Seeing that Yuki wasn't responding, the girl let it drop.
Once she'd calmed down, she turned to the question that weighed most heavily on her mind.
"Fine, fine. This gorgeous girl is magnanimous enough to forgive you!" She tilted her chin up at a proud 45-degree angle, one eye closed, the other fixed on Yuki as she huffed.
Then, lowering her head, both eyes opened—but now there was a flicker of uncertainty in them. "You said your name is Yuki. So who are you?"
"And me... who am I?"
When she asked the last question, her voice quivered with unmistakable unease.
Not knowing her own name, her own identity—it terrified her.
"As for who I am, that's simple..." Yuki smiled gently and began explaining the chat group to her.
When he finished, her expression shifted to one of wonder.
"This chat group is that incredible?! It connects countless worlds across the multiverse?!" Her tone was a mix of disbelief and excitement.
"Exactly. Feel free to try chatting there. Everyone's friendly and easy to get along with." Yuki nodded encouragingly.
She gave a small nod and focused her attention on the chat group.
With the barest thought, a translucent interface appeared before her—visible only to herself. Her fingers—or rather, her thoughts—navigated through it, browsing the messages.
First, she opened the main chat log. There were so many messages. She noticed that people had been calling out to her earlier, and she scratched her head sheepishly.
"Whoever sealed me away is just awful!" she muttered before composing her first message.
[Sealed Maiden]: Hi everyone!
[Saeko Busujima]: Oh! Looks like Yuki successfully rescued our new friend! Hello there!
[Artemis]: As expected of Lord Yuki—so quick!
[Dongfang Huaizhu]: Welcome, newcomer!
[Lilis]: Hello!
One by one, the members greeted her, and a genuine smile spread across her face. She felt a warmth she hadn't expected.
[Galacta]: Newbie, are you okay? Just got out of that seal—any discomfort?
[Seitenshi]: Yeah! If something feels off, make sure to tell Yuki. He's still there with you, right?
[Sealed Maiden]: Thanks for the concern! My body's totally fine—no problems at all!
[Sealed Maiden]: And yeah, the group owner's still here. But even if something were wrong, I wouldn't ask him! (Huffs)
[Marika]: Uh... why not? Lord Yuki is incredibly strong. He could fix any issue in no time!
[Sealed Maiden]: Well... sure, that's true, but... he's a total pervert! A big lecher! No way I'm asking him for help!
[Saeko Busujima]: Oho! Sounds like something happened during that time~
[Seitenshi]: Indeed. I'm a little curious now~
[Artemis]: !!!
[Yuki]: I think you're misunderstanding me.
[Sealed Maiden]: Absolutely not! You are! Objection denied!
[Raiden Ei]: Agreed.
And just like that, Raiden Ei suddenly appeared to side with March 7th. Yuki could only press a hand to his forehead.
He gave up trying to argue and simply went silent.
March 7th, meanwhile, continued exploring the chat group. With guidance from the others, she gradually familiarized herself with its various systems and features.
[Ding! Congratulations to 'Sealed Maiden' for successfully checking in today. You have received 88 points!]
[Sealed Maiden]: Woohoo! 88 points, baby!
[Lilis]: Lucky you. I only got 65.
[Saeko Busujima]: Hehe, nice haul for a newcomer! That's a lot for your first check-in!
[Seitenshi]: Really, way better than ours!
[Sealed Maiden]: Hehe, is this the highest anyone's gotten?
[Galacta]: Not even close. The max is 100. So far, only Yuki's hit that record.
[Sealed Maiden]: Huh?! The record belongs to him?!
[Sealed Maiden]: Ugh! Next time, I'm getting that 100!
March 7th looked up from the chat, fixing Yuki with a determined, slightly competitive stare.
Seeing that look, Yuki slowly typed a response.
Seriously? Of all things to be competitive about...
He was slightly dumbfounded, the corner of his mouth twitching. This girl's signature silly energy was already on full display.
After a bit more chatting, March 7th finally closed the group interface and turned her attention back to Yuki.
The chat could wait. She had bigger questions now.
Who sealed her inside that crystal and cast her adrift in the cosmos? Why had she lost her memories? And who was she, really?
With these questions swirling in her mind, she gazed out at the vast, infinite expanse of space around them. Her expression softened into one of melancholy and confusion.
"Who... am I? Why am I here?" she whispered, her eyes drifting back to Yuki.
In response, Yuki smiled gently and raised a hand. The shielding barrier he'd placed around them dissolved.
Now, their presence was detectable by the inhabitants of this universe. Before, even Aeons could not have perceived them.
The moment the barrier fell, the space around them began to shimmer.
In the next moment, countless mirror-like facets materialized around them, encasing Yuki and March 7th in a shimmering, reflective world.
March 7th's face immediately filled with panic.
"Wh-what's happening?! What's going on?!"
Everything around her had transformed into a kaleidoscope of mirrored surfaces, and she was utterly overwhelmed. Instinctively, she moved closer to Yuki, grabbing hold of his arm. In this sudden crisis, he was the only anchor she had.
Yuki glanced at her sidelong, his expression completely calm.
"How can you be so relaxed at a time like this?!" she exclaimed, panicked.
Yuki just smiled. "Relax. Nothing dangerous is going to happen while I'm here. Besides... this isn't a threat."
His presence did offer her some comfort, but she still didn't understand what he meant.
"Not a threat?! Everything's turned into mirrors!" she protested.
"You wanted to know who you are, didn't you? And who sealed you here?" Yuki said gently. "Right now... the answer is in those mirrors."
He gestured toward one of the reflective surfaces. March 7th froze, then slowly turned to follow his gaze.
There, within the crystal-clear mirror, a figure began to take shape. A being formed of flowing, luminous crystal. Behind it bloomed a lotus. Upon its head rested a crown reminiscent of an ancient emperor.
That figure was unmistakable.
It was the Aeon who presided over the Path of Remembrance—Fuli.