Case 23: To let feelings seep through texts.

''Hahah...''

Once the sight of Lyra's little face crumbled in anxiousness finally registered within me, I let out a dry laugh and stroked her head—like usual. It seemed to have worked as she gradually relaxed.

I might have scared her too much.

Yeah. I shouldn't have shown such a painful side of reality to a child.

In truth, I wasn't always this attentive. Not many people could afford to dedicate so much of their lives to caring for someone like I did to Lyra. I suppose some really kind people would, but I wasn't one of them.

No, I wasn't such a saint. No matter how much I loved the game's protagonist, no matter how pitiful Lyra seemed in real life... I wouldn't have been as devoted to her as I was without that incident.

I had a friend back on Earth—a really close friend.

At this point, I knew she considered me her soulmate, but I merely thought of her as a good companion. It was... a long story, but I did eventually realize her worth when she helped me at my lowest. When I was in high school, devastated at the loss of my father, she was the one who got me up again.

That winter.

''It will all be okay, ■■■■■■, it should be.''

''Don't think about it. I'm here with you, ■■■■■■.''

''What are you talking about? I need you here, ■■■■■■!''

She persistently stayed with me for nights on end, even if I was rejecting her. In the end, it was those seemingly empty words, those seemingly trivial encouragements, that made me turn my back to those ropes. Even at this point, I missed her.

I wonder... if she was worrying for me out there. I guess something had to have happened to my body.

Either way, since then, I had become more aware of life's worth, especially when it concerned my fellow human beings. So, to Lyra.

''Remember my words, little sister.''

''...Mhm.''

To express your true feelings. Someday... they might just save someone.

A little more than four days after getting a smartphone.

I was a bit excited today, even though I just coughed out a whole bunch of blood earlier. Now, I had been texting the three love interests for a while, and the experience was practically no different from doing the same thing on Earth.

Surprisingly, it was Kiara who exchanged contacts with me first, then followed by the other two at almost the same time. Kiara came in person, but since Rachael and Penelope were busy, they sent their subordinates instead.

Still, despite all of that, my phone rang frequently throughout the day. Penelope would often hit me with casual, flirty texts, while Kiara, being Kiara, goofed around a ton with her emojis. Of course, I matched them.

And then...

''Ugh... gulp—!''

Heat rushed to my face as my sight glued to the picture Rachael sent without a caption.

It was a slice of somebody's abdomen.

This person's skin was a bit pale, yet with unmatched symmetry on their lean ab muscles and a playful sprinkle of water as if she had just come out of a bath; it brought upon a diabolical sexiness that would make one question their existence on this planet.

Rachael was too damn sexy, and she sure knew how to use it to her advantage.

[Come to my place this Saturday. I'll pick you up.]

[Your Highness, don't you have school, still?]

[You're more important to me.]

[...Understood.]

No good. Rachael was becoming too proud of herself just because she kissed me until my legs went out the other day. That tongue was undoubtedly the devil's creation.

By the way, all three of the love interests were still attending the academy—the same one that served as the main stage for Lyra later. Due to the age gap, when my little sister would finally be admitted into the institution in the future, her potential lovers would already be working.

Me? I'm not going.

No, really. There was no point. Nothing happened there before the protagonist's generation came in, anyway. I would rather spend my time here with Lyra.

Anyway, I just responded to Rachael, and Kiara should be preparing for her shoot as well, so that left Penelope.

The last thing she sent me was [Looking forward to feeling your heat again.]

Aww... that was so cute.

So, I returned the wholesomeness by sending her a cut of my upper torso with only the bra on.

''Crap, the bones are kind of showing...''

Clearly, the consequences of my stubbornness were showing. At this rate, would it affect my ability to satisfy my future lovers sexually? I was worried for a while, too, being so thin like this.

[Hot.]

Oh, she liked it. Nevermind.

[I'll visit soon.]

[Waiting for you.]

Giggling like an idiot, I sent the message and got out of bed.

Today, according to Quasar, who had just appeared on national television the day before, there was something special coming to the app store—a social media platform.

This was actually one of the cool features in the original game. Depending on how the player used the digital platform, different effects could be achieved. Since the app at that point had tons of users from around the world, news would be easier to spread, and more people would be swayed with little effort.

Of course, it wouldn't be as lively now since we were on the launch day, but I figured it would be a fun experience, at least.

''Lyra~!''

''Big sis.''

As usual, Lyra was reading a book in her room while her dragon curled up on the bed. With familiarity, I picked up the heroine and sat her on my lap.

''Did you try the new app?''

''You mean Q-io?''

Right. The app's name was Q-io. One could think of it as a slightly altered Twitter... but with way fewer dumb people.

''What's the point of it?'' Lyra asked, round eyes looking up at me.

''Hm... you can share stuff with people. Socializing in the digital world—something like that.''

''Okay...''

She seemed less than enthusiastic. Still, with a bit of nudging, she agreed to create a profile as well.

''What's your username?''

''Hapruser. What's your?''

Somehow, Lyra chose a strange name. Was it supposed to be 'HarpUser'?

In the original game, the player could do whatever they wanted with their Q-io profile, so seeing the real Lyra making it was quite exciting.

''Mine's Cecily.''

''I sent a friend request.''

''Let's see... here we go. Accepted.''

So, we promptly became friends online, and to commemorate this new friendship, I suggested a picture.

''Say 'cheese'...!''

''...?''

I guess there were no such lines here. Still, I pressed the shutter button regardless, and the final image came out nicely. In it, Lyra was sitting on my lap lovingly, tilting her head while I smiled.

Let's upload it right away.

The caption... [First day with my cute little sister.]

''Perfect!''

Over time, these images would serve as proof of our lasting relationship. Later, I would fill up my page with photos of me and Rachael, Penelope, and Kiara as well.

Then, perhaps, I could mark my existence within this world—my very own path, my own identity I was carrying. So, even after the end of my story... I hoped someone would at least remember this lone girl.