『 "Garden of Recollection… are they the ones who serve the Aeon of Remembrance?" Hotaru asked, looking toward Acheron.
"Indeed. They traverse various worlds in the form of memes, appearing only in the eyes of specific people—don't you think they sound a lot like that Clockie you mentioned?"
"It is a celebration hosted by the Family, after all. Perhaps there are far more invited guests than we imagined."
After sharing her perspective, Acheron looked at the two of them and teased, "In any case, thank you for your help once again. I wish you a pleasant time in the dream. I won't disturb your… date?"
"N-No, it's not a date…!" Hotaru stammered, her face flushing red as she protested. 』
『 ....』
〘Silver Wolf〙: This is a date!
....
『 Acheron watched Hotaru's shy display, chuckled softly, shook her head, and departed.
Watching Acheron's figure fade into the distance, Hotaru turned to Stelle and asked, "She's gone. Shall we…?" 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Let's continue our date!
〘March 7th〙: Stelle, remember your mission! You're here to investigate Penacony, not to go on dates with cute girls!
〘Stelle〙: Why can't I do both? Only children choose—I want it all!
....
『 Clockie looked at the two of them and laughed, "Go on, get busy! Thank you, my grey-haired friend!"
Misha bowed politely to Stelle in gratitude. "Thank you so much! As expected, the Nameless are truly remarkable people… I hope we meet again if fate allows!"
"See you again, tick-tock!" Clockie waved at Stelle with a smile.
"Follow me. Don't get called away by any invisible friends this time," Hotaru said with a smile, looking back at Stelle as she walked.
Stelle followed Hotaru to a cafe, and the two stopped at the outdoor seating area.
"We're here. This is the place."
"This is the secret base?" Stelle asked, eyeing the cafe's decor.
"No, not that…" Hotaru shook her head, then pointed bashfully at a manhole cover behind them. "It's… here."
"This… is the secret base?" Stelle stared at the manhole cover, bewildered.
"Yes, the Secret Base is inside."
"People are watching…" Stelle remarked, glancing at the curious onlookers nearby.
"It's fine! Anything can happen in a dream. People fall from the sky every day—passersby stopped being surprised long ago," Hotaru explained. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Standing right in front of you is someone who fell from the sky.
〘Hanabi〙: LMAO.
〘Silver Wolf〙: Is it possible they've seen plenty of people fall from the sky, but someone crawling into a manhole is a first?
〘Hotaru〙: Probably… not…?
....
『 "I'll show you the way first—it'll be a bit dark at the start, so stay close." Hotaru turned toward the manhole, reminding Stelle to keep up.
She then stepped into the manhole. Stelle stared at it in silence for a moment, but since Hotaru had already gone in, how could she, as a Stelle, let herself be outdone?
Stelle gritted her teeth and climbed in as well.
The screen faded to black. When it lit up again, it showed Hanabi walking down a street. 』
『 ....』
〘Hanabi〙: Is it finally Lady Hanabi's turn?
〘Stelle〙: No! I still want to see my date with Hotaru!
〘March 7th〙: You are beyond saving.
....
『 Hanabi tilted her head back, seemingly speaking to someone behind her.
"Hey, let me ask you something…"
"Is your way of getting a girl's attention just following her around in broad daylight? It's been nearly half a system hour." Hanabi finished and turned around to face the person.
"To be precise, forty-five minutes. Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?"
A familiar voice came from the screen as Aventurine stepped out from the shadows.
"Heh, little peacock… You have a pair of beautiful eyes. Is your hometown Sigonia?" Hanabi took a few steps toward Aventurine.
"Would you like a further hint? For instance, that I'm an Avgin?"
"Hmph… my eyes might not be as fancy as yours, but I'm not blind…" Hanabi snorted, crossing her arms as she looked at Aventurine.
"Who in the universe doesn't know you, Sigonians? Natural-born liars, thieves, socialites… honey-tongued and two-faced, just as the stories say."
"If you ask me, you're better suited for a life under a manhole cover than in a dream…" Hanabi turned her head, searching for something, then pointed at a manhole on the road.
"Ah, there's one right there. Off you go~" 』
『 ....』
〘Silver Wolf〙: Such high attack power. I acknowledge you. When you get back, you can be my internet spokesperson.
〘March 7th〙: I feel like in front of her, the chuunibyou version of Mr. Yang wouldn't last three sentences before breaking down.
....
『 Aventurine glanced at the manhole and laughed. "No need. Dark corners don't suit my style."
He then turned to look at the luxurious buildings of the Golden Hour.
"This beautiful dream suits me better. Frivolous, vain, superficial…"
"…And it doesn't rain! This outfit of mine is quite delicate; it can't handle the wind and rain." Aventurine spread his hands with a smile.
"Save your witty tongue, little peacock. Please leave. We are Fools, not idiots. We don't plan on playing games with the IPC's lapdogs." 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: I take back what I said. Three sentences are too many. One is enough~
〘Stelle〙: That tone… wow, I can barely stop myself from swinging my bat at her.
....
『 "Oh? Are you sure? You've never made friends with anyone from the IPC?" Aventurine turned to Hanabi and asked.
"Do you think I haven't read Penacony's history? Don't try to drag me into your boring office politics." Hanabi replied with a face full of disdain.
"Fools—from the moment you accepted the invitation to this gala, you lost the luxury of choice. Pick a side early so you don't lose your shirt." Aventurine looked at Hanabi with a slight smile, appearing quite certain she would side with him.
Upon hearing this, Hanabi mocked, "You sound very confident~ As if you've already handled that chicken-winged boy from the Family." 』
『 ....』
〘Robin〙: Chicken-winged boy?
〘Sunday〙: Fools…
〘Hanabi〙: Hmm? Angry already? I have more~
....
『 "How did you do it, little peacock? Strip naked and kneel before him to apologize, promising 'Waaaah, the IPC would never target Penacony'?"
Hanabi couldn't help but laugh. After she finished, she looked at Aventurine calmly. "Friends… give me a break. You people only see others as chips."
Aventurine spread his hands and laughed. "Aren't chips good? At the gambling table, only the chips won't lose themselves. Look, our friends from the Garden of Recollection and the Astral Express understand this. They are very smart."
"But smart people don't enter the game in the first place. See? Aren't I a bit smarter?" Hanabi countered.
"Listen up, little peacock. You received an invitation from the Tavern, too. Want to invite a Masked Fool to join you? Fine. Use your brain and think about what the Aeon of Elation truly wants."
"I'll give you a hint: Since you can't convince anyone, why not consider making friends with a mute? At least they won't talk back to you. Hahahaha."
"Goodbye~"
After giving her a hint, Hanabi walked away.
"Thank you! Making friends with a mute—I'll keep that in mind!"
Aventurine sighed and turned toward the Grand Theater in the sky. "What a pain. It seems I'll have to go meet the Family again." 』
『 ....』
〘Black Swan〙: The moment you gave that hint, you had already entered the game.
〘Hanabi〙: Mm-hmm~ Of course. But I won't just give it to him alone.
〘Robin〙: A mute? Is she talking about me, who can't sing?
〘Hanabi〙: Very smart~
〘Li Sushang〙: What are you guys talking about? I feel like I'm about to grow a brain.
〘Dr. Ratio〙: It's metaphysics. If you can't handle it, you might as well drop out of school.
....