Confession

"Sis, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"

A familiar voice rang in Lazuli's ear.

She immediately lowered her guard.

When Mo Yuan came out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, he discovered that Lazuli was no longer on the Lookout.

Android 16 told him that a green monster who looked like an insect had found them and threatened to absorb Lazuli and Lapis to become Perfect Cell.

But Cell was clearly much weaker than Lazuli, and she'd beaten him so badly that he'd fled in disgrace.

From Android 16's description, Mo Yuan knew that the insect-like green monster was Cell.

Though he knew Lazuli was now definitely stronger than Cell,

he couldn't help worrying anyway.

He'd just come out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, and he couldn't sense any sign of a battle. Not daring to waste a moment, he immediately activated his Mind's Eye.

He quickly spotted Lazuli below Korin Tower.

But he couldn't see Cell anywhere near her, so he figured he'd run away because he couldn't win.

Still, something seemed off about Lazuli.

At the thought that she might be in trouble, Mo Yuan's heart leapt into his throat.

Without another second's delay, he sped toward her as fast as he could.

Lazuli didn't know what was happening to her.

She hadn't thought anything of it at first, but the moment she heard Mo Yuan's voice, she inexplicably felt a wave of hurt.

Her lips puckered on their own.

On top of that, after Solar Flare hit her, her eyes had stung so badly she couldn't open them, and tears kept streaming down her face.

She looked so pitiful and wronged that anyone would feel for her.

Seeing Lazuli like that, Mo Yuan panicked.

He looked her over carefully, checking for injuries.

After examining her, he found that her eyes were the only thing even slightly hurt. They'd be back to normal after a little while.

"Sis, tell me if anything feels wrong!" Mo Yuan said anxiously.

Lazuli took a deep breath and composed herself for a moment.

"I'm fine..."

Her soft voice carried a faint sob.

She really was fine. Other than her eyes, she wasn't hurt at all. At most, her feet were a little sore from kicking Cell earlier.

Cell: Do you even hear yourself?

Besides, by now her eyes didn't bother her as much, and the stinging was almost gone.

Lazuli slowly opened her eyes.

Tears still shimmered in them.

Her big, sparkling eyes were now truly watery.

"It's just that Cell got away." Lazuli was still a little glum that Cell had escaped.

"As long as you're okay."

Mo Yuan cupped Lazuli's face and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

She felt the warmth of his palm against her cheek.

Looking at Mo Yuan's handsome face, Lazuli couldn't help blushing.

The so-called dignity she'd always maintained as his older sister vanished completely.

But she didn't feel awkward. Instead, it was as if something tender inside her had been touched.

This feeling of being cared for... wasn't so bad, was it?

Lazuli didn't just like the feeling; she even enjoyed it.

It was just a little... embarrassing. o(*////▽////*)q

Mo Yuan couldn't help staring, mesmerized by her girlish shyness.

It was the first time Lazuli had ever acted so bashfully in front of him.

Usually, she teased him like a shameless flirt.

When she noticed Mo Yuan gazing at her, Lazuli felt embarrassed—and a little pleased.

She pretended to be composed. "Dummy! Haven't you seen enough?"

"Ah!"

Mo Yuan suddenly pulled Lazuli into his arms, holding her so tightly it was as if he wanted to meld her into his body.

Resting his chin on her shoulder, he whispered in her ear, "Never. Not even a lifetime would be enough."

Mo Yuan's words struck Lazuli straight in the heart.

Feeling his warmth, she felt safer than ever before.

She wrapped her arms around his waist.

No words were needed.

"Oh! Right."

After who knew how long, Lazuli suddenly remembered they still had something important to do and quickly pulled free of Mo Yuan's embrace.

Then she told him everything Cell had said.

She hadn't paid much attention to Cell's words earlier, but now that she thought about them, something seemed strange.

For instance, he'd said he wouldn't be born for another twenty-four years.

But the Underground Laboratory had already been destroyed.

And how could he be here now if he wasn't supposed to appear for another twenty-four years?

"He must be me from another timeline."

"What?" Lazuli could hardly believe it.

After all, Mo Yuan and Cell weren't merely a little alike—they were completely different.

Aside from both being created using other people's cells, they differed in every way: their appearances, their energy, and everything else.

Besides, Cell had to absorb the two of them to evolve into his Perfect Form.

If Mo Yuan had needed to absorb them too, he could have done it long ago.

In the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Lazuli had been completely defenseless around Mo Yuan.

And now, even the two siblings together couldn't beat him.

Yet he hadn't laid a hand on them then. That proved he'd never intended to hurt them.

"Yeah." Mo Yuan nodded firmly, his expression grave.

He decided to tell her part of the truth. He'd keep his otherworldly origins to himself, but tell Lazuli everything else.

"According to the information the computer gave me, I shouldn't have been born this soon. It also said that absorbing you two would let me become Perfect Cell."

"Maybe something special caused me to be born early. And I discovered that I'm different from what the computer described: I can become Perfect Cell just by training. I don't need to absorb you."

Lazuli was utterly stunned.

"But you two are so different! He's so ugly..."

How could they possibly have the same "mother"?

"According to the information the computer gave me, Dr. Gero really did design me to look like that monster."

"But, Sis, you have to believe me. I would never hurt you two!"

Mo Yuan stared intently at Lazuli. He was afraid—afraid she wouldn't believe him.

Afraid she'd distance herself because of this.

There was no denying that Mo Yuan's words had hit Lazuli hard.

But she still believed him.

For the same reason as before:

If Mo Yuan had really wanted to hurt them, he'd had plenty of chances to do it, both then and now.

But he hadn't, so Lazuli believed him.

"It's okay. I believe you, little brother."

Sensing Mo Yuan's unease, Lazuli gently embraced him and comforted him.

"Still, Cell really is a problem. He'll definitely try to get to Lapis and me," Lazuli said worriedly.

After all, no one knew how strong Cell could become by absorbing humans.

In just one day, he'd absorbed hundreds of thousands of people and become stronger than Lazuli had been before entering the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

And Earth had billions of people. How powerful would he become if he absorbed them all?

"Don't worry. I'll take care of Cell."

Mo Yuan's eyes filled with murderous intent.

Lazuli and Lapis were his family. He'd never allow anyone to hurt them.

He'd kept his Mind's Eye active ever since earlier, its range covering the entire planet.

Under its gaze, Cell had nowhere to hide.

Cell had already fled more than halfway across the planet.

He was on the other side of the world.

But if Mo Yuan flew there at full speed, it would only take a few minutes.

"Wait, how does he have that?"

Suddenly, Mo Yuan looked as if he'd seen a ghost, his face changing drastically.