Raiden Mei blinked, sensing as if something was observing her, like someone in the dark attempting to touch her but the sensation passed in a flash, and before she could grasp what it is, everything returned to normal.
"Doctor? Doctor? You've been zoning out quite a bit today, huh?"
A hand waved in front of her face, bringing Raiden Mei back to reality. She felt a rare headache looking at Elysia, who had deftly danced her way in front of her.
However, this person was so enthusiastic,
Maybe...
"Sorry, I'm not feeling well today." Raiden Mei cautiously rubbed her temples and began, "Um... Elysia, do you have some free time today? Can I bother you with something?"
Elysia's eyes lit up, and she put her hands together beside her face, striking a very cute pose. "Wow! Doctor! It's rare to hear you speak in that tone. I'll definitely help you today!"
Raiden Mei's mouth twitched slightly as she began to ponder whether her choice was reliable. However, most of the researchers nearby had already left, and she wasn't sure if she could find anyone else willing to help her.
"Take me for a drive. My mind is a bit scattered, and then... could you please take me back to my home?"
The pink-haired girl readily agreed, "No problem, come with me."
So, Raiden Mei followed Elysia to the parking lot, arriving at an extravagant convertible parked there.
"How about this? Handsome, right?" The girl smiled as she pulled out the keys and illuminated the car lights.
Mei glanced at Elysia's pink hair, pondered for a moment, and said, "It feels a bit out of character for you."
"Don't judge a book by its cover! Besides, who doesn't like this marvel of human technology?"
Elysia caressed the shiny shell of the sports car, then opened the car door herself, inviting Mei to sit. The black-haired girl sat in the passenger seat without hesitation.
"Vroom!"
With the low hum of the engine, the convertible slowly drove onto the street.
Under the sunset's glow, various neon signs gradually brightened, and the bustling crowds on the streets played, laughed, and made merry.
Raiden Mei could recognize many of the sights of Nagazora, but mixed in were some fresh things that were different from her memories:
Such as a smiling, friendly old man with glasses at a KFC sign, or an idol dancing on a big screen, and a building with a large "mihoyo" sign, as well as an extravagant huge theater with flashing lights and continuous cheers...
Raiden Mei was certain that there was no such theater in Nagazora. It was so huge and magnificent. If such a theater really existed in reality, Raiden Mei would have already known about it.
At least in her circle of high society, many people liked to listen to classical music and watch dramas, and they would always give tickets to the father and daughter for the theater, inviting them to watch together while completing some social and business exchanges.
However, because they were out for a drive, the theater was quickly left behind, and Elysia took Mei to a road built along the seaside.
The pink-haired girl slowed down appropriately, letting the sea breeze caress Raiden Mei's face. They listened to the sound of waves crashing on the shore, the setting sun casting a blood-red glow over half the sky.
"How does it feel?" Elysia asked, "Are you feeling a little more relaxed?"
"Thank you."
Raiden Mei leaned back in the passenger seat, rarely letting go of her mind, not thinking about where she was or what difficulties she would face. She just observed everything calmly, breathing steadily.
Seeing this, Elysia no longer disturbed the black-haired girl, just calmly driving towards their final destination.
"Alright, Mei, we're at your home, okay?"
Raiden Mei raised her head, looking at the villa not far away. This place seemed familiar to her, as if Raiden Ryoma had brought her here for a summer vacation.
"Thank you, Elysia..."
Raiden Mei opened the car door, thanking Elysia with a slight bow. The pink-haired girl wore a smile that was hard to decipher, waving her hand and saying, "Well, what's our relationship anyway? You just want to clear your mind... Do you need me to take a day off for you tomorrow?"
"Please do take a day off for me."
Thinking about her current, still unclear but quite important status as a doctor, Raiden Mei's brain trembled slightly. Still, she ultimately making a heartfelt decision.
"Goodbye!"
"Goodbye..."
Watching the headlights of the car disappear around the corner of the road, Raiden Mei turned around and looked at the villa, suddenly realizing something.
She reached into her pocket, naturally only finding two pens and a set of keys that definitely didn't belong to the villa's gate.
Oh no, did she leave her house keys in the office? What should she do?
Just as Raiden Mei was feeling a bit anxious, the lights in front of the villa turned on, and someone opened the door to her home.
The black-haired girl narrowed her eyes, vigilantly watching the figure that appeared with their back to the light.
The next moment, Raiden Mei's eyes widened.
"Mom... Mom?"
...
On the other hand, things were quite lively on Luo Lin's side.
Sirin and Kiana were secretly competing, one holding her head high, while the other tried to raise her nose even higher. Kiana 'swept' the table triumphantly, watching Sirin's painful expression as she stared at her plate.
Soon, the purple-haired girl found a way to retaliate.
She nestled into Luo Lin's arms, assuming a delicate posture, leaving Luo Lin no choice but to laugh helplessly as he gently rubbed Sirin's swollen belly. "You, eating so much will feel uncomfortable."
Kiana gritted her teeth, holding a chicken leg as if it were Sirin, chewing fiercely.
Siegfried seemed a bit restless. He ate normally, and while Luo Lin took care of Sirin and Kiana, she didn't forget to serve Siegfried his favorite dishes...
But the more she did this, the more suspicious Siegfried became. He barely maintained this peaceful daily life, carefully observing any possible anomalies around him.
Because he knew that this time, there would be no Welt, to dispel confusion for him and show him the way out of this dream.
The atmosphere of joy continued until nightfall. Sirin and Kiana, exhausted from their antics, had already spent their energy and were yawning sleepily.
And Siegfried, with a bewildered expression, lay in bed, feeling that the decoration of this place was somewhat familiar.
Wasn't this the bedroom he had when he was hiding in the town in Belarus? Even the Homu doll on the windowsill was exactly the same.
He got up from the bed and looked out the window.
The moon emitted a soft light, and clouds gradually covered its face.
In the shadow, something shimmered.
Siegfried squinted, vaguely seeing something flying over the street.
...
"As expected, it's not an illusion. Something is definitely going to happen after those two intervened..."
A figure in crimson swung a greatsword, cleaving a quantum jellyfish in half.
Vermillion Knight - Luo Lin gazed at the ripples on the ground beneath her and the increasing number of quantum shadows. She tightened her grip on the golden sword hilt formed by the "Key of Revelation."
"The night in this space is completely different from the day."