Everyone Is One of Us

"Was I only unconscious for a little while?"

"Mm, I thought I'd been asleep for a long time."

Curacao's head was still somewhat dizzy:

"This feeling, it's like..."

"Several centuries have passed."

"Haha." Vermouth gave nothing away and merely reached out to gently stroke her forehead. "It's probably because of the injury to your head, right?"

"Sorry, I hit you too hard earlier."

"..." Curacao wanted to say something, but no words came out.

She could only stare blankly at the familiar yet unfamiliar woman before her:

"Vermouth."

This was the Phantom Witch who had once nearly taken her life.

Yet facing Vermouth now, Curacao no longer felt that instinctive aversion and vigilance she had before.

She even felt...

That being with Vermouth made her feel safe.

Like she had encountered an angel radiating light from head to toe.

Why had I changed like this?

The thought flashed through Curacao's mind.

And an answer quickly sprang up in her heart:

Of course, because she was no longer the person she had been before.

And Vermouth was no longer that cold-blooded, heartless Phantom Witch either.

So they had always been the same kind of people.

People who longed for light in the darkness.

Vermouth had merely taken the first step before her, then used her care, trust, and companionship to awaken the real her.

"Vermouth... Mr. Lin..."

"Thank you."

"What are you thanking us for?" Vermouth smiled easily. "No need for such formalities."

"From now on, we're family."

"Family..."

Curacao savored the unfamiliar word.

That warm feeling surged through her heart again.

Vermouth and Lin Xinyi both made her feel close to them from the bottom of her heart.

And Miss Mouri, Professor Agasa, and those adorable children.

She finally had people worth caring about too.

Curacao's expression grew increasingly moved.