The day after Victoria called Sophie, a medical van drove into the "Farm of Many Women."
Victoria and Lairin went to the entrance to receive them. At first, when Sophie stepped down from the van, Victoria frowned slightly—she felt that the woman before her had an air that was extremely familiar. She was almost certain that she had seen her somewhere before, but...
"Miss Victoria!" The moment Sophie saw Victoria, she raised a hand in greeting.
Only then did Victoria finally connect the face before her with the name in her memories.
"...Sophie?" Victoria stared at the young woman in disbelief. "Sophie!"
"It's me!" Sophie held her waist, her face brimming with a bright smile. "When you called me, I guessed it was you. So you're working together again this time—you and... Jane!"
Victoria still stood there with her mouth half-open, approaching Sophie in astonishment. The Sophie she remembered had been a sixteen-year-old girl, carrying the reserved manner of youth when dealing with others, as if she were always worried that something she said might offend someone.
But now? She looked taller and sturdier than she had a few years ago. The shyness that had always hidden behind her smile was gone, replaced by a poise that seemed tougher and more open.
"...No wonder I never heard anything about you again," Victoria said, only just realizing. "So you came to District 12. You've changed so much!"
Sophie laughed again. This time, she seemed a little embarrassed, but she still looked Victoria straight in the eyes.
Victoria introduced Sophie to Lairin at a rapid pace, then boarded the medical van with Lairin to guide them.
"You'll see quite a few familiar faces this trip," Victoria said. "Zoe, Ende... Everyone is here."
Hearing this, Sophie froze slightly. "Everyone is here..."
"Yeah," Victoria