Kazuki stood still, overwhelmed by the endless sights of Eidolon—floating buildings, shifting skies, and glowing lights from a source he couldn't see. His thoughts were a chaotic mix of awe and confusion, but before he could ask Lumi another question, a soft voice called out from behind him.

"Are you lost?"

Kazuki turned to see a girl approaching him. Her long dark hair flowed gently behind her, reflecting the soft light around them. Her eyes carried a kindness he hadn't felt in a long time, and her smile was warm, like a fleeting memory of something he couldn't quite place.

"I… guess I am," Kazuki admitted awkwardly.

The girl tilted her head slightly, studying him with genuine curiosity. "Then you're exactly where you're supposed to be," she said softly. "Welcome to Eidolon."

Her voice carried a strange comfort, as if the very sound of it could wrap around him like a blanket on a cold day.

"I'm Hotaru," she added, reaching out a hand. "It's nice to meet you."

Kazuki hesitated before taking her hand, unsure what to make of this stranger. "Kazuki."

Hotaru's smile grew warmer. "Kazuki… I like that name." She released his hand gently and glanced at Lumi, who stood behind him with her usual playful smirk.

Lumi gave an exaggerated shrug. "Don't look at me. I have no idea who she is," she said, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Kazuki raised an eyebrow, confused. "You don't know her?"

Hotaru chuckled softly. "It's a big world. People come and go all the time. Lumi probably just forgot."

Lumi crossed her arms, pretending to pout. "Hey, I don't forget faces that easily!"

Kazuki found himself smiling despite the situation. There was something oddly peaceful about Hotaru's presence, something he couldn't explain.

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"How long have you been here?" Kazuki asked, curious.

Hotaru's eyes flickered for a moment before she answered. "Long enough to understand how things work around here," she said gently. "If you ever need help… just let me know."

Before Kazuki could respond, Hotaru turned to look at the sky. "The sun here never sets, but it's still easy to lose track of time." She glanced back at him, her voice turning softer. "You'll get used to it… eventually."

Kazuki found himself awkwardly standing beside Hotaru, unsure of what to say. One moment, Lumi had been guiding him through this surreal dreamscape, and the next, she had simply vanished. Not a word. Not a goodbye. Just gone.

Hotaru, on the other hand, seemed completely unfazed. She smiled warmly at Kazuki, her soft presence somehow making the bizarre city feel less overwhelming.

"Looks like it's just us now," Hotaru said, her voice gentle but playful. "You look like you could use a tour guide, and lucky for you, I'm the best in town!"

Kazuki raised an eyebrow. "Best in town, huh? How many other tourists have you shown around?"

Hotaru giggled. "Oh, wouldn't you like to know?" She motioned for him to follow. "Come on, you've barely seen anything yet. This place is… different from what you're used to."

They strolled through winding streets that defied logic—buildings stood on their sides, gravity seemed optional, and shimmering lights flickered across the sky like golden fireflies. Flying trains zipped past overhead, while floating islands drifted lazily in the distance. Despite the strangeness, there was something oddly peaceful about it.

Hotaru led Kazuki toward a glowing fountain at the center of a plaza, its waters cascading upward into the sky.

"So, what do you think?" she asked, tilting her head. "It's not quite home, but it's not bad, right?"

Kazuki took a moment to absorb it all. "It's… a lot. I'm still trying to figure out how I even got here. One second, I was in my room, and the next—"

"—you were falling through the sky?" Hotaru finished for him, a knowing sparkle in her eyes.

He nodded. "Yeah, something like that."

Hotaru laughed softly. "That's how it starts for most of us. Eidolon has a way of pulling people in when they least expect it." She paused for a second, then looked at him with a more serious expression. "But once you're here, you can't leave… not until it's ready to let you go."

Kazuki frowned, his curiosity piqued. "What do you mean by that?"

Before she could answer, Hotaru's playful demeanor returned. "You'll figure it out soon enough. For now, let's just enjoy the moment."

She reached for his hand and pulled him toward a nearby street filled with glowing market stalls. Vendors sold strange fruits that sparkled like stars and trinkets that hummed with soft energy.

"Come on, let's see what kind of trouble we can get into!"

Kazuki couldn't help but smile. For the first time since his accident, things felt lighter—almost normal. And with Hotaru by his side, he found himself wanting to explore more of this strange, golden world.

As they wandered deeper into the heart of Eidolon, neither of them noticed the shadow watching from afar.