"Phew, that's the last of it."
Inside the exquisitely decorated room, Fu Li looked at the girl who was supposedly 'Klein', placed the final box of luggage on the floor, and wiped the sweat from his brow.
He wasn't sweating because he was tired, but as a subconscious form of disguise, controlling his own cells to induce perspiration.
"Mm, thank you. You can call me Klein. I just started working in Changkong City not long ago. And you are?"
A bottle of chilled soda was handed to Fu Li. Klein wore a sunny smile, giving off a reliable and approachable feeling.
"Klein? Oh, my name is Fu Li. You can just call me Li. I'm a student at Senba Academy. Thanks for the soda."
Hearing the name, Fu Li's body trembled imperceptibly, but he quickly recovered. He took the soda and silently observed Klein, trying to confirm if she truly didn't recognize him.
Her height, bust, and some other details were very similar to the Klein he knew, but he had never seen such a sunny expression on her face.
Murata Himeko and Himeko, Dr. MEI and Mei—they were alternate-timeline counterparts. But those were the only two examples Fu Li knew of.
So, it should be normal for someone to have the same name... right?
While Fu Li was lost in thought, Klein's voice suddenly sounded again. "Um, Li, thank you for your help. Why don't I treat you to a meal?"
"Huh? There's no need. It was just a small favor," Fu Li said with a smile, feeling that it was no big deal.
Since she was Klein's alternate-timeline counterpart, he didn't mind lending a hand.
"Hey, you helped me so much. I'd feel bad if I didn't do something in return."
Klein clasped her hands together, putting on a pleading expression that was exceptionally cute.
Seeing her act this way, although it made him even more certain that she wasn't the Klein he knew, Fu Li's heart couldn't help but soften, and he had no choice but to nod in agreement.
He couldn't help it. He had always been unable to refuse a request from a comrade.
If it were a request from the MOTHs' high command, however, he wouldn't even give them the time of day. If he was in a bad mood, he might even casually give them a kick in the rear.
"Yay!" Klein clapped her hands, quickly grabbing a bag from the side. "You can make yourself at home. I'm going out to buy groceries."
"Hey, wait a second..." I have groceries at my place.
Before Fu Li could finish his sentence, Klein had already bustled out the door like an innocent and energetic little girl.
This... is really...
Oh well, let her be...
What Fu Li didn't know was that the instant the door closed, Klein's expression changed as quickly as a Sichuan opera mask, instantly reverting to a poker face. When she got downstairs, she turned to look at Sakurajima Rin.
"You traitor," she said without a shred of mercy.
"My, my~ Klein, don't be so harsh. I did work for you for quite some time, after all," Sakurajima Rin said, completely unconcerned.
"But that still doesn't change the fact that you're a traitor." Klein's expression turned cold. It was obvious she was in a very bad mood.
"Step aside, White Fox. I have nothing to say to you."
"Mmm~ Don't call me White Fox, now. I have a name. It's Sakurajima Rin. Or perhaps, just Rin?"
Klein didn't speak, merely staring at Sakurajima Rin. In the shadows of the bushes, a faint green light emerged.
The only reason she didn't want to make a move was that the commotion would be too big, and it would expose her prematurely.
In the end, it was Sakurajima Rin who took a step back, reaching a temporary truce.
"Tell Eden she knows full well that it's best to behave until that moment arrives. Otherwise, neither of us will be able to keep Li."
With that final word, Klein turned and walked past Sakurajima Rin without a backward glance, heading towards a vegetable stand not far away.
Sakurajima Rin simply watched her retreating back and sighed softly.
They were all united because of Li, yet they were also divided because of him. Is this their fate...?
No, that can't be right. If it's Fu Li, he must have other tricks up his sleeve to deal with the current situation, just like Vill-V.
But what could that trick be?
---o---
Meanwhile, after confirming that Klein wouldn't be back for a while, Fu Li directly summoned the mini-Mobius.
"What is it, Boss?"
Stepping out of Imaginary Space, Mobius looked at the surrounding boxes. The data stream in her eyes flickered with a moment of panic, but it quickly returned to normal.
"It's nothing, Snakey. Give me a test tube."
"Alright."
Taking the test tube, Fu Li immediately leaned over one of the boxes Klein had moved and began to search carefully.
Finally, with his MANTIS vision, he found a short strand of green hair on the box, stuck to the packing tape.
Carefully removing it, Fu Li placed it in the test tube and handed it to Mobius.
"Snakey, take this to the newly purchased bio-lab, extract the DNA, and give me the results. This is very important."
"Is that so?" Mobius sighed in relief internally. She took the test tube containing the hair and agreed without a second thought.
She naturally understood what Fu Li was thinking. It was cautious, and not a wrong move. It seemed he was beginning to doubt the system and was preparing to use this method to verify the truth.
However, it was a good idea. If he were to do it himself, he might actually discover something. It was a pity that...
"I understand, Boss. Should I go now?"
"Yes, but there's no rush. Don't let it delay the progress of other experiments."
"Understood."
Watching Mobius depart, Fu Li didn't do anything else. He just sat on the soft sofa, silently pondering the problem of the system.
He had actually tried to probe the system secretly many times, but it had no physical form; he could only converse with it.
But those conversations were like practicing Tai Chi. Fu Li knew the system was hiding something, but he could never truly get to the bottom of it.
However, he wasn't given much time to think. Klein had already returned, carrying bags full of fresh ingredients.
Just a glance revealed pork ribs, corn, green vegetables, and more. It was a mouth-watering sight.
"Um, let me do the cooking."
Fu Li subconsciously stood up, wanting to take the groceries and cook, but Klein deftly dodged him.
"Oh, Li, don't be like that. Where's the sense in having a guest cook?"
Klein placed the ingredients on the table and, with a gentle smile like that of a virtuous wife, pushed Fu Li back onto the sofa.
"You just sit here and relax. Don't worry, my cooking is pretty good."
"Well... alright."
Watching Klein walk towards the kitchen, Fu Li sat back down on the soft sofa, feeling a bit out of sorts.
Perhaps it was out of habit, but he always felt the urge to take care of them.
But from the looks of it now, the Klein of this world was perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
It's a little bit lonely, isn't it...