Seeing the familiar face in the audience, Eden felt a flicker of curiosity in her heart. After all, that certain pink-haired girl wasn't one to readily accept her kindness…
Like the VIP seat she always kept reserved for her.
Eden offered a gentle smile to Elysia down below, her gaze then softening further as it landed on the little girl beside her.
A younger sister? She looks like a lovely child. The little girl with white hair was staring up at her with wide eyes, like a curious little fairy.
Eden stood at the center of the stage, draped in a golden gown, her wine-red hair cascading over her shoulders.
Without lengthy introductions, as the music began to swell softly, Eden's voice joined it.
Her voice was unique—not particularly loud, yet every word carried clearly to each listener's ears.
Vya sat in her seat, not blinking as she stared at the figure on stage.
Vya didn't understand it, but she just knew it sounded beautiful, and that was enough.
The first song had a slow tempo.
Eden's voice flowed like water, rising and falling, weaving highs and lows.
Vya noticed the people around her had fallen silent. Even Elysia was slowly patting her back, her focus entirely on the stage. Some even listened with their eyes closed… as if immersed in a beautiful dream.
She turned to look at Elysia and found her sister listening with rapt attention, her eyes filled with appreciation, a sweet smile gracing her lips.
The second song's tempo quickened slightly. Eden moved across the stage, the hem of her dress swaying with her movements like golden waves.
The stage lights shifted colors in tandem…
When the song reached its crescendo, Eden's voice suddenly soared. That note was bright and steady, like a golden thread cast straight up into the heights.
Vya unconsciously sat up straighter, feeling something in her chest lift along with it.
It was a strange sensation, as if gently cradled by a tender hand.
It was comforting… soothing.
For one song, Eden sat before a piano, playing and singing herself. She looked utterly focused as she played, her head slightly bowed, long hair framing her face.
Vya didn't fully understand the lyrics of that song, but she committed them to memory.
Before the final song, all the lights in the venue dimmed. Only a single spotlight remained on Eden. She stood within that light and began to sing a cappella. No accompaniment, just her voice alone.
That voice was utterly pure, like the night wind, like morning dew, like a snowfield under moonlight.
As she sang, the accompaniment gradually seeped back in, and the lights slowly brightened.
As the final line of the song approached, Eden's voice faded away, like a feather gently settling to the ground. The music stopped. The lights went dark.
The entire hall held its breath for a few seconds.
As if no one dared to shatter that perfect moment.
Then, applause erupted suddenly, roaring like relentless rain.
As the crowd dispersed, Vya overheard people chatting around her. Someone said it was the most beautiful concert they'd ever heard.
A bespectacled girl told her friend the last song reminded her of her late grandmother, and as she spoke, she began wiping away tears.
Vya watched that older girl, not understanding why beautiful sounds could make someone cry.
"Did you like it?" Elysia asked her.
Vya nodded. "Sister Eden sang really well."
She paused, then added, "It's just… it gave me a really comfortable feeling. Vya doesn't know what that is…"
Elysia laughed, ruffling her hair. "That's the magic of music. You'll understand when you're older, Vya♪~"
"Mhm!" It would be a long time before Vya learned how to describe this feeling… a soul-stirring power.
Once most of the crowd had left…
"Alright then…"
Elysia suddenly said, her tone dropping conspiratorially.
"What is it, sister?"
Vya tilted her head, her own voice instinctively lowering.
"How about we go find Sister Eden?"
Elysia suggested with a bright smile.
"Okay~!"
Vya was thrilled. The golden radiance around Eden—what would it feel like up close?
She was very eager to find out.
"Great then~! Let's get ready to go right now!"
"Vya, are you ready?"
Elysia took Vya's small hand.
"Vya is ready!"
"Alright then… three, two, one, let's run~"
Hand in hand, the two of them set off.
And in a flash, they were gone.
A staff member backstage, checking equipment, sighed inwardly, relieved that they could finally rest for a while…
Suddenly, two shadows zipped past not far from her…
???
She rubbed her eyes, somewhat disbelieving, because there was clearly nothing there…
No, no, I must not have gotten enough rest, I'm seeing things…
Better finish up quickly and rest… health is important.
She shook her head and went back to organizing the cables in her hands.
…
In the backstage lounge, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. A few strands of her wine-red hair had fallen loose around her shoulders. She held a wine glass, as if waiting for something, just as she always did.
The wine glass rotated slowly between Eden's fingertips…
The wine-red liquid swirled inside like flowing crystal, almost identical to the color of Eden's hair.
Meanwhile, just outside the door.
"Vya, you knock~"
Elysia said gently.
"Mhm!"
Vya could hardly wait to see Sister Eden.
Her small hand gave the door a soft tap.
The door swung open directly, uh… turns out it wasn't closed.
The beauty with wine-red hair, who had been looking into the mirror, turned towards the entrance.
"You've come."
"Eden~" Elysia called out happily.
"Yes, my dear Elysia, it's been a while."
Elysia opened her arms, her pink hair flying with the motion.
She couldn't wait any longer and threw herself forward, embracing Eden.
The two shared a warm, symbolic hug, then together, they looked towards Vya.
Of course, they hadn't forgotten our protagonist.
Vya observed the two of them closely, their auras blending into a soft pink-gold…
"So this is Vya."
Eden knelt down, meeting the little girl at eye level.
"Mhm! Hello, Sister Eden~"
Vya cheered.
"Hello there~"
Eden replied tenderly.
Vya secretly compared the person before her to the radiant figure on stage—the golden light around Sister Eden now seemed much softer.
Up close, it felt very warm… like being embraced by sunlight.
Elysia ruffled Vya's hair and said to Eden, "Vya really loved your songs. She was listening so intently down there she didn't even blink."
Her voice held an unmistakable note of pride, like an older sister showing off her younger sibling—no, wait… that's exactly what she was.
"Is that so?"
A gentle warmth blossomed in Eden's eyes.
While there was certainly an element of loving someone and extending that love to those connected to them, she genuinely liked children.
"Yes, yes!"
Vya lifted her little face and said earnestly, "When sister sings, the light around you gets even brighter!"
Both Eden and Elysia laughed at her words, taking it as a child's whimsical remark.
"Oh, and also, also!"
Vya raised a small hand.
"Sister Eden is completely different from on stage~"
"Oh? How so?" Elysia asked with a smile.
Vya thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Sister Eden on stage is like the sun. But the Sister Eden now is more like… like the moon! Gentle and quiet!"
Elysia was taken aback for a second, then burst out laughing. "What an interesting comparison~"
Eden simply smiled. Well, this child is truly interesting…
…
I have completed the author to TL pipeline, 2 chapters per day. Advanced chapters available on patreon.
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