Hmm, when exactly did that happen?
Vya could still remember it very clearly.
It was definitely before she reunited with Elysia, the closest she had ever come to her sister. She had seen that pink glow, a color she knew all too well…
But… she still hadn't found her. The scene back then must have gone like this.
"Sis!"
She called out, running towards the light.
Yet, just as she was getting close, she accidentally stepped wrong and tumbled into a pitch-black hole.
By the time she gathered her wits again, she was somewhere far away. The surroundings were completely unfamiliar, and the distant pink glow was nowhere to be seen.
Vya was so anxious she nearly cried, but she still tried hard to get her bearings, groping her way back towards that area.
She had no idea how much time had passed by the time she finally found her way back.
The sky had darkened, and the ground was littered with massive craters, some still smoking.
Right in the center of the largest crater, Vya saw a figure with pale purple hair standing there in a daze.
Vya hesitated for a moment, but she tiptoed over, wanting to ask if this person had seen her sister.
"Hello…"
Vya waved towards the figure; she was still a bit timid back then.
"Excuse me… have you seen my sister? She has pink hair, very pretty."
The purple-haired girl: "…"
Vya waited there a long time. The surroundings were eerily quiet.
"Sis… are you listening?"
Vya asked again softly, her voice trembling a little.
"…"
The girl still didn't respond.
Vya asked many more times, but the girl paid her no mind.
Just as Vya was about to give up, the girl suddenly stiffly lowered her head. Those amber-gold eyes looked at Vya, and then she turned and walked away.
"Huh…"
Vya stood there at a loss, unsure what to do.
…
Of course, from Elysia's perspective, that was the first real battle she faced after joining MOTH.
It was after she had "borrowed" the badge numbered "1" from Mobius.
She made significant contributions in the battle to subdue the Herrscher of the Void, becoming MOTH's rising star ever since.
…
Back at the base, Elysia hummed a cheerful tune as she headed straight for Mobius's lab.
"Mobius~ I'm back♪~"
Elysia still walked into the lab with her light, brisk steps.
Her figure fluttered in like a pink butterfly.
Mobius was currently enjoying a hard-won moment of peace, after all, some things could be dumped on Klein to handle.
Watching Klein's back as she buried herself in work, this new assistant was very capable, making life much easier for her.
But… why was she here again!
"Elysia, this is not your home." Mobius didn't even bother looking in that direction, speaking with some annoyance.
Hearing this only made Elysia more delighted.
"Aiya♪~ So, Mobius, are you willing to let this place become my home?"
"Don't worry, just say the word, and I'll move in with you right away."
"…"
Mobius was momentarily speechless. This pink-haired woman's train of thought was always so… uniquely bizarre.
Truly Elysia. Even Mobius couldn't help but marvel at that moment…
No! That wasn't the point.
"Alright, if you're here for Vya…"
Mobius was about to tell her Vya's whereabouts when she noticed Elysia's attention had already completely shifted.
With her sharp eyes, Elysia had somehow already slipped over to Klein's side and was bent over, watching the new assistant work.
"My! And who is this lovely young lady?"
Elysia exclaimed with exaggerated surprise.
"Haven't seen her before? Mobius~"
A sly smile spread across Elysia's face.
When Klein heard Elysia's voice and looked up, she was met with a pink-haired face right in front of hers, smiling at her…
Huh!? Who is this!?
"My, what an adorable reaction~ What's your name~"
Klein froze, not knowing what to say.
"Elysia, simmer down…"
Mobius clenched her fist, her knuckles making faint cracking sounds.
She was getting angry. Her long green hair stirred as if by an unfelt wind, like an agitated serpent…
"Now, now, Mobius, don't be angry~"
Elysia turned around, clasping her hands together in a pleading gesture. "I'm not blaming you for keeping a beauty hidden away, after all, we're the best of friends~"
"No, no, no! That's not it!"
Klein finally snapped back to reality, hurriedly waving her hands to explain. Her face flushed even redder, the tips of her ears burning. It was hard to tell if it was from nerves or embarrassment. "I'm the new assistant in the lab… I'm Klein…"
"Get out! No more barging in here unannounced!" Mobius was genuinely getting angry now.
"Fine…"
"So where is Vya?"
Seeing Mobius in this state, Elysia decided to drop the jokes.
As for that little assistant Klein, she'd just have to get to know her properly next time~
"She went back."
Mobius answered curtly, already regretting not having thrown Elysia out immediately earlier.
"Aiya, I thought she'd be here with you, Mobius~"
"Alright then, I'll be heading back now~"
This pink whirlwind came and went just as quickly, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Cool, and elegant.
The lab finally returned to quiet.
"Doctor, who was that lady…?"
After Elysia had been gone for a while, Klein tentatively asked Mobius.
"A very annoying individual."
Mobius answered without hesitation, her tone dripping with obvious disdain.
She glanced at Klein and continued, "If you see her in the future, remember to keep your distance. And if she approaches with a smile to talk, remember not to engage with her."
"But, Doctor… why should we… wouldn't that be very rude?"
Klein was somewhat puzzled.
"Remember what I said? Just do as I tell you."
"Ah! Yes, yes, I understand."
Klein hastily agreed, but then she thought of Vya again, probably because the little girl had left quite an impression on her.
"…Then why did she ask where Vya was?"
"She's Vya's sister."
"Vya's… sister?"
Ah, so that Elysia… is Vya's sister?
Having a sister like that, and having a little sister like Vya… somehow, it seems oddly fitting.
…
Truth be told, although Elysia didn't teach her much, Vya still unwittingly "picked up" some of Elysia's finer qualities~ Children just unconsciously mimic adults.
And… you know what they say, proximity to vermillion makes you red. So what does proximity to Elysia make you? Hehe…
T/N: Pink.
…
I have completed the author to TL pipeline, 2 chapters per day. Advanced chapters available on patreon.
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