"Sleep..."
The silver-haired woman in a lab coat fell silent for a moment, then stared at her irritably, "How could it be that easy, what do you think this place is? A business hotel you can enter by paying?"
Although this broken system was full of loopholes, it wasn't broken enough that a blonde-haired middle school girl could just enter!
"Although you say that, the reality is before your eyes. I also don't know how to explain it to you." Gabriel shrugged, not caring at all about the other party's aggressive attitude, "Anyway I was lying down sleeping, and when I woke up I was already in this strange dream space."
"Sleeping?" The silver-haired woman furrowed her brow, said somewhat disbelievingly, "At a time like this?"
Now in the real world it was daytime! Shouldn't she have woken up from an afternoon nap?
"Why? Can't I stay up late during winter vacation?" Gabriel raised her eyebrows high, placed hands on hips, with a natural expression.
"That's not the point..."
"You're the one who digressed first." Gabriel rolled her eyes, looking already exhausted from arguing, dropped her shoulders and returned to her usual lazy appearance, "Honestly, I didn't intend to interfere with your affairs. Originally I just wanted to help this man then wake up to play games—after all, in this dream my account isn't inherited. I already spent lots of meal money to top up there."
"Help him?" The silver-haired woman turned around, glanced at Yuu who was still staring at her back in shock, "What's your relationship with him? His new girlfriend?"
"Rest assured, I'm not interested in men." Gabriel said casually, "Just giving a small gift to a mortal human who works too hard, as an angel."
"Angel..." The silver-haired woman furrowed her brow again, looking unable to accept, muttering, "Could there really be creatures like angels in the real world? And a system that can even change world lines and timelines, turned out to be invadable by ordinary angels... Are you all multiverse-level monsters?"
"No, no, we're not that powerful. And what do you mean ordinary, I'm the best graduate of this cohort you know?"
Gabriel waved her hand, not angry at her impolite tone, and remained relaxed.
"Instead I want to ask, this space was created by what you call the System? That's incredibly powerful..."
Shaking her head admiringly, she clicked her tongue, "Even that old Principal might not be able to create a dream this complex and realistic. Plus, what you said earlier, changes to world lines and timelines? Sorry, we weren't aware at all—if something like that really happened, it means your power level is at least one level higher than the highest god in our world. The word monster should be directed at you."
"I see?" The silver-haired woman felt relieved, then asked again, "Then how could you invade? I also have an intruder here, maybe she used the same method as you."
"I already told you I didn't invade, who knows why I woke up and suddenly was here? If only angel powers could still be used, I'd even think I crossed to a world a year later."
"Tch... From what you said earlier, you can leave anytime. In that case, before leaving, how about you also take away the intruder here?"
"Troublesome, don't want to. And also can't, the time flow rate here is too unstable. I can only guarantee I myself can wake up safely. If there's an extra person, they might become an idiot."
"I see... Whatever, just let her stay locked up."
Although the two were saying words the other party had never heard, strangely, they could understand what was said and the meaning of those words.
...Perhaps, this was the silent understanding between otaku?
After talking for a while without caring about others, Gabriel stared at Yuu behind the silver-haired woman, hands in pockets.
"Overall, thank you for your attention all this time." The corner of her mouth lifted, she smiled as if somewhat sentimental, "My guess was right, the center of this dream world is you... Well, since you made me have fun, I'll pretend not to remember anything after leaving. After all, you're like me, someone very afraid of trouble."
"...Indeed. In that case, I'll say thank you in advance." Yuu, who had been silent for a long time, finally answered with a voice that struggled to contain turmoil.
"You're welcome." Gabriel nodded casually, "See you in the real world, you just need to treat me to one afternoon tea set."
"Why should I treat you..." Yuu wrinkled the corner of his mouth, unconsciously mocking.
However, before he finished speaking, the silver-haired woman 87% similar to Sora in front of him cut him off.
"Wait a moment, I still have several questions I haven't asked!"
For example, why she helped her brother, and what power she gave him.
And Gabriel, as if seeing the doubt in her heart, suddenly grinned widely, showing a smile full of mischief.
"I don't care what you want to ask, I won't tell you~"
"You!?"
"Originally I was going to leave after activating this blessing, but you suddenly broke through my barrier and yelled at me. I haven't asked for your accountability for that."
"But since I'm a kind angel, I won't give you magic that makes all your clothes explode."
Gabriel said while grinning, successfully making the silver-haired woman in front of her unconsciously cross her arms, assuming a defensive position.
"Well then, I'm leaving first~"
She took the halo from under her skirt again, cleaned it with her sleeve, and wore it on her head. Holy light radiated, enveloping her slender small body like a middle schooler.
Moments later, a pair of white wings suddenly spread from the girl's back. The blonde angel slowly rose into the air, feet wearing indoor shoes lifted from the ground. A platinum-white aura spread. A flower-like fragrance wafted, making people unconsciously feel calm and become lazy, as if bathed in sunlight.
Facing the shocked gazes of both, as if seeing a magical creature, Gabriel slowly closed her eyes, clasped her hands together, and lowered her head in a prayer pose.
"Divine Step."
When that gentle voice sounded, the girl's figure disappeared from its place.
Not going with super high speed, but as if her entire body penetrated the dimensional wall. That undeniable existence, suddenly vanished from this world.
Only leaving behind a piece of white cloth shaped like a triangle with a red ribbon, slowly falling from the air.
"This is..."
Yuu unconsciously moved forward, extending his hand to catch that thing.
But before that, a cold voice accompanied by an electric-like sound came.
"Vanish and Hide!"
The triangular cloth vanished. Just three more centimeters, Yuu's fingertips could have touched that still-warm treasure.
The name of that item was Sloth Angel's Panties.
"Why, so interested in the panties your junior just took off? Even though you already have a girlfriend."
"...This is a misunderstanding, I swear I had no intentions when catching it, it was just an instinctive body reflex."
Yuu explained himself seriously, then shifted the topic as if unintentionally, "What was that just now?"
"This one?"
Too lazy to make a fuss about such small matters further, the silver-haired woman waved the elder wood wand in her hand, drew a heart with golden magic energy in the air toward him, then stored it in her sleeve.
"Lately I've been playing a new mobile game Harry P○tter. Since I found it interesting, I manifested that wand. Magic can be used whenever I want... Anyway, I'm the administrator of this dream trial."
She said straightforwardly, as if having removed all disguises, facing the youth younger than her openly, with a strange and complex gaze.
"Administrator..."
Muttering softly, Yuu lowered his head, took a deep breath.
Too much information, too much confusion. Although he used the conversation time of those two earlier to think, he still hadn't fully digested everything.
Since Gabriel suddenly appeared, the cycle path that would end and restart ahead of him felt strange and mysterious.
This trial hid too many things he didn't know—he who spent most of his time being intimate and making love with Iroha, hadn't carefully studied the world where he was, and everything around him.
Angels, trial administrators, originally invisible existence, the third person who should exist, intruders...
On the trial's last day, various problems exploded simultaneously, making his head hurt and not knowing what to do.
Even so, Yuu didn't lose composure.
He didn't give up on his only advantage—thinking. While rapidly turning his brain, he slowly raised his head. The surprise and confusion that appeared earlier had completely vanished. What remained in his eyes was only truly calm rationality and seriousness.
If he wore glasses, he might push the frame, then say casually to the silver-haired woman before him:
"Not leaving immediately, because there's something you want to tell me, right?"
"If possible, I also have many questions that need you to answer."
The silver-haired woman was silent, hands in her lab coat pockets. That posture somehow reminded him of a boxing coach.
(Wait, so in the future, Sora who starts school idolizes Hiratsuka-sensei, and will even imitate her clothing style?)
(...Trouble, suddenly I feel it's better for her to remain a hikikomori at home, at least she won't learn to smoke, fight, and drink.)
(No need to worry about her single status.)
"Sora..."
His thoughts spinning, Yuu paused, then said confidently, "No, you're Sora after growing up, right?"
"Right, but also not, Onii-chan."
The silver-haired woman who all this time showed no expression whatsoever, smiled naturally, as if an iceberg suddenly melted.
"I am indeed Sora after growing up. No matter past, present, or future, no matter in which world, Sora will always be Yuu's little sister."
"But the difference is, I and my brother in that world died long ago."
"You're not that unfortunate him, and I'm not your happy little sister."
That's why for Yuu at this place, he considered that woman a fake made by the system, because he didn't have that familiar feeling.
But reality wasn't so.
She was also Sora, but Sora from another world line, who had lived through a life unknown to him.
A taller stature, pale skin, unfamiliar adult body curves behind the plain dress she often wore.
A face far more graceful and calm, a chest that seemed to have grown much, and a bit of melancholy and nostalgia indelible in her eyes.
Yuu tried imagining what his little sister looked like after growing up—those qualities felt completely unsuitable. He wouldn't think they were the same person just because their faces were similar.
"Another Sora... huh."
He sighed in relief. Although the situation was still chaotic, at least some threads had unraveled, and he felt slightly lighter.
Regarding why Sora was usually in a sixteen-year-old state, but now looked like in her twenties... Since she could use magic from the Harry P○tter world, controlling appearance age at will should also be easy.
So, what needed worry wasn't this, but rather...
"You said I and you in that world died long ago, how could that be?"
Involving his little sister's safety, Yuu unconsciously clenched his fist, staring at the familiar yet strange silver-haired woman before him with a serious gaze, very tense.
"Should I start explaining from there... That'll be a long story."
Scratching her cheek with slight difficulty, Sora combed her long hair to her shoulder, sighed helplessly.
"Well, since that strange angel appeared and brought you to the boundary, I knew the established plan had to be thrown in the trash again... Anyway, the time has almost arrived, so I'll tell you about us."
"Including me, including the system, and including... that fool who always likes to disappear, namely Tachibana Kanade."
Yuu's eyes widened. An indescribable familiar feeling suddenly surged, as if the missing puzzle piece had been filled. Blurred memories flooded his mind, making it difficult to produce sound from his throat.
"Kanade? —My and Iroha's friend, and also the third main Student Council member?"
"Right, glad you haven't completely forgotten. Could be said that's indeed Yuu."
Sora snapped her fingers, and the Science classroom door beside automatically opened.
The edge of her white lab coat fluttered around her clean white calves, she stepped inside.
"But without my help, you'll never be able to remember her existence... Because she has completely erased her own existence from this trial world. Same as never appearing, of course won't leave memories in others."
"Why..."
"Don't ask me, I've long often not understood what she's thinking. I'm sure after you hear our experience after this, you'll also have the same thoughts as me."
Walking into the Science classroom, Sora turned at a forty-five degree angle. Her pale eyes, which appeared far deeper, narrowed slightly, staring at him.
The faint smile at the corner of her mouth was somewhat complicated, as if full of profound meaning difficult to express.
"Follow me, the time for answers has arrived."
"After this, you still have trials you must conquer, Yuu."
She said gently.
That tone, felt familiar.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"By the way, what about Iroha? She's still in the toilet..."
"Rest assured, I did a small trick, making her constipated inside until the time loop starts, that way there won't be problems."
"???"
"Just kidding, already gave her hints so she goes home alone first... Haaah, although not the same person, seeing my brother stolen by another girl, and monopolized all this time, still feels annoyed from the heart. Precisely because of this, myself in that world finally..."
"Sora (Unit Two)?"
"It's fine, don't worry about it... By the way, what's the meaning of the words in parentheses?"
The Science classroom door closed.
The empty corridor, the quiet and cold afternoon.
As if only a moment passed, the commotion of graduation season returned to the campus. Spring afternoon mixed with pollen, clear and spacious weather.
The endless vast blue sky, enveloping all of Sobu High like a ball.
On the rooftop.
White hair like silver snow fluttered. The fragile girl stood at the barrier fence, staring at the crowd moving like ants below, listening to laughter and tears clearly audible even from such height.
This was parting.
Some were sad, some were also happy about it.
She just wanted to see others' happy smiles, especially for the most important person—even if she herself was sad, that didn't matter. Her and their smiles were more important than anything.
Even if she had to become a ghost, could only silently watch over them.
Then, without regret, and without desire anymore.
With a peaceful smile on her face, the girl's figure drifted away in the wind.
The silence was enveloped by a sandstorm. On the rooftop where the door was locked with chains, there wasn't a single person.