Thinking about how that heartless bad boy showed absolutely no sign of coming to find her, Elysia felt increasingly justified in her upcoming actions—Hmph, you started it, bad Jiang Qiao!
Viciously imagining Jiang Qiao's shocked, dumbfounded expression when he eventually saw her together with Eden, Miss 55kg began putting her plan into action.
"Oh my~ It's been so long, I've missed you so much~ Eden~" Elysia flashed a bright smile, quickly getting into character... Pfft, what character! Elysia was just being her natural self!
"..."
However, Eden didn't reply immediately. She simply stared intently at Elysia, instantly making the scheming Elysia feel guilty and flustered... No way? Did Eden realize I'm not 'Elysia' (the one she met before)?
...My act shouldn't have any flaws, right?
"Eden, what's wrong? Staring at my face like that in front of everyone, is there something on it?"
"..."
"No... it's nothing." After observing for a moment, Eden shook her head, her languid voice responding, "Forgive me, my friend. It's just been so long since we parted, I simply wanted to look at you a little longer."
"What was that... I thought I was found out... Ahaha, don't mind me, I just got a little shy~ After all, when a beautiful girl as lovely as Eden says such things to me, even I get flustered." Elysia let out a sigh of relief, nearly blurting out her inner thoughts. Regaining her composure, she laughed awkwardly, trying to smooth things over while Eden's gaze remained on her.
"Is that so," Eden murmured thoughtfully.
...Looks like I managed to bluff my way through...
Secretly sighing in relief again, Elysia patted her chest and relaxed slightly, feeling rather smug. Hmph, see? My acting is pretty convincing~ Look, even Eden didn't realize I'm not that bad boy~ Hmph, this time is different from that time in the Elysian Realm. Bad Jiang Qiao, just watch Elysia trip you up spectacularly!
Unlike Elysia, who was secretly gloating, Eden's beautiful eyes, shining like gold, rested on the girl before her, revealing a hint of confusion.
...Something feels off about this Elysia. Although she possessed Elysia's characteristic traits, for some reason, she gave off an impression of being... 'not quite as sharp'. I should observe her for a while longer...
"Oh right, Eden, this should be your first time at the Fire Moth headquarters, right~ Let me show you around and introduce everything~"
"Thank you for your trouble." Eden naturally wouldn't refuse Elysia's offer, as she was indeed unfamiliar with the organization. This was also a good opportunity to observe this slightly strange Elysia more closely and figure out what was going on.
Oblivious to this, Miss 55kg eagerly led the way—Excellent, I've seized the rhythm. Next step: steal Eden away and humiliate that bad boy Jiang Qiao!
"Elysia, where is that man, Jiang Qiao?" As they walked and Elysia enthusiastically pointed things out, Eden nodded along and asked a question that made Elysia freeze.
"Haha, Eden, why are you asking about him?"
"I was just curious about his identity... After all, back in Australia..."
"Elysia, did that man Jiang Qiao truly not force you to do anything?"
Eden's low, probing voice made Miss Elysia desperately want to shout, Excellent question! My dear Eden! He did force me! That bad boy forced Elysia to take the blame for him! The perpetually scapegoated Miss 55kg desperately wanted to denounce Jiang Qiao's despicable actions—using her body to have fun, then leaving her with all the consequences.
But then she reconsidered—Wait, back in Australia, wasn't I the one using bad Jiang Qiao's body? Which means... Eden is referring to me... Thinking I forced bad Jiang Qiao?! The tables have turned! How outrageous! When did Elysia ever force bad Jiang Qiao!? Er... well, there might have been some minor actions, but overall, setting aside the facts, doesn't Elysia look more like the victim here?
Screeching internally, Elysia's anger meter shot up rapidly—Damn you, bad Jiang Qiao! Slandering Elysia again! I'll remember this! The proactive pink-haired miss activated her clever little brain and quickly devised a reasonable method of retaliation.
Hmph, bad Jiang Qiao, you want to push the blame onto me and make Elysia the bad guy? Fine! Besides, Elysia was using your body back then. What's that old Shenzhou saying... Turn the tables, or something... Anyway, since this bad boy loves setting Elysia up, Elysia will make you suffer the consequences yourself!
"Yes... Eden, you have no idea, that bad guy is always bullying me~ He's so mean!" Elysia immediately switched into drama queen mode, putting on a pitiful expression to gain Eden's sympathy. Back in Australia, Eden had treated her like the villain, shouting at her so loudly while that bad boy acted all weak, causing Eden to misunderstand.
So now, if she just carried this act through to the end, Eden would surely see Jiang Qiao as the real villain~ Of course, Elysia didn't intend for them to actually become enemies—that wasn't her style, and the drama felt wrong. But since that guy had angered her so much, wasn't it fair for her to enjoy a little 'Eden saving the damsel' scenario? Basically, bad Jiang Qiao needs to experience exactly how Elysia felt back then!
However, Eden's reaction wasn't quite what Elysia expected. After listening, she simply murmured, "Oh," and nodded. "Is that so."
This flat response caught Miss 55kg completely off guard, leaving her utterly baffled—Wait, wait, wait, this isn't right! Why would Eden react like this? Shouldn't she be furious and stand up for me?
Elysia was stunned—Given bad Jiang Qiao and Eden's relationship... her reaction is so mild... Could it be their relationship isn't actually as good as I thought? Hmm... if that's the case... did I misunderstand bad Jiang Qiao a little...? Pfft, no way, bad Jiang Qiao definitely flirted with Eden behind my back. Their relationship might just be shallower, maybe just... friends?
Miss Elysia felt slightly satisfied at this potential display of 'loyalty'. But the mission certainly wasn't over. Even if their relationship wasn't as strong as she'd imagined, as long as she maxed out Eden's affection level, couldn't she still thoroughly crush bad Jiang Qiao's ego and prove to him that she was the most popular Elysia?!
Therefore, Operation Poach Eden continues! One setback means nothing. As long as she persistently badmouths him, she can definitely screw bad Jiang Qiao over big time.
And when it came to pouring out grievances, Elysia declared, I'm an expert at this! The things that bad Jiang Qiao did to Elysia were already 'too numerous to list'! To speak ill of that scoundrel, she just needed to recount the facts truthfully. Combined with Elysia's supremely confident eloquence...
It successfully... made Eden look at her with increasingly strange eyes.
Miss 55kg, somewhat oblivious in this regard, didn't notice the shift and remained immersed in her own brilliant acting.
Until they arrived at the base's recreational facilities area—the music room. Although it was a military organization, the base had comprehensive facilities to help soldiers relax, including arcades and music rooms, though they were often empty.
When Elysia reached the music room, she only gave a cursory introduction, not wanting to linger. It wasn't that she disliked music—she cherished all beautiful things in the human world, including the arts. But unfortunately, Elysia's artistic talents were limited to 'listening.' As for playing herself... her experience consisted of humming nursery rhymes at the orphanage in her hometown, a small border town. Out of curiosity during her world travels, she had tried learning the violin... hmm, with mediocre results.
The music room was empty, so there was no need to stay in a place filled with instruments she couldn't play.
However, Eden thought differently. She spoke up: "Elysia, shall we try playing that piece we performed together before?"
"Eh?" Hearing this request, Elysia was stunned. Snapping back, she panicked. Listening to music, occasionally belting out a tune was fine, but playing an actual piece... Ugh, might as well kill me, Elysia! Moreover, she had absolutely no idea which piece Eden was referring to—What piece from before...? Elysia doesn't know anything!
Bewildered, panicked, and slightly annoyed... Bad Jiang Qiao never told me about this! Damn it, setting Elysia up again! Screeching internally, the pink-haired miss grit her teeth, but on the surface, she had to rack her brain, figuring out how to survive this crisis. Playing was impossible, absolutely impossible in this lifetime.
Pretending to be 'Elysia' was one thing, but playing music? Wouldn't that expose her immediately?
So annoying, bad Jiang Qiao even did this kind of thing using Elysia's body... This is something Elysia absolutely can't do! And he kept it secret... Damn it, later I'll definitely make that bad boy play for Elysia until he drops!
Stuck in a deadlock, Elysia wished she could grab Jiang Qiao right now and use him as an instrument. But for the sake of her grand poaching operation, she could only force a smile and deflect: "Well... maybe not today, I'm not really feeling it."
"It's alright, just accompany me, like before."
"Or... are you perhaps unwilling to accompany me?" Under Eden's low voice and peculiar gaze, Elysia felt her scalp tingle and could only bite the bullet and respond: "Haha~ How could that be~ If Eden wants to, of course I'm willing."
"It's just been a while since I touched an instrument, I'm always a bit worried I won't play well and might ruin your beautiful music, Eden."
"That doesn't matter either. After all, it's a piece we composed together."
"Ahaha..." Those seemingly sweet words made Elysia laugh hollowly, forcing a smile. But inwardly, she had entered 'Angry Elysia' mode. After all, a piece composed together... Damn it, that guy never did anything like that with me, right? He actually used Elysia's body behind Elysia's back to do something so... romantic and beautiful-sounding... with another woman... Bad Jiang Qiao!
"Since it's a piece we composed together, I trust you can definitely do your best."
Elysia was deeply moved by these words. Thanks a lot, my dear Eden! Please, please stop believing in me so much, Elysia really isn't good at music! Waaah... Bad Jiang Qiao, you big scumbag!
Holding the violin, the pink-haired miss smiled on the outside but wailed and wept internally, deciding to treat the dead horse like a live one—at least she knew something about playing, and she'd already made preemptive excuses. Worst case, she could just blame it on being off her game later!
However, when Eden sat down at the piano and began to play, the melody still sent Elysia into a mental crash. It sounds so good... but... I've never heard it before! She had hoped she might recognize it, having heard many of Eden's songs, and could bluff her way through, but this was completely new...
Wait... this melody feels somewhat familiar. Like Elysia on a hot tin roof, Miss 55kg had a flash of insight. The concert from before surfaced in her mind... This piece, it sounds like the second half of the concert... I see, I see... Elysia has heard it before... Elysia's expression instantly relaxed—As long as Elysia has heard it, it definitely won't stump Elysia!
So... how do I play it?
...Help me! Bad Jiang Qiao!
Undoubtedly stuck again, Miss Elysia wailed internally. But since she wasn't actually calling out, it obviously had no effect... At least, that's what she thought.
However, as the feeling washed over her, a faint power emanated from within her body, quickly soothing Miss 55kg's panic. A gentle force guided her hands, moving the bow arm in rhythm. She played a melody that perfectly harmonized with Eden's piano.
After a long while, the music stopped.
Elysia, who had been immersed, snapped back—Eh, did Elysia play that? She couldn't believe it. But... it seems I got away with it. Elysia sighed in relief.
But just then, Eden's low, languid voice sounded beside her: "You played beautifully."
"But..."
"Elysia... no... You aren't the real Elysia, are you?"
"Although travelling with you has also been pleasant, right now, I only care about one thing..."
"And please, do not deceive me, my friend."
"Where is the real Elysia?"