"Eh?"
Firefly's sudden tears clearly startled the boy in front of her. He immediately waved his hands in panic and helplessness, momentarily unsure of what to say.
"Guest, guest you… I… um…"
"What's going on?"
Seeing this scene, the white-haired bespectacled girl at the counter quickly put down the account book in her hand and trotted over to Firefly.
Looking at the girl who was crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain, the bespectacled girl frowned slightly, then turned to the boy beside her with a somewhat serious and questioning tone.
"Be honest with me, did you bully her just now?"
"Ah?"
The boy looked completely confused for a moment, but quickly reacted and waved his hands repeatedly.
"No, Sister! I really didn't bully this young lady. Please let me explain…"
"I'm sorry for the trouble."
Just as the girl was about to scold the little boy, a gentle voice suddenly entered their ears.
Following the sound, they saw a handsome black-haired young man who had somehow entered the coffee shop. At this moment, he was gently holding the shoulders of the crying girl and softly patting her back to comfort her.
"I'm sorry, my friend has caused you trouble."
Yun Fan smiled and nodded apologetically to the bespectacled girl.
"Ah? It's fine, it's no trouble at all." The bespectacled girl shook her head. Her gaze lingered on Firefly in Yun Fan's arms for a moment.
"Your friend looks a lot like us… just like… just like former brothers and sisters…"
"Really? I think so too. You do look like brothers and sisters. Perhaps…"
Yun Fan smiled slightly, gently ruffling Firefly's hair, his tone filled with emotion.
"Perhaps, in another spacetime, you truly were 'family' who lived and died together."
"Pfft—!" Hearing Yun Fan's words, the bespectacled girl covered her mouth and laughed.
"Guest, you really know how to talk. But you're right. Perhaps we really were sisters in another spacetime. Guest, what would you like to order?"
"Hmm… one cappuccino, one double espresso, and two oak rolls."
Yun Fan took the menu and simply ordered two cups of coffee. Of course, the young man did not forget Firefly's favorite oak rolls.
"Understood. Please wait a moment, guests. We will prepare your cakes and coffee right away."
The girl bowed slightly to Yun Fan, then led the still-dazed boy away.
"Sigh…"
Looking at Firefly's tear-stained face with some heartache, Yun Fan took her small hand and sat down at a seat near the window.
Then, the young man took out a tissue from his pocket and gently wiped the tears from her face.
"Thank you…"
Allowing Yun Fan to wipe away her tears, Firefly pressed her lips together, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"It's nothing. Those two just now who had the same hair color as you must be your companions from your time in Glamoth."
Having the same hair color as Firefly, Yun Fan naturally noticed something.
Dreams were formed from a person's 'longing.' Those two people were the manifestation of Firefly's 'longing.'
"Yes…"
Through the transparent window, Firefly gazed at the figure wearing a chef's uniform and black-framed glasses working in the kitchen. A trace of gentleness and longing appeared in her eyes.
"They were once my best companions. It's just that… they have long since passed away, in the battle against the Swarm, against [Propagation]."
"I will never forget that day, never forget how they died before my eyes while I could do nothing…"
Firefly's eyes were red. She gently bit her lip, her fair jade-like hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes. Perhaps due to using too much force.
At this moment, those originally fair and delicate hands appeared even paler, with green veins visibly spreading along her arms.
"It's all in the past, Firefly."
Yun Fan gently held the girl's small hand and spoke softly beside her ear. He was comforting this girl who had been owed far too much by fate.
"Hmm, I know." Firefly nodded.
"They are all illusions, products of the dream. The real them have long since perished together with the Skyfront."
Firefly understood very clearly that the people before her were merely illusions. At this moment, they were inside Robin's dream.
Dreams held infinite possibilities.
These two former companions had been recreated based on Firefly's memories—they were her past recollections and experiences.
"'Ena's Dream.' I didn't expect even I would be affected by it. What a wondrous power."
Firefly sighed softly. She had not expected that even she, in her current state, would be influenced by 'Ena's Dream.' Although the influence was very faint, it was still worthy of praise.
How strong was she now? Although Firefly had never gone all out, the girl believed that once she fully unleashed her power, even those veteran Emanators might not be her match.
"Guest, here is your coffee and oak rolls."
Just as the girl was lost in recollection and thought, the boy who was also serving as a waiter had somehow arrived before them with a tray.
On the tray were two steaming cups of coffee—one cappuccino and one that looked extremely bitter double espresso.
Beside the coffee were two cakes that looked somewhat like wood. These were the Oak Family's favorites—the oak rolls that symbolized the virtue of 'remembering bitterness to appreciate sweetness.'
"Thank you for your trouble."
"It is my honor, guests."
Yun Fan placed the coffee in front of Firefly, then picked up a knife and fork. He gently cut the oak roll, sliced off a small piece, and brought it to Firefly's lips with the fork.
"Here, have a bite. Your favorite oak roll."
"Hmm…" The girl's cheeks were red, but she did not refuse Yun Fan's kindness. Firefly opened her small mouth and gently bit down on the cake on the fork.
...
The two spent a pleasant meal together. This period was not very long—only about ten minutes or so.
In those ten minutes, Firefly drank an entire cup of cappuccino and ate two large portions of oak rolls.
This scene left Yun Fan somewhat stunned. So Firefly could eat that much?
Thinking of this, a wave of pity and heartache surged in the young man's heart.
Poor Firefly. When she first sneaked into Penacony, her days must have been extremely difficult, right?
As an unregistered person, even though the Stellaron Hunters had large amounts of funds and credits, they could not be used on this planet where every inch of land was worth an inch of gold.
Having only one oak roll a day… it's truly too heartbreaking…