If you kiss in Mewtwo, does it count as a real-life kiss?
Mercer pondered for a long time and decided: it doesn't count.
At most, it's just an interaction of brainwave data... it doesn't count!
Besides, does kissing a cheek even count as a real kiss?
Definitely not.
You could only say it's just an open foreign-style greeting level of interaction.
He found a casual reason to fool himself, then nonchalantly turned over, too lazy to get out of bed.
The pillow still bore her scent... Lucy had switched to another shampoo, probably a floral fragrance of some sort.
Mercer turned away from the scent again, then lazily dozed off until Kyoko came over excitedly.
"Mercer! Did you get the Super Dream Headband!?"
She exclaimed excitedly, "Do you have time now? Let's watch a movie together! I've held off watching it early just to watch with you!"
Mercer didn't bother to change locations: "Sure!"
Without a word, Kyoko jumped over. She really regarded Mercer as an older brother, and Mercer treated her the same way.
She giggled and nudged Mercer, "Move over a bit... let's watch the sequel to the one you saw before first!"
"Alright."
Mercer made space for her, and Kyoko quickly lay down, plugged in, switched cards, and after pulling out the Moon Mewtwo one, she couldn't help but glance at the name on the Mewtwo.
"You and Lucy just watched this? Was it fun?"
She asked curiously.
Mercer remained calm, "It's good. Next time, you can play with Lucy... Come on, let's start watching, after one movie, I have to get up and prepare for work."
"Okay!" Kyoko couldn't wait any longer. She quickly inserted the chip, and before Mercer could respond, she started Mewtwo and immersed herself in it.
Unlike the game-like interactive Mewtwo experience with Lucy, the experience of watching a movie together in Mewtwo was not much different from watching alone.
The only difference was that they could chat with each other while watching the movie.
Kyoko seemed extremely excited. Whenever a Sailor Moon did some move like a "Sailor Moon Light Wave" in the Mewtwo movie, she'd mimic the Sailor Moon and shout along in the brainwave.
She would occasionally give Mercer intense commentary, like explaining some Sailor Moon's special moves or who the actor was...
Well, Mercer didn't really mind this feeling.
After the movie finished, Kyoko reluctantly exited the Mewtwo with Mercer.
Mercer subconsciously glanced at the blanket covering his stomach — great, this time he successfully controlled his own will.
Uh, or maybe it was because of Kyoko's chatter that he didn't fully engage with the emotions and visuals in Mewtwo?
"It was so thrilling, the big villain in this one was way tougher than the one we saw before, could even shoot Black Death Light Waves..."
Kyoko was still chattering, but Lucy's voice came from the doorway, "Alright, Kyoko, he has work tonight."
"I know..."
She sighed, coming down from her excitement, and looked at Mercer, speaking like a little adult, "Mercer, don't push yourself too hard... isn't it nice that we all live together here?
We can sing by the campfire every day, and there's an auntie teaching me how to dance, it's so fun.
You don't need to stress too much, we can take it slow."
She came over wanting Mercer to relax, to not be so tense.
Mercer thought about it carefully, and indeed, he's been busy these past two days.
But... he didn't have any intention to rest.
As the big brother, that's the way it is. Only if he does enough will those under him get to enjoy life. If he goes to enjoy life, then those under him would have to suffer.
"You don't need to worry about me... I'm not an idiot, I'll rest when I'm tired." Mercer reached out to pat her hair, watching Lucy bring over a big bowl of stew, and his expression turned a bit painful.
The Adcardans have such a tough life, what good things could they eat...
More canned vegetable stew.
Mercer took the big bowl of stew, eating while saying, "Once there's a place to stay in the city, you all can meet my new teammates.
By then, I'll see if I can buy some nice things, and we all can have a good meal together."
"Okay... but..." Lucy looked worried, "Isn't it too soon? Wouldn't it be better to observe them a bit longer?"
"Don't worry, I've got a good eye, I only pick reliable ones. If it comes to the worst, you can help me check them out, right?"
After Mercer said this, Lucy was noncommittal, "You haven't told them about us, right?"
"Actually, no one even knows what I look like, so you better not spill the beans. I'm like the team leader right now; if they found out my real age, it wouldn't be good for teaching them."
Lucy and Kyoko nodded without saying more.
First, trust.
Even though it seemed Mercer's recruitment was a bit hasty, Lucy still decided to trust him first, planning to observe patiently for a while before making an assessment.
Lucy also patted Kyoko's head, "Go eat, Mitch is telling his stories by the campfire, I heard a bit, it's quite interesting."
"Alright! You two... have fun chatting!" Kyoko giggled, winked at Lucy and Mercer, and cheekily bounced away.
Thanks to her, the air between the two seemed slightly awkward.
But only for a moment, as Mercer naturally said, "I'm going deep diving later to support V technically, keep an eye out for me."
"Sure, I'll keep watch... and no ignoring my messages this time."
After Lucy saw him finish his meal, she took the dishes out for washing, then returned to help him check the equipment, ensuring everything was in order before assisting him with the cord for deep diving.
Their relationship seemed to have shifted a little, yet remained unchanged.
As usual.