On the light curtain, the originally solemn and monotonous church now looked magnificent.
Rather than a church, it more closely resembled a grand banquet hall.
Combined with the handsome men and beautiful women that were the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, this atmosphere was even more pronounced.
It had to be said that the Flame-Chasers were not only powerful, but their appearances were also top-tier. Aside from a certain Flame-Chaser who refused to take off his mask even when wearing a formal suit, the others possessed both charisma and stunning looks.
Light Curtain Danmaku—
Conan Edogawa: "So the mask is his true form? Speaking of which, I still haven't seen what Kalpas looks like under that mask."
Ai Haibara: "Hmm, isn't that just like a certain someone? His glasses are his true identity."
Yukino Yukinoshita: "Vill-V's magic trick must be the most crucial part. How will the Flame-Chasers, confined within a memory space, be able to help her?"
Waver Velvet: "Seeing the word 'magic' gives me a strange sense of déjà vu. Her 'magic' should just be a performance trick, not the magecraft of our world, right?"
The Magician, Vill-V: "Hey, my dear audience, don't you underestimate the almighty Vill-V!~ The so-called 'magic' isn't limited to just those two forms, you know!"
Kaitou Kid: "So-called magic, whether it's a performance or an ability like that of the Type-Moon mages, is all about producing an unexpected effect. Therefore... the show prepared by Vill-V should also have a surprising and astonishing result."
The Magician, Vill-V: "Oh? It seems this member of the audience understands! That's right! What the 'me' in the video is preparing is the most unique and heart-stopping magic performance in history!"
---o---
On the Light Curtain—
Inside an empty clothing store, Eden, dressed in a gorgeous and beautiful red gown, was putting the finishing touches on Elysia's makeup.
"Mhm, to have the great superstar Eden personally do my makeup is a super-duper honor~" Elysia praised, feeling the warmth of Eden's fingertips.
"Ely, stop teasing me. There's no great superstar here anymore. That's all in the past."
Eden gently poked Elysia's head, her voice tinged with fond helplessness. She truly cherished this time together with Elysia.
"Mhm, but in my heart, Eden has always been the most brilliant star..."
"You and your sweet words," Eden shook her head, exasperated, as she continued her work.
In no time, the already dazzlingly beautiful Elysia became like the brightest star in the night sky under Eden's touch.
"Alright, Ely. What do you think?" Eden took a step back to carefully admire the current Elysia.
Dressed in white with a hint of pale pink, she was like a lotus flower—fresh and radiant. Her already lovely and beautiful aura became even more dazzling under Eden's handiwork.
From a distance, she shone like a star. Up close, she was as brilliant and eye-catching as a crystal flower.
"Hmm... Eden, you're truly amazing. This is the best makeup I've ever had," Elysia said, nodding seriously. But then her face scrunched up in worry.
"But, isn't this a bit too glamorous? It's not very convenient for moving around. Aren't we still going to Aponia's place? Is it really okay to keep her waiting this long?"
Hearing this, Eden smiled, glanced at a nearby clock, and then said, "It's about time. Aponia has already sent someone to pick us up."
"Eh?" Elysia was a little puzzled by Eden's words. Just then, a knock came from the door.
With a mixture of curiosity and anticipation, Elysia slowly stood up and opened it.
A beautiful and eye-catching floral float was parked at the door. Its base was pink, adorned with all sorts of flowers, looking ornate but not gaudy.
And the person who had knocked, the driver of this float, was none other than Kalpas, dressed in a formal suit!
Although the mask on his face clashed slightly with his attire, the fact that Kalpas was willing to obediently wear the formal wear Eden had designed in the past was already his greatest concession.
"Hmph, get on. Don't make me ask you," Kalpas snorted coldly. His voice wasn't loud, and his tone was much softer than before.
"Oh my This is quite the experience. Kalpas... you've managed to surprise me"
Elysia said with a smile. This was truly a huge surprise. If his aura hadn't been a perfect match, she wouldn't have believed the person before her was the Kalpas she knew.
"Hah, what, are you surprised? For today's special occasion, I'll let you enjoy it, Elysia..."
Kalpas said coldly. At his urging, Elysia chuckled, lifted the hem of her gown, and stepped onto the float arm-in-arm with Eden.
Kalpas, acting as the chauffeur, drove towards the auditorium not far away.
This immense contrast left the audience outside the screen struggling to adapt, their jaws agape in astonishment.
No one had expected that the originally "ferocious" Kalpas could be so... "calm"?
---o---
Along the way, the pink-haired girl looked out the window in amazement. The scenery was clearly not of the real world; fairy-tale-like landscapes unfolded before her eyes.
"So beautiful. Are these all Griseo's paintings?" Thinking about it, only Griseo's power to turn the mundane into the magical could explain the picturesque beauty before her.
"It seems so. Little Griseo has prepared well for you too, Ely."
Eden's eyes shone brightly, a hint of gratification in them. Seeing the banquet everyone had prepared for Elysia, she couldn't help but feel moved.
The float soon reached its destination. Hand in hand with Eden, Elysia slowly stepped down.
The sight before her was a delightful surprise. A handsome youth in a white suit was holding a bouquet of flowers, presenting it to her.
"Please accept this, Elysia. This is from all of us. May you... shine as brightly... as the stars."
As if embarrassed, Kosma's voice grew quieter and quieter. If Elysia's hearing hadn't been superhuman, she probably wouldn't have caught the last few words.
"My, what is going on today? Even Kosma is acting like this," Elysia said, covering her mouth in disbelief.
The resident recluse of the Flame-Chasers was now acting like a seasoned Casanova, even presenting flowers.
"Hurry up and take it, little sister Elysia. Don't make Kosma recite it again. He was just practicing by himself here for a long time."
Behind Kosma, Griseo, dressed in a blue and white dress like a princess from a fairy tale, spoke slowly. The young girl's innocent voice was a delight to the audience, but... wasn't that form of address a bit out of place with the atmosphere...?
Could it be that Griseo was some ancient crone who had lived for tens of thousands of years, to be calling Elysia "little sister"?
Meanwhile, the Griseo in the video looked quite puzzled. It wasn't an embarrassing line, and Kosma had been able to say it without hesitation when he was alone. Why couldn't he say it in front of little sister Elysia?
"Gr... Griseo," Kosma looked behind him. He didn't know when Griseo had suddenly appeared there. Hadn't he told her to go play after she finished her painting? Could it be... she had seen his clumsy rehearsal?
"Sigh, honestly. If you don't want to, you don't have to force yourself."
Elysia took a step forward and accepted the flowers from Kosma. Although she personally loved seeing this contrasting side of people she knew, if they were forcing themselves against their will, that wasn't what she wanted.
"No... For you, I... I can do it," Kosma said in a small voice, turning his head away. He looked quite bashful. If Elysia and the others didn't know his personality, they might have thought it was a confession from a pure-hearted young boy.
Stepping through the door, as expected, the magnificent scenery inside was no less impressive than outside. Under the decorations of Pardofelis and the others, it had gained a much warmer touch.
To the side, Sakura and Hua, also in formal attire, looked like a couple as they greeted Elysia.
"Sakura, you look very beautiful today too."
Elysia smiled, looking at Sakura in her gorgeous gown.
Sakura, however, waved her hands, flattered. "Not at all. It's the dress Eden prepared that's beautiful. It has nothing to do with me."
"Oh, Sakura, you're still the same as ever," Elysia chuckled. Sakura, like her, was a naturally beautiful and adorable pink-haired girl.
At that moment, Hua, standing next to Sakura, looked at Elysia with some confusion. The gown was beautiful, and Sakura looked stunning beside her; Eden's designs were unquestionable.
But... why were the formal outfits for the female Flame-Chasers all dresses, while she was in a butler's uniform like Kevin and Kalpas? Standing next to Sakura, they even looked like a handsome couple.
Shaking her head, Hua decided now was not the time to think about this. Eden must have had her reasons. Hua chose to bury the question in her heart for now.
"My, Professor Mobius, why didn't you change into the little red dress I prepared for you?"
"Enough, Elysia. Do you think this is funny?" As expected, Mobius flew into a rage the moment that was brought up.
"Honestly, I was in a good mood today. But of course... it always turns out like this whenever I see you. That's why I hate you so much, Elysia."
Saying this, Mobius crossed her arms, her expression one of annoyance.
However, although she said she hated Elysia, there was little actual disgust or hatred in her tone, just a hint of exasperation, like the teasing between friends.
After the long-awaited reunion and conversation, the banquet officially began.
One by one, faces that hadn't had much screen time but had left a deep impression on the audience appeared.
It was worth noting that although there seemed to be some friction between the Flame-Chasers before—like Kalpas and Aponia, who had almost come to blows—at this moment, at the banquet, there was no conflict among them. They gathered together like brothers and sisters. Even Kalpas, who usually had the foulest temper, did not spoil the mood.
There was no other reason than the fact that the guest of honor was Elysia. If it was for Elysia, then anything the Flame-Chasers did was normal.
Kalpas could restrain his anger to become a float chauffeur. Kosma could overcome his social anxiety to present her with a bouquet. Pardofelis was willing to offer her treasured collection for free to decorate the venue. Even little Griseo had a happy expression when she learned she needed to paint for "little sister Elysia."
And Sakura, Aponia, Mobius... every single Flame-Chaser offered her the highest degree of respect.
Besides Elysia, no one else in the world would ever receive this level of treatment. This was a moment that belonged solely to Elysia. It was the Flame-Chasers' "love" for Elysia!
---o---
Light Curtain Danmaku—
To be able to transform an empty, monotonous church into such a magnificent venue in just a few hours, the Flame-Chasers' efficiency was truly second to none.
Of course... the most important factor was that this was all for Elysia.
Although they knew Elysia held a special place among the Flame-Chasers, they never expected them to go to such lengths for her.
The banquet itself was, from the very beginning, completely unnecessary. If the Flame-Chasers wanted to help Elysia, they didn't need to prepare a party.
Did they choose to do this simply because Elysia might like it? Just as Elysia loved them, the Flame-Chasers... also loved Elysia.
Hachiman Hikigaya: "Elysia... is this... something genuine? There isn't a trace of falsehood or reluctance in the eyes of the Flame-Chasers. Every one of them is doing this for Elysia of their own free will."
Raiden Mei: "I don't know why, but this scene... feels incredibly moving."
Otto Apocalypse: "Elysia... you have a fine group of comrades."
Undeniably, perhaps in the hearts of the Flame-Chasers, Elysia's position was akin to Kallen's position in his own heart. It might be an exaggeration, but it was certainly an apt comparison.
Elysia: "Mhm, to be honest, I'm a little surprised myself. This is something I never, ever expected."
Kalpas: "Hmph. Just watch. This would never happen in reality anyway."
Eden: "Not necessarily. Isn't what the light curtain is showing us a reality that is happening in another world?"
In the Elysian Realm, Eden, flushed from wine, looked at the Elysia on the screen with a smile. How she wished that time could freeze forever on Elysia's smile.
"May this moment last forever. May you and I... never be parted."