As for Xiao Xi, she and March 7th watched the ridiculous scene before them through narrowed eyes. Even though they were facing a bona fide Aeon, they couldn't help wanting to make fun of him. Honestly, wasn't the guy across from them being a little too dramatic?
Aha cried for a good while, but when nobody paid him any attention, he put on a smile again and eagerly came over.
"Little Xiao Xi and Little March are ignoring me. Aha's lost all face..."
Come on, with you acting like this, it's hard for us to treat you with the awe due an Aeon!
"Aha's unhappy, so Aha needs to find some fun! What should I do for fun... Haha, let's take a look at this. I promise it'll be interesting."
A Light Cone suddenly appeared in the starry sky. It shattered, turning into a point of light that flew toward Xiao Xi at incredible speed.
"Uh, what is this!" Unfamiliar memories played through Xiao Xi's mind. They were none other than the memories and scenes from when the Aeon of [Hope], "Xi," had separated her from them.
All of this had once been recorded in a Light Cone by Fuli, the Aeon of Remembrance. For reasons unknown, it had come into the hands of Aha, the Aeon of Elation, and was now laid bare before them.
"Xiao Xi, Xiao Xi, are you okay? Don't scare me." March 7th's worried voice came and went in her ears, faint and indistinct. At that moment, Xiao Xi felt as if her head were about to split open.
March 7th held Xiao Xi, calling her name in a panic. When it didn't seem to help, she turned and shouted at the culprit, "Hey, what did you do to Xiao Xi? Don't think I'm afraid of you just because you're an Aeon! Hurry up and make Xiao Xi normal again!"
"Hehehe, I didn't do anything. This is Aha's gift to a new friend! After all, Preservation is a blockhead, the Hunt has no sense of humor, and only Hope is left to have a little fun with. Aha has to bring joy to all living beings! And yet there's an Aeon still hung up on humanity and divinity. Hahaha!"
"Y-You're talking complete nonsense! Humanity and divinity, what does that even mean? The important thing is, hurry up and make Xiao Xi normal again!" March 7th only half understood. In the end, she gave up trying to make sense of it.
"No, March. Actually, what he said wasn't entirely wrong." Xiao Xi gently placed a hand on March 7th's shoulder and spoke in a somewhat weak voice.
"Xiao Xi, thank goodness you're okay! But you sound so weak. Should you go rest for a while?" March 7th didn't let go of the hand supporting Xiao Xi. She asked with concern.
"I'm fine, March. It's just a small side effect, nothing serious. Besides, I've just... learned too much all at once." Xiao Xi's eyes were half-closed as she spoke in a quiet voice.
"So, how does it feel? Now that you know the truth, what do you think, [Hope], Little Xiao Xi, you..." The red mask had somehow come right up to them again.
"Stop right there, [Elation]. You're still as mischievous as ever. Is teasing people really that funny..." Xiao Xi said, sounding rather helpless.
"If you're asking how it feels, I'm sure you don't want to hear some life lesson."
Becoming who I was without hesitation; every word spoken, every person met, every time I opened my eyes in the past had laid the foundation for the steps I took today. Facing myself had made me brave, too.
"Anyway, now you can brag about this bit of fun to all the other Aeons. How's that? Pretty entertaining, isn't it?"
"Mhm... [Hope] is right. Hehe, I knew I'd picked the right person. You really do understand me... Hehe, let's call it a day. Fun is best enjoyed slowly, isn't it?"