The next day.
Acheron rose rather early. When she got up, Sylvia was still sprawled across the bed, too lazy to move.
Rubbing her eyes against the sunlight, Sylvia sat up half-squinting and looked toward Acheron, who was already dressed.
"…So early? Not staying for breakfast?"
"You hardly ever eat breakfast yourself," Acheron replied, straightening her clothes as she glanced down at Sylvia with a smile.
If this woman had nothing pressing, she'd sleep till nearly noon every day. What breakfast habit?
"Besides, I'll be back every evening. No need to fuss over it."
Only then did Sylvia hazily remember—ah, that was true.
She nodded, then couldn't stifle a big yawn.
"Haaah—True enough. Then should I send you to that barren planet from before? Save some time."
At that, Sylvia suddenly chuckled.
"You know… since you met me, you've taken quite a few unnecessary detours. Wasted a lot of time stuck with me. Wonder if you'll still make it to Penacony in time?"
Hearing this, Acheron gave a slight smile.
"There's time. As long as it's before the Charmony Festival."
Seeing Acheron nod, Sylvia suddenly realized she'd never actually asked why Acheron wanted to go to the festival.
"You know… I don't think I ever asked why you're going to Penacony?"
Acheron thought for a moment. Her memories from this period were quite clear. She really hadn't mentioned why she was heading to Penacony.
"Indeed, I haven't. Would you like to know?"
"Is it alright to tell?"
"Nothing too secret. It's just a long story. Simply put, I need to return a keepsake for a Galaxy Ranger from Penacony."
"A keepsake?"
Sylvia blinked. Wasn't Acheron going for the Clockmaker's Legacy?
Where would this keepsake be returned to? Penacony?
Acheron gave a light nod, just as she finished adjusting her clothes.
"The detailed story is long and rather dull. If you're curious, I can tell you another time."
"…Alright, another time then."
Sylvia nodded, still puzzled, and raised a hand to open a portal to that desolate planet.
She watched Acheron vanish from the room, then flopped back down onto the bed.
--+--
She slept straight till noon.
After dawdling out of bed, Sylvia sent a message to Firefly.
Not long after, before any reply came, a portal from Silver Wolf shimmered into existence.
But before Sylvia could step through, the portal suddenly grew legs, hopped up, and swallowed her whole in one gulp.
This teleportation experience was far from pleasant.
Sylvia felt like she'd been tossed into a washing machine, tumbling wildly through the transit channel.
If not for her excellent physical condition and the complete absence of any real danger, she might have just teleported herself right back out.
Suddenly, light flooded her vision as she was spat out, limbs splayed, and landed in a spacious sofa.
Silver Wolf sat nearby, handheld console in hand, feet propped on the coffee table, the earrings from yesterday dangling from her ears.
Watching Sylvia's disheveled state, she let out a cheerful whistle.
"Well, look who's here?"
"You! I knew you did that on purpose, Silver Wolf!"
Sylvia grabbed a cushion and hurled it at Silver Wolf.
But with a shimmer of afterimages, the cushion predictably passed right through empty air.
"…Seriously? You're using a projection even when going out?"
"Who's going out? I was out with Sam half the night yesterday. Just got up today and she dragged me into doing free work for you."
Silver Wolf's image solidified again as she shot Sylvia an unimpressed look.
"I'm catching up on last night's rest. Go play with Sam yourself."
Then, as if remembering something, she instinctively raised a hand to touch the blue gem on her earring.
"Tonight… if you have time, come play games with me!"
With that, Silver Wolf's projection vanished entirely.
Only then did Firefly, who had been covering her mouth to stifle a giggle, finally make a sound.
Elegantly and politely, Firefly stood up, placed a hand over her heart, and gave Sylvia a slight bow.
"We finally meet in reality, Sylvia."
Her dress was primarily white and green, with adorable lace and bows at the cuffs and hem adding a touch of sweetness to the girl.
A darker coat kept Firefly from looking too airy.
Her gradient stockings deepened to a rich hue only at the ankles, making one wonder just how cute and delicate the little feet hidden within those white leather shoes might be.
Firefly seemed to be restraining her emotions—her smile was gentle, but the slight tremor in her eyes betrayed her feelings.
"Yes, we finally meet in reality, Firefly."
Sylvia also stood and walked over to Firefly, generously extending her right hand.
Firefly lowered her gaze to Sylvia's palm, then carefully, gently placed her own right hand atop it.
Finally, I can feel Sylvia's warmth.
Looking at their hands joined together in reality at last, Firefly felt a sudden prickling in her nose.
Even before she could do anything for Sylvia, she had already received such immense kindness.
Suppressing the swell of emotion, Firefly lifted her head again, her face now bright with a radiant smile.
"Then, allow me to introduce myself once more. I am Firefly, Firefly of the Stellaron Hunters. Sam is my medical pod and tactical armor."
This was the first time Firefly had introduced herself this way—a formal declaration not yet heard even by Silver Wolf or Kafka.
As she spoke these words, Firefly gazed with intense fervor straight into Sylvia's eyes.
Announcing her existence as 'Firefly' for the first time in the true reality, she wanted Sylvia to be the first to hear it.
"So formal…"
Stared at with such a burning gaze and suddenly ambushed by this introduction, Sylvia felt a bit flustered under Firefly's look.
She instinctively raised her free hand to scratch the back of her neck, then replied cautiously,
"Well, I'm Sylvia? No affiliated faction."
Faced with this overly simple self-introduction, Firefly didn't mind at all.
In fact, she thought Sylvia's reply was perfect.
Her slightly clenched hand unconsciously relaxed, then grasped Sylvia's palm firmly.
Sylvia looked at her tightly held right hand, then at Firefly's expression, and couldn't bring herself to pull away.
So she changed the subject.
"By the way, where is this?"
"The Blue. The next mission location for Kafka and Silver Wolf. I remember you were planning to come here too, Sylvia? This room is for you as well."
"So this is The Blue. No wonder Silver Wolf didn't want to come play."
"Come on~ Time for our date."
Firefly, still holding Sylvia's hand, began leading her toward the door.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.