Thus, not long after Eden's birthday had passed, the lively celebration of Elysia's birthday arrived in a whirlwind.
As the one and only, beautiful, kind, and universally adored Elysia within MOTH, she declared she would personally oversee this year's birthday party.
The night before, she had pulled Eden into her room to scheme well past midnight, likely plotting how to make the festivities as bustling and merry as possible.
Vya had no choice but to borrow a spot in Mobius's lab to sleep.
This way, Elysia and Eden could discuss in peace, everyone was happy—a perfect solution all around, wasn't it?
That's what Vya thought.
So, early that morning, Elysia gave Vya's little cheek a gentle pinch.
"When it's your birthday next time, Vya, it'll be more exciting than ever! What do you think, my dear little treasure~♪"
Vya shook her head.
"But today is sister's birthday. As long as sister is happy, that's what matters." She excitedly raised a small fist, her eyes sparkling. "I still have to give sister a present!"
"My, then I'll have to look forward to it with all my heart~"
Elysia laughed, patting her head, before turning to survey the ongoing decorations.
Eden stood in the center of the venue, directing operations—where to hang balloons, where to set up tables—everything arranged in perfect order.
Kosma and Hua were off to the side, moving boxes of props, quietly fulfilling their role as the reliable 'labor force,' contributing in their usual steadfast way.
Dystopia had long since headed out with a shopping bag slung over her shoulder.
Carole and Pardo weren't idle either, one busy blowing up balloons, the other dashing here and there delivering items…
Everyone was focused on their tasks, working together to make Elysia's birthday a success.
Vill-V had been specially notified this time, and permission had been requested from higher-ups for her to temporarily leave Sector P-21. It wasn't a problem.
After all, Vill-V was now head of the Engineering Department. Though she had quite a 'record' in the past, she still had that level of clearance.
According to Elysia, Vill-V would surely bring Sister Aponia and the children from the orphanage along. A crowd meant proper fun.
As for whether Kalpas would come… that was harder to say—it probably depended on how Aponia 'persuaded' him.
…
"Vya, sister has a very, very important mission for you!"
Elysia suddenly put on a stern face, feigning seriousness as she addressed Vya.
"Ooh, what mission? Tell me, sister! Vya will definitely complete it!"
The little one immediately straightened up, her small frame rigid, eyes filled with determination.
"And that is…"
Elysia drew out the words, deliberately building suspense before leaning close to her ear.
"Go and invite your Sister Mobius to come over!"
"Then let's go together, sister,"
Vya promptly suggested.
"That won't do,"
Elysia shook her head, speaking mysteriously.
"Let me tell you, Mobius actually really wants to come, but she's too shy to come on her own…"
"So, we'll have to rely on our adorable Vya to go invite her~"
"Okay, sister, I understand!"
Vya nodded vigorously, her little face etched with 'mission guaranteed.'
"I will definitely bring Sister Mobius over!"
With that, she skipped off towards Mobius's laboratory.
Nearby, Eden watched the sisters' antics and shook her head helplessly, though the corners of her mouth couldn't help but lift slightly.
…
In Mobius's lab, Nuwa and Fuxi were just about to leave.
"Thank you, Doctor! We're off to help with the birthday party!"
Fuxi nodded along.
"Mhm, goodbye, Doctor. We'll make up for today's missed work later…"
The two left.
…
Klein couldn't help but ask,
"Doctor, are you really not going?"
Mobius, head bowed over an experiment report in her hands, didn't look up.
"You go. I won't. Take this thing with you when you go."
As she spoke, she picked up a jar of blue liquid from a nearby shelf and handed it to Klein.
Klein took the jar, looked at the slightly sloshing liquid inside, and said softly,
"Mhm… alright then."
"Sisters, bye-bye…"
They heard a clear, cheerful call from not far away.
So, Klein and Mobius both turned to look. Needless to say, it was Vya.
"Sister Mobius! Sister Klein!"
After waving goodbye to Fuxi and Nuwa at the doorway, Vya trotted into the lab.
Klein was a bit puzzled.
"Vya, why are you here?"
"Elysia's birthday party is starting soon…"
Mobius also looked up at her. "Exactly. What are you doing here?"
Instead of answering, Vya went straight up to Mobius, tugged on her sleeve, and gave it a little shake.
"Sister Mobius, come with us! Everyone's waiting for you!"
"Not going, not going."
Mobius waved a hand dismissively, returning her gaze to the report.
"Klein can go. I still have experiments to finish."
"No, no, Sister Mobius, please come!"
Seeing this, Vya simply grabbed Mobius's hand, gently shaking it as she pleaded.
"Just for a little while, okay?"
"Tch…"
Mobius frowned. She didn't need to guess to know this was definitely that Elysia's idea.
But looking into Vya's bright, expectant eyes… she really didn't have much way to refuse.
"Fine, fine. You win."
She set down the report resignedly and stood up.
"Let's go, then."
Mobius didn't even change her clothes, heading out still in her white lab coat.
Vya immediately happily took her hand and started running, inadvertently adding some exercise to Mobius's usually sedentary routine.
"Mhm…"
Klein looked at the jar in her hand, then at the two already running off into the distance. She quickly picked up the jar and hurried after them.
"Wait for me…"
…
Not long after, the birthday party finally officially began.
"Happy Birthday!"
"Happy Birthday, Elysia Sis!"
"Happy Birthday, Elysia."
All sorts of well-wishes rose around them like a warm breeze.
As the guest of honor, Elysia wore a new outfit specially tailored for her by Eden—a pale pink skirt embroidered with delicate little flowers, lace trim at the collar, making her look even more radiant and lovely.
She stood amidst the crowd, her smile brighter than sunshine.
Looking around at the circle of familiar friends, Elysia placed her hands on her hips and called out with a laugh,
"Alrighty, thank you all for coming!~ Everyone, make sure to have fun, okay~"
"Yeah!"
Everyone chimed in, the atmosphere growing even more lively instantly.
"Sister, present present!"
Vya wriggled out from the crowd, holding something aloft.
"Look! This is what I prepared for sister!"
"My, what's this? How adorable~"
Elysia bent down to look at the item in Vya's hands, exclaiming with delight.
In the little one's cupped hands was a small clay figurine, shaped like a cute little girl with pink hair tied up just like Elysia's—clearly modeled after her.
"It's sister! Sister Vill-V taught me how to make it!"
Vya said proudly, her little face full of anticipation.
"Wow, Vya is amazing! I love this gift so much, I'll gladly accept it~♪"
Elysia carefully picked up the clay figurine, examining it closely.
Vill-V walked over just then, smiling as she patted Vya's head.
"Mhm, I helped, but Vya has real talent. She picked it up right away."
"Hehe `(∩_∩)′"
Vya, a bit embarrassed by the praise, scratched her head, her face breaking into a happy grin.
…
It's worth mentioning that Kalpas had indeed been brought by Aponia, though he hadn't said much.
Who knows how Aponia managed to persuade Kalpas.
…
Midway through the party, Elysia spotted Mobius and Klein in a corner and walked over with a smile.
"Mobius, you came after all~ I knew you would."
Mobius pursed her lips, crossing her arms.
"Perhaps now I should praise your 'brilliance' once more? You calculated perfectly that Vya would pester me into coming."
"Then I'll gratefully accept that praise~"
Elysia's smile widened.
"Um… the gift."
Klein quietly stepped forward then, offering the jar in her hands to Elysia.
"Oh my, what's this?"
Elysia took the jar, examining the blue solution inside curiously. It looked like some kind of experimental reagent.
Mobius watched from the side with an amused smile.
"Nutritional supplement to help you lose weight. How about it?"
She just wanted to see what kind of reaction Elysia would have.
Elysia raised an eyebrow, feigning exaggerated shock.
"My, I might not need that too much~ After all, my figure is just perfect."
"If you don't need it, give it back."
Mobius said, reaching out to take the jar back.
"Ah-ah, since it's a gift from Mobius, I can't let it go to waste."
Elysia quickly hugged the jar to her chest, laughing.
"I'll accept it, then~♪"
…
"Alrighty~ Everyone, keep having fun! Remember to save some cake for Kevin and the others, they said they'd be late."
Elysia clapped her hands to remind everyone.
The venue glittered with lights, balloons floated in the air, and scraps of festive ribbon drifted down now and then. Everything seemed dazzling and warm.
Just an ordinary, bustling day like any other.
Happy Birthday, Elysia.
…
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