[Music Recommendation: "Interweave" by Chewie Melodies (Genshin Impact OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

The rest of the day continued as usual until we all went back home. As soon as we did, I visited Hora in her room. I was worried that something I didn't know was going on and she was having a hard time because of it. Her horrified expression during lunch got stuck in my head and I knew it wouldn't go away unless I'm sure she's really okay.

Hora had always been like a family to me… sometimes even more. In my previous life, she was the only one who stuck with me until the end. She was the only one who truly understood me. Even during the times that I deliberately tried to shut her out of my life, she persisted and didn't leave me. Even if I write a whole book about her goodness and kindness to me, it wouldn't suffice—not even a whole series of books. Maybe a book with endless chapters would.

Truly, she was my dearest friend, and closest to my heart. I might be back in the past but that wouldn't change her—she was still the same Hora. I owed her a lot. She was one of the best things that happened to me both in my previous life, and my life right now. If she's in trouble, or having a hard time in any way, it's my turn to help her.

Standing in front of her room's door, I tried to remember the things in my previous life that might help. But then again, a lot of things have changed already. First of all, we weren't supposed to be here but we were. During this time in my previous life, I was busy trying to look for a job. And Hora was… studying in a college back in our country. Was there even a situation about Silky before?

And the answer was… none. I only remembered encountering Silky once in my previous life. And as for Aunt Vora, just a few times during my childhood but none after that. Weird. If there was a situation about Silky having a twin sister, it should at least reach my ears. Hora would definitely tell it to me, if it happened before. And if it did, there was no way that Hora wouldn't learn of it since her mother was fond of Aunt Vora.

'Hmm… whatever. It's useless to think about it. I should ask her directly.'

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Hora? Can I come in?" I asked, which was unusual for me because we just usually barge in our rooms like it's ours. But for some reason, I thought that barging in wasn't a good idea.

"Yes, come in." Hora replied, her voice sounding a bit muffled.

When I opened the door, I found Hora staring at her computer. I walked near her and flinched when I realized what website she was on.

"Buying your tickets already?"

"Oh. Yes. I didn't want to run out of tickets."

"And you're buying Friday night tickets? You're not even gonna rest after school on Friday?"

"Ahmm… Yes. School is not that tiring. And I can sleep during the flight."

"Is it… urgent? Can't you just buy the morning flight instead?"

Hora shook her head. She looked a bit disoriented and worried. I grabbed a free chair and sat beside her, staring at her.

"Hora," I called her again after breathing in deeply, "if there's anything bothering you, you can always share it with me. I can understand if it's something you can't share with others but… this is just me. We're the only ones here so it's okay to say anything."

"Don't worry, Sena. It's not that serious," she replied, scratching her cheeks.

She's lying… to me. Somehow, my heart ached. She was the one who said not to have any secrets with each other. But then again, I kept my time traveling as a secret from her so I had no right to be hurt by this. Well, maybe I could get hurt since what happened to me was unexplainable—magic, of all things! Who in their right mind would believe me? Even Hora would find it hard to believe me.

"Hora, please. Don't lie to me," I said in a somewhat angry tone. "You said no secrets."

Hora flinched, and her face turned sullen.

"Ahm… Sena, you see… haaah," she sighed. "There are some things I can't—how do I say this… What I mean is that…"

'This is the first time Hora's been like this. Usually, she has no trouble speaking her mind. But now, she's having trouble finding the right words. Is she filtering her words to me? She shouldn't even be doing that. I can take it whatever it is! There's no need for her to… Haaah. I wish she'd just tell me.'

"It's not like I don't want to tell you, really," she continued, "but it's more like… I shouldn't be the one saying. It's about Aunt Vora's family, you see. Not me. If it's me, I'll tell you right away. But since it's not… I'm so sorry."

'Is that really the case? Or is it just an excuse? But then, Hora is right. Aunt Vora is kind but we're not that close to be deeply involved in their family matters.'

"I see. In that case, I won't ask anymore."

Right. I shouldn't meddle too much in other people's lives.

"But… if it's giving you a hard time," I continued, "please, let me help. If there's anything I can help at all. I'm just worried about you. Can you promise me that it's nothing dangerous? Or not something that will greatly upset you? Or hurt you?"

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha!" Hora chuckled. "Don't worry. It's nothing dangerous, nothing that will upset me greatly, and nothing that will hurt me. I promise." She raised her right hand as she said it, promising to me.

"Okay. I'll take your word for it then."

"Thank you so much, Sena."

"It's nothing… Oh! One last thing."

"What is it?"

"Do you really have to go? Can't you just call Aunt Vora? Or do a video chat?"

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha! Aunt Vora repels technology!" Hora laughed so hard. "You've been to their house. It looks more like a flower garden than a house! And very minimal appliances except those that are easy to use for Aunt Vora. Only Silky is good with technology."

Remembering the beautiful house we went to during our elementary days, filled with flower bushes everywhere, with walls covered in flowering vines, and a beautiful water fountain in the backyard, I was convinced. Yeah. Aunt Vora's house was like that. It's very beautiful though. It's like a fairy sanctuary of some sort. Or a vacation house.

Not only that, it was amazing how that Sakura tree (cherry blossom tree) was alive there. I thought they only grew in cold places—or was I mistaken? Because her house was filled with those trees, even if you go far away outside the village, you could definitely tell her house apart from the rest. Just go to the pink house—not that the house itself was pink, it's actually white and brown because of the woods, but pink because of all the cherry blossoms. Honestly, despite me not being a fan of pink, I wouldn't mind living in her home. The cherry blossoms were simply stunning!

"Ha-ha-ha! Right. Okay, be careful on your flight though, and on your way, and on going back."

"Yes, yes. Stop being a worrywart."

"Hey. I'm not—"

"Yes, you are."

"Fine. Just be okay."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And say hi to Aunt Vora and her family for me."

"I will."

Not long after that, our little conversation ended. Then, the rest of the week passed by quickly. I said my goodbye to Hora and Verrill before they left. It's unfair how she let Verrill go with her but not me. I sulked and begged her from Wednesday to Friday but she insisted on not taking me. I was prepared to sneak out but then she caught me trying to buy tickets, too. Ugh. Why did I have to get caught?

Anyway, it was nice that at least she had a companion—even if it wasn't me, and the sly fox instead. And he just had to show off by offering Hora to go using their luxurious private jet. He should have told her that from the beginning so she didn't need to buy the tickets. Good thing she was refunded. Flights near the date of departure tend to cost so much more than usual ones booked weeks or months before.

And so, Hora and Verrill flew off towards the Pear of the Orient.

"Haaaah…"

"That's a long sigh," Kaiden commented. He and Crystal went with me to see Hora and Verrill off.

"Sorry about that. I just hope everything's okay."

"I hope so, too. But it's useless to overthink. So don't worry too much."

"Yes. I'll try."

Actually, I had been trying not to worry this whole week. But somehow… my instincts told me there's something wrong.