"Mei, are you sure you don't need me to accompany you?"
Faced with Kevin's question, Mei shook her head.
"Mu Continent will send people to protect me."
Kevin did not insist any further and watched Mei leave.
"You two really spend more time apart than together."
"It can't be helped, Senior Kira. Mei always puts humanity's cause first."
"Aren't you the same?"
Kevin shook his head, then said, "I'm not as great as people make me out to be. Everything I did was for Mei."
"Whether it was joining the Flame Chasers back then or becoming a Fusion Warrior."
Hearing this, Yoshikage Kira patted Kevin on the shoulder.
"Who isn't? Most people are selfish."
"Want to spar?"
"Mm. Sorry for the trouble, Senior."
Mei's achievements in the field of quantum research earned her an invitation from Mu Continent.
Afterward, Mei began long-term quantum research at the Flame Chasers branch on Mu Continent.
Mu Continent truly deserved its reputation as a gathering place for the fruits of humanity's scientific research.
Here, Mei not only had numerous top researchers to assist her, but she also would not be disturbed by the vermin of the opposition.
Half a year later, Mu Continent established the Stargate connecting to the moon and the Eye of the Abyss, which could connect to the Sea of Quantum.
Afterward, Mu Continent began exploring the Sea of Quantum.
As the exploration deepened, Mei's understanding of Honkai and the Sea of Quantum grew further.
If the development of human technology creates ripples across the Sea of Quantum, then...
A terrifying conjecture gradually formed in Mei's mind.
But seeing everyone busy at work, Mei did not voice it.
Mei wanted to prove her conjecture wrong, but as more and more data emerged, she had no choice but to face reality.
The intensity of Honkai was directly proportional to the level of human technological development.
If this news got out, it would inevitably cause unrest.
Mei decided not to release the news for the time being.
"Let's stop here for today."
"Yes. Thank you for your guidance, Senior."
"...Come to think of it, Kevin, how long has it been since you last contacted Mei?"
"...Mei doesn't like being disturbed while she's working."
"So... you haven't contacted her at all."
"What if I send her a message and disturb her?" Kevin looked somewhat dejected.
"...You really care about her."
"In that case, how about writing a letter?"
"A letter?"
"Yes. The staff over there will surely find a time when Mei is resting before giving it to her. You won't have to worry about disturbing her work."
"That's right! How hadn't I thought of that? Thank you, Senior."
Afterward, the two returned to the villa at Golden Courtyard.
Yoshikage Kira sat in the yard, feeling the slightly stifling early-summer breeze.
"My dear Mei... hmm..."
"What's wrong?" Seeing Kevin start tugging at his hair after writing only the opening, Yoshikage Kira asked.
"Uh... I don't know how to write this..."
Kevin scratched his head and spoke awkwardly.
"There are so many things I want to say to Mei, but I just don't know how to begin."
Yoshikage Kira tapped the table between them.
"Listen.
My dear Mei, how have you been lately?
Whenever I think of you,
I seem to see the beautiful plains of Iowa."
"Senior Kira, I've never seen them."
"Mm, neither have I."
"Then this..."
"The contents of the letter aren't important. What matters is conveying your feelings, isn't it?"
"Mei won't care about what you write, just as she won't care whether you disturb her."
"...All right."
"Then I'll continue."
"The distance between us
leaves me dispirited.
Time without you has no meaning to me.
Loving you was the easiest decision I have ever made.
Nothing is more important than you.
Every day I live, I become deeply aware
that I loved you from the day I met you.
I love you today,
and I will love you for the rest of my life."
"I will love you for the rest of my life... All right, it's finished."
"Then... I'll go mail the letter."
"...You don't need to report every little thing to me, Kevin."
"Ah... right."
"It's just that you give off such a steady, reliable feeling, Senior Kira, so I wanted to ask for your opinion."
"...You don't need to ask about such trivial matters."
"Dr. Mei, you have a letter."
"A letter?" Mei opened the door, accepted it, then returned to her room and sat on the bed.
"People still write letters these days? Ah, it's from Kevin. Then it's not strange."
Seeing the contents of the letter, Mei could not help but smile.
"These don't sound like sentences Kevin could write."
But there was no denying that the letter from her lover greatly eased Mei's stress.
"It's time to go back, isn't it? To see Kevin, to see everyone."
Mei was a woman of action. Once she had the thought of returning, she immediately began packing her luggage.
Mu Continent knew it could not keep Mei and did not force her to stay.
"Mei, take this as a farewell gift."
"Dr. Einstein, did you succeed in developing your Armed Doll?" Mei asked as she looked at the doll Einstein handed her.
Dr. Einstein flicked her ponytail with one hand.
"Hmph, who do you think I am? Developing an Armed Doll was child's play."
"I'm leaving, Doctor. I look forward to working with you again."
"All right, all right, don't get mushy. Get going."
"Then everyone, until we meet again."
Seeing Mei get off the plane, Kevin hurried forward excitedly.
"Welcome back, Mei!"