Returning to Reality

“Brother, where were you last night?” Joanne asked with a mischievous smile on her face. “You and Ramona didn’t return. Did the two of you do something fun?”

Ethan wanted to pinch his cute sister’s cheek for being snarky so early in the morning.

He had just returned from the tower, and the first thing that his sister, who was still wearing her nightgown, said was this.

“It’s time to go back,” Ethan said as he lightly patted Joanne’s head. “You can already feel it, right? This world has already completed its duty.”

Joanne nodded, knowing her brother was right.

She could feel the invisible shackles that bound her to this world gradually grow weaker.

Also, her Other Half, who mysteriously disappeared when she entered the painting, was now talking to her once more.

“Where is Ramona?” Joanne asked. “I’d like to say goodbye to her.”

“She… is no longer around,” Ethan replied softly. “But I’m sure we will meet her again in the future.”