Forget-Me-Not

The wind had grown a bit chilly, though no one could pinpoint exactly when it started.

She put on her coat again, and the sound of cicadas had vanished.

The maple leaves had turned red again. Two or three drifted down, landing on Mei's shoulders and the surface of the lake, causing ripples.

Picking up a maple leaf from her shoulder, Mei gazed at it for a long time, as if reminiscing about past times.

But she didn't know where to begin.

"Another year has passed."

"Mm, it has."

The two sat in the boat, chatting idly. From deep within the maple forest by the lake, Sakura watched their figures, choosing the right moment to strike.

The lake wasn't particularly large. After a while, Dr. Mei suggested they sit by the shore.

Kevin rowed the boat to the bank and stepped ashore first.

The moment Kevin's foot touched the shore, he felt a killing intent surge towards him, and the target was the person behind him.

'Not good! Mei.'

He turned, drew his sword, all in one fluid motion.

"Clang!" The sound of clashing blades rang out. A few strands of Mei's hair were cut off by Sakura's sword, and at the same time, Kevin's sanity snapped.

Channeling the Honkai Energy within him, Kevin grabbed Sakura by the neck. His speed was so great that Sakura, who usually had the advantage in speed, was caught off guard.

Seeing that his chilling aura hadn't inflicted any physical damage on Sakura, Kevin realized the person before him was also a Fusion Warrior. He tightened his grip.

Sakura struggled fiercely, swinging her sword towards Kevin's arm. Kevin let her cut him, but his grip didn't loosen one bit.

"Kevin, that's enough." Mei called out to stop him. Hearing her, Kevin released his grip.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Sakura collapsed on the ground, clutching her mouth as she coughed.

Looking at the person who had nearly killed her, Mei pushed up her glasses and said calmly, "How about a deal? Miss assassin."

"Sister Mei is truly generous, letting her off just like that. If it were me, hmph, I, Pardo, am no saint either."

"Oh? She could even injure me. Pardo, do you think you can handle her?"

"No, but I have the Boss. Don't you agree, Boss?"

Yoshikage Kira nodded, then looked at the wound on Kevin's arm.

Noticing Yoshikage Kira's gaze, Kevin explained, "It might be her ability. The wound is healing slower than usual."

"Mm, you should rest well."

"And you, how do you plan to deal with Sakura?"

Mei habitually pushed up her glasses and said, "Elysia had already told me about the internal conflicts within the Flame Chasers, but I didn't expect them to reach such a dire level."

"Working with a bunch of insects won't allow us to fight the Honkai. I don't want Dr. Mobius and Dr. Vill-V's research to be obstructed, nor do I want to see attack incidents happen to us again."

"I've persuaded Sakura to assist me and help me expand my influence within the Flame Chasers."

"Boss, Boss, what's Sakura's background? She can actually expand influence in the organization?" After listening to Mei, Pardo tugged on Yoshikage Kira's sleeve and asked.

"Eliminate competitors, and your influence expands," Yoshikage Kira replied calmly.

"Ah, this..." Not only Pardo, but everyone else also fell silent.

However, after the silence, everyone expressed their support for Mei.

Later, with the help of everyone's connections, Sakura left the assassin organization Poisoned Pupae and officially joined the Flame Chasers.

"Hooray, another member for the Heroes team! Everyone, let's give her a round of applause! Clap, clap, clap." Elysia livened up the atmosphere, welcoming Sakura's arrival.

Some people still harbored reservations about Sakura's assassination attempt, but they still gave Elysia face and applauded.

"In this era, most people are not in control of their own destinies. Not everything is decided by the individuals themselves."

Listening to Yoshikage Kira's words, the hostility from everyone lessened significantly, but it would take some time for them to fully accept Sakura.

Sakura also bowed and apologized to everyone, especially Mei.

Elysia looked at Sakura's ears, which swayed with her movements, and felt a tickle in her heart.

"Ahem, I don't know about the others, but if you want Elysia to forgive you, then let me touch your ears!"

"Huh?"

"Oh~"

"..."

"Mmm~"

"..."

"I see, I see."

"...Are we done?"

"Yes, then Elysia forgives you." Seeing Sakura's face blush to the color of Himiko's hair, Elysia withdrew her hand.

Calming herself, Sakura took a deep breath and said solemnly to Mei, "Doctor, my sister is entrusted to you."

"Mm, of course. I will keep my promise."