"I just wanted to ask, who are you, and why are you with Team B?"
"I just found it strange, turns out you really don't know me." Rhode suddenly realized that he might be caught up in some 'plot'.
So, the next events should be solvable, right?
So, it shouldn't escalate to the point of changing history or the Guild disappearing.
Rhode's mood involuntarily relaxed a lot.
"I..." Future Lucy didn't know how to answer, things were a bit different from what she'd imagined, she even doubted if the Eclipse Gate had sent her to the wrong place.
"We're here." Rhode stopped walking.
Future Lucy looked at the sign, murmuring anxiously, "The location hasn't changed, and the name hasn't changed either, but... the inn is different."
Ignoring her reaction for now, Rhode found the window of Team A's room and knocked on it.
Erza immediately sat up, curiously and cautiously approaching the window: "Rhode?"
"Erza..." Future Lucy's eyes turned red, about to burst into tears.
She opened the window and, thanks to the streetlight outside, could clearly see the other three, but before she could greet them, her eyes fixed on Future Lucy: "Lucy? When did you..."
She suddenly turned around, if Lucy went out, then who's on her bed now?
"It's a bit complicated, let's talk inside." Rhode skillfully climbed through the window.
Erza didn't stop him at all and directly turned on the light.
Eric indicated he would listen from outside, Ultear followed in, and Future Lucy scrambled to climb in.
Kana, having drunk too much today, was snoring loudly in an awkward position, one leg under the blanket, the other outside.
She was in her pajamas, seeming to wear more while sleeping than when awake—Rhode suspected someone else helped her change.
Natsu, no need to mention, was snoring loudly, probably felt more at ease sleeping with companions, and didn't wake up because the visitors meant no harm.
Hapi was sprawled beside the pillow, in a position similar to Natsu's—come to think of it, an outsider staying in the contestant's room seemed like a breach of rules.
Rhode believed they didn't do it on purpose since they definitely didn't know about this rule.
Gray woke up, immediately spotting Ultear, confused: "Ultear, why are you... Rhode? And Lucy? You guys..."
Ultear smiled and nodded toward Gray, indicating for him to calm down.
Lucy was probably dazzled by the light, rubbed her eyes as she sat up, and the blanket naturally fell, revealing her pink pajamas underneath.
The buttons on her pajamas were either already undone or loosened when she got up, making the right collar hang open and down.
Future Lucy, initially excited to see her companions, felt the urge to cover her face seeing her own groggy look, but ultimately opted to cover 'her' chest:
"Even though we're companions, sharing a room with guys, you should be a bit careful..."
"Ah!" Lucy finally noticed her near wardrobe malfunction, hurriedly buttoning up and thanking her counterpart, "Thank you... huh? Me? Huh?"
A moment later, Lucy smacked her palm, "Right, I must be dreaming!"
She laid back down confidently, covered herself with the blanket, and closed her eyes.
Future Lucy: "..."
She was a bit helpless but showed a happy smile, realizing through this she had always been so well protected.
Only in that way can one maintain such a carefree demeanor.
Rhode walked over unceremoniously, tapping Lucy's forehead, "Still think you're dreaming now?"
"Ouch!" Lucy clutched her forehead, sitting up again, "Not a dream, there's really another me?"
Hesitantly, she lifted the blanket and got out of bed, examining Future Lucy closely, "Could you be the Edolas version of me? You guys can come over here?"
It seemed this Mr. Rhode and 'I' had a good relationship? Future Lucy shook her head: "I'm not the Edolas you; I'm the future you."
Lucy stiffly turned to look at Rhode, "Is that true?"
Future Lucy judged: 'I' seemed to trust Mr. Rhode a lot, perhaps more than Erza. But who is he exactly?
Rhode said, "I can't be certain, which is why I came to you."
"I see..." Lucy thought she understood Rhode's intention and confidently said, "Leave it to me to discern! Let me ask you, what's the name of the protagonist in my novel?"
"..." Future Lucy felt a bit embarrassed but still said the name.
Lucy nodded, "Correct, but my novel was shown a bit to Reby, and Natsu and Hapi also peeked, so it's not a complete proof...
"Then the next question, what's in the diary entry I least want anyone to see?"
Future Lucy hesitated, "Do I really need to say it?"
"..." Lucy felt troubled too, it's too embarrassing to say such a thing, but without private questions only she would know, how could she prove it?
Rhode, seeing she really intended to differentiate herself, said helplessly, "I meant for you to summon Gemini."
"Ah..." Lucy blushed fiercely.
She realized she must still be half-asleep after waking up, indulging in a detective puzzle experience.
Future Lucy also had an epiphany; if Gemini turned into herself, her identity would naturally be proven.
She gratefully glanced at Rhode, who seemed to truly be a good person and reliable.
Actually, Rhode was quite curious about what was in Lucy's diary, watching her dig into her own dark past was amusing.
If Mira were present, Rhode would surely join her to watch the two Lucy's perform a bit longer.
Unfortunately, Mira wasn't here, so finding out the truth took priority.
Today was a conscientious day, indeed.
"Open, Gate of the Gemini Constellation! Gemini!"
To alleviate the awkwardness, Lucy quickly took out a key to summon Gemini.
Gemini was also puzzled as to why there were two Lucys, and as instructed transformed after touching Future Lucy.
The room suddenly had three Lucys.
It brought back memories of what happened in Edolas, imagining if there were four Lucys gathered, it would also be interesting.
If Mira were here, she might make another, creating a five-Lucy gathering.
Lucy asked, "What do you think, Gemini, is she really me?"
Usually, when Gemini transformed into Lucy, they would pull pranks and give everyone some fun.
But this time, they were exceptionally silent, not uttering their signature 'bili-bili~' phrase.
In response to Lucy's question, Gemini, in their Future Lucy form, nodded and then started crying uncontrollably.