The moment the phone screen went dark, Seele was suddenly taken aback.
She watched as [Seele] quickly finished washing up and went to bed. A wave of pity suddenly washed over her.
Did I tell her before I left... that she could play my part well? Is it because of that sentence that she's restraining her every word and action like this?
But this wasn't what she wanted... What she wanted was... was...
Seele fell silent. She realized that at the time, she hadn't really thought carefully about what she was entrusting to her.
Was she handing over her body to another her, so that she would no longer be imprisoned in her own body and could move freely like a normal person...
Or was it that she wanted another her to help deceive Bronya-oneechan, so that she wouldn't be sad about her departure, just like this...
Both of these methods... didn't seem right... Someone always had to suffer. If the other her gained freedom, then Bronya-oneechan would be sad. If she didn't want Bronya-oneechan to be sad, then the other her would be like this...
Not even able to choose what she wanted to eat...
"This is the result of your choice." A voice sounded from behind Seele. The silent Seele's pupils suddenly contracted. She whipped her head around and looked at the figure that seemed to have been standing behind her from the beginning.
"Mama Cocolia?! Why are you here?!" Seele cried out in a panic. The person who had appeared behind her was none other than Cocolia.
"It seems I don't need to..." Cocolia's subconscious words were forcefully held back. She looked at the terrified Seele and sighed.
"Not only did I appear here, but I also completed the replacement of those anchors faster than you." Cocolia stated a fact. Seele's pupils contracted violently with fear.
"No..."
"Actually, a few minutes ago, you should have been kicked out of here. I was the one who arranged this scene for you, to let you see what consequences your actions would lead to."
Seele was taken aback. She looked at Cocolia and, with some difficulty, said, "Consequences... Mama Cocolia, you... know about the other me?"
"I know, of course I know." Cocolia laughed helplessly at Seele, as if she had heard some kind of joke.
"I've known for a long time. And it's not just me. Sin Mal, Rozaliya and Liliya, and even your Bronya-oneechan know about the other you's existence.
"It's just that that person had no intention of showing herself, nor did she cause you any harm. Since she was protecting you, everyone pretended not to know."
Cocolia paused. "Seele, actually, I'm more open-minded than you think."
Seele didn't speak, just stared at Cocolia.
"Don't think about how to get around me again... To be honest, the fact that you could complete the entire process, and at a not slow pace, already surprised me greatly. But in the end, I was a step faster. As long as I'm willing, this replacement can start at any time."
"Then why did you meet me here like this?" Seele clenched her fists. "If Mama Cocolia can start the replacement at any time, then why let Seele see these things?
"Mama Cocolia should understand that if Seele doesn't succeed, these scenes won't happen... Seele doesn't need to see these scenes..."
Seele tried hard to find a flaw in Cocolia's words, wanting to find evidence that Cocolia's appearance here was just a front.
Mama Cocolia wasn't the type to create more trouble when victory was at hand. Something must be delaying her...
There must be... as long as I find this flaw...
"Because I wanted to talk to you more."
Seele's head snapped up, her face filled with disbelief.
Just because of that? Just for that reason, Mama Cocolia was willing to take a risk and temporarily stay here, to let me see this meaningless "future"?
"I don't believe you!" Seele shook her head vigorously. "Mama Cocolia must be putting on a strong front!"
"A strong front? Perhaps..." Cocolia nodded in agreement. "After all, who can remain completely calm knowing they are rushing towards death?
"No, maybe there really are people who can... but at least I can't." Cocolia shook her head at herself, a trace of weariness in her eyes.
"Then let Seele..."
"That's even more impossible." Cocolia's voice suddenly became firm. "I said, if someone has to die here today, it can only be me!
"Since I have already chosen to give up my life, then there must be a reason more important than my life supporting my choice. And that reason is you all!"
"But Seele's reason is the same as Mama Cocolia's!" Seele refuted loudly. "Why can Mama Cocolia do it, but Seele can't?!"
"Because I am your mother!"
Cocolia straightened her back, looking down at Seele. "If the sky falls, I'll hold it up! It's not your turn, you impulsive, wet-behind-the-ears little brat, to make choices for me!!"
"Then can Mama Cocolia make all of Seele's choices?" Seele's eyes turned red.
Cocolia was at a loss for words.
She had indeed made the choice for Seele.
The two of them looked at each other in silence for a long time. Cocolia finally softened her stance.
"Seele... I'm sorry." Cocolia sighed, walked in front of Seele, and knelt down so that Seele wouldn't have to look up at her. "Please forgive Mama this time, okay?"
Tears welled up in Seele's eyes.
She already understood. Cocolia really wasn't lying this time... She had no chance to snatch the opportunity again.
But she was not convinced. She stubbornly refused to admit defeat, stubbornly refused to back down. She didn't want to let go so easily.
"Seele, everyone needs you. Bronya needs you too. You still have an important mission in their lives. And my duty is done. Everyone doesn't need me anymore...
"The orphanage is your harbor, but you will eventually set sail. So let it be today, right now, okay? Seele, from today on, you are my successor, the new leader of the orphanage.
"You must lead them to live well in the Fire Moth. You must protect them, protect Bronya, understand?"
...
["Mei, tell me... how does a ship realize its value?"
"Is it in the harbor?"
"That's right. But my dear, that's not why ships are built."]