Little Wing It

Volume 3

In A Virtual Reality Without My VisiPhone!

Epilogue

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"I'm still curious, though. How can a simulation recreate something with so much realism?"

I wondered out loud. The VR experience from a few days ago was still fresh in my mind. Now that things have calmed down a bit, I had a lot of things I needed answers to!

As if to join me in my musings, a gentle presence made itself felt to me, along with a soft voice I've come to associate with a certain person.

"A recreation... yes. If you could recreate a relic site in enough detail you might even rediscover the secrets of the Ancients..."

"It can't be that easy... can it?"

"... who're you talking to?"

Red suddenly interjected from beside me. One thing led to another, and I was stuck with her.

Yut was probably somewhere stuffing his face, training, or both. And I haven't seen Kara all day, which is a bit disappointing.

I think Lumia's also still around, but I haven't seen her too. I wonder where she is?

"Umm...has Kara mentioned someone by the name of Mika to you?"

"Mika...? Oh, yeah, I remember. The lady living inside you, right?"

I really wish she hadn't termed it like that. You couldn't at least say that we were sharing a body?

Red must have noticed my reaction to her words, as she snickered for a bit. What a brat.

"I still don't think I fully believe all this but... what can I do? Anyway. Name's Red. Nice to meet ya, Ms. Ancient lady. If you're there, that is."

"She's here, alright. And maybe don't call her that?"

Mika sent a message of greeting in response, with me as the middle person. Thankfully, she didn't seem to be bothered by the Ancient Lady remark.

Or maybe she was and just didn't say anything. I wonder if she's the type to be secretly sensitive about her age?

"Hmm. I guess I hafta take your word for it for now. So, what's it like?"

"What's it like... How do I put this? It's really complicated to explain."

Mika was really respectful, I guess. She never assumes control of my body without my permission first.

But she's always so supportive and gentle. I suppose she's like a mother?

I conveyed my thoughts to Red.

"You're right, it is complicated."

What an inspired response! Truly amazing. Red just shrugged at my unimpressed stare.

I couldn't fault her, though. I get confused from time to time too. Kara took it surprisingly well, but I wonder how Lumia would react?

"Well, anyway, I've got some things to take care of. Catch ya later, bolthead."

"Again with the bolthead... now what?"

Red suddenly took off, leaving me by my lonesome. This sucks. Where was everyone else?

Kara wasn't in his room, I checked. And there was really no point in me hanging around there if he wasn't present. The main reason I go there was because it was boring on my own!

Well, maybe the office? Come to to think of it, I haven't seen the boss or Ursula in a while. Oh well! Couldn't hurt to check!

I made the journey to the office, and once I arrived, I immediately noticed the absence of a certain receptionist. Boss wasn't in his seat either. Oh, wait, I think he's out investigating at the moment...

Where'd everybody else go then? The CEO office? They weren't having a meeting without me, were they?

I approached the door of the office. Maybe I could see what they were talking about. Nobody's here to stop me anyway... and if it sounds like it's something not for me then I'll just go away, no biggie!

I pressed my ear to the door and...

"... as bait to lure Shizuru?"

"Too risky. In fact, we should probably change the way we've been doin' things around here."

That was Ursula and Kraz! And they were talking about Shizuru! It really was important! Why would they leave me out of this?

Well, not on my watch! I pressed the button to open the door, and then as it was sliding open...

"We're taking Emilia off active duty. What say you, kid?"

"... yeah. There's no other choice."

... Kara?

And... Lumia's here too? What...

I.. I don't understand...

"Take me off? Wh-what? Why?"

Everyone immediately turned around towards my direction. Why are you all surprised? I was going to find out anyway, wasn't I?

"E-Emilia! What are you doing here?!"

What, so I'm not welcome now, is that it?! I... I...

No, I'm not crying here! I'm not giving them the satisfaction!

"No, it's fine! I was just leaving! No one wants me around anyway so just like that, I'm out!"

"Wait, Emilia, you're taking this the wrong way!"

That was Kara. He's got some nerve...!

"You shut up! After everything we've been through? I thought you were my friend! I thought all of you were my friends! Ha! How wrong I was!"

I ignored all their attempts to call out to me and just ran.

I didn't know where I wanted to go, but I just ran away. Towards the ship. Take me somewhere... anywhere.

As soon as I was sure the ship has taken off, only then did I catch up to what was happening.

So they didn't need me anymore, huh? Well, I didn't need them too. I can't believe they even went as far as pretending to be my friends. Pretending to like me.

They didn't even chase after me! So I guess that really is how things are, huh?

All those memories... were they all just lies?

"I guess I really am alone, after all..."