Lounge.
Although she could sleep anywhere without caring about the bed, returning to a familiar place always gave her a stronger sense of security.
Kiana pasted some of the photos she had brought back onto the photo wall and looked at the results of her trip with satisfaction.
Although she hadn't found the person she most wanted to see on her trip to Izumo, she had recalled many memories and met quite a few people along the way.
"Is that Acheron?"
Ruan Mei stood beside her, noticing that some of the photos she was putting up were clearly not taken recently.
Kiana turned her head to look at the one Ruan Mei was pointing at. It was a photo she had taken out from her storage space—one taken long ago in Izumo.
A faint trace of longing appeared in her eyes. She gently stroked the photo and said softly, "Yes, it was taken in Izumo a long time ago."
Ruan Mei nodded slightly and didn't ask further.
"Ruan..."
Kiana seemed to recall something. She withdrew her hand, wanting to talk to Ruan Mei.
But Ruan Mei placed her index finger on Kiana's lips. "I know you have many things you want to tell me, but there's no need to rush."
"Go get some sleep, dear."
Looking into Ruan Mei's beautiful eyes, Kiana, though not particularly tired at first, soon felt a wave of drowsiness wash over her.
Sleepiness touched her lashes and brow. She helplessly swallowed back what she had wanted to say, muttering softly, "Alright, alright, I'll rest now. I'll tell you everything after I wake up."
Ruan Mei sat beside her, watching as Kiana succumbed to sleep the moment she touched the bed.
But Ruan Mei herself had no intention of sleeping.
She picked up Kiana's hand again, examining the marks left by the Honkai energy's corrosion.
The marks were fading. Even without intervention, they would likely disappear in a few days.
"Why would something like this happen? Could it be..."
A certain possibility crossed her mind.
She gently placed Kiana's hand back down and gazed at her face. Kiana didn't seem to be sleeping soundly.
Ruan Mei touched her forehead lightly, and Kiana fell into a deep, childlike sleep.
Things seemed to be slipping out of her control.
Ruan Mei thought idly.
Her indulgence toward Kiana stemmed from curiosity and a need—but both the reason and the cause were matters of the past.
Now, the result was this.
She had grown accustomed to Kiana's presence beside her—to a life that included her. She found herself moved by Kiana's every word and gesture, stirred by unnecessary emotions.
Even though she had ways to resolve such feelings.
But...
Ruan Mei thought back to the other planets she had visited with Kiana, to their shared experiences—memories that were, to her, pleasant ones.
She had assumed things would always remain this way.
Kiana seemed to have a special kind of charm that made others trust and accept her more easily.
If Kiana were to leave...
Ruan Mei lowered her gaze in thought.
Then she would have to finish all her research—all the verifications she desired—before that happened.
Time passed quietly.
Kiana slept for more than ten hours straight.
When she finally woke, she felt refreshed and clear-headed—far better than before.
"Ruan?"
Rubbing her eyes, she sat up and called for Ruan Mei, but the scientist wasn't in the room.
"Did she go to the lab?"
Stretching lazily, Kiana leaned against the bed and pulled out her phone.
She checked if there were any messages from the company.
Although she didn't expect the IPC to have found any leads so soon, she still hoped for a miracle.
Even if the chances were next to none.
Opening the Interastral Peace Corporation's internal network, Kiana noticed a message that had been sent to her days ago.
"Seriously? There's news?!"
Kiana stared at the notification from the IPC, rubbing her eyes in disbelief before pinching herself.
Was she dreaming?
A sharp pain made her hiss softly—it was real.
She wasn't dreaming.
It was true.
The IPC really had sent her news!
"Calm down, calm down, Kiana—you don't even know if it's real or a scam yet. Let's verify first."
Taking a deep breath, she tried to steady her excitement.
Kiana quickly read through the IPC's message again and again, afraid of missing or misunderstanding any detail.
"Someone claims to know Mei's whereabouts... but they want to add me as a friend and only tell me in person?"
After going over it several times, Kiana finally summed up the meaning—and felt both restless and uneasy.
"The location is... the Herta Space Station?"
Why was this connected to the Herta Space Station? She didn't recall anyone related to Acheron being there in the story.
Kiana's face twisted in confusion.
Could the person claiming to know Mei's whereabouts be a scammer?
But would a scammer really be this bold?
Herta Space Station?
Could it be some staff member loafing around the station, desperate about their future and trying to make a big score before quitting?
She kept scrolling through the unread messages until she found that the IPC had also attached a document.
Kiana downloaded the file that had been sent days ago and opened it. Inside were several photos—and two pieces of information that instantly made her eyes light up.
"Izumo" and "Edict Edge."
"They really found it?!"
Uncontrollable joy surged through her chest. Kiana immediately messaged the assigned customer service representative, asking to add that contact directly so she could talk in person.
After sending the message, she looked back at the attached photos. They weren't formal photos, but screenshots—clearly taken from surveillance footage.
Judging by the images, there was no mistake. That was Mei after the Honkai Eruption in Izumo.
Credibility +50%.
The IPC representative quickly forwarded her a contact link.
Kiana hurriedly clicked on it, and the page redirected to another interface.
When she saw the person's profile picture, her pupils contracted sharply—her eyes widening in disbelief.
"S–Sirin?!"
Even though her aura and appearance had changed since their days in Izumo, Kiana recognized her instantly.
There was no mistake.
It was Sirin.
Absolutely Sirin!
Kiana's eyes filled with joy. "If it's Sirin, then it makes perfect sense she'd know Mei's whereabouts!"
After all, they had left together.
They must have stayed in contact.
Maybe... they were even together right now!
Overcome with excitement, Kiana didn't stop to think—if Mei and Sirin were truly together, and Mei knew she was alive, why was Sirin the one contacting her and not Mei?
She sent the friend request.
Heart pounding, Kiana waited, but no response came. Growing impatient, she began pacing back and forth around the room.
"Did she not see the message?"
Before this, when she hadn't known anything, she could endure the uncertainty. But now that she had Sirin's contact in her grasp, every passing second felt unbearable.
If she could just reach Sirin, she could finally learn what had happened—what Sirin and Mei had gone through after that day.
She waited, unable to tell how much time had passed.
Still no response.
Kiana didn't know when Sirin would see her friend request.
Eventually, she got out of bed, tidied herself up, and went out to look for Ruan Mei—wherever she might be now.
The Stigmata were important, but so was Sirin's message. This was the closest she had come to finding Mei in a long time.
The Stigmata wouldn't run away—but people would!
When she didn't see Ruan Mei in the lounge, Kiana headed toward the laboratory. Taking the elevator down, she soon spotted Ruan Mei sitting in the outer room of the lab.
Full of excitement, Kiana started forward—but suddenly froze at the doorway, staring in surprise at the other figure inside.
A projection.
And not a stranger's projection, either.
"Ruan... you're talking to someone? Uh, I'll leave you to it. I'll come back later."
Awkwardly, Kiana turned to go, not wanting to intrude on what was clearly a discussion between two geniuses.
If she listened in, she'd probably just sound like an idiot who couldn't follow the conversation.
The projection inside wasn't just anyone.
It was Herta—the true master of the Herta Space Station and, like Ruan Mei, a member of the Genius Society.
Herta noticed the uninvited guest and called out, "Wait, don't go yet!"
Ruan Mei wasn't supposed to be in seclusion?
Then why was someone else here—and such a noisy one at that?
At first glance, it even looked like they were on rather good terms.
Well, whatever their relationship was, it didn't matter much. Herta used the opportunity to address the girl who had suddenly appeared.
Whoever she was, if she could be here—and speak to Ruan Mei so casually—she was at least someone of note in Ruan Mei's eyes.
As for why Herta called it an illusion of familiarity?
Simple.
She could tell what kind of person Ruan Mei was with just one glance. People often said she lacked empathy, but compared to her, Ruan Mei was no better—and perhaps even worse.
Ruan Mei glanced at Herta's projection, then said softly to the hesitant Kiana, "Since Miss Herta has extended an invitation, Kiana, come sit with us."
Since Ruan Mei had spoken, Kiana couldn't very well refuse.
But what was Herta contacting Ruan Mei for?
Could it be about the Simulated Universe?
Right—back in the game's story, Ruan Mei had been one of Herta's collaborators. You could even encounter Ruan Mei's events within the Simulated Universe itself.
Kiana remembered how, in her previous life, she had spent countless hours grinding in the Golden Calyx just to get Ruan Mei's buffs.
"Kiana? You're Kiana?"
When Herta heard Ruan Mei address her by name, her curiosity, which had been mild at first, instantly deepened.
Her eyes lit up with intrigue as she looked Kiana over.
"You know me?"
Now Kiana was truly surprised.
She knew Herta because of the game's story and her unforgettable eccentric personality—but Herta? How could she possibly know her?
Unless... the Herta Space Station, Herta herself—could it be... "You know Sirin?"
Ruan Mei, originally the center of this conversation, was momentarily sidelined. She lifted her gaze, looking between the two—one real, one projection.
Sirin... who was that?
And how did Herta know Kiana?
"Hah, interesting. Well, well—so that deal with her was completed that easily. Not even a hint of accomplishment left for me."
Though she said that, Herta was clearly studying Kiana, trying to discern what made her so special.
Originally, she hadn't cared much.
But the person Sirin was looking for... was now standing beside Ruan Mei.
That, at least, explained a few of her doubts.
The Honkai Ruan Mei was researching had to be the same one from Euphorion. And this girl by her side? Proof enough.
"Sirin's still on the Herta Space Station?"
"I'm not your messenger," Herta replied curtly. "Add me later—I'll send you her contact info."
Because of Sirin—and because of Ruan Mei—Herta had developed a mild interest in Kiana. She didn't mind giving her a friend slot.
She had even changed her mind mid-conversation.
Sirin had mentioned that the existence of those anomalies was all because of the girl named Kiana.
Meanwhile, Ruan Mei hadn't tried to chat further, her demeanor exactly the same as before—utterly unshaken, no matter what was said.
Herta's intent to probe Ruan Mei's stance vanished completely once she realized this girl, Kiana, was connected to the Honkai.
"Ruan Mei, have you given any more thought to what I said? Or do I really have to come in person again before you'll agree to come out of seclusion?"
What was she talking about? The Simulated Universe project?
Herta was coming here herself?
"I've already given you my answer before," Ruan Mei replied calmly. "I don't have time to join your project. Find someone else."
It was the third rejection.
Ruan Mei showed no sign of impatience, but she did wonder just how many times Herta intended to pester her before giving up.
If she didn't still harbor some mild curiosity about visiting Herta's Simulated Universe someday, she might have blocked her already.
Because, frankly, it was getting annoying.
Eavesdropping quietly, Kiana glanced at Ruan Mei in surprise. Had she heard that right?
Ruan Mei had refused Herta's invitation?
If her guess was right, they were definitely talking about the Simulated Universe right now.
So Ruan Mei wasn't joining?
If Ruan Mei didn't take part, then... wouldn't that mean there'd be no Ruan Mei events in the Simulated Universe?
"The Honkai you've been studying—I've already looked into it. A very interesting little thing," Herta said. "But are you really going to give up such a rare opportunity for the sake of those 'little things'? Pass this up, and you may never get another chance like it. Let me remind you—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study the Aeons themselves."
That Herta had managed to locate traces of the Honkai didn't surprise Ruan Mei. She had dropped a few hints before. With Herta's abilities, finding them wasn't difficult.
But...
Little things?
Herta continued, "You're interested in anomalies—I can help you. Just agree to join my project."
"Anomalies?"
What did that have to do with anomalies?
Ruan Mei looked at Herta, puzzled. Now she was certain that what Herta was referring to and what she herself was studying were not the same thing.
Honkai and anomalies?
Could Herta be talking about those pieces of equipment?
Kiana's expression turned odd. Just moments ago, she had been wondering how Sirin managed to get involved with Herta.
Now she had her answer.
Through the anomalies.
The equipment she had given Sirin really did resemble anomalies—each piece carried unique abilities.
Not particularly strong, but distinct.
"Aren't they anomalies?" Herta asked, realizing something was off. But after a brief pause, she said, "Never mind. There's no point continuing this over comms. Let's discuss it face-to-face."
If the conversation couldn't achieve results remotely, she would use her last resort—personally traveling to Ruan Mei's secluded planet to invite her once more.
If that failed again...
Then she would give up on trying to recruit Ruan Mei entirely.
She truly wanted Ruan Mei on her team, enough to make the trip herself and talk it through properly.
But if even that failed—if, after meeting in person, she still couldn't persuade her—then she wouldn't waste another second of her time.