[You held a funeral for the old Director. After her burial, Aponia naturally took over the responsibilities of the Sanatorium.]
[Over the next four months, you heard from Godfather Anderson that large-scale disasters had broken out in several other places, and a new type of infectious disease had appeared.]
[You knew that Anderson was talking about the Honkai Sickness, but there was nothing you could do about it.]
[Even after numerous simulations, you and Mobius still hadn't found a solution to the Honkai Sickness, aside from becoming a MANTIS or possessing naturally high adaptability.]
[Fortunately, the children in the Sanatorium now had significantly improved resistance to Honkai energy, and the Honkai Sickness would not harm them.]
[One day, Aponia came looking for you again.]
---o---
"Priest, are you there?"
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking was slow and soft, just like its owner—as gentle and docile as the flutter of a butterfly's wing, yet impossible to ignore, reaching straight into one's heart.
Ever since the old Director passed away, Aponia's talent seemed to have grown even stronger.
"Sister Nia? You're here so early? Is something the matter?" Pushing the door open, Fu Li looked at Aponia, a little surprised.
Since becoming the new director, Aponia had become very busy. Aside from coming to the church on the Sabbath, she spent nearly all her time taking care of the children.
"It's like this, Priest. I have a request," Aponia said, a bit embarrassed, after taking a seat.
Fu Li was slightly taken aback but didn't mind, offering a kindly smile.
"Sister Nia, there's no need to beat around the bush between us. Just tell me what's on your mind."
A glass of warm milk was pushed toward Aponia, slightly easing the young woman's awkwardness.
"Um, I know it's impolite, but I was wondering if it would be possible to move some of the current children into the church. They are all very well-behaved."
Noticing Fu Li's surprise, Aponia bit her lip, her hands fidgeting restlessly.
"The thing is, a lot of homeless orphans have arrived in Twilight Street recently. I want to take them in, but they all seem to be carrying a strange disease."
"I… I can't just leave those children to fend for themselves, but if they stay with the Sanatorium's children, I'm afraid of infection, so…"
As she spoke, Aponia's gentle voice trailed off, making her seem utterly endearing.
"Is that all?" Seeing the young woman's predicament, Fu Li nodded in understanding.
"Of course, that's no problem, Sister Nia. They are pitiful children as well. Taking them in is absolutely the right thing to do."
"Thank you, Priest." Hearing his answer, Aponia breathed a sigh of relief. When she looked at Fu Li, a new layer of tenderness appeared in her eyes.
She herself didn't know when it had started, nor did she know where the [absolute] persuasiveness in her words came from.
But when it came to this young man, Fu Li, she could sense that he wasn't obeying her because of some strange ability.
He was like a big kid who would do anything for her, helping her selflessly, often to his own detriment.
It was a little embarrassing to admit, but along with her gratitude toward Fu Li, she also felt a strange sense of control, which brought her a sliver of pleasure.
It was a feeling she had never experienced with anyone else. That made Fu Li special—the most special person to her.
"When are you planning to send them over?" Fu Li picked up another glass of milk and took a sip, curious.
"Hmm… tomorrow, I think. I need to pack their things today," Aponia replied after a moment's thought, giving him a rough timeline.
"Sounds good." Fu Li nodded. "I'll have Vera and the others clear out a residence here. As for food, that's no problem at all. You can come visit them anytime."
"Thank you, then, Priest."
"It's no trouble, Sister Nia."
With that matter settled, Aponia rose from her chair, gave a slight bow, and headed outside.
Watching her leave, Fu Li let out a subtle sigh and closed the wooden door.
As expected, what was meant to happen would happen. The next step was to have Anderson and his people start paying closer attention to the MOTHs Who Chase the Flame.
---o---
[You, along with Vera and the other nuns, spent a day clearing out a large room, purchasing some wooden beds and basic living supplies.]
[In the evening, after finishing your work, you went to the Sanatorium to talk with the children there.]
[Unexpectedly, although the children were reluctant to leave, they had been taught to be just as kind as Aponia and readily agreed to move to the church.]
[Aponia also promised them that she would make time to visit them every day.]
[Because of Aponia's promise, you also felt happy at the thought of being able to see her every day.]
[The next day, the children moved into the church, with Vera taking charge of their care.]
[Meanwhile, the new children afflicted with the Honkai Sickness were taken into the Sanatorium by Aponia.]
[For three months, you continuously added anti-Honkai medicine to the food you delivered, and the children's health improved remarkably.]
---o---
It was a bright and sunny morning.
Inside the Sanatorium, Aponia sat on a wooden chair while the little ones sat obediently around the garden pond.
"What story would you like to hear today?"
"How about 'The Nightingale at the End of the World'?"
Her slender fingers gently turned the pages of the storybook as Aponia asked for the children's opinions with a light smile.
"No, we've already heard that one eight hundred times," one child objected.
"Then what about 'Kalpas, the Boy Who Loved to Laugh'?"
Aponia's tone was as gentle as ever.
"Eight hundred and one times," another child added, dealing a critical blow.
"…" Aponia pressed her lips together, feeling a bit helpless for a moment.
Just then, a cheerful voice broke the stalemate.
"Well then, would you like to hear a story about the little sprite of Twilight Street?"
"Hm?" Hearing the voice, Aponia turned her head. "Priest, what brings you here?"
"Hehe, I just finished hearing a confession, and Godfather Anderson happened to send over some top-quality snowflake beef, so I brought it over for you all."
As he spoke, Fu Li walked over and patted a few of the children on the head.
"How have you all been? Have you been making Sister Aponia angry?"
"No way! We've been very good, Brother Priest!"
"That's right, Brother Priest! We've listened to everything Sister Aponia said! So… do you have any more of that candy from last time?"
The children grew excited the moment they saw Fu Li.
Clearly, for children their age, delicious treats were far more tempting than stories they had heard countless times.
"Sigh." Seeing this, Aponia very naturally took the beef.
"I'll go cook, then. Priest, I'll leave these handfuls to you."
"Mhm, leave them to me."
After waving Aponia off, one of the children suddenly spoke up, nudging the others.
"Um, Brother Priest, when are you going to confess to Sister Aponia?"
"Yeah, yeah! Brother Priest, Sister Aponia is so pretty! If you don't confess soon, someone else might snatch her away!"
The children's logic was simple. Although Fu Li brought them treats every time he visited, he only came every few days.
If Fu Li and Aponia got together, he would surely come by every day, and that would mean even more delicious food.
"How old are you all? Stop letting your minds run wild all day."
Looking at the group of children, Fu Li exasperatedly ruffled their heads, handing out candies to each of them before putting on the air of an elder.
"Do you still want to hear the story about the little sprite of Twilight Street or not?"
"We do!"
"Then be good. Your Priest is about to begin."
Sitting down on the wooden chair, Fu Li looked at the rows of seated children and began to tell the story of Pardofelis.
And in the kitchen, Aponia watched Fu Li's back and sighed softly.
His threads… they're becoming chaotic again…