Wherever she passed, people froze and stared.
Although she was walking through the streets as though she belonged there, her presence felt so ethereal that anyone who saw her had to stop for a moment and wonder if what they'd just seen was real or a fragment of their imagination.
The target of all of these gazes? A blonde girl.
Her beautiful long locks gleamed under the rays of the sun, as dazzling as gold threads and as soft as the most exquisite silk. Her green eyes, her shapely nose, her cherry blossom-colored lips, her smooth, unblemished, pale skin...every part of her was doll-like perfection. She was wearing a plain white dress, but on her, it looked as good as an intricate ball gown. The simple white flower that decorated her hair completed the outfit, enhancing her beauty.
Anything would look good on her, the passersby thought. Next to her radiance, the city appeared dull and gray. Only she was the light, and it seemed like a halo accompanied her every step. Needless to say, this was nothing more than an optical illusion. There was no halo around her, but she shone so brightly that those who witnessed her glory could have sworn there was.
That was just how much she stood out. She was almost like some sort of otherworldly goddess. Only she deserved to stand in the spotlight. Everyone else was a supporting role. She was a star—the only true star there was.
Naturally, such a person couldn't simply walk through the streets of Tokyo without becoming the talk of the town. People took to the internet to share their admiration.
[Lady Ellize?!]Quiz Runner [THREAD 172]
768 Nameless Runner
You guys are spamming threads. This is the 30th one I've seen popping up just today!
769 Nameless Runner
It's not even that bad on here. You should see the Kuon no Sanka and Ellize stans forums. They're going ham
770 Nameless Runner
It's my first time on here and the amount of threads is freaking me out. What's up???
771 Nameless Runner
You didn't watch today's episode, did you?
772 Nameless Runner
Nah, I missed the second half
773 Nameless Runner
So there was a question about whether shibas or huskies were closer to wolves. They showed a regular girl answering and boy was she gorgeous
774 Nameless Runner
I fell in love with a 3D gal for the first time in my life
775 Nameless Runner
No but like, can humans even have such shiny hair? Is that a thing?
776 Nameless Runner
No. No one's hair does that in real life. D'y'all think life is an anime or what?
777 Nameless Runner
The show edited her hair for sure
778 Nameless Runner
It looked super realistic tho... Well, I guess glowing hair isn't all that realistic
779 Nameless Runner
They didn't edit it. I saw her answer the question irl
780 Nameless Runner
Seriously? How was she?
781 Nameless Runner
She smelled freaking good
782 Nameless Runner
Creep.
783 Nameless Runner
>>781
784 Nameless Runner
>>781
785 Nameless Runner
>>781
786 Nameless Runner
Isn't she an Ellize cosplayer?
787 Nameless Runner
She even has the flower so she's gotta be. People checked on the main thread and there's no other chara with that exact flower. It's kinda weird, though. Why not wear Ellize's dress if she's cosplaying?
788 Nameless Runner
A full cosplay in the streets is pushing it, isn't it? She compromised with the flower and a less flashy white dress.
789 Nameless Runner
Why are y'all so sure? There are hundreds of charas w/blonde hair and green eyes
790 Nameless Runner
Because of the flower, you dumbass.
791 Nameless Runner
So what? You think Ellize's the only character with a flower, huh? Not the brightest flower in the garden, are you?
792 Nameless Runner
You mean "not the sharpest tool in the shed"? There are plenty of characters with flowers in their hair, but the shape and number of petals don't match. This looks just like the angelos we see in Kuon no Sanka. Though this one is probably synthetic. Anyway, the point is that no one would bother recreating that exact flower if it isn't to cosplay Ellize. How about you spend five minutes googling before replying next time?
793 Nameless Runner
Go fight elsewhere. You're so annoying.
794 Nameless Runner
Isn't Ellize that saint who's supposedly so beautiful she appears to be glowing in the game?
795 Nameless Runner
*Fake saint But yes.
796 Nameless Runner
The heroine of the one true route
797 Nameless Runner
I still think the devs are weirdos for putting so much effort into a hidden route. No one even found it for years!
798 Nameless Runner
Speaking of, how come it wasn't discovered earlier? The conditions are a bit obscure, but the emulator crew shoulda figured it out waaaay quicker
799 Nameless Runner
No clue. I found it pretty early on, but I didn't post about it so maybe others did the same
800 Nameless Runner
Sure, sure. We all believe you lol
801 Nameless Runner
Lie better.
802 Nameless Runner
It's true! I extracted the data so I knew it was there all along but I forgot about it and only played it recently
803 Nameless Runner
LMAO ME TOO!!!
804 Nameless Runner
Same, I also knew it was there. I was too busy to play at the time and ended up forgetting about Kuon no Sanka entirely until a couple of weeks ago.
805 Nameless Runner
Anyway, how was she irl? Glowing fr?
806 Nameless Runner
Totally
807 Nameless Runner
LMAO
808 Nameless Runner
LMAO
809 Nameless Runner
Seemed that way at least
810 Nameless Runner
The way they asked that question made the answer so obvious. The moment they brought up the Shiba I knew they were trying to mislead people. They could do better, seriously.
811 Nameless Runner
Let's just say that Lady Ellize blessed Japan with her visit.
812 Nameless Runner
That cosplayer's stupid good
813 Nameless Runner
If you're looking for the real Lady El, she's sleeping next to me.
814 Nameless Runner
You sure that's not Elizabeth?
815 Supple Ment
Lady Ellize! O' Glorious saint! Lady Ellize! Lady Ellizeeeeeee!!!
816 Nameless Runner
>>815
Go back to your world!!!
817 Nameless Runner
>>815
Don't butt in, Four-Eyed Pervert!
818 Nameless Runner
[Breaking news]I work at a convenience store and I got to touch Lady Ellize's dainty fingers when I gave her her change
819 Nameless Runner
So jelly
820 Nameless Runner
You've used up your luck for the rest of your life
821 Nameless Runner
Which store?! What'd she buy?
822 Nameless Runner
Not telling you where. You creeps are all gonna rush here. I was freaking out so much that I can't even remember what she bought. I'm pretty sure she got some bread.
823 Nameless Runner
Bread...? For real?
824 Nameless Runner
That's so normal LMAO
825 Nameless Runner
There's no sliced bread in Fiori, must be why
◇
"This is so good!!! It's so soft it's melting on my tongue!!!"
"The cloud you made for me last time was already very soft, but this is incredible..."
As soon as I went back to Fiori, I threw together an emergency meeting and made French toast for the occasion. The emergency meeting was obviously to discuss the spatiotemporal rift that led to another world.
Layla, Alfrea, and King Aiz were the only ones here. I still had no clue what that rift was, so I figured keeping the information under wraps for the time being was for the best.
Alfrea and the others seemed to be enjoying the French toast I'd made, but I personally felt like something was off or missing.
I'd followed a recipe I'd seen on TV once upon a time that promised to help you make "professional French toast at home" to a T, but I wasn't entirely convinced. At the end of the day, while these shows did help you get closer to the food a professional chef would cook, it wasn't quite the same. So, while I'd done a pretty good job, it still wasn't as delicious as the one I'd had at that one place.
I wonder if the quality of the ingredients is the issue... I'm sure restaurants use the finest eggs, milk, and bread there are. Or maybe my skills are the issue. Professionals are on another level altogether. I wish they would've let me get takeout!
By the way, the "cloud" Layla had mentioned was what people called cakes in this world. When I'd offered some to the big shots for the first time, they'd kept going on and on about how it was like eating a cloud, and the name had ended up sticking. So yeah, this had nothing to do with the emo boy who ran to a brothel dressed like a girl the first chance he got.
"Moving on to the more pressing issue..." the king started. "You said there's another world beyond the rift, correct?"
"Yes."
"What is it like?"
"It's...very dangerous. I don't think anyone else but me should venture there," I answered.
If I'd said honestly that the rift led to a rich peaceful nation, countless idiots would've flooded over to go there seeking food or riches. I didn't think anyone who tried would be able to make it, but what if they did and a conflict broke out?
I felt bad for lying to King Aiz, but I didn't intend on telling him—or any of the other royals, for that matter—what Japan was truly like. To be perfectly honest, I didn't even want him at this meeting. I wouldn't breathe a word to Alfrea either—that girl couldn't hold her tongue to save her life. The only person here I'd consider telling the truth to was Layla.
Though maybe I shouldn't... What if she goes all Scotterbrain on me again? You know what? I'll keep my mouth shut and keep pretending that Japan is super-duper dangerous.
"I saw countless steel monsters running faster than horses, and the air was poisonous—so thick and impure that I couldn't even see the stars. The sea was a muddy dark color, and the people—there were people—all walked to their working stations with defeated looks on their faces," I explained.
Well, had I lied? There were tons of cars, and the quality of the air truly left much to be desired. The sea bordering Tokyo was also pretty damn dirty. Most people also went to work every single day and fought with the dreadful evil called overtime. Corporate slaves don't have it easy! For real, though, NEETs are winning at life.
"Y-You were alone in such a horrible place?! Next time, I'll come with y—"
"I'm fine, Layla. You know I have a resistance to poison. Besides, I can run away if it comes to that. To be honest, going alone is easier in that regard. I believe I should be the only one entering this world to investigate."
If I took Layla to the other side, I had a feeling she'd pick a fight with a truck and get run over in the first five minutes. Actually, she was strong enough to slice the truck in two, so I should probably worry about the driver and all the other vehicles that'd obviously get dragged into the accident.
Alfrea would probably run around excitedly, get lost, and cry in a corner until I managed to find her again.
If I had to take someone along...it'd be Eterna or Verner. These two would most likely be fine, but Layla and Alfrea were out of the question.
The next time I went to Japan, I'd buy the game and a console, then swing by an internet café to play Kuon no Sanka again. If I wasn't mistaken, you could play it on some handheld consoles these days, so it probably wouldn't be too complicated.
I already knew the story very well, but playing it again could always lead to new discoveries.
(2k word count)