To be honest, Fu Li had always been highly suspicious that neither Klein nor Pardofelis were mere alternate timeline counterparts.
But no matter how he investigated, the results were always the same.
Birth certificates, personal histories, life trajectories from childhood to adulthood—everything appeared so normal. While there were some aspects that were certainly extraordinary, they could still be explained.
Take Klein, for example. She had graduated with a doctorate at the age of 23 and immediately joined a World Serpent research institute to work on Honkai energy.
While that might sound absurd to an ordinary person, one had to remember that in the Previous Era, Mobius had become the leading figure in the field of biological sciences in her early twenties.
So, it was still somewhat acceptable, wasn't it?
Fu Li looked up at Teacher Pardo sitting across from him, and the file Snakey had sent him about Pardofelis came to mind.
An outstanding graduate of MIT in the United States, the young lady of a prominent family, who came to teach at a school owned by her family simply because she was bored.
This kind of background certainly gave off a feeling of someone who did whatever they pleased. And from their conversation just now, it was clear that this Teacher Pardo had some real substance to her.
When all possible answers have been eliminated, the one that remains, however unbelievable, must be the truth.
This woman, Pardofelis, was indeed not the Pardo he knew. She was... another alternate timeline counterpart.
"In any case, thank you, Teacher Pardo, for clearing up my confusion. I'm very sorry for taking up so much of your time."
"Hehe, not at all. It's my first time being a teacher, after all. If there's anything else you don't understand, you can ask me anytime. However..."
At this point, Pardo blinked, and a bright smile lit up her face as she teased, "The next time you meet a girl, you shouldn't stare at her so intently."
"This... Yes, I understand."
Mentioning his gaffe from this morning, even Fu Li couldn't help but blush.
"Mhm, well then, I'll be going. See you tomorrow, Fu Li."
"Yes, see you tomorrow, Teacher Pardo."
As the brass bell on the coffee shop door chimed softly, Fu Li stared at the empty seat opposite him and the now-cold coffee, feeling a little lost.
Perhaps because the damage to his spirit hadn't yet healed, that subtle sense of dislocation was still playing on his nerves, causing a faint but distinct stabbing pain deep within his brain.
"Sigh... this world has really gone haywire," Fu Li said, picking up the coffee and downing it in one gulp, trying to use the caffeine to calm his mind.
But it didn't work.
Even with his thoughts in disarray, Fu Li had already subconsciously classified this Pardo as one of "his people." In other words, he would absolutely try to lead her away from the epicenter of the Honkai.
Sometime during their talk, a light drizzle had begun to fall outside. Fu Li looked up, remembering that Pardo didn't seem to have an umbrella when she left.
He subconsciously wanted to borrow an umbrella from the shop and rush after her, but the moment his coffee cup clattered onto the table, he abruptly realized that his current relationship with Pardo hadn't reached that stage.
In the simulation, they were the closest of people. But now, they were nothing more than the most familiar of strangers—and he was the only one who felt that familiarity.
In the end, with a soft sigh, Fu Li paid the bill, opened the black umbrella he had borrowed, and disappeared into the vast, misty rain.
The unfinished coffee left on the table was quickly cleared away by a waiter, as if it had never been there at all.
---o---
The next day, early in the morning.
Kiana, Li & Mei's Hangout
Kiana: [Window Shake.JPG]
Kiana: Morning, everyone.
Kiana: By the way, Fu Li, how did your talk with Teacher Pardo go yesterday?
Fu Li: It was okay, I guess. Why?
Kiana: I was just curious. You were acting so weird yesterday. Right, Mei?
Mei: Yes, you did seem a little off. But Fu Li, are you really okay?
Fu Li: ...
Fu Li: I'm fine, don't worry.
Fu Li: I've confirmed it. Teacher Pardo really does look a lot like a childhood friend of mine. But unfortunately, she's never been to Shenzhou, so it's just a strong resemblance.
Kiana: Wow, really? Can two people in the world really look that much alike?
Mei: Well... theoretically, it's possible.
Mei: But even so, it's still incredible. To think something so amazing could happen.
Fu Li: The coincidences don't stop there.
Fu Li: You know the [Elysian Realm] concert tomorrow, right? Teacher Pardo also bought a VIP ticket from a scalper, and her seat is S-007.
Kiana: S-007? I remember our tickets are 004, 005, and 006. Doesn't that mean she's right next to us?
Mei: No matter how you look at it, that's a bit too much of a coincidence.
Fu Li: Tell me about it. Sigh.
Kiana: Alright, don't overthink it! That's just life. Sometimes coincidences can be scary. Anyway, we get to go to the concert tomorrow! I'm so excited!
Mei: I'm about to leave for school now, too. Want to walk together, Fu Li?
Fu Li: I'm coming downstairs right now.
Kiana: Then I'm heading out too!
Closing her phone, Mei let out a soft sigh. Her gaze drifted down to her chat history with Kiana from last night.
Last night, feeling a subtle discomfort in her heart, she had pestered Kiana and chatted with her for a long time.
Finally, when Kiana asked if she had a crush on Fu Li, she had thought for a long time but didn't know how to reply, ultimately just brushing the question aside.
For Mei, her strict upbringing had made her take feelings between men and women very seriously. It was precisely because of this that she didn't know how to answer.
Besides, in her view, love should be something that brings great joy to both people. But then, why did she feel so miserable when she saw Fu Li talking to or caring for someone else?
Why did she want to monopolize the sense of security Fu Li gave her?
As she pulled on her stockings, Mei didn't notice the strange, crimson lightning crackling in the space between the fabric and her skin as her emotions fluctuated.
She was just trying her best to understand a concept that was currently beyond her comprehension.
What is love? What is a crush?
Why is one like honey that makes you sink, while the other is like a fatal poison?
Raiden Mei didn't understand these things. She just really wanted to confess to Fu Li, to tell him that she liked him. But the pride of a Raiden stopped her from being the one to speak up.
Her mother had once told her that in a romantic relationship, the one who confesses first is often the loser. And Mei would never willingly be a loser.
Even if there was to be a confession, it shouldn't come from her. But if Fu Li confessed to her, she would absolutely, without a doubt, agree in a heartbeat!