I had to admit, the fortune-teller's hut at midnight had the perfect atmosphere.
In the utter silence, the dim light fell across the fortune-teller's face, giving her quite the air of a charlatan.
Unfortunately, at that moment, the charlatan was talking about her family.
Fu Qian had actually seen the name Chie Kisaragi before, in Kanna Kisaragi's records.
According to the records, Kanna's older sister was introverted and didn't get along very well with her family. She had moved out and lived on her own at a young age.
"Kanna was an adorable girl from the time she was little, and everyone in the family doted on her."
Before Fu Qian could answer her question, Chie Kisaragi continued.
"As she grew up, she revealed an astonishing charm. Almost every man fell for her."
"Countless people were infatuated with her, willing to pay any price for her and lay the finest things at her feet. Yet she thought nothing of them."
"She was radiant and proud. More than once, she told me she was different from everyone else."
"Aren't all young people like that? You're not young if you don't go through an edgy phase."
After Chie Kisaragi finished describing her, Fu Qian offered his assessment without hesitation.
"I thought so at first, too. Then one day, I suddenly realized she felt more unfamiliar to me than ever."
Chie Kisaragi sighed softly.
"Have you ever seen a wax figure? A lifelike wax figure can pass for a real person from a little distance away. You can't tell the difference at all."
"But when you get close enough, you notice an indescribable sense that something is wrong."
"That was Kanna. Her appearance, her memories—you were certain it was her, but when you really got close, you found an empty shell."
"An empty