(This section omits the scene where March 7th and the others ask around near the House of Daena, jumping directly to the moment they find Nahida.)
"Nahida?! We finally found you!"
Seeing the familiar white-haired, petite figure before her, March 7th's face lit up with joy.
"Put away that impolite look of yours," Nahida said, tilting her head slightly and glancing at March 7th with a detached air.
"Ha ha... Sorry, I was just really happy to see you," March 7th said sheepishly, realizing her gaze had been a bit inappropriate. She quickly apologized with an awkward laugh.
"Hmph." Nahida huffed softly, then extended a finger and wagged it. "Let me correct your earlier statement."
"It wasn't you who found me; it was I who found you."
"Huh... What's the difference?" March 7th, usually quick-witted, looked genuinely puzzled.
"Hmm, of course there's a difference. It's just... Never mind, there's no difference. Pretend I didn't say anything." Having observed March 7th, Stelle, and Little Swarm, Nahida realized they wouldn't understand even if she explained, so she simply gave up trying.
Fools sometimes outsmart geniuses—this saying isn't just a proverb, but based on real-world observations.
"Tell me, what's with all this fuss? Why are you running around asking questions about me?" Familiar with the trio's limitations, Nahida cut straight to the point to spare their minds.
"Well, yesterday we told Sister Lumina about you," March 7th began slowly, after exchanging glances with Stelle and Little Swarm.
"So?" Nahida crossed her arms, her expression remaining utterly unchanged.
"Sister Lumina is very interested in you and wants to meet you." March 7th's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she looked at Nahida.
Whether or not Sister Lumina and Nahida were actually related, seeing them together would be a feast for the eyes, at least for March 7th.
Big Lumina, little Nahida, hehehehe, hehehehe ԅ(ooԅ)
Though March 7th couldn't quite understand why she felt such a strong fondness for Nahida, she didn't mind and wouldn't dwell on it. It is what it is, she thought.
"Oh, so that's what this is about," Nahida said, nodding in understanding.
"So you agree?" March 7th's smile widened at the sight.
"Hmm? No, I'm refusing," Nahida replied matter-of-factly, shaking her head. "Didn't I make that clear yesterday?"
As she spoke, Nahida placed a finger to her lips, recalling her words from the previous day.
"Ah... why not? It's just behind Sumeru City, it wouldn't take long at all," March 7th persisted, undeterred by Nahida's firm tone.
"Have you ever heard the saying?" Nahida asked calmly, waving her hand dismissively.
"What saying?"
"Time is money, time is life. Wasting someone else's time is equivalent to robbing them of their wealth and their life." Nahida delivered this famous quote slowly, enunciating each word as she observed the group's reactions.
"Uh..."
"Therefore, please remember this: stop wasting your time plotting against my life." Seeing the group fall silent, Nahida tapped her head and nodded in satisfaction.
"Goodbye."
With those parting words, she turned to leave.
"Wait, wait, wait!" March 7th rushed forward and grabbed Nahida's wrist.
"Ahaha... Um, according to you, what exactly doesn't count as wasting time?"
Feeling Nahida's gaze fix on her hand gripping the wrist, March 7th realized her action was a bit presumptuous. She quickly withdrew her hand and offered an awkward smile.
Hearing her, Nahida turned back, tilted her small head, and fixed her gaze directly on March 7th. Without a word, she extended her small hand and gently rubbed her fingers together, as if implying something.
"Money?" March 7th asked hesitantly, recalling a similar gesture from short videos she'd seen online.
Nahida didn't reply, but nodded and silently retracted her hand.
March 7th and the others: ...
We never expected you to be like this, Nahida!