Skadi, I Have a Girlfriend Now

Later, he had mistaken Laurentina for his own sister. Thinking carefully about it, it was because he had been too anxious to properly confirm Laurentina's identity, and because her mental state had been abnormal, he had been deceived.

"I know. Actually, your sister is on her way to Lungmen. Unless something unexpected happens, she should be here soon."

"That's great!"

Mizuki was delighted, even a little excited. It was the first time Exusiai had heard him speak in such a tone.

"Then I can introduce Xiao Le to my sister too!"

That afternoon, Exusiai had said she would definitely introduce Mizuki to her family someday. How could Mizuki not have wanted the same? He just had never known where his sister was, nor what his past had been like.

Now that he knew where his sister was and that she would soon arrive here, how could Mizuki not be excited?

When the time came, he could introduce his girlfriend Exusiai to his sister, to Skadi. She would surely be excited and surprised, right?

"Achoo!"

Skadi sneezed, then looked around. She suddenly remembered something—she only knew Mizuki was in Lungmen, not where exactly he was!

Skadi: Let Go of My Little Brother!!

"I've confirmed it. It is indeed an Rhodes Island Elite Operator ID, but I can say for certain that there is no one named Mizuki on Rhodes Island's Elite Operator roster."

Kal'tsit could not help rubbing her temples. She had truly never encountered anything so strange.

"Are you sure?"

Ch'en was somewhat doubtful. Logically, if even Kal'tsit said the ID was genuine, there should not have been a problem.

"I'm certain. Every Rhodes Island Elite Operator is personally vetted by me, and Rhodes Island's Elite Operators do not yet have this serial number."

To prevent counterfeiting, Rhodes Island Elite Operator IDs contained special chips and exclusive identification codes. Kal'tsit took out something resembling a portable card reader and swiped Mizuki's Operator ID through it.

They did not know what Mizuki had experienced, but the chip contained every Elite Operator's identity information and personal records. One swipe was all it took to find out.

"This is..."

Exusiai and the others gathered around, curiously looking at the information displayed on the screen.

"Rhodes Island Operator ID chips contain the operator's records. This ID is fairly badly damaged, but it should still be readable."

It was a familiar information-lock screen. Elite Operators' identity records generally required strict confidentiality. To prevent the chip from being cracked, an extremely long unlock code was required. Kal'tsit entered her authorization code and watched the lock before her open.

Thus, Mizuki's records appeared before everyone for the first time.

"Operator codename: Mizuki. Gender: male. Height: 161. Race: Aegir. Place of birth: Higashi..."

At first glance, there was nothing particularly noteworthy, though at least they now knew Mizuki was from Higashi.

Mizuki himself was not looking at the screen. It was too crowded over there for him to squeeze in, so he could only sit opposite them and listen as Kal'tsit read his records aloud. He had not expected Rhodes Island Operator IDs to have such a function. How convenient.

However, Kal'tsit quickly noticed something wrong.

"Operator employment date: 1097.8.26... How is that possible?"

"What's wrong, Doctor?"

Croissant scratched her head. She did not think anything was wrong.

"You idiot, Croissant." Exusiai irritably knocked Croissant on the head. "It's December of 1096 right now!"

"Huh?!"

Not just Croissant—even Ch'en and Kal'tsit could not help staring at him in astonished disbelief, as if asking: Did you travel back from the future or something?

The fact that information could be read proved that the chip had indeed been produced by Rhodes Island, so Mizuki's identity was naturally genuine. But his employment date was in August of the following year. It was hard not to suspect something.

Even Mizuki himself was a little dazed. He had considered countless possibilities for his identity, but this was the one possibility he had never imagined.

"It seems Mizuki's identity is far more complicated than we thought."

Ch'en frowned. She had thought finding someone from Rhodes Island would unravel the secrets surrounding Mizuki, but instead, it had only added more doubts.

However, the data reading was not over yet. Though the chip had apparently suffered some kind of damage at some point, preventing the internal file from being fully retrieved, there was still scattered information remaining.

"Proficient skills: cooking, electrical maintenance, vehicle operation, medicine, psychological counseling, electronic computer technology... That's quite a list. Why does it feel like Mizuki can do everything?"

Seeing that, the girls of Penguin Logistics finally understood why Mizuki was so capable. So he had not forgotten those skills even after losing his memories.

However, after seeing a certain line, Kal'tsit inconspicuously pressed a button. The records that had still been loading instantly went black.

"It seems the chip was damaged from being in a low-temperature environment for too long. We can't retrieve any more."

Kal'tsit sighed softly, then could not help staring at Mizuki. She had formed a hypothesis, one even she did not dare believe. It was too fantastical—it would make her seem insane.

"What a shame. But why would Mizuki's Operator employment record be dated next year?"

"Probably corrupted data causing a read error."

After all, Kal'tsit was the only Rhodes Island professional present, so her words were easier to believe. Mizuki being from the future sounded far too unbelievable. Even Ch'en felt that explanation was probably right.

"Probably. But at least we can confirm that he really is one of your Rhodes Island people."

"Mm... There's something I need to ask Mizuki about."

Kal'tsit met Mizuki's gaze. His pink eyes were filled with confusion, along with a trace of concern for himself. He was sensitive enough to have noticed that Kal'tsit had deliberately changed the subject.

"Mizuki, do you know Doctor?"

"Doctor... I..."

Mizuki had been about to answer, but the question stirred something inside him and left him unable to speak. All he could hear were noisy voices echoing by his ears, gradually becoming clear.

[Doctor, it's okay. I'll make sure you survive.]

[We still have hope. We can't give up like this, Doctor. This time... please forgive me for disobeying you, okay?]

[Don't cry, Doctor, don't cry. I don't like how Doctor looks when crying, and neither will everyone else. Amiya, Doctor Kal'tsit, everyone wants you to live.]

Something was about to burst from his mind, struggling to break free of its cage. Mizuki felt a sharp pain in his head and clutched it, his expression contorted.

Countless invisible, deep-blue tentacles emerged from all around him—from trash cans, beneath tables, under sofas. They curled around Mizuki, protecting him while also seeming to soothe him.

Kal'tsit and the others could not see the tentacles around Mizuki. They only felt the air suddenly turn damp and cold. Scarlet Sky at Ch'en's waist trembled constantly, while Kal'tsit sensed M3 within her spine letting out a shriek. It was a reaction that only occurred when facing an existence of extreme threat.

"Mizuki!"

Exusiai was startled by her boyfriend's reaction and hurried over. Before Ch'en or Kal'tsit could even warn her, she had already reached Mizuki's side.

"It's okay, Mizuki. It's okay. Don't think about those things."

Under Exusiai's soothing words, Mizuki quickly calmed down. Tears glistened at the corners of his eyes. His reaction had been far more intense than anyone expected; simply mentioning that title had caused such a response.

"Kal'tsit, who exactly is this Doctor person?"

Texas bit through the chocolate bar in her mouth. Anyone who could provoke such a reaction from Mizuki was definitely no ordinary person.

"Her..."

At the mention of Doctor, an extremely complicated expression appeared on Kal'tsit's face—dissatisfaction and guilt, anger and hatred, as well as longing and respect that were difficult to detect.

"Mizuki!!"

Just as Kal'tsit was about to continue, Penguin Logistics' front door was slapped clean off. Skadi charged inside with a greatsword on her back and luggage in hand. All she saw was Exusiai holding a tearful Mizuki in her arms, wiping away his tears while kissing his cheek to comfort him.

The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned, Skadi included. Her beloved younger brother, whom she had searched for so long, was right before her eyes—being held and kissed by another woman.

Skadi's blood pressure spiked. Her fists clenched.

"Let go of my little brother, you cheating cat!"

Skadi: I'm Going on a Killing Spree!

She had found him. He really was her little brother, really was the Mizuki she had been desperately searching for all this time. Skadi should have been happy.

She had not known Mizuki was at Penguin Logistics. But while she had been wondering where to look, she had suddenly felt an inexplicable intuition, as though someone in a certain direction was calling to her. Following that instinct, she had drawn closer.

Then she had figured it was that strange connection between herself and Mizuki. She did not know why it had not existed before but did now, yet it did not matter. As long as she could find Mizuki, that was enough.

But since she did not know the exact location, she could only come herself. Then she shoved open the door and saw a sight she would not have dared imagine even in her dreams.

Her little brother—the Mizuki so obedient that even when feeding her, he would first test whether the food was too hot; the soft, considerate Mizuki who would cover her with a blanket—was being held by another woman!

Unforgivable. Damn it, her fists had clenched. Skadi almost drew her sword without thinking, only to immediately throw the weapon aside when Mizuki looked at her. If possible, she did not want to leave a bad impression on Mizuki.

"Little brother!"

Skadi grabbed Exusiai and tossed her aside, then wrapped Mizuki in her arms and began feeling him all over. She touched his head and face, squeezed his arms and legs, then finally placed her hand on Mizuki's hat.

"Little brother, why are you crying? Who bullied you? Tell your sister, and I'll chop them up right now!"

As a devoted little-brother fanatic, Skadi dared to raise her sword against anyone who coveted or harmed her brother. Seeing Mizuki cry hurt her more than when her captain had once pulled her ears and scolded her.

"Sister?"

Mizuki snapped out of his earlier dazed state. He shook his head and looked at Skadi. He felt an indescribable familiarity from her, both physically and emotionally. Back at Penguin Logistics' entrance, he had vaguely sensed Skadi's presence, but had instinctively assumed he was imagining things.

When had his sister arrived? Hadn't A-Neng been holding him just now?

"Ow, ow, ow."

Exusiai, who had been thrown aside, stood up while rubbing her waist. Looking at Skadi, she thought this sister did not seem easy to get along with.

"Yes, your sister. I finally found you. This is wonderful."

Completely ignoring everyone else, Skadi's eyes held only Mizuki. She did not even notice Kal'tsit.

"Sister..."

The reunion had come too suddenly, without any preparation whatsoever. Skadi held Mizuki tightly in her arms. He could clearly feel a connection between them that was almost familial, but he had originally intended to welcome his sister more formally.

"Mm."

"Could you let go of me first?"

Mizuki felt that Skadi's strength was astonishing. She was even stronger than his tentacles, as though she wanted to bury him in her chest.

"No!"

"But this makes things difficult for me."

"...All right."

Skadi loosened her hold slightly, but still tightly gripped Mizuki's hand. She was truly terrified that Mizuki would disappear from before her eyes again.

"Where have you been all these years? I searched for you for so long."

"I... don't remember." Mizuki shook his head. "Ever since I woke up, I only have memories of these past few days. I'm sorry, Sister. I don't remember anything about you either."

Skadi was struck as if by lightning and nearly lost her footing. She looked at Mizuki nervously. Oh no, her little brother had amnesia. Was he not going to acknowledge her anymore?

No, wait, this seems like an opportunity!

Skadi immediately came to her senses. Looking at the utterly obedient Mizuki before her, he knew that his amnesia must have dealt Skadi a great blow, so he did not know what else to say. Yet simply being this close to her, he could clearly feel that Skadi had an indescribable pull on him. Even with his memories lost, Mizuki's fondness for her remained high.

"You mean you don't remember what happened between us before? You don't remember pulling me ashore?"

"Mm."

"You don't remember cooking for me and taking care of me either?"

"Mm."

Mizuki merely nodded. He truly did not remember anything, but for some reason, Skadi did not seem very disappointed. If anything, she seemed somewhat happy.

"Then you don't remember how you were supposed to return to Aegir with me, get married, and have children?"

"Mm... Huh?!"

Mizuki suddenly realized what Skadi had just said and widened his eyes in shock. Even the girls around them froze. Wait, what kind of plot development was this?!

"Hold on, what kind of siblings have that kind of relationship?"

Not just Exusiai—even Ch'en could not help complaining. Setting aside the fact that Mizuki's sister had just barged in out of nowhere, was that line not far too strange?

"We do."

Skadi took Mizuki's hand with a completely matter-of-fact expression.

"Mizuki said that the person most suitable for marriage in his heart was an Aegir, and that her figure couldn't be lacking."

Exusiai felt like she had taken a critical hit. She lowered her head to look at her own chest, then looked at Skadi. No contest. Maybe if she brought in her older sister or Mostima, there might be a chance.

"And preferably with white or silver hair."