Eden sat before the dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror from the world outside it.
She had said before that she rarely wore makeup, not just because of her natural beauty, but because she wanted people to pay more attention to her voice and melody during performances rather than her appearance. But today, she wore light makeup, and her attire was more magnificent than usual. If her past look was that of a low-profile artist, today she was an eye-catching star.
Was it to match the atmosphere of Headquarters today? Or to honor what her manager said when he was alive—that it would be better if she put a bit more heart into her appearance? No one asked her, and only she knew the answer.
The backstage was lonely; only she and the faint drifting clamor remained. Yes, everyone was reveling today, throwing all sorrow to the back of their minds, forgetting humanity's survival, the Honkai threat, and the pressure of existence. To allow for the existence of forgetting was the privilege of these warriors who had witnessed countless tragedies along the way.
But...
...
"Don't move."
Elysia soft command made Lin, who intended to pull his hand from hers, pause. Perhaps understanding Lin temperament, Elysia held on tight, her fingers interlaced with his, giving him no chance to let go. Lin simply let her hold it.
"...Are you feeling a bit better today?"
"..."
Actually, there was another reason Lin sometimes didn't want to see Elysia. She was too smart—not the academic smarts of Mobius and Mei, but that she seemed to perceive everything. Behind that smiling mask was a pair of eyes that could pierce through all. Elysia could easily see even the confusion the person themselves didn't know they had.
If it were anyone else, Lin might think they were asking if his body felt better, but with Elysia, even if he wanted to brush her off with vague words, it was impossible.
"You look much better. I thought you had turned back into that cold Lin, but then I saw you getting along so well even with Dr. Mobius..." Elysia looked down and smiled. "Should I... say I'm very happy?"
"..."
"About Little Seven, I'm sorry. But these past few days, I didn't know how to talk to you."
"...Why are you apologizing?"
"I should have taken good care of her, yet I did nothing."
Lin felt her gaze fall on his shoulder, then quickly retract. He brewed what he wanted to say, standing firm.
"The day after I met her, I already knew she was a Herrscher." Lin had much to say, but what came out was different. "Perhaps I should have told Mei about her then, even if she had to face endless research and experiments."
Take care of her? Lin knew it wasn't Elysia fault at all. Perhaps he was the one at fault; he, who should have strictly followed orders, had violated regulations, leading to everything that followed.
"Before, I wouldn't have had any wishful thinking about Herrschers. The way they are born dictates they only harbor ill will toward humanity. But after her, I wondered about one thing."
"A Herrscher with humanity... does one truly exist?"
Elysia fingers trembled, but the touchless Lin didn't sense her momentary struggle.
"I think there are. Maybe there's already a Herrscher who, like an ordinary girl, likes wearing pretty clothes, loves eating delicious sweets, and is happy every day..." Her eyes shimmered like glowing amber. "And has people they love."
"I see..."
Thump.
Lin voice stopped abruptly as the ballroom lights went out again, causing others to grumble in dissatisfaction.
"What's going on! Do you want to keep the ball going or not!"
"How are we supposed to dance in the dark! Turn the lights on!"
"Where's the backstage? Where's the backstage..."
At this moment, Lin realized something. People seemed very irritable. This wasn't an illusion; from the moment he heard about the ball, a hidden irritability beneath the celebration had been permeating the entire Headquarters.
It was as if they were expecting a thorough "party" rather than a ball. To enjoy wine, food, and hormones, eager to forget the sorrow of the Seventh Honkai Eruption, wanting to ignore the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.
But... what could he do? This was their collective pursuit, and the fastest way to escape the gloom. Regardless of who it was, such a method had to be allowed to exist.
Snap.
Suddenly, in the pitch-black ballroom, a single light turned on, shining above the performance stage. Everyone looked, and seeing the figure walking gracefully into the light, they collectively held their breath.
Like a woman stepping out of a masterpiece in an art city's gallery, the crisp sound of heels echoed in the now-silent ballroom. Her compassionate eyes looked toward the front, where no one stood. As if looking at those who couldn't come here. As if looking at those who would never come here again.
In the elongated silence, the woman raised the microphone, gently opened her mouth, and exhaled a song in a leisurely melody. There were no vocal techniques or forced pity. She simply sang with the truest voice, a melodious storytelling.
Gradually, those irritable voices vanished. Lin heard sobbing beneath the song. He looked up, meeting the singer's eyes. Her lips always held an approachable smile, and Lin couldn't tell if she was crying.
The sobbing grew louder. The things that were supposed to be forgotten returned to where they belonged. And the sound of crying gradually buried the song in the quiet ballroom.
...
"Eden."
Lin called out to Eden as she prepared to leave from the backstage. She had already removed her makeup and was carrying her things, ready to go.
"What is it, Lin?" Eden's smile hadn't changed. She stood there, looking at him like a painting. "Right... I'm glad you could come. My friend, have you made up with Elysia?"
"What are you going to do next?" Lin had asked Eden this question before. At that time, Eden chose not to join Fire Moth.
"Are you asking if I'm going to leave Fire Moth?"
"Yes."
"..."
Eden gave an elegant smile and asked without hesitation, "What does Lin think?"
Lin froze. Seeing Eden's thin eyes, he said, "Your art can indeed do things that only you can do."
"So..."
"So I hope you will stay."
Eden offered a faint smile and nodded. People need to forget; it is their privilege. But they also need to remember...