The first thing I noticed was the sound of water.

Somewhere, something was constantly welling up. Rhythmic, without interruption. When I opened my eyes, I was in a garden.

Trees were growing thick. I couldn't tell the season. Right next to a branch bearing spring flowers, autumn fruits were ripening. It should have been an impossible sight, yet there was a beat of delay before I felt it was "strange."

The air was lukewarm and humid. The light was soft, and I couldn't even tell where the shadows were. Though no sun was visible, it was certainly day.

—Where am I?

The moment I thought that, the answer flowed in of its own accord. Without my asking. Without my even thinking it.

This is 【EDEN】.

And at the same time, one more thing.

Here, I am called Eve.

No one taught me. I didn't read any text or hear a voice. It just clung to the inside of my body as if it had been decided that way from the beginning.

—No. I should have a name.

If I try to remember, it comes to me clearly. My name. My life until yesterday. The outlines are all distinct.

And yet. Why am I here? How did I get here?

That part alone is missing, as if it never existed from the start. As if someone had carefully removed only that piece.

I walked a little, following the sound of the water. Between the trees, I saw a small white house. A house that just "was" there, with no scent of life. Before it, by the edge of the spring, someone was sitting. Long, pale hair. Downcast eyes half-hidden behind blue flowers. The vines crawling on his skin were so still I couldn't tell if they were moving. Noticing my footsteps, the person slowly raised his head. It was a gaze that held neither surprise nor caution, but merely confirmed something obvious.

Then, the corners of his mouth relaxed slightly.