The clamor of the newcomers' night faded into the distance as Kevin and Mei slipped away from the bustling crowd, making their way to the base's rooftop.
Though this place was a bit of an incident hotspot.
Kevin pushed open the rooftop door and glanced around. "Hah, no one here? I thought for sure someone would be hanging around a spot like this."
His voice sounded unusually clear in the empty, open air.
"And you'd be happy if we were disturbing someone?" Mei followed behind him, saying with a laugh.
"Mei, how can you say that? Maybe someone will come disturb us in a bit."
"Alright, enough joking." Mei shook her head and walked toward the guardrail.
"Mm." Kevin followed, standing beside her.
Side by side, they gazed into the distant night.
Neither spoke.
For a moment, Kevin wasn't sure what to say.
He wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start. The sweat of training these past days, the fear facing the Honkai beasts, the uncertainty about the future… too many things to share, yet they all suddenly felt unimportant.
Or maybe… just ask how Mei is doing?
Truth be told, even though he'd been with MOTH for a while now, he really hadn't seen Mei much.
And Mei had changed a lot…
He could sense the change in her—ever since that deep conversation with Dr. Mobius, the light in her eyes had grown more resolute, yet also more complex. Though she was still the same Mei in front of him, Kevin knew some things were different now.
Mei suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. "Kevin, how have you been… lately?"
"Huh? Me?" Kevin was taken aback for a second, then flashed his trademark sunny smile. "I'm doing great." He flexed his arm. "Training's tough, but I can handle it."
"I see…"
"How about you?" Kevin turned to her, his eyes full of tenderness.
"I'm fine too. Dr. Mobius has been looking out for me. And… I've learned a lot."
They smiled at each other, both understanding that behind their answers lay many more unspoken words.
The night breeze flowed between them, a silence filled with a tacit understanding.
After all, their hearts were already tied together.
Mei suddenly grew serious, turning to face him. "Kevin… is it really worth it? Doing all this… for me?"
"Of course," Kevin answered without hesitation, his blue eyes equally firm.
"Hmm… why?"
"No reason needed. Just for you." He said softly, turning his head to meet her gaze.
That was right. Kevin had joined MOTH solely for Mei. He didn't like to think about the consequences of that choice, no matter what the future held.
"Even if I can't properly respond to you in time?" Mei pressed on.
Kevin smiled, a smile that seemed especially gentle under the moonlight. "That doesn't matter, Mei." He took a step forward, gently taking her hand. "I told you before. Being able to stay by your side is my greatest fortune."
"Kevin…"
It was unclear who moved first, but they instinctively fell into an embrace.
Holding each other instinctively, though it was night, the moment made them recall their conversation under the setting sun. Remembering the expression on Kevin's face when he said he would always stay with her.
He was the same then as now, his gaze so pure it ached one's heart.
Back then, Mei had told Kevin many things. Kevin didn't really understand, but he thought Mei was amazing…
Yes, it was this very Mei who had drawn Kevin in, and it was this utterly sincere Kevin who had moved Mei.
The moon, three hundred and eighty thousand kilometers away, cast its reflected light upon this world.
Illuminating two hearts bound as one.
"Kevin."
"It has changed our fate…"
"This disaster called the Honkai… will change the fate of all humanity too…"
Kevin listened quietly, able to feel the weight in Mei's words.
"But I'll stay with you…" he finally said, his fingers lightly brushing her cheek. "No matter what you choose to do."
Mei gazed at him, then suddenly rose on her toes, pressing a kiss to his lips.
"Thank you, Kevin."
Kevin stood frozen in place, his cheeks reddening at a visible rate.
The sudden kiss left his mind utterly blank, and he could only stare dumbly at Mei.
Mei couldn't help but laugh. "What's wrong? Weren't you so eloquent just now? Has the Prince gotten shy?"
"I…" Kevin gave a helpless smile.
The night breeze swept by, carrying away a trace of restless heat.
"Alright, we should head back," Mei said, still smiling. "We have things to do tomorrow."
"Mm." Kevin nodded.
The feelings of the young boy and girl were indeed beautiful, but it also seemed they had made up their minds…
They slowly walked back the way they came, neither speaking, but their clasped hands spoke louder than any words.
The moonlight stretched their shadows long, intertwining them, as if foretelling the path ahead.
…
Early the next morning, Mobius's lab seemed perpetually this dim…
Mobius slowly opened her eyes, a dull throb immediately pulsing from her temples.
She frowned, instinctively raising a hand to press against her forehead.
"Doctor, you're awake?" Klein's voice came from the direction of the lab bench.
Mobius slowly sat up, discovering a light pink, thin blanket draped over her.
It carried a faint, familiar scent… why did it smell so much like Elysia's? No, why was she even noticing this…
"I… What happened last night?"
Klein brought over a cup of warm water. "You drank too much. Captain Elysia and I brought you back." She paused, then added, "Vya was here too."
Mobius took the cup.
Fragmented images flashed through her mind—Elysia's smiling face, the clink of glasses, and… she suddenly froze.
"Did I… say anything strange?" Mobius stared at the water cup, deliberately keeping her tone level.
"Probably… not?" Klein replied. After all, after Elysia and Vya had left, Mobius had slept quite soundly.
Mobius released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, almost imperceptibly.
Klein turned back to the computer. "I left breakfast in the warmer over there. Would you like it now?"
"Later." Mobius stood up, pushing aside the pink blanket. She didn't need to ask to know it was Elysia's… she'd have her take it back next time.
…
The faucet gushed noisily.
Mobius splashed cold water on her face.
She looked up. In the mirror, her complexion was pale, with faint dark circles under her eyes.
Those green eyes stared at her reflection. Suddenly, her fingertips lightly touched her cheek—where a certain subtle, lingering sensation seemed to remain.
"Absurd…"
…
Returning to the main part of the lab, Mobius felt a sudden sense of emptiness…
She thought, usually it's just her and Klein in the lab. It really was too few people.
The familiar instruments and equipment seemed particularly cold and lonely at the moment.
Maybe hire a couple more… assistants?
Never mind. She'd think about it another time.
Hmm… at this hour, why haven't Vya and Elysia arrived yet?
…
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