Gwen: I Have a Friend / Parallel Universes? Confrontation and Interrogation

Gwen smiled, opened the door, and went inside.

Gwen casually placed Seele's hair clip on the cabinet in front of the door and went inside to retrieve it.

Bronya, maneuvering her wheelchair slowly, arrived at Gwen's door, her eyes seemingly casually scanning him, subconsciously gathering information about Gwen...

Chapter 171 Gwen: I Have a Friend

Although he hasn't made a move for many years, the Ural Silver Wolf hasn't become a clawless puppy after spending a few years in the orphanage. In fact, his observational skills have even improved due to the damage to his emotional circuits.

Then, naturally, Bronya saw the hair clip that Gwen had placed on the cabinet—

"That is..."

Subconsciously, Bronya sat up straight, wanting to maneuver her wheelchair forward to take a closer look at the hair clip that matched her Remembrance.

However, Gwen, who had turned back, interrupted Bronya's actions—

"Let's see if this is the correct battery number?"

Gwyn showed Bronya a battery pack, his body conveniently blocking Bronya view of the hair clip, and asked with Gwen smile.

"...

Yes."

Bronya really wanted the Heavy-Duty Rabbit to lift Gwen up so she could examine the hair clip that was exactly the same as the Seele was wearing.

However, the one currently monitoring Gwen is only the sickly young girl Bronya.

Therefore, Bronya could only be patient—

"Yes, thank you, big brother."

"You're welcome... My Japanese name is Genjiro, and my Kaiser is Yuzuru. Bronya, you can call me whichever you prefer."

Gwen then introduced himself, formally introducing himself to Bronya, and as he spoke, he turned to the side, completely concealing his hair clip, and invited her...

Bronya, is something urgent?

If you're not in a hurry, how about coming in and having a seat?

As neighbors, we'll definitely need to help each other out in the future.

"..."

Upon hearing Gwen's invitation, Bronya, who had originally only planned to let Gwen know that she existed, hesitated for a moment and then abandoned her original plan.

"Well then, Bronya, I'll take my leave."

It might arouse suspicion, but judging from their few interactions so far, it's normal for Bronya to feel that the character she's playing has a bit more trust in Gwen.

And... even if it was just an illusion, Bronya wanted to take a closer look at that hair clip.

After all... after all... after all, Gwen had also mysteriously disappeared for two hours, so I needed to find out more.

Despite her damaged emotional circuits, Bronya still made choices that were not entirely rational.

"Bring it on."

Seeing that Bronya had taken the bait, Gwen, who had already put the hairpin back in his pocket, went into the room first, appearing very hospitable.

Bronya, who was following behind, was somewhat disappointed to see that the cabinet was empty, but she still had to pretend that nothing had happened and maneuvered her wheelchair into Gwen's house.

Would you like some tea?

Would you like a drink?

Gwen, who had brewed a pot of tea, lifted the teapot in his hand and asked Bronya, who was slowly entering his living room.

"Thank you, big brother. Bronya can drink anything."

Bronya's voice was calm, just like before, but her eyes kept glancing around the living room, trying to find that familiar hair clip.

"Well then, try my tea. I brought it all the way from Europe."

Gwen poured himself and Bronya a cup of tea, then sat down on the sofa, looking quite smug.

After all, his persona is that of a rebellious second-generation rich kid who can do good deeds, but he won't be much of a shrew.

"..."

Bronya nodded, a little disappointed that she couldn't find the familiar hair clip, and took a small sip, mimicking Gwen's manner.

A faint aroma of tea filled her mouth, a taste Bronya had never experienced before. However, Bronya had no intention of enjoying the rich flavor. She simply sipped it like a cow chewing on a peony, pondering how to subtly steer the conversation back to the hair clip.

On the other hand, Gwen had the same problem as Bronya.

Although Gwen was pretty sure from Bronya's wandering glances that she had noticed the bait he had laid out, Gwen first needed to make sure that his conversation with Bronya wouldn't be overheard by that crazy woman Cocolia.

If this happens, Gwen isn't afraid of Bronya being forcibly controlled, but Raiden Mei, who is also definitely under surveillance, is in grave danger.

Therefore, even if something is to be said, Bronya needs to take the initiative to start the conversation, and Bronya, as the ignorant party, should be drawn into the topic.

And so, with their own reservations but the same goal in mind, the two exchanged pleasantries and presented their personas to each other.

Ultimately, it was Bronya who brought up the topic by mentioning her disability—

"Although many years have passed since they separated, Bronya still misses those days. The hair clip on her head looked like a pure Abyss Flower in the sunlight..."

As she spoke, a hint of nostalgia even appeared on Bronya's otherwise emotionless face.

"White hair clip..."

Gwen paused for a moment upon hearing this, his hand "instinctively" reaching into his pocket, immediately drawing Bronya's attention.

"...

Bronya, I have a somewhat presumptuous question to ask—

What is your full name?

Is her name Bronya Zaychek?

With one hand in his pocket, Gwen frowned and asked hesitantly.

"That's right."

Bronya nodded, her face still expressionless, but tiny veins were faintly bulging on her unconsciously clasped hands.

"..."

Upon receiving Bronya's reply, Gwen frowned even more deeply, a thoughtful expression on his face that made Bronya feel anxious.

A moment later, under Bronya's gaze, Gwen sighed softly, took the hairpin from his pocket, and slowly said,

"I have a friend who has a very close Sister Bronya, also named Bronya Zaychek."

However, unlike Bronya, who has family, her Sister Bronya is an orphan like her, living in an orphanage called Cocolia Orphanage.

However, the director there was no good person; he actually used the children in the orphanage for experiments.

And my friend also had an accident during the experiment, and never saw her Sister Bronya again..."

"..."

Upon hearing Gwen's words, Bronya's pupils dilated dramatically, and she replied almost without thinking,

"Is your friend named Seele?"

After saying that, Bronya's reason told her she shouldn't do it—

This question rendered almost all of Bronya's previous efforts futile.

However, Bronya's extremely thin emotions completely ignored the warnings of reason. Her gray eyes were fixed on Gwen, hoping to get a positive answer.

"Yes..."

Gwen glanced at Bronya with a look of surprise mixed with a hint of "I knew it," and sighed deeply.

"It's just a pity... that people have different fates..."

Chapter 172 Parallel Universes? Confrontation and Questioning (Third Update, Seeking Votes)

"..."

Blinking, Bronya, puzzled by Gwen's words, did not make any rash moves—

The task was simply to prepare the hidden Heavy-Duty Rabbit for any unforeseen events, while simultaneously beginning a scan of Gwen.

Even though the remaining emotions were influencing Bronya's judgment, they wouldn't make Bronya foolish enough to believe that Gwen's identity was just that of an ordinary second-generation heir on the surface.

Under Bronya's gaze, Gwen sighed again and gently raised the hairpin in his hand—

"Bronya, have you heard of... the parallel universe theory?"

"Parallel universe?"

Bronya, who hadn't expected Gwen to ask such a question, blinked and then gave an answer.

According to Einstein's theory of general relativity, there are other parallel universes outside our universe.

These universes share striking similarities.

For example...

Bronya paused slightly as she spoke, then immediately realized what Gwen meant—

"You mean... we and your friend are in different parallel universes?"

Although it seemed possible, Bronya knew very well that the background she had told was all made up, and that the Sister Bronya Seele in the Cocolia Orphanage was actually herself!

"That's right,"

Gwen nodded, his expression serious.

"From the current perspective, your situation with Seele fits the parallel universe theory very well."

"You still have family here to raise you; you didn't end up in that cannibalistic orphanage..."

Gwen planned to first use the convenience that Seele brought to get closer to Bronya, find an opportunity to make sure he wouldn't be monitored by Cocolia, and then carefully compare information with Bronya to confirm whether the Seele he encountered was indeed the Seele of this world.

Gwen was prepared to wait for the right opportunity, but Bronya was unwilling to wait—

"No, I am Seele's Sister Bronya."

Bronya's heart was already racing unconsciously, but with her emotional circuits damaged, she could only maintain a calm expression and solemnly say,

"Living in the orphanage with Lilia, Rosaliya, and everyone else."

"..."

Instantly, Gwen, his plan thwarted, frowned and asked hesitantly, with a hint of indignation,

You mean...

Were you lying to me about everything you said before?

The so-called accidental disability was also because of Cocolia's...

Sensing the indignation and hesitation in Gwen's words, Bronya calmed down a bit:

Bronya is very sorry for the previous deception, but it was all to save Seele.

Now that Mother Cocolia can't hear what we're saying, you can say whatever you want.

If it weren't for saving Seele, Bronya, who probably would have already parted ways with Cocolia, wouldn't have had any intention of protecting her foster mother and would have decisively thrown her out to Gwen as a target.

"Cocolia ..."

Snort!"

Hearing Bronya's words, Gwen, though not entirely convinced, relaxed a bit. Leaning back on the sofa, he didn't dwell on Cocolia and instead asked,

"Let's not talk about that bastard anymore. Let's talk about you. How are you going to prove that you are Sister Bronya of Seele that I know?"

Gwen, leaning back on the sofa, asked irritably as he withdrew the hair clip he had just shown Bronya, who was looking at him with longing.

"Heavy-Duty Rabbit can prove it."

Sensing Gwen's change in attitude, Bronya calmly summoned Heavy-Duty Rabbit.