---o---
The Dinner Banquet.
For a magic troupe that functioned much like an orphanage, dinner time was when the children and some of the staff, including Cocolia, would all gather together joyfully.
Normally, they would sit and chat for a while about the day's events, only starting to eat after Mama Cocolia announced the beginning of the meal.
However, tonight's dinner seemed a little different.
Most of the children in the W Magic Troupe were orphans. As such, they possessed hearts far more sensitive and powers of observation far keener than those of ordinary children.
Therefore, they quickly noticed what was different about tonight's dinner.
Today, it wasn't just their most respected and beloved Mama Cocolia sitting at the head of the table. Standing beside her were two children who usually gave off completely different impressions.
One was the gentle and humble Brother Li, and the other was the typically sullen and reclusive Vill-V.
Although these two seemingly contradictory individuals were often seen together, for them to appear side-by-side at a dinner like this was a rare sight indeed.
For some reason, the atmosphere today felt tinged with sadness and reluctance.
Then, a sigh confirmed their suspicions.
"Sigh... Li, are you two sure you want to leave the magic troupe?"
"Yes, we are, Ringmaster. This was the agreement we made back then, wasn't it?"
Yes... the agreement...
Looking at the smiling Fu Li, Cocolia's thoughts couldn't help but drift back to that morning five years ago.
She, who had held the title 'Witch' in the army, had been countered in a mere ten seconds during a close-quarters ambush. And her opponent had been a boy no older than eight.
At first, when he had asked to take Vill-V away, Cocolia had thought he had ill intentions towards the girl, which was why she had used the pretense of "staying behind" to test him.
As for the results, she had personally confirmed them with her own eyes over these past five years. This child could indeed be trusted.
After a long moment, a melancholy sigh escaped her.
"...Alright. Honestly, to think of leaving after just five years."
Cocolia sighed, turned her head to look at Vill-V, and reached out to ruffle her hair. Only then did she turn back to face the children, who had been silent since the beginning.
"As you can all see, Li and Vill-V will be leaving after the performance in London. During this time, I want everyone to cherish your last moments together. In the future, it's very likely you will never see each other again."
As expected, the moment Cocolia's words fell, it was like a single stone stirring a thousand waves. A loud discussion erupted among the children.
"What... is this for real?"
"Yeah, Brother Li, are you really leaving?"
"But why? Life in the magic troupe is so peaceful, why would you want to leave?"
For once, Cocolia did not immediately quell the discussion. She looked at Anna, whose reaction was the most intense, and sighed inwardly.
As I thought, the little one is in love with Li. What a pity...
She watched as Fu Li skillfully soothed the crowd until the chatter died down. Only then did she lightly tap the table, silencing the last few murmurs.
"In any case, that is the situation. You can say your private goodbyes later, but right now, it is time for dinner. Please be quiet."
With that, she forced a smile and had Fu Li and Vill-V sit in the seats next to her, before being the first to begin eating the meal on her plate.
This dinner lacked the usual laughter and joy, filled only with a subtle silence.
After the meal, Cocolia was the first to leave. The others then dispersed one by one, almost as if in a collective sulk. Only Anna remained, looking at Fu Li as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she simply turned and ran out.
In an instant, only Vill-V and Fu Li were left in the room.
"Hey... Li. Is what we're doing... not a very good thing?" Vill-V stirred the remaining pasta on her plate. Her usual exaggerated tone was gone, replaced by a hint of reluctance.
In the end, she was still just a ten-year-old child.
The smile on Fu Li's lips also faded. He gently speared the last bite of pasta and asked, "Do you still want to leave?"
"I do, but for some reason, it hurts a little..." Vill-V's answer was firm, but her voice grew hesitant towards the end.
"It's normal for it to hurt, Vill-V."
Fu Li put down his fork and smiled. "Parting is a part of growing up. But I won't force you to get used to it. Whether you choose freedom or to stay here, I will be with you."
"What's important is, what will you choose?"
What will I choose...
Vill-V leaned back in her chair and let out a breath.
"In that case, I still choose... freedom."
Geniuses have their own way of living. For Vill-V, being trapped here for a lifetime was an absolutely unacceptable option. But...
"Li, I still think we should just leave secretly, like I said. Wouldn't that be better?"
"No, Vill-V. I told you. Goodbyes must be taken with absolute seriousness."
Vill-V said no more. She silently began to clear the plates from the table. Fu Li followed her lead, standing up to help her clear the tables one by one.
Outside the window, Anna, who had just run off, watched the two of them in the room, clutching the other half of the broken necklace in her palm.
Her chestnut-colored hair swayed in the wind. She pressed her hand, bit by bit, against the glass. In the reflection, glistening teardrops began to form.
It's not just Vill-V who can't bear to leave him. Why... why does Li only have eyes for Vill-V?
She was so, so jealous.
But what good could jealousy do?
She didn't have the power to take Fu Li away.
---o---
London, in a high-end research institute dormitory.
A green-haired young woman held a pendant up to her eye. Under the brilliant lights, a golden owl glinted with dazzling radiance.
The Alan Institute, huh...
Is this another one of Li's creations...
If that bunch of useless higher-ups from The MOTHs also had memories of this, they'd probably die from sheer frustration.
As the number one dark horse in the scientific community, having earned her doctorate at the age of 18, Mobius looked at the pendant in her hand, a thought-provoking smile gracing her lips.
With ample funding and resources, Mobius had become a doctor two years ahead of schedule. In Fu Li's eyes, that was probably a perfectly normal occurrence.
How wonderful. The last two pieces of the plan's puzzle... one of them is finally within my grasp.
Suddenly, the 'beep, beep' of her communicator interrupted Mobius's thoughts.
She glanced at it sideways and saw the message.
Esteemed Dr. Mobius, as per your instructions, I have successfully reserved tickets for your team for the W Magic Troupe's performance ten days from now. Is there anything else you require?
No.
Mobius sent the reply, her smile widening.
A snake, after all, loves nothing more than to watch its prey.