This mission had not been the shortest of all the missions they had undertaken, nor had it been particularly long. Still, it had lasted several months. Yet after returning to Prometheus, everything that had happened during the mission felt as though it had been compressed into yesterday. Even their parting before the mission began remained vivid in his memory. Looking at everyone as they opened their eyes within the fading pillars of light, Xiao Ran did not feel that even the slightest distance had grown between them. He merely smiled and gave them a small wave.
"Yo, long time no see."
The moment Sheryl opened her eyes and saw Xiao Ran's familiar, affectionate smile, she threw herself into his arms. Xiao Ran hurriedly caught her, only to endure her dissatisfied little punches as she puffed out her cheeks. "You bastard. We've been apart for so long, and you're acting like nothing happened."
Feeling the force behind Sheryl's hands, as well as the longing and exhaustion flashing through her eyes, Xiao Ran tenderly stroked her hair. He gave Mwu, who stood a few steps away, an apologetic smile before lowering his head and saying softly, "I'm sorry. We really couldn't take risks on this mission."
"I know." Sheryl shoved Xiao Ran away and huffed twice. "It's not like I'm that unreasonable. I know you had to look after the newcomers this time, and one more person meant one more safeguard. I was just annoyed seeing how relaxed you were, like nothing had happened."
"Yes, yes, it was my fault." Xiao Ran chuckled and humored Sheryl's little temper by admitting fault. He knew that she could sometimes be a little tsundere and unreasonably willful, but that was merely her acting spoiled. In truth, Sheryl was a strong and sensible woman. Still, this