I'm in Morioh, just joined a chat group for cute girls.

"Click."

The sound of the refrigerator door being opened interrupted her thoughts.

Gu Ye, wearing loose pajamas, came downstairs and took a can of cola from the refrigerator.

He was somewhat surprised to see Medea sitting alone in the dark living room.

He stepped forward, approached silently from behind, and then gently pinched it.

"Well……"

Medea trembled slightly, then relaxed, letting the hands do whatever they wanted to her.

"It's so late, why aren't you going to sleep?"

Gu Ye rested his chin on the top of her head and asked lazily.

"My bedroom has been requisitioned, so I have to sleep on the sofa."

Medea's voice carried a hint of resentment, but more than that, it was coquettish.

Who requisitioned it?

"Irisviel."

Gu Ye paused for a moment: "What is she doing using your magic workshop?"

"Who knows."

Medea feigned ignorance and shrugged. "Perhaps she's reminded of her alchemist profession and is reviewing her lessons."

Gu Ye's palm remained pressed against her skin, and the heat transmitted through the fabric gradually warmed Medea's body.

She turned around to face Gu Ye and sat down on his lap.

Anyway, they're homeless tonight.

She raised her head, her eyes gleaming with an eerie light in the darkness. "Master, will you take me in?"

Gu Ye looked down at her, without answering, and simply picked her up by the waist and carried her to his room.

The door closed, and after a moment, a barely perceptible spatial ripple flashed by, and the black and gold train engine phantom disappeared in a flash.

In the basement, Irisviel finally made up her mind.

She spread the purple dress on the stone table, her eyes hardening.

She opened a magic furnace beneath an empty cauldron, and blue flames roared up.

Regardless of the outcome, she was determined to uncover this secret herself.

……

Two weeks later.

A strange, acrid smell, a mixture of magic and chemical reagents, permeated the underground magic workshop.

Irisviel picked up a bit of the completely inactive gray powder remaining in the flask with her snow-white fingertips, brought it to her nose and sniffed it gently, then frowned in disappointment.

It failed. This is the umpteenth failure in the past two weeks.

She poured out the powder and skillfully cleaned the delicate glassware, her movements as elegant as if she were preparing for a grand tea party.

But her eyes were unusually tinged with a lingering gloom.

How is this possible?

Irisviel was filled with confusion.

She is the homunculus of the Einzbern family, the greatest masterpiece, and an alchemist who inherited the essence of the Third Law.

Deciphering the composition of matter should have been as simple for her as breathing.

However, that small cup of liquid, which Ilya called "special milk," seemed like an insurmountable chasm standing in the way of her pride.

She could clearly recall that unique taste—rich, slightly sweet, with an indescribable, vibrant aroma.

It awakens the taste buds, bringing a wonderful sense of satisfaction.

But no matter how she used alchemy to analyze, separate, and reconstruct, all she got in the end was a pile of meaningless organic residue.

The most crucial element, the "seasoning" that gives it its unique flavor, is like a cunning fairy, always managing to slip away quietly before her spell is complete.

"How embarrassing, Your Highness Princess of Einzbern."

A slightly sarcastic female voice came from the shadows of the workshop.

Medea had somehow appeared there, her long blue hair shimmering under the magical light. She stood with her arms crossed, watching Irisviel's perplexed expression with great interest.

"We just encountered a minor technical problem."

Irisviel straightened her back, maintaining the dignity of a noblewoman, as if her previous troubles were just an illusion.

"Technical difficulties?"

Medea chuckled softly, strolled closer, and her pointed ears twitched slightly. "Wasting time analyzing a... drink for two weeks straight. If the ancestors of the Einzbern family knew that their proud 'Holy Grail vessel' was obsessed with this kind of thing, their expressions would be quite interesting."

Irisviel did not refute, but silently wiped the last flask clean and put it back in its place. Her silence pleased Medea.

Instead of wandering around here like a squirrel looking for nuts, why not just ask? The source is upstairs, isn't it?

Medea's fingers lightly touched a row of test tubes containing various magical potions, her posture as elegant as if she were inspecting her own army.

“I asked Ilya.”

Irisviel finally spoke, her expression somewhat sullen, "But she just smiled and wouldn't say anything. That child... seems to have a lot of secrets lately."

The way she looked at me was like she was looking at a clueless child.

I'm the mother, though...

"It's normal for children to want to have their own secrets. But they usually share their secrets with more than one person."

Medea said meaningfully, "Since you can't get your daughter to talk, why not ask someone else? For example, that lively hottie, or... the man of the house."

Medea's words struck Irisviel like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through her train of thought.

She had indeed fallen into a mental dead end, single-mindedly trying to prove her strength with her alchemy, while neglecting the most direct means of social interaction.

"you're right."

Irisviel nodded, her eyes brightening again. "Thank you, Caster. That's a great suggestion."

She took off her slightly dusty apron, straightened her white suit, and regained her elegant and noble demeanor as Mrs. Eindzbern.

You're welcome. I just... don't like watching others do useless work.

Medea turned around, a barely perceptible smile curving her lips.

Go forth, my poor princess.

Go and personally uncover the other side of your seemingly happy family.

It’s just a good show.

Irisviel went upstairs, but the living room was empty.

She was about to knock on Kitagawa Kaimu's door when she saw Gu Ye come out of his room.

He was wearing a simple black T-shirt and casual pants, and when he saw Irisviel, he subconsciously paused.

Good morning, Gu Yejun.

Qianxun ⑨б○①②⑥②⑦ling

Irisviel flashed her signature gentle and warm smile and greeted them.

"Good morning, Ms. Irisviel."

Gu Ye nodded, keeping his distance as much as possible.

"I have something I want to think about..."

"that,"

Before she could speak, Gu Ye said, not wanting to confront the issue directly, "I'm planning to go to Tokyo today. Ilya wants to come along, so I wanted to ask for your permission."

"To Tokyo?"

Irisviel's attention was indeed diverted. "Is there something important?"

"Yeah, it's a band's concert. A friend gave me the tickets."

Gu Ye explained succinctly.

"Concert..."

Irisviel found the word somewhat intriguing, but didn't delve into it further.

She was more concerned about her daughter's safety.

"Ilya, are you going alone?"

"No, there's also Kitagawa-san. I'll take good care of them."

Gu Ye added.

Hearing that Gu Ye was accompanying her, Irisviel was immediately relieved.

In her view, although Gu Ye was taciturn, he was a very reliable and powerful person. Entrusting Ilya to him would be safer than having her stay with her.

"In that case, I have no objection. Please be sure to take good care of Ilya for me."

She smiled and agreed.

"Mom! You're the best!"

Accompanied by cheerful words, Ilya, like a silver bird, rushed down the stairs, grabbed Irisviel's arm, and rubbed against her affectionately.

Following closely behind was Kitagawa Kaimu, who was wearing a stylish cropped sweatshirt and denim shorts, with her long blonde hair tied in a neat ponytail.

Good morning, Aunt Alice! We're off!

Hai Meng waved energetically.

"Be careful on the road, and have fun."

Irisviel lovingly stroked Ilya's silver hair.

However, the moment she lowered her head, a familiar scent, one that had haunted her dreams for two whole weeks, clearly entered her nostrils.

The aroma came not only from Ilya, but also from Kitagawa Kaimu, who lived nearby.

It was very light, yet incredibly real, exactly like the taste of that "special milk" she remembered.

Irisviel's hand, which was stroking her daughter's hair, froze.

This taste... they... just drank it again? And behind my back?

Her gaze fell on Ilya's slightly pouting lips as she smiled, then swept over Haimeng's radiant face.

They looked so happy, so close, sharing a secret that belonged only to them and Gu Ye.

But she, as Ilya's mother, was excluded like an outsider.

A complex mix of frustration, annoyance, and a hint of grievance welled up in Irisviel's heart for the first time with such clarity.

"Mom? What's wrong?"

Ilya noticed her mother's unusual behavior, looked up at her with a puzzled expression, and asked.

"……nothing."

Irisviel withdrew her hand, her smile appearing somewhat forced. "It's getting late, hurry up and go, don't miss the bullet train."

"Okay! Let's go!"

Without thinking twice, Ilya grabbed Haimeng's hand and called out to Gu Ye, "Big brother, hurry up!"

Gu Ye nodded to Irisviel again, then followed the two girls out of the entrance hall.

The front door closed, and the living room fell silent once more.

Irisviel stood there, the smile on her face slowly fading away.

She looked towards the entrance, her eyes shining with an unprecedented determination.

When you come back... Ilya. I must get to the bottom of this.