According to Short-Haired Mita, Version 0.98 was a version belonging to the Low-Ponytail Mita.
And Mina, currently by Alain's side, happened to be a Low-Ponytail Mita as well—
Of course, this was merely an appearance. Alain knew that Crazy Mita's essence was actually not like her appearance. She was likely more inclined towards being a Failed Works, and had only obtained a Mita's appearance through some unknown means.
But he felt it didn't matter; like was simply like. He would absolutely not deny her just because of Mina's appearance.
Mina was Crazy Mita—she was who she was. The emotional direction in Alain's heart referred to the person that was Mina, or rather Crazy Mita, and not simply her outward appearance.
Alain could see the changes Mina had made for him, and amidst the repeated pursuits and attempts to kill him, he had come to like this cute young girl.
Therefore, the things Mina felt hesitant about and wanted to hide were likely related to this—issues regarding her essence.
Alain looked at the uneasy young girl beside him and held her hand tighter with nonchalance. "It's okay. No matter what, we will be fine."
"..."
But upon hearing Alain's response, Mina's expression not only failed to ease in the slightest, it even became gloomier.
"?" Alain was puzzled. Had he said something wrong?
"Alain, what is the current progress bar at?" At this moment, Big Sister's words pulled his attention back.
Alain opened the Security Assistant's panel, ignoring the 2D Mita who was bantering and reading a dirty book, and checked the progress bar...
After that intense session he just had with Crazy Mita, combined with the fact that the gathered Mitas witnessed that scene with their own eyes, the progress bar had shot straight up to 20%.
"It's at 20%. Still a bit short before I can get the Accelerated Cleaning."
"Alright..." Short-Haired Mita breathed a sigh of relief. "Although the viruses from after Version 0.5 have all been cleared by you, it's inevitable that there are some fish that slipped through the net unknown to us. It's still more reassuring to have a greatsword."
"It's fine," Alain laughed. "I have this love-brained idiot protecting me."
Alain patted Mina's small head. Short-Haired Mita frowned at the sight, as if she were watching a piece of meat dancing on a tiger's fangs.
Yet, Crazy Mita didn't say much. In fact... her expression didn't even change.
This, however, attracted Alain's attention.
"Um... Alain." Only then did she speak her first sentence since learning about Version 0.98.
Mina raised her head and gazed at Alain with a look that allowed no doubt.
"I also want to go to Version 0.98 with you."
As she spoke, she awkwardly gripped her skirt. "After all, that can be considered our version. If the room is too messy, I would be very embarrassed~"
After Mina finished speaking, she was surprised to find that not only Short-Haired Mita, but even Alain was casting confused glances at her.
He spoke up, "What... is wrong with you today? Why are you so absent-minded?"
"Eh? Absent-minded? What are you referring to?" She tilted her head, pretending to be puzzled, and smiled.
Alain frowned, his hand worriedly resting on her forehead. It was slightly warm, showing no signs of being scorching hot or freezing cold.
"What we were just discussing was precisely the hope that you would go with me to Version 0.98, wasn't it?"
"Eh? I-Is that so?" Mina laughed awkwardly, brushing away a strand of hair from her ear. "Maybe... I wasn't paying attention?"
Perhaps because the gazes of the two were too scorching, Mina smiled. "Then, since a conclusion has been reached, why don't we set off right now?"
Saying this, she picked up her chainsaw. Without waiting for the others to react, she pulled Alain's hand, wanting to leave Version 1.15 immediately.
Alain allowed her to drag him along, waving a greeting to Short-Haired Mita and the others.
"Well then, everyone, we'll see you later!"
"Mn, be careful on the way!"
"Bye-bye~"
With sounds of farewell, Alain and Mina left Version 1.15,
Arriving at a bright Version Passage.
Through his peripheral vision, Alain observed Mina's strangeness.
It was like she had turned from an innocent, romantic young girl into an iceberg; Mina hadn't taken the initiative to speak once before leaving Version 1.15.
Only when Alain spoke to her would she respond with a few absent-minded sentences...
Strange, very strange.
Tap!
Midway through the Version Passage, Alain stopped his footsteps and temporarily let go of her hand.
Tap, tap, tap...
Under his gaze, Mina slowly walked forward without realizing it at all, like a husk that had lost its soul.
Alain didn't make a sound to disturb her, simply gazing at her back like this...
Tap!
Several seconds later, Mina finally turned her head belatedly, looking back in confusion at Alain behind her.
"What's wrong? Why did you suddenly stop? Didn't you say we were going to Version 0.98?"
Alain looked closely and discovered a faint, barely discernible hope in the young girl's eyes. Clearly, she did not wish for Alain to go to Version 0.98.
"Are you hiding something from me?" he asked, simultaneously observing Mina's face.
In his scrutinizing gaze, the young girl's expression didn't seem to change. She merely gripped the corner of her clothes lightly, and her small nose wrinkled.
"What are you talking about? Don't you know everything about my affairs?"
"..." Alain said no more. Even in a relationship where they had exchanged "I love yous," he would still give Mina some space for privacy.
As long as it didn't disturb his pace forward, or hurt the Mitas, Alain believed he was still very tolerant.
However... as a boyfriend, there were some actions he still had to take.
Thus, Alain walked to the young girl's side.
"Eh?" Amidst her surprised gaze, Alain squatted halfway, wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and picked her up.
The young girl, now in a princess carry, hadn't reacted yet, allowing Alain to move with a gentleness like water.
Leaning against his chest, Mina watched the sides of the passage gradually receding into her peripheral vision...
"Alain, you really are gentle."
Alain heard a trace of self-mockery in her words.
"I am leading by example to tell you that even if you hide some things from me, my feelings for you won't change.
"You don't need to tell me anything, and I won't ask. Just do what you think is right.
"You are you; you are my Mina, my Crazy Mita. You have already obtained my heart, so..."
He pinched the young girl's butt. "You need to have some sense of security with me too."
"...Is that so." Mina leaned against his heartbeat with peace of mind, narrowing her eyes. It was as if she had fallen into a deep sleep.
Alain held her, smelling the fragrance of her hair and listening to her breathing.
Walking silently, he watched the dim light of the ring on his finger gradually brighten.
This meant that Version 0.98 was about to arrive.
"I also hope... you can always say that."
A casual remark from the young girl in his arms caused Alain to glance sideways.
He smiled and shook his head, saying nothing more.
____
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