Columbina glanced down.
Sure enough—since leaving the city, their hands had never parted.
Arlecchino had noticed long ago, but unlike Childe, she was rational enough not to mention it.
After all, though they were all Harbingers, the Tsaritsa had never forbidden romances among them.
Perhaps she thought that those capable of reaching this rank had no such… needs.
And even if they did, it wasn't a matter worth worrying over—so long as it didn't affect Fatui plans.
But Columbina was a special case.
She wasn't even human, and could never truly fall in love with one.
"Why not?"
Su Ran countered instead.
He was holding a girl's hand.
She hadn't refused.
They were both single.
Why would Childe, of all people, object?
He and Columbina were the very image of a perfect pair— talent and beauty combined.
Did a mere battle maniac have any right to interfere?
"…So it's me who spoke out of turn," Childe muttered.
His eyes widened, though.
So soon, and he'd already claimed the most dazzling flower among the Harbingers?
No wonder he'd been able to seize the Doctor's seat the moment he arrived.
This man was truly ferocious.
Childe quietly raised a thumb in admiration.
An accomplishment worthy of respect.
But Columbina pressed her lips together, wondering how she might explain—When Su Ran spoke again.
And nearly knocked both Childe and Arlecchino off their feet.
"It's late. Arlecchino's right, the children should be asleep by now. Let's head back—little Columbina is still waiting for me to tuck her in."
"...Little Columbina?"
Childe nodded on instinct—then froze.
He turned, staring.
"Columbina should hardly be that young anymore… Don't tell me you're some ancient monster?"
"What are you thinking? I don't mean the Columbina beside me. I mean the one in my workshop. Little Columbina looks exactly like her mother~"
Su Ran raised his brows, giving him a knowing look.
Childe's mind spun straight off course.
What?! Already? In just a few days? They even have a child?
Had he… overslept for a year?
Arlecchino, too, fixed Su Ran with a doubtful look.
Even if Columbina was unusual, surely she couldn't give birth in mere days?
"If you've got time, you should both visit my workshop. Little Columbina and the others love having aunts and uncles drop by."
Su Ran extended the invitation warmly.
Aside from the Doctor and Scaramouche, he was on friendly terms with most of the Harbingers.
"…Not just one?"
Now it wasn't only Childe— even Arlecchino was shaken.
"There are five~"
He shot her a meaningful glance.
Let her chew on that.
The two of them stood rooted, watching Su Ran lead Columbina back toward the city.
"…Looks like you're not the only Harbinger with children anymore," Childe muttered.
The strange atmosphere made him toss out a half-hearted joke.
But it didn't earn so much as a smile from Arlecchino.
"Didn't expect it—you're a bit of a mischief-maker yourself," Su Ran said as they walked back to his workshop.
"I just think it's fun."
Columbina didn't deny it.
When he'd spoken of "children," her thoughts had drifted to the five little figures in his workshop— herself, Rosalyne, Sandrone, Arlecchino, and even the Tsaritsa.
Rosalyne and Her Majesty already knew of them.
Sandrone and Arlecchino did not.
Drawing them out to see those little ones… would be amusing.
Especially Sandrone, the shut-in.
It had been so long since Columbina had seen her outside.
She missed her.
If Su Ran's creations could lure her from her cold workshop, it would be worth it.
Look at him— clearly the same type of researcher, yet capable of interacting with people.
Sandrone, by contrast, was a pitiful child, bound only to her machines.
And unlike his adorable works, hers were… hardly endearing.
So Columbina had simply gone along, smiling as if the children were real.
Her perfect act had left Childe and Arlecchino utterly convinced.
"I wonder what Arlecchino's face will look like when she sees a child version of herself?"
Su Ran rubbed his chin, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
Unlike the children of the House of the Hearth, Arlecchino-chan was his creation.
Not only her master—he was her father.
If the real Arlecchino accepted her as a child…
would she see herself as the mother?
It was possible. After all, this wasn't one of her orphans.
But perhaps not.
Arlecchino-chan recognized Su Ran as her master, her father.
That didn't mean she'd accept her "prototype" as a mother.
She, too, was strong-willed.
"Having such a lookalike child… Arlecchino should be pleasantly surprised, no?"
Columbina's bright outlook led her to expect the best.
Their path wound closer to his workshop.
Her steps slowed, hesitation creeping in.
"…Inside your workshop, is there really only one bed?"
Though she wasn't human, she still knew shame.
"You're the one who wanted to stay, aren't you? I'll be leaving Snezhnaya in three days. Isn't one bed enough for you? Besides, I am a handsome guy. I don't mind."