Chapter Eleven: New Life Under the Light and Confession in the Mirror

"Click".

A soft sound, like the first note of a new world being born.

The moment "Xiaoguang's" head completely enveloped me, the world I knew was once again turned upside down. My vision was confined to two gentle almond-shaped eye sockets, and the surrounding sounds became distant and blurred, leaving only my own clear and steady breathing inside the mask.

This time, there was no panic like I had the first time, nor the fear and despair I felt in the mall. My heart was unexpectedly calm, even... filled with a kind of sacred sense of ritual.

This is no longer a pretense to escape reality, but a solemn rebirth.

I slowly raised my head and looked at the huge floor-length mirror in front of me.

In the mirror, a completely new "me" is quietly gazing at me.

She had a cute, shoulder-length bob and wore a fresh and adorable dress, like a girl next door. Her face, painted by Xiaoya herself, wore a shy yet determined smile. Her eyes sparkled with a gentle light, as if filled with the afternoon sunlight of the entire studio.

She's not a distant national idol, nor an unattainable anime goddess. She's like... a real, breathing, and warm girl.

She is "Xiaoguang".

My heart was filled with an indescribable sense of emotion and satisfaction. I could feel my soul merging perfectly with this new outer shell in an unprecedented way.

I tried moving my fingers, and "Xiaoguang" in the mirror moved her fingers in unison. I tried tilting my head slightly, and she in the mirror also showed a curious and cute expression.

This body is no longer a cage that confines me, but a part that extends from my heart.

"Very...very beautiful."

A voice, trembling with a hint of surprise, came from behind me.

I slowly turned around.

Xiaoya stood a few steps away, her hands clasped tightly to her chest, her eyes fixed on me. A thin layer of moisture welled in her eyes, and in those bright pupils, the complete image of "Xiaoguang" was reflected. That look was so complex it broke my heart; it contained the pride of a creator, the excitement of seeing a dream come true, and a hint of… an almost obsessive fascination I had never seen before.

She looked at me as if I were a unique, living work of art that she had created herself.

"You...you brought her back to life, Zhe," she murmured, her voice as soft as a breeze. "More...more perfect than I imagined."

Hearing her praise, I felt as if my heart was being soaked in warm honey. I imitated a girl, lifting my skirt and somewhat awkwardly giving her a ladylike curtsy.

This action made her burst out laughing, and tears welled up in her eyes.

"Hello, Xiaoguang." She wiped her eyes and greeted me with a smile, as if I were a completely different person.

Unable to speak, I could only nod at her.

"Let's...let's take some pictures!" As if suddenly remembering something, she excitedly ran to get her camera. "Such an important moment must be recorded!"

That afternoon, the entire studio became Xiaoguang's stage.

Under Xiaoya's guidance, I struck all sorts of poses. Sometimes, I sat quietly by the window, holding a book and basking in the afternoon sun; sometimes, I playfully hid behind a giant Shiba Inu pillow, only peeking out with curious eyes; sometimes, I leaned against a wall full of tools, striking a cool pose like Sister Linya.

Xiaoya, like a professional photographer, constantly searched for the best angle to capture every moment of "Xiaoguang". The "click" of the camera and her occasional exclamations of "Yes, yes, yes, that's the feeling!" and "Fantastic!" echoed in the studio.

I was completely immersed in the joy of role-playing. I was no longer A-Zhe; I was "Xiao-Guang." Through her eyes, I watched Xiao-Ya bustling about for me, and saw her childlike smile when she took a satisfactory photo.

This was an unprecedented experience. I was no longer a coward hiding behind a mask, spying on the world. Instead, I was playing a tacit, creative game with someone I cherish.

At the end of the shoot, Xiaoya had me stand in front of that huge floor-length mirror again.

“Okay, one last shot.” ​​She held up her camera, walked behind me, and said softly, “Look at yourself in the mirror.”

I obediently turned my gaze to the mirror.

In the mirror, "Xiaoguang" is quietly looking at me. And through "Xiaoguang's" back, I can see Xiaoya's figure. She's holding a camera, and the lens isn't pointed at "Xiaoguang" in the mirror, but at... me.

No, to be precise, it's "Xiaoguang" and me, and the transparent mirror between us.

“Ah Zhe,” she suddenly spoke without pressing the shutter, her voice so soft that only the two of us could hear, “Do you know? The first time I met you wasn’t in a coffee shop.”

My body stiffened slightly.

“It was on that forum,” she continued. “I saw the photos you posted, those ‘Sakurajima Mai’ photos you took at home. At that time, I didn’t know you. I was just… amazed by those photos.”

“I could feel that the person in the photo wasn’t simply imitating, but trying very hard to become ‘her’. I could feel that love for the character even through the screen. Later, when Master sold you that head, I specifically looked at your shipping address and realized that... we actually live in the same city, so close to each other.”

Her voice seemed to be telling a long-buried secret.

"So, I recognized you at first glance in the mall that day. While everyone else treated you like a monster, what I saw was the most devout 'dream fulfiller' I knew."

My breathing became rapid. The air inside the mask began to feel scalding hot.

"Later, the more I got to know you, the more I realized... that you, without your mask, are completely different from what I imagined." She smiled, a gentle, indulgent smile in her voice. "You're not flamboyant at all, even a little clumsy. But you're kind, reliable, and your hands are steady. You'll rush to my side without hesitation when I'm most helpless, staying up all night with me..."

"At the summer festival, you will challenge that game that you can't possibly win for me. You will also create a new 'dream' for me."

Her gaze pierced through the camera lens, through the eye sockets of my skull, and through all my pretenses, shooting straight into the depths of my heart.

“Ah Zhe,” her voice trembled slightly, “I used to think that what I liked was that perfect ‘illusion’ with a glamorous exterior.”

"But now I realize that what I truly love is the real you, the one who created this illusion, the clumsy yet gentle one behind that mask."

"I like you, Zhe."

boom--

My mind went completely blank in an instant.

Happiness came so suddenly and so intensely, like a grand fireworks display that exploded in my mind, coloring my whole world with the most dazzling colors.

I stood there, stunned, looking in the mirror at her face, which was flushed with embarrassment from her confession, yet filled with unwavering determination.

I opened my mouth, wanting to respond, but found myself trapped inside this silent shell called "Xiaoguang." I couldn't speak, couldn't tell her that I liked her too, that I had liked her for a very, very long time.

I was so anxious I didn't know what to do.

Then, I made a decision.

I reached out and, with trembling fingertips, found the buckle on the back of the skull.

"Click".

In front of her, I slowly removed the "Xiaoguang" head shell.

My face, which was also flushed red and somewhat distorted with excitement, but full of sincerity, was revealed—the face that belonged to "A-Zhe".

I looked in the mirror at the girl standing behind me, stunned by my actions, and spoke clearly, word by word, in my own voice:

"Xiaoya, I like you too."

"Would you be willing to... become my 'Dream Fulfiller'?"