"So you came here to investigate while shopping?" Gerald nodded.
"No, that was just normal commercial competition in Columbia, like what we ran into at the station before." Saria shook her head. "I came here because I wanted to show you a place I used to visit often."
"You came here often?" Gerald seemed a little surprised.
"Trimounts Institute of Technology isn't far from here. When I was studying, I would come here to buy daily necessities." A trace of nostalgia flickered in her eyes. "Whenever a project reached a milestone, Kristen would drag me here to celebrate. There used to be many more people here, and the mall didn't have so many closed-down stores."
"As for now..."
Saria's gaze fell somewhere, her expression shifting slightly for an instant.
Gerald followed her line of sight and saw that in a corner of the mall, an old mother-and-baby store had gone completely out of business. Seals covered its entrance, and through the dusty display windows, he could vaguely make out what remained inside.
Some baby products still sat on the shelves. The store had probably failed to find a buyer, and the workers had slacked off; even when the final lock had been put on, the place had still been a complete mess.
Seeing Saria's gaze linger for a little too long, Gerald asked in confusion, "Saria?"
"Hm? Don't mind it." She withdrew her gaze and replied evenly, "I merely find it regrettable. My memories from before I was three are very vague. If possible, I hope you can help me personally experience the feelings and sensations of infancy. Perhaps it will give me new inspiration."
Pegasus silently glanced at Saria, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit.
She really was handsome. Anyone would have to admit that, regardless of gender.
It