Journey · Magic City Arc (Nineteen): To the New World (Five)

Dania followed the figure and finally met him just before going on stage.

"As expected..." Dania thought to herself.

Her red, white, and black stage costume, which clashed together like a blooming spider lily, along with her two distinctive light green pigtails and the violin she held, further confirmed her guess.

Seemingly sensing someone's arrival, the violinist turned around, his grey-red eyes meeting Dania's starry eyes.

"You shouldn't be here." Phrolova's voice was indifferent, sounding completely devoid of emotion.

"How can I not catch up with a former colleague?" Dania said with a playful smile. "Besides, didn't you take good care of me back in the Fractsidus, Sister Phrolova?"

I've never acknowledged you as my sister.

"But you still care about me just like my sister, and you even played the violin for me."

Phrolova was at a loss for words after Dania's words and could only remain silent for the time being.

"Is this your friend?" the female singer next to him asked in English.

"Yes, please give us some time if you're not in a rush to go on stage," Phrolova replied in fluent English as well.

"No problem."

After nodding, Phrolova turned his gaze back to Dania, staring at her thoughtfully for a long time before saying these words.

"Your performance just now was very good."

"I practiced it on the spot... I was so nervous when I went on stage," Dania said shyly.

"Did you receive your birthday present?"

"You mean that red currant honey cake? To be honest, although I can tell you were really trying to control the sourness, I still find it a little hard to accept..." Dania scratched her face, her tone serious. "But—I didn't throw it away, I just shared it with everyone."

Phrolova nodded slightly, as a response to Dania's words.

"Are you happy living with him?" Phrolova's previously cold voice suddenly softened.

"If I say I'm unhappy, will Sister Phrolova kidnap me?" Dania countered.

"You don't look unhappy right now." Phrolova shook his head.

"Are you so sure my current appearance isn't an act?"

I know what you're like when you're unhappy.

"How boring~" Dania pouted helplessly. "Don't worry, I've been happier than ever being around him! I've made new friends, played new games, and even had birthday cake and delicious food!"

"That's good." A very faint smile appeared on Phrolova's lips. "You do look a bit rounder than before."

"Huh! Really?" Dania subconsciously pinched her belly. "Okay... I guess I really do have a bit of extra fat."

"We have to go." Although the female singer was reluctant to interrupt their conversation, time was of the essence, and they needed to prepare to go on stage.

"I'm going on stage now," Phrolova said to Dania after nodding in confirmation.

"Okay, I wish you a successful performance!" Dania patted Xiao Ling's shoulder lightly twice, just like she did.

"By the way, after the performance, would you like to join us for...?"

"There's no need for that," Phrolova said calmly. "I know what you're thinking, but that's an impossible vision."

"Walk towards tomorrow with your companions. You can cherish the memories we shared, or better yet, forget them if you can."

Then, she turned around and walked onto the stage with the female singer.

Dania watched the other person leave without even being able to utter a single word of advice.

She had already found the happiness she wanted with Xiao Ling and everyone else, and now she wanted to personally hand that happiness to Phrolova, only to be shut out by her shrewd cruelty.

"Oh, I see..."

After making a self-deprecating remark on the spot, Dania walked back the way she came to her lounge.

Phrolova never expected to have the chance to see Dania's radiant smile, as bright as the spring sunshine.

That's wonderful. The girl who once shared her pain has finally found the happiness she wanted.

As for myself... perhaps I'm not worth saving.

Having stayed here for almost half a year, Phrolova has seen many people and things.

Accidents and tomorrows unfold together in this world, and separation and death are commonplace on this land.

But the people here were much more open-minded than she had imagined—or perhaps that's not quite right, but rather that they weren't crazy enough to resort to such extreme measures as she had to resurrect her loved ones.

She once had the opportunity to watch a debate online. The topic was that pressing a button could revive one of one's favorite family members, and there were only two choices: press it or not press it.

For Phrolova, this wasn't a choice; she wouldn't make any other option than pressing the button.

Because she really missed them.

But the person who chose not to comply gave arguments that were completely contrary to her beliefs.

"If I press the button, will those who have committed heinous crimes and have been executed according to law be able to return with kind hearts? Will those who died of illness be able to return healthy? Will those who died in accidents be able to return safely?"

The example given is simple, but the deeper meaning is self-evident: if resurrecting a loved one is only to make oneself experience loss again, then such an act is meaningless except to add to the pain.

How many people's happiness did she destroy for this illusory dream? Even she herself didn't know the answer to that question.

So, with this sense of confusion in mind, Phrolova began to play his violin on stage.

"Sweet Dreams on the Crimson Shore".

The melody is good, and the lyrics are good too, but the emotions are expressed too directly, which is not quite like Phrolova's style, but that doesn't detract from the fact that it's a good song.

As the audience watched Phrolova play her violin, it was as if they were transported back to that day filled with regret.

As the closing theme of Phrolova's personal storyline, it fulfilled its mission perfectly, igniting the emotions that players had accumulated along the way the moment the first four notes sounded.

"Hi, it's been a while."

"Since the last time that I saw your smile."

The audience's reaction upon hearing the piece was as follows:

"Waaaaah, Phrolova, I'm so sorry, you teeth!"

"I may have dreamt of being inseparable from you, only to wake up and find ourselves like strangers..."

As Phrolova listened to the occasional sobs coming from the audience, he felt somewhat at a loss.

She couldn't understand what was wrong with the audience at this concert, that they would shed tears for someone like her.

But upholding the professional ethics of an artist, she still played a perfect violin piece for the audience.

After the song ended, Phrolova and the other performers bowed gracefully to the audience, then she walked off the stage as if fleeing, seemingly unable to face the tears the audience had shed for her.

After stepping off the stage, Phrolova immediately returned to the lounge.

Pushing open the door to the lounge, I saw a girl sitting gracefully on the sofa. Upon closer inspection, I realized she had the exact same face and hair color as me. The two looked like twins, except the other girl was wearing a white dress.

"You're back?" The girl in white smiled.

"Hmm," Phrolova replied indifferently.

"I'm so envious of you, being able to perform on such a big stage. I wish I had that opportunity too..."

Didn't I give you a chance?

"Oh dear... I'm afraid I'll get nervous and play the wrong notes when I have to perform in front of so many people."

"Aren't we on the same page? What I can do, you should be able to do too."

Yes, this girl in white is also Phrolova, but judging from her appearance, she seems to come from a timeline where her hometown still exists. Let's call her Funuo Nuo for now.

"Haha... Oh right, that person just bumped into me," Funuo Nuo changed the subject.

What did he say to you?

"He didn't say anything, just slipped me a note."

"Show me."

"Here."

Funuo Nuo obediently handed over the note. Phrolova opened it and saw a string of words clearly written in regular script.

"If you see this note, remember to come find me in the Imperial Capital."

"... Just a whiz at ordering people around." Phrolova frowned.

"Are you going?" Funuo Nuo asked.

We'll see.

"Oh."