Welcome

Yu Xuekun quickly sensed the change in the person before her. In the silence, Hesta's expression gradually turned euphoric. The faintly defiant wariness she had shown earlier receded somewhat, and she relaxed back against her chair again, lowering her feet from where they had been propped up.

"...Hm?" Yu Xuekun looked at her thoughtfully. "What is it?"

"You should have... told me sooner." Hesta looked up at the ceiling. "If you'd told me sooner, maybe this month wouldn't have been so hard."

"I should have told you long ago." Yu Xuekun looked at her. "Before we came to Orange Town, didn't I tell you that every Quicksilver Needle who entered the Habitable Zone after retirement had to go through this? Didn't I?"

"You didn't mention Ava."

"If I remember correctly, she kept working until she was in her fifties before retiring from the combat ranks—"

"Haha, it's fine." Hesta interrupted Yu Xuekun with a laugh. "I just hadn't considered that. I should have."

"All right." Yu Xuekun smiled faintly. "Looks like you need a role model."

Hesta did not argue. She checked the time, then picked up her backpack and stood. "That's it for today, then. See you next week—"

"Wait!" Yu Xuekun stood as well. "Let me remind you once more: when we meet next week, it will no longer be a private meeting. At that time—"

"At that time, our entire conversation will be recorded and become part of AHgAs's assessment materials on me. I remember." Hesta lightly tapped her forehead. "The chat at the end of every month is when you can't tell the truth."

"...You still have to tell the truth," Yu Xuekun said with a smile. "If you lie, it won't benefit you either."

"Understood." Hesta briskly pulled open the consultation room door. "See you