"Firefly, do you have any missions coming up soon?"
After watching Sparkle leave, Clara turned and asked Firefly.
"Hmm... probably not." Firefly thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Elio usually doesn't inform me of tasks in advance, so I'm not really sure."
"Is that so? Well, if Elio hasn't said anything, then let's consider it as none." Clara nodded, then continued, "I'll take you to a fun place these next few days."
"A fun... place?" Firefly felt a bit puzzled but quickly latched onto the key phrase. "Just the two of us?"
"Yep."
Hearing Clara's confirmation, Firefly couldn't help but feel a thrill inside.
If it's just the two of them... wouldn't that be like that activity in the videos...? When feelings reach a certain level, you can start... da... dating...
At this thought, Firefly's mind conjured an image: herself holding Clara's small hand, Clara leaning against her arm as they strolled down a street full of elegance and fashion. Then, in front of everyone on the street, she gently kisses Clara's soft, dewy, utterly tempting lips...
Mmm... no, doing it in front of the whole street is still too embarrassing...
Just imagining being watched by everyone made Firefly want to hide. She hurriedly banished the thought from her mind.
But even as she thought this, why did she suddenly feel a surge of excitement?
Clara: ...
Watching Firefly in front of her—face flushing one moment, shaking her head the next, lips pressed tight another—Clara's head sprouted a giant question mark.
'Yeesh... I never heard that Mara-struck affliction is contagious to non-Xianzhou natives?'
Clara was puzzled. Could Firefly actually be from the Xianzhou?
...
"You two are going on a trip?"
Listening to Clara and Firefly's conversation, Silver Wolf drew this conclusion.
"A trip? You could say that." Clara lowered her head in thought for a moment upon hearing this, then nodded. Aside from the somewhat extreme weather, unusable credit chips, and the possibility of being wanted, it wasn't much different from a vacation. Probably.
"Where are you going?" Silver Wolf asked, then added, "It's better to lay low for a while. I remember Elio mentioned before that in a few days, we'll all need to mobilize for an important mission somewhere."
"In a few days... well, we'll deal with that in a few days~" Clara thought it over, then smiled. "What does something days from now have to do with my vacation these few days?"
"Fine, suit yourself." Hearing Clara's words, Silver Wolf didn't press further. "Just make sure you explain it to Elio then."
"Ha? Explain?"
At these words, Clara wore an expression as if she'd heard something utterly ridiculous, a slightly exaggerated look on her face.
"Explain? What the heck is Elio that I should explain myself to him?"
"Ridiculous! I, Emperor Clara, have conquered the nine heavens and ten earths! In all my life's deeds, why must I explain myself to Elio?"
Clara planted her hands on her hips, radiating an air of supreme arrogance.
"Cl-Clara... l-lower your voice..."
Firefly seemed to have noticed something and quickly tugged at Clara's sleeve, whispering urgently to try and stop her.
"What? Speak louder?" Clara didn't quite catch Firefly's words, thinking instead that she had been awed into submission. So she raised her voice and declared once more:
"Clara's path is one of invincibility! Why would she need to borrow from Elio?"
"Therefore, Elio is just a... uh..."
"...is my most respected boss!"
Just as Clara was about to utter something very very bad', she seemed to sense something and hastily corrected herself.
She then turned around, putting on an obsequious smile:
"Well, if it isn't my most respected boss of the Stellaron Hunters, Elio! Long time no see, little Clara here has missed you sooo much!"
Elio: ...
Ignoring Clara, Elio lifted his noble feline stride and walked to the refrigerator. He opened it, took out a piece of watermelon, and began eating.
Then he spoke slowly:
"In seven days, all of us will head to the City of Sin, Jepella, to complete an important matter."
"City of Sin, Jepella?" Clara muttered to herself, recalling that incredibly handsome family portrait. 'What pose should I strike then?'
She couldn't help but fall into a bout of indecision.
Unaware of Clara's little thoughts, Elio continued: "As for these next seven days, do as you please. Do whatever you want. As long as you return to carry out the mission in seven days, you could even dismantle the Astral Express for all I care."
(I know the City of Sin, Jepella storyline definitely happens before the space station, but this is fanfiction, so let's not worry about such details.)
(Placing the Jepella storyline here doesn't affect the original plot at all.)
(So...)
(Toss out your brain and feel the rush~~~)
"Really?" Upon hearing this, Clara turned to Elio for confirmation.
"Really."
Elio elegantly ate his watermelon, nodding slowly.
Hearing Elio's confirmation, Clara's face instantly broke into a wide smile. She grabbed Firefly's hand beside her and dashed out.
"Firefly, let's go. We're blowing up the Express."
Firefly: ?
Elio: ...
Wait, you're actually serious?
…
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