Beta – Halcyon Days

After returning with Emily, Beta managed to resolve things without much hassle between Ichiro and the girls. For the most part, it seemed like Sakura had settled it while they were gone and the conversation was more on the girls and their future plans... which they were evasive about for some reason.

Probably because they had been accepted as the next generation of Project MirAIs, but that was neither here nor there.

In any case, after a casual chat with the girls and sorting things out, the Ars Nova Productions team headed back to HQ, finishing up their outing for R and R.

And like that, after sorting out what everyone bought, the Ars Nova Production team stood in the tiny parking lot behind the building to say their goodbyes.

It was around 5 PM. The blue sky had turned dark, leaving the surroundings lit only by nearby streetlights.

Standing beneath one of the lights and in front of a beat-up silver Honda Civic, Ichiro rubbed the back of his neck and then looked towards Beta. "Are you sure that you don't need me here, Miss Beta? Someone has to manage the office, right? If that's the case-"

Sakura leaned against her pink luxury sedan and then rolled her eyes. "Stop trying to get out of grading those papers, Ichiro-kun. You heard how annoyed your cute student was at having to correct your corrections, right?"

Ichiro winced. "That's... true." He sighed. "But grading is so boring..."

Emily nodded. "Yep! That's paperwork for you. But you have to do it. Especially when you're a teacher. Which you chose to be, Ichiro."

"Yeah, yeah..." Ichiro sighed and then walked around to open the door to his car. "Be a responsible adult... got it, Miss Nova."

"And don't you forget!" Emily pointed at Ichiro and said, "Mistress is the boss, but I'm the one setting your salary! Don't make me give you a pay cut!"

"...Yes, Miss Nova."

Beta sighed and poked Emily's head. "No threats. Ichiro is whipped enough as it is."

"Hey!"

Sakura laughed.

Ichiro shook his head and got in his car. "The things I put up with here..." Even while complaining, he didn't look upset. Instead, there was a faint smile on his face as he waved goodbye. "Take care everyone. I'll meet you guys next week for Comiket."

And with that, it was just the three women in Ars Nova Productions left.

Sakura stretched and then looked at Emily and Beta. "I should probably get going too. It's been a while since I've been home, and I should really make a nice dinner for Sweetie after all her hard work."

Beta bowed her head and said, "Sorry to keep you like this, Sakura."

Sakura waved her hand and said, "It's fine." She smiled and said, "It's been a while since I've had this much fun. And besides, I was just going to lounge around anyway... so it's good to be out and about. Plus, Sweetie is starting to be independent, so it's good to give her a bit of space to get used to it. Like you, right?"

"Me?" Beta blinked.

"Yeah. Won't be long now til Sweetie heads off on her own, so it's better to get used to it ahead of time... Anyway, it's getting late, so I'll get going." She opened her car and got in. Rolling down her window, she waved at Beta and Emily and said, "Take care on your way home, you two! I'll see you soon!"

Sakura pulled out of the parking lot... and then it was just Beta and Emily.

Emily stared at where Sakura left and then muttered, "Home, huh?" She looked at Beta and said, "I'm guessing you want to head back to see your family then, Mist- I mean, Betty?"

Beta frowned and said, "I probably should."

It had been at least a few weeks now since she spent proper time with her family.

She had spent longer away from them in the past... but something about this world made those few weeks seem like forever.

...And also made her feel a pang of guilt and longing.

Emily laced her hands behind her back and then kicked some snow on the ground. "Well... I suppose I should head back to my apartment then."

Beta paused and then turned towards Emily. "Did you not want me to leave?"

Emily shook her head. "It's fine Mi- Betty." She smiled and said, "Family is really important. And I've been kind of monopolizing your time too with how much you've helped me. It's just..."

"Ah." Beta nodded, remembering Emily's problem. "Are you worried about vanishing again?"

Emily nodded. "...This is all like a dream. And I'm scared. If I close my eyes... what if you're gone? What if I wake up back at home by myself? I came back last time, but if I disappear again..."

Beta walked over and patted Emily's head. "Have some faith." She smiled and said, "I would never let my cute assistant vanish without my permission. And if you are so worried..." She lowered her hand and then grabbed Emily's wrist. When she did, a faint flicker of blue light wrapped around both Beta's and Emily's wrists. "You are already mine. And I am *very* possessive of my belongings." Saying that, Beta traced the thread and Emily's wrist.

Emily blushed and then let out a happy smile. "...Okay. Then... I guess I should head back to my apartment. It's not good to leave that place empty, right? I mean, I should at least show that I use it... and there's some paperwork we need to finish for Comiket and everything too. Is that fine?"

"Of course." Beta nodded and said, "You should use what you have and take care of your responsibilities. ...Unlike my Father who has a vacant luxury apartment that he barely touches."

Emily laughed. "Your dad *did* seem like the type to throw money around without thinking about it too much."

"You do not even know the half of it."

Emily smiled and then nodded. "Then... I'll be going, Betty. And even if this is just a dream... I had a really fun time with you and everyone."

"It is not a dream. And I expect you to answer my call the next morning."

Emily's smile widened and then she walked off into the night.

Beta watched her leave, subtly placing down a few formations to ward off bad luck and attention as well as anchor her presence to the world. After that... it was time for Beta to leave as well.

She walked back around to the front of Ars Nova Productions HQ and stared at the building.

It was small and quaint. A building tucked away into a small corner of Akihabara. But it was warm. Lots of fun memories and times were made there. And times that Beta hoped- No, planned to continue in the future. But for now...

"We will be back soon."

Beta bid farewell to the building. And after making sure it was locked up and protected, she warped back to Roppongi, stopping at a discreet corner in the commercial districts away from prying eyes and cameras.

But then she paused.

It was the first time in a while since she had truly been by herself. There wasn't a need to rush back home immediately, right?

...Right.

With that thought in mind, Beta conjured a beige winter coat. Putting it on, she tucked her hands into the pockets and started walking off to explore city a bit.

Of course, she made sure to put on some concealing formations to disguise her presence a bit. After all, she was well aware of how beautiful she appeared and how much trouble someone like her walking around by herself late in the evening could bring.

A quiet evening. Walking through the streets, Beta saw weary salarymen and office workers heading home after a long weekend spent at the office. She saw energetic young couples headed out for one last night of fun before the week started. And she saw students walking around, no doubt procrastinating before classes tomorrow.

Peaceful and calm. Mortals living out ordinary lives with ordinary happiness without fear that it could be snuffed out on a whim.

It was different. The emotions Beta saw were the same, but the basis was different. In the Three Realms, the mortals were living happily because they had to live life to the fullest, never knowing when some rogue cultivator or immortal would overturn it all. But here, the mortals were living happily because that was just... life.

There were people who were bored. There were people who were irritated. There were even a few people who looked listless and lost, just drifting through life.

But even that was a luxury.

Beta looked up at the night sky. Stars were already twinkling. Bright lights in a sea of uncertainty and darkness. Lights that could be from stars that already faded... but whose light reached this world even after they were long gone.

Just like the peaceful days Beta was living now.

Beta blinked, suddenly realizing that thought. And then she sighed. "...It seems that Emily is not the only one who worries that this is just a dream."

Shaking her head, Beta decided to distract herself with some music. Conjuring a pair of wireless earbuds, she put them on and then pulled out her phone. Opening UTube Music, she started playing the personalized mix that was suggested for her.

[Play In Heaven - JYJ]

Beta paused and then let out a wry smile. "Unexpected... but I suppose it is fitting."

With a sigh, Beta slipped her phone back into her pocket and started walking out into the night.