Chapter 71
Chapter 71
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Do Androids Pray to the Cybernetic Heaven? (1)
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I've decided to accept Sophia's invitation to her art exhibition.
Of course, I've been pretty busy lately juggling management classes and church duties, so this was just the excuse I needed for a little break. The timing couldn't have been better.
I was also personally curious to see what kind of paintings the girl—who'd regained her sight—might have created.
'Of course, Sophia's still just a freshman, so I shouldn't expect anything too extravagant.'
The exhibition was hosted by an art school, which made it sound impressive, but at its core, it was a student showcase. I didn't know much about art anyway. This outing was more like a chance to catch up with an old friend and get some fresh air after so long.
No special preparations needed, then. A slightly formal outfit should do the trick.
But I never dreamed picking out that outfit would turn into such a ordeal...
Esty said to me,
"For this outing, I believe this dress would suit you best."
Hanging on the hanger she held out was a black halterneck evening dress that boldly exposed the shoulders.
"Lady Eve has an overall bright tone to her. Your sparkling silver hair and snow-white skin will create a striking contrast with the black dress, maximizing elegance. Considering the formality of the venue, this is the appropriate choice."
But one voice cut into her perfectly logical explanation.
It was Yoanna, holding another outfit.
"No way! This one's way better for big sis!"
On her hanger was a sky-blue off-shoulder dress.
"Even if it's an art gallery invite, it's still just a student exhibition, right? Something neat and tidy should be plenty. And in that case, we should go with a style that highlights Eve big sis's natural charm! Freshness! Purity! Girlish innocence! To really bring those out, pastel colors like this are perfect!"
"......"
Listening to their back-and-forth was making my head spin.
What kind of situation was this?
It all started with agonizing over what to wear to the exhibition.
'I'd love to just throw on anything, but since it's an invitation, I should show some proper etiquette.'
Given the nature of an art exhibition, some level of formality and neatness seemed appropriate.
But there was a problem. I had next to no fashion sense. I had no clue how to mix and match outfits that would look good.
After agonizing over it for a while, I decided to ask for help.
That's all it was—borrowing opinions from the two people closest to me...
"No matter how I think about it, this outfit suits big sis better!"
"I disagree."
Would you believe they'd been arguing—no, debating—this topic for an hour straight?
It was my own business, but somehow I'd been pushed to the sidelines, leaving me with nothing but a sigh.
I couldn't fathom why they were both so dead set on it, refusing to budge an inch over what I wore.
'I just asked casually... How did it turn into this mess?'
Yoanna was one thing, but why was Esty getting so intense too?
She'd always been so mature, cool-headed, and reliable.
Right now, though, she was acting completely out of character.
Especially whenever her opinion clashed with Yoanna's. She'd dig in her heels in this strangely stubborn way.
Caught in the middle, I was the one getting dizzy.
In the midst of what felt like an endless argument, I finally grabbed both of them and said,
"Sigh... Let's just settle it with rock-paper-scissors and pick one."
Yoanna immediately protested.
"Wait a sec! Eve big sis, that puts me at a disadvantage!"
"Huh?"
I tilted my head without thinking.
Rock-paper-scissors had winners and losers? It was the ultimate balanced game across history and cultures.
But thinking it over... Yoanna actually had a point.
Considering Esty's reflexes and reaction speed, she could probably read her opponent's hand and counter in time.
So I asked her again.
"Sorry, but Esty, could you cover your eyes and play?"
Her unexpected response came back.
"Then would Lady Eve cover them for me?"
"Pardon?"
Her slightly suspicious phrasing made me cock my head, but it wasn't a hard request, so I agreed.
"Well... sure."
As I reached out to cover Esty's eyes, I noticed something awkward. Our height difference made it hard with one hand—my small hands couldn't even cover properly. Using both would mean standing right between them.
"......"
After a moment's thought, I had an idea and slipped behind Esty.
"Excuse me for a sec."
This way, I could cover her eyes from behind.
But with Esty's height, stretching up like that put me in a position like I was hugging her from behind. The moment my leaning torso brushed her back, was that a shiver in her shoulders my imagination?
Yoanna, watching, fidgeted restlessly before voicing her complaint.
"H-Hey, hold on! That's cheating!"
"Didn't Miss Yoanna object first?"
"No, that's totally different!"
The two dove back into bickering over some incomprehensible point. Normally I'd break it up, but after over an hour, even I was worn out. With a sigh, I shouted preemptively,
"Just do it quick. Rock... paper... scissors!"
"........."
"......"
Glancing at the result, the winner was clear in one go.
And that winner... was Esty.
"No way..."
Yoanna slumped to the floor in defeat.
Esty remained expressionless, but she seemed oddly smug—or was that my imagination?
Anyway, it was decided. Cleanly resolved, all things considered. I was relieved.
But I'd forgotten one key fact.
The real challenge for me hadn't even started yet.
The women's evening dress handed to me almost by default.
After shooing the two outside, I stood alone in the office, staring blankly at it in my hands.
"......"
It felt off somehow.
The dress itself was fine. Luxurious fabric, elegant and sophisticated design.
Yeah, it looked incredibly pretty.
But that didn't mean I wanted to wear it. I'd thought I'd gotten used to women's clothes by now, but this was a whole different category. School uniform, dress... Why were they doing this to me?
I let out a short sigh.
It felt like I'd been completely played by their scheme. I'd planned on just a neat shirt originally. But after watching their hour-long debate, I'd gotten too tired and absentmindedly gone along with it all.
"......."
I poked at the dress on the hanger. The skirt swayed gracefully, but it still felt awkward and uncomfortable.
'Haa, it's decided now, so no choice.'
I quietly stepped in front of the mirror.
And reluctantly lifted the hem to start changing.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Screeech—
A sliver of silver hair peeked through the slowly opening office door.
Blue eyes hesitated, peeking cautiously.
"Um..."
The two women waiting outside unwittingly held their breath.
A girl, her face flushed with embarrassment, had finally opened the door fully, revealing her full figure.
Gone was her usual fresh innocence; in its place wafted the aura of a refined lady.
The luxurious black halterneck dress contrasted gorgeously with her radiant silver hair. A shawl draped her shoulders, but every movement offered glimpses of her slender neckline, pristine back, and delicate collarbones—stirring the imagination in subtle ways.
Below the knee-covering skirt, her snow-white thighs and slim ankles gleamed like marble sculptures.
The mid-heeled pumps accentuated her long, graceful legs, naturally drawing their gazes.
"H-How do I look...?"
She asked timidly, but the two were speechless.
"......."
"......."
A long silence stretched. Just as her face started to crumple at their lack of reaction, Yoanna finally closed her gaping mouth. Swallowing what almost became drool, she muttered to Esty beside her in a daze.
"...I'll admit I was wrong this time."
Esty, eyes still fixed ahead, silently nodded.
As if their fierce debate moments ago had been a lie, the two shared a bizarre moment of unity.
Only the one girl, clueless, tilted her head in confusion.
".....?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Sophia had sent several tickets, so naturally, the two came along for today's outing.
"Eve big sis! That must be it over there! Hurry!"
"Yoanna, don't run too far ahead."
It was like a group outing for fun.
'How long's it been since I could just wander around carefree like this?'
It really felt like hanging out with friends after ages. And it pretty much was.
The weather, the scenery—everything was perfect.
If only for this awkward outfit...
"Eek..."
I habitually pressed down the dress skirt fluttering in the breeze.
As we walked carefully, mindful of my posture, following the invitation's address,
Something finally came into view.
Amid the dense forest of high-rises, a lone brick campus building stood like it belonged to another era—elegantly archaic.
'That must be Omega Detroit Municipal Art School.'
Totally out of place among glass towers and concrete apartments, the Renaissance-style architecture was strikingly unique. Not rundown, but nostalgically vintage. Of course it was— they'd built it that way on purpose.
That was the ethos of art in this era.
Ever since AI surpassed human artists in visual interpretation, expression, and every aspect, the art world had sought new value. The result? Art for humans, art only humans could create, became the pinnacle of artistic worth.
That old style from an age without computers, AI, or machines seemed to embody their ideal.
At the campus entrance, one girl waited for us.
Spotting us, she beamed and waved happily.
"Eve big sis! It's been so long! Thank you for coming!"
Sophia smiled with boundless energy.
Her eyes still sparkled clear and beautiful.