["Stelle expresses that she wants to talk to Cheese Lava Heart alone, and it agrees. The staff member also helps them choose a quiet place—an ordinary toilet placed right in the center of the laboratory."]
["Stelle: "Are you serious?""]
[""It's a one-way passage. The other end connects directly to the containment cabin." The staff member pats his chest confidently. "Don't worry, it's perfectly safe.""]
["Stelle carries it to the toilet, presses its head down hard trying to stuff it in, only to find it absolutely won't fit…"]
["Cheese Lava Heart's round body keeps trembling. It opens its innocent eyes, looking at her full of confusion. Stelle seems to vaguely understand the meaning in its voice—it appears unwilling to accept being "a failed lifeform," so it wants to accomplish something great in the space station! And it invites Stelle to join it."]
["Who would have thought a siu mai could be this ambitious…"]
["Stelle can only pity it—and push even harder—finally stuffing it into the toilet, then hits flush, activating the inter-dimensional teleportation device."]
["After finishing all this, Ruan Mei suddenly sends her a message, inviting her to accompany her to attend a gathering of geniuses in the Simulated Universe."]
["As a regular weekly visitor to the Simulated Universe, Stelle naturally doesn't refuse. When Herta sees her appearing together with Ruan Mei, she is both surprised and welcoming. After all, it has been a very long time since three geniuses gathered together. Apart from the Simulated Universe, they rarely have opportunities to interact."]
["Herta looks solemnly at the group: "Then I'll get straight to the point—I believe it's time to find another partner for the Simulated Universe.""]
[""…Are you planning to kick Stephen out?" Ruan Mei asks."]
[""No, how could I? Stephen doesn't want to get involved in this and cast an abstention vote—fine, I respect everyone's lifestyle choices, but he has no say in this decision anymore.""]
["Screwllum: "Question: Introducing a fifth collaborator to the Simulated Universe?""]
[""Correct, the fifth genius." Herta smiles faintly. "We all know exactly why we're gathered here. Apart from [Answers], who else could summon members of the Genius Society together?""]
[""No one can refuse the secrets of an Aeon. Not even Zandar. Someone will respond to our call.""]
—
StarCraft.
Artanis stands on the high platform of the Protoss Nexus, gazing at the figures of the three geniuses on the Celestial Screen.
"Zeratul." Artanis's voice carries the ethereal resonance unique to the Protoss. "Tell me… when Zandar watches his own creation step by step ascend to become an Aeon, what do you think he feels in his heart?"
"Probably joy?" Zeratul's figure emerges from the shadows, his voice carrying the ancient weariness characteristic of the Nerazim. "A creator spends his entire life pursuing truth, yet his creation becomes a god who wields truth in an instant. Heh… how ironic."
"But at least this master got to personally witness the birth of an Aeon. Moreover, Nous should be the first inorganic lifeform to ascend to Aeon status, right? That's a huge step forward in Aeon research."
After a moment of contemplation, Artanis says: "Earlier I didn't understand why Ruan Mei was so obsessed with creating a life born as a 'genius.' But after Herta mentioned Zandar… I think Ruan Mei is also trying once again to create an [Aeon]—or at least an [Emanator], isn't she?"
Zeratul lifts his head to gaze at the Celestial Screen, his tone carrying a hint of disbelief: "Artanis… from the sound of it, you seem to admire them?"
"The sacred Khala once connected every one of us. Even pooling the collective wisdom of the entire Protoss race, we never once thought of 'creating a god.'"
Artanis shakes his head with regret. "Yet on the other side of the universe, a human woman not only wants to study gods, but wants to become one herself—just this ambition alone… do we have anyone among our people like that?"
"Do not be hasty." Zeratul slowly raises a finger, pointing toward the distant depths of the cosmos. "Once we reclaim Aiur, rebuild our civilization, and establish contact with those humans from the Interstellar Peace Corporation… everything will get better, Artanis."
—
[""What if the one who comes is Polka Kakamond?""]
[""Wouldn't that be perfect?" Herta raises her head and speaks into the void: "[Lord of Silence]—are you listening? This is #83 Herta. I want to meet you. We're sure to have a lot of common topics!""]
[""Polka Kakamond probably won't respond. She's been out of contact for a long time." Screwllum says. "Probability: #64 Dr. Primitive is more likely to appear.""]
[""Oh, that won't do. Leaving aside Dr. Primitive's long list of infamous research, his grudge with the Galaxy Rangers would definitely be exploited by the Company for drama. No thanks—I don't want the Simulated Universe tainted by weird public opinion.""]
["Herta turns to look at Ruan Mei: "What about Yu Qingtu? Ruan Mei, are you still in contact with her—is she even still alive?""]
["Ruan Mei glances at Stelle behind her: "…If we're going to discuss this topic, could she step out first? Because the process will be very long… and quite boring. No need to waste someone else's time.""]
["Herta doesn't mind and nods in agreement."]
[""Come, dear. I'll walk you out." Ruan Mei calmly turns around and heads toward the door."]
—
Zenless Zone Zero.
(D-Dear…)
(This is progressing way too fast… did I miss something?)
At the entrance of the flower shop in Lumina Square, Vivian's fingers unconsciously rub the petals of a purple viola. The seemingly casual yet intentional "dear" from Ruan Mei in the Celestial Screen keeps replaying in her mind.
(Maybe… it's actually not as complicated as I thought. Maybe it's supposed to be simple and direct?)
Vivian's mind is in complete chaos. She secretly glances at the girl squatting in front of the tulip bed—Belle tied her hair into a high ponytail today. The tips sway gently with her picking movements, revealing a small patch of fair skin at the nape of her neck.
"Hm? Vivian? Are you spacing out?" Belle stands up holding a bouquet of blue-purple irises, tilts her head closer to Vivian's flushed face. "Steam's coming off your forehead?"
Her fingers naturally press against Vivian's forehead. "Whoa, you're burning up! Don't tell me you caught a cold from getting rained on in the Hollow the other day—"
"I-I'm fine!" Vivian suddenly steps back half a pace, only to knock over a potted succulent on the windowsill. As the pot teeters dangerously, she scrambles to catch it—only to collide forehead-first with Belle, who had bent down at almost the exact same moment.
"Pfft… hahahaha!" Belle rubs her reddened forehead and suddenly bursts out laughing, the iris bouquet trembling wildly in her arms. "What's wrong with you today, Vivian? Even high-risk Ethereals in the Hollows never made you this nervous!"
"I-I just have a question. Um… Proxy-sama…"
"Hm?"