"I knew everyone would change in the end... but when exactly did it begin?"
In the dim room, Hesta rested her hand on Ligo's hair, pinching a lock between her fingers and winding it around twice.
"Maybe I was still standing in the same place, so I assumed everyone else was too," Ligo continued. "But I can't understand..."
"Go to sleep," Hesta said softly. "I won't change."
Ligo pressed a hand against Hesta's face. "Oh, please. You've changed the most—"
"I'll still be me, no matter how much I change." Hesta brushed Ligo's hand away. "I've always been standing in the same place too. I just didn't realize it before."
Early the next morning, Hesta went to the Kexi Workstation to complete the formalities. Simoya had already been waiting there in a fury. The moment she saw Hesta, she strode toward her.
"Liar! Scoundrel!" She slapped a color-printed government document against Hesta's chest. "You were never appointed! I knew there was no way you could have completed the entire appointment process without going through me. You! Last night! In front of everyone in the council chamber, you told an outrageous lie without even blinking—"
"Why fuss over such details?" Hesta bent down to pick up the document Simoya had thrown away. She glanced at it and saw that it was a confirmation letter from AHgAs, showing that Hesta was still officially unappointed. "I came to sign the appointment papers today."
"You committed a serious violation!" Simoya snapped. "Without being appointed, you bypassed Kendall and issued an attack order on your own—"
Hesta clicked her tongue softly, lowered her head, and took another document from her bag before holding it out to Simoya.
"Take a look."
"What is this?"
"Part of my appointment guidelines," Hesta said. "Since you mentioned there