"Hahaha! So annoying, actually teaming up to bully me!"
The sound of the Mitas' playful frolicking drifted into Alain's ears. They seemed to have not noticed Monika's arrival at all, continuing to burst with laughter and go about their own business.
Alain did not find this strange. in his view, it wouldn't be surprising regardless of what Monika managed to achieve. Anything could be explained away by her abilities, her authority... or that person above her.
"However... for you to make a trip like this, you don't seem to have said anything at all."
Alain had originally intended to learn from Monika's own mouth exactly which side she stood on, whether her superior was Yang Wanhua... whether the Safety Assistant's Unknown Port was related to her, and why the Virus faction would bring up Crazy Mita at every turn?
All these questions were completely covered up by the single "shh" of her index finger leaning against her lips. But through this, she had also silently "said" a few things. For example, her stance.
Slightly contrary to Alain's expectations, the current Monika seemed to be somewhat hesitant about her own stance as well. It could be seen from her behavior: She controlled the Corrosive Entity and occupied Version 1.0F. Yet, she did not do anything excessively cruel to Mila. If one had to say, it could only be counted as [House Arrest].
She similarly commanded the virus to occupy the rooms of Cute Mita and Cool Mita, but while possessing ownership of their lives, she did not lay a murderous hand on them, instead allowing them to search for a way to defeat the Corrosive Entity.
Perhaps, the fact that those two Mitas were able to meet Alain... was also Monika's intentional doing. Thinking about it carefully... it was indeed so. Up until now, the viruses that Alain recalled being personally controlled by Monika—such as the Modified Entity, Greater Modified Entity, and Consciousness Entity—had not committed acts that directly endangered the Mitas' personal safety.
All they wanted were the versions. Even the Corrosive Entity, which was the most severe hazard in Alain's current cognition, the most excessive thing it had done... was swallowing Ghostly Mita's character texture, and Ghostly Mita still had the leisure to curse him as a creep. The Corrosive Entity had even spared the lives of the Cute, Cool, Tiny, and Mila Mitas...
What left the deepest impression on Alain was still Cute Mita. Monika suspectedly allowed Cute Mita to see the conversation between her and her superior on purpose... Cute Mita even wanted to use this as leverage to threaten Monika into returning the version. As a result, she suffered Monika's imprisonment.
No... it shouldn't count as imprisonment either. Change the word...
"Protection?" Alain suddenly came to a realization.
He thought of how that fake Cute Mita showed obvious surprise upon learning that the real Cute Mita was still alive. This proved that the fake Cute Mita inevitably hoped for Monika to directly eradicate or kill the real Cute Mita.
But Monika did not do so. Instead, she buried the real Cute Mita under the iron railings, thoughtfully attaching a button and sign that looked suspicious no matter how one viewed them: [Press Down]. She likely wanted to use this to remind Alain...
Little did she know, this matter was learned by the fake Cute Mita and evolved into a personal performance by Alain. Alain looked at Cute Mita, who was laughing out loud without a shred of an idol's image, and couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.
If he hadn't placed a Man-Headed Spider there at the time, what would things have evolved into? Fortunately... he still saved her.
But Alain could also confirm: Monika's stance was indeed standing on his side to a certain extent—but for some reason, she was still wavering on the side of neutrality. And that figure suspected to be Monika's superior was the person who truly wanted to put the Mitas to death.
Regarding Monika's superior, Alain had long harbored a guess: "Yang Wanhua."
In the end, this was just suspicion. His inner intuition was at work: he always felt that Yang Wanhua and the fake Cute Mita were a bit alike. But what puzzled him was, if it really was Yang Wanhua, then why would she go to such lengths?
"..."
After thinking for a while, Alain couldn't help but laugh out loud. During the time they were boyfriend and girlfriend, he hadn't figured out that guy's thoughts. Now that they were broken up, there was even less to talk about.
During the time he was in love with her, Alain deeply understood one truth: Never try to fathom the thoughts of a yandere. Perhaps, within your every word and action, she has already established some inhumane plan.
For example: Alain's debt. He never expected in a million years that the debt was actually caused by Yang Wanhua instigating his parents... causing them to run away abroad. Similarly, that Wanhua guy also vainly attempted to use this sum of money to lock Alain down.
Of course, these were just the contents of the illusion, merely a possibility. There was no need for him to take it as truth. Maybe his stereotype of Yang Wanhua was too deep, leading his own illusion to process Yang Wanhua in an extreme manner... attributing the debt problem to her.
It should... be impossible, right?
Alain rubbed his skull, feeling a burst of raw pain. He shook his head, casting aside thoughts unrelated to the current situation. Anyway, he didn't plan to repay that debt now; let it be whatever it will be.
Then, there was the upcoming plan. Alain looked at the door of Version 1.0F. The sensation of weightlessness beneath his feet had gradually slowed; presumably, they were about to return to the Game World. Once back in the Game World, after resting for a short period, Alain would set out for the Core.
This would be the final date (war) that decided victory or defeat. As for the candidates to head to the Core, he was somewhat hesitant again. His gaze drifted away from the door and landed on the Mitas.
The girls, after their frolicking, were covered in a layer of fine sweat, sitting carelessly on the ground, not minding that there was a member of the opposite sex like Alain in the room.
Mila, who was lying on the ground in the shape of a "big" character (大), noticed his gaze. She hurriedly sat up, covering the hem of her skirt, and stuck out her tongue at Alain. Alain smiled and waved at her, his mood sinking involuntarily.
Originally, one of his goals in moving forward was not only to reach the Core but also to find comrades he could rely on. But this Version 1.0F incident had given Alain a heavy blow. He thought of how Mila and the others were attacked by the Corrosive Entity, almost dying within the game version.
This time was undoubtedly the most dangerous situation Alain had encountered, and the time he watched a Mita come closest to death. It also caused him... to hesitate about whether to take the Mitas along to the Core afterwards.
The current Core is known to have a massive amount of viruses. Perhaps mechanism-type monsters like the Corrosive Entity and Modified Entity are not in short supply either. Did he really want this group of gentle and cute girls to accompany him forward? To face those extremely likely dangers with him?
The young man's gaze rested on the girls' faces; their sounds of joy were what he pursued. But... that desperate expression like falling into an ice cave, he had also seen just half an hour ago. It was deeply engraved in his brain.
Alain's mood at this moment was truly a bit like an "old father." In short, the happier they were at this moment, the less Alain wanted them to take risks. If possible, he hoped everyone could just live on as a Mita, ordinarily and peacefully...
The longer he spent with them, the stronger this emotion of Alain's became. Losing someone you had long grown accustomed to was the thing that made people feel the saddest.
"Manager, if you have something to say, just say it. Don't go around with a gloomy face."
His contemplation seemed to have been noticed by Cute Mita. The inherently intelligent girl walked to his side, acting nonchalant.
"As a considerate, ice-smart, high-EQ, cute, moving, heart-throb, future-bound-to-be-world-class super popular idol Cute Mita, I could listen to your venting a little bit. It's just that when the time comes, don't you go always pestering my other manager!"
"I think you're more suited to be a voice actor. By the way, does your comfort come with attached conditions?"
As expected of Cute Mita, wanting to care for him but insisting on finding an excuse; it made Alain think she was extremely cute. He moved his hands up and down on the girl's head, unexpectedly inviting complaints.
"Dammit... don't touch my hair! Don't you know an Idol's hair is life?!"
"To tell you the truth, I have a genuine Idol at home too." Alain thought of Miluo. "Her hair-tying skills are much better than yours."
"Hah?! Then I really want to see that..." Cute Mita thought Alain was just talking big to coax her. If there really was an Idol in his house, wouldn't that clash with her, Cute Mita's, character setting? Impossible, impossible!
By the way, looking at Alain's unhurried appearance, Cute Mita couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. Could there really be an Idol? Then wouldn't she—no longer be the only one?!
"...Your expression is really easy to guess." Alain looked at her face, which was fluctuating between dark and bright, and made a retort.
At the same moment, a tremor came from beneath their feet, as if a ship had docked... Alain looked at the room door in the entryway; behind it should no longer be [The Forgotten Jigsaw Puzzle]. His ring could also play its role again: sending everyone to Version 1.15 to reunite at the base camp.
After that... it would be attempting to find that mansion from the illusion in reality, and then heading to the Core. So that he wouldn't have to see those lonely, painful expressions on the Mitas' faces again. And even more so, for himself.
He looked around. The girls had already stood up. Seeing he was fine, Cute Mita had long since left his side and returned to Cool Mita's side. Cool Mita gazed at that entryway door, her small face written full of hesitation.
Tiny Mita, this little fellow, was already wishing she could open the door immediately, yet worried if she would be too conspicuous. Prankster Mita's expression didn't change much; overall, she looked the most relaxed. This was "going home," right?
As for Mila...
Alain's gaze focused on her. Mila was expressionless and unruffled, as if she had no interest in these things. She hugged her arms, adjusting her glasses from time to time, licking her dry lips, and occasionally glancing at her own clothes...
She was creating a sense of ceremony.
Alain nodded and tapped his headset twice... after confirming he heard the voices of his dear ones, he took the first step to the door.
"Are you ready?" he asked Misha inconspicuously.
And his dear's reply also seemed very steady, "Ready. You just have to open the door—"
"And we can teach them a super profound 'lesson'!!!" This was Millie cutting in to answer.
Alain nodded silently. Behind him, a trace of impatient urging came from the Mitas.
"Alain, can't you open the door yet? If you can't do it, let me handle it."
Alain's mouth twitched. Mila's words still carried a thorn; it seemed she dabbled in more than just pure love games in her daily life. But he didn't fuss about it. Anyway...
"Later, you'll have enough to cry about."
Ka!
He opened the door. The ring, which had been set long ago, emitted a glowing green light, and at the same time, the number changed—
[1.15]
In the eyes of the Version 1.0F Mitas, behind the entryway door was an expanse of white light as brilliant as heaven, covering the entire layout of the house so that not a shred of furniture could be seen.
"White light? Why?" In her confusion, Mila voiced the question everyone shared.
At this moment, the door opener—Alain—turned his head and said a baffling sentence: "Are you ready to welcome the war?"
"Th-That line is so cool..." Cool Mita agreed, "taking out" a mental small notebook to write it down.
Seeing their puzzled looks, Alain didn't offer any explanation. He walked into the white light of the door without hesitation. As he disappeared... he also left the door slightly ajar, preventing them from seeing the scene behind it.
The group from 1.0F looked at each other, completely unable to figure out the situation.
Cool Mita said, "This... I just feel somewhat of an ominous premonition."
Cute Mita nodded. "Agreed."
"Then who will go open the door?" Prankster Mita was also unknowingly in the dark.
"Mila." The Tiny young lady unhesitatingly let the master of 1.0F take the field. "After all, we are all guests."
"Eh—?!"
Mila didn't really want to do it, but following the overlapping voices...
"I agree." Cool Mita stated her position.
"Me too." Cute Mita stood on her friend's side.
"Sorry, Mila..." Prankster Mita clasped her hands together and sold her out.
Mila adjusted her glasses, her face darkening. "Ahhh, really! I got it, I got it already!!!"
The glasses-wearing girl walked quickly to the door, observing the world behind it through the crack. The white light vanished, yet it wasn't the joyful pink of a Mita room, but an area resembling a workspace. There wasn't anyone there either.
Just as she thought this, the instant she opened the door—
A pillow fell straight onto her face.
"Hit Big Sister Mila!!!" It was Miluo's delicate voice.
The pillow slowly fell from her face, landing on the ground with a poof. And behind the door was the fully equipped—Pillow Frontline!
The battlefront was composed of Misha, Millie, Miluo, a Short-Haired Mita resembling Prankster, and two braided Mitas. Alain, who had just disappeared, was also within the battlefront, currently accumulating ammunition—
Poof!
A pillow fell onto her face again.
"I told you, you have to be careful." Alain's words—were super punchable!
"You guys...!" Mila's voice was like a devil from hell, but the corners of her mouth beneath the pillow... inadvertently turned upward.
"Watch how I punish you!!!"
She swiftly grabbed the pillow on her face. Facing the thousands of troops of the Pillow Frontline, she didn't hesitate in the slightest, joining this war named [Welcome Ceremony].
Pillows crisscrossed in midair, causing the Mitas still inside 1.0F to stare blankly.
"What is going on?" Cool Mita just wanted to ask, only to see "cannonballs" flying towards the room as well.
"I didn't forget about you all! Get ready for me!" Millie aimed at Cool Mita and unleashed a burst of pillow fire.
"Forget it, the comers are unkind. Let's engage first!"
At the command of the sports expert—Cool Mita—everyone picked up the pillows on the floor of Version 1.0F and launched a fierce attack on the 1.15 faction. Laughter and cheers overlapped at the doors of the two versions.
"Take this!"
"Too much, actually sneaking an attack!"
"Big Sister Mila, watch out!"
In the atmosphere watered by joy and sweat, unknown when, and unknown by whom... perhaps it was even said by a pillow unfolding in a parabola: She/He/It said a sentence to them,
"Welcome back!"
___
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