A luxury apartment in Chiba Prefecture.
The clock had already ticked past half past one in the morning. None of the main lights were on; only a small lamp beside the kitchen counter cast a soft, warm yellow glow.
Lin Xiao took off his jacket and slumped onto the shoe bench in the entryway, letting all his defenses fall away as he breathed a long, weary sigh.
Although the newborn World Tree had replenished his energy to the brim, resetting planetary ecosystems one after another and running around across worlds had taken a very real mental toll.
Clink.
The faint sound of porcelain came from the kitchen.
Lin Xiao looked up to see Ai Haibara approaching slowly in soft-soled slippers. Dressed in loose cotton pajamas, she carried a gently steaming mug.
It held not ice water, but piping-hot milk with a faint, sweet aroma.
"Drink it while it's hot."
Ai set the mug on the low cabinet beside the entryway. Looking up at Lin Xiao's slightly weary face, she swallowed the usual barbed remark on the tip of her tongue—a rare occurrence.
A barely perceptible trace of concern and sympathy flickered in her eyes as she said softly:
"So, our great world-saving hero. Why do you look like you've had your soul sucked dry this time?"
Lin Xiao paused, a little surprised, then picked up the warm mug and took a small sip. Warmth flowed down his throat into his stomach, instantly soothing his taut nerves.
"Huh, no snide remarks from our little bean sprout today? Did the sun rise in the west?" Lin Xiao teased with a chuckle.
"Don't call me a little bean sprout."
Ai rolled her eyes at him and turned away, her voice regaining its usual cool, prickly edge:
"I'm merely offering advice from a physiological