"Sister Lumina, what's wrong?" March 7th asked, noticing the serious and solemn expression on Lumina's face as they left the hotel. Wanting to reassure her sister, March 7th wore a confident smile. "Whatever it is, we'll do everything we can to solve it!"
"No, it's not really a big deal," Lumina replied with a gentle shake of her head. She then turned her gaze to Stelle and said, "Stelle, didn't you say you wanted to learn about my past?"
"Mm-hmm! I'm so curious!" Stelle's cool demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by the wide-eyed eagerness of a curious child. Her eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at Lumina.
"But I'm afraid I might disappoint you..." Lumina said with a gentle smile, though a hint of bitterness laced her words. "Even I don't know what happened in my past."
"Huh? Sister Lumina, you've forgotten your past too?"
When Sister Lumina uttered those words, March 7th froze in shock. Regaining her composure, her eyes suddenly burned with unwavering determination. She reached out and cradled one of Lumina's hands between her own, reassuring her earnestly:
"Sister Lumina, it's okay! The past is the past—let it stay there. We don't know what those memories truly were."
"But what we do know is that we all have a brilliant future ahead of us!"
As someone who also lacked a past, even the airheaded March 7th had a certain authority on the matter. Thus, she spontaneously delivered a profound quote—a quote far beyond anything March 7th herself could have conceived.
"I'm sorry, Sister Lumina... I didn't know..."
Meanwhile, when Stelle heard Lumina's words, the expectant gleam in her eyes instantly dimmed. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out. She closed them again, her hesitation and self-blame palpable in her averted gaze.
"Erm... pfft, ha ha ha!" Lumina burst out laughing, taking in the expressions on March 7th and Stelle's faces.
"?"
Hearing Sister Lumina's laughter, large question marks slowly materialized above March 7th and Stelle's heads.
Why is she laughing all of a sudden after we were trying to comfort her? they seemed to wonder.
"It's not what you think," Lumina explained, waving her hand to dismiss their confusion. "The situation is a bit complicated. I'll explain it to you properly when we have more time later."
"In the meantime, you're free to investigate my past in Sumeru City. You have until we leave for Penacony."
"Whether you manage to find anything—and whether that information truly relates to my past—is up to you to determine."
As Lumina finished speaking, her gaze drifted toward the towering Irminsul tree in the distance, her emerald eyes reflecting an unreadable depth of thought.
"Ah? Sister Lumina, if you're saying that, does that mean you already know your past and you're just testing our information-gathering skills?"
Hearing this, confusion flickered in March 7th's eyes. Clearly, she hadn't understood, still believing she'd misinterpreted Sister Lumina's intentions—that Lumina had simply been testing their information-gathering skills.
"No, March 7th," Lumina shook her head. "Like you, my past is a complete blank."
"But unlike you, I have a clue, a thread that could unravel my past."
"And this clue is currently hidden within Sumeru City."
"So, Sister Lumina, are you saying...?" Even the usually ditzy March 7th was beginning to grasp Lumina's meaning.
"Exactly," Lumina nodded gently, sensing March 7th's dawning understanding. "While you're enjoying Sumeru City and gathering information, I'd like you to keep an eye out for this clue."
"Of course, even if you don't find it, it's fine."
"Just treat searching for this clue as a side quest. Your main story, naturally, is to happily explore all the wonders Sumeru City has to offer."
To avoid putting too much pressure on the group, Lumina forced a gentle smile onto her face, adopting a casual demeanor as she waved her hand dismissively.
"Sister Lumina, what are you talking about? If there's a clue, we absolutely have to search for it with all our might!" March 7th clasped Lumina's small hand tightly, her expression utterly earnest.
Though Lumina didn't want to pressure the others, March 7th saw this as far more important than sightseeing, taking commemorative photos, or anything else!
What's past is past; don't dwell on it... Although March 7th spoke lightly, if there were truly a clue about the past, she would undoubtedly be extremely anxious...
"Agreed," Stelle chimed in from the side, giving March 7th a newfound look of respect before nodding in agreement.
Though Stelle didn't know what had prompted March 7th's sudden realization, her own thoughts clearly aligned with what March 7th had just said.
"Hmm... I'm sorry, I'm currently occupied with another matter, otherwise I wouldn't have pushed this task onto you all." A hint of apology flickered across Lumina's face, a touch of embarrassment in her heart.
"It's alright, Sister Lumina! You go take care of your business. Leave the clue hunting to me, Stelle, and Little Swarm!"
Though March 7th had no idea what Sister Lumina was busy with, she figured that if it was important enough to temporarily put aside the search for their past memories, it must be a truly significant matter.
Despite her curiosity and concern, March 7th held her tongue. She knew that even if she asked, Sister Lumina likely wouldn't tell her anything.
So, rather than asking questions that might put Lumina on guard, March 7th decided to keep quiet and focus on finding clues to distract Lumina.
Then, when Lumina least expected it, she'd catch her off guard and... uh... kill her back into being a horse!!!
March 7th's mind raced with this plan, completely oblivious to the fact that she'd misused a Xianzhou proverb...
"Then thank you, March, Stelle, and Little Swarm!" Lumina couldn't help but chuckle as she watched March 7th's expression.
The clueless March 7th couldn't hide her thoughts at all. Even without any mind-reading abilities, Lumina could easily guess what was on her mind.
As expected, March 7th is still too naive... Lumina shook her head inwardly, feeling a twinge of worry for March 7th's future.
Hmm... but it's okay. I'll protect her innocence! o( ̄▽ ̄*)ブ*
Brushing aside further thoughts, Lumina continued, "Just don't focus too much on finding that clue. Let things unfold naturally."
"Sumeru City is full of famous historical sites and diverse cultural customs. With the residual aura I've left on you, you'll be able to explore and experience everything without any obstacles."
"As for the clue, just keep an eye out while you're exploring. Whether you find it or not isn't particularly important."
Lumina said with a faint smile, as if recovering her past memories wasn't a matter of great urgency to her.
"Alright! We'll definitely help Sister Lumina find that clue!" March 7th declared, her hands on her hips and her face radiating confidence.
"Good~"
Seeing her enthusiasm, Lumina chuckled helplessly and said no more.
"If you find the clue, come find me in the mountains behind Sumeru City. I'll be staying there for a while."
Lumina pointed to the mountain range where Irminsul stood.
"Okay, Sister Lumina! Rest assured, we'll bring you good news soon!" March 7th nodded confidently on behalf of Stelle and Little Swarm.
"Alright~ I'll be waiting for your good news." Lumina chuckled softly, leaving her words unspoken.
Find the clue? Of course you will~