The Inter-Knot chat window popped up at six in the morning.
Lin Shuo had just finished his morning workout and was wiping off his sweat with a towel.
The moment his communicator vibrated, his heart skipped a beat.
[Yuzu Pepper: Morning, Lin Shuo! School's back in session today, so I'm off to class! I'll be back tonight~]
[Yuzu Pepper: How are things on your end? Is the mission going smoothly?]
Lin Shuo stared at the screen for three seconds, his fingers hovering over the virtual keyboard.
[Lin Shuo: Going smoothly-see you tonight?]
The reply came almost instantly.
[Yuzu Pepper: Sure! Come over to Kaidan House~ Dad wants to treat you to dinner to thank you for helping last time!]
[Yuzu Pepper: But... Lin Shuo, you sound a little tired? Are you okay?]
Lin Shuo instinctively touched his face-even though he hadn't turned on video at all.
[Lin Shuo: I'm fine. Just got up early to train.]
[Yuzu Pepper: That's good~ Remember to eat on time! I'll be home at six tonight, so come over whenever you like~]
[Lin Shuo: Okay. See you tonight.]
[Yuzu Pepper: See you tonight! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧]
The chat window closed.
Lin Shuo put down his communicator and looked out the window at Scott Outpost's training ground.
The first light of morning had appeared, and the soldiers had already begun their morning run.
In the distance, the Hollow containment wall loomed faintly through the morning mist.
A new day had begun.
And what he had to face tonight might be a "battle" trickier than a Hollow.
"Daddy!"
A clear child's voice came from the doorway.
Lin Yue stood outside the door, hugging a pillow, her orange hair tousled from sleep and her Three-Tomoe Sharingan still drowsy.
She wore a children's training uniform Orphie had found on short notice-dark gray, with the Obsidian Camp emblem on its chest, obviously too large, its cuffs rolled up several times.
"You're awake?" Lin Shuo walked over and crouched down.
"Mm..." Lin Yue rubbed her eyes. "Mommy's still asleep... Auntie Willowisp said there'd be extra training today, so I got up first."
She meant Orphie-over the past few days, she had already grown quite natural about calling Orphie "Mommy."
And Orphie had gone from her initial panic to barely managing to answer now.
Though she still blushed every time she answered.
"Go wash up." Lin Shuo patted her head.
"Then have breakfast."
"Okay~"
Lin Yue ran toward the washroom with her pillow.
As Lin Shuo watched her go, the heavy feeling in his heart grew a little heavier.
During the day, he still had to deal with matters concerning Lin Yue-training, testing, and the "detailed report" Willowisp had requested.
And tonight... he had to go see Yuzuha.
He had to tell her everything.
They had breakfast in a corner of the mess hall.
Orphie clearly hadn't slept well, with faint dark circles beneath her eyes.
She sipped her nutritional porridge, her gaze drifting toward Lin Shuo now and then before quickly moving away.
Willowisp's tail rested on her shoulder, the muzzle indicator flashing blue to signify "thinking."
"Lin Shuo." Willowisp suddenly spoke, her synthesized electronic voice very low.
"Does that little girlfriend of yours... know about Lin Yue?"
Lin Shuo paused.
"I'll tell her tonight."
"...Are you sure?" Rare hesitation entered Willowisp's tone. "That girl seems pretty fond of you. Suddenly telling her you've got a daughter-and with another woman, at that-wouldn't that be too cruel?"
The spoon in Orphie's hand fell into her bowl with a clatter.
She hurriedly picked it up, her face flushing scarlet. "C-Captain! What are you saying! Lin Shuo and I are just-just-"
"Just what?" Willowisp said irritably. "The you from another spacetime already had his child! Can you still call this relationship 'just' anything?"
Orphie opened her mouth, unable to say a word.
Seated between them, Lin Yue glanced around curiously with her Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
She could sense the delicate atmosphere-Orphie's panic, Willowisp's irritation, and Lin Shuo's silence.
"Daddy," she asked quietly.
"Is Auntie Yuzuha... your girlfriend?"
Lin Shuo nodded. "Yes."
"Then does she know about me?"
"...Not yet."
Lin Yue lowered her head and stirred the porridge in her bowl with her spoon. "Will she... hate me?"
"No." Lin Shuo sounded certain.
"Yuzuha isn't that kind of person."
But he knew perfectly well-Yuzuha wouldn't hate Lin Yue, but she might be hurt, might feel sad, might... get jealous.
After all, having a "daughter of your husband and another woman" suddenly appear would be a tremendous shock to any girl.
"Lin Shuo."
Willowisp spoke again. "Do you need my help? For example... having Soldier 11 or Trigger go with you? With another person there, things might not be so awkward."
"No."
Lin Shuo shook his head. "This is my business."
He paused and looked at Orphie. "I'll leave Lin Yue in your care today.
Keep her training within safe limits. Don't let her get too tired."
"O-Okay."
Orphie nodded firmly. "I'll take good care of Xiao Yue."
Breakfast ended in silence.
The morning training schedule was packed.
Lin Yue had to undergo a comprehensive ability assessment-her use of the Sharingan, Taijutsu fundamentals, and tactical awareness.
The results surprised everyone.
"Ocular power proficiency: A+." Soldier 11 looked at the data pad, a flicker of surprise crossing her orange eyes.
"She can maintain the Three Tomoe state for over two hours, with almost no signs of fatigue."
On the training ground, Lin Yue was fighting simulated Ether creatures.
Her movements flowed like a dance-she turned sideways to dodge a pounce, flicked her wrist, and sent three throwing knives flying at once, precisely hitting three vital points.
"Taijutsu: B+."
Trigger stood on the observation platform, her eyepatch indicator flashing yellow. "Although her strength and stamina are lacking, her technique is very mature-she's clearly undergone systematic training."
"Tactical awareness: A-." Willowisp's assessment was even more direct. "This kid thinks faster than any of you. Even I thought that bait-and-counterattack maneuver just now was beautiful."
Lin Shuo stood quietly at the edge of the field, watching.
Every movement and every look in Lin Yue's eyes reminded him of himself in another spacetime.
The self who hadn't retired, who had kept fighting until the very end.
"Daddy!"
Having finished her training, Lin Yue jogged over, her forehead covered in sweat. "How did I do?"
"Very well." Lin Shuo handed her a towel. "Rest for ten minutes, then we'll do endurance training."
"Okay!"
Lin Yue took the towel and wiped her sweat. Her Three-Tomoe Sharingan had already deactivated, returning to ordinary green eyes.
She looked toward the viewing platform-Orphie stood there, waving at her.
"Mommy!"
Lin Yue waved back.
Orphie blushed, but still tried to keep smiling.
Lin Shuo saw the scene from a distance.
The heaviness in his heart increased a little more.
During the lunch break, Willowisp called Lin Shuo to the command room.
"The report's finished."
Willowisp tossed him the data pad. "Regarding Lin Yue's origins, abilities, and those eyes-I made some technical adjustments. It only says 'spacetime anomaly,' with no mention of parallel worlds."
"Thank you." Lin Shuo took the data pad.
"Don't thank me."
Willowisp spoke irritably.
"I'm doing this for Orphie. That girl's been so distracted lately that she's made three mistakes in training-something that would have been impossible before."
She paused, her voice dropping. "Lin Shuo, I'm not trying to interfere in your private affairs. But Orphie... I watched her grow up. I don't want to see her hurt."
"I understand," Lin Shuo said. "I won't hurt her."
"But you can't avoid hurting her either, can you?" Willowisp cut straight to the point. "As long as Lin Yue is here, as long as she calls you Daddy and Orphie Mommy, this relationship will always exist. And that little girlfriend of yours... can she accept it?"
Lin Shuo fell silent.
He had no answer.
Or rather, he didn't dare think about the answer.
Training continued in the afternoon.
Lin Yue's endurance test results weren't very good-she was only a child of six or seven, after all, with limited stamina.
But she worked hard, never asking to stop even when her little face turned pale with exhaustion.
"Enough." Lin Shuo called a halt when he saw her stumble for the third time. "That's all for today."
"I-I can still..." Lin Yue panted.
"Rest." Lin Shuo's tone allowed no argument. "Overtraining will damage your body."
He walked over and picked the little girl up-Lin Yue was already too exhausted to stand steadily.
"Daddy..." She buried her face against Lin Shuo's shoulder, her voice muffled. "Am I... useless?"
"Why would you say that?"
"Because... I couldn't protect Daddy and Mommy in that spacetime." Lin Yue's voice grew tearful. "I could only watch them... If I'd been a little stronger, maybe..."
Lin Shuo tightened his hold.
"That wasn't your fault," he said softly. "You're still little. It's the adults' responsibility to protect you."
"But-"
"No buts." Lin Shuo interrupted her. "What you need to do now is grow up well. Once you're grown, you'll have the strength to protect the people you want to protect."
Lin Yue raised her head, her Three-Tomoe Sharingan shimmering through her tears. "Really?"
"Really." Lin Shuo nodded.
"I promise."
He brought Lin Yue back to the dormitory and handed her to Orphie.
"She's tired. Let her get some proper rest."
"Mm."
Orphie took Lin Yue and carefully laid her on the bed. "Lin Shuo, are you... going to Lumina Square tonight?"
"Yes."
"Then..." Orphie bit her lip. "If... if Miss Yuzuha gets angry, you can tell her it was me-"
"No need." Lin Shuo interrupted her.
"I'll handle it."
He looked at Orphie, hesitated, then said it anyway. "Orphie-these past few days... thank you for all your effort."
Orphie froze for a moment, then slowly blushed.
"I-It's been no trouble... Xiao Yue's very well-behaved..."
She lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes between her fingers. "Lin Shuo, you... you must talk things through properly with Miss Yuzuha. Don't argue, don't... don't let it be because of me..."
She couldn't go on.
Lin Shuo looked at her for a long time, then nodded. "All right."
It was already four in the afternoon when he left the dormitory area.
Lin Shuo returned to his temporary quarters-a single room of less than ten square meters, containing only a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe.
He took his casual clothes out of the wardrobe-not combat gear, but an ordinary dark shirt and trousers.
Then he sat on the edge of the bed and looked at his communicator.
On the screen, Yuzuha's last message still read, "See you tonight! (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧"
She used that emoticon whenever she was happy.
Lin Shuo's fingers hovered over the screen for a few seconds, but in the end, he sent no message.
Some things needed to be said face-to-face.
He stood up and walked to the window.
The sunset at Scott Outpost was beautiful-golden light spilled across the metal buildings, and the outline of the distant Hollow containment wall blurred in the glow.
Like an unreal painting.
But tonight, he had to return to reality.
At five in the afternoon, Lin Shuo left Scott Outpost.
He did not take a military vehicle, choosing an ordinary skyrail train instead-he needed time to think, time to... prepare.
The train passed through New Eridu's streets, the scenery outside gradually shifting from the cold austerity of the military district to the warmth of the residential neighborhoods.
Children played in parks, couples strolled hand in hand, and elderly people sat on benches in the sun.
Ordinary daily life.
He had once thought he finally had a life like that.
But now...
The train arrived at Lumina Square.
Familiar scents greeted him-the aroma of the ramen stall, the earthy smell of gray porcelain, the salty dampness of the sea breeze.
Lin Shuo stepped off the platform, his steps a little slower than usual.
Kaidan House stood at the end of the street.
He could already see the gray porcelain crafts in the display window, the wind chimes hanging by the entrance, the... warm yellow light spilling from the second-floor window.
Yuzuha was already back.
Lin Shuo took a deep breath and walked toward the door.
The wind chimes rang clearly.
"Welcome-ah, Lin Shuo!"
Yuzuha looked up from behind the counter, her green eyes instantly lighting up.
Today, she wore her corporate school uniform-a white blouse and a dark blue skirt, her long red hair tied in a high ponytail.
She looked as though she had only recently gotten out of school; her schoolbag was still beside the counter.
"You're back!" Yuzuha came around the counter and jogged over. "Did the mission go smoothly? Did you get hurt?"
As always, she naturally checked Lin Shuo's arms and shoulders-a habit she had recently developed, making sure he was unhurt every time they met.
"It went smoothly," Lin Shuo said. "I'm not hurt."
"That's good~" Yuzuha sighed in relief, smiling brightly. "Dad's cooking. He said he's making his specialty today-braised pork! You'll definitely love it!"
She took Lin Shuo's hand, intending to lead him inside.
But Lin Shuo remained where he was.
"...Yuzuha."
"Hmm?" Yuzuha turned back and blinked. "What's wrong?"
Lin Shuo looked at her-at that familiar face, filled with nothing but pure joy and concern.
There was no suspicion, no unease.
As though... she knew nothing.
"I have something to tell you," Lin Shuo said very softly.
Yuzuha's smile slowly faded.
She let go of his hand, her green eyes looking at Lin Shuo seriously.
"...It's something serious, isn't it?" she asked softly.
Lin Shuo nodded.
Yuzuha fell silent for a few seconds, then took a deep breath. "Then... let's talk upstairs. Dad's cooking. Let's not disturb him."
She turned and headed for the stairs to the second floor.
Her steps were steady, but Lin Shuo saw her hands curl slightly into fists at her sides.
The second floor held the room Yuzuha shared with her younger sisters.
It was small but very tidy-three little beds, a desk, and several gray porcelain craft designs pinned to the wall.
Several pots of succulents sat on the windowsill, glowing warmly in the setting sun.
Yuzuha sat in the chair by the desk, her hands on her knees and her back very straight.
"Go ahead," she said calmly. "I'm listening."
Lin Shuo stood in the middle of the room, looking into her eyes.
Then he began to speak.
From the emergency summons after the Aerospace City mission to Willowisp's transmission at Scott Outpost.
From the hibernation pod deep within Lemnos Hollow to the little girl who had suddenly appeared with a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
From his other self and Orphie in another spacetime to the pair of Mangekyō Sharingan stored in a container.
From Lin Yue calling him "Daddy" and Orphie "Mommy" to the mandatory mission the system had issued-take care of this child until he found a way to send her back.
He spoke slowly and clearly.
He hid nothing and glossed over nothing.
Yuzuha listened quietly.
From beginning to end, she neither interrupted nor asked questions.
Her hands only clenched tighter and tighter on her knees, her knuckles turning white.
When Lin Shuo said, "Lin Yue needs Orphie and me to establish a strong enough emotional bond for her to exist stably in this spacetime," Yuzuha trembled slightly.
But she still said nothing.
The setting sun slanted through the window, dyeing the room orange.
From a distance came the sounds of Li Baorong stir-frying in the kitchen, along with children laughing in the street downstairs.
Everything was ordinary.
Only in this room was the atmosphere so heavy it seemed about to solidify.
Lin Shuo finished speaking.
The room remained quiet for a long time.
So long that the sky outside began to darken.
At last, Yuzuha looked up.
Her green eyes looked especially clear in the twilight, and especially... dim.
"...So," she began, her voice a little hoarse, "you have two daughters now. One is the daughter of you and my future self, and the other is... the daughter of you and Orphie from another spacetime."
Lin Shuo nodded. "Yes."
"And," Yuzuha continued, "you need to take care of that child named Lin Yue, and establish an 'emotional bond' with her and Orphie-or she'll disappear."
"...Yes."
"Then," Yuzuha paused, her voice growing softer, "what about me?"
Lin Shuo felt as though his heart had been struck a heavy blow.
"Yuzuha, I-"
"I'm asking," Yuzuha interrupted, her green eyes fixed on him, "what place do I have in your heart now?"
Her voice was calm, but Lin Shuo heard the tremor in it.
"You're the most important person to me," Lin Shuo said without hesitation. "That will never change."
"But now you have another 'family.'" Yuzuha's voice finally choked up. "Another daughter, another... person who might become 'Mommy.'"
"Orphie isn't-"
"But Lin Yue calls her Mommy!" Yuzuha raised her voice, tears finally falling. "And she's in the Defense Force with you. Every day, you train together, eat together, take care of the child together-what about me? I go to school and help at Kaidan House. Every day, all I can do is wait for your messages, wait for you to come back..."
She wiped her tears hard with the back of her hand, but fresh tears welled up.
"Lin Shuo, I'm not blaming you... I know this isn't your fault. I know you have to take care of that child... but..."
She could not continue. She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Lin Shuo walked over and crouched before her.
He reached out to touch her, but his hand stopped in midair before he drew it back.
"Yuzuha," he said softly. "I know this is selfish, but I need time. Time to find a way to send Lin Yue back, time to deal with all of this... time to make you believe in me again."
Yuzuha raised her head, looking at him through tear-blurred eyes.
"I believe in you," she said through her sobs. "I believe you won't betray me or abandon me... but Lin Shuo, I get scared too."
She reached out and clutched the hem of Lin Shuo's clothes like a last lifeline.
"I'm afraid that one day, you'll feel it's easier to be with Orphie-because she's a soldier too, and she can understand your world. I'm afraid Lin Yue will like her more, because she's her mother in that spacetime. I'm afraid... I'll be the only one left in the end."
Lin Shuo looked at her, his heart aching as though it would split apart.
He reached out and gently wiped the tears from her face.
"That won't happen," he said, his voice soft but firm. "I promised you I'd wait until you graduated, run the ramen stall and Kaidan House with you, and... give you a home."
He paused. "Those promises won't change because of anyone or anything."
Yuzuha's tears flowed even harder.
She threw herself into Lin Shuo's arms and hugged him tightly.
"Lin Shuo... you idiot... you big idiot..."
Lin Shuo hugged her back, burying his face against her shoulder.
The scent of citrus mingled with tears, warm and bitter.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I made you sad."
"It's not your fault..." Yuzuha shook her head in his arms. "Fate's just too cruel..."
They stayed in each other's arms until the sky outside went completely dark.
Li Baorong's voice came from downstairs. "Yuzuha! Lin Shuo! Time to eat!"
Yuzuha let go, wiped her tears away, and forced a smile.
"Let's... go down. Dad made a lot of dishes..."
"Okay."
Lin Shuo stood, looking at her red, swollen eyes. "You..."
"I'm fine." Yuzuha sniffled. "I just... need some time to take it all in."
She paused, then added quietly, "But Lin Shuo, I still have to say it-I'm jealous. Very jealous."
Lin Shuo froze for a moment.
Yuzuha turned her face away, the tips of her ears slightly red. "I know it's unreasonable, but I'm just... jealous. Seeing you take care of another woman's child, thinking about you having a family with another woman in another spacetime... I just..."
Unable to continue, she turned and hurried toward the stairs.
Lin Shuo watched her retreating figure. After a long while, the corners of his mouth lifted just a little.
At least... she was still willing to say it.
At least... she had not given up on him.
The atmosphere at dinner was a little delicate.
Li Baorong seemed to sense something, but considerately refrained from asking and simply served them both food with enthusiasm.
"Little Lin, eat more! You probably don't eat well in the military, do you?"
"Thank you, Uncle Baorong."
"You too, Yuzuha. Eat more-you've lost weight lately."
"No, I haven't..."
Yuzuha ate with her head lowered, occasionally stealing a glance at Lin Shuo.
Her gaze was complicated-there was hurt and sadness, but also... dependence.
After dinner, Yuzuha walked Lin Shuo to the door.
"Lin Shuo," she said quietly. "Are you... going back to the outpost tonight?"
"Yes. Lin Yue's still there."
"...Oh." Yuzuha lowered her head and nudged a pebble by her feet. "Then... will you come again tomorrow?"
"Yes," Lin Shuo said. "It's time to open the ramen stall. And... I want to see you."
Yuzuha looked up, her green eyes shining beneath the streetlight.
"Really?"
"Really."
Yuzuha bit her lip, then rose onto her toes and quickly kissed the corner of Lin Shuo's mouth.
"That's... my stamp," she said, blushing. "To prove you're still mine."
Lin Shuo looked at her, then nodded. "Yes."
"Then... get back safely."
"I will."
Lin Shuo turned to leave.
After a few steps, he heard Yuzuha call from behind him:
"Lin Shuo!"
He turned back.
Yuzuha stood in the doorway of Kaidan House, her hands cupped around her mouth.
"I may be jealous... but I won't admit defeat!"
Her voice rang clearly in the night breeze:
"Because-I'm the Yuzuha of this spacetime! I'm the one who'll stay with you to the very end!"
Lin Shuo looked at her for a long while, then smiled.
It was faint, but genuine.
"Yes."
He waved and turned, walking into the night.
The streetlights stretched his shadow long.
And in the doorway of Kaidan House, the red-haired girl remained standing until he disappeared from sight.
Then she said softly:
"Dad, am I... being too willful?"
At some point, Li Baorong had come to her side. He gently patted her shoulder.
"When it comes to feelings, it isn't about being willful or not," he said gently. "It's only about being sincere or not."
Yuzuha leaned against his shoulder.
"I'm so scared..."
"I know," Li Baorong said softly. "But Yuzuha, you have to believe in him-and in yourself."
Yuzuha lifted her head and gazed at the stars in the night sky.
After a long while, she nodded firmly.
"Yeah!"
[System notification: Key event "Yuzuha's jealousy" completed. Ukinami Yuzuha's affection fluctuation: -15% (hurt), +20% (honest communication), net increase +5%. Current affection: 86.3%. Emotional stability: moderate. Recommendation: Host should continue strengthening communication and companionship.] [Lin Yue-related quest: Emotional bond progress updated] [Orphie Magnusson's affection: 71% (+3%)] [Host's inner acceptance: 78% (+3%)] [Time remaining: 58 hours 10 minutes]
Progress was being made.
But Lin Shuo knew the real test had only just begun.
He lifted his head and looked toward Scott Outpost.
There was a daughter there who needed his care, a relationship he needed to deal with.
And here, there was a lover he needed to protect.
In the night, the lights of New Eridu resembled a river of stars.
And he had to find a path for everyone within that river of stars.
Even if it was hard.
Even if it hurt.
But... he would keep going.
For everyone who mattered.