Early the next morning, Elysia stood before the door of Mobius's laboratory, holding the hand of a neatly dressed Vya.
The little girl clutched her small pink pillow to her chest, a gift from Elysia some time ago.
Her little pink backpack was stuffed with all sorts of items she deemed necessary for 'supervising Big Sister Mobius's sleep'—including a storybook and a box of colored crayons… along with some other things.
'Remember our agreement, Vya~'
Elysia crouched down. 'You have to make sure Big Sister Mobius goes to bed on time, okay?'
'Mhm! Vya will definitely complete the mission!'
The little girl nodded seriously, her eyes sparkling.
A moment later, as the laboratory door slid open, the two of them saw Mobius as soon as they stepped inside.
And Mobius's face, already marked with pronounced dark circles, grew even darker. It was that time of day again when her peace was disturbed.
Her long green hair was still casually cascading down her back, and her white lab coat bore suspicious purple stains.
She had been preparing for several upcoming surgeries recently, in the process of selecting suitable candidates.
'So early?'
Seeing the two arrive, Mobius's tone was surprisingly calmer than expected.
She raised an eyebrow at them. 'The lab isn't a daycare, you know, Elysia.'
'Good morning, Mobius~'
Elysia's smile was radiant, completely ignoring the other's impatience. 'I brought Vya! She's been really looking forward to playing with you♪~'
Mobius's gaze fell on Vya. The little girl immediately flashed a joyful grin. 'Good morning, Big Sister Mobius!'
'What's the matter today?'
Mobius asked.
Elysia briefly explained the situation about Vya needing to stay here for the day.
Mobius looked at Elysia. 'Well, well, Elysia. Finally decided you don't want the little one anymore?'
'How could that be~'
Elysia laughed, pinching Vya's cheek. 'She's just here with you temporarily. Eden and I have important matters to attend to~'
Vya didn't mind Mobius's teasing. She skipped into the lab. 'Vya likes all her big sisters! Vya likes Big Sister Mobius too!'
Mobius gave a light 'hmph,' but the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
Elysia seized the chance to lean close to her ear. 'Don't stay up all night. Just look at those dark circles. I've already told Vya; she'll supervise you and make sure you sleep on time~'
'Mind your own business.'
Mobius shot her a glare.
Elysia waved to Vya. 'Listen to Big Sister Mobius, okay~? I'll come get you tomorrow.'
'Bye-bye, sister!'
Vya waved energetically.
As the lab door closed, Mobius looked down at the little girl who barely reached her waist. 'So, Elysia sent you here to 'supervise' my sleep?'
'Mhm!'
Vya nodded. 'Because Big Sister Mobius doesn't sleep properly. You even have dark circles.'
She stood on tiptoe, realized she couldn't reach, then slowly levitated off the ground, her small hand gently touching the area under Mobius's eye.
Mobius was taken aback, not expecting the little one to be so direct.
She gently brushed the small hand aside and turned towards her workbench. 'Fine, whatever. Just don't disturb my work.'
'Mhm! Vya will be good!'
For the entire day, Vya played quietly in the laboratory.
Fuxi and Nuwa, who arrived later, occasionally played with Vya too.
Vya was very happy, sometimes drawing, occasionally glancing curiously at Mobius's busy figure, sometimes wandering over to where Big Sister Klein was…
At lunchtime, she went to the cafeteria to fetch meals for Mobius and Big Sister Klein—although the latter always said a child shouldn't be taking care of others.
When Klein came to deliver documents in the afternoon, she was surprised to find Vya sitting on Mobius's lap, and the Doctor actually patiently explaining the principles of a microscope to her.
'You can see very, very tiny things here.' Mobius pointed at the eyepiece. 'Want to look?'
'Yes!'
Vya leaned over excitedly. Mobius carefully adjusted the focus so Vya could see clearly.
What was inside were the Honkai beast cells Vya had transformed into…
'...'
Klein silently set the files down and left, feeling the world might be a bit off today.
Night fell, and Mobius finally finished her work at hand.
She stretched and found Vya still sitting obediently on the nearby chair, her little legs swinging gently…
'Big Sister Mobius!'
'Time to sleep!'
'Right. I'll take you to the rest room.'
Mobius replied softly.
Arriving before Vya, the little girl immediately stretched out her arms.
'Carry me, Big Sister Mobius!'
'...'
Looking at Vya's pleading expression, Mobius gave in and tried to pick her up.
Feeling the soft, sweet-smelling little creature in her arms…
'Alright, off to bed now, be good.'
Vya wrapped her arms around Mobius's neck. 'Vya has to supervise sister's sleep! We sleep together!'
Mobius froze in place.
She never slept with anyone else.
But looking at the little girl before her, she found herself wavering, a rare occurrence.
'Fine… just this once.'
Mobius finally conceded, carrying Vya towards her own bedroom.
The bedroom was much tidier than the lab, though still piled with books and documents.
Mobius carefully placed Vya on the bed, then hesitated about where she herself should sleep.
'Come on, sister~'
Vya had already rolled over to one side of the bed, patting the empty space.
Mobius sighed and slowly sat on the edge of the bed.
'Sister, you won't sleep comfortably like that.'
Vya crawled over and gave Mobius's shoulder a little push with her small hand. 'Lie down~'
'Sister…'
Vya suddenly leaned close, her little hand touching Mobius's face. 'The darkness under your eyes isn't as bad now.'
'Enough of that… just go to sleep.'
Mobius turned her face away, somewhat flustered, but didn't push the small hand away.
Vya adjusted her position on her own, resting her little head against Mobius's shoulder.
Her hair tickled Mobius's neck.
Vya obediently closed her eyes, but opened them again not long after. 'Sister, can you tell a story?'
'I don't know any stories.'
Mobius answered stiffly. It wasn't that she couldn't.
She just didn't want to.
'Then Vya will tell sister one!'
The little girl volunteered and began telling a story about a little white snake collecting colors brought by its animal friends to build a house.
'The little fairy, the little fox, the little turtle…'
'They were all good friends with the little white snake!'
Mobius meant to interrupt her, but found herself listening to the entire story without realizing it.
'Mhm, and then?'
When Vya paused, Mobius couldn't help but ask.
Vya's eyes widened in delight, and she continued the story.
…
'Big Sister Mobius, time to sleep.'
'Okay.'
Mobius gently pulled the blanket over them both.
'Hug, sister~'
'Do you sleep like this with Elysia too?'
'Mhm mhm!'
But seeing the expectancy in Vya's eyes, she found herself reaching out an arm as if compelled.
The small body immediately snuggled in, a little face pressing against her chest. So big and soft…
It felt different from Sister Elysia or Sister Eden, and the scent was different too…
This was a completely new experience for Vya.
Mobius held the little creature. This gentle touch, it was like cradling a soft little animal.
This feeling… was rather nice.
Mobius held her tighter, her hand unconsciously toying with Vya's white hair.
The little one in her arms seemed to sense it too, snuggling even closer.
Mobius looked down, gazing calmly at Vya's small face, and suddenly realized this was the first time in a very long while she had gone to bed before midnight.
'Sleep well, little one.'
She whispered very softly, then closed her eyes.
Even knowing what this little creature was… Mobius didn't mind anymore…
That night, she didn't have that dream, the one about the last birthday she spent at home…
Instead, she dreamed of sunlight, grassy fields, and a little girl holding her hand. Around them were many blurred but friendly faces, all smiling, all offering blessings…
…
Meanwhile, in the greenhouse garden at the other end of the base, Elysia and Eden were nestled together, admiring the stars in the night sky.
'I wonder how Vya and Mobius are getting along…'
Elysia leaned on Eden's shoulder.
Eden gently stroked her long hair. 'Vya is special. She can touch the softest part in everyone's heart. Mobius is no exception.'
Elysia laughed. 'You're right, Eden~ Maybe tomorrow we'll see a whole new Mobius~'
Under the moonlight, their figures drew closer together.
…
'Vya, look, your sister has already left you behind. Why don't you just stay with me from now on, hmm~?'
Mobius coaxed persuasively.
'No can do, Big Sister Mobius.'
Vya refused with a smile.
'Then how about going out with sister somewhere tomorrow?'
'Okay~'
…
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