While Inaba Tsukiyo was worried about the unconscious Origami, in a villa in another spacetime, someone was watching Inaba Tsukiyo and the others perform at the Tianyang Festival.
"Wow! This is amazing! Umi-chan, Kotori-chan! Did you see that? They're really amazing!"
It had to be said, the performance of the five gave this orange-haired girl a huge surprise. She herself was an idol. Even if the reason she chose to become an idol was just an accident, she could already be considered a professional idol.
Especially since Inaba Tsukiyo was very close to her most important person, which made her pay close attention to Inaba Tsukiyo's affairs.
So, after learning that Inaba Tsukiyo and her group were performing in the singing competition at the Tianyang Festival, she couldn't help but ask Yoshino (?) to help bring up the screen.
(fuhai: This refers to the Yoshino from another world.)
"Hmm~ It's indeed a different style. We don't seem to have sung such a song before. Compared to this cool dance, we usually seem to choose cuter styles…"
"Idols should naturally choose cute styles. Besides, that's Muse's positioning. Do you think all idols are the same?"
"I didn't say that. Can you please not misinterpret my meaning?"
"Then what do you mean?"
"Alright, alright. Eli and Nico, both of you stop arguing. Our purpose for gathering here isn't to argue. Really, can you please not act like this in front of Yoshino?"
Hearing this, the two turned to look at Yoshino, who was standing to the side, their pretty faces flushing.
There was no helping it; this was already how they interacted.
In fact, they weren't really arguing, it was just that the atmosphere of the debate was relatively sharp, and Nico didn't think she could win in an argument anyway.
"So, this is the being of the same origin as Yoshino? Heh~ They feel like complete opposites, like water and fire. Yoshino is gentle water, and Inaba Tsukiyo is a fiery flame."
It couldn't be said that their personalities were bad; it could only be said that they each had their own characteristics, and at least she herself liked both very much.
"Has she… also come to this world? If I'm not mistaken, the world she is in should be another world."
A silver-haired girl appeared behind Yoshino, looking at the scene Yoshino displayed, and said with some recollection in her eyes.
"Ah, Origami. You've come too. Where are the others?"
"They have other matters to attend to. I came alone."
Reaching out to hold Yoshino in her arms, her right hand stroking Yoshino's beautiful hair, Origami revealed a gentle smile.
"It's been a while since we last met, Yoshino. Are you doing well?"
"I'm doing great. Origami, you've changed so much. You're already a university student in your original world, aren't you?"
"Yes, university. It's not some incredible school, and Mom and Dad also support me in doing what I like."
Having a completely different life, she was much better off than the Origami in the other world. At least, she felt that she lived very happily.
And the reason she could have her current happiness was all given to her by the person in front of her.
Origami... your hair is much longer than before.
The current Origami didn't have her previous short hair; instead, it was long, reaching her waist. Yoshino couldn't help but reach out and touch it.
"Yes, because you said you wanted to see me with long hair. So, I tried growing it out. Do you like it?"
"Yes, this look suits Origami beautifully too. But no matter what Origami looks like, I'll always like her."
It seemed she was already accustomed to answering this type of question; without much thought, Yoshino gave an answer that greatly pleased Origami.
The two chatted briefly, and soon their conversation turned to the Origami from another world.
Upon learning that the Origami in that world hadn't had her parents saved by Yoshino, like herself, Origami silently lowered her head.
By now, she was no longer the girl consumed by revenge that she once was.
However, she clearly understood the immense blow her past self would suffer upon learning the truth, and she knew that without corresponding measures, her past self wouldn't be able to recover.
"Hey, Yoshino. Can you let me meet 'me'? I want to have a good talk with her."
"Eh? Meet 'me'? Are you saying, Origami, you want to?"
"Yes. I don't know what she has prepared for me, but I want to meet 'me'. This can also be considered a farewell to my past self."
She didn't know if her appearance could help the stubborn 'her' from another world recover, but she wanted to try and see if she could help.
Yoshino hesitated. Logically, she shouldn't interfere with Inaba Tsukiyo's journey. After all, her previous meeting with Inaba Tsukiyo was already a violation of the rules.
As she pondered, people began to gather around Origami. Looking up, she saw familiar faces appearing around Origami.
They were... the Spirits saved by Yoshino. Besides Tohka and Kotori, who were by Shido's side, everyone else had gathered there, hoping Yoshino would give Origami this chance.
"I understand. Since this is everyone's request, I will agree."
She believed Alaya and Gaia would surely understand her. At most, she would agree to a few of their excessive demands; it wasn't the first time she had done such a thing.
And so, with Yoshino's help, the long-haired Origami's soul entered the unconscious Origami's body without others noticing.
At this moment, Origami was in a pitch-black world, drifting aimlessly within it.
This was Origami's mental space at the time, the best place to examine a person's character.
Origami's mind was completely shattered at this point. Even if recovery was possible, her subconscious was resisting returning to normal.
If she could, she wanted to keep sleeping like this, to keep sleeping forever; it seemed like the best option.
"Wake up."
In her daze, Origami heard a very familiar voice ringing in her ears, but her consciousness was too muddled for her to recover immediately.
"How long do you plan to sleep? Are you going to stay like this forever? Can you truly face Father and Mother if you do this?"
"Father... Mother..."
Those were the things Origami cared about most, and also the driving force that kept her alive.
But... she had destroyed everything, and she had shifted all the blame onto others. She... Tobiichi Origami... was nothing more than a coward afraid to face reality.
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