Case 128: Chloe.

Case 128: Chloe.

A certain morning at the academy.

Birds are singing, their melodies carried through the rays of sunlight. Flowers are blooming, shedding the layer of leftover snow from the previous winter altogether.

''We met again, Aurora.''

''...''

In front of me stands a noble figure.

As she smiles, a gentle breeze flows between us, lifting her raven-black hair and fluttering her white skirt. The girl shyly covers her body with one of her wings before adjusting the blue tie on her chest, seemingly cherishing the piece of cloth.

''...Long time no see.''

I try my hardest to smile, which must not be quite effective since Nydia's reaction is lukewarm. Nevertheless, my hand is then promptly grabbed... and she pulls me into a hug.

''Thank you for not treating me like a stranger... truly.''

''Mhm.''

''I would have cried if you called me 'Your Highness.'''

With the same gentleness and the same intimacy, Nydia guides my steps toward the park. If left out the uniform, she would just seem like the usual Nydia, yet through her gait, her bodily manners, and her overall atmosphere, I get a certain sense of aloofness.

She... does seem like an actual princess.

Even as we walk, I notice a few hidden guards following us. It's the same with Sierra's three guards.

''Don't mind them. They're... trusted people of Her Highness, the Crown Princess.'' Nydia says quietly.

''...Okay.''

It is an elaborate way of saying, 'I am being monitored,' but I suppose we can't help it.

As soon as we sit together on a bench, stories about the last few weeks naturally come out. I am used to sharing everyday stuff with Nydia, and I imagine she is, too, so this conversation feels relieving, somehow.

''I thought my manners were good enough, but apparently, their standards were too high.'' Nydia lets out an exhausted sigh, her wing pitifully rubbing against mine. ''It was so stressful, having to learn history and such, too...''

When the raven princess whines, she doesn't forget to snuggle up at me, and she certainly doesn't hold back that longing gaze either. For some reason, I gain the courage to pull her head toward me—

''...!''

—and kiss her forehead.

It's just something I think I need to do to comfort Nydia... and seeing her giggling like this, I suppose it is a good move, after all.

''Mhm... that stuff aside, I also met Silaerob the other day.''

''Really? What was she like?''

With an ambiguous expression, the raven princess shakes her head.

The very moment the girl sets her foot inside, the world in my eyes seems to have slowed down. Every detail fades away, leaving place solely for the silhouette of the person to occupy my mind.

For a while, I remain stunned.

I have questioned reality. I have tried to self-diagnose.

Still, no matter how hard I try to deny it, the image of her has imprinted onto my mind... and it is now resurfacing.

Long, slightly curly hair with hints of blue strewed across and a pair of rare violet eyes. A perky, a little nerdy kind of beauty.

''It is nice to meet you. My name is Uwara Kanna, and... I currently hold the title of Miko of Yugen.''

With that same smirk, that same tone, she utters.

Twitch.

It is not until I feel a sudden jolt of my hands that I snap out of it.

However, the fact doesn't change.

The person standing on the stage right now... is Chloe. But if that is Chloe, then this...

''...''

As soon as I turn to the side, the sight of a flabbergasted Amelia Luminous greets me. Those lustrous blue pupils shake violently, unable to find a resting place.

''Chloe?''

''...Huh?!''

As if walking between different realities, Chloe takes a while to stabilize. Afterward, her expression as she looks at me... is that of fear. Is she fearing that I will think of her as an imposter?

I wouldn't know.

However, what I do know at this moment is that... I need to sort this out immediately.

''Eh?''

''Oh.''

So, I stand up, pulling Chloe—both Chloes along with me. Conveniently, there is an empty place under a stair nearby, so it doesn't take very long to arrive at a suitable location.

''...So, what is going on here?''

I ask, breaking the uncomfortable silence between us three.

Both me and the blond Chloe are staring at the black-haired Chloe, who only blinks naively.

After rubbing her chin a bit, 'Chloe' finally opens her mouth with a smirk.

''Well? Was it fun using my body, you lowlife?''