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Vera.
A world dominated by technology.
Still unfamiliar to Ryota, Yuta, Scarlet, and Evelynn.
They had only recently arrived on this planet, yet its vastness and atmosphere had already left a deep impression on them.
Everything here gave a sense of grandeur, very different from their worlds of origin.
Very quickly, a desire took hold of them — especially Evelynn.
The desire to explore Vera together. All four of them.
As usual, the idea didn't particularly excite Scarlet.
She did want to discover this world… but alone, at her own pace.
Even so, she eventually agreed to follow them and play along.
So they set out to explore the city.
***
— Are you ready?! Ryota asked, clearly excited at the idea of discovering an atmosphere so different from Andora.
— I'M COMINGGG! Evelynn shouted from her room.
Ryota suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu and let out a quiet laugh while glancing at Yuta.
Yuta looked at him, surprised, not understanding what he found so funny.
Yet the scene oddly reminded him of his university days…
Ren.
Alice.
For a brief moment, he wondered what had become of them.
Scarlet joined them, as always slightly behind the others.
She said nothing.
She waited.
Then Evelynn burst out of the hallway, running toward them.
— I'm here! she said, radiant as always.
— Why are you bringing a hiking backpack? Yuta asked. We're just going out into the city.
— You should always carry a bag with you! she replied proudly.
Scarlet watched them with a weary expression… before eventually stepping outside with them.
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Shops, bars, and stores stretched as far as the eye could see.
Some were run by artificial intelligences projected as holograms, while others were managed by beings almost impossible to distinguish from humans.
Narrow, dark alleys contrasted with wide avenues bathed in neon lights, leading toward the heart of the city.
There, an enormous square opened up, surrounded by skyscrapers that nearly touched Vera's artificial sky.
Unlike the rest of the metropolis, this place was calm.
Brighter.
Trees surrounded by benches and tables created a perfect space to rest.
Around the square, translucent blue lines crossed the city.
Metros followed them — not underground, but suspended in the air.
Robots patrolled everywhere, maintaining security and order.
Faced with all of this, a strange feeling took hold of the group.
A sense of inferiority.
Here, everything seemed bigger. More advanced.
***
When they arrived in front of a shopping mall, Evelynn suddenly stopped in front of a clothing store.
— I want to go in there!
— Too much effort. Go by yourself… Ryota and Yuta replied almost in unison.
— You boys are terrible.
Shopping had never interested Yuta.
Ryota, on the other hand, had had more than enough of it after too many outings with Kaïs and his sister.
Evelynn then turned her head toward Scarlet.
A wide smile spread across her face before she grabbed her arm.
— You're coming with me!
Scarlet's expression collapsed instantly.
She was dragged along like a leaf in the wind.
Ryota and Yuta talked while waiting…
Then, after a long while, they decided to go inside.
Inside the store, Scarlet looked dead inside.
Silent.
Loaded with bags.
Evelynn, however, had just realized an important detail:
money didn't work the same way between worlds.
And Raythem had forgotten to give them any.
— What are you doing, Evelynn? Yuta asked, completely confused.
Ryota, meanwhile, burst out laughing uncontrollably as he looked at Scarlet.
Eventually, Evelynn put everything back… except for one jacket.
Scarlet walked outside first to get some air.
But when the others left the store, she had disappeared.
— Scarlet?!
— Do you think I scared her away? Evelynn asked, her eyes wide, almost on the verge of tears.
— Nah, she always does that, Ryota replied.
They went looking for her…
Before remembering that the city was enormous.
***
When they reached the central square, they froze.
The scene before them was… unexpected.
Scarlet was perched in a tree, trying to rescue a small kitten in distress.
— Is that really our Scarlet? Ryota murmured in surprise.
She finally grabbed the kitten…
But immediately slipped and fell headfirst.
Just before impact, a thin crimson layer formed behind her head, softening the fall.
— Are you okay? You didn't hurt yourself? she asked calmly… to the kitten.
Evelynn ran over and threw herself into her arms, scaring the animal away.
— …They're still here, Scarlet thought, just before being crushed by Evelynn and her backpack.
— Sorry! I thought you left because of me! Evelynn said, looking like a child on the verge of tears.
Ryota and Yuta burst out laughing, thinking the exact same thing.
Scarlet would remember this day for a long time.
When evening finally fell, and they had barely returned to the residence,
Scarlet had already disappeared toward her room.