A chat group where you switch bodies with Alicia at the start?

"...A moth drawn to a flame?"

MEI was clearly unfamiliar with the name.

"It's normal that you don't know. Have you seen the movie? You can think of the Moths as a secret organization lurking in the dark side of the world, beneath the public's perception."

"So, isn't it really interesting?"

The pink-clad girl's thought process was clearly a bit hard for Mei to keep up with. Upon hearing the following sentence, Mei couldn't help but think, "Could this girl be a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur) trying to mess with me using her own preconceived notions?"

"Really, I'm not kidding, it's true! Look, I even have the Flame-Chasing Moth badge!"

As if by magic, Alicia produced a badge from who-knows-where and waved it around. The specially made Fire Moth badge in her hand was very exquisite, with the number 1 on it, making it look quite unique.

It is indeed very exquisite, but after seeing the number 1, Mei became even more suspicious.

"Could this '1' be a member's identification number?"

If Jiang Qiao answers yes, then she'll probably have to categorize this strange girl as having chuunibyou (middle school syndrome).

In recent years, this type has become quite common in the Far East.

"You guessed right, but you're not thinking that this organization called the Moth of Fire is actually just me, or that [Alicia] is just a chuunibyou or something, are you?"

"Based on what you just said, it's hard for me not to have that thought,"

MEI made no attempt to hide it and was quite frank about it.

Alicia nodded in deep agreement.

"Indeed, these things don't sound very convincing."

"That--"

"How about we try something more convincing?"

The pink-clad girl chuckled softly, getting very close to MEI. She leaned closer to the composed, intellectual girl, and her slightly frivolous tone instantly made the usually calm Dr. MEI blush.

Even her face had turned the color of a shy young girl, and with those glasses, she looked incredibly cute.

No matter how wise or calm she was, at this moment, Dr. Mei was just a young girl.

How could a young girl possibly withstand Alicia's kind of aura?

At this moment, MEI was in a state of utter panic.

She was actually quite interested in the moths that Jiang Qiao had mentioned.

After all, isn't that the kind of secret organization depicted in the movie a perfect place for researchers to showcase their talents?

Perhaps we can even uncover some secrets hidden beneath the surface of the world.

But now, I no longer have that thought at all.

Whether Alicia is suffering from chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) or not, she doesn't know.

But at least for now, MEI can be certain.

The guy next to me...

—She's absolutely gorgeous!

Chapter 75 She's just a girl

For MEI, it wouldn't be surprising if she encountered kidnappers. After all, her father is a world-renowned electromagnetic physicist. As his daughter, although MEI's value may not be comparable to that of the children of tycoons, it is enough to attract the attention of some people with ulterior motives.

but--

"How about we come up with something more convincing?"

When that strange girl, who claimed to be from the Fire Moth and named Alicia, whispered those words in her ear in an extremely ambiguous tone.

MEI had to admit that this was the most panicked she had ever been.

I'm a lesbian!

She never expected that she, who was only focused on studying the classics, would actually come across this term, which she had only heard by chance!

How should we deal with this?

No matter how high MEI's intelligence is, he is somewhat overwhelmed by [Alicia's] offensive at this moment.

"As expected, MEI is cuter when she's shy~"

"I took a picture of this. It's rare to see the future Dr. Mei so shy."

She instantly moved from behind to the front of MEI, the nimble girl making a camera shape with her hands, capturing this moment in a "photograph." This seemingly playful act was Jiang Qiao's use of the Origin Power.

But more than anything else, a word he uttered caught Mei's attention, causing her shyness to vanish quickly.

In terms of self-control, even though she is still immature, she already shows some resemblance to MEI, who will lead humanity in the fight against the Honkai.

"future?"

"Hmm~ If I told you I came from the future, would you believe me? MEI~"

The girl in pink sat down next to Mei as if they were old friends. Perhaps because of what had happened before, Mei's face flushed slightly at such close proximity, but she said very seriously:

"...Emotionally, I think what you said is true, but rationally I tell me that it is impossible."

She was willing to believe the sincerity Jiang Qiao displayed, but she couldn't believe such a thing existed.

Because this is a complete subversion of the knowledge one has learned.

"Huh, so Dr. MEI is actually such a conventional person?"

"I don't understand what you're talking about, but I am, after all, just a human being, and human strength has its limits."

MEI was unaffected by this somewhat flattering statement, remaining very humble and objective.

Then she asked in return:

"However, you call me Doctor, which means... we are companions?"

"So, you believe what I said?"

"...Perhaps, there are too many unsolved mysteries in this world."

The girl wearing glasses looked up. Although night had not yet fallen, she could already see the stars, barely visible in the sky, through the sunlight. Gazing at the stars, she spoke:

"Although within my knowledge it is absolutely impossible to reverse time or travel through time, the universe is so vast that trying to judge infinite possibilities with known knowledge is an extremely blind act."

"Your name is... Alicia, right?"

"Hmm~ You can call me that."

The girl in pink smiled.

This body's...consciousness? Soul? Or perhaps its core or something similar should indeed be called Jiang Qiao.

But it doesn't matter if we use Alicia's name, since this machine is indeed [Alicia].

Even if you reveal more details to the other party, it's okay.

However, wouldn't it be more interesting to keep such trivial things a little mysterious?

"Then I'll call you Alicia..."

"Hey, calling her Airi would probably feel more friendly, right? I don't mind~"

"Okay, then let's use that name."

Although it might be a bit too intimate to address him in the way that is customary in the Far East, Dr. MEI is not the kind of person who follows the rules and doesn't care about such small details.

"Even though we know nothing about the future, if you are from the future and have deliberately found me at this moment, it means... in your judgment, there is a need to use my power in the present?"

“I must remind you that the Mei you remember may not be the same person. The current me cannot do what the future me can do. If you are looking for something from the current me, you will most likely be disappointed, Ellie.”

She grasped the information and reality much faster than Jiang Qiao had anticipated.

They had even made a preliminary judgment about his purpose in coming here to find them, and had given him a warning and their own insights.

But Jiang Qiao didn't care about MEI's almost self-deprecating words, and said frankly:

"It's okay, you're just an important piece of my plan."

"Besides, it would be too late if we waited for everything to happen naturally, wouldn't it?"

"It seems our future is not very optimistic."

With Mei's intelligence, she naturally understood his implied meaning. She rubbed her forehead and took the initiative to speak:

"Tell me a little bit, but you don't need to reveal too much."

She did not ask Jiang Qiao to tell her everything she knew.

After all, it's not always better to know more information.

In fact, some information may be harmful rather than beneficial to some people.

As darkness deepened

MEI, who neglects exercise but excels at studying, is not in good health.