Aponia stood in the silence of the night. Starlight spilled into the room, leaving her half bathed in brilliance, half cloaked in shadow—a reflection of her current state of mind.
"See? You've grown angry again. The Mobius from before entering this place would never have flown into a rage over such a thing. You are angry, but what are you opposing? What are you resisting? What are you fleeing from?"
Thwack!
Mobius instinctively tried to lash out with her "snake tail," but in this world, she was no Fusion Soldier; she lacked even a shred of Honkai energy. In a fit of exasperated rage, she could only snatch the thick, leather-bound book from the table and hurl it at Aponia.
But Aponia still possessed her powers. Just as the book neared her, it veered aside as if blocked by an unseen force.
Aponia brought her hands together in a gesture of prayer, her fingers piously intertwined.
"Mobius, there is no need for shame, nor for resistance. I will do everything in my power to help you..."
"Get out!" Mobius shrieked, her composure utterly shattered.
Aponia's eyes swept over her one last time. Leaving behind the words, "I will return," her form gradually dissolved into the room's shadows.
She left Mobius to stew alone in her fury.
"That self-righteous woman... How could you possibly understand me!"
---o---
[In the end, Mobius did not run away.]
[After all, what was the difference between conducting research here or anywhere else? To leave would mean finding a new place to live, worrying about food and daily necessities—what a hassle. All that would do is reduce her time for contemplation. From a purely efficient standpoint, there was no need to waste energy on such meaningless endeavors.]
[Therefore, remaining here was the logical choice.]
[Mobius had also grown accustomed to being cared for by Ye Feng.]
[No, it wasn't that she couldn't leave him; it was simply unnecessary. Yes, that was it.]
[A person of intelligence should understand how to utilize the resources around them to the fullest.]
[There was just one matter that gave Mobius a sliver of concern—just a "sliver." Every Sunday, Ye Feng would return home later than usual.]
[But Mobius did not dwell on this minor interruption.]
[In the blink of an eye, spring turned to autumn.]
[During this period, Aponia did not reappear, and Mobius's mood brightened considerably.]
[By now, Mobius couldn't be bothered to ponder Aponia's words; they were meaningless.]
[She would find her own purpose. She didn't need anyone else directing her from the sidelines.]
---o---
One day, Ye Feng walked with Aponia through the church gardens.
The holy yet alluring nun lifted her snow-white chin, her eyes misty as she gazed up at him.
"Little Feng, please release Mobius from the hypnosis."
Sensing the time was right, Aponia made her request.
Ye Feng gently stroked the nun's head. Her hair was impossibly soft and sleek, gliding through his fingers.
"Hypnosis?"
Ye Feng blinked, the picture of innocence. "Mother Aponia, do you truly think I am the sort of person who resorts to such methods?"
"..."
The look on Aponia's face clearly said, "Am I not the perfect proof of that?"
"It's because I had never attempted it before. The very~ first~ time~ must be reserved for the one I love most."
"Then..."
"That's right. Everything Mobius is revealing now is her most genuine nature. All I did at the start was implant a tiny bit of initial information in her mind to help her understand this world.
Perhaps a 'little girl' was always hidden deep inside her. Think of how vehemently Mobius rejected the little pink dress Elysia gave her. Did she truly hate it? Or did she only pretend to in front of everyone? It's not impossible that she secretly tried it on in her lab, admiring herself in the mirror."
Aponia fell silent.
Mobius's uncharacteristic behavior was not the result of hypnosis?
Although Aponia had told Mobius "there's nothing wrong with revealing your[True Self]," she had assumed it was being coaxed out through hypnotic suggestion.
Aponia let out a soft sigh.
"Little Feng, you have a fearsome talent for discerning the weaknesses of the human heart."
"Discerning weaknesses? You mean, like this?"
"Ngh... Please, be gentle. I still have matters to discuss with Little Feng..."
With a soft moan, the nun's body went limp.
---o---
[Regardless, Mobius found herself enjoying this rare and gentle peace.]
[Even if it was all a dream, it was best to let it continue, at least until the moment she "awakened."]
[After so many years fighting the Honkai, after pouring her heart and soul into the path of Infinity, was she not allowed a moment's respite?]
Returning from an outing in the countryside, Mobius collapsed in the entryway the moment she was through the door.
"I'm exhausted. Take them off for me."
Propping herself up with her hands on the wooden floor, Snakey lifted her jade feet slightly, signaling for Ye Feng to remove her silver-laced sandals.
In the past, when Ye Feng had proactively helped her with her shoes, Mobius would scowl with disdain. Now, it had become a kind of ritual.
Ye Feng took her beautiful feet in his hands and untied the silver ribbons wound around her ankles, liberating a pair of perfect, exquisitely snow-pale feet.
Against her fine, white skin, the sunlight revealed the faint azure veins beneath. Her pearly toes stretched out contentedly.
"I feel like noodles today," she announced, her cool voice tinged with a petulant charm. She rolled onto her side, pillowed her head on her arm, and slowly closed her eyes.
"You'll catch a cold sleeping there, especially with your fragile constitution. I really dislike the smell of hospital disinfectant."
Ye Feng sat in the entryway to change into his own slippers, looking at the feigning-sleep Snakey.
"Mmm~ I don't want to... Just a little longer," Mobius murmured dreamily.
"Ah~!"
Ye Feng lay down in the entryway as well, facing her. Mobius's profile was exquisitely beautiful, flawless from any angle.
She drifted off to sleep, her breath as soft and fragrant as a princess in a fairy tale.
"Snakey, I have something to tell you."
"~~Hmm."
"I'm getting married."
"!!!"
Mobius's eyes flew open, her vertical pupils locking onto Ye Feng with fierce intensity.
"To the nun from the church in the maple forest. Aponia."
"?"
A buzz filled Mobius's head.
"...Wh-Why so suddenly...?"
"It's not sudden at all. I go there every Sunday. Didn't you know that, Snakey?"
"Eh?"
Mobius knew he went to the church every Sunday, but she had no idea it was to see Aponia.
So that's where she had been hiding!
She couldn't help but remember Aponia's parting words—that she would return. After several months without a sign, Mobius had all but forgotten.
To think she would reappear like this!
So, after vanishing for months, you ran off to be my mom?
"Snakey."
Their faces were inches apart, so close they could feel the warmth of each other's breath.
Ye Feng looked at Mobius with utter seriousness. "Do you approve?"
"Why are you asking me!? You're so annoying! What does your life have to do with me!"