Endless Silver Machine

Ling got up the next day and put on a brand new hair tie.

It's a waste if you don't use it. Anyway, that's what she claimed.

Luo Luo and Wei Xi should have noticed the new hair tie, but they didn't mention it specifically.

After coming back last night, the girls had already gossiped among themselves about the big and small things that happened throughout the day. Aika didn't pay any attention to whether the girls held secret gatherings, and included his words and deeds in the review and evaluation.

In short, it would be great if everyone could stay in such harmony. Aika really hopes so.

After breakfast, he told everyone that he was going to Professor Cocona's research laboratory today and left the administrator's cabin alone.

…………

Of course, Aika's destination was not the research laboratory he mentioned, but somewhere outside Shimozuki Academy.

He stood at the door of Shimozuki Academy Affiliated Hospital again. The purpose of coming here alone today is to get the answers to the questions left last time.

Aika knew very well that she had no reason to delve into the past of senior Lilith.

But at that moment, Senior Lilith's expression was like a thorn, piercing deeply into his heart.

Even if you deliberately don't remember it, it won't help.

During the hesitation, Aika was already standing in front of the ward without knowing it.

Today was just like the last time I visited, it was as quiet as if this ward was separated from the outside world by a transparent wall.

It turns out that staying here alone can feel so lonely.

Giving up any unnecessary psychological resistance, Aika gently pushed open the door that separated the two spaces in front of her.

Senior Sister Lilith was lying on the white hospital bed with her eyes closed. It seemed that she was still immersed in sleep.

When Aika was about to turn around and close the door, she happened to meet the nurse who had just passed the door. She smiled and nodded slightly to Aika, then turned and left.

When I came to visit the day before yesterday, it was this nurse who was in charge of reception. Maybe Tara had told her something when she left, otherwise it would have been impossible to allow Aika to visit so smoothly.

After receiving the silent permission from the nurse, Aika gently closed the door with gratitude.

Senior Lilith showed no sign of getting ready to wake up. It was obviously almost nine o'clock. Does this young lady have the habit of staying in bed?

It seems that I have discovered an unknown side of Senior Lilith. With some excitement, Aika sat down on the chair next to the bed.

Senior Lilith suddenly turned towards Aika. Aika thought she had woken her up, but she still closed her eyes and breathed softly and steadily.

Seeing the happy look on her face, Aika couldn't bear to wake her up like this. Then before she wakes up, sit here and rest for a while.

I don't know if it was because the tension was relaxed, but Aika felt that her eyelids had become heavier.

…………

His groggy head suddenly felt the force of gravity, and he suddenly became sober. He quickly opened his eyes.

A crisp laughter sounded from a very close distance. Senior Sister Lilith had already sat up from the hospital bed, looking at her embarrassed appearance with a smile.

"H-Sorry!"

Aika herself didn't know what she was apologizing for. Entering the ward without permission? Or do you just take a nap here? Doesn't this require apologizing twice?

"No need to apologize, you saw my sleeping face, and I saw your sleeping face, so it's fair."

In that case, don't you need to apologize for entering the ward without permission? I really can't understand how girls behave.

"that……"

Senior Lilith seemed to want to say something, but couldn't find the right way to express it.

"Um?"

"Sorry, can you please go out for a moment?"

"I'm very sorry. I didn't contact my senior before coming here, so I came in without permission!"

"Eh? Why are you apologizing?" Senior Sister Lilith tilted her head and thought for a moment, then immediately explained to Aika in a panic, "I didn't mean to drive you out! It's just..."

She lifted up a strand of hair hanging down to the corner of her eyes with her hands. This small gesture hinted to Aika what she really wanted to express.

…………

After waiting on the bench outside the ward for dozens of minutes, Senior Sister Lilith opened the door for Aika.

The fragrance of shampoo filled the room instead of the scent of purple orchids. The bed had been made during Aika's avoidance time, and the quilts were neatly folded and placed at the corner of the bed.

Senior Lilith used the drinking water device in the room to pour a glass of water for herself and Aika.

"Thank you," Aika took the water glass with both hands, "Senior Lilith, do you already know your discharge time?"

"In this state..." Senior Sister Lilith pretended to move her slender arms, and the sleeves slid down her raised arms, revealing her fair skin, "There should be no problem, tomorrow it should be You can be discharged from the hospital.”

"Very good."

"Didn't you come with them today?"

"Well, I'm alone today."

Aika didn't tell Senior Lilith that she came here without telling them. To be precise, she couldn't tell her.

"I thought you were always inseparable. I heard a lot of rumors about you from my friends..."

"Are we that famous?"

"Have you not noticed yet? Before entering school, he was wanted by the decree of the Bis Empire, and he was a transfer student recommended by the Holy See. Moreover, among them were nobles with surnames from the Bis Empire and knights of the Holy See. It would be too much if this did not attract attention. It’s weird!”

"I see……"

It turns out that there are so many people secretly observing everyone's every move from places they don't know.

"And...there are some rumors that I don't know if they are true..."

Senior Lilith looked away shyly, drawing circles on the sheets with her slender fingers.

"Um...do you...live in the same room..."

"How can it be!"

Aika almost spit out the water she just drank.

"Because there are various situations in the dormitory, we have to take this measure temporarily. We just live in the same house. I live in a room alone, Luoluo is also alone, and Ling and Wei Xi are two people. People together. It’s definitely not what you imagined!”

"I heard others say so..." Senior Sister Lilith finally breathed a sigh of relief, "If we live together, it's hard to avoid such rumors... But I believe you, Aika."

"Thanks……"

Have other students in the class heard this rumor? Obviously they have never mentioned it... By the way, the girls always have small gatherings, and the three of them attend them from time to time. Let's ask them when we go back.

Besides, the purpose of coming here today is not to chat like this.

"Senior Lilith..."

After considering the words, Aika spoke cautiously.

A step taken can no longer be taken back. At this moment, Aika decided to get closer to senior Lilith.

…………