Local Netizen Elf’s Life In Another World

Case 284: Once upon a time.

''It's the rooftop again, huh?''

''You know me well, Luna.''

''That's true.''

Luna giggles, her purple hair scattered by the wind.

Yes, I love the rooftops and balconies. I am a fan of sceneries, one, and I feel this atmosphere is really suitable for more serious talks. As for why I know this will be a serious talk... well.

''Hanako.''

''Mhm.''

Itching closer to me, Luna soon grabs my hands. I usually avoid sudden invasions of personal space if they're not coming from one of my loved ones, but I can sense that Luna doesn't have a weird motive.

Closing her eyes, the former goddess speaks in a subdued tone,

''First of all... I assure you that we will meet your children again. I will make that happen.''

''...Thanks.''

That's kind of her.

...Look, I'm not devastatingly sad or anything. I won't allow myself to be like that. I know I will see them later, and I will make that happen. Still, little words like these let me know that she has good intentions.

With something like divinity brewing inside me, I can also, to some degree, interpret many things, like how this woman in front of me genuinely cares about all of us.

It has been puzzling me for a while, really. In my experience, no feelings that are this intimate and warm can be born one-sidedly. Only through interactions do we build them.

Maybe I'm still not buying the past live stories deep down. I'm not sure.

So,

''Luna.''

''Yes.''

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''Can I have my past memories...?''

The goddess poses a bitter smile. Her expression holds no surprise as if she knew I was going to ask that question. Perhaps she really did.

A brief silence descends the place.

''...Fine.''

Luna adds, ''I had an inkling, you know? Like, if it were the Hanako I knew, she would try to... get to the depths of it.''

''You really do know me well, Luna.''

Right. If I know another life of mine that I could get a hold of, why wouldn't I try to capture it? If it's me, then it's me. I don't view my past life's Hanako as someone different from the present 'Sylvia.'

It will help me learn more deeply about this apparent 'danger' of the world.

Learn more about my partners' past.

More about the planet as what it used to be.

About... myself.

More than anything, I want to understand the heavy emotions that this woman before me has toward me. Why, I won't pretend I'm not curious about why a pretty woman is attracted to me.

''Hanako.''

''Mhm.''

''Have a safe trip. And... please don't mind the embarrassing old me, okay...?''

As Luna gently puts her hand on my forehead, I can see through the gaps her flustered expression. Her eyes, as sparkling as summer's ocean waves, can hardly meet mine, yet she still pushes out an encouraging smile before sending me off.

''Good night... Hanako.''

''...''

Pitch-black.

My vision is filled with an utterly black color.

I have a guess as to where this is. Unlike before, however, both the sense of floating and the sense of helplessness are absent. Actually, I think I can even move...?

To my surprise, the moment I think about moving away, my viewpoint actually changes. Now, I am looking at an orb-like thing that emits a soft light.

It's a soul. My soul, to be exact.

Er... maybe not the same one that got caught by Eva's hand two decades ago.

This one is probably my previous life's previous life. Maybe it is on the way to being reincarnated?

As I think that, my soul is suddenly being showered by an intense light. Adjusting my position again, I can now see the whole thing. This is awfully similar to operating a third PoV camera in FPS games, isn't it?

Anyway, A... door? Above is where the light comes from.

Slowly, the soul is sucked into it, looking like a scene straight out of a movie. It's a whole other level compared to Eva's crude method of collecting souls.

But then again—

Ugh...!

T-This brightness...!

Clearly, I've not been prepared for a flashbang of this caliber. 

I am put in a space of pure white. There is seemingly nothing beyond the horizon... is what I want to say, but this area is surprisingly beautiful. Sitting amidst the endless beds of colorful flowers and swaying trees is a small gazebo, one that shields the woman from the sunlight. 

The sun is too bright, goddamnit.

''Oh, my, you're here.''

With elegant steps, the woman in a white robe approaches the soul.

''Now, then, please follow me inside.''

When she smiles, her azure eyes squint and spark, rejoicing their owner's delight. Each time she moves, her amethyst-colored hair sways, adding to her lively expression.

This is undoubtedly Luna. Or should I say... Aris?

''Pretty sis, can I... uh... ask some questions?''

The moment the soul 'speaks,' I almost jump back. No, it's... even though I have obviously not been here, it feels as though I actually just uttered that sentence.

Maybe this is the way Luna intends to replenish my memories?

It's quite trippy. Anyway, let's hear what they have to say first.

Putting the soul gently on the table, Aris giggles.

''Of course, miss. You have the right to, after all.'' She says.

The orb glows faintly, signaling that it is talking: "So... I'm assuming this is some sort of afterlife, right?"

''By some definitions, yes. More accurately, it should be called 'another world.'''

''Ueh... so the wacked fortune tellers were right?''

F-Fortune tellers?? What era is this Hanako coming from? Wait, do I get to know the memories of this Hanako when before she comes here, too? I guess not, seeing I haven't gotten it at this point.

''Anyway, my name is Hanazawa Hanako. What's your name, pretty sis?''

''Mine's Aris.''

''Mhm... are you a goddess or something?''

''You can call me that.''

The conversation between Aris and Hanako flows pretty well. Just like the old me, this Hanako likes to joke about a ton of stuff, but here, Aris actually plays into them rather than pretending to be tough like Eva.

It's almost night and day how well Aris guides Hanako through the important bits without making it feel serious compared to my clumsy Eva.

Hey, that makes me remember that I'm now Eva's official girlfriend. Isn't that crazy? Maybe because it has just been two days since we confirmed our feelings. Heheh...

Eventually, after getting enough information about the world, Hanako switches to another topic.

''So, Aris... why was I summoned here?''

Then, her tone turns shaky, ''M-Maybe I have to save the world or something...?''

No, wait a sec. She knows the concept of isekai?? Seriously, what era is this Hanako coming from?

Anyway, Aris responds with a slight chuckle.

''It is not that serious, Miss Hanako.''

''...?''

''How should I say this... you see, our world has been rapidly growing these years, and I am in need of helping hands to manage and bloom it further. You, being from another culture entirely, can certainly aid us.''

''Ooh... that sounds exciting. But... can I really live again for free?''

''Not for free. You will have to work, of course.''

''Hahah... I had to work before this anyway.''

Thus begins the journey of Hanako, the ambassador from Earth, in a brand-new world.

Even if I know the ending to this story, receiving Hanako's raw excitement as it is, I can't help but hold certain expectations moving forward.

Let's witness it.