Delta couldn't understand why this man was so obsessed with making her finish watching her own shameful footage, and this time, he had even dragged another person along to watch.
However, as Delta watched the recording, her mindset gradually shifted away from shame. She looked at herself in the footage and pondered a question.
Why did she do those things?
Because the game was too hard? Because she felt Lin was intentionally making things difficult for her?
No...
Much like her current state—why did she feel embarrassed? Merely because she saw a side of herself that was no different from a child?
Why was all of this?
Compared to the pensive Delta, Vil-V didn't think that much. She sat happily on Lin lap, leaning her body into his embrace. Lin had to admit that Vil-V help this time was enormous, so it was difficult to push her out of his arms.
Of course, if she tried to pull any stunts—like sneaking a hand into his clothes—Lin would still stop her.
"Hey." Delta called out to Lin, sounding annoyed.
"..."
Lin acted as if he hadn't heard, not moving an inch.
"Hey!"
"..."
"Adjutant Lin!"
"What is it."
The annoyance in Delta eyes intensified. She asked crossly, "Are you trying to tell me through this footage that I still can't control my emotions properly?"
"I don't know," Lin replied flatly. "Maybe I just wanted to torture you and make you watch your own blunders."
"Hmph!"
"Sakura, welcome back."
Elysia encountered Sakura, who had just returned to the Tenth Branch after completing a mission. She greeted Sakura with a beaming smile.
Sakura gave a composed nod, though she wasn't particularly enthusiastic.
In truth, Sakura had always been somewhat unsure of how to treat the people around Lin.
In the aftermath of the Eighth Honkai, she had nearly killed Lin. At that time, seeing the state of Elysia and Ato, she...
"Want to grab a meal together?" Elysia asked.
"...Maybe not." Sakura could tell from the glint on Elysia lips that she had already eaten.
"Oh, don't be shy. Let's go." But Elysia grabbed Sakura hand without further ado and led her into the cafeteria before she could even react.
"What does Sakura like to eat? Far Eastern cuisine?"
"I don't have anything in particular."
"Then let's have some Shenzhou cuisine for a change!"
Elysia shouted to the uncle at the cafeteria counter with a face full of smiles: "One order of Yu-Xiang shredded pork, one White Jade soup, one potato-shred stir-fry with meat, and two large bowls of rice!"
Sakura declined in confusion, "I can't eat that much..."
"It's okay, I'll eat with you."
Sakura glanced awkwardly at Elysia ample belly and thighs, remembering Lin comments about Elysia weight. No wonder she was so... "meaty."
While waiting for the food, Elysia chose a window seat and sat down. She picked up her chopsticks and made a few grabbing motions in the air. "I heard from Lin that Shenzhou people don't have the habit of separate servings when eating, because Shenzhou culture values harmony and amity, family harmony, and great harmony under heaven. So, eating Shenzhou food helps improve relationships."
"..."
"Thinking about it, Sakura, you've rarely participated in our 'activities.' Aside from the last time you sought me out, we don't know much about each other, even though we're both girls with beautiful pink hair~"
Elysia didn't mind Sakura silence. She tapped her fingers lightly on the table. "How has your sister been lately?"
"Rin?"
"Yes. It's a lovely name. With such a cute older sister, the younger sister must be a well-behaved and adorable girl. How fortunate."
Sakura wasn't used to Elysia way of speaking; she seemed to love using such exaggerated rhetoric. Sakura, meanwhile, was not good at being praised.
"Lin said he's not good at heart-to-heart talks with you, so he sent me~"
Sakura looked up in surprise, staring at Elysia smiling face.
Lin?
"He said you've been taking many solo missions lately and have had almost no communication with anyone. He hopes you can rest a bit and not overwork yourself."
"He... said that?" Sakura asked, half-doubting.
"Yes. It just so happens that three MANTIS have arrived from headquarters for guidance. As a senior, you can guide them as a way to rest during this time."
Sakura considered it for a moment and then nodded. "Alright."
"And also, Sakura, you can tell me many things. Exchanging secrets between girls helps foster a relationship, doesn't it?"
Elysia smile was like sunlight—bright and warm.
Ding——
Lin communicator rang right on time. He glanced at the clock and knew exactly who would be calling at this hour.
He connected the video call, and a youthful girl appeared on the screen.
It was hard to imagine that this cute-looking "loli" had been a mature woman with a stunning figure a few years ago. Aside from her expression, which still held its usual dangerous smile, the difference from before was like a gap of two generations.
"Why didn't you contact me first today?"
The very first words were a cross-examination.
"I was busy."
"Busy? What could be so busy that you didn't even have time to make a phone call?" Mobius tone was slightly dissatisfied.
"The new MANTIS recently."
"...Oh, those."
Mobius also remembered, since a part of them had become MANTIS through her hands. her expression softened slightly. However, just as she was about to ask Lin about his physical condition today, her sharp eyes caught a tuft of deep green hair at the edge of the screen that didn't belong to Lin.
Her tone immediately grim. "Who is next to you?"
"..."
Lin thought for a moment and felt there was nothing inappropriate about Vil-V being beside him; it shouldn't make Mobius angry. Thus, he said openly, "Vil-V."
"That position... you aren't hugging, are you?" Mobius eyelids gradually lowered as she narrowed her eyes, an unwholesome light flickering in her snake pupils.
"No."
The second after Lin said those words, Vil-V turned and threw her arms around Lin neck, then cheerfully greeted the Mobius on the screen. "Long time no see, Doctor Mobius! Did you miss me?"
"..."
When Lin saw the change in Mobius expression, alarm bells immediately rang in his mind. But Vil-V was clinging tightly to his neck, and he was afraid of hurting her if he used too much force.
"Vil-V, weren't you on vacation?" Mobius expression suddenly became calm. However, this calm was more akin to the silence before a storm.
"I am! That's why I came here to the Tenth Branch. Speaking of which, it's not just you and I who haven't met in a long time—you and Lin haven't had a face-to-face talk in a long time either, have you?"
"..."