Beyond the limit…
What is it?
Is it another boundary?
Or perhaps…
There was never a limit at all. People simply confined themselves, drawing a circle around their own feet.
In your eyes, a girl's youth is not about rain at seventeen or budding romance in midsummer, but about line after line of incomparably complex mathematical formulas.
Lady Herta's daily laboratory routine was like this: calculate, deduce, verify…
Aside from the piano music that sounded punctually at mealtimes, nothing could stop this genius in her academic pursuit.
And the one playing the piano…
Naturally, it was you. That was the signal the siblings had agreed upon for dinner.
Today, the piano piece you played was that very popular song, "Call of Silence"…
As if responding to the girl's reflections…
What lies beyond the limit?
Your melody revealed the answer: freedom.
It is freedom, Lady Herta…
The melody flowed gradually toward its climax, and through the reflection on the piano lid, you saw the young Madam Herta standing quietly behind you. No—within a few months, she should be called Madame Herta…
She narrowed her eyes, seemingly enjoying the music, or perhaps sensing that ethereal limit, trying to challenge it, cross it, destroy it…
When the song ended, you stood up.
"Silly brother, I like this song. It makes me feel 'freedom'…"
Lady Herta said softly.
You could not help but think of that phrase: what lies beyond the sea?
You smiled faintly. Perhaps… another sea.
The sea… You recalled your earlier plan to take Madame Herta to Rosa K. to celebrate your eighteenth birthday and see the famous Ocean Star of the cosmos.
With that thought, you spoke quietly.
"How about… celebrating our birthday on Rosa K.? I've heard there are tritons there, and their coming-of-age ceremony is close to our birthday. It will be an unforgettable event."
"Alright. As you wish."
The girl's eyes lit up. At the mention of going to Rosa K. for her birthday, she suddenly became excited.
You smiled as well. You were very much looking forward to it—looking forward to seeing the ocean and attending the tritons' coming-of-age ceremony.
It was said that there was a pearl there, larger than a washbasin, called the Ocean Star. Those who touched it on their birthday would be blessed.
And you, as a pan-galactic famous figure, would surely have the chance to touch that pearl if you went…
You wanted to take her to touch that pearl, which symbolized luck.
For her coming-of-age ceremony, you wanted to create as many unique and beautiful memories as possible.
You felt that life should be like this: romantic, warm, happy…
"Silly brother, what are you thinking about?"
Lady Herta asked curiously.
"Hm? It's a secret."
At the table, your thoughtful expression aroused Madame Herta's curiosity. You came back to your senses and smiled.
You did not plan to reveal the secret hidden in your heart in advance. You wanted to give her a surprise.
"Hmph! Let's see if you can hide it from this genius!"
The genius girl stared straight into your eyes, trying to uncover the little secret hidden in your heart.
But she failed…
For some reason, when she met your gaze, your expression was natural, allowing her to look straight into your eyes. Yet her face suddenly flushed, and after an involuntary "Tsk" signaling a failed plan, she buried herself back into her meal.
You did not mind. Instead, you picked out some of her favorite dishes for her…
In this life, fresh and lightly sweet like mint candy, time once again slipped through your fingers like fine sand.
It was another day that left a deep impression on you. You found a delicate pink diary on the living room sofa.
The words "Diary of the Beautiful Genius Lady Herta" on the cover made you smile.
So she also kept a diary.
Your curiosity and respect for your sister were like two little people fighting inside you…
Should you pick it up and read it?
Your silent struggle lasted for several breaths, and a gentle breeze brought you the answer…
The breeze softly lifted the cover, revealing the girl's elegant handwriting.
[Today I listened to "May All the Beauty in the World Be Intertwined With You," and it felt as if I heard Silly Brother's heart in this song.
His singing is always full of emotion, and I always find myself involuntarily immersed in it.
But is the blessing of the song meant for me?
Hmph, it must be. After all, he has such a beautiful, cute, intelligent sister… he must be secretly happy.]
Cough…
You almost choked on your own saliva…
After reading the girl's diary, freely offered by the wind, your heart grew even more curious, wishing for another gust to turn the page.
But you failed…
You looked back toward her room. Hmm…
No movement.
You reached out and picked up the diary.
You turned one page.
[Father's question: Can all existence in the universe be calculated?
Regarding this question, I feel that numbers are not precise enough, and words are not rigorous enough. I have a premonition in my heart…
That answer lies beyond the limit, and every time I think about catching a glimpse of it, I feel a pair of cold eyes staring at me from behind…
Father's diary also contains similar records—something I never anticipated.
Every time I have this feeling, I want to find Silly Brother to keep me company. Looking into his eyes always makes me feel very safe, but Silly Brother also seems very busy, devoted to music…
Hmph, this genius is not afraid…]
Beyond the limit…
You frowned, a bad feeling piercing your heart. But before you could fully understand it, you were pushed onto the sofa.
"Silly brother! You read my diary!!"
From her tone alone, it was clear that the girl behind you must have been "red-faced and flustered" at that moment.
The diary in your hand was snatched away, and then the girl pinned you against the sofa.
Caught red-handed, unable to defend yourself, you raised your hands in surrender.
"Hmph, I'll punish you…"
"Take me with you while we go shopping!"
You hurriedly agreed, and only then did the girl relent. You turned around, looking at the girl whose cheeks were nearly dripping with blood-red color, and scratched your head guiltily.
"What are you looking at? Turn around."
The girl turned her small face aside and gave the order…
You turned around, and the girl nimbly jumped onto your back.
You smiled faintly, carrying Madame Herta out of the house—Madame Herta, who, despite being seventeen, was still very light.
Carrying your sister while shopping was not embarrassing. In fact, it had been a long time since the two of you had gone shopping like this.
"Silly brother, you…"
Halfway there, the girl spoke softly, then hesitated. You could feel that at that moment, her pearly teeth gently bit her lip, her small face filled with conflicting emotions…
"What is it?"
"Did you… finish reading it?"
"No. I didn't see anything."
You smiled. Lady Herta was growing up and had some little secrets of her own. That made you happy.
"Ah? You didn't see anything…?"
The girl lowered her head, resting it against your shoulder. Her tone carried an emotion that was almost inaudible…