Mobius watched Vya's retreating figure and took another sip of her drink.
Seeing this, Elysia quickly walked over.
"My, my, Mobius, why are you drinking all by yourself~"
"None of your business."
Mobius didn't even look up.
"Alcohol isn't good for your health, you know~"
Elysia sat down beside her, resting her chin in her hands as she gazed at her.
"Elysia, it's not your concern."
Mobius spoke while continuing to drink from her glass.
"Oh, come now, Vya's here too, can't you drink a little less~"
Elysia said with a smile.
"That's your problem to worry about, Elysia."
Elysia puffed out her cheeks. "Mobius~ How can you say such a thing? I'll get upset, you know~"
Himeko chose that moment to walk over and smooth things over, a glass of her own in hand. "Alright, alright, how about we all have a drink together?"
She patted Elysia on the shoulder and gave her a meaningful look.
"Aah…"
Elysia feigned a sigh of grievance. "Fine, since Himeko says so, let's all have a drink together."
Let's just not drink too much…
Himeko poured herself a glass, then turned her gaze to Mobius.
"Here's to you, Dr. Mobius."
Himeko's hearty voice rang out.
Mobius glanced up at her. Under the influence of the alcohol, her usual guardedness seemed to have loosened somewhat.
After a moment's hesitation, she slowly raised her glass.
"Oh, I'll join too~"
Elysia cheerfully poured herself a shallow glass.
The three glasses met in the air with a light, clear clink.
Throughout, Elysia kept a close watch on Mobius's condition. If anything seemed off, she was determined to stop Mobius from drinking any more.
Yes, absolutely determined.
Himeko didn't dare drink much today either, seeing as two of her own squad members were present.
It wouldn't do to make a fool of herself.
This time, they truly went through a few rounds, glasses clinking, the atmosphere gradually growing warmer.
"Um…"
Klein felt this was indeed the moment she should say something.
"The Doctor… she seems a bit drunk…"
"Yes, sisters, please don't drink anymore!"
Vya, having returned from the dessert area, chimed in with her own plea.
"Alright, how about we call it a night here."
Himeko readily put down her glass. She really hadn't drunk much and was still quite clear-headed.
So was Elysia.
"Mhm, let's do that then~ It is about time to head back, after all~"
Elysia looked at Mobius and noticed her cheeks were now tinged with a distinct blush, her gaze somewhat unfocused. The green-haired woman was unconsciously fiddling with her empty glass, muttering something under her breath…
"Mobius, let's go back~"
Elysia went to Mobius's side, gently taking hold of her shoulder.
"Don't touch me…"
Mobius reflexively tried to pull away, but the movement was weak and listless.
"Alright now~, Mobius, time to go rest…"
Elysia said softly.
"Let me have a bit more…"
Mobius slurred, reaching for the bottle but grasping only air.
"No more drinking. Come on, Klein, help me get Mobius back~"
Elysia said with a smile.
"Ah, right away."
Klein hurried over, and together with Elysia, they supported Mobius on either side.
Her body was lighter than expected…
After bidding farewell to Himeko and the others, the three—or four, if you counted the half-conscious, half-drunk Mobius—made their slow way towards the laboratory.
The corridors at night were eerily quiet, only their footsteps and Mobius's occasional muttering echoing in the air.
Vya followed obediently behind.
"...This data is wrong…"
Mobius suddenly lifted her head. "Need to revise it…"
"Yes, yes, yes," Elysia humored her as if speaking to a child. "We'll revise it tomorrow."
"No… now…" Mobius struggled to turn back. "The experiment can't stop…"
"Doctor…" Klein pleaded helplessly. "It's very late. Let's continue tomorrow."
"You… don't understand… They don't either… Bunch of fools…"
Mobius's voice gradually trailed off.
…
The lab door opened. Elysia and Klein worked together to guide Mobius to the couch in the inner rest area.
"Let's hope Mobius behaves herself from here on out~"
Elysia murmured quietly, brushing the stray strands of hair away from Mobius's face.
"I'll go get a blanket…"
Klein looked around.
But it seemed there weren't any in the lab…
"Mhm~ Go get one from my room. You can bring them all if you like~"
"Ah… this… where is it again?"
"Vya knows where~"
"Okay…"
Vya led Klein away.
Elysia, meanwhile, gave her little sister a mental thumbs-up.
Ever since Vya and Klein had come to MOTH, she and Mobius had hardly had any time alone together.
Opportunities like this were truly few and far between.
Elysia sat beside Mobius, watching her quietly.
"...Elysia?"
Mobius looked at the pink-hued figure, immediately recognizing it as Elysia.
Her voice was much softer than usual, carrying a husky quality from the alcohol.
"I'm right here~ Mobius♪~"
Elysia immediately leaned closer, her fingers gently smoothing the hair from Mobius's forehead. "Feeling any better? I told you to drink less~ If your tolerance isn't good, you shouldn't push it~"
Mobius didn't answer, just kept staring at her fixedly.
Her eyes were hazy.
Under the influence of the alcohol, the high walls she usually maintained seemed to have temporarily crumbled.
She suddenly spoke softly. "Elysia…"
"What is it~ Mobius."
Elysia replied with a smile.
"Actually… I don't dislike you that much…"
Mobius's voice was very light, almost like she was talking to herself. "If you weren't so talkative… If you didn't stuff clothes randomly into my wardrobe…"
"I might even…"
Elysia's eyes instantly sparkled, a gentle curve lifting the corners of her mouth. "Oh my~, 'might even' what?"
"..."
Mobius fell silent.
"Alright, alright, I've always known, Mobius~"
Mobius unconsciously frowned, as if wanting to retort, but in the end, she just gave a soft "Hmph" and turned her face away.
The action made her seem oddly childlike.
Elysia couldn't help but let out a light chuckle.
She noticed Mobius's ear tips had turned a faint pink.
This delighted Elysia to no end.
"My, my, an honest Mobius is truly wonderful♪~"
Not that she didn't adore the usual tsundere side too—that was also quite wonderful~
"..."
"Mobius~ You know, I've always liked you very much too~"
"What… are you saying?"
Mobius mumbled.
Looking at Mobius like this, Elysia truly couldn't hold back anymore…
Ah, who was she kidding? Holding back was impossible.
She leaned down slightly and gently planted a kiss on Mobius's cheek.
The kiss was fleeting, as light as a butterfly brushing against a petal.
Just a brief taste.
After all, Vya and the others might return any moment.
Building beautiful bonds with other girls—while not the first time—always brought Elysia genuine joy.
Mobius seemed to sense something, blinking in confusion. "You… did something…?"
"Nothing at all~"
Elysia maintained her smile.
"Really…?"
"Of course♪~"
Elysia playfully winked, just as she heard footsteps approaching from not far away—Vya and Klein must be returning.
Mobius wanted to say something more, but a wave of drowsiness washed over her. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, finally closing slowly.
In the last moment before slipping into deep sleep, she seemed to feel someone gently take hold of her hand…
…
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