned that the Valentine household does not spare corporal punishment for education.

As soon as I uttered the magical words, the face that had been captured was freed with a sound that was hard to believe came from her exquisite fingers.

I didn’t succumb to absolute pressure. It was merely because it was Helena, and after hearing that Grandfather Heinrich was worried, I yielded. …Truly.

“…Have a pleasant time.”

The guards, who thought a violent incident had taken place and were about to enter the lobby, retreated once hearing my shout, backing away outside once again.

The witch at the reception desk wore a truly bright expression, as if she had finally seen something exciting, and was busy watching Helena and me.

No… that’s not it! No!! Please don’t misinterpret reality again…!

“Um… could you take your hand off…?”

“…No. You only know how to mind others; a kid who can’t even take care of themselves especially.”

Dragging me along as if capturing a runaway teenager. My hand still connected, I was pulled along. To her, my weapon might as well have been a toy.

After trying half-heartedly to resist, I realized I stood no chance in strength and gave up.

Right… if my face exploded, even with the most advanced medical technology, revival would be tough. What a relief….

Fortunately, an object that could heal my fragmented mind of embarrassment and confusion quickly appeared.

“Ah…!”

Helena’s trademark dark red motorcycle was parked at the hotel’s front entrance.

With tires thicker than my body and a massive chassis exuding charm, it was nothing short of overwhelming.

Is this what I’m going to ride from now on…? I felt excited for a moment, and seeing my sparkling eyes, she finished her brief contemplation, slipped her hand beneath my shoulder, and lifted me effortlessly. Then… she carefully embraced me like a doll as she took a seat.

…God is dead. If he were alive, I would kill him.

“Wait, …Anastasia? Where is your luggage? Did you check out…?”

“…….”

I think it was a remarkably considerate question for someone who just kidnapped a person about to go out.