Save her.
What kind of rescue required someone to come out of Ch'en's room early in the morning? And she had lost her memories of that time, even waking up to find herself sleeping naked. Every sign pointed to the shrine maiden having played an extremely important role in it.
But now?
Hoshino silently raised her head. There was not a trace of gloom in Ch'en's eyes; they were so pure that she seemed less like an ancient monster who had lived for who knew how many years, and more like an innocent child. Her pupils were a bright azure, like a washed sky. Her long, smooth hair was pale pink, and her whole presence was bright and natural, even down to her light white thigh-high stockings.
She was far too light, far too beautiful.
So beautiful that, despite having no real evidence, Ch'en could not help wanting to believe her and dismiss her suspicions.
But that was impossible. As the formidable woman who had led the inspection team for years and kept the Lungmen Guard Department in perfect order, Ch'en had been a law-enforcement machine with clear reasoning and rigorous logic before her rationality collapsed.
"What exactly happened to me?"
Though suspicious, Ch'en still tried to keep her tone gentle.
"A very serious problem. But it isn't your fault—it's mine. My negligence and recklessness created the person you are now."
Hoshino answered word by word, plainly and clearly, without any room for ambiguity.
Ch'en's pupils immediately shrank to pinpoints.
"What exactly is wrong with me?"
She felt a little dizzy and instinctively touched her cheek. Her upright body began to sway unsteadily.
"Do you remember what you were like back then?"
Back then.
It was an extremely broad phrase that could refer to any period. But when Hoshino spoke