Chapter 27: Interweaving

“Ephnel! Please calm down… We still can’t confirm that she is truly Yukina, and besides, Yukina isn’t an Accommodator, is she? That point alone is extremely suspicious…”

Yonomikenami’s voice came through the earpiece.

Ephnel held the sobbing Yukina tightly, her heart feeling as if it had been pierced by countless sharp knives, a tearing, suffocating sensation constricting her chest.

Her thoughts were a mess, and even breathing became exceptionally difficult.

‘Yukina… shouldn’t be here…’

But on the other hand, if there was anyone else in this city who could sync with “Fifina” and appear as “Fifina,” then that person could only be Yukina.

Because Yukina was an “Absolute Accommodator.”

This was Ephnel’s secret, a secret she kept that not even Yonomikenami knew.

Ephnel released Yukina.

Yukina had stopped crying, but she was still sniffling and hanging her head.

She knelt like a withered leaf, her face pale, silent and still.

Seeing Yukina like this, Ephnel’s heart felt as if it had been twisted into a knot.

Just now, she had almost killed Yukina with her own hands…

The future tragedy that she had nearly brought about sent a chill down Ephnel’s spine.

She had sworn to protect Yukina, yet in the end, her own negligence had put Yukina in danger.

Ephnel took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil within her.

She knelt in front of Yukina, gazing deeply at the girl before her.

Her face was streaked with tears, and her long, aqua-blue hair was damp and stuck to her cheeks.

It was as if she were about to sink into the deep sea.

Ephnel raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corner of Yukina’s eye and the bloodstain on her neck.

“Yukina…”

Ephnel spoke slowly, trying her best to keep her voice from trembling.

“Yukina, please listen to me calmly.”

“…”

Yukina didn’t answer, her gaze just hung downcast.

Ephnel clenched her fist, then relaxed it.

“Your brother is fine.”

Yukina’s shoulders jolted.

She lifted her gaze, looking at Ephnel in disbelief.

Her pale lips moved.

“I know you have a lot you want to say.”

Ephnel reached out her finger and pressed it against Yukina’s lips.

“Likewise, I have many questions to ask you.”

Yukina stared blankly at Ephnel.

“But before that, there’s one thing I need to confirm with you. After that, I’ll tell you everything else.”

Ephnel looked at her, her gaze bottomless.

“You… should have a Beacon.”

“Bea… con…?”

Yukina paused, slightly愣.

Beacon.

Ephnel had been repeating this word since just now.

“You might not fully understand the situation yet… That’s not your fault. The first ‘Sync’ can have a certain effect on the mind, and sometimes it can indeed lead to confused thinking… So I’ll just say it simply—your identity right now is ‘Fifina.’ You should have a hair clip on you, a butterfly hair clip.”

A butterfly hair clip.

Yukina didn’t know how many times she had come into contact with or heard mention of this hair clip today.

Yukina subconsciously opened her palm.

There was nothing…

“Don’t bother looking for it. It’s hidden inside your body. You won’t be able to find it like that. You need to draw it out from within your body.”

Ephnel looked directly at Yukina.

“How… do I do that…?”

“Focus your attention, empty your mind, and you’ll see it easily.”

Yukina gently closed her eyes.

“Deep breath.”

Deep breath.

“Cast aside all distracting thoughts. Imagine a sea of stars… you’ll see a shooting star…”

Ephnel’s voice gradually became ethereal.

The world before Yukina’s eyes turned pitch black.

It felt like soaring on the wind.

Then, her vision was filled with light, and Yukina found herself in a deserted, deep blue starry sky.

An aqua-colored butterfly appeared by her side at some point, fluttering gracefully, scattering starlight as it moved.

The butterfly was like a glimmer of light piercing the depths of the sea—flickering, cool, and captivating.

“Reach out to it. Try to call it.”

Butterfly—

Yukina subconsciously raised her hand.

The butterfly, as if drawn by sweet honey, landed on her fingertip.

Its wings trembled slightly, then slowly folded.

It was as light as a drop of water, exuding a hint of moisture.

Yukina gazed at the butterfly, a faint light flowing in her eyes.

She was captivated by the butterfly, as if drawn into a deep-sea vortex… falling downward.

“Don’t stare at it for too long.”

Suddenly, Ephnel’s voice broke into her mind.

“Open your eyes…”

“…?!”

Yukina’s eyes flew open.

She found herself still kneeling on the ground, her hand half-raised.

Her vision was as if covered by a layer of gray gauze, and all her senses felt sluggish, as if pixelated.

Resting quietly in her hand was that butterfly hair clip.

She panted slightly, recalling the scene she had just witnessed, and finally noticed the changes in her own body, feeling a bit dazed.

Ephnel was kneeling in front of her, staring at her blankly.

“What was that…”

Yukina raised her gaze, about to ask, when a soft, faint fragrance suddenly washed over her.

By the time she reacted, she was already enfolded in Ephnel’s arms.

“Yukina…”

“Miss Ephnel… are you crying?”

“No.”

Even with the hasty denial, Yukina couldn’t see Ephnel’s face from this position, but the warm, damp sensation on her shoulder and the soft sobs were undeniable.

“Your part is done… It’s… enough…”

“Then… my brother…”

“He’s fine…”

Yukina was slightly stunned, something seeming to catch in her throat.

‘That’s good… that’s really good.’

It felt like encountering summer bluebells in the dead of winter, embracing good fortune in her arms.

“Yukina…”

Ephnel held Yukina tighter in her arms.

Slowly, gently, Ephnel’s voice fell like a feather.

“Why… do you always go on and on about ‘Onii-chan, Onii-chan’…”

Before Yukina could process Ephnel’s words, Ephnel suddenly hugged her tighter, stubbornly and forcefully, almost squeezing the air from her lungs.

“Miss Ephnel…?”

“Can’t you just think a little more about yourself?”

The girl in her arms suddenly spoke, her voice choked with light sobs.

Yukina was taken aback.

“Your brother is safe, very, very safe…”

Ephnel buried her head in Yukina’s arms and continued speaking loudly.

Her voice fell like raindrops into Yukina’s heart, a gentle, warm breeze caressing her.

“Someone who disregards his sister’s safety to do his own thing… He ah… never even once thought about your feelings…”

“That’s not true… My brother, he…”

“A person like him is just the worst… He doesn’t deserve to be your brother at all…”

Yukina wanted to retort, but was immediately cut off by Ephnel’s loud voice.

“But even so… he really does worry about you… more than anyone else… If you were in danger, he would rush to save you without a second thought. If there’s anyone in this world who wants you to be happy and joyful the most, it’s definitely your brother… So…”

Like a gentle, sorrowful summer night’s breeze, the sobbing in her ear was subtle yet transparent.

“So… please don’t blame him…”

‘Why is she saying things like that…’

Yukina still didn’t quite understand.

One moment, she wanted to kill her.

The next, she was embracing her.

But Yukina couldn’t refuse Ephnel’s warmth.

She hesitantly reached out her hand, sliding it past Ephnel’s waist and wrapping her arms around the girl in her embrace.

Ephnel was a head shorter than her.

Even though Ephnel was hugging her, it felt more like Ephnel was the one leaning on her for support.

Agents all walk a path where salvation is absolutely unattainable, an endless battle like a nightmare with no end in sight.

Day after day.

The casualty rate for Agents is a terrifying number.

If forced to choose between “ordinary person” and “Agent,” Ephnel would unhesitatingly stand on the side of the Agents, and then push Yukina to the other side.

This was Ephnel’s way of protecting Yukina.

Her way.

But at this moment, Yukina had entered her world.

“Ephnel…”

Yonomikenami’s voice came through the earpiece, hesitant.

At a time like this, she probably didn’t know what to say either.

“I’m sorry… If I had stayed by Yukina’s side…”

Perhaps none of this would have happened.

For Yonomikenami, there were too many things that were incomprehensible and strange.

Why was Yukina able to perform a “Sync”? There were no related records in the database of potential Accommodators.

It was baffling.

Besides that, there were many other things that were impossible to ignore.

“This has nothing to do with you, so don’t worry about it too much.”

Ephnel said softly, her throat hoarse as if she’d swallowed sand.

“But please keep this matter a secret for me.”

“Huh? But… what if headquarters asks about Yukina…”

“I’ll handle headquarters. They won’t ask you anything, you can rest assured. So please just pretend you saw nothing of what just happened. Right now… please delete the records immediately.”

Ephnel’s tone was ambiguous.

On the other end of the line, Yonomikenami fell silent.

After a long while, her voice finally came through.

“It’s… already been deleted…”

“Thank you.”

Yonomikenami didn’t reply again.

Ephnel tilted her head slightly, gazing at the milky-white nape of Yukina’s neck.

“Sorry, Yukina, there are some things I can’t explain properly to you yet. You just need to know that I… will absolutely protect you. That’s all.”

“I-I’ll believe you, of course…”

“That’s good… In that case, I’ll be taking this hair clip for now.”

“Eh?”

Only then did Yukina realize that the hair clip in her hand had disappeared at some point.

“It doesn’t suit you. At least, not right now.”

Ephnel murmured softly, burying her head in Yukina’s shoulder so Yukina couldn’t see the traces of her tears.

Yukina held Ephnel, feeling the girl in her arms gradually calm down.

Listening to Ephnel’s words, she was completely unable to understand for a moment and didn’t know what, if anything, she should say.

After calming down, she also vaguely noticed the subtle changes in her body, and the bow, like blue crystal, that she was holding when she first came to.

She still had no idea what had happened.

Yukina thought of Ephnel’s repeated mentions of “Fifina” and “Beacon,” and of the serious expression on Ephnel’s face at that time.

She couldn’t help but wonder if she had accidentally touched upon some serious secret.

Why the need for secrecy?

‘Your identity right now is ‘Fifina’’—what did Ephnel’s words at that time mean?

“Fifina”…

Did it refer to the “Fifina” she knew?

But Yukina couldn’t hear the full conversation between Ephnel and Yonomikenami.

She had no way of judging, and could only remain silent.

Ephnel didn’t take the initiative to speak either.

A faint fragrance lingered at the tip of her nose, and the tangible feeling of their tight embrace brought her a sense of peace.

She didn’t want to leave Yukina.

She couldn’t let Yukina walk the path of an Agent.

So she didn’t know how to explain it to the clueless Yukina.

For Yukina’s sake, Ephnel was willing to do anything; nothing else mattered.

But she had gradually come to realize that simply running away would one day lead to the edge of a cliff, with no path of retreat left.

“…How despicable of me.”

Using the identity of her sister’s favorite idol, relying on her in such a contemptible way.

Even though the one who was hurt was Yukina, she shamelessly sought comfort and warmth from her.

The battle wasn’t even over, yet all she could think about was how to run away.

Ephnel suddenly thought of Shion and Rin.

To them, who had always held such expectations for her, a self like this was probably a betrayal…

“Miss Ephnel…?”

Yukina’s delicate voice sounded by her ear.

“It’s nothing…”

Ephnel closed her eyes tightly, her arms around Yukina tightening a little more.

Once the silence was broken, this momentary warmth would enter its countdown, and it would also rob Ephnel of her reason to keep running away.

Ephnel took a deep breath, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and pulled away from Yukina’s shoulder.

“Thank you, Yukina… I’m sorry for always making you make choices all by yourself. That won’t happen anymore.”

She stood up, her gaze slightly lowered.

Yukina just stared up at her blankly, listening to words she couldn’t understand at all.

In the space of a single breath, when Ephnel lifted her gaze again, the gloom in her eyes had vanished, replaced by a smile as brilliant as starlight.

Yukina was stunned.

Even though the corners of her eyes were tinged with tear stains, her eye sockets were flushed red, and her voice was hoarse from crying, Yukina knew that the Ephnel right now had returned to being the usual, invincible “Magical Girl Ephnel.”

Even though her petite body was a head shorter than Yukina’s, her presence was enough to overwhelm anyone.

“Sorry… for letting you see me make a fool of myself. If it made you feel awkward, I apologize.”

“N-Not at all!”

Yukina stood up, flattered, and patted the dust from the corner of her clothes.

“Please don’t worry about that at all! I didn’t feel awkward! For Miss Ephnel to be able to rely on me… I… I’m very happy!”

Yukina subconsciously denied it loudly, then suddenly felt that such a strong reaction might be misunderstood and hastily averted her gaze.

She still couldn’t quite process everything that had happened in this short period of time, but she knew that the gentle Ephnel she adored was back.

“S-Sorry! I-I didn’t mean anything else by saying that! I just think… Miss Ephnel is very gentle… A gentle and hardworking person like you could never be disliked… Besides, I’m the one, I’m the one who should be thanking you! It’s because of you that I found out about my brother. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have known what to do…”

She was confused and bewildered by Ephnel’s words, guilty and worried about Ephnel’s tears and vulnerability, yet she was also secretly delighted and overjoyed by Ephnel’s embrace.

And then there was that faint, moist, warm breath on her neck, an itch that pierced straight to her heart.

Her heart was pounding.

It was as if she had returned to their first encounter—the mottled sunlight of that day, the warm and pleasant breath, the soft lips.

Her first kiss, the first flutter in her heart.

This feeling of palpitation was strangely unfamiliar, yet incredibly overwhelming, leaving Yukina at a loss.

“Th… That is…”

Her cheeks grew scorching hot.

Yukina took a deep breath, and before she knew it, the words in her heart had tumbled out.

“Miss Ephnel, do you still remember… more than half a year ago… you saved me once?”

The embrace just now felt like it lasted only two minutes, yet also an eternity.

That faint scent of her hair was captivating.

Suddenly, her heartbeat became unrestrained.

Yukina hung her head, staring intently at her dirtied little white shoes, her fingers unconsciously clutching the hem of her clothes.

“Back then… if it wasn’t for you, I would have died long ago. You reached out your hand to me, you saved me… F-For me… maybe you don’t remember me anymore… but I’ve always wanted to thank you properly… So… in every respect, please accept my thanks—Miss Ephnel! Thank you so much!”

She had finally said it.

Yukina timidly and nervously raised her gaze, carefully peeking at Ephnel.

Ephnel pressed her lips together and suddenly turned around.

Her back was small, her silver hair flowing down.

Yukina couldn’t see her expression.

No answer.

Probably…

She really didn’t remember, did she?

Ephnel had saved so many people.

To her, she was probably just a wildflower shaded by chance, insignificant in the vast landscape.

No one remembered her first kiss except for herself.

Her heart quieted, as if a weight had been lifted.

But for some reason, a sense of loss filled her chest at this moment.

Yukina lowered her head.

“S… Sorry… That was a bit sudden, for me to just say all that… If it caused any trouble, please don’t mind it!”

“Is that so…”

Ephnel’s voice was very soft, floating down like a feather.

“In any case, seeing you so energetic, I’m relieved.”

“Ah… Y-Yes! I’m very sorry… for causing trouble for you and Miss Yonomikenami…”

“It’s fine. We share some of the responsibility.”

Ephnel turned back, pausing for a moment.

“About your brother… After things are settled here, I’ll take you to see him. I have something to tell you as well.”

“You really don’t have to trouble yourself, Miss Ephnel…”

“It’s alright… But, we can talk about these things later.”

Ephnel looked out at the sky, where the massive floating island blotted out the sun like a dark, heavy cloud.

Yukina came to a sudden realization.

That’s right.

Unlike her, who only had to worry about her own safety, Ephnel had a mission to fight.

“It’ll be dangerous to stay here. That black ‘Whale’ isn’t easy to deal with. My partners can’t handle it alone, so I have to go back. Before that, I’ll get you out of here first. Come over here.”

“O-Okay!”

Ephnel beckoned to her.

Yukina hurriedly ran to the table, picked up her brother’s phone that had been dropped there, and then ran to Ephnel’s side.

“I’m very sorry, this is your resting room, Miss Ephnel, isn’t it? I… I don’t know why my brother’s phone would be here. May I take it with me?”

“It’s fine, you can have it… And this, is also yours.”

Ephnel handed Yukina’s phone to her.

“Thank you very much!”

“Now then, this next part might be a little uncomfortable. Excuse me.”

Before Yukina could react, Ephnel bent slightly, slid her hands under Yukina’s waist and thighs, and lifted her up in her arms.

“Eh??”

“I’m going to jump.”

“Eek!? W-Wait!”

Yukina looked outside.

Because the panoramic glass was completely shattered, she could see almost the entire venue from here.

The venue’s design was unique and grand.

Looking down from here was even more intimidating than standing on the balcony of a tenth-floor apartment.

“Y-You’re going to jump from here?”

Yukina’s face turned slightly pale.

“Hold on tight.”

Ephnel’s commanding tone left no room for resistance.

Yukina hesitated for only a moment before tremblingly raising her arms and wrapping them tightly around Ephnel’s neck.

In this position, their faces were very, very close.

She subconsciously closed her eyes.

But when her vision went dark, Ephnel’s voice, the scent of her hair, and her breath became all the more distinct.

She could almost hear Ephnel’s heartbeat.

Though it was hardly the time, Yukina’s face flushed bright red.

“Senpai Ephnel, there’s a sudden situation here!”

Canary’s urgent voice suddenly came through Ephnel’s earpiece.

At the same time, Yonomikenami’s voice also sounded.

“Ephnel! A signal source with an unknown matching signature has been detected behind the ‘Erosion Organism’! Energy wavelength analysis results… ‘Agent’.”