The Novelite's Journey

The other Manor

You look at the person with a very confused expression, "The other manor? What do you mean, and who are you?" The other person sighs, "Everyone always asks the same question. Come on. We'll talk as we walk." You are hesitant to follow, but as you have no other option available to you, you follow them in order to get answers.
As you follow this person, you look around and see that while the manor was similar to the one you used to live in, there were many differences. It was overwhelming bigger. New floors, new hallways, and new rooms. Eventually, you make it to the lobby, and the person you are following stops and turns around. With a smile, "Once again, welcome to the other manor. The others should be here soon. It's easy to tell when someone new comes. Although, it's been a while since we got a new roommate." Your confusion increases, and you start to ask, "Can you answer the questions you know I have? Preferably starting with what this place is." The person before you laughs a bit, "Yeah, I was wondering when you would start asking questions. First, this place is where Novelites go once we run out of time and our ends. Every Novelite that came before you is here. As for how we all know you were coming, it's simple. Whenever a new Novelite comes, this place gets bigger, and it is very noticeable. Eventually, the other Novelites come and say hello. You continue asking questions, "So, is this place our heaven?". One of the other Novelites shrugs, "Maybe, or it's the closest thing we can get to. We're pretty sure Shiori made this place subconsciously. No one really knows what Shiori is really capable of, probably not even Shiori since other than making us and going into books, she doesn't really use her powers." You think back to your time with Shiori, and you agree that even though she has so-called forbidden knowledge, she never really uses it. This place could be part of that forbidden knowledge. While you are thinking about it, another Novelite says, "By the way, since we are all Novelites, we call each other by number. There are only four of us with you being number four. It would be weird if we all called each other Novelite. Would also get confusing. "Only four of us? There aren't more of us?" You ask the others. "Nope. You lasted the longest at a few hundred years. We started thinking that Shiori stopped making Novelites." The Novelite that greeted you when you first arrived walked up to you and extended their hand to you, "Just call me One or anything that means one. Let's get along from now on." You shake the hand before you, "I'm going to have to get used to people calling me Four." You've learned to accept any situation quickly from being with Shiori for so long. If you couldn't adapt quickly, you would've gone insane with the randomness that is Shiori. However, while you accept your current situation, you can't help but think if you can return to Shiori. If you can be sent here after your end, maybe something can send you back. You think, "For now, getting to know what everyone knows comes first."

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After spending some time with the other Novelites, you learned a few things. First, One is sort of the person in charge, mainly because they have been here the longest. They are mature and look out for the others. Two is very energetic and enjoys moving around a lot. That helped me understand that the manor changes depending on the wants of the Novelite. A gym like area appeared near Two when they really wanted exercise. Three is a true book worm. While they are not anti-social, they are usually in the library and stay in there all day. I enjoy reading manga and light novels, so I asked how far back the library goes. They told me that the library updates once a week and has basically anything we would be interested in reading. The other Novelites are all very nice and welcomed me instantly. It's probably because while all our interests are a bit different from each other. The one thing we all have in common is Shiori. We all enjoyed looking after Shiori and took pride in it. Sometimes, we reminisce about all the things we have done alongside Shiori. All the weird adventures and the random disasters caused by Shiori. They all shared my old concern of worrying about Shiori not opening up to other people. Once I informed them of Hololive, they all smiled, knowing that Shiori is overcoming her one fear. I've actually truly enjoyed my time here with the other Novelites. We all get along, and the manor provides us with anything we want. However, the main thing we want is to go see Shiori again. Sadly, a story that ends can not and sometimes should not continue. No matter how much we want it, we can not force ourselves into Shiori's ongoing story.

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One day, while exploring this ever expanding manor, I ran into one. They look at me and smile, "Exploring again, huh? You never seem to get tired of it." With a smile of your own, "this place is constantly changing. It bothers me that I still haven't seen all it yet." One laughs. "If that's want, your goal is you might never accomplish it. If the others think too hard about something, the manor will make it spawn, meaning you have more to explore." You fake an exhausted sigh, "Well, I got nothing but time here. By the why, I've noticed there's no doors here except for the bathroom." One nods at you, " Yeah, for some reason, the manor won't make doors when it expands. It's not like we can ask anyone anyway, so we just accept it. It's not like the doors are really needed, so it's not an inconvenience." You start to think about it. Is there some reason for not making doors? Do doors represent something? You think about it, but at the moment, nothing really clicks. You doubt anyone has actually thought hard about the significance of a door. Your mind, of course, goes to Shiori and what random thought she would have about the complexity of a door. Your thought process is interrupted by One, "Thinking about Shiori again?" You look at One. "Is it that obvious? With a small chuckle, "Yeah, you always have the same face whenever you stopped to think about her." You get a little embarrassed when hearing this. "Don't worry about it. We all do that. It comes with being a Novelite, and with you being with her for so long, it makes sense you do it more than others." Hearing that you just stop and smile to yourself more often than others makes your embarrassment worse, which makes One laugh out loud. You say you goodbyes and go back to exploring the manor.

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Much later, you lay down on your bed, and your mind starts to wander. You start to think about the meaning behind there being no doors. Since you have nothing else to do, you start coming up with reasons as to why doors do not appear and if doors represent anything. Doors lead somewhere. You do not really know what's in a room until you open the door. It could be something good or it could be bad. It also depends on the person as what may be good to someone may be bad to someone else. Opening a door on the way to work is how some people start their day. After thinking far too hard about the meaning of a door. You come to the conclusion that doors represent the beginning of something that may be good or bad depending on the person. It can raise someone's expectations if they think they know what's on the other side. You think about what everyone in the manor has in common. You think back to one of the first things you thought of when you came to this manor. If it was possible to see Shiori again. Then it hits you. The others probably looked for a way out, and if they had found a door, they might think it led out back to Shiori. So to make it so they weren't disappointed, the manor erased the doors. You think that there are better ways to do that, but you remember that this place was made by Shiori, and she can be a little ditzy. Thinking about Shiori again makes you a little sad, and you proceed to go to sleep. In your dream, you see Shiori. However, she does not have her trademark smile. She's is with the other members of Hololive, but she either is not smiling or gives a slightly sad smile.

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Back in the normal world, Shiori is with the other members of Advent. She is enjoying her time with them and has had fun being a member of Hololive, but her mind goes back to her Novelite. Someone who has been by her side for so long is no longer there. The others immediately noticed that the one who is always by her side is gone, and with the look on Shiori's face, they knew that it was for good. After an Advent collab, Nerissa speaks to Shiori, " How have you been doing?" Shiori gives a sad smile, "I'm usually fine when I'm working or doing a collab with everyone, but sometimes I think about them." It gets lonely sometimes." Nerissa pats her head, which makes Shiori remember her Novelite, "You don't have to stay in the manor. You can stay with one of us if you want." With a smile, "If I stay with you, I might be in danger, Rissa." With a small yell and a laugh, "What's that supposed to mean!?"Nothing, you're precious. Thanks for the offer, really. But, it feels wrong to try to forget."Ok, but if you change your mind, let us know, Shiori. See you later." Shiori waves bye to Nerissa and walks towards the manor. "I miss you, Novelite."