"So what's so special about this place called Twilight Street~?"
"Go see for yourself."
"Alright, alright~ I'll just take Vya over for a look, then~"
Elysia recalled her earlier conversation with Vill-V.
Honestly, she didn't believe Vya's previous trip to Twilight Street was a mere coincidence.
And she was also very interested in this 'Aponia' that Vill-V had mentioned. Well… that wasn't the main point.
It wasn't long before… they arrived.
Holding Vya's hand, Elysia gazed at the scene not far away.
True to its name, the street seemed perpetually shrouded in twilight…
"My, my~ Twilight Street… lives up to its name~"
Elysia looked around. The street was almost empty, the air tinged with an indescribable atmosphere.
"Wow, Sis, Vya remembers! Vya has been here before!" Vya exclaimed excitedly.
"Mm, but we're not here to play. We're on a mission, you know?♪~"
"Yes, Sis! Vya understands!"
Vya immediately straightened her posture and saluted, mimicking the other brothers and sisters she'd seen, her little face full of seriousness.
Elysia couldn't help but laugh, giving Vya's cheek a gentle pinch. "Alright, Vya. Let's first find someone to ask for directions~ Do you know who we should look for?"
"Oh! Last time Vya was here watching Vill-V sister's performance, Vya met a sister named Pardo~ She had lots and lots of cats with her!"
"Wow, really? Then let's go find this Pardo sister~!"
The two wandered around the area for a bit. Finding a specific person here shouldn't normally be easy.
...
Meanwhile, in a quiet corner of a secluded alley, a young girl was crouched on a wooden crate, taking stock of her recent "acquisitions."
"One..."
"Good stuff...!"
"Seems useless. Ah well, I'll keep it for now."
Just as she was about to call it a day, her ears twitched slightly. She sensed something was up.
"Tsk tsk... New visitors?"
The girl leaped up lightly, landing on top of the wall like a cat, using the high vantage point to observe the newcomers.
Watching the two figures approaching, Pardo muttered to herself, "They really are new faces. Luck's been on my side lately."
"Huh? Wait... that kid looks familiar. Have I seen her somewhere before..."
Pardo was deep in thought, completely unaware she had already been spotted.
...
"Pardo sister!"
"Huh?!"
Startled by the sudden call, Pardo nearly tumbled off the wall. She scrambled to steady herself, only to find the two had somehow spotted her and were now waving and smiling in her direction.
What? That kid, Vya...?
Then it finally clicked—the little girl she'd met months ago during Vill-V's performance.
Pardo wasn't sure why she remembered so clearly. Maybe it was Vya's eyes, or that inexplicable aura about her.
Perhaps it was how Vya had appeared here alone back then, a pristine little figure utterly out of place in these surroundings.
But... since they knew each other and she'd been caught, might as well go down and say hello.
"Heh heh..."
Pardo chuckled as she hopped down from the wall.
"Vya, right?"
"Yes!"
"Long time no see..."
Pardo clapped her hands lightly.
"Hello there~ I'm Elysia, Vya's sister~"
Elysia also greeted Pardo with a smile.
"Hi, hi, Sis. I'm Pardofelis. Just call me Pardo."
Elysia thought to herself, 'Mm, another lovely young lady♪~'
"So what brings you two here?" Pardo asked with a smile, rubbing her hands together. These two were clearly not ordinary folks, and they didn't seem like bad people either. Might be good for business.
...
After some conversation, Pardo learned they were looking for Aponia.
"Aponia? What do you want with her?"
Pardo's expression suddenly turned a bit subtle.
"Oh, just to ask about some things~" Elysia replied cheerfully.
"I see, I see..."
"I know where it is. Let's go."
"Alright, thank you♪~"
"No problem, no problem at all."
Pardo waved a hand as she led the way.
"Thank you, Pardo sister!"
Vya thanked her obediently and followed along with Elysia.
...
"A sanatorium? That Aponia must be a very kind person~" Elysia remarked with a smile.
"Probably..." Pardo's reply was somewhat evasive, and she even unconsciously quickened her pace. She was still quite afraid of Aponia.
"So, little Pardo, have you lived here for a long time? You seem to know the place so well," Elysia asked casually.
"Yep, grew up right here."
Pardo continued with a grin,
"Gotta say, surviving here depends on luck, but my luck's always been pretty good."
She said this with a hint of pride, and it was true—her luck really was exceptional.
"My, have you ever thought about moving somewhere else to live?"
Pardo's steps faltered slightly. "Eh... I haven't really thought about that. But I get by alright here... not really thinking of leaving for now."
As she spoke, Pardo recalled her life here over the years...
"Is that so..." Elysia smiled, thinking this might require a more long-term approach.
As the trio neared the sanatorium, Pardo suddenly froze in place—a tall, slender figure stood at the entrance, as if she had been waiting for some time.
Yikes! Why is she outside?!
Panic surged in Pardo's heart.
"Gotta stop here! I need to go, bye!"
Pardo turned to flee. If Aponia caught her, it would inevitably lead to a "heart-to-heart talk," an experience she'd rather avoid.
"Eh, wait a moment, little Pardo."
Elysia called out to stop her.
Pardo skidded to a halt, forcing a smile. "What is it, Elysia sis?"
"Here. Meeting like this is fate. This is for you♪~ I made it myself~"
Elysia placed a sparkling crystal bracelet into Pardo's hand.
Pardo's eyes immediately lit up. "Aiya♪~ Thanks! I really like nice sisters like you!"
"See you then! Come find me next time!"
Pardo darted off in a flash. Elysia watched her retreating figure with a smile, thinking to herself what an interesting girl she was.
Would be nice to take her back with us if there's a chance... heh, I'll mention it next time we meet~
"Goodbye, Pardo sister!"
Vya waved obediently.
"Alright then♪~ Now for the real business~"
Elysia then composed her expression and turned to face the figure standing before the sanatorium gates.
The woman standing there was tall and poised, her light brown hair cascading down to her waist, hands folded gently in front of her.
At this moment, her eyes were closed, a faint, almost imperceptible smile gracing her lips.
…
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