Volume 4—Chapter 85: Consequence?
Tsukuru Central Mall stood as one of the largest shopping complexes on the artificial island of Tsukuru. For many youngsters living on the rapidly developing island, it was the go-to spot to spend their weekends and free time. While there were countless other places designed for entertainment and leisure, none matched the mall’s reputation. The reason was simple, Tsukuru Central Mall had everything under one roof. From fashion boutiques and sprawling food courts to arcades, theatres, and even rooftop attractions, it was a place that promised something for everyone. The atmosphere was always lively, a constant buzz of chatter, laughter, and the hum of modern life filling every corner.
Caroline stepped out of the car, leaving the sound of honking behind as her driver quickly pulled the vehicle away from traffic. She crossed the street and headed toward the entrance of Tsukuru Central Mall. The wide glass doors slid open, revealing the bustling interior. Groups of teenagers loitered near the entrance, some waiting for friends, others checking their phones.
Inside, the mall was filled with movement. The escalators carried streams of people up and down between floors. Shoppers passed by carrying branded bags, while the scent of fresh food drifted from the food court nearby. Caroline walked forward, her eyes scanning the crowd.
It didn’t take long before she noticed a familiar figure. Ahead, Aria was walking through the open space of the mall, holding hands with a small girl who looked several years younger. The two stopped near the storefront with the bright pink exterior, its frilly decorations and cute displays drawing attention.
“Huh… who is that girl?” Caroline muttered under her breath.
“I thought she was going out with her little brother?”
She quickly pulled out her phone, her fingers tapping furiously on the screen as she sent an angry message to her butler. The report had been very clear, Aria was supposed to be with her younger brother. Caroline’s eyes narrowed toward the pair.
“Does that little girl over there look like a little brother to you?” she whispered sharply to herself.
Her gaze lingered on the child beside Aria. The short, boyish haircut might have confused someone from a distance, but a closer look left no room for doubt. The girl’s delicate features, the bright sparkle in her eyes, and above all, the beautiful light-blue dress she wore, frilled and shimmering like something out of a magical girl show, erased any possibility of mistake. Only a blind person would confuse her for a boy.
Little did Caroline know that the cute girl standing beside Aria was, in fact, Aria’s younger brother, Yuuji. Aria, with her usual mischievous antics, had pressured him into crossdressing. It was not as if Yuuji volunteered; rather, Aria used her wiles to corner him, piling on guilt until he had no choice but to comply. A gentle smile here, a sweet voice there, and clever words twisted into a trap… her young, naive brother never stood a chance.
Such psychological manipulation might have seemed like the work of a schemer far more devious. It was fortunate, perhaps, that Aria was not an actual evil mastermind. Her antics were playful at heart, though to an outsider, it might look like a terrible scheme.
“Where did you wanna go next… Yuuko,” said Aria.
Yuuko. A clever little invention, a name stitched together by taking the first half of Yuuji’s and adding “ko” at the end. In an instant, the disguise was complete. To strangers passing by, there was no trace of Yuuji, only a cute girl with a fitting name. Aria said it so naturally, as if she had been calling him that for years, her voice dripping with casual confidence.
Yuuji, or rather Yuuko, twitched at the sound of it, his lips pressing together in quiet protest. Yet he dared not speak up. To resist would mean being teased harder, maybe even drawing attention from the crowd around them. So he lowered his head slightly, cheeks warm, and accepted the name without a word. Such an act only enhanced his cuteness.
Because Yuuji was still young, his appearance leaned toward androgynous, soft lines that had yet to sharpen into anything masculine. His frame was small, his skin smooth and fair, and his voice carried that innocent high pitch of a child. With barely any trace of developing traits, it was easy… almost too easy… for him to pass as a girl when dressed that way.
The two siblings continued walking aimlessly through the mall, weaving from one display to another without any clear destination. Meanwhile, not too far behind them, Caroline trailed in quiet pursuit.
“Well, I suppose it is not really a problem. No matter who Aria is with right now, my purpose should not change… though…” Caroline slowed her pace, her thoughts catching up with her.
“What exactly is my purpose here? Do I just approach her and pretend it is a coincidence? Or am I supposed to gain something from this encounter?”
A brief silence hung in her mind as the weight of her impulsive decision settled in. She realised she had been too hasty, rushing to the mall without considering what she hoped to accomplish. Yet now that she was already here, watching them from a distance, what else could she do but continue following? Even if she lacked a clear plan, retreating was no longer an option.
But there was something Caroline needed to know. What she was doing right now was close to suicide.
Why?
Caroline intended to catch up with Aria and Yuuji as they stepped into the arcade. Yet, before she could even take another step, the scene around her shifted without warning. The lively chatter of the mall was swallowed by silence. The bright surroundings dissolved, replaced by a dark, empty void with only a single spotlight shining down in front of her.
In the next instant, she found herself restrained, her hands bound tightly to the arms of a chair.
“Huh… what happened?” Caroline muttered, her voice trembling with confusion.
The harsh brightness of the spotlight stung her eyes, making it difficult to see. Still, through the glare, she caught the silhouette of someone standing behind the light. As her vision adjusted, the figure came into view… a girl about her age, watching her with a cold, sharp gaze.
“Viola?” Caroline mutters the name.
“Little stalker…” the girl’s voice rang clear, laced with disdain. “Not only did you transfer yourself into the academy, but you even had the audacity to send your men to monitor Aria. And now you follow her in secret? What exactly is your purpose?”
Caroline froze at the accusation. Her lips moved slowly, almost instinctively, and the words slipped out in a whisper.
“To be honest… I don’t know.”
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