“We’re back.”
Just as Clara and the others returned to the resort, Fran had already brought the several people who had been turned into Moon Rabbits back to the Service Center first.
The moment Fran saw Clara, she teased, “Oh? Did you end up drinking it yourself after all? Those ears are quite long!”
Clara touched her ears and asked, “What about you all…”
“They’ve all regained their senses.”
Fran sat back down in the seat by the door, sucking on a lollipop and looking down as she swiped through her tablet.
“We’ll find the people turned into Moon Rabbits in the resort tomorrow and release them from their brainwashing control. Tonight, I’m going to rest first.”
As she spoke, she stretched lazily.
Redscarlet scratched his tied-up red hair, wearing a smile that was both impolite and somewhat awkward.
“Ahem, it seems us guys… have caused quite a bit of trouble for everyone… for little sister Clara.”
“Big brother, do you all still have your memories?” Sista asked.
“Of course, but for now, we can only be your sisters.”
Blue Cavalier also adjusted her glasses and added:
“The memories from the brainwashing period are all there too. I have a general idea of what happened and what I did…”
Her face flushed, the kind she couldn’t hide.
The memories from the brainwashing, combined with the rough interaction earlier in the pavilion, were too much for even the famously rational Blue Cavalier to handle, the embarrassment washing over her.
“Chirp—”
The Moon Rabbit Combat Unit jumped off Lucia’s lap, ran over to Blue Cavalier, and began scratching the latter’s pantyhose-clad calf with its paws, venting its displeasure.
Clara (Moon Rabbit) had suffered quite a bit at Blue Cavalier’s hands. And now that Blue Cavalier was actually apologizing.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Alright, alright~ It’s all been settled perfectly, hasn’t it~”
The green-haired girl sneak-attacked Blue Cavalier from behind, vigorously kneading the other’s chest.
“Being turned into a beautiful girl is pretty novel anyway. We can change back once we return to Central City.”
“Might as well change our mindset these next few days. This solar storm will take three or four more days to subsi—guh!”
Blue Cavalier’s elbow sank deep into Verdant Echo’s stomach with a dull thud.
Although the latter maintained her usual playful grin, the situation wasn’t as optimistic as she thought.
“No, now is not the time for you to relax.”
Producer S sat on a single sofa.
He rested his elbows on his knees, fingers interlaced beneath his chin.
“The public opinion of you three has severely declined, especially for Redscarlet and you… The scenes of you fighting Clara and Miss Jeanne were broadcast live by the Fourth Calamity.”
“A hero siding with the enemy is unforgivable. Even if it was under brainwashing, it won’t be accepted by the people.”
Understanding the severity of the problem, the three fell silent.
“Hmm…”
“However, the Fourth’s active performance has given you a chance to salvage your reputations. In the next few days, before you change back, take this window to build a female hero image that appeals to women…”
This didn’t seem to have much to do with Clara, so she didn’t listen to the end.
After all, her popularity had genuinely risen. Even her misconduct on the variety show two days ago could be forgiven.
No matter how unsavory the means of victory, even if it was poisoning, as long as one wins, heroes are always praised. Especially after turning the tables on a cadre of the Fourth Calamity in a desperate situation.
“Then I’ll go back to sleep first.”
The cottage had been destroyed in the battle, and the entire resort was in a semi-paralyzed state.
Clara gave a greeting and left the Service Center. The condition of the guest rooms was quite bad. The building they had stayed in before was fortunate to have few occupants, so finding two intact rooms to sleep in was still possible.
There was no need for registration now either; they could just pick a room they liked and go in.
Not long after Clara walked out of the resort, Sista caught up.
“Huh? You’re not in the meeting anymore?”
“I… Mr. S told me to rest first. He’ll notify me of any results tomorrow.”
As a key contributor of the Sigma Series, Sista’s stamina was severely depleted. She was still walking a bit unsteadily.
Clara even felt like the little tentacles she had regenerated couldn’t help but want to emerge from her hair to support her.
“Mm, that’s only right…”
Clara reached out to support Sista’s arm and added:
“Tonight, we don’t have to sleep on the floor.”
With the crisis resolved, Fran and Lucia would find other guest rooms.
With the rabbit combat unit following them, they would know if anything unexpected happened.
However, the crises of the Fourth Calamity and the Moon Rabbits had both subsided. Unless that Psycho guy made another big move, the resort should be safe.
With the cadre Mossima currently stationed at the resort, the now-weakened Fourth Calamity likely wouldn’t make any more moves. At the very least, Labi must have suffered heavy losses; it was unclear if she could even survive.
“We won.”
Sista muttered softly. Clara, who was pushing open the guest room door, echoed:
“That’s right, we won.”
Helping Sista to the bedside, Clara took off her coat and shoes for her.
“Miss Clara… from now on, I want to try being myself… although I still don’t know what truly counts as being myself.”
Facing such childlike, honest words, Clara naturally treated them seriously.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help you.”
After having Sista lie down, Clara also climbed next to her and pulled up the blanket. But she just sat there. Though exhausted, she needed a little time to sort through everything that had happened today.
“Miss Clara…”
Sista turned over, facing Clara.
“Hmm? Want to say something else?”
“Well, I want to sleep a bit lower…”
The white rabbit’s ears were bent by the headboard.
Clara also lay down, and together with Sista, they scooted a bit lower on the bed. Fortunately, the guest room bed was quite large. Even after moving down a bit, Sista’s feet wouldn’t be dangling off the edge.
Due to the side effects of Fran’s medicine, Clara also had a pair of black rabbit ears on top of her head, said to serve as the control tower’s antenna.
A mutant with squid factors, yet sporting rabbit ears—no matter how you thought about it, it was strange.
This… can’t be hidden?
[As a control antenna, regenerating the combat body will remove them, but you will also lose control over the Moon Rabbits.]
If hidden, she couldn’t command the Moon Rabbits…
It was still uncertain whether the hive mind had truly compromised, so until they left the resort, she needed to keep them as insurance.
Alright, then keep them for now. They’re not really in the way anyway.
[Nyx suggests you don’t expose your human ears, otherwise the ‘four-channel sound’ will look very strange.]
“Four-channel sound”?!
…Huh?!
Nyx’s words piqued Clara’s curiosity. She couldn’t help but open her eyes, turn on her side to face Sista, and reach out to brush aside Sista’s hair—were there human ears underneath?
Her attempt was thwarted. Sista embraced her before she could.
No extra movements or intentions, just a simple hug, letting their bodies press close, drawing their hearts nearer… it was just a bit hot.
“Clara… today… thank you…”
Sista’s voice was already dreamlike. Clara wasn’t sure if she was still awake.
Relaxing, Clara gently rested her forehead against Sista’s gently rising and falling chest.
“Mhm…”
“It’s almost dawn. Go to sleep quickly.”
Behold a Rabbit Squid Mother.