Can You Learn It? (Continued)

—If we've gone this far, what else is possible or impossible?

—Oh, really. Are even the kids in Terra this naughty these days?

—But speaking of which, when I was in school, I also encountered pretty and cute little girls who would come to me, their older sister, asking for kisses.

Some nostalgic memories flashed through my mind. Although I was withdrawn due to illness in my past life, I wasn't without close friends and precious memories during my school years—I had best friends and other good friends. I was invited to my friends' homes to play, go on vacations together, and celebrate holidays. And when the pretty little princesses from the neighborhood came over to cause trouble, I offered them the care and attention of an older sister.

But that was so long ago, so incredibly long ago. So long ago...

—I don't even remember what she looks like anymore...

—What was her surname? What was her given name? She... ah, I don't remember any of it. Just like I don't remember my real name. Even though I retain every detail of my first dream world in my memory, my true name has been permanently forgotten.

—All I remember is that she died... died on the other side of the ocean. A riot, a stampede. Her remains couldn't even return to her homeland. And besides me... who else will mourn her?

—That's all. But at least she has me to mourn her. But if I die, who will mourn me in my past life?

The longing came to an abrupt end. Because Rosemary was still waiting for her, anticipating her reply.

A smile then appeared on her lips.

"Alright, alright, then let's give Little Rosemary as a gift."

She said this, and then, amidst Little Feline's scream, she picked up Rosemary and brought her cheek close to hers, while Little Feline, whom she held in her hands, suddenly stiffened.

She gave Rosemary a quick peck on the left cheek—which was only natural. An intimate kiss should be a gift from the initiator. She wasn't narcissistic enough to think Rosemary wanted a kiss. And since that wasn't the case, she took this little Feline's gesture of affection as a demonstration.

It feels great to the touch.

Rosemary smells really good too.

As she did this, little Feline, whom she held in her hands, let out a soft scream. Then her stiff body softened, almost like a stream of water flowing over her.

Light and soft, Miss Surtr naturally caught her. The moment their bodies touched, little Feline instinctively wanted to recoil as if electrocuted. However, she managed to suppress that instinct before her muscles could react. Like a koala... no, that metaphor wasn't necessary. She was like a frightened cat, clinging tightly to Miss Surtr!

—Oh, I'm shy.

Miss Surtr's lips curved upwards further. She moved one of the girl's hands up, gently tracing it from under Rosemary's ribs to the soft tips of her hair at the back of her neck. Then, like a comb, she stroked down her spine.

Felines are no match for this kind of treatment.

She could almost hear a soft 'meow' coming from Rosemary's lips. Then, a slight warmth emanated Feline the girl's soft, limp body—whether it was psychological or physical, she couldn't tell. But she knew that Rosemary didn't resent being treated like this. Because her long tail was happily wagging and swaying behind her.

"Surtr, Sister Surtr ..." little Feline murmured softly, as if in a dream. Her wagging tail suddenly stopped and carefully and gently hooked onto Miss Surtr's hand that was pressing down on her back.

"Can, can we do it again?" Little Feline struggled to lift her head, her bright eyes filled with tears.

However, Miss Surtr lightly flicked her forehead with her other hand.

"Ugh."

There was no direct rejection, but the meaning was clear. And this little punishment for the mischievous child worked successfully. Because in the next instant, reason and embarrassment returned to Rosemary.

Chaos reigned.

About two minutes later, Rosemary, having regained her strength, shyly fled the room—not forgetting to take her diary and the algebra book Miss Surtr had marked as she ran away. As she left, her petite body was filled with a pounding heartbeat.

Miss Surtr didn't stop her—what was there to stop? What's so strange about a little sister who hasn't been seen in a long time coming to get close to a familiar older sister and then running away shyly?

No, and there's no need for it.

She simply used her telekinesis to support the little Feline as it ran away, and whispered gentle words in its ear.

"Go ahead and get busy, but be careful, the ground is slippery, don't fall."

As she spoke, Rosemary, who was running away, nearly slipped but was caught by her—she heard Rosemary utter a weak "thank you." Then her cheeks and ears flushed red, and she ran even faster until she was no longer visible.

Ah... such a pure and innocent little sister. If only she could be a few years older. Miss Surtr rested her chin on her hand, watching the direction Rosemary had run off in, a mixture of wistfulness and amusement washing over her.

—I don't work in heavy industry, and I have absolutely no interest in either the two-dimensional or three-dimensional world.

—Phew...really. If Rosemary were a few years older, I would have teased her quite a bit.

A subtle thought surfaced in her mind, but it was quickly dismissed by helplessness—tch, she was imagining herself to be some old pro. In reality, she couldn't even find someone to be close to... um, to correct that. Perhaps Persephone could be a try, and Alina seemed to have the same inclination. But ultimately, those were all just thoughts that would never lead anywhere.

He shook his head, banishing these pointless thoughts. He stretched, and the distant memories in his mind settled back into his thoughts as his emotions calmed.

—Why think about those things? They're all in the past... So many years have passed, and I have no idea if I'll ever be able to return to my hometown.

—I will not let go.

—But I can't pick it up again... There's a vast and mysterious barrier between me and my distant past.

The girl sighed softly and leaned back, but there was a solid barrier behind her where there was no chair back— Laevateinn was waiting for her there, and her sword was the only thing she could rely on in this era.

Laevateinn.

Laevateinn will never be separated from her again.

She raised her hand and touched the edge of the sword—as always, it wouldn't harm her. It was like a person floating in the air finally touching the ground. A feeling of fullness and satisfaction echoed in her mind.

She closed her eyes.

She stopped talking.

Supported and protected by the sword, she took a short nap.

Miss Surtr opened her eyes.

The daylight was already dimming, and the clock on the table pointed to five in the afternoon—she raised her hand, a subtle sense of oppression emanating from her. Gathering her willpower, she realized that a thin blanket was covering her.

The thin blanket carried a familiar scent—mint, the scent of Persephone. Persephone had visited this very house when he was resting.

His gaze shifted, but he found nothing unusual around him—the dormitory doors on Rhodes Island were automatic, meaning no one else, besides Persephone, had likely visited during this time.

--interesting.

Her raised hand fell to her sides, resting lightly on Laevateinn's blade—and that's where the interesting part lies. In the past Laevateinn would actively shut out anything that tried to touch her in her sleep. But this time, the thin blanket was draped over her shoulders.

—Laevateinn ...this is the first time he's allowed anyone else to touch me while I'm sleeping. Has it approved of Persephone? Or does it quite like this Rhodes Island Doctor?

—No, it doesn't matter. Perhaps Persephone came, or perhaps the blanket she draped over me was just a drone she remotely controlled. But either way, I allow it. Because Persephone means a lot to me. And Laevateinn must have been in sync with my thoughts, which is why she acquiesced to her actions.

—Whew, just as I expected from Laevateinn. We're so in sync.

A subtle emotion stirred within her, but before it could materialize, she easily erased it from her mind. She stood up and walked out of her dormitory— Rhodes Island, now fully connected, had naturally become even more deserted after several hours of anchoring. As her feet touched the corridor, she felt a rare sense of loneliness on this usually bustling Landship.