"Perhaps you can. I believe in you, Zane."
Shin's words echoed in his ears, though Zane knew Shin hadn't been entirely serious when she said them.
Winning people over was easy; winning their hearts was another matter entirely. Especially not the resolute soldiers of the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe.
Clearing his head, Zane glanced toward the tanuki house nearby, its lights still on. He raised a brow.
Nekomata? The Hare's House has likely been anything but quiet these past two days.
He stepped up to the door of the tanuki house, pushed it open, and peered inside. A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"Senior?"
"So late... why are you—"
"Why wouldn't I be here?"
"What's this? You look surprised. Don't want me to come by?"
Qingyi gently set down the kitten in her arms, lifted her head to meet Zane's gaze, and smiled faintly.
"Of course not."
Zane stepped inside, shaking his head. After all, aside from Nekomata and himself as the owner, only Qingyi had a key. How could he possibly not want her here?
Behind him, Panta casually closed the door and quickly ran off to play with the little black cat. It had only returned today to play, and they were heading out again tomorrow.
"Tsk. It's rare to finally have some free time. The Dead End Hollow business has wrapped up, and the areas it swallowed are gradually being restored into city streets. A whole chain of related issues has settled down with it."
"The Sheriff's Office is still busy, but the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team actually has more free time than before. Tomorrow happens to be a holiday, too."
Qingyi rose, stretching as she supported one arm with the other, her slender waist arching as she moved. The two crimson marks on her skin stood out starkly.
"Oh, right. Zhu Yuan's birthday is tomorrow. She's heading home and invited me... the members of the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, and... you."
"So, what do you say? Want to come with me tomorrow?"
Qingyi smiled, her eyes lingering on Zane as naturally as always after mentioning Zhu Yuan.
The tanuki house was softly lit, its warmth steady. A few cats darted past, chasing one another. The place gave off a sense of quiet reassurance.
"Zhu Yuan's birthday... Senior, you came here just to tell me that?"
Zane blinked. He was planning to head to Hollow Zero tomorrow, but carving out time wasn't impossible.
"Not just for that..."
"When is it?"
Zane came back to himself, asking the question. Qingyi froze for a moment before replying softly,
"Senior, what did you just say?"
Qingyi smiled faintly, then continued,
"It's nothing. Zhu Yuan is hosting a banquet for her birthday, so arriving before evening will be fine. But if you've got something important, you don't need to go."
"I can explain it to her for you."
She had naturally picked up on something in Zane's hesitation and phrased it that way on purpose.
"Time should be enough. Then, Master, will you pick me up here tomorrow afternoon?"
Zane thought for a moment, then looked at her with a smile.
"Mm... alright."
Qingyi had no reason to refuse. She nodded her agreement. Two kittens tugged playfully at her feet, and with a soft laugh she bent down to tease them again.
Zane didn't pay it much mind. After tidying himself up a little, something came to mind. He turned to Qingyi.
"Senior, there's something I need to discuss with you."
"Oh? What is it?"
She looked up at him in mild surprise. Zane was usually decisive—rarely did he ask her advice. Unless... this matter involved her.
"Senior, I went to the Mars District a few days ago—the old Defense Force garrison. Underneath, there's a massive underground facility."
"I spoke with the person in charge there. You'll know the name: Professor Muse."
"Professor Muse? The one famous for mechanical research? I do have plenty of data on him..."
Qingyi responded lightly. Her information reserves were vast—though not quite as exhaustive as Fairy's digging, they were more than comprehensive enough.
"So what did you want to ask?"
"Senior, I want to ask you something."
Zane's gaze locked onto hers, his tone serious.
"If you had the chance to become human—not an Advanced Automaton anymore—what would you choose?"
Qingyi froze, realizing what he was really asking.
For a few seconds, she stayed silent, then spoke with a question of her own.
"And what about you? What would you choose?"
The moment she said it, a thought struck her. Maybe she already knew the answer.
Before Zane could reply, Qingyi added,
"Zane, this is for you to decide."
Her eyes drifted from him back to the kittens, her words soft but clear in his ears.
"Senior, I can't make that kind of decision."
Zane spread his hands in helplessness. But Qingyi only smiled faintly and said,
"Truth is, even though I'm an Advanced Automaton, I'm not as clever as you in some things... That's why I believe in you. The choice you make will be the best one."
Hearing that, Zane's expression tightened. Master, the way you put it like that, you're really piling the pressure on me!
Seeing his troubled look, Qingyi suddenly chuckled.
"Mm... My disciple looks quite troubled."
"Senior, how could I not be, when you leave such a decision to me..."
Zane sighed. He might wish it were so, but the choice wasn't simple.
For Qingyi, if her Automaton body became human, making her truly human... in principle, nothing would really change. Same mind, same thoughts, same actions—the only real difference would be the body itself.
But she would lose much in the exchange.
First, her longevity. Automatons endured far longer than flesh, and their bodies were not bound to one vessel.
Second, physical condition. Humans fell ill, which was troublesome. But if an Automaton broke down, it was simply a matter of repair—replacing parts.
There were other differences too, like humans needing bodily functions while Automatons did not...
Zane realized his thoughts had started drifting and shook his head quickly to clear them. Qingyi was still smiling gently at him.
"Senior..."
"Call me Master."
After a pause, Qingyi continued,
"Honestly, you don't need to overthink it. There's no urgency, right? Just let it unfold naturally..."
Her smile was soft, her tone light. Hearing this, Zane could only nod.
Let it be. They had time.
"Disciple, I came to see you straight after taking the day off. Don't you have something to show for it?"