Memories are truly a curious thing.
It's like flipping through an old photo album—you can tally up past gains and losses, and yet also rediscover moments of pure joy.
Even when some memories seem veiled in mist, hazy and indistinct…
If you really dwell on them, you can still glean quite a bit.
But what Himeko was facing now was entirely different from simply reminiscing.
Watching the "herself" before her, fully engrossed in tinkering with an airplane model, her thoughts drifted far away. 'Just how many years ago was this?' she wondered.
It was all because of her childhood experiences that she had become so single-mindedly determined to study aerodynamics…
"Always watching other people's pasts before, but seeing my own now… it really feels…"
Himeko's emotions were complex, especially since she knew all too well what was coming next.
Yet she didn't dare let her guard down, keeping the Herrscher's threat firmly in mind.
Time within the memory seemed to be on fast-forward, rushing by.
In the blink of an eye, the scene shifted to a hospital room.
By the sickbed, Himeko's father was speaking in hushed, serious tones with a doctor.
Back then, Himeko was right beside her mother's bed, tending to her carefully.
Himeko now walked slowly to the bedside, her gaze sweeping over her past self, then her father.
Finally, it settled on her mother, lingering for a long, long time.
Subconsciously, she reached out to touch her mother, only to find her hand passing straight through that vibrant red hair.
That hair… she had inherited it.
This was the first major turning point in her life. Her mother's departure was a heavy blow, both to her and to her father.
How could she ever forget the chain of events that followed?
Her father changed profoundly after her mother's passing, and in turn, her own resolve toward her goal grew even firmer.
Later, her father vanished too. All this time had passed, and he was never found.
Himeko could guess, more or less, what his fate had likely been.
But she later discovered that these events seemed intricately connected to MOTH.
Among some materials her father had left behind, she had seen that distinctive moth emblem.
And so, she eventually joined MOTH.
Just like that, a girl's best years quietly slipped away amidst all this turmoil.
Yet the truths hidden behind it all… even now, she hadn't managed to unravel them.
Well… perhaps some things really are meant to be let go…
The surroundings continued to shift rapidly, soon arriving at the night she came to Australia.
The two young girls, Hua and Himeko, wanted to go out. Back then, she hadn't thought much of it and readily agreed.
But that night, Himeko had actually thought about a great many things.
She followed her past self into the room, watching from a bystander's perspective, quietly observing the girl she once was.
She had never understood before—why was she chosen? But now, she thought she might be starting to see it.
Perhaps it was at that very moment that a flicker of regret arose within her. Or perhaps, deep down, she never truly wanted that kind of life.
Right then, a tiny crack suddenly appeared within the heart of the one called "Himeko."
And that tiny crack was like an opened door—it was only natural for something to slip right in.
From then on, she gradually lost herself.
She was no longer the person she once was…
The thing that had seized her body seemed filled with hatred and a desire for destruction. It wanted to burn everything to the ground…
The last thing Himeko could see was an endless sea of flames, as if intent on consuming her inch by inch.
…
"Tsk tsk… Looks like I overestimated you. Thought you might stir up some real trouble, but you're just here watching your own past."
The grey "Himeko" had somehow walked up behind her.
With its appearance, the surroundings instantly turned ash-grey, a suffocating atmosphere pressing in from all sides.
"It's not polite to disturb others so casually."
Himeko turned her head, her tone flat, as if stating a simple fact.
People are like that sometimes. Once they figure certain things out, clarity comes naturally.
"Hah, aren't you scared right now?"
The "Himeko" taunted and threatened her, eyes filled with disdain.
"Scared of what?"
Himeko asked back, her face calm.
"You'll fail. You're a failure. You've accomplished nothing, neither in the past nor now."
The "Himeko" continued its mockery, trying to shatter Himeko's confidence.
"So what?"
Himeko replied, still unhurried.
"So what?"
The "Himeko" sneered. "You'll find you can't do anything. You have no power to resist me."
As soon as the words were spoken, black threads, like venomous snakes, instantly bound Himeko's body, rendering her immobile.
The "Himeko" swaggered up to her, a mocking smile on its face. "Aren't you scared now?"
Himeko merely lifted her eyes slowly to look at it, saying nothing, her gaze cool and collected.
…
"Why…"
"Why aren't you angry!? You should be furious!"
The "Himeko" seemed provoked by Himeko's composure. It exerted force violently, slamming Himeko hard onto the ground.
"…"
Himeko gritted her teeth, still making no sound.
At that moment, the golden butterfly gave a slight flutter of its wings. A soft, golden light emanated from it, spreading through the surroundings.
The black threads, as if meeting their natural enemy, vanished without a trace in an instant.
"What's happening!?"
The "Himeko" was startled by the sudden turn of events, retreating several steps in panic.
Regaining her mobility, Himeko understood something crucial in a flash.
Since this was her consciousness space, her territory, she naturally held the advantage over the Herrscher.
Well then, in that case, there was nothing to fear.
Himeko rose calmly from the ground, her right hand brushing against half her face.
That vivid red hair had long since come loose, spilling wildly over her shoulders like a roaring flame.
"You're right. I am a failure. But so what?"
Himeko's voice was firm and strong. "If a person obsesses too much over gain and loss, that is the true failure."
As she spoke, flames ignited from thin air, kindling slowly all around, illuminating the entire space.
A greatsword materialized in Himeko's hand, its blade gleaming coldly.
"Haha, you think this is enough to defeat me?"
Though somewhat flustered, the "Himeko" still feigned composure. "Isn't that a bit naive?"
But by then, Himeko was already charging forward, greatsword held high, aiming straight for the "Himeko"…
…
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