Soon came the day of the Federation’s Annual Gala. Taking their psychological and social needs, the Federation hosted a special internal gathering every year. There are no celebrities nor politicians, only scholars. Their feats and contribution become their standing tonight. Though it is also the Federation’s intention to bring together the most outstanding scholars in the hopes of giving birth to a more outstanding child.
‘Everyone turns into idiots with Herta around.’
Sirius had been waiting in front of Herta’s preparation room for half an hour. She did not bring any other assistants inside. She planned to take care of everything by herself, which was something to be expected from her. He looked at the scholars-turned-papparazzi and sighed in disbelief. Some malicious gazes were directed at him every now and then, but that was something he was used to. At best it would be something like “that’s one hell of a lucky bastard!”
‘...Even I might react like that...’
He did not know whether to cry or laugh when his transient green talent activated during the time he practiced dancing. Sirius was hell-bent on making it work while he was theorizing Herta Space Station’s thrusters, yet it landed on the trivial thing he was working with.
For this occasion, Sirius tried his best to dress up. He searched up the best coat, tie, slacks, and leather shoes. He spent approximately half of his monthly income to purchase them all. His fingers traced through the high-quality fabric of his black coat. His shoulders appeared to be more defined, revealing his growth unlike the typical thirteen-year-old boy. The white long sleeves highlighted the dark blue vest acting as his inner wear. The dark blue necktie, embroidered with gold patterns, was the cherry on top. Paired with a set of well-made leather shoes, this is the most expensive shit Sirius spent throughout his entire life.
‘Do I mind… I need to stop fooling myself.’
Of course he minds everyone’s opinions tonight!
This wasn’t any other day. It was their first participation in this gala. Sirius had already thought of how beautiful Herta would be. To him who didn’t even submit his “half-baked” thesis, it would be a crime to half-ass things.
‘Since when did I become like this..?’
The momentary solitude left him with realizations. Sirius looked back to his aspirations five years ago, and then now. Back then, he swore he would live the life at the top of the world. That he would utilize his genius identity to leave a mark to this world’s history. That he would not waste his second chance in life, becoming someone as pivotal as another world’s hero or demon king.
Childish as it was, Sirius thought of it seriously over and over again. He took everything for granted, thinking life was something he could experience until old age.
It isn’t like that at all.
Death was something that could come the next day without any warning, more so in this universe filled with endless dangers and high-as-mighty gods known as the Aeons.
He never wished something as far-fetched as ascending into Aeonhood. But if it was merely the approval and validation of this universe’s unrivaled gem, it wasn’t out of reach, no?
‘One day, I’ll definitely give her a big surprise.’
Just as he was caught in these thoughts, the smartphone in his chest pocket vibrated. Sirius took it out, and much to his surprise, Herta’s name flashed on the screen. Thinking of the preparations she was doing inside the room, he answered the call.
“I need a hand. Come inside.”
Almost instantly, the faint click of the doorknob reached his ears.
Beep-!
Herta swiftly ended the call. Sirius shook his head, placed the phone back to his inner chest pocket, and entered the room.
Scientifically, the sense of smell and sight are the fastest senses to be processed by the human brain. Some would have a faster sense of smell; the others, sense of sight. To Sirius, however, both were just as fast as the other.
The familiar scent of lavender tinged with vanilla drifted to his nostrils. Calmness swept his mind like a tide, only to be replaced with another emotion by the visual masterpiece fed back by his eyes.
A piece of dark purple, off-shoulder, dress wrapped around Herta’s body. Another pair of thinner purple cloth was present on her arms. A chained golden key hung on her neck. A huge ribbon tied her dress from behind. The lower part of her dress was embroidered with patterns of watches and flowers. Her long hair remained loose, clearly the matter that needed his help, yet it served to highlight the beauty that was in his eyes.
(Source: https://x.com/yorulost/status/1939234444692373887?)
For a moment, Sirius could not say a word. He nearly choked on his own saliva as he did not know what to say to her. The purest form of admiration rose from the depths of his heart.
‘Joining others in glazing Herta…’
Sirius took a few seconds to shake this thought of. Four mirrors and the vast cosmos is more than enough. He could not see himself joining them in this endeavor. Embarrassment would drown him until he’s dead… socially.
Its sheer ridiculousness was the one that woke him up from his stunned state, much to Herta’s surprise. The latter looked at him with interest, her curiosity gradually reaching a critical point. She expected no less of praise, yet Sirius gave nothing aside from an appreciative look. Though she found it to be somewhat unsurprising.
After all…
‘You truly are a different one.’
“Help me with the hair pin.”
“Oh… Okay.”
His stiff and awkward reply was rather amusing to her eyes. He clearly wasn’t unaffected like the rest, yet he was still able to ground himself back to reality. To not become a brainless follower who acts as Herta’s “yes man”.
Sirius seriously followed her commands as she sat in front of a large mirror. Her dainty fingers made short work of her braids, which was then styled into a bun. All he had to do was to place the small and thin hair pins on various places. A simple endeavor anybody could have done, but due to all the right circumstances, Sirius landed on it.
Five minutes later, it was completed without a hitch.
Sirius fought back the urge to convert right here and then. He barely maintained his composure. Herta stood up from her seat and prepared everything she needed in a small handbag. He followed suit right behind her footsteps… until she halted.
“You are my assistant, not my bodyguard.” She shot him an inquisitive look, letting out a faint hum as she found his stupefied look entertaining to look at. “Come, take my hand.”
The clueless Sirius became the luckiest bastard tonight.
*****
Gentle, soft music performed live drifted across the reception hall. All sorts of scholars gathered, showcasing their best outfits. Their lack of sleep, as evident by their eyebags, were well-concealed by makeup. Tonight, they are the main character… or so they thought.
The world stood still as a pair of entrees entered the hall. The clicking and flashes of professional photographers halted simultaneously before erupting in an even greater intensity.
Herta’s appearance halted time for a second. Everyone who saw her paused for a few seconds before regaining their senses. The expected awe came from their eyes. The perfect looks, charisma, skillset, and talent made Herta THE Herta. Those world-renowned prodigies all had to bow down their heads, while those who are older than her admired her work. Her being ten-years-old was completely overlooked due to her feats.
As for the person escorting her, some subconsciously ignored him. But there are those people—the ones near their age—who did not.
“Who is he? To be so lucky…”
“I heard he published his master’s three years ago.”
“So what? Didn’t we do the same?”
“Stop jesting. You were like, what, fifteen when you submitted it?”
Their discussions differed, though the general gist remained the same:
How could he stand by her side?
Herta was simply someone who exists on a different plane of existence. Many find it difficult to accept there was someone who would walk with her, side by side. These geniuses’ exaltation towards the legend known as “Herta” reached the point they refused anyone walking with her on equal grounds.
‘These parasocial fans are starting to get onto me…’
Just because they were teenagers did not mean they got exempted from Sirius’ knuckle sandwich. He is a human just like them—susceptible to angry outbursts and the likes. They were rather fortunate nobody stood up and directly confronted him like an obsessed idol fan, lest things would have gone down interestingly. Sirius’ Baji just so happens to be in need of practice partners.
As if sensing his thoughts, Herta’s lips parted.
“Why bother with their looks? They…” She directed her gaze at the table where most of the malicious gazes came before continuing, “Do not dare voice their doubts in front of me. Do their thoughts still matter?”
Sirius did not shy around in front of her this time. He wore a helpless smile as he replied:
“Humans are complex beings. Sometimes, a word makes or breaks a person.”
“So you engage in physical conflicts to derive happiness? I suppose you are a sadist in the making.”
He could not find a proper rebuttal to Herta’s carefree words, leaving him speechless. They soon reached a table, one solely dedicated to them. Before she sat down, she gently whispered:
“Just kidding.”
The teasing and playful tone contained in those two words sent a jolt to Sirius’ heart. His ‘Herta Glazer Threshold’ was about to be breached, ironic as to how he suppressed these growing emotions for the past five years. It wasn’t until a while later did his turbulent heart calm down. Sirius pulled out his trump card when it comes to calming himself down—
‘What were the skill names that she had? It’s Hear Me Out! Then, something like Big Brain Energy… it’s too bad HP inflation got to her team.’
—thinking useless things.
The gala’s program was boring to his ears, reminiscent of his high school principal doing dull and meaningless speeches. Everything was all about opening remarks, guest remarks, host’s remarks, and so on. He did not come here to hear about them… and so did Herta.
“This makes for a good sleeping aid.” She remarked.
“Then should I record it? So that you can use it for later.”
Herta stared at Sirius who sported a naughty look.
“A nice attempt, but I refuse.” A spur-of-the-moment idea came to her mind as she said, “I have seen videos employing the autonomous sensory meridian response. What do you think if I upload one, assistant?”
‘Miss Herta… and ASMR?’
The future painted by such a combination left Sirius speechless… though a part of him wanted to see it. Still, he voiced his main concerns.
“I must highlight the cases of… well, perverts related to it. I believe it is beneath Miss Herta to rely on it to gain others’ recognition.”
Herta did not say anything. Her eyes narrowed as she let out a somewhat satisfied smile, as if saying “You know me very well.”
The first half of the program passed with their idle talks. Nothing much interested the two who shared an identical mindset. Herta attended merely to experience it once. She now knows it sucks, hence she no longer plans on attending it again.
Things changed when the program entered a socialization phase. All of the empty seats on their table were filled instantly, with half of them being grown-ups.
Seeing them express their admiration and questions to Herta’s works felt somewhat surreal for Sirius. The topics they conversed were things he could not fully understand. Spending energy on one field already exhausted Sirius greatly, but not for Herta. She is akin to a humanoid search engine who could easily point out answers to others’ questions.
For a moment, he had seen the terrifying chasm that set Herta apart from the rest of the world—even to him—once again.
‘A goddess… no, a witch…’