(This... how is this possible?!)
Stelle's mind raced. (When did March 7th get an older sister? And take such an intimate photo? How did I not know?!)
Stelle suddenly looked up, glancing at the photo, then at the silently smiling Long Night Moon in front of her, then back at the photo, repeating the sequence several times.
The massive informational shock and the "ironclad evidence" provided by the photo, combined with the fatigue and hunger that had weakened her judgment, instantly shattered her already uncomplicated chain of logic.
(The photo is real... the background is this place... she looks so much like March 7th... and she knows my name...)
(Could it be... she really is March's older sister? March found her family?)
A feeling of "so that's it," mixed with a slight relief that her companion had found family, and the complicated emotions toward the word "older sister" stemming from her previous deception by the Herta "older sister," ultimately coalesced into... belief.
The wall of suspicion crumbled.
The wariness and confusion on Stelle's face quickly faded, replaced by an apologetic smile.
She hurriedly handed the photo back to Long Night Moon, scratching her head awkwardly:
"Uh... haha, so... so you really are March's older sister! Hello, Older Sister! I'm Stelle! It's great to meet you!"
She extended her hand, wanting to shake Long Night Moon's hand very formally.
Long Night Moon watched Stelle's rapid change in attitude, a satisfied gleam of successful scheming flashing in her eyes.
She elegantly extended her hand, which was covered by a black lace glove, and gently shook Stelle's hand.
"Hello, Stelle. I am Long Night Moon."
Her voice still held that unique languor and mystery, "I... often hear my little sister mention you."
Stelle, having successfully "recognized her kin," was currently most concerned about her survival.
She covered her rumbling stomach and looked eagerly at Long Night Moon:
"Um... Older Sister, do you... do you know where the food is kept here? I... I'm seriously about to faint from hunger..."
Facing Stelle's expectant gaze, Long Night Moon shook her head.
Instead of answering directly, she raised her hand, clad in a black lace glove, and her slender finger pointed over Stelle's shoulder toward a corner behind her.
"I haven't prepared any food. But perhaps... she has some?"
Stelle, feeling dizzy, turned her head in the direction Long Night Moon was pointing.
Her gaze fell upon a quiet sofa on the other side of the carriage.
A figure was sitting there, quietly looking out at the star river flowing past the viewing window, with gray shoulder-length hair, and a familiar back view... The person seemed to notice Stelle's gaze and slowly turned their head.
When Stelle saw the face clearly, she felt as if she had been doused with ice water and instantly froze.
It was another face exactly identical to hers!
It was Ah-Xing!
However, those golden eyes lacked highlights, calm like a deep pool, forming an absurd contrast with the turbulent waves in Stelle's heart.
"..."
Stelle's mouth twitched uncontrollably. She abruptly turned back to look at the mysteriously smiling Long Night Moon beside her, then twisted her head again to look at the silent "herself" on the sofa.
A wave of surreal absurdity swept over her.
Fatigue, hunger, and the psychological trauma of being severely mocked by the Herta "older sister" recently, were completely detonated by this "second self" standing before her.
"Heh... hehe..."
Stelle suddenly started laughing softly, the sound hoarse. She shakily stood up, her finger trembling as she pointed back and forth between Long Night Moon and Ah-Xing.
"I... I understand now!"
Her voice was low, filled with sudden realization, "The simulated universe, right?! It must be! Herta's simulated universe... it hasn't ended yet! Heh heh... I never actually left!"
She grasped at this like a last straw, forcefully slapping her forehead, trying to use the pain to confirm if this was an illusion.
"You're all fake! All fake! What older sister, what another me... they're all ghost events generated by the simulated universe, right?! I knew it! How could there be so many older sisters... Heh heh... it's all fake, it's all a scam!"
While babbling incoherently, she stumbled backward, her eyes unfocused.
Finally, she practically scrambled out of the Party Car, leaving only her intermittent "heh heh" laughter echoing in the air.
Long Night Moon watched Stelle's retreating back, the corner of her perpetually smiling mouth twitching slightly—a rare sight.
She had anticipated various reactions from Stelle, but she never expected the Trailblazer's thought process to be so unconventional, immediately attributing this "reality" to virtual simulation.
(Well... looks like I overdid it?)
A trace of helplessness flashed in her crimson eyes.
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