"Mm-hm, Vill-V only looks cold on the outside. In truth, she's even more passionate than I am~"
"If Vill-V wants to understand me more deeply, there's no need to feel shy. I'm happy you can say that. After all, Elysia... is just a cute girl as lovable as blooming flowers~"
"And I also want... to know more and more about Vill-V. Because I like Vill-V too. Every time we meet, you bring me new surprises."
Strange. Every time Elysia encountered Vill-V, the colors within her heart would change. As someone who could see the colors of others' hearts, Elysia naturally developed a strong curiosity toward Vill-V.
As she spoke, Elysia gently moved a little closer to Vill-V. "See? Since our goals are the same, the distance between us isn't so far anymore, right~"
"Thank the gentle rain for bringing us together beneath the same umbrella."
After returning to the workshop, Expert seemed to have completely forgotten the earlier awkwardness and once again began speaking endlessly about her design philosophy. Mm, for Expert, boasting about her inventions was far more important.
Once Expert started talking... it continued all the way until lights-out.
"Mm. It's twelve. I'm going to sleep. Good night, Miss Elysia. Remember to leave my workshop."
After all, Vill-V's workshop was genuinely dangerous...
Expert collapsed into bed immediately. That was one of her traditional skills. If she didn't sleep on schedule, she couldn't guarantee adequate rest. For that reason, she had set a biological clock for herself—the kind that let her fall asleep even while standing.
She paid no attention whatsoever to what Elysia might think. As for what opinion Elysia might form of Vill-V, what did that have to do with Expert? Managing interpersonal relationships had never been Expert's responsibility. The only reason she had spoken so much was because Elysia was willing to listen.
Elysia tucked the blanket around Expert and murmured softly, "Of course. May beautiful dreams treat you tenderly. Good night, great inventor..."
...
The next day, when Id Vill-V woke up, Elysia's adorable figure was nowhere to be seen in the dark workshop.
Likewise, Elysia was not in her own bed either. Id Vill-V did not know whether she felt relieved or slightly disappointed as she said, "Elysia... she really left, after all."
She habitually reached for her pocket watch. Strange... why didn't it ring again today? Did it need repairs?
From outside the door came a melodious voice:
"I think I heard a lonely girl calling for Elysia?"
Her voice was as elegant as a piano melody, unforgettable.
Her voice was like a clear stream, soothing the soul.
Her voice was like brilliant blossoms, intoxicating.
Just as that romantic promise said: once I wake up, I will come to you immediately. Elysia would always respond to your expectations, anytime, anywhere.
And along with her arrival came the fragrance of food. Elysia was carrying a tray, upon it a steaming bowl of something warm and several simple heart-shaped side dishes.
"Good morning—nutritious porridge. I made it myself."
It was obvious that although Elysia's cooking was clumsy, she had truly made the effort.
Thinking back, the heart-shaped lunchbox she once prepared must have required a great deal of effort as well.
Although many thoughts flashed through her mind, they were merely Vill-V's subconscious reactions. At the moment, Vill-V was still in that groggy just-woken-up state. Even with Elysia standing right in front of her, she stretched and yawned without a shred of composure, scratching her head as she did.
Mm. Massaging the scalp promotes blood circulation and speeds up boot-up time.
"Oh my, Vill-V, your hair is a mess from sleeping. Let me tidy it up first..."
Seeing various stubborn tufts sticking up from Vill-V's poor sleeping posture, Elysia set the tray down on the loudly humming machine case and pulled a comb and hairpins from her apron pocket before walking straight over. "Mm, what hairstyle do you like? Would a princess braid be alright?"
At such close distance, breathing in Elysia's scent—no matter how many hearts you had, it wouldn't be enough to withstand it.
Thus, completely awake now, Id instantly turned timid again, social anxiety flaring up, and dragged out Expert to take the bullet.
"..."
Expert: Why is it me again?!
Id: Emergency situation. Reflex reaction. Ehehe...
Expert: Lecturer, you're watching this, right?
Expert: Lecturer, I've told you before—don't let the script interfere with my work...
Lecturer: I guarantee it won't affect your work progress!
Expert: Based on the integrated intelligence, that possibility is extremely low.
...
The speed of communication inside Vill-V's mind was swift—but Elysia's hands were even faster.
She carefully gathered Vill-V's hair, combing each strand smooth and neat without the slightest carelessness. Three sections of hair were interwoven together. Her delicate fingers twisted and braided them continuously, forming a beautiful princess braid.
While tending to it, Elysia did not forget to offer praise. "Vill-V's hair is so well cared for..." and similar compliments.
Yet afterward, she seemed slightly dissatisfied. The braid did not appear perfect enough. Thinking for a moment, she took out a gray crystal flower hairpin and gently fixed it at the top of the braid.
The gray crystal flower shimmered with a dim luster, like starlight in the night sky. Elysia nodded in satisfaction.
"All done. Vill-V, hurry and see how it looks. If you're satisfied, remember to give Elysia a good review~"
Elysia pushed Vill-V toward the dressing mirror, letting her examine her hair.
"It's fine," Expert replied flatly.
She had never cared about appearances. She had no research into what looked good or bad. As long as it wasn't a sky-high ponytail or a mohawk, she could accept it.
If Expert truly had to offer an evaluation, it would be that it might press against her head while sleeping—especially that crystal flower.
"Mm, so the hairstyle I painstakingly learned is only worth a single 'it's fine' in your eyes?" Elysia said, her tone slightly wounded.
Seeing that, Expert, who was not good at comforting others, could only change her wording. "Excellent."
If you expected Expert to say something pleasant, you might as well wait for Scholar to speak like a normal person.
"Alright, alright. I'm not actually that upset. Vill-V being willing to act as my model already makes me very satisfied. My previous model—Dr. Mobius—no matter what I said, she refused to let me dress her up."
As they talked, Elysia gently helped the just-awake Expert remove her work clothes and changed her into something cute.
Hm? Removed her work clothes?
Still groggy, Expert had assumed she was taking off pajamas to put on work attire. Only after she was fully dressed did she realize—Elysia had changed her into an adorable princess dress...
"A delicate princess hairstyle paired with a gorgeous princess dress—beauty upon beauty~"
"Look, it's the same style as mine~"
"Wearing this outfit, Vill-V, you become Elysia's blooming and radiant older sister~"
Come to think of it, how old was Elysia again?
"Ah, wait..."
In the mirror, a trace of barely perceptible panic surfaced in Expert's gray eyes.
Because she saw behind her that Elysia was approaching, arms full of lace ribbons, her eyes shining with a mysterious light.
Expert: Don't... ah... ah... ah...