Simoya watched the scene, somewhat lost in thought.
Among all the students, there had to be a reason Vilsin had become Kendall's most admired and beloved one. Simoya had always wanted to see her in person, to observe her habits and personality up close, to see what she was like at work and in life.
But there would be no chance for that anymore.
Simoya followed everyone into the room. No one mentioned Hesta's withdrawal from Bullet Time again. Everyone lay down together to rest. Once the lights were out, the room grew dark again.
Early the next morning, when Simoya opened her eyes, Hesta and Victoria had already set out. Everyone else was waiting in the workstation. Apparently, Hesta and Victoria had agreed to return before eleven.
Simoya went to the sink to wash up. Just as she reached for the faucet, Theresa called out to her. Simoya froze for a moment before remembering that the water here could not be used.
"She can use it," Vilsin said. "Never mind whether she's a Quicksilver Needle or not—even if she is, as long as she doesn't enter Bullet Time, it won't matter. She can just wait for it to metabolize after drinking it."
Theresa did not respond, but Simoya still chose to get water from the corridor. After rinsing her mouth and washing her face, she returned to the room and saw Vilsin standing before the guestbook near the door, turning through its messages page by page.
Simoya walked over and asked in a very soft voice, "What are you looking at?"
"You," Vilsin corrected.
Simoya paused before realizing that Vilsin meant she should not address her so formally.
"The guestbook." Vilsin's gaze returned to the book in her hands, and her voice remained quiet. "They're all... very familiar