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The children were still playing, and the smile never left Vya's face.
The two adults watching nearby chatted idly.
Elysia studied Aponia's nun's habit with curiosity, her fingers lightly brushing against the unique collar design. "Wow~ Your style is so distinctive~ I think we could exchange some tips~"
Aponia took a slight half-step back. "It's just an ordinary…"
"Really?"
Elysia's gaze inadvertently drifted to Aponia's chest.
"Mhm."
Elysia leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice. "…You're so well-endowed there. Is there some secret to it, or is it just natural talent?"
"This…"
Aponia was momentarily at a loss for words.
"Can I feel them~? Just once, pretty please~"
"No."
…
The person before her was so fervent, unrestrained, unconcealed, holding nothing back.
It seemed she was always like this.
Aponia could see the "threads" upon Elysia—their radiance, their color, their direction…
It really is you…
Aponia's thoughts drifted back many years.
She was still young then, having witnessed a star fall from the heavens, after which she gained this ability to see fate.
Whether this was a gift or a punishment from above, a blessing or a curse, she still could not say.
Knowing too much of the future could sometimes be a heavy burden.
Aponia shifted her gaze back to Vya.
The "threads" upon Vya… there was only one. And it connected solely to Elysia.
This child…
The relationship between Vya and Elysia seemed not so simple either.
Time always passes quickly.
…
"Will you stay for dinner, Miss Elysia?"
Aponia asked, seeing that Elysia and her companion showed no signs of preparing to leave, and she couldn't very well chase them out.
"Ohh~ Really? We can stay and eat together?"
"Of course, as long as you don't mind the simplicity."
Aponia said unhurriedly.
"Great, then we'll gladly accept your hospitality~"
Truth be told, Elysia had already planned to offer some assistance to this sanatorium.
But how exactly should she go about it?
Throughout her conversation with Aponia, Elysia had been pondering this.
…
Dinner was not lavish, but it was filled with warmth.
Elysia and Aponia cooked together, simple ingredients transformed into a delicious meal by their hands.
After the meal, Aponia, looking at the two who still showed no intention of leaving, softly inquired, "So… you plan to stay the night as well?"
"That's right, after all, it's gotten quite late~"
"What do you say?"
Elysia said with a blink.
Aponia gave a slight nod. "Of course. I'll go prepare a room for the two of you."
"Thank you♪~"
With that, Aponia left.
…
Soon, night fell.
The moon was visible through the window.
Moonlight like water flowed quietly across the floor of the guest room.
Vya curled up in Elysia's embrace, just staring blankly at the moon in the sky.
But… her expression wasn't as cheerful as during the day.
Elysia gently stroked Vya's hair. "What's wrong, Vya? Didn't you have fun playing with everyone?"
Vya's voice was tiny. "No, Vya had lots of fun…"
Elysia gave her little cheek a pinch.
"Then why do you look so downcast~"
Vya thought carefully.
"Sister, whenever Vya sees this place… it makes me think of home…"
"…"
Elysia's fingers stilled.
Even she fell into rare silence. Yes, that was also a thing of the distant past.
Yes, their home… This sanatorium really was just like the orphanage from their childhood.
"Vya misses Mama Seria…"
Vya suddenly turned, wrapping her arms tightly around Elysia, burying her face in her chest.
"Mhm, I miss her too…"
"I wonder how the town is doing…"
Elysia softly patted Vya's back.
"Don't worry. Next time, we'll go home for a visit, alright?"
Elysia promised.
"Really?!"
"Of course~ It'll be nice to go back and see~"
"Mhm, okay!"
Vya's eyes instantly lit up, but then dimmed again. "Vya ran away secretly… Mama Seria will scold Vya, won't she…"
"It'll be fine~"
Elysia kissed her forehead. "Just like I said before, as long as Vya is safe and sound, that's what matters."
"Mhm mhm, Vya understands."
Before she knew it, Vya had fallen asleep.
Elysia looked at the sleeping Vya before her, smiled, and walked out of the room.
She happened to run into Aponia in the hallway.
"Aponia~ Not asleep yet?"
Elysia greeted her in a whisper.
"Mhm, the children just fell asleep. I came out to check."
"Vya is resting too?"
"Just fell asleep."
Elysia smiled. "Then I'll keep you company a while longer~"
"Miss Elysia…"
"Oh, come on, I told you not to call me that anymore~"
Aponia shook her head. "No, I still believe it's more polite this way."
"Oh, alright♪~ We can change it once we're closer~"
"Mhm."
Aponia gave a slight nod.
"Actually, I have some serious business too~"
"There's… more?"
Aponia was somewhat surprised.
Elysia's expression turned earnest. "Of course. I intend to provide some funding for this sanatorium. That's all."
"This… Miss Elysia, why?"
Elysia looked at her gently. "You can think of it as me helping a friend. And I really do like the children~"
"Thank you, Miss Elysia. I thank you on behalf of the children as well…"
Aponia's tone was utterly sincere.
"There's another reason, actually… You remind me of my own childhood~"
"Your childhood?"
"Yes~"
Under the moonlight, the two women stood side by side before the hallway window.
Aponia waited quietly for Elysia to continue.
"It was in a little town. Mama Seria took me in. She was like you—a very kind and remarkable person~"
"…Later, I found Vya."
"You know what?"
"Back then, Vya was only this tiny… so incredibly cute."
Elysia gestured with her hands…
"And she kept smiling in my arms~"
"During that time, I was truly happy, carefree. Every day I'd go picking flowers, helping the uncles and aunties in town."
…
Aponia listened quietly.
After a long while, she finally spoke. "Mhm, Miss Elysia…"
"I grew up here. I became a nun when I was very young. The education I received then was all about benevolence and love…"
"…So all I've ever tried to do is what little I can for those in need."
"That makes you a remarkable person too~"
"You flatter me."
Aponia lowered her head slightly.
"It's true♪~"
Elysia said earnestly.
The two looked at each other again, both smiling from the heart.
…
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