Not long ago.
Aponia had just finished telling the children some stories she herself believed were wonderful.
If she had been telling them to Vya, Vya would have definitely loved them too.
…
Aponia gently pushed open the doors of the sanatorium and stood on the steps, gazing into the distance.
This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment whim…
A long time ago, Aponia had discovered she could see things others could not—the threads of fate, and the light of souls destined to meet.
She remembered the time clearly, because it was on that very day… she had seen a light fall from the heavens.
And so she had begun to wait by the entrance. That light seemed to be seeking her out…
So now, as Elysia, holding Vya's hand, appeared before the sanatorium gates, Aponia felt not a shred of surprise.
She slowly opened her eyes, her serene, emotionless pupils reflecting one tall and one small figure.
Aponia was very fond of children, but upon seeing Vya, a flicker of surprise stirred within her, though it quickly settled back into calm.
"Hello♪~ You must be Miss Aponia?"
Elysia greeted her with a smile.
Aponia gave a slight nod, a gentle curve appearing at the corner of her mouth. "That's me. And you, beautiful miss, what brings you to me?"
Her voice was soft, clear.
And very gentle.
Elysia's eyes immediately lit up. "Aiya♪~ Just call me Elysia~ As for why I'm here… well, it's something very important, of course~"
"Then… Miss Elysia, what is it?"
Aponia patiently waited for her to continue, her hands still folded before her.
"Naturally, it's to get to know you properly, and along the way, become friends~"
Elysia suddenly stepped forward, taking Aponia's hands in her own without waiting for permission.
This sudden, intimate contact caused Aponia to stiffen slightly. "Wait… miss."
"What's the matter~ Was my meaning unclear? I just want to be friends~"
Elysia pouted in feigned hurt, but the smile in her eyes didn't dim in the slightest.
Aponia shook her head gently. "…I heard that quite clearly. But it seems somewhat… hasty."
Elysia squeezed her hands, her tone sincere. "How can you call it hasty? Our meeting itself shows our connection, doesn't it~? So we're definitely destined to become very good friends~"
This enthusiastic declaration left Aponia momentarily speechless.
Elysia seemed sincere on the surface…
But Aponia knew—the sincerity in Elysia's heart ran even deeper than what she showed. That was what truly surprised her.
"And Vya!!"
Vya, standing to the side, raised her little hand high, her cheeks puffed out in a pout from being momentarily ignored.
Because she wanted to meet this big sister too~
"That's right~ This is my little sister, Vya."
Elysia released Aponia's hands and introduced Vya.
Aponia secretly breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze settling on the little white-haired girl.
In Aponia's vision, Vya was surrounded by a peculiar light, both pure and complex…
"Hello, big sister!"
Vya greeted her with full of energy.
"Hello, little one."
"Mhmm! I'm Vya!"
Vya introduced herself happily. She could see Aponia emanating a rare, beautiful, and sacred platinum-colored light.
And so, the two who could see the light in each other became acquainted…
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Vya."
Aponia said, still smiling.
"Sister Aponia, Vya is very happy to meet you too!"
"My, it seems Aponia likes my little sister more than me~ I'm a little sad, you know~"
Elysia pretended to be heartbroken.
Even as she said this, her eyes shone with nothing but affection—how could she possibly be jealous of her own sister?
Aponia straightened up, shaking her head earnestly. "Please don't say that, Miss Elysia. I am happy to have met both of you."
"Aiya, even if you say that…"
Elysia's tone shifted, and she somehow drifted even closer to Aponia…
"Then we're friends now~!"
Faced with such an enthusiastic assault, Aponia could only smile and nod. "Yes. It's my honor."
"Aren't you going to invite us inside?"
Elysia said with a laugh.
"Please, come in."
"Yay~"
Vya was also delighted.
…
"Sister Aponia is back!"
Just then, a little girl with green hair came running from the end of the hallway.
"Ah, it's Xiao Lü."
Aponia said with a smile.
With Xiao Lü's arrival, several other children from the sanatorium gathered around.
They all looked at Vya and Elysia with curiosity—visitors were rare here.
Vya had never seen so many kids her own age. Her eyes were wide, a mix of excitement and a touch of shyness.
"Sister Aponia, are these your friends?"
Xiao Lü asked, tugging on the hem of Aponia's clothes.
Before Aponia could speak, Elysia answered first.
"That's right~ I'm Aponia's friend. And what's your name, little sister~?"
"Hello, big sister. Everyone calls me Xiao Lü."
The little girl replied shyly.
"Oh~ Xiao Lü. And… what about the other children?"
The other kids introduced themselves one after another:
"I'm Luer!"
"I'm Ankesha!"
…
"Sister, can we go play together?"
Vya asked, full of hope.
"Of course you can~"
Elysia ruffled her hair.
"But your sister has something to discuss with Sister Aponia right now~ You go play first."
"Okay! Bye, sister!"
Vya quickly blended into the little group of sanatorium children. It seemed to happen naturally.
Vya went off to play with the children. It was her first time having so many little friends.
…
Elysia and Aponia stood under the corridor, watching the children at play.
The setting sun stretched their shadows long, intertwining them. This was the Sunset District, but the children brought life and hope here, however little there might be…
"The children are so well-behaved, Aponia."
Elysia sighed with genuine feeling.
"Yes. Children are little angels gifted to us by the heavens. They are well-behaved, adorable… they are beautiful."
"So well said~"
Elysia turned to look at Aponia's profile. "Taking care of so many children all by yourself… it must be very hard, Aponia."
"It's not hard, Miss Elysia. I'm used to it. Besides, kind-hearted people often come to help…"
"No matter what you say, it's still hard work for you, Aponia~"
Elysia's voice held sincere admiration.
Aponia paused for a moment, then showed a rare, heartfelt smile. "Thank you, Miss Elysia."
"Aiya~ We're friends now. You can just call me by my name. Or you could even call me something more intimate, like 'Eli'?"
"Thank you… Elysia."
…
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