Father and Daughter

Santa Fe, New Mexico.

"This should be the place, right?"

Himeko looked around as she examined the blurry photos on her phone.

"But here..."

Is that the one?

Yang glanced casually at the poster for "Magic Mecha Alarahato" on the building.

"... Movie posters?"

"Ah, the movie that will be released in two months, the movie version of 'Magic Mecha Alarahato', the movie theaters should have already put up the posters long ago."

"... What's this all about!?"

Didn't I tell you this already?

Liu Bai yawned.

"That thing looks like Arahata... Instead of spending that time making a model, I could take a picture of it that looks exactly like the one on your phone in no time."

"..."

Himeko silently raised her phone—as if looking at it this way would allow her to see it more clearly.

"... So, the money spent on the plane ticket and taxi fare was all wasted?"

Himeko said, feeling very dejected.

"Next time I do something like that, pull me back! Can't my Guardian Spirit bless me with abundant wealth?"

Am I the God of Wealth of some place?

Liu Bai couldn't help but rub his forehead.

"But since we're already here, Yang, why don't you treat us?"

"..."

I didn't try to take advantage of you, but you're the one taking advantage of me, aren't you?

What's wrong with Alliance Leader? Does Alliance Leader mean you can do whatever you want?

Yang stared blankly at the air before him, and then... succumbed to power.

Well, the Alliance Leader can do whatever he wants.

"... I happen to know a nice restaurant here, let's go together."

"Ha... I feel like I really lost out today..."

Himeko sighed and lamented in the inn.

"You got a free meal, so stop sighing all the time."

Liu Bai glanced at Himeko.

"How about we do something more productive?"

"What important business is it? Let me make this clear beforehand, I have no interest in studying right now."

"..."

Liu Bai twitched the corner of his mouth, speechless.

There aren't many forms of entertainment available these days.

However, on the other hand, Liu Bai didn't want to get involved in this matter at all. To put it bluntly, the problem at this time was just a scout planet plus Murata Ryunosuke. It wasn't a small matter, but it wasn't a big one either. With Joyce, Leanna, and a bunch of top scientists assisting them, if they still couldn't solve it, then they would have lived in vain.

"I think you're pretty free... how about trying to knit a sweater with some yarn?"

"... This is the first time someone has asked me to do something like this."

What kind of sweater are you knitting?!

Do you think I look like the kind of person who would knit a sweater?

"If you don't know how, you can learn." Himeko plopped down on the bed. "Anyway, you're not really that useful as a Guardian Spirit."

"So you're useless just because you're not the Earth God, not Doraemon, and not the God of Wealth? You're really greedy in every sense of the word, Himeko," Liu Bai retorted.

"So, don't you think it's pretty embarrassing for you to be a supernatural being?" Himeko was so bored she was rolling around on the bed. "Give me something useful."

"Sorry, we don't have that kind of thing."

"... You can think about it for a moment before you refuse."

"Hehe."

"How boring." Himeko continued rolling around on the bed. "Aren't you bored?"

"I find it quite amusing to watch you roll around on the bed—or rather, just tell me what you're up to."

"Hmm... how about telling me an interesting story? You old-fashioned person must have a lot of stories to tell, right?"

"A story? Okay, once upon a time, there was a temple, and in the temple..."

"Stop, stop, stop! Do you really think I haven't heard this story before? Aren't there any more vivid, interesting stories, preferably related to aliens?"

"You really are ungrateful, Himeko."

Liu Bai was somewhat displeased.

"But since that's the case... well, how about I tell you a story about a race called the 'Hughess'? I only know the general outline, but it's still worth hearing, isn't it?"

On the other hand, Himeko really can't stay completely out of the situation that's been happening lately.

"Of course I'm willing to listen if you want to talk about it... but since you've said that, does that mean there really are aliens in the world?"

Himeko's face revealed a mischievous look unique to young girls—seven parts mischievousness and three parts coquettishness.

It makes people unable to feel angry.

Himeko is incredibly endearing right now.

"Guess," Liu Bai glanced at Himeko, "Then I'll begin my story..."

"Nancy, has Arahata been exposed over there?"

"No." In the wilderness laboratory, Nancy calmly processed the documents in her hands. "I heard you asked Ryoma to help you fool your student. So, did she give up?"

"I've given up, but... um... by the way, I can't get through to Tesla on the phone."

He's a Tesla supporter, Aunt Nancy? We don't really know each other—of course, for the sake of the salary, I have to be a little sweet-talking in person.

"Her? The memory erasure device she invented has left the person whose memory has been erased in a coma, or is she trembling and talking in her sleep. She still insists that 'this is a normal phenomenon of use,' and even tried to do it to me."

"...Then what?"

"I've hung her on Arahata." Edison's tone was as calm as if he were discussing dinner. "Is there anything else? Or do you need me to lend your student the memory erasure device?"

"... No, forget it."

Is it too late to betray Nancy and support her?

Yang silently hung up the phone.

I have a feeling that Tesla is too useless... Even if I let her get away with it, it might not make any difference.

If I let Nancy sneak away... Nancy might just take care of Liu Bai and give me a big bonus or something...

I just happened to have my eye on a new figurine recently...

No, I still consider Tesla like my own sister, how can I do such a thing... Or should I also sell this information to Einstein and the others?

If everyone sells it, then by all accounts, Tesla Sister will know about it, right?

Chapter 182 Father and Daughter

Of course, this dangerous idea only briefly crossed Yang's mind before he abandoned it.

The risk of trying to profit from both ends is high enough; if he tries to profit from multiple ends, he'll likely disappear without a trace if he's discovered...

Let's just listen to what the Alliance Leader says.

Yang sighed.

Indeed, it's best not to get involved in these things.

The following day, California Institute of Technology

"Finally back."

Himeko stretched in her dorm room.

But instead of being called a dormitory, this place seems more like an apartment?

A one-bedroom, one-living room, and one-bathroom apartment is an extremely rare privilege for students.

Is this considered a reward for outstanding students?

"Hmph~ Is that even a question?"

Himeko proudly puffed out her chest.

"I already said that I published a paper back in high school, so this kind of preferential treatment is nothing out of the ordinary, right?"

"Indeed... I always feel that living alone would be really great."

"Ah... it's not as good as you say. Although it's very quiet, it gets quite lonely after a while."

Himeko casually put aside the bags of local specialties she had bought from New Mexico.

"Although I never imagined my 'roommate' would be a ghost or something, and the story you told before was really bad."

"Hmm... It's undeniable that telling stories to college students isn't my forte."

"... Why do you specifically emphasize this point about college students?"

Himeko asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Or are you a lolicon?"

"Don't slander me, I actually prefer a bigger one," Liu Bai said as he toured Himeko's room.

"Okay, then I'll call the police. The charge is harassing a female college student."

"... What if I said I'm a lolicon?"

"Of course we called the FBI," Himeko said matter-of-factly.

"..."

So you're pleasing neither side?

"How about we go stargazing tonight?"

Himeko was tying on her apron and preparing to cook, asked casually.

"To see the stars?"

"You're not allowed to say that this is boring." Himeko glanced at Liu Bai before Liu Bai could answer.

"Then let's go, but I don't have any knowledge of Tianwen."

Since things had come to this point, Liu Bai naturally had no reason to refuse—it was said that he was being invited, but in reality, it was just that Himeko herself wanted to see it, right?

[Himeko compatibility +5%]

"It's alright! I can tell you." Himeko's face was full of enthusiasm.

It would be strange if Himeko weren't enthusiastic about sharing her hobbies with others.

"But I've heard that even professionals need specialized equipment to observe the stars?"

"Yes, but I can borrow from the lab—I can't afford to buy those devices."