"Senior!"
Eyjafjalla's cry was one of pure, unadulterated joy.
Although their relationship was new, just confirmed, the little sheep had spent so long alone, dedicated to her parents' research. But now, with Revy—her idol—as her boyfriend, a maiden's spring affection had bloomed. Her usual single-minded focus on research was diluted. Even though he had been gone for less than half a month, the days without him and his familiar care felt dull and empty.
Seeing him, Eyjafjalla cast aside all maidenly reserve. She leaped from behind her table, pouncing toward him. The old Eyjafjalla never could have done this. Her mindset was one thing, but her sickly body was a greater limitation. Yet, the current little sheep, nourished by the Frenzied Dragon cells, had her illness completely cured. Her body was much stronger. After the leap, her face wasn't even red, though her heart was racing.
"Oh my!" Revy reached out, catching her.
Whether due to genetics or something else, Eyjafjalla still looked like a child. However, the Frenzied Dragon cells had nourished her, and her figure had begun to take shape. This secretly pleased Revy as he held her. Of course… Theresa was also secretly pleased.
Feeling a stir deep within his spirit, Revy's heart burned with warmth, though he also felt a strange sensation. It was fine that he was pleased, but why did Theresa feel the same way? The thought was fleeting, however. He was holding a soft, warm beauty. Even Theresa, deep within his spirit, didn't sense his odd, momentary thought.
"You're heavy, heavy!" Revy joked, intentionally weighing her. "It seems Rhodes Island's food has been good lately; they've made my little lamb chubby."
"I'm not heavy! Senior is a big idiot!" Eyjafjalla knew she'd gained weight—her illness was cured and her appetite had improved. But as a maiden, she couldn't possibly admit it.
"Just kidding, don't be angry~" Seeing the girl in his arms pout, Revy smiled. He put her down and poked her puffed-out cheek. "Your weight was abnormally light before; gaining weight just means your body is healthier, which is a good thing—in my opinion, you're still not heavy enough."
"Hmph! Senior only knows how to use sweet words to coax people." Though she grumbled, Eyjafjalla's face was already blossoming into a smile. She leaned against Revy. "Senior, will you be staying for a long time this time?"
"I'll try my best." Revy wanted to promise her he would, but as an Elite Operator, he rarely had long periods of free time. Eyjafjalla understood this. Her expression dimmed for a moment before returning to normal. She looked around. "Sister Theresa... how is she?"
"I'm here~" Theresa still couldn't interact with the real world directly, but she could simulate signals through Revy's nerves. Eyjafjalla, however, couldn't see her. In broad daylight, he couldn't hypnotize the little sheep and pull her into a dream world.
"She's doing very well," Revy said, smiling faintly at the empty space beside him. "Next time there's an opportunity, I'll bring you to see her again."
"Ah..." Eyjafjalla's face immediately flushed. She remembered their first meeting. She knew the only way to communicate with Theresa was to be pulled into a dream world by Revy using Frenzied Dragon cells during light sleep. That would naturally involve... sharing a bed... sharing a pillow... and this and that... With her mind filling with inappropriate images, how could she not turn crimson?
Revy had no idea about her messy thoughts. He simply looked at her unnatural expression and remembered their first meeting in this office. Eyjafjalla had been just as shy then. But now, the girl had grown by leaps and bounds.
"...Oh right, Senior Revy, what were you doing this time?" To distract herself, Eyjafjalla quickly changed the subject, asking about Revy's recent activities.
He was naturally willing to share. He omitted the confidential parts, focusing on the stories. He was a great storyteller, and the tales were full of twists and turns. Eyjafjalla, a researcher who rarely left her home, listened with a stirred heart. Seeing her lover play important roles in these stories, she was overjoyed.
"It's a pity... Sister Qingjin sacrificed herself..." When Revy finished, Eyjafjalla's expression was somber. In her opinion, the Kuranta girl who had accompanied Revy was brave and loyal. When Eyjafjalla wasn't paying attention, Revy's lips moved into a faint smile before his expression returned to normal.
"To be able to cover Platinum's retreat completely can be considered fulfilling her wish—she left feeling very peaceful." Eyjafjalla nodded. Revy's words made perfect sense. Only much later did she learn the hidden meaning.
Speaking of this, Revy seemed to suddenly remember something and looked at her.
"...Has anything big happened at Rhodes Island while I was away?"