Dazzling One

What? You're already a regular at a restaurant in this time layer?

It's not like I'm not overly attached to the place or anything. Just, the food's not bad, so I keep going back.

Okay, but that's sorta what a "regular" means... But I'm pleased for you. I wish I had that.

......

What is it?

It's nothing...

Okay. Well, I hope you're able to find more things you like about this time layer, even if you do just stick to food for now.

Hmph. When I first came here, I couldn't stand the place. I thought it was a stupid world, always so relaxed. But you fill a world with naive, peace- loving fools, and this is what you're gonna get. Even I recognize its value.

Haha. You can just say you like the place, you know.

......

Suzette? You've fallen silent again. Is something wrong?

So irritating...

Oh?

Eek! She's seen me!

Aldo, wait a moment.

Eeep?!

Suzette? As in, this time layer's Suzette? What are you doing here?

Y-You're so smart, other me! Nobody else would have been able to see me hiding in the darkness like that!

I don't think you can hide in darkness in the middle of the day...

It makes my head hurt when you treat us as the same person. I can't get used to it. I only dragged you here because I'm not one for ignoring anybody who monitors me without my consent.

To think, this is how a parallel me chooses to spend her time. What ARE you doing, exactly? Try getting up to these antics in my time layer. You'd be arrested as a spy.

Um... Our destiny runs deeper than the abyss of chaotic darkness.

Huh? It's no use, I have no clue what she's saying. Interpret for me, Aldo.

Me?! Um...

"There's a reason why I'm doing this..." Or something?

Exactly! I knew you'd understand, Aldo.

There's a reason why you're following me? Go on then, spit it out.

I guess I'll have to, now that you've found me...

Another me... I wanted to ask you a favor. I was just waiting for the opportune moment!

A favor?

Um... Would you mind coming with me to the airport? That's where this favor relates to.

I'll pass. I don't see where you're going with this and I can think of no good reason to accompany you.

Oh... Rejected so quickly...

At least, that's what I'd like to tell you.

Huh?

But I want you to stop following me around. So I'll hear you out, this once. If someone's behind me, I'm on full alert. It's an old habit. And my nerves simply can't cope with you tailing me anymore.

So lead the way. But let's keep this short, okay?

Yay! Of course! Then let us depart, swifter than the wind tearing through the atmosphere. To the sky port, land of the floating vessel!

Aldo?

Erm... "Let's go to the airport right away"?

We're nearly there! At the promised land, where the blades of jet black and darkness shall cross.

I don't know why you've brought me here, or what you want me to do... So let me make this perfectly clear.

For your own sake, you'd better not be up to anything. If I don't approve of why you brought me here, I will strike you down.

Oh...

"If I don't approve of why you brought me here, I will strike you down."

Just because you're me from a Parallel Time Layer, don't think I'll show mercy. I am also a former soldier. Feelings won't come into it. I won't hesitate for even a second.

Oh...

"I won't hesitate for even a second."

Are you listening to me?

Suzette? What are you doing? Why have you turned away from us?

Oh, um... I am performing a ritual to record the wisdom of darkness unto this mortal world! It is a necessary act as Princess of the Netherworld. Don't worry about it.

So it's all part of your silly little game? Well fine.

So? What are we doing here?

Oh, yes! The reason I asked you here... Was to ask for help with my work!

What?

Work? As Princess of the Netherworld?

Th-That's right! What else would I be talking about?

Ah! Look over there! They shall be today's sacrifices!

Sacrifices?

Th-This is what you meant by Princess work? Isn't this just regular hunter work?

Ah. I didn't think you could make a living as a Netherworldly being. And I guess I was right. So the me from this world works as a hunter? What a surprisingly stable life.

A hunter? What's that? I'm doing this because, um... I must eliminate all extraneous factors in order to maintain the balance between this world and the Netherworld!

Call it what you like. They're getting closer. You ready?

Eep?!

Basically, your job is just to exterminate them? Sounds simple enough. I'm not sure why you needed my help with this.

This hardly looks like a tough fight, not when you have the same body as me.

W-Well... You're not wrong, but...

Whatever. The enemy's right in front of us, so let's cut the talk short and deal with them first, okay?

Let's go.

Easy. That barely even counts as a battle.

Oh no!

Easy. That barely even counts as a battle...

Huh? What are you muttering? I pretty much defeated them single- handedly, so obviously it doesn't count as a battle for you...

Eep, you heard me? Um... This is the destiny of reflections. Employing the same utterances is a fate that those of the demon bloodline must bear.

You've been acting pretty weird today, Suzette. I know you're always saying strange things... But, I don't know, you're acting even more suspicious than usual...

Yeah. First you were sneaking about, following us around... Then you've been recording random stuff I say... Then you watched me fight and started copying how I acted. Are you trying to learn what I say and do? Do you intend to imitate me?

Ah, you want to be like the other Suzette, so you're copying how she talks and what she does?

How did you do that?! You've seen through me completely! I guess the other me must have Evil Eyes capable of seeing the truth!

I simply cannot understand why you would want to do that. It is utterly incomprehensible to me.

Utterly incomprehensible? You mean you don't know? I am so envious of you!

Envious? Of me?

Yes!

......

How stupid. THAT'S why you've been following me around? THAT'S why you dragged me all the way here?

Eeep. Are you mad at me?

Do you remember what I said? You must do, you've written it down. If I don't approve of why you brought me here...

Eek?!

"I will strike you down." Ah...! Th-That is what you said...

A-Are you really going to kill me?!

No way, she was just kidding. Right? There's no way she would...

What do you think? Was I telling the truth, or was I lying?

Eeep?! B-But I wasn't up to anything! I-I just wanted to be like you!

You want to be like me?

The words you spin, the pitch-darkness etched into your heart, it fills me with such awe...

The way you fight, the way you tamed your control module, the way you have complete command over your own body... All these things I can't do, they come so naturally to you.

Your fight style is so cool and polished, and you're so strong.

And yet you're the same as me, separated only by the time layers.

You have things that I could never have.

I see. I don't accept, but I do at least understand what you were thinking.

Eh?

I was joking about striking you down. Did you really think I'd do it?

Um, well... It did seem pretty convincing...

Looks like I've let emotions get the better of me. How very unlike me. It's a little frustrating, actually. I never thought I would be the envy of anyone...

Is it really so bad? Surely it's a compliment?

I am proud of myself these days, I suppose. Although... I guess I can't understand why anyone would want to be like me.

Not when I...

Huh?

Never mind. I may not get it, but if you place such value in me, I won't stop it. It is your right to envy whoever you want. I can't prevent you from doing it.

Really? You'll allow it? You won't stop me? Even from imitating you?

Do as you please.

Phew... Today's studies won't be put to waste after all!

I'm glad to hear it. So, are we all good?

I have learned actions befitting a demon person of the abyss. And since we're here... Allow me to thank you! In order to give you the best welcome this time layer can possibly offer...

Let me take you to a paradise of sweets like no other!

The best...of this time layer?

By a paradise of sweets? Do you mean...

I do. What other promised land could there be? It is blasphemy to visit our time layer and not go there. And by there, I mean... La Vie En Rose, of course!

I knew it.

Teehee. You'll love it, I just know it. Just one bite of their heavenly cakes will send a jolt of lightning through your whole body. It will move you, I promise you that.

So, you'll come, won't you? Another me?

...... Fine. I'll come.

Excellent! Now that that's settled, let's get going!

That looks delicious, Suzette. How is it?

Not bad. You can taste the craftsmanship.

And that next to it?

A novel idea. It's a bit different.

And their new dish?

Well, it has an elaborate appearance. And the taste...

This... Is... Perfection! Such an exquisite balance between sweet and sour! A dash more of either and the dish would be ruined! This is pure art!

It is a confectionery miracle that should be preserved for all eternity as one of this world's greatest treasures. So tasty!

Haha. It's good to have you back to your regular self, Suzette.

No one could remain dignified when faced with a dish this perfect! And what about you, another me? How do you find it?

There's no real need for words. It is delicious. So just close your eyes and chew.

You're SO cool! Oh, I know! For future reference, I should order some more cakes and see what else you have to say! I'll go add to our order!

Basically, you just want to eat some more cakes?

Honestly... She just can't keep it together, can she? It's hard to believe she and I have the same genes...

But what's even harder to believe is that I'm actually a little envious of that me.

You are? Of the other Suzette?

Not a word of this to her, okay? When she told me she was envious of me, the thought came into my head as if by reflex. That I'm actually envious of her... From traveling with her today, I've realized that she has things that I could never have.

What do you mean?

She lives her life to the fullest, much more than I do. She already has the life and the routine that I still haven't been able to find after leaving the lab. It's a little dazzling.

She actually has a great job as a hunter... And she has hobbies, like this whole Netherworld fantasy, and her love of fine foods.

So you're both jealous of each other?

But she talks and acts like a fool. I have absolutely no desire to copy her.

Hahaha.

*giggle* Sorry for the wait. I come bearing seconds! I want you to eat to your heart's content today, another me... I want the sacred name of La Vie En Rose to be forever etched in your memory!

Heheh, thank you.

Oh, I recognize you! You've been coming here a lot lately! How did you like our new cake?

It was good.

Huh? You know each other? But I thought I was showing off a sanctuary of our time layer...

Ah. So when you said you'd become a regular at a restaurant, you were talking about La Vie En Rose?!

Indeed.

WHAAAT?!

Heheh... It looks like I have found one thing after all. I have found myself a routine in this time layer.