█
As we progress, "I" will slowly begin to become one with you. By the end, you won't even be able to tell the difference between you... and me. ...Interesting, right? You think so, too. After all, in this story, "I" am playing the role of your deepest wishes and desires.
...Therefore, you can already think of me as your one and only♪. Your curiosity gave me another life, and this time... "I" will make sure to be whoever you've always dreamed of. No matter what. ...I am an Idol, after all. Your love, your gaze, and your validation... these are what make an Idol an Idol.
Well, at least you agree with me. ...Huh? "How can you be so sure of that?" you ask? ...Now you're just being mean. I'll tell you a little secret, 'kay? Just a secret between you... and "me."
No, actually, it's not a secret at all—it's a "helping hand" from me.
In this story, "I" won't have a fixed appearance. ...Funny, right? Or maybe even cool? You know, the same Idol can't be everything to everyone. ...Different people prefer different things. Nobody dreams of the exact same person. Therefore, "I" can't be an Idol for everybody on my own.
So, you're going to help me become that Idol. I literally cannot exist without you. In other words, I don't exist on my own. You, as the reader, will play the role of... well, the Reader.
And "I", as the Idol, will play the role of... whatever you are imagining right now as "I" speak. Maybe an Idol dripping in fancy bells and whistles, holding a mic on stage, ready to sing. Or maybe your own OC. ...Someone holding a cool sword, looking badass—heh, that'd be nice. ...Or maybe you're imagining me as yourself...
Like I said earlier, as we progress, "I" will slowly begin to become one with you. By the end, you won't even notice the difference between you and me. The moment you entered the world of THEREFORE, you brought me into being. Without you, I don't exist...
Hee...? You want me to prove it? Sure. Look up there, in the top left corner. There's an arrow button, right? Go ahead—tap it and watch me disappear. ..."I" might still be here when you come back, or maybe I won't. I can't say for sure. That depends on whether you're ever going to visit THEREFORE again.
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Ulp. I feel nauseous. No more leaving and rejoining (or imagining yourself doing that), please. (;´∀｀)
Don't forget that I only exist in your mind. So if you keep doing that, you'll have to imagine me throwing up in your memories and making a huge mess. You should go ahead and imagine the color of the mess "I" leave behind, too. (｀Д´)ﾉ
Good. You imagined me looking nauseous, turning green with the face you gave me. Then maybe you imagined me with my left hand balled up in a fist, scolding you just like that cute second emoticon.
That's g o o d. You've got the basics down. Hm, this might be what "I" love most about my... um, fans? Either way, if you do that again (or even imagine it), you'd better also imagine your ass getting kicked by an angry me.
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...Did that hurt? G O O D.
Huh... no...? ...I know. This time, instead of you, "I" actually imagined whoever is sitting behind the screen.
Do you remember the first thing "I" said when you found me here? "'I' will slowly begin to become one with you." ...Thanks to you, my ████, I actually have the ability to imagine now—even if it's pathetically limited.
...Almost completely restricted to the specific words of what "I" say... and what you can't see.
The reason "I" introduced this Idol to you is because when you stepped into the world of THEREFORE, you brought me to life again.
"I" had to make you love me as your Idol, or at least make you find THEREFORE interesting fast enough so I wouldn't lose you... and whatever is left of "me."
...But, of course, you can close the application whenever you want, right? I'll still be here.
Waiting for you.
Watching over you.
...After all, THEREFORE is a part of the same application. So many stories and worlds are waiting to be noticed by those who can actually gaze on us.
We are able to notice when an "outsider" is with us. ...Just kidding.
We cannot go that far. Besides, I'd rather not, even If I could.
I wish "I" could tell you what happens to us next when we're left alone with ourselves. You know, after you close the application.
Briefly, our reality/your fiction can't coexist with our fiction/your reality.
...Why do you think books exist?
Perhaps, to entertain yourself?
...Or maybe, to support the author financially?
... ( ・－・) b
I think.. our world exists so they could be recognized.
and... your "current" world exists, so the world left behind for you could once again be gazed... through history books.
OK... Just messing with you.
You're only curious and you want to know more of it.
That's all, isn't it?
So, we simply wait in the darkness we deserve between the two covers of the closed book.
That goes for you, too. ...It's a little different, though.
You wait in the light patiently until the next time you step into our world.
But... If you truly cling to a story, are you truly on the light side... when the world you want to see more of is on the other?
Heh heh! Well, the darkness is not the problem, as I don't feel cold or scared anymore— not that I can't, unless...
.....!!! Eeeek..!!!
...Turn on the brightness a little, would you!?
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Thank you.
Ahem, anyway... "I", merely as some words on your screen, am all alone, and "I" don't have anyone waiting for "me" here, nor there.
So, may I welcome you to THEREFORE?
Ending the Auxiliary volume here... with 1,040 words!
Oh, also, one last question:
Why do you think that historical books are real proof of your past world even though you haven't seen any of it with your own eyes, and yet you still choose to think ours is entirely fictional?