Chapter 109

Zhong Li: "Yes... this question, perhaps there is no correct answer at all."

Zhong Li: "If one must choose, one can only choose the answer that has the best ending for oneself."

Acheron: "So Mr. Aventurine, if everything could start over, would you still be willing to be a child blessed by the Mother Goddess?"

Aventurine: "..."

Aventurine: "I don't know..."

Aventurine: "But... there are no 'ifs' in this world!"

Acheron: "...Yes."

Acheron: "There were no 'ifs' to speak of... why assume a choice?"

Acheron: "Cherishing the present... is already the best choice..."

The video continues.

[It's really quiet this time; did he finally disappear...]

[Or am I about to disappear?]

Aventurine continues to walk in the maze for a while,

but this time,

the Harmony-Aventurine does not appear again.

[Finally... walked out of here.]

A moment later,

Aventurine walks out of this maze.

[Are we going home—but I don't want to go back yet—]

[It's so happy here—I want to stay here forever—]

After coming out of the maze,

Aventurine hears Kakavasha's voice again.

[Sir... is that you?]

[I heard the sound of leather shoes.]

[Ah... it really is you.]

Aventurine finally catches up with Kakavasha again.

[I don't know why, Sir, you always give me a special feeling...]

[Makes me very curious, eager to try.]

[It's a pity I couldn't get to know you more.]

[We should say goodbye; did you have fun?]

Kakavasha's face is still overflowing with a smile.

[Are you... going back?]

Aventurine looks at Kakavasha,

revealing a complex expression on his face.

[Yes, I should go home.]

[The sky is starting to get gloomy, it's going to rain, I can't let everyone worry.]

Kakavasha nods,

saying earnestly.

[Where... is your home?]

Aventurine can't help but ask.

[What a strange question.]

[Home is where Dad, Mom, and Sister are...]

[...right here in this dream.]

Kakavasha says naively.

[Sigh...]

Aventurine hears Kakavasha's words,

and can't help but sigh, his expression low.

[This amusement park, this sweet dream, is truly peaceful.]

[Everyone likes it.]

[But Sir, why don't you like it?]

Kakavasha asks.

[...Because they are not here.]

Aventurine says in a low voice.

[Then where are they?]

The Harmony-Aventurine, who thought he had disappeared, appears again.

And asks Aventurine back.

[I don't know.]

Aventurine shakes his head dejectedly.

[You clearly know.]

[It's just that the answer has no meaning.]

The Harmony-Aventurine says.

[...]

Aventurine begins to be silent.

[Admit it, you are tired.]

[We are all tired, so we plan to stay here, I... and him.]

[Your past... and future.]

The Harmony-Aventurine walks to Kakavasha's side,

and says to Aventurine faintly.

[How long is staying here?]

Aventurine asks back.

[Forever.]

[We will stay with you, forever in this dream.]

[...This is the greatest respect we offer to those who have decided to die.]

The Harmony-Aventurine's words,

are like bewitchment.

[...]

Aventurine is silent again.

[Taking a dangerous path, that is an extremely absurd approach, but it is not rare for you.]

[Because your own life has always been the first chip you throw out, always.]

[You don't care who the real culprit is, and you are not interested in the so-called inheritance.]

[You just want to be a good IPC employee, suffering everywhere on the Family's turf, being put in hot shackles, pushed to the center of the stage...]

[Then, become the third victim of this grand event.]

The Harmony-Aventurine says the real thoughts in Aventurine's heart.

[...I can do it, and it will be seamless.]

Aventurine denies.

[Of course you can.]

[Your good luck will surely help you at just the right time; a Stellaron and an Emanator... it's that simple, right?]

[In this way, the IPC can gain the qualification to sit at the table.]

[And you can also withdraw from the endless vortex and get the relief you dream of.]

[It's not the first time... this is the way you are best at, and the way you crave the most,]

[This farce began with a death, and will also end in a death...]

[...so that is why Diamond chose you?]

The Harmony-Aventurine says.

[He only wants Penacony, regardless of the means, regardless of the cost... and it has nothing to do with specific people.]

Aventurine shakes his head and explains.

[It must be very hard.]

The Harmony-Aventurine's tone suddenly becomes caring.

[You suddenly become very considerate; did you find your conscience?]

Aventurine is noncommittal.

[I was born from your self after all, so I know very well that taking back the chips you threw out is as difficult as ascending to heaven.]

[I cannot stop what you want to do, and the place you want to go... we cannot change either.]

The Harmony-Aventurine seems to be starting to lean toward Aventurine.

[Spilled water cannot be gathered.]

[All we can do is seize every opportunity to let ourselves win for as long as possible.]

A firm expression appears on Aventurine's face.

[Yes.]

[It's a pity that people cannot make only correct decisions in their whole life... although good luck is always on your side.]

[You will always keep winning, you have never lost—but why is it you? Why... must it be you?]

[If the miracle of a lucky person is built entirely on the misfortune of all those he loves, and even more people...]

[If every rain you bring never symbolizes the forgiveness and grace of the Mother Goddess, but one meaningless death after another...]

[...then how many mistakes did you and I commit to be born into this world?]

The Harmony-Aventurine stabs Aventurine in the heart one last time.

[...]

[...Perhaps once I reach that destination, our confusion can be answered.]

Aventurine is silent,

then answers the Harmony-Aventurine.

[Hmph... alright.]

[Go ahead, friend, I'll wait for you in front.]

[For the final time, say a proper goodbye to this child.]

[Try your best to...]

[...die without regrets.]

Stelle: "This Harmony-Aventurine, he seems to have really disappeared this time?"

Stelle: "But, Aventurine's past, Kakavasha, still exists."

Welt: "The Harmony-Aventurine represents Aventurine's future, and Kakavasha belongs to Aventurine's past."

Welt: "He is actually negotiating with his own inner demons."

Welt: "Whether to say goodbye to the past and move toward the future."

Welt: "Or to be forever drowned in the regrets of the past, never waking up, is all in his single thought."

Furina: "I understand now..."

Furina: "The things the Harmony-Aventurine said are actually the things Aventurine has always been caught in self-doubt about."

Furina: "Aventurine has never lost, Aventurine's luck has always been very good."

Furina: "But Aventurine doesn't know whether this good luck is a grace or a punishment..."

Furina: "If it is a grace, then why would he, with his good luck, lose everything he cherishes."

Furina: "But if it is a punishment, then why would it let him win these gambling games again and again?"

Black Swan: "Life is like a maze, and Aventurine is now stuck in a dead end."

Black Swan: "Unless he can break this dead end, otherwise, he might be lost forever."

Dan Heng: "So, he created an opportunity for himself, a grand death!"

Dan Heng: "Death is also a rebirth; this might allow him to find the meaning of living again."

Himeko: "But perhaps... it will really make him die completely."

Arlecchino: "Isn't this also a kind of high-stakes gamble?"

Arlecchino: "Gambling on whether he is willing to live on?"

Arlecchino: "I hope he can eventually get an answer that satisfies his wishes..."

Aventurine: "I will, at the end of fate, I will definitely be able to understand all of this!"

The video continues.

[Now... it's just us left.]

[Can you take a photo for me?]

[Just consider it a memento.]

Kakavasha smiles,

wanting Aventurine to help him take a photo.

[...Hmm, come on.]

Aventurine nods gently.

He takes out his phone,

and starts helping Kakavasha take a photo.

After a click,

the photo is taken.

[Great, this way I can see what I look like too.]

Kakavasha looks at the photo, his expression very happy.

[Next time you take a photo, remember to look at the lens, the expression will be more natural.]

Aventurine smiles and reminds him.

[Hmm, I will.]

[Then... Sir, are you going back too?]

Kakavasha looks at Aventurine, somewhat reluctant.

[I can't leave yet.]

[I still have a... performance here.]

Aventurine shakes his head and explains.

[Oh... so you are about to go on stage to perform, right?]

[Then let's go, I'll send you to the big stage.]