The two people sitting face-to-face were completely unaware of a gaze coming from outside.
Perhaps because she had just left the work environment, or perhaps because she hadn't seen Law in so long, the usually quiet Sanbica unconsciously opened up.
Every sentence she spoke asked about Law's experiences during this time.
Law could see Sanbica was very relaxed now, so he picked out some interesting experiences to tell her.
As they chatted, the topic shifted to the past. He talked about how they left Ellie's house long ago, walking on the mountain road and catching a ride with a lady. He also mentioned a time when they went deep into the mountains to investigate a virus source, conducting a full inspection of a pile of unidentified animal feces.
The final topic of reminiscence was their first meeting.
In the end, the two exchanged a smile, suddenly feeling the changes brought by time.
Back then, Law was just a little brat.
Now, he had become a man with a grown-out beard.
"Have you still not found a solution for your arm?" Sanbica suddenly looked at Law's empty left sleeve.
"A solution has always existed, actually. It's just not the right time yet."
"What do you mean?"
Looking at the confused Sanbica, Law smiled. "I brought back the 'culprit' from that place. I just need to return it sometime to solve it."
Listening to Law's explanation of 'returning the object to its owner', Sanbica nodded as if she understood, though not completely.
She might not fully understand, but she could tell Law had a way to solve it.
"Is work very busy? Have you been skipping meals again?" Law shifted the topic to Sanbica's work. He had reminded her many times before not to neglect other things because of work.
"Mm," Sanbica, who wouldn't lie, explained, "Recently, the research facility discovered an unknown pathogen that reproduces on corpses. The preliminary danger rating is B-level. So, including me, everyone at the facility is busy analyzing it."
"Is it contagious?"
"Mm."
"Your Nen Ability can't figure out its details either?"
"Mm. The pathogen's danger level still has the potential to rise. Even my body might not be able to withstand it," Sanbica said.
"What if you still can't figure out the details in the end?" Law asked.
A pathogen that could earn such an evaluation from Sanbica was definitely no ordinary thing.
Hearing this, Sanbica fell silent.
Looking at the suddenly silent Sanbica, Law said seriously, "Even if you can't figure it out, you mustn't act recklessly."
"My profession and work determine my actions, just like how you can set foot in places humans have never been, disregarding danger," Sanbica looked at Law seriously.
Law had no rebuttal for Sanbica's statement.
Then, Sanbica began talking about the situation with this unknown pathogen.
The more Law listened, the more alarmed he became, feeling this pathogen was extremely dangerous.
Although its contagiousness was relatively weak, it couldn't be killed by normal high temperatures, making it a very troublesome characteristic.
Most importantly, infected deceased individuals would turn to powder, and each micro-particle could be a source of transmission. If it started spreading from somewhere, it could potentially spread widely very quickly.
Fortunately, this pathogen only affected humans, which was both good and bad news.
The good news was that transmission routes were limited. The bad news was that the pathogen's potential risk to human society was very high.
"No one knows where this pathogen came from. Preliminary inference suggests it might have been brought to the ocean's surface by some deep-sea creature." When talking about topics related to her profession, Sanbica always displayed a dedicated and focused attitude.
Nowadays, human technology developed rapidly, and there was the Nen Ability system.
However, some places in the deep sea remained areas difficult for humans to explore. Even on land, some magical areas and secret lands had not been fully explored.
"That possibility is quite high."
As Law spoke, he suddenly thought of the Chimera Ant Queen that drifted from the Dark Continent.
Then, Sanbica talked endlessly about various possibilities.
Law listened quietly, occasionally responding.
They chatted like this, and unknowingly, two or three hours passed.
The night was deep. Law heard the increasing fatigue in Sanbica's voice, understanding she must not have rested properly recently. He proactively interrupted the topic, suggesting he walk Sanbica home so she could rest.
Sanbica checked the time and was surprised to realize two to three hours had passed and it was already very late.
Thinking she needed to get to the research facility early the next morning, she didn't refuse Law's suggestion.
The two left the 24-hour Golden Arches together and walked towards the direction of her residence.
In the distance, Machi watched with a hint of resentment, wondering what on earth Law and Sanbica were talking about inside that could take so long.
She quietly followed behind, trailing the two ahead.
Twenty minutes later, Law walked Sanbica to her doorstep.
Sanbica unlocked the door with her key, went inside, then turned to look at Law standing at the doorway. She paused and said, "You should go back and rest soon too."
"Mm, goodnight."
Law smiled, bidding Sanbica farewell, then turned and left.
Sanbica didn't close the door immediately. Instead, she listened carefully to the fading footsteps.
Only when she couldn't hear them anymore did she slowly close the door.
She stared fixedly at the closed door, lost in thought.
Actually, she had been suppressing a small thought deep in her heart all evening.
Because they talked about the past, it stirred up a certain impulse.
She really wished she could have been present in the experiences Law recounted tonight.
…
Law left the residential area, walking back towards the association.
Suddenly, a rather strong night breeze blew from behind him.
As the wind blew forward, Law's expression changed slightly, then he chuckled softly.
He smelled a familiar scent. He didn't stop walking, continuing forward.
When he reached a beverage shop that stayed open late, he went inside and packed a bag of snacks and three cups of hot drinks.
Leaving the beverage shop, Law suddenly turned around, raised the packaged drinks and snacks, and waved them towards the distant darkness.
In the distance, Machi saw Law's action and knew she had been discovered.
She didn't turn and run. She simply appeared, coming to Law's front. Her calm expression revealed nothing.
"Are you jealous?"
Law handed Machi a cup of hot drink.
"No."
Machi replied while taking the hot drink.
"That's good then."
Law happily accepted Machi's answer.
Then, his waist received an elbow strike from Machi.
Law put the packaged items into Kuro's space, then pulled Machi into his arm with a smile. "Still saying you're not jealous."
"Hmph."
Machi snorted and asked, "What were you talking about inside for so long?"
"We talked about the past."
"Oh, and then you were moved?"
"Nothing like that. Just a bit sentimental, feeling time passes so fast. Unknowingly, I'm almost thirty."
"Boring." Machi gave a merciless critique.
Law didn't mind. Looking at the night road ahead, he suddenly said, feeling inspired, "How about... we have a child?"
Crunch!
The paper cup holding warm milk was crushed.
"Wh-What did you just say?"
Machi looked at Law, whose face was splashed with milk, in a panic.
Law silently wiped the milk from his face and said seriously, "Do you want me to repeat it?"
"No!"
Machi tightly covered Law's mouth with her other hand.