Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part Two]

CHAPTER 222: Sticky Rice and Secrets

"...You know," Silvestia said softly, her periwinkle eyes glowing with affection, "I've always wanted a little sister."

Fay turned to her, wide-eyed. "Silvie?"

"...I know I've said it a thousand times, but I truly mean it—thank you. For everything you've done for me... for all of us. You've brought our family back together."

Her voice trembled with emotion. "...There was a time I thought I'd never see my parents' smile again. When I was sick and bedridden, it tore me apart seeing how much pain I caused them. I used to pray to Goddess Seraphina every night, asking her to take my life if it meant freeing them from that suffering."

"...Silvie—" Fay began, frowning gently.

But Silvestia cut in, her voice brighter this time. "But instead of taking me, she gave us you. You're like... the sticky rice that holds us all together."

Fay blinked. "...Sticky rice?"

Silvestia gave her an exaggerated pout. "What? You don't like sticky rice?"

Fay quickly raised her hands in surrender, shaking her head. "N-No! Sticky rice is great!"

Silvestia giggled, her laughter bright and carefree. "I'm teasing, dummy."

Fay's cowlick drooped and her cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish. "You're such a big meanie!" she huffed—though her sister's infectious laughter soon had a smile tugging at her lips.

"...By the way," Silvestia said as her gaze shifted to the orange scarf wrapped snugly around the girl's neck, "that scarf seems really important to you. I don't think I've ever seen you without it."

Fay's fingers brushed tenderly over the fabric, her crimson eyes shimmering. "It was a gift... from someone who saved my life."

Silvestia noted how gently she touched it, the affection in her eyes saying more than her words. "Mhm... sounds like this person is a little more than just your hero," she teased, cocking her head with a sly grin curling at the corner of her mouth.

Fay's face flushed.

"So?" Silvestia nudged her with an elbow. "Did you tell him how you feel?"

Fay froze, her eyes wide as her cowlick spun like a pinwheel. "Wh-Why would you assume it's a boy?!"

Silvestia gave her a deadpan stare, then slowly looked up at the antenna on her head—which had now twisted itself into the shape of a heart. "Are you seriously asking me that right now? At this point, I can practically read you like a book, Fee-Fee."

Fay groaned and pulled the scarf up over her face, hiding behind it like a turtle retreating into its shell.

Silvestia peeked at her playfully from a single eye. "Judging by that reaction... I'm guessing you haven't said a word. Is it because you're too embarrassed?"

Fay lowered the scarf just enough to reveal her eyes, which shimmered with layered emotion. "It's... a little more complicated than that."

Silvestia hummed thoughtfully, then turned her gaze to the glittering canal beside them. "Well, if there's one thing I've learnt... it's that life doesn't always give you second chances. Don't take anything for granted, and don't let fear leave you with regrets." She glanced back with a wry smile. "Worst-case scenario? Some other girl beats you to the punch."

Fay pressed her lips into a thin line, turning the thought over in her mind. As much as the idea of Haxks falling for someone else tore at her heart, she couldn't ignore the unusual circumstances that defined her very being.

Besides, even if by some miracle she found the courage to confess her feelings, the world was vast—and Haxks could be anywhere in it by now. But there was one thing that was within her reach, one thing she could pursue right here and now, and that was—