Realization had dawned the moment Kisegawa had seen the Empress's eyes. And the tale she told -- the very end of it, more than anything -- all but confirmed it.

"So that's how it is... I've seen those eyes of yours in a dream before, and I don't mean that as a cliche pick-up line." She readied her staff, glaring at Ramaa.

"I saw them in the Dream Width -- in a memory of yours, if I'm not mistaken. You must have enjoyed giving me all that claptrap about how very sad her statue made you feel."