"Ball's coming!"
Smack!
The volleyball dove sharply, skimming the net, its trajectory shifting.
Hua looked up, her eyes tracking the soaring dark shape, then meeting the harsh glare of the sun. The image in her eyes momentarily sharpened before blurring.
She stumbled towards the ball's landing spot, so focused on the ball itself that she completely missed the noisy footsteps around her.
"Ugh!"
"Oof!"
"Ngh!"
Hua, Dystopia, and Vill-V tumbled to the ground, clutching their heads and looking at each other in confusion. Everyone had been watching the volleyball, completely oblivious to their teammates' movements.
Thump—
The volleyball landed limply in the sand, as if exhausted from laughing at the three girls' clumsiness.
"Oh dear, oh dear! Team Pink Fairy scores another point! It's four to zero now!" Elysia announced cheerfully from her spot as referee.
"Tch!"
Mobius, sipping watermelon juice on a high chair next to the net, clicked her tongue and offered a friendly reminder:
"Elysia, that last spike was out of bounds!"
"..."
"Pfft..."
Hearing the happy commotion behind him, Michael couldn't help but grin. It was just for an instant, making Su and Kevin, who were sitting with him, seriously doubt if they'd imagined the chuckle.
But the fishing rod in his hand faithfully recorded his smile from that moment. The vibration traveled from Michael's hands to the rod, down the line, and finally rippled across the calm water surface in concentric circles.
Proof that anything that truly happens will leave its mark on the world, he supposed.
"Hey, didn't we agree we were shooting a movie? Why are they playing volleyball again?" Kevin's voice was listless, mostly preoccupied.
"Can't be helped." Michael sighed, shaking his head. "Maybe girls' minds just jump around like that. On the ship, she was constantly talking about filming, but as soon as we got here, it turned into—'Wow! Such a beautiful ocean! Such a warm sea breeze! We have plenty of vacation time anyway, let's just relax for a day first!' Something like that, probably."
"...Michael, you really understand women." Kevin praised him sincerely.
Su, eyes closed, serenely sipping the goji berry tea in his thermos, remained noncommittal.
Slurp— slurp— slurp—
"..."
Kevin rubbed the dark circles under his eyes, hesitated with a slight blush for a moment, and finally couldn't resist asking:
"Su, those goji berries you gave me before were pretty good. Do you have any more?"
Michael sat up straighter. A quick glance out of the corner of his eye caught the slight twitch at the corner of Su's mouth.
"Nope."
"Huh?"
"There probably won't be any more goji berries in the future."
"Hm?"
Michael frowned, putting down his baitless fishing rod. He had just taken a sip of iced orange juice when Su continued:
"I asked the logistics department last week. It's not just goji berries; many naturally grown or farmed products might be gradually removed from the procurement list going forward."
Michael glanced at the orange juice in his hand. Thankfully, Himeko's plot of land grew various fruits; they could last a while longer...
Thinking of this, he subtly turned his head and saw Himeko fast asleep under a beach umbrella, an empty bottle in each hand. Her body had suffered irreversible damage; her organs were slowly failing. She couldn't handle any weapons or Battlesuits involving Honkai Energy anymore...
If it were just organ failure, Michael could still use the Authority of Death to help her recover, but she could no longer withstand that level of Honkai Energy input.
"..."
Michael's thoughts drifted from his mind, floating like an invisible cloud towards Himeko—he didn't even dare let his Herrscher body get close to her.
"Captain..."
The thought came and went quickly. By the time Michael turned back, Su and Kevin were still discussing goji berries.
"Ultimately, goji berries aren't essential for survival. People won't die without them, but they will die without food. Based on that principle, the production department naturally prioritizes staple foods. Of course, cash crops like goji berries weren't really considered by the production department anyway; they were mostly bought from individual farmers. But are there really any individual farmers left now?"
"Then... what about fruit?"
"Firstly, goji berries are technically fruit."
"Uh..."
"Currently, HQ still has some fruit reserves, mainly from orchards cultivated in the underground cities. But those definitely aren't enough for long-term use. Based on current consumption rates, forget this year, they'll run out this month."
"But, compared to fruit which takes up land needed for grain, it seems like the reserves of alcohol, which directly consumes grain in production, have actually increased. Ato just told me that two years ago, a pint of brandy cost four B-rank ration tickets, but now it only costs two."
"Hmph..." Michael joined the discussion with a noncommittal nasal sound. "Simple. The added value alcohol provides for emotional stability exceeds the value of two B-rank standard rations."
"Uh..." Kevin rubbed his temples, looking like he only half-understood. "Michael, maybe you could explain that a bit more clearly."
"High-calorie foods and alcohol can both provide a false sense of pleasure based on indulgence. But the pleasure from high-calorie food only lasts an hour or two, while alcohol can maintain that pleasure until you sober up the next morning. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Kevin, who had never drunk alcohol, clearly couldn't comprehend the pleasure... no, more accurately, the numbing effect it provided.
"Compared to ensuring everyone survives, maintaining overall societal order is clearly more important. Because once order collapses, production collapses with it. So, increasing alcohol production is a necessary evil. Some people might starve because the grain used for brewing means they can't get rations, but at least those who don't starve can still work honestly."
"Factories will issue one-tenth of a pint of alcohol before closing time to every citizen who 'voluntarily' participated in labor and wasn't late or left early. A full month of perfect attendance earns a free quart. That's the method."
"It sounds cruel, and it's not absolute, but this is what's happening in our world. Or we could say, if a civilization is heading towards extinction, then either prohibition or widespread drinking is bound to occur."
"Is that so..."
Michael shrugged, looking at the contemplative Kevin.
They had started the conversation with a light and easy topic, yet somehow it always ended up drifting towards heavy and forbidden subjects. Perhaps this was unavoidable in men's conversations.
Normally, Michael wouldn't care much. In such a repressive, bleak world, talking about heavy topics felt more fitting than chatting about light, frivolous things, which seemed more like "breaking character," right?
But this time was different.
Since what Elysia wanted was an eternity distinct from all melancholy, a snapshot recording only the joy and happiness of this moment; since what she wanted to leave for the future was definitely not everyone looking downcast, then Michael would naturally grant her wish. He wouldn't let a single discordant note mar the memory of this trip.
Although... if someone in the future truly saw these recorded fragments of happiness, they might not feel happy at all. They might only feel even sadder seeing the hope displayed by people in a hopeless world.
But... maybe someone could genuinely find hope in them?
No one could completely control another person's thoughts. Using the Authority of Sentience to twist them was merely coercion through absolute power, not genuine self-awareness.
Therefore, Michael couldn't dictate the thoughts of anyone who might see these fragments in the future. He could only erase anything unsuitable from the fragments themselves.
So, he turned to Kevin, chuckled lowly, and suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, Kevin, didn't you used to hate goji berries? Why are you actively asking Su for them this time?"
"Uh... Cough cough cough! Well... I was young and foolish back then. Now I think goji berries are quite fragrant and sweet!"
"Oh? Really?" Michael stared straight at him, or more accurately, fixed his gaze intently on Kevin's dark circles.
"Uh... um... um um um... that um that um that..." Kevin's lips moved constantly, his eyes darting away as he tried to figure out how to smooth over the question.
But with his knowledge base, doing so was nigh impossible. He cast a pleading look towards Su, though he had no idea if Su, with his eyes closed, could even see his expression.
As it turned out, Su might not have been able to see, but as a MANTIS specializing in psychic perception, he could easily pick up on others' emotions.
He chuckled softly, but instead of immediately bailing Kevin out, he asked with great concern:
"Kevin, have you been experiencing dizziness and blurred vision frequently lately?"
"Uh... Yes."
"Sigh..." Michael and Su sighed in unison. Su took a sip of goji tea to moisten his lips, cleared his throat, and then, under Kevin's confused gaze, tilted his chin up and said softly:
"Kevin, you are young and strong, your spirit robust. The ailments of dizziness and blurred vision should not afflict you at this stage."
"???"
"Medical texts state: Weakness of Qi and blood results from the 'five strains and seven damages'. Liver deficiency causes dizziness and blurred vision; kidney deficiency causes lower back pain and seminal emission."
"So... Su, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Compared to the calm Su and the still-clueless Kevin, Michael had already turned his face away. Though he bit his lip hard, he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from stretching wide.
"I wish to remind you: indulging in the current pleasures of the sleeping mat while forgetting the art of preserving your body will lead to deep troubles."
"Oh, oh, protect my body! That's why I need goji berries from you... Wait, what does 'pleasures of the sleeping mat' mean?"
Su shook his head almost imperceptibly. With a mysterious smile, he took a sip of tea and said no more, signaling his graceful exit.
Michael rubbed his face vigorously to suppress his grin, only to see Kevin turn towards him with a look of utter confusion.
"Kevin, pfft... Hahahahaha!"
"Michael! You... What's so funny about this!"
"Hahahaha! 'Rèn' can mean straw mat, and 'rèn xí' refers to a sleeping bed in ancient Shenzhou... Actually, you don't need to fixate on goji berries. Mei not coming this time because of work isn't entirely bad for you—give your body a good break, hmm, that's probably what Su meant."
"SU!!!"
Kevin leaped off his deck chair, quickly scooped up a handful of sand, and was about to throw it at Su.
But Su remained calm, having anticipated this. Without even opening his eyes, he simply murmured, "Karma Cycle."
However, nothing happened.
The sand Kevin threw didn't hit Su, nor did Su's Karma Cycle manage to rebound the attack onto Kevin.
The reason was simple. Just as Kevin scooped up the sand, before he could make his next move, he felt a wave of dizziness, his vision darkened, and he stumbled, landing face-first in the sand with a thud. The sand only scattered near Su's feet.
"Pffft!"
The biggest victim of this conflict emerged—Michael laughed so hard his abs cramped, causing him, his deck chair, and his orange juice to topple sideways onto the beach.
"Hahahahaha!"
This time, it was Kevin's turn. He turned around and pointed at Michael, who was struggling to get up from the sand due to his cramping stomach, and roared with laughter.
His laughter was exaggerated and incessant, like a carefree child. But soon, a clump of sand found its way into his mouth, which was constantly opening and closing with laughter.
"Mmph! Ptui ptui ptui! Michael!!"
"Sigh..."
Su shook his head with a wry smile. He cracked open an eyelid, intending to stay out of it and enjoy the show, but unexpectedly, a spray of sand flew over Kevin towards him. Before he could react from his vacation-induced sluggishness, the sand hit him square in the face.
Of course, none of that really mattered. Getting sand thrown at you wasn't a big deal.
Except... Su opened his eyes. Sand and grit floated on his steaming goji berry tea, resembling the greasy scum in a public bath.
"Sigh..."
He set the thermos aside, silently put away the "leaf" in his other hand, and turned to join the fray.
Two MANTIS against one Herrscher. If the three of them really let loose, this entire island chain would probably fall silent in an instant.
But none of them did that. No, more accurately, none of them used powers impossible for "humans" to possess. Even Su opened his eyes for the first time in a while, instead of perceiving the outside world with his psychic abilities.
They roughhoused together, just like big boys their age should.
Anyone who dared open their mouth to shout or couldn't help laughing immediately got a mouthful of sand.
The girls playing volleyball stopped their game, gathering behind the net, silently placing bets on who would win the final victory.
The final result, of course, was... no one won...
"Hahahahaha! Hahahahahaha! Let's fight! Bunch of small fry!"
A man with flames blazing atop his head suddenly charged in from the side. Emitting sharp, piercing laughter, he proceeded to toss all three "small fry" one by one towards the distant ocean, where they quickly became three tiny black dots on the horizon.
"Hahahahahaha! Who else! Come fight m—"
Splash—
Water from an unknown source drenched him from head to toe, extinguishing all but a small, stubborn flame flickering on his silver-white hair.
"Who!"
He scanned around, his narrow gaze through the slits of his mask landing on a woman standing behind him with an apologetic smile.
"Aponia! You..."
"Calm down, Kalpas." Aponia held up an index finger, wagged it up, then chopped it down.
"What, are you treating me like a chi—"
Splash—
Guided by telekinesis, another deluge of seawater poured down. This time, even the small flame on Kalpas's head didn't survive.
"APONIA!!!"
...
As the tide ebbed and flowed, repeatedly soaking the sand, the originally golden beach took on a brownish-black hue mirroring the evening clouds. Stepping onto it felt damp and warm, completely different from thick, cold mud.
By the time Michael and Kevin, having crossed the sea on ice paths while dragging the non-swimmer Su, returned to the island once marked P-21 – now twin islands – half the sun had already sunk below the ocean's surface.
A few unidentifiable seabirds flew diagonally across the glittering water. Their wings lightly skimmed the surface in a semicircle. Under the interplay of light and shadow, it was as if capillary action had occurred; the birds' dull white feathers instantly absorbed the golden "ink" from the sea, making each one shimmer with dazzling golden light.
The beach quickly turned from golden to crimson. Elysia stood before Hua, Dystopia, and Vill-V, demonstrating the "move" she'd figured out earlier. Eden, holding an ornate wine glass, watched with interest from the shadows of a nearby rock formation.
"Elysia! Give me back my clothes!!" Mobius, seemingly just waking up after pulling an all-nighter, stood on the ship's bow. Beneath her flowing green hair, her face was flushed red, almost competing with the sunset. She waved a pink dress in the wind—no need to guess whose handiwork that was.
"Aponia! Let go of me!!!" Kalpas stomped his foot angrily but couldn't pull his hand free from Aponia's grasp. He could only sullenly endure her counseling, looking as awkward as a horse standing up to sleep.
Griseo was splashing ink onto paper, while Blanka gently stroked her forehead, smiling sweetly. Suddenly, mother and daughter looked up as if sensing something, just as Kosma silently walked over, supporting an unconscious Ato who had drunk too much.
Looking over at Himeko, sure enough, her sprawled position had shifted slightly, and five or six empty bottles lay near her feet. She was clearly onto her second round of being passed out drunk.
"Hee hee hee! Pardo, you're a MANTIS now, how come you still can't catch me?" Rin led Pardofelis in circles on the beach, not forgetting to turn back and make a mocking face.
"I always deal fairly! Just put the thing down first!"
"Nyah nyah nyah... You even dared to steal Big Sis Ely's favorite brooch! I'm enacting justice for heaven and recovering the stolen goods for Big Sis Ely!"
"What steal! It was procurement! How can a businesswoman's affairs be called stealing! You... just stop for a second, I give up, give me the thing... I, I'll return it myself, okay?"
"Catch me first!"
Sakura followed silently behind the two girls. She still habitually kept her left hand near her waist, though today, no sword hung there.
Sensing something, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at Michael, who stood silhouetted against the sunset, frozen at the edge where sand met waves.
At first glance, her expression was still cold, her brow furrowed.
But Michael could clearly see the slight upturn at the corners of her finely pressed lips.