Angela Chang frowned, clutching the steering wheel as she pulled up in front of Vox Memorial Park.

It was a sunny day, and the late afternoon light cast a radiance over the lush green grass and brightly colored flowers. The statue loomed in the distance, bright and majestic.

She smiled sadly, stepping out of the car and walking up the hill. It had been a long time since she'd visited Kaleidoscope City, and she'd always avoided this particular landmark.

But today, she was determined to pay her respects.

It wasn't like anyone would recognize her, after all. It had been years since she'd done anything of note and packed away her System for good. At this point, there was no way anyone would know who she had once been anyway.

Her family had lived here once when she was just a young girl, and she also attended Kaleidoscope Academy for her secondary education attending the same program as her sister.

But Angela had never been anything special, just a little girl with a love for baking. She had good grades and was good with a ledger and some spreadsheets, sure. She'd also tried her hand at most of the same things as her sister, but she was typically 'above average' but nothing exceptional. In spite of all that, she'd like to think she was a decent mother entering her middle ages. But she was never extraordinary.

Not like her sister.

Jennifer had always been the special one, and Angela had never resented her for it. Even as a young child, little Jin Hua had a charisma and energy that just shined. She was smart and capable, always getting the grades and earning top honors, while breaking records in track and field. She still remembered guiding her sister through the halls, her eyes sparkling and curious at every wonder. But inevitably, she found herself unable to keep up. Even before her sister had graduated.

Not only that... Jenny was beautiful. Exceptionally beautiful, and her heart seemed virtually incapable of wickedness, jealousy, and malice.

As the younger sister, Jenny always looked up to her sibling and even said she wanted to be just like her. Even when her brilliance eventually eclipsed her and everyone else's. But Angela had to admit that there was a part of her that was envious of her little sister's talent.

Even if it was hard — no, impossible to hate that smile and a charm of hers that lit up a room.

She shook her head, smiling sadly.

Angela knew her sister had always wanted to open a snack chain for the novelty. She'd dreamed of doing it in Kaleidoscope City, perhaps even retiring and using her popularity as a Knight and as a celebrity in her own right to build it with her.

But the world had other plans.

Their dream had always been so close. A childhood passion that they had shared. But Jenny never had the chance to make it come to fruition.

Her baby sister had always been a bit of a glutton, though. And Angela remembered her constantly taking extra servings of pie and cakes whenever they were little.

She couldn't help but smile at that thought.

Angela shook her head, fighting back tears.

She turned the corner around a hedge, looking up at the statue towering over the city.

The statue represented Arcadia Vox in her prime. She was standing with her trademark grin and sideways peace sign, clad in her signature battle regalia and cape, a vision of strength and perseverance. Even to this day, flowers and candles sat at the base of the statue, a tribute to the fallen hero.

It had always been a source of pride for the people of Kaleidoscope City.

Arcadia Vox was dead now, of course. Fallen in battle fifteen years ago against the conqueror, tyrant, and self-proclaimed empress Mortifera Nox in a desperate bid to save the world. She had succeeded in killing the wicked overlord but at the cost of her own life.

They'd found her remains in the rubble, singed and burned from the wicked overlord's final strike. And even in death, she had still been a symbol of hope and strength, her name on everyone's lips and hearts.

"Can you hear me, Jenny?" Angela whispered, approaching the statue.

"Still love sweet, sweet things, I bet."

A soft, warm breeze blew through the park, and for a moment, she felt like Jenny was there with her. Whispering words of encouragement, telling her that she was here and she'd be okay.

She closed her eyes and let the sun wash over her, feeling at peace and overcome with emotion.

"David and I settled down in Pewterstone after all that meandering, you know. We wound up starting that restaurant after all. It's not exactly as glamorous as your idea with the cats and bunnies, but it keeps us afloat and busy. So we made it happen, Jinny. Just like we promised we would."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

And in that respect, she was just like her little sister, always making do with what she had and working hard.

"My baby turned out to be a boy, though. Pretty smart kid, actually. He got into the Academy on a scholarship through his own merit, so he's out there chasing his own dreams. We're really proud of him, actually. I wish you could've been here to see him. I'm sure you would have been proud of him, too."

Angela sighed, wiping away a tear.

"Maria's daughter is here with him, too. I honestly think they would make a cute couple, but they never look at each other like that. It's a shame, honestly. Maybe they just need a push, but I don't want to meddle in my son's life. After all, he deserves his own shot at happiness."

She looked up at the sky, smiling sadly. "You and Elio would love them to death. Just like you would have loved mine. God, you would have been a hellish auntie for him with those cheeks of his. But thank goodness. You would've spoiled him rotten. Still, it's okay. Dave and I managed to stay together in the end, and we made it work. Just like we did."

Angela sighed.

"Losing you and Elio was hard on Maria. She and I had a few long talks over the years, and we were there for each other during the funeral. I do try to look after her daughter where I can, but Maria always felt uncomfortable letting me meddle. You always did say we'd be sisters one day, and you were right in a way. But in another, it was just you. And you were enough. Even after all this time, I still miss you. And I know I should have visited sooner. I just..."

She smiled, closing her eyes as the wind picked up again.

"It's funny, you know, I always thought you were just strictly into girls, but I guess it's complicated, huh? Love sure does seem to follow you in whatever you do. Whether it's Maria or Hinokawa. Mom or dad. But I'm not surprised. You were you, and you always drew people towards you. Like moths to a flame, I suppose. Like you were... still are."

She stood up and paced around the statue, running her fingers across the stone.

"It feels like a lifetime ago. The memories and the tears. But I'm not here to wallow in it. I'm here to celebrate you. And I hope you're somewhere smiling down on me. Knowing that we're here, still carrying the torch you built with your blood, sweat, and tears."

She bit her lip, shaking her head.

"I don't regret a single moment. And I don't blame you for sacrificing your life to save the world. You always said that helping others was what it meant to be a true hero. And I can't imagine you having it any other way. But I hope you're proud of us. Your friends and family. Even if we're scattered to the winds."

Angela couldn't keep the tears from falling, and she wiped her eyes, trying to regain her composure.

She had never been able to stay in Kaleidoscope City long after Jenny's death. Too many memories and regrets and things left unsaid. So she'd packed up her stuff, married David, and moved to Pewterstone, where they started their little restaurant and made their humble little mark on the world.

She had always dreamed of returning to Kaleidoscope City to open a shop with Jenny, a dream and a promise they had held onto throughout their childhood. But that dream was over now, replaced by a bittersweet memory and a legacy that was carried by others now.

Angela sighed, pulling out a flower from her bag and placing it gently on the ground.

It was all she could offer now. A moment of peace and a little bit of healing.

She didn't linger, though, and turned to leave the park, feeling at peace and somewhat happy with herself.

Jenny would have been proud of her. She knew that much.

But as she turned from the statue to go back to her car, she spotted a figure staring at her from the side.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she blinked, her eyes widening.

The figure was clad in a navy peacoat with long black hair and hazel eyes glistening with tears. She stood motionless, clutching a bouquet of flowers in her hand and staring sadly at Angela.

Angela's eyes narrowed, and her jaw tightened.

It couldn't be.

And yet, there she was.

The girl she had shared a womb with, grown up with, and had dreamed of opening a confectionary chain with.

Angela shook her head.

The resemblance was uncanny, but it wasn't her. Jenny's eyes were dark brown, not hazel. Her hair color was also a slightly different shade.

She chuckled sadly, tilting her head.

"Hello there, young lady. Sorry, I thought you were someone else. Just admiring the statue and paying my respects, you know?"

The girl nodded, a curious smile appearing on her face. "Yes. I didn't mean to interrupt. I just..."

She placed the flowers at the base of the statue, bowing her head solemnly.

Angela just looked at her in disbelief. There was no way it was her. Jenny was dead, and this was just some young girl. But she couldn't deny the feeling in her gut that there was something familiar in those eyes.

She shook her head, forcing a smile. "Anyway, sorry about that. I just hope you don't mind."

The girl smiled. "No, it's okay. Please do as you like. It's a park, after all. Enjoy yourself."

Angela nodded, looking away and fighting back tears.

Jenny had been so expressive, so vibrant, and so full of life.

This girl was...

But then Angela paused, her eyes widening with realization.

She thought back to all the stories and details that Jenny had told her about when she'd found herself pregnant.

Jenny had told her the child was stillborn, a casualty of her recklessness and adventure-lust.

And now, years later... a ghost had approached her. A mirror image of her mother, save for eyes that were guarded and cautious, but so achingly familiar, sharp, and intelligent.

Like the boy who would grow to be be a Paragon. The boy who once followed them around on all their adventures.

There was no mistaking it.

Elio Hinokawa had hazel eyes.

Angela spun around, her heart hammering in her chest.

But there was nobody there.

The spot where the girl had stood was empty, only the bouquet of flowers at the base of the statue remaining.

Angela collapsed to the ground, clutching her chest as she struggled to breathe.

It was impossible. It couldn't be.

She wanted to laugh, but tears were flowing freely now. It was too much. It was all just too much.

She couldn't move, paralyzed by shock and disbelief. Her mind raced with possibilities and probabilities, but none of them made sense.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, she got up, wiping her eyes and collecting herself.

She couldn't stay here any longer, not with all the memories and ghosts lurking around every corner.

She turned and fled, nearly stumbling as she made her way back to her car, unable to think or even see clearly.

It couldn't be. It wasn't possible. It was a coincidence.

But if that was true, who was that girl, and why had she left so quickly?

She couldn't answer those questions, and she didn't want to. It was just too much.

Jenny had been her younger sister, the bright and shining star of their family.

She had been gone from the world for fifteen years, and Angela had a duty to her.

She had to confront the possibility.

That her sister's lost child was alive, and she was here in Kaleidoscope City.