The girl had many things on her mind. You could feel it.
It seemed to be…
A sense of loss, with small secrets in her heart that she did not know how to share with you.
She wanted you to feel that clear, crystal-like sincerity for yourself.
You reflected in silence. You had grown up together, and your bond was deep. After the death of her parents, you supported each other and became inseparable.
Recalling Herta's mother's last wish, you understood in your heart that, at that moment, you had firmly decided to take care of her for the rest of your life.
As for what role you would play by her side, that…
You would let her decide. If she wanted an older brother who would never abandon her, you would be that Foolish Brother who would protect her for life.
If she wanted you to be her lover for life, you would naturally hide none of your feelings.
"Wow…"
You sat beside a lake, watching its shimmering surface. The chaotic ripples reflected your thoughts at that moment. You heard the girl calling you softly.
"I'm here."
You turned your head and saw that the girl was not looking at you. She was staring at the lake, her thoughts as disordered as her hair tousled by the wind.
Do you remember why I said we couldn't sleep in the same room back then?
"Hmm?"
That was a long time ago, on your seventh birthday…
"Hm… Could it be because our little Lady Herta had grown up?"
You smiled gently.
Hearing this, the girl turned and looked you straight in the eyes.
The noisy wind calmed, waiting silently for the girl's earnest monologue.
"That was because I didn't want Foolish Brother to get used to treating me like a little sister…"
"In fact, I already knew back then that Foolish Brother had been adopted by Mom and Dad at the hospital…"
The lakeshore was silent, without even the sound of wind. You gazed at the girl's exquisite, beautiful face, not knowing what to say. You merely added a small ceremony to the itinerary of Rosa K's birthday.
[After the coming-of-age ceremony, put a ring on her…]
Though you thought this, you did not say it. Instead, you gently looked into the girl's jewel-like eyes.
A lifetime is so long. Spending every day with me, won't little Madam Herta get tired of it?
"Hmph. Is Foolish Brother questioning the choice of this genius?"
You laughed softly. Of course, you would not question it…
So you said nothing more, only silently calculating what material the ring should be made of and what shape it should have.
Night gradually fell, and you stayed outside for a long time.
As you watched the stars slowly appear, you gently touched the pendant still hanging on your chest. Little Madam Herta had given it to you. It looked a bit strange, but she said she had made it in the shape of the Star of Herta…
You wore the pendant as if you were wearing her…
You would never be alone. The ring should also be star-shaped. She would wear the White Star, which symbolized you, and you would wear the Star of Herta, which symbolized her.
You looked up at the sky. Two stars hung in the firmament as always, their flickering light reflecting you and her, sitting together, watching the stars…
Suddenly, a meteor streaked across the night sky, strikingly visible…
You closed your eyes and made a wish in silence.
[May you and your sister, your future lover, always be together, just like this moment, until the end of life…]
After making your wish, you turned slightly and saw Madam Herta opening her eyes at the same time as you.
Her pale violet eyes met yours. They seemed even more beautiful than the starry sky. Her wish was almost identical to yours, but neither of you mentioned it, understanding each other implicitly.
You simply immersed yourselves in the feeling of your souls intertwining at that moment…
The night breeze carried the fragrance of the girl's flowers, drifting into your nose. It felt familiar. It was the scent of purple bellflowers…
Under the dim starlight, the flower by the girl's ear was clearly visible…
"This is…"
"It's the flower that only blooms when the violin is heard."
The girl's affirmative answer left you a little dazed.
"When it was about to wither, I turned it into a preserved flower…"
Hmph, hmph, don't underestimate this genius's practical skills. Of course, as for cooking… does a genius really need to cook?
You could hardly hold back. After letting Madam Herta into the kitchen once, you never dared to let her cook again, instead hiring a professional chef to prepare your three daily meals.
The Madam Herta before you gradually overlapped with the Madam Herta in your memories. She could blow up a kitchen just by making a cake…
Hmm… she's becoming more and more like her…
The girl's lips curved slightly, revealing a smug smile. This childish appearance was very different from that member of the Genius Society…
You could not help but smile, feeling that this contrast only made her more adorable.
Even if she became an Emanator of Erudition in the future, she would still be Su Xiaobai's sister…
A hint of pride rose within you.
"Stop secretly basking in it, Gege. Let me ask you something. Do you believe in destiny?"
The girl asked softly.
"Destiny…"
You murmured quietly. That word felt heavy to you, since you had already lived a previous life.
You had not lived long and had almost died of illness…
Only then did you encounter the System and begin this new life.
"Destiny… probably exists."
You thought for a long time before speaking slowly.
"That means there is a force that subtly controls all existence in this world…"
"What is this force?"
The girl fell into deep thought…
You felt a faint power emerging from her, similar to your Harmony, yet clearly different…
It was Erudition…
You were a little surprised. Little Madam Herta was seventeen years old and had already perceived Erudition.
It would not be long before she met Nous and became a Pathstrider of the Path of Erudition…
"What is it?"
She murmured softly, still thinking. The question she was trying to understand was clearly profound, and you could not help but…
"Oh…"
After a long period of contemplation, she suddenly grabbed her head, her body relaxing as she collapsed into your arms.
"What's wrong with you?!"
You were startled. The girl clutched her head in pain, her whole body trembling.
"Hug me… hug me…"
Suddenly her voice became shaky, as if she had experienced something frightening.
You quickly hugged her, wanting to run to the hospital.
"No need, Gege, no need for the hospital…"
I'm fine, it's just… it's cold. Every time I try to glimpse the answer, I feel a cold gaze looking at me, sending chills down my spine…
"At moments like that, I only want… you to be with me…"