Across vast stretches of sea, Cocolia and Ninti welcomed some heavyweight guests at the distant East Sea Base.
"Welt, you bastard, you finally got out of that hellhole called St. Freya!"
"Long time no see, Yang."
Tesla and Einstein stepped forward, greeting Welt, who had manifested an airplane to cross the sea, in their own different ways.
Wearing her pretty little red shoes, Tesla pounced on Welt's tall frame without another word, and the two shared a tight embrace.
Then Welt turned to Einstein and said with a warm smile:
"Tesla, Einstein, it's been a long time."
As the three elders exchanged warm looks, a little blond head with purple eyes slowly peeked out from behind Einstein.
Welt froze for a moment, a complicated look flashing through his eyes as he hesitated.
"This is..."
Tesla and Einstein restrained their emotions as well and silently nodded at him.
There was no need to explain what Joyce meant to the three of them, so Welt himself had extremely complicated feelings toward Ninti.
First came anger that Joyce had been defiled, then sympathy for Ninti born of projection, along with anticipation and timidity toward Joyce's lingering memories.
Welt composed himself, then crouched down with a gentle, approachable smile.
"Nice to meet you, little Ninti."
Welt had never told anyone, but deep down, he cared greatly about this special child, Ninti. That was why he had deliberately arranged for their first meeting to be face-to-face rather than through remote communication.
Ninti stared at Welt expressionlessly.
After a long while, just as Welt's smile was beginning to falter, Ninti turned to Einstein. A hint of hesitation appeared on her little face as she blankly asked:
"Joachim's... uncle?"
"..." ×n
The scene instantly fell silent.
Except for Tesla, who suddenly burst into an incomparably hearty laugh.