Hortus Arcanus planēta

ACT 2

Shift

Now then, night comes once again.

As I waited for the moment, I found myself thinking that even when the midnight bell rang tonight, El still might not have the energy to move. She had been staring outside the window. Rain was falling beyond it.

Even in a world made of stories, rain still falls… I was thinking that when El woke up. But today, El quietly sat there for a moment as if deep in thought before suddenly saying,

‘Tonight, we’re going exploring.’

I was completely surprised.

‘I was thinking the same thing too. Did someone tell you?’

The words slipped out before I could stop myself, because I had been thinking the exact same thing.

El replied,

‘Oh? It’s just a coincidence.’

‘I see. You know how this story ends, don’t you, El?’

‘Yes. That’s right.’

‘I see… Then, do you also know what Refa was doing?’

‘Yes. Or rather, Fourth Lumia — before you came here, when I accidentally touched Refa’s button, I told you that, just like Ella, I learned the truth, didn’t I? So I know most of it already. Don’t worry.’

‘I see…’

That was all I could say.

I knew there was no way El wasn’t hurting inside, but I could never bring myself to ask, “Are you sad?” Because there was no guarantee this magic would ever return things to normal. And even if we somehow returned to our original world… then what would happen to El and Ella, who exist right here before me now, undeniably real?

Whenever I thought about that, my chest ached.

After a brief silence passed between us, El finally spoke again.

‘Come on. Let’s go.’

As though it were the most natural thing in the world, she briskly walked out into the hallway.

And I followed after her.