"Hah?! What the hell are you talking about?!" Hearing the deep, genuine concern in Seele's tender voice, Veliona responded almost instinctively with aggressive defensiveness.
But Seele, who had been struggling against her just moments ago, now stood before her, fists clenched tightly at her chest, her eyes shimmering with resolve.
"I said..." Seele had long since grown accustomed to Veliona's daily hissing.
Who else in the world understood this 'sister' better than she did?
Taking a deep breath, Seele finally voiced the thoughts she had been harboring deep in her heart.
"Seele... my other self. I want you to be like everyone else. I want you to have your own body, your own social circle. I want you to have a normal life."
"That's just what you want!" Veliona ground her teeth, her breathing growing heavy. "Why should I have to leave just because you want me to?! Why do I have to listen to you?!
"Ah... I get it now. Is it because I'm always nagging in your head? Have you started to find me annoying? You're starting to hate me, aren't you?
"Hmph. You think I'm a nuisance, don't you? Hiding in someone else's head all day like a pathetic little bug too scared to face the light. You think I shouldn't be a part of your life... You think... You think..."
She lowered her head. Her hands, hanging limply at her sides, clenched into tight fists, hiding her expression in the shadows.
Opposite her, Seele grew pale at the sudden, rapid-fire barrage of self-deprecation exploding from Veliona.
"No, that's not..." Seele instinctively denied it, then realized her voice was too quiet. "That's not it at all!"
"Then why are you doing this?!" Veliona finally snapped, shouting at Seele.
"If you don't hate me, why are you trying to kick me out?!"
I'm perfectly happy just staying like this...
Veliona's voice grew quieter and quieter, while the underlying sound of her sobbing grew heavier and heavier.
A faint glint of light flashed across her face, hidden in the darkness, speaking of her profound unwillingness.
In truth, she was terrified... far more terrified than the cowardly Seele ever was.
She knew exactly what kind of person she was. Compared to Seele, she was nothing more than a monster.
Seele was so wonderful. Pure, soft, like a ray of morning sunlight, like a pristine white flower. Just looking at her was enough to heal people's hearts.
But what about her? She was covered in sharp thorns. Anyone who tried to approach her, anyone who offered her kindness, was met with a violent sting.
If Seele unreservedly projected kindness toward the outside world, then she was the one lurking in the darkness, wanting to destroy everything.
So she was terrified. Terrified that Seele wanted to abandon her. Terrified that Seele wanted to excise this monster from her body.
She was terrified that Seele's current support, her hesitation, and even her asking for permission were simply manifestations of Seele's overwhelming kindness!
Seele was good. She knew that. She believed it with her entire being.
But Veliona couldn't properly evaluate herself. She felt she might truly be irredeemably wicked—so wicked that even someone as kind as Seele couldn't tolerate her anymore.
It felt as if a supreme, absolute authority was confirming the darkest insecurities she harbored about herself. That was how Veliona felt right now.
I'm not that bad... I'm really not that bad...
Veliona began to curl up in front of Seele. She hugged herself tightly, her heavy breathing becoming increasingly labored and desperate.
I'm really not that bad...
No one wants to believe they are truly that awful.
Faced with the suffocating despair pouring from Veliona, Seele instead let out a long sigh of immense relief.
So that's how it is...
That's... wonderful.
Seele sighed softly. She stepped forward and, like a brave little knight, knelt on one knee before Veliona. She opened her arms and gently pulled Veliona's head against her chest.
"Seele... my other self. I still don't know exactly what to call you, and for that, I am truly sorry," Seele said softly, her hand gently stroking Veliona's hair.
"I feel that you perhaps need an independent name, because your life shouldn't revolve entirely around me. Even if that is what you truly want, it should be a choice you make.
"But at the same time, I feel that we are ultimately the same. There is no 'primary' or 'secondary' between us. We have always been one entity. We are both Seele.
"But because you always give the body to me, the world 'Seele' experiences is ultimately just my world. Your world is too barren, too empty. That isn't fair.
"So, even if the world you truly desire is exactly like this—a world where only I exist—I want that world to be your active choice, not a result you are forced to accept.
"And now, the opportunity to choose is right in front of you. My other self, if you want to experience a different life, if you want to have more choices, Big Brother Shu will definitely do everything in his power to prepare the perfect body for you.
"You don't need to worry about everyone not accepting you, and you don't need to worry about anyone abandoning you. Since they can accept me, they will definitely be able to accept the 'other Seele.'
"If you choose to refuse, you don't need to worry either. Just whisper it to me, and I will be the one to tell everyone, as 'Seele,' that I don't want you to leave.
"Then, it will be our little secret. Not even Sister Bronya will ever know.
"My other self, everyone and I will support any choice you make."
Seele gently pressed her hands against Veliona's trembling shoulders. Her voice was as soft and soothing as the gentlest lullaby.
"Mhm. Everyone is truly wonderful."
Wow. That was a beautiful speech...
The shamelessly eavesdropping adult, Shu, having rudely listened to every single word Seele said to Veliona, awkwardly rubbed the corner of his eye.
According to normal script progression, since the emotional climax had been reached, Veliona and Seele should now be completely reconciled and ready to make a firm decision.
Shu genuinely didn't care whether Veliona chose independence or chose to stay with Seele. He wouldn't pressure her either way.
Just as Seele said, he would respect whatever choice Veliona made. With 101% trust, he wasn't the least bit worried about Veliona staying inside Seele's body causing any harm.
What could she possibly do? She was just a hissing, grumpy Veliona.
Aside from making Seele wake up feeling sore, exhausted, and occasionally discovering that the pantyhose she had only worn for one day had mysteriously vanished, what else could she possibly do?
She wouldn't even dare touch the panties Seele had worn...
Ahem... Anyway, Seele's speech was excellent. She had a true talent for public speaking and incredible emotional resonance. She was truly worthy of being Seele.
However, the target of her persuasion was Veliona. Even though she had been moved to absolute tears by Seele's profound gentleness—so much so that Shu, caught in the emotional crossfire via his perception, almost started crying with her—Veliona still stubbornly refused to admit defeat.
Her mouth was as hard as diamonds.
"You're so cunning!"