Chapter 30 Kevin's Birthday Party

"[The mission to clear Dusk Street has come to an end. After being taken over by the Fire Moth, that strange man and the nun have nothing to do with you anymore. Instead of caring about them, you should think about how to deal with Elysia's "weird ideas."]

[…How should I put it? Ever since Elysia recorded your words to Sakura, and she played them around the Fire Moth base non-stop with a loudspeaker, Elysia has come up with more and more "good ideas" for you and Sakura, which has made you and Sakura somewhat distressed and helpless.]

[But fortunately, Elysia is worthy of being Elysia. She still maintains a comfortable degree when getting along with you. Those wonderful "ideas" will not make you feel distressed or embarrassed. You will probably feel that they are a little... subtle.]

[Mobius hasn't been looking for you lately, which makes you feel relieved. On the contrary, Danzhu has been looking for you more often. But she's fine. Just play with her for a while. At most, you need to take a few photos of her and she'll leave... But most of the time, she's dragged back by Mobius.]

[As for Vill-V, she did complete the first " Divine Key" a special weapon built with the "Fifth Herrscher Core" - Hibernation of All Things. However, after the Fire Moth saw its power, it forcibly sealed the weapon, believing that the power of "Hibernation of All Things" was too great, and would not be activated until a candidate who met the standards was found. As a result, the "Divine Key" plan was also stopped.]"

"[Correspondingly, the Fire Moth has increased its investment in the "Fusion Warrior Project", and many people have been scheduled for surgery... Perhaps this is why Mobius hasn't come to see you recently.]

[But even though the Fire Moth increased its investment in the "Fusion Warrior Program", the failure rate of the operation was still there. In the end, only four people became new "Fusion Warriors" one after another.]

[You know three of them, Hen, Kosma, and Dysdopia. This makes you feel a little relieved; at least the people you know survived.]

[As for the last one, you also know her—Aponia, the nun you brought back from "Twilight Street". You speculated that the people above pushed her onto the operating table with the intention of silencing her and taking advantage of her. After all, the failure rate of fusion warrior surgery is there. It's just that they didn't expect Aponia to survive.]

[So far, the Fire Moth has temporarily slowed down the "Fusion Warrior Plan". It's not that there are enough fusion warriors, but the failure rate of the operation is too exaggerated. Too many people have become "failures" due to failed operations. In the end, they have to be transported to the "Deepest Place" for detention or even directly executed. Therefore, this useless loss must be reduced.]

[Perhaps because there are too few fusion warriors, or because the side effects of the surgery on you are too obvious, many people have begun to regard you as "aliens"... Even though they know that you are heroes fighting for humanity, the way they look at you will more or less have some different meanings.]

[It's not so bad for the people inside the Fire Moth. The soldiers trust you, but the other people who don't know the reason are not so friendly. Many people regard you as "monsters". As fusion warriors, you have more or less psychological problems - especially Sakura.]

[When she was dealing with a Honkai, she saved ninety-six people. She remembered it very clearly. She had been running around for several days to deal with the Honkai, and her physical and mental strength were not good. After dealing with all the Honkai beasts exhausted, she used up her last strength to save ninety-six people, including children, from the building that was about to collapse. In the end, she was too exhausted to go downstairs, and was directly thrown to the ground from a height of four floors by the collapsed building. At that time, she didn't even have the strength to stand up, so she could only lie on the ground to rest.]

[She still remembered that a few children came up to look at her curiously. Just when she wanted to smile and comfort them, "It's all right," those children were forcibly dragged away by others.]

[She sat up in confusion and looked around. She was the only one bathing in the pale golden sunset, while the people she had just saved were huddled in the shadow of the ruins, looking at her with terrified eyes, as if they were facing a Honkai beast, and holding their children tightly in their arms, as if they were worried that she would hurt their children.]

[She stood up and wanted to tell them the location of the nearby shelter, but every time she got closer, the survivors' eyes changed a little, from suspicion at first, to disgust, to hatred, and finally to hostility.]

[She didn't understand at the time. She had just saved them, but at this moment they could show such obvious hostility towards her.]

[Finally, she knew, because of her "ears"]

[The survivors focused their attention on the pair of thin ears on top of her head. A child curiously asked about her mother, but the mother just quickly covered the child's mouth and told the child "she is a monster"... Although she was far away and the voice was very soft, she still heard it.]

[Sakura stood there in a daze. For the first time, she felt how tired she was. Her feet were so heavy that she could hardly move, and even breathing seemed a little difficult.]

[At that time, she couldn't leave or stay, so she could only contact the Fire Moth and let other troops take over these survivors.]

[After that, Sakura developed a habit. In front of other people, she hardly dared to move her "ears", not even the slightest tremor, as if she hoped that others would regard them as an alternative ornament. Unfortunately, this move was useless. Those people who were not aware of the situation still regarded her as a "monster", and her efforts were useless.]

[Sakura can only relax a little in front of you and Rin now. At least you and Rin like her "ears" very much.]

[Especially you, you like her furry "ears" very much, and Sakura also knows this. When the two of you are alone together, she will always take the initiative to ask you if you want to touch her "ears". You will naturally agree happily, and Sakura will take the opportunity to sit in your arms and show a little "weakness" to you slightly and appropriately.]

[Sometimes, under your "caress", she would fall asleep in your arms without knowing it, her slender ears unconsciously resting on your neck, occasionally trembling slightly, her furry touch rubbing against the back of your neck, expressing her intimacy.]

[It seems that only in this way can her inner pressure be slightly reduced.]

[You once wanted to give Sakura a hoodie with a bunny ear shape, which would just cover her ears. Sakura gladly accepted it, but never wore it.]

[Compared to concealment, the hearing enhancement brought by the "ears" is more important. This allows her to more keenly capture the movements of the Honkai beasts and more easily hear the survivors' cries for help... Although being called a "monster" again and again puts a lot of psychological pressure on Sakura, she still remembers why she became a "fusion warrior".]

[Besides, she has also found a way to relieve psychological stress...]

[As for the other fusion warriors, they naturally have similar experiences to Sakura. Some people don't mind what others say, such as Hen, while some people bury this pressure deep in their hearts, such as Kevin and Kosma.]

[Of course, there are people who don't care, like you.]

[You really don't care about this. The public's comments are not as good as a word from Elysia or Sakura... They are not even as good as Rin and Griseo. Why do you care about that?]

[As for Elysia, she is a complete "weirdo"... maybe because she is too cute, or because of her lively personality. In short, she is at least not regarded as a "monster" by the public. Although there will still be a certain degree of rejection, compared to others, Elysia's situation is much better.]

[Perhaps because of similar experiences, or perhaps because of the same identity as "Fusion Warriors", the nine of you gradually became familiar with each other and gradually formed a "small circle" that belongs to you all.]

[And today, your "small circle" has a very "important" thing to do.]

——————————

"...Elysia, I don't think this is necessary."

Kevin looked very troubled, but the pink-haired girl behind him didn't give him a chance to resist, but just pushed him forward.

"Oh, don't refuse! Don't talk! Keep moving forward!"

Elysia said this angrily and then pushed Kevin again, but the extreme coldness from Kevin's body made her shiver unconsciously.

"It's so cold!"

"...Elysia, we have more important things to do."

"Huh? The party I threw isn't important?"

"..."

Kevin frowned in distress... Although most of the time what Elysia did was harmless, it was sometimes really frustrating. I don't know how Wang could tolerate Elysia.

"New threats may appear at any time. We have no idea what form the next Herrscher will take..."

Not knowing how to refute Elysia, Kevin could only use official business to persuade her.

"Alright, alright! It's only been a short time since the Seventh Great Honkai, can't you give yourself a day off? Don't push yourself so hard~"

Elysia seemed helpless as well.

"Ah... Kevin, you really are becoming more and more like Mei... Well, would you be secretly happy to hear that?"

"But..."

"You talk a lot, Kevin."

A calm and slightly disgusted voice sounded, and at the same time, Kevin and Elysia also noticed the slightly increased humidity in the air.

Before Kevin turned his head to look in the direction of the sound, he felt a slightly wet touch on his forehead.

Looking up, he could see tentacles formed by azure water gently tapping Kevin's forehead... Apparently, Xiwang was using his "water-like but not water" thing to touch Kevin again. This was also one of the few things that could directly touch Kevin. After all, Xiwang could give "water" the "property" of being difficult to freeze.

"I hope you come too early~ coming out early will disrupt the rhythm..."

Elysia complained coquettishly.

"He's too long-winded. hurry up."

Xiwang responded calmly, controlling the blue water and pushing Kevin hard from behind, causing Kevin to stagger and stand in front of the half-open door.

"..."

'Why do I feel like you two are teaming up to trick me?'

Kevin looked at the half-open door and the dim, unlit room, feeling a little helpless.

"well..."

In the end, Kevin had no choice but to follow their wishes and push open the door in front of him.

Then...

Bang——

"Happy Birthday, Kevin!"

Several firecrackers were fired along with everyone's blessings, and bright light filled the entire room in an instant.

The sudden "surprise" made this "hero" who had never retreated on any battlefield take half a step back. However, just as his feet stretched back and his body wanted to move back, the slightly wet feeling reappeared on his back, forcibly holding back his body.

"Retreat what? Don't tell me you were scared."

Xiwang's calm voice came again, still with a hint of disdain and a somewhat helpless "reminder".

"Besides, you're going to hit someone."

"Thanks a lot, Wang."

"...Mei?"

Kevin turned around and looked at the girl standing behind him, carefully protecting the cake in her hand.

"Happy birthday, Kevin."

Mei slightly pushed her glasses, which had just shifted a little to protect the cake, tilted her head, smiled gently at Kevin, and spoke softly.

And Elysia put a warm blanket on her... Not only is there Kevin, the big air conditioner, but also Xiwang, the super humidifier. If she is not careful, Mei, the weak woman, will get sick.

Other people in the room also came over one after another, surrounding today's protagonist and walking towards the center of the room.

"..."

Kevin blinked and looked at every familiar person in front of him. He was so familiar with them, but at this moment, he felt that they were a little strange.

The first person he saw was Sakura. She was always so eye-catching with her special "ears". She changed into a simple dress today and sat at the dining table with her sister, fiddling with small cherry blossom-shaped cakes. Then, a familiar figure came up to them.

That was naturally Xiwang. Sakura and Rin seemed very happy to see him. Rin pointed at a piece of cherry blossom cake on the table excitedly, looking forward to his praise. Xiwang naturally nodded with a smile and praised him generously. Then Xiwang looked at Sakura again, and Sakura also understood. She found a bottle of light pink cherry blossom wine from the side and put it on the dining table, adding a unique touch to the table.

After doing all this, Sakura and Xiwang looked at each other and smiled, and her long "ears" trembled happily.

Kevin swore that he had never seen Xiwang and Sakura smile like that before... Come to think of it, how could he possibly see that?

At the same time, there was a gift with gorgeous packaging next to it, and a greeting card with blessings from Eden on it. Finally, there was a gift that was obviously a painting, and "Happy Birthday" was written in various colors on the packaging. It was a gift from Griseo.

A beautiful sound came, Kosma was playing the harmonica seriously. After Eden's professional guidance, his performance gradually got on the right track. Although there were still a few notes out of tune occasionally, at least the rhythm would not be disrupted.

Soon, accompanied by the melodious sound of the piano, a long and holy hymn passed over the eardrum and rang directly in Kevin's mind. Kevin soon understood who this voice was - Aponia. She relied on her powerful spirit and special abilities to cross the long distance and project the sound directly into his mind.

He hadn't expected her to be there, in such an unexpected way.

Finally, there was Hen, the man who was decisive on the battlefield, never hesitated, and could laugh and joke even when facing a mission that meant he would die - he was looking at the birthday cake with a frown on his face, as if he was dissatisfied with the placement of a certain candle.

It is really unbelievable that the strongest fighters of Fire Moth and the super geniuses who dominate many scientific research directions of Fire Moth would gather together for the reason of "celebrating someone's birthday".

"Then I'll turn off the lights~"

Elysia's brisk voice sounded, and the lights went out. In the darkness, only the flames on the candles were still flickering and jumping.

"Hey, I hope you won't go so far away~"

"The candle will go out if I get too close."

"It's just a moment, it's okay~ Come on, come on!"

After pulling back someone who had hidden far away without permission, Elysia looked at the fire that had dimmed a little due to moisture and spoke hurriedly.

"Ahem... Then it's time to blow out the candles, Kevin! Don't forget to make a wish! No matter what your wish is, it will come true... hmmmmt?!"

Xiwang quickly stepped forward and covered Elysia's mouth to prevent her from finishing her lines, while reminding her at the same time.

"Elysia, you're stealing the words."

"ah?"

"That should be Dr. Mei's line."

"Hmm? Ah? Eh? Really? Is that so? Is that what is written in the script I gave you?"

Elysia struggled symbolically, and Xiwang naturally let her go. Elysia asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"That's right, Sister Ellie."

Rin blinked and said innocently.

"Hahahaha... Elysia, you haven't even read the script you wrote, have you?"

"I...I must have memorized what I wrote! I...I was just so happy that I just said it! And I haven't said it yet, have I? You reminded me when you visited me!"

Hearing Rin say this to herself, Elysia hurriedly made excuses for her behavior. At the same time, looking at the candlelight that was getting weaker and weaker, she quickly grabbed Mei's arm and shook it anxiously.

"Mei, hurry up and tell me, the candle is going out!"

"Ha ha..."

Mei chuckled and shook her head. It was funny to see Elysia looking more anxious than anyone else, but... one could also feel her concern for everyone.

"Kevin, make a wish."

Mei looked up, met her lover's gaze, smiled, and spoke softly.

"Whatever the wish is, it will come true... I will make it come true."

"...Thanks."

Kevin looked at Mei, then glanced around, and seeing the expectant expressions on his companions' faces, Kevin spoke sincerely.

Then he closed his eyes quite formally, clasped his hands in front of him, silently made a wish in his heart, and then smiled, and under the gaze of everyone, he bent down and blew out the candle before it went out.

"Happy Birthday, Kevin!!!"

Everyone laughed and gave him their blessings."