I'm on the Ark, and I start out as Gretchen.

"It's nothing...it's just a little strange."

In response to Yelena's question, Gretchen simply shook her head slightly and said...

"It's good that you're alright. Remember to tell me if anything happens." As she spoke, a tender look flashed in Yelena's eyes, and she couldn't help but reach out and pat Gretchen's head.

"Oh, I see."

"Well……"

After answering her own questions, Gretchen adjusted her position and then leaned back onto Alyona's shoulder.

Little Lolita

If I'm not being presumptuous, Alina keeping Talulah behind tonight was probably trying to persuade me.

Since that's the case, all she can do is pray.

However, Gretchen felt that Alina's success rate was quite high.

"What's wrong? Are you uncomfortable leaning against me? You can lie down in my arms..." Hearing the soft voice from Gretchen's mouth, Alyona, who was thinking about what she had learned today, came back to her senses, turned her head slightly, and said softly.

"I'm not feeling unwell... What was Alyona thinking about so intently just now?" Faced with her friend's concern, Gretchen gently shook her head, then asked with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"I was just thinking about what I learned today," Alyona replied softly to Gretsch's question without hiding anything.

In order not to hold Greyspeare back in the future, Alyona has been working very hard not only in her studies and training, but also in her private reflections.

"Alyona is working so hard," Gretsch couldn't help but exclaim after hearing Alyona's words.

"Trying hard? It's what we should do." After saying this softly, Alyona fell silent, but a determined look appeared in her eyes as she looked at the person beside her.

……

Meanwhile, in Talulah's tent—

"Talulah, are you really not going to reconsider?"

Alina, sitting on a chair to the side, looked at her best friend with a helpless expression and said...

"I thought you'd have similar thoughts to me, Alina, but why are you siding with the little guy now?" Talulah, who had been listening to Alina for a while, couldn't help but "complain" to her.

"Heh~ Actually, in some other things, my thoughts are still similar to yours. But this is an exception." Faced with her friend's "accusation," Alina couldn't help but chuckle softly.

“Is this any different from anything else? You know Alina, I don’t want to bother that little Gretsch anymore.” Talulah paused slightly, then lowered her eyes before continuing:

“At her age, she should be carefree, not worrying about helping me or fulfilling my wishes. Besides, I already owe her enough.”

“No, Talulah, it’s not you, it’s us. Everyone, the entire Reunion Movement, has received Gretsch’s help. You can’t just take it all on yourself.”

“I don’t deny what you’ve said. In fact, as I just said, my thoughts on these matters are the same as yours—I don’t want to cause too much trouble or rely on Gretsch, but…” Alina paused here, then changed the subject and continued:

"Big things and small things are different, you need to understand that, Talulah."

"You can choose to make it clear to Gretsch that you will not accept her large help or benefits, and instead make a fair deal with the people behind her, or you can get through the difficulties by doing something else."

"But when faced with Gretchen's 'smaller' kindness, you shouldn't choose to reject it indiscriminately. Instead, you should accept it appropriately and then reciprocate in your future interactions."

"You know, helping each other out is a great way to foster a relationship, especially since you already consider Gretchen a sister and family."

"..."

Hearing this, Talulah looked up at the person in front of her, and after a moment of silence, said helplessly, "With you and other people around that little one every day, how could I possibly have a chance to let her bother me..."

"Heh, Talulah, you'll have to figure that out yourself. Otherwise, you might not even know if your sister gets kidnapped one day. I think Gretchen and Yelena get along very well." Alina couldn't help but tease her with a laugh.

"Oh right, since I'm here today thanks to Gretchen, I'll just mention it briefly." Little Deer, who was teasing her friend, suddenly clapped her hands as if she had just remembered something.

"Ok?"

After hearing Alina's words, Talulah's eyes flashed with curiosity, and she waited for Alina to continue.

“There are some minor issues. I noticed the changes in you before, so I didn’t bring them up much, but this time I’ve discovered some small blind spots.”

"Talulah, do you remember what we saw in the painting that Gretsch gave us?" Alina asked softly, looking at her best friend.

"I remember, very clearly."

Although Talulah was somewhat puzzled as to why Alina had suddenly brought this up, she nodded and answered truthfully.

"It's clear you were deeply impressed. Your recent growth and changes are very evident, especially after experiencing the events depicted in the painting and the removal of the curse from your body. In particular, some things are no longer viewed in black and white terms in your mind." Alina paused slightly, then emphasized as she continued:

"But that's precisely the blind spot I want to point out. The world of Talulah isn't just about people and things that aren't black and white. When you're dealing with everyday trivialities, you can compromise a little, just like you've changed now, instead of making such a clean break."

"..."

After hearing Alina's question, Talulah remained silent for a long time, carefully considering and digesting it before finally coming to her senses and saying:

"I was careless and actually got lectured and nagged by you, Alina, for something like this."

"

"?"

"Talulah, you rascal! I was just trying to be helpful, and you called me a chatterbox!" Alina raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile in her eyes, but she pretended to be angry as she spoke.

Xiaolu knew that her best friend had taken her words to heart. Although it's difficult and slow for someone to change, especially with such small details, it's okay to take it slowly, especially since her friend was there for her...

"Hehe, okay, enough rambling, Teacher Alina is absolutely right!"

"Alright, stop joking around. You should think about how to get along with Gretchen and strengthen your relationship, and what to send to your sister."

"Uh……"

It would have been better if Xiao Lu hadn't mentioned it, because as soon as these two things were brought up, the Dragon Girl's smile, which had just been upturned, suddenly vanished.

P.S.: This chapter took a long time to write. It's been a long time since I've written about Tarua and the deer's "scenes together".

Chapter 63 Alina's Good News and Departure

After discussing important matters with her close friends, Alina leisurely left the tent and went to the campfire.

Today, Xiaolu spent a lot of time discussing important matters and having a private chat with Talulah. She hasn't even had dinner yet tonight.

Good evening, Alina.

Gretchen, who was chatting idly with Alyona, noticed Alina's arrival and her beautiful eyes lit up slightly. She then pulled her friend to sit down next to her, making room for her.

Upon hearing Gretsch's words, Alina smiled slightly at her, then walked over and sat down, saying softly, "Good evening, Gretsch. Did you eat well?"

"Yeah, there is."

Upon hearing this, Greta nodded her little head obediently and replied.

"..."

After hearing the little girl's answer, Alyona, who was sitting next to her, raised her eyebrows slightly, and a look of disapproval appeared on her face, but she didn't say anything.

Honestly, Alyona really felt that her friend ate too little every day... and ate very slowly, eating like a little squirrel.

But whenever the little polar bear tries to persuade Gretchen to eat more, he always succumbs to her pitiful eyes and is fooled by her cuteness...

"Ha~"

After hearing Gretsch's answer and glancing at Alyona's expression, Alina couldn't help but chuckle softly and said gently, "Gretsch is so kind. But you and Alyona are still growing, so if you ever get hungry, you can come find your big sister."

"Ah."

"Okay, Alina."

The two little ones obediently agreed to Alina's words.

"Also, it's all settled, Gretchen. You can go find Talulah later and discuss the details with her..." As she finished speaking, Alina winked at Gretchen, the meaning of which was self-evident.

“???)!”

"Yay, thank you, Alina!"

Upon hearing this, Gretchen was taken aback at first, and then couldn't help but cheer softly.

Sure enough, she said it herself: with Alina involved, this matter was bound to succeed!

"It's nothing, no need to be so polite." Alina said softly, looking at the excited little girl in front of her.

"Little guy, what are you planning to do with Talulah this time? Do you need my help?"

Yelena, who had been listening silently to Gretchen and Alina's conversation, couldn't help but ask a question.

"Well... I'm planning to go out again soon, and I'll also pick up some things for Tarua." Gretchen answered truthfully without hiding anything from Yelena's question.

After all, she just hadn't had a chance to tell everyone yet, and she wasn't planning to keep it a secret forever.

"?"

"Leaving again? Where are you going this time? How long will it take? Is it safe?" Upon hearing this, Yelena gently furrowed her delicate brows and asked in a soft voice.

"???)...Pfft."

Gretsch stared blankly at the familiar scene before her and the caring words that she could feel no matter how many times she heard them. Then she covered her mouth and couldn't help but chuckle.

After he finished laughing, he earnestly explained to Yelena under her questioning gaze.

At the same time, the little girl decided in her heart that after finalizing the details with Talulah, she would tell everyone the news directly, so as to save everyone from asking and showing concern one by one.

-----------------

In the midst of a busy or leisurely life, time flies by quickly, and soon it's a few days later, an important moment in time.

The parking lot of Rhine Life's headquarters in Columbia, far from the Ursus snowfields.

"Go back, you don't need to see me off anymore."

After loading some of her belongings into the car, Saria calmly turned to the two people standing behind her and spoke.

"Yes, please take care, Section Chief Saria." After hearing Saria's words, Sakura nodded gently and said earnestly.

Honestly, setting aside certain stances and other miscellaneous factors, Sakura actually really likes Saria.

In fact, it's more accurate to say that almost no one would dislike such a righteous, reliable, rational, and capable companion.

It's a real shame... he didn't share the same ideals as his best friend.

With the Doctor pulling the strings behind the scenes, Saria's departure this time was inevitable, and the departure time was also much earlier than before.

“You too.” Saria nodded slightly in response to Sakura’s words.

"Sigh... How did things suddenly turn out like this? Saria, don't forget about me when you get to your new place, or I'll be very sad!" As she spoke, Muirsey couldn't help but reach out and wipe away non-existent tears from the corner of her eye.

"Given your personality, I reckon it would be hard for you to forget me even if you wanted to." Looking at her friend who had started talking again, Saria said calmly and "without any politeness."