I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

"My parents are dead... they're all gone... my husband was just someone arranged by the family, we didn't get along, so it was just like that, he was always fooling around outside... and then he died too, serves him right... finally Irina died too... that's it, it's really nothing."

"Not to mention, I'm about to die now, just like them, so it's nothing... nothing."

Elja looked at the purple markings covering her body and murmured to herself, emphasizing it again at the end as if to comfort herself. But she couldn't help but shed a few tears, which she quickly wiped away.

"You've changed a lot."

"Yes, time always changes a person... Anyway, let's talk about you guys. Although we always see you active online, what's the real situation? I'm quite curious. Tell us so we can have a laugh. Also, how's your progress lately? We're all very interested."

"........."

"……Feel sorry."

Seeing Eden remain silent, Elgar realized she might have mentioned something she shouldn't have and apologized softly.

"No...it's nothing. I just estimated that Xiwang's performance was about to start, and I didn't want to miss it...I'm sorry, it's my fault."

"Xi Wang's performance? Here? And...aren't you coming along?"

"No, this is his time to showcase his [characteristics]. I can't go on stage with him, and... I'm not suitable to perform with him right now."

Eden shook her head with a wry smile... Given her current state of mind, the emotions expressed in the music must be very sad, which doesn't match the music needed now, nor does it match the melody played by Xiwang. At this moment, she... is not suitable to share the stage with Xiwang.

"Moreover... as this may be Xi Wang's last song, I don't want my music to disturb him. I would rather be a listener, witness it, and remember it."

"...Wait, what does 'last song' mean?"

"It's nothing... You can't be sure about those things. Let's keep a little bit of hope, even if it's just a tiny bit... By the way, don't worry about your condition. You won't die. There's plenty of medicine here, and his songs are often played here... You'll be fine."

"Wait, don't go!"

Elgar wanted to call out, but Eden glanced at the time and left in a hurry... This was the first time she had acted so rudely. Clearly, she couldn't care less about anything else at that moment. She... just wanted to go to Xiwang's side, listen to his song, and witness his performance.

"……hateful!"

Elja realized something and tried to move her body anxiously, but her weak body and crippled legs made it impossible for her to leave the hospital bed.

Previously, when she first met Xi Wang, she was somewhat apprehensive and kept avoiding his gaze... The incident from back then still lingered in her heart, so she dared not look him in the eye, and even though she wanted to apologize to him, she didn't know where to begin.

What if he still cares? What if he no longer cares? What if he doesn't accept the apology?

These questions kept lingering in her mind, making her hesitate... and ultimately, she was unable to deliver her belated apology, which has been delayed until now.

But Eden's appearance, and the discussions among those people when he was rescued... all seemed to indicate one thing—Xi Wang's condition was not good.

This made her feel a little anxious. At least... at least she should tell him this apology, this belated apology.

But how could she possibly get to him now?

When I was rescued before, why couldn't I muster the courage to apologize to him...?

Sure enough, I... missed the best opportunity again.

???~

A soft singing voice drifted in from outside; Erjia knew it was Xiwang's voice.

"........."

Erjia gritted her teeth, called for medical staff, and begged them to take her away, pleading with them to bring her to Xiwang.

Others couldn't dissuade her, and in the end they could only bring her to Xi Wang's side... And this time, she made it just in time, arriving just before Xi Wang finished her performance and was about to leave.

"Elja? You should rest now, otherwise your condition will get worse."

Upon seeing her arrive, Xi Wang stopped in her tracks, intending to leave with the troops, and said with some surprise and concern.

"...I'm sorry, Xiwang."

That was the first thing she said... She was so glad that she didn't hesitate this time, she was so glad that she seized the opportunity.

"Whether in the past or now, I am sorry, Xiwang."

"Regardless of what happened back then, or... this belated apology of mine is also... I am very... sorry."

That's what she said; that's all she could say.

"...Hmm? It's okay, I forgive you~"

Xi Wang seemed to realize what she was talking about, and just smiled and said softly.

"I accept your apology. Now please rest well, otherwise your condition will worsen. I'm so happy to see you all still alive and well."

"……Thanks."

"Heh heh~ Well then... see you later?"

"Okay... goodbye."

Erjia watched Xiwang's figure disappear into the distance, praying that they would meet again.

…………

………………

"Hmm?~"

"I said, can you show any emotion other than happiness?"

Listening to Xi Wang humming a lighthearted tune, Mebius said with some irritation.

"Hmm? But maintaining a positive mood before surgery can increase the success rate, right? And being too nervous isn't good for your health either~"

"No, that's not how it's calculated...tsk...I mean, can you please pay a little more attention to your own life?! Be aware of your special status!"

"...You're still laughing?!"

"Well... it's just that Dr. Möbius's attitude reminded me of someone~"

Xi Wang shook her head cheerfully and spoke lightly, seemingly unaware of her own situation.

"But I'm really happy to be cared for by you all~"

"Since you know that, you shouldn't make us worry so much... Also, the way you look only disgusts and revulses me. Your disregard for your own life only makes me feel repulsed."

"I'm so sorry... but don't worry, the surgery will be successful. After all, you're Mebius, aren't you?"

"whispering sound……"

"Besides... Dr. Möbius, I'm not always happy, you know? I'm human too, I get sad too~"

"Did not see it."

"Because there's no need for that. Everyone is already sad enough. If I show that emotion again, everyone's emotions will be soaked in sadness and they won't be able to get back to normal... That would be terrible."

"You underestimate people's strength... Besides, even if you're gone, you still have Alicia, so there's no need for you to worry."

"Ah...that's true."

After thinking about it, Xi Wang also agreed with Mebius's statement.

"However... I still won't do it, okay? Showing sadness or anything... because that's too dangerous."

Xi Wang said softly.

“I’m worried that I won’t be able to stop once I start… I might get sad or something… If that happens, my songs won’t bring hope to others anymore.”

Xi Wang's eyelids drooped slightly.

"And also... I'm also afraid of getting lost in sadness, having my mind filled with despair, and having my heart torn apart piece by piece... Wouldn't that make the people who care about me and like me even more heartbroken?"

"Aren't you right, Eden?"

Xi looked at Eden, who had just walked in, and asked softly.

"If that's the case, then it's fine."

Eden answered in this way.

“If that’s the case, I will pick it up piece by piece, piece by piece, and tell myself: this piece is mine, that piece is mine... these are all mine.”

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Xi Wang smiled happily.

"However, you don't need to trouble yourself. I will give this heart to you intact and completely."

"...Yes, I know."

"Alright, alright, you two stop being so lovey-dovey here... If it weren't for your good relationship, I wouldn't have let her in!"

Mebius interrupted their conversation with some irritation.

"Speak quickly if you have something to say... Hmph, you only have a little time left, you'd better think it over carefully, maybe this will be your last words, little guinea pig?"

"Will not."

Xi Wang didn't mind Mebius's slightly annoyed remarks; he simply shook his head and said...

"We will succeed, and I... will survive."

"After all... I am [hope], how could I be extinguished so easily, right?"

After saying that, he looked at Eden, who had come to his side, gently took her hand, pulled her closer to him, lightly touched her lips, and looked at her with eyes full of smiles and expectations.

"Let's sing together later, Eden."

"……it is good."

Eden nodded in agreement.

…………

………………

As the surgery began, and all unrelated personnel were kept out, while everyone who cared about Xiwang anxiously awaited the results... a researcher rushed in.

He seemed very anxious and hurried. When he arrived in front of everyone, he didn't even have the strength to speak and could only pant.

"Dr. Mei... the reagent has... worked! It's highly effective! It can definitely save him!"

He took out a sealed reagent and spoke excitedly, even forgetting for a moment where he was and why everyone was waiting there.

"...I see...Thank you for your hard work."

Dr. Mei nodded, then rubbed her temples with a slight headache.

"But it's no longer necessary; the surgery has already begun."