"I really didn't expect you to come find me at a time like this?"
Mobius looked at Eden standing at the laboratory door, a hint of surprise in her tone.
She was holding a test tube in her hand, the purple liquid inside shimmering with an eerie glow under the lights.
"Speaking purely from my personal feeling, our relationship should be considered passable, Mobius."
Eden smiled, her voice still as gentle and pleasant as when she sang.
"Tch... With the great Eden herself seeking me out, it's not like I can just kick you out, is it?"
Mobius put down the test tube she was holding, casually placing it on the nearby workstation.
She walked up to Eden, giving her a once-over from head to toe.
"If you're looking for someone to chat with to pass the time, those few young ladies at the base are probably a better choice. They're much better at conversation than I am. What made you suddenly think of me?"
"Mu has vanished..."
Eden's voice softened, a flicker of melancholy passing through her eyes.
Mobius picked up the water glass on the table. Klein always remembered to prepare warm water for her.
She took a small sip.
"You have quite a deep attachment to that place, don't you?"
"I performed there often, after all. Met a lot of people, left behind quite a few memories."
Eden said softly.
Mobius set the water glass down and continued asking,
"Are you worried about Elysia? And Vya?"
Eden smiled and shook her head.
"Nowadays, you and I both believe in Elysia. So they'll be fine."
"Stop,"
Mobius immediately cut her off, her tone carrying a hint of awkwardness,
"What does that have to do with me? Don't lump me in with her."
"Hmm..."
Eden watched her peculiar expression and couldn't help but let out a light laugh.
"Then just consider it a joke on my part."
Mobius gave a soft snort.
"That's a really lousy joke, Eden."
Though her words said one thing, the expression on her face eased up a bit.
Eden reined in her smile and spoke seriously,
"I still remember, our first meeting was in Mu, wasn't it?"
"Right."
Mobius nodded, surprisingly still remembering that.
"Perhaps we should have chatted more back then. Maybe we could have become good friends."
Eden mused with emotion.
"Give me a break,"
Mobius waved a hand dismissively, "Getting involved with a big star like you? Say goodbye to conducting research in peace and quiet. That would be a real headache."
"But even back then, you were the center of attention, weren't you?"
Eden looked at her, "The publication of your research findings and papers always caused quite a stir."
Mobius raised an eyebrow in retort,
"So what? Do you need that kind of adulation? Do I need it?"
Eden fell silent for a moment before answering slowly,
"Who can truly let go of fame, fortune, and prestige? Even after seeing certain things clearly, people are still willing to wallow in them. It's like drinking alcohol. You know drinking too much harms your body, but there are always those who can't help getting drunk, craving that brief numbness."
"If you came to find me just to engage in this meaningless small talk, then this conversation ends here."
Mobius clearly had no interest in this kind of discussion. She turned to reach for the test tube.
"You're right. I do have something I'd like to discuss with you."
Eden called her back.
Mobius stopped and looked back at her.
"What is it?"
"May I apply... to undergo the MANTIS surgery?"
Eden's voice was lovely, each word clearly reaching Mobius's ears.
"I refuse."
Without a moment's thought, Mobius looked directly into Eden's eyes and said it.
Those golden eyes of Eden's seemed to have flowing light moving within them, always possessing a kind of soul-stirring power.
"Why, my dear friend?"
Eden showed no surprise, merely asking calmly.
"Friend?"
Mobius arched an eyebrow,
"Alright, let's go with friend. Do you know what the MANTIS surgery is? It's not child's play."
"Of course. Elysia has told me about the risks involved."
Eden nodded.
Mobius looked at her.
"Then you surely know why I'm refusing. Isn't your current state perfectly fine?"
"Why would you have such an idea?"
She truly couldn't understand why someone like Eden would want to undergo the MANTIS surgery.
Eden answered with a smile, but her gaze was serious.
"I've thought about it many times, but I can't come up with a definitive answer... Perhaps it's because I've witnessed the fragility of too many people. In the face of disaster, life is far too easily destroyed."
"Perhaps it's simply a desire for strength, to be able to protect those around me, instead of only being able to stand in the back..."
She took two steps forward, pacing over to Mobius's side. The two women stood facing each other, eye-to-eye, very close.
"Even if you just consider it a small, willful whim of mine. Could that be allowed?"
"I still refuse."
Mobius's attitude was resolute, not yielding an inch.
But Eden just said softly,
"Then, please convince me. If you can give me a reason that persuades me."
"One after another, why are you all like this,"
Mobius said with irritation,
"You've definitely learned this from Elysia. She's always loved being this unreasonable and stubborn."
"Perhaps?"
Eden smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
Mobius looked at her, silent for a few seconds, as if steeling herself for something.
"Fine."
"Let me tell you something you don't know yet. It's about Vya."
"Little Vya?"
Eden was taken aback, somewhat puzzled,
"What connection does that have?"
She truly didn't know those secrets about Vya, but judging by Mobius's demeanor, it was clear she could be made one of the few in the know.
"There is. Of course there is."
Mobius's eyes grew profound. She leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice.
"Do you know... that Vya isn't human?"
…
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