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| The Beloved Little Mother Insect (LITTLE MOTHER) |
The scene before them was overwhelmingly adorable. Even Hui, known for his rationality, couldn't help but adjust his glasses in a concealing gesture—
Though he wore a sophisticated, single-lens monocle that gave off an air of refined delinquency, the adjustment went slightly askew, forcing him to pretend nothing happened and readjust it properly.
Olovikin cleared his throat lightly and smoothing the knight's cloak behind him with one hand. His eyes shifted as his restrained gaze elegantly and naturally settled on Pearl.
Just as Hui had thought, the scene was indeed incredibly cute.
The slender, not particularly tall Artificial Human sat in Tilan's lap like an oversized stuffed doll. Dressed in a beige furry onesie with a hood over his head, his long ears of the same color hung obediently on either side, resembling a lost lop-eared rabbit prince who had wandered out of his burrow.
Pearl's legs were slightly stretched out due to his sitting posture, the soles of his feet revealing pale pink rabbit paw pads. His hands were covered in rabbit paw gloves, while the white hair extending from under the hood had been neatly combed and braided into several thin pigtails, even the hair ties were colorful.
Who could resist such a sight?!
Ega, who had returned to his original attire and habitually wore his black mask, suddenly turned his back to them, before lifting his hand to push up the half-mask and wipe his nose.
He felt like this gloomy scorpion's tail had suddenly bloomed with flowers. His nose felt warm, his heart soft and tender, and his entire body going numb with emotion—he nearly rushed out into the sunlight to bask in it.
While Olovikin was already secretly taking photos with his communicator, Hui maintained his last shred of rationality and asked in a deep voice: "...What did you mean earlier when you said 'once more'?"
Tilan removed his hands from Pearl's ears, then his slender fingers played with the Little Mother Insect's dry white hair and wound it around his fingertips in circles, clearly uninterested in engaging with his twin brother.
Pearl recognized Hui's voice and softly explained: "It's... it's a game."
Hui's expression instantly softened, the sharpness in his gaze fading away as his voice grew much gentler, as if speaking to a child. "Did he force you to play?"
Pearl immediately shook his head. "No, no."
The two drooping fluffy ears swung against Tilan's face from the motion, yet the one who'd been slapped by rabbit ears remained smiling brightly—nowhere near the annoying demeanor he'd shown earlier when saying "there's another unfortunate news."
Tilan thought to himself that he really was asking for it.
Why was this little rabbit so fragrant? So fragrant that he felt like a pervert wanting to lick him... Not just lick, but even nibble.
Hui: "Then what was the game about?"
Pearl obediently replied, "Changing clothes, braiding hair."
"...And 'be gentle' meant?"
"The braid, it... pulled my scalp, hurt a little."
Hui: "..."
Silence spoke louder than words.
Hui pressed his lips together.
Olovikin chuckled lightly. "So that's what it was. When I heard the muffled sounds earlier, I thought Tilan was doing something inappropriate to you."
Pearl said seriously, "No, it wasn't anything bad."
Olovikin: "I understand. I apologize for my earlier impulsiveness."
He bowed slightly, maintaining perfect posture even though he knew the Little Mother Insect couldn't see him—the noble temperament radiating from him unmistakably.
But after apologizing, Olovikin naturally settled beside Pearl and reached over to take hold of the poorly braided strands of hair.
Pearl looked confused: ?
"Tilan's lack of skill caused you pain, but I wouldn't—"
"Perhaps our beautiful and adorable little rabbit gentleman needs a better stylist?"
"I could never bear to let you feel any pain."
Tilan: ???
What blatant manipulation.
Olovikin shone brilliantly when he smiled, effortlessly radiating charm around Pearl while subtly undermining his competitor and highlighting his own merits. "Little Pearl, may I?"
Just as Hui had said, Pearl simply didn't know how to refuse anyone.
Without even thinking deeply about it, merely because Olovikin had previously helped, protected, and praised him, Pearl nodded and whispered a soft "Okay."
That pliant demeanor suggested that even if Olovikin made more excessive demands, the Little Mother Insect would only bite his lip, blush at the ears, lower his eyelids and agree in a soft voice—perhaps even voluntarily expose his belly to accept any mistreatment disguised as "affection," and would just merely murmur timidly, "Be gentle."
Olovikin's gaze burned with intense heat, his fingers brushing accidentally against Pearl's earlobe as they moved through the white hair.
He murmured, "Pearl... so well-behaved."
Hearing this, Pearl curved his eyes into smiles, completely unaware of how the elegant young man resembling nobility had momentarily suppressed his own filthy, unspeakable desires.
Ega stood masked at the doorway with his Tail Hook drooping slightly.
He never knew how to integrate into such group settings, so he could only remain in the corner while tracing Little Pearl's form with his hidden gaze beneath the mask.
From his hair to his lips, the slender pale neck and fingers, even the feet that occasionally swayed gently...
He loved everything about him.
"—That's enough."
Hui's voice interrupted this doll-dressing game, and Pearl, with his eyes unfocused, lifted his head to "look" toward Hui.
Hui half-knelt and shuffled forward half a step. With keen observation, he noticed Pearl's indulgence in all his interactions with Tilan and Olovikin. This "dress-up game" wasn't the Narga People accompanying the Little Mother Insect to play—it was completely the other way around.
Pearl was striving to open himself up, solely to repay the care and kindness the Narga People had once shown him.
Like a faint, glimmering candlelight.
Sensitive and highly self-sacrificing, even possessing a people-pleasing personality—once receiving even a sliver of love, he yearns to give more, and more love in return.
Hui felt a slight pang in his heart. He asked, "Do you still not believe you are the Mother Insect we've been searching for?"
At these words, both Tilan—who was clutching the rabbit ears—and Olovikin—fiddling with his long hair—paused simultaneously. Even Ega, standing by the door with no presence at all, abruptly turned his head to stare intently at Hui before shifting his gaze to Pearl.
Pearl nodded, then shook his head. His lips parted, but no words came out.
Hui was very patient, gently inquiring and guiding, "...May I still call you Pearl?"
Pearl nodded.
"You can sense the calls of the Narga People, you can soothe us and form mental power links with us. You possess all the traits of the Mother Insect, and we instinctively know you are 'Mother'... These are beyond doubt."
"But Pearl, why resist believing this? Haven't you ever wavered?"
Hui spoke slowly, giving Pearl ample time to comprehend, react, and even reflect.
The little artificial person with his gaze dazed, slumped his shoulders slightly and the rabbit ears on his head drooped even lower. After a moment of silence, he mustered his courage and whispered very, very softly, "But... I've been returned, sent back seven times."
"Every one of them said... they would take me away."
"But... not a single one kept their promise."
Pearl lifted his head, his misty eyes barely showing any emotion, yet anyone who met his gaze would know he was deeply sad.
Like a melting little cake.
He said, "I... I will always be... the one who's discarded."
So he grew accustomed to it, no longer dared to hope for anything, and found it hard to trust others' promises.
Rather than having his hopes shattered again and again, Pearl felt that if he stopped fantasizing, he wouldn't feel sad anymore.
The room fell silent. Everyone was quiet, everyone lost in thought, but Pearl didn't know, nor did he particularly want to find out.
He was soft and easily bullied, but occasionally had his own persistence and bottom line.
The beautiful, frail little artificial person carefully climbed out of Tilan's embrace. Under the other's hesitant expression, he slowly removed the colorful hair ties from his braids, took off the rabbit-eared hat, and shed the fluffy onesie worn over his sleep robe.
The sweet little rabbit stripped away all the "adornments" that didn't belong to him, even taking care to avoid leaving too many traces.
All the items—everything except the sleep robe that didn't belong to Pearl—were neatly arranged one by one and placed in Tilan's arms. Then, he set the pair of half-finger leather gloves he'd held for so long on top.
—The leather still retained the warmth and faint fragrance of the little Mother Insect's skin.
Pearl let out a relieved sigh as he tugged at the hem of his clothes somewhat sheepishly. "My... my original clothes..."
If he took off the sleep robe too, he'd be completely naked.
"Want to leave this place?"
A sudden voice broke the existing atmosphere. Unnoticed by any of the high-ranking Narga People, Aslan had silently appeared in the hallway at some point.
Ega's tail hook tensed reflexively and a cold, fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
Aslan ignored the bristling mad dog pup, focusing only on Pearl standing at the center as he repeated his question: "Want to leave here?"
It was that person with the terrifying yet intense gaze...
Pearl's ears inexplicably itched, then he lowered his head and nodded honestly. "I-I'm not the person you're looking for."
Aslan: "Then where do you want to go?"
Pearl: "A... small planet?"
He wasn't entirely sure himself, after all, the information he'd gathered from those on the black market was always fragmented and vague.
Aslan: "How will you survive?"
"I-I can work."
Pearl mustered his courage and lifted his head to "look" toward the source of the voice.
"What can you do?"
Pearl froze. He tried to recall his skills, but it seemed he had nothing noteworthy to offer.
Long ago, when he had just emerged from the biological cultivation tank, someone had mentioned he was beautiful and attractive; but as flaws emerged and returns followed, various belittling and oppressive experiences came with them. So when Pearl thought back, he found himself utterly useless.
But he didn't want to give up, so he added weakly: "I can learn."
Given any opportunity, he would definitely study hard.
Aslan lowered his gaze, his divine silver-white eyes calm and unreadable, merely asking coldly in return: "Then what about before you learn?"
The little artificial person with limited perspective fell silent.
He suddenly realized that his situation might not actually improve just because he had left the auction house - because he knew nothing. Even if someone were willing to teach him, as Aslan had asked, what about before he learned? How would he survive?
Tilan couldn't bear it. While he might initially seem quite dog-like, he had one weakness - he simply couldn't resist adorable things, and Pearl happened to strike right at his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought a pile of his treasured "collectibles" to play games with the Little Mother Insect.
Tilan: "Then I can support him! I can afford it!"
As Deputy Chief of the Order Alliance plus holding the position of Star Alliance Joint Officer, Tilan had never lacked money.
Properties across various planets, aircraft, even private starships, large estates, and the dizzying balance of universal credits stored in Imperial Bank... he could definitely provide the best life for this Little Pearl.
Aslan didn't look at Tilan, his gaze remaining quietly fixed on that slender, delicate figure.
Facing this Little Mother Insect who knew nothing, Aslan suddenly realized he seemed to have softened considerably.
Each of his questions appeared related to survival, but they only scratched the surface. If this interrogation were to delve into the true core issues, the cruelty would probably frighten this little one into completely abandoning any thought of leaving Narga—
A beautiful face, rare hair and eye colors, an overly frail and vulnerable body, a soft and pure-hearted disposition, a tame nature that couldn't refuse others, and an incredibly narrow understanding of the outside world...
When all these elements combined, Aslan didn't even need to think deeply to know what would happen if such a little beauty appeared on an unfamiliar small planet.
Human nature couldn't withstand testing.
Especially when treasure was right before one's eyes.
And the ignorant, beautiful Little Mother Insect would become the sacrifice in such a test.
Aslan lowered his gaze, concealing those contaminated outcome predictions.
He asked, "So, do you want someone else to take care of you?"
Did he?
To keep placing his hopes on others?
Pearl thought for a moment, then gently shook his head. His voice was soft but firm: "No."
He said, "I don’t want that."
He no longer wanted to remain a product standing in place and waiting only for a "buyer" to choose to purchase or return him.
Ega’s previously raised tail hook drooped again. No one knew that, in those few seconds, he had already been mentally calculating whether his assets were enough to support a beautiful little pearl.
Wealth, status, beautiful clothes, delicious food, luxurious houses… he had all of these, but the little pearl didn’t want any of it.
A faint emotion flickered in Aslan’s eyes. Aside from himself, likely no one could discern what this ancient Narga person was thinking.
The man in the exotic white robe reached out and gently stroked Pearl’s head. "Don’t rush to decide whether to stay or leave. First, learn about this world."
Aslan knew that sooner or later, the young little mother insect would embark on this path inextricably linked to the Narga Empire. But before walking this path, as a guide, he had to help Pearl take the first step out of the confinement of the auction house basement.
For instance, raising this little one all over again.
Raising him to be bold and unrestrained, nurturing arrogance and pride.
The sensation on his head felt familiar—it was the same hand that had stroked Pearl’s head, nape, and back during the psionic power feeding. Driven by a mix of fear and affection, before Pearl even realized it, he had narrowed his eyes like a kitten and rubbed his head against Aslan’s palm.
But once he finished, Pearl froze and became timid again.
Aslan glanced at his hand, pressed down gently, and gave Pearl’s head another pat.
The stiff little artificial person relaxed. He curved his eyes slightly as a faint trace of ease and pleasure showing in his light blue pupils, and softly said, "Okay."
He didn’t know what to do or how to do it, but if someone kind was willing to guide him after leaving the auction house, Pearl thought he would listen and learn well.
The observing high-ranking Narga person felt so envious that his palms itched, wishing he could take Aslan’s place.
But it was alright—they had plenty of time. While the little pearl agreed to "temporarily" stay in the Narga Empire to "learn about the world," they would work step by step to help him accept his identity and make the decision to remain in Narga forever.
…
From the irradiated wasteland to the Imperial Star, under normal, non-expedited travel conditions, the journey took a week. The massive Titan-class warship drifted through the deep, magnificent starry expanse while occasionally offering glimpses of vast nebulae through windows with excellent views.
They looked like roses, like whirlpools, like eyes…
No matter how many times one saw them, everything created by the cosmic mother was so breathtakingly beautiful it could make one forget to breathe.
After that day’s conversation, Pearl relaxed his tightly wound heart, which had considered him a "thief." He accepted the soft room, accepted the fluffy clothes Tilan hung one by one in the wardrobe, and accepted the agreement to learn and understand.
However, after brief contemplation, the honest little artificial person raised a serious question—
He should earn these through work—whether it was housing, clothing, or the care and guidance from the Narga People.
Thus, the naive and tender Little Mother Insect, without fully understanding his position, generously opened his soft heart upon receiving kindness and earnestly promised the "reward" he could offer in return.
He said, "I can... provide psionic power so-soothing for you."
It was like a lamb stumbling into a pack of wolves while practically baring its belly to the hungry predators as if saying, "Come and devour me."
Someone’s swallowing sound was a bit too loud.
Someone else seemed to recall something, letting out a low, ragged breath.
And yet another lowered their lashes as their tongue graze their teeth and suppressing a restrained curl of their lips.
Pearl inexplicably felt a chill on the back of his neck and added softly, "B-but only one at a time. Too many, and I... I won’t be able to handle it."
His psionic power felt like it might burst...
Psionic soothing requires physical contact—the deeper the contact, the stronger the soothing effect. Whether it was alleviating Frenzy Syndrome or simply being close to the Little Mother Insect, for the Narga People, it was like a bone dangled before them. Almost no one could refuse.
They were inherently craving for it.
Aslan, observing all this, seemed to have a faint trace of amusement in his eyes.
Who said the New King of the Narga couldn’t train dogs?
Perhaps he was ignorant, perhaps he was slow and clumsy, but he was born with such skills. Even if he was as pure and blank as a sheet of paper, these mad pups would still rush headlong into his grasp. And so, the leash of control fell into the Little Mother Insect’s hands.
All he needed to learn was how to hold those reins.
This "reward" was undoubtedly precious and alluring. The Narga People present could guess seventy to eighty percent of Pearl’s intentions. They didn’t refuse the "reward" from the Mother Insect, only suggesting that it be carried out after Pearl had rested properly.
...
During the seven-day return journey, Pearl had already begun planning his "debt repayment" arrangements. However, before this plan could be implemented, another matter occurred first and captured part of the little artificial person's attention.
It was their second day aboard the Titan-class warship. Pearl, having just woken up and washed, was still wearing that soft white sleeping gown.
His long hair draped behind him and tied low with the hair tie Tilan had left, as he carefully opened the bedroom door while wearing a pair of slippers with bunny ears (provided by Tilan).
The day before they left, they had repaired the door and taught him how to open it.
The metallic eggshell door slowly opened. As Pearl peeked out his head, a silver-gray Observation Sphere emerged behind him.
Originally given to the Little Mother Insect by Hui as a toy to relieve boredom, it had been updated and its system replaced yesterday by Will—an internal member of the Order Alliance and an expert in intelligent data. It was upgraded from an ordinary Observation Sphere to Little Pearl's dedicated guide ball with multi-voice edition and with several light-colored stickers attached.
"Baby Pearl, are you going out?"
The cute version's mechanical voice was a bit peculiar—adjusted by Tilan—but Pearl quite liked it. He felt somewhat embarrassed to let others know that he enjoyed this intimate way of speaking, even if it seemed a bit childish.
Pearl nodded, "Yes."
Being blind, Olovikin initially wanted to leave someone with him, but Pearl felt it would trouble them too much, so he refused having a companion and only asked for this flying metal ball.
The guide ball: "What does Baby Pearl want to do? I can accompany Baby Pearl!"
Pearl hesitated for a moment.
Yesterday, the Narga People said that on this warship, he could go anywhere he wanted, possessing complete and absolute freedom, as long as he protected himself. He could contact them through the guide ball for any needs, and they would be available at any time.
Of course, this "temporary free-range" approach was decided after Hui and the others held another small meeting. They believed the current task was to help Pearl accept and adapt to life with the Narga People, and not to appear too frequently in front of the Little Mother Insect to avoid adding unnecessary pressure!
A group of Narga warriors who had never interacted with fragile beings thought as hard as they could. Hui and Olovikin even quickly ordered several popular books from the neighboring empire—
Such as "Parenting Manual · Interstellar Edition," "99 Techniques for Getting Along with Young Ones," "Analysis of Young Ones from Various Races," "Getting Along Is an Art," and so on. They were just waiting for the books to arrive so they could thoroughly study and take notes.
Even Quentin, far away on the Imperial Star, copied their book list and prepared to study it as well.
—In their eyes, the forever eighteen-year-old little artificial person was probably just a young one who needed to be cared for.
At this moment, Pearl, who had the freedom to move around, rubbed the sole of his shoe against the floor while leaning against the corridor wall, feeling a bit lost.
He had rarely made decisions on his own, so when the guide ball asked, Pearl's mind went blank. Yet he felt somewhat eager to try—
Perhaps because of the freedom, perhaps because he had left the auction house, or perhaps because of the guide ball's inquiry. In any case, Pearl mustered his courage and made a decision for himself.
He cleared his throat lightly before stammering with a mix of breathlessness and pride, "I-I'm going to have breakfast."
After speaking, Pearl's cheeks flushed slightly pink, and this time his tone grew firmer, "I'm going to have breakfast!"
The screen on the guide ball flickered and burst into a "food" icon.
"Alright, babies who eat breakfast on time are all good babies! Today, Little Pearl is a good baby too! Good babies deserve rewards—let's mark one little red flower for Pearl baby first!"
As it spoke, the exceptionally intelligent guide ball erupted into cheerful celebratory applause. The perfect positive reinforcement and encouraging education reached their peak at this moment.
For the little artificial person who had long endured suppression, it felt like a firework exploding right above his head—warm and bright, inexplicably making his eyes sting slightly.
Pearl's ears turned red from the praise. "R-really?"
Could he earn such "good" praise so easily?
"Of course it is," the mechanical voice replied with unwavering certainty.
Pearl thought for a moment and proactively voiced his confusion, "Then... what is the little red flower for?"
"When you collect enough little red flowers, you can exchange them for gifts for Baby Pearl! It's a surprise—Baby Pearl can look forward to it!"
"Now, let me take Baby Pearl to the dining hall. Please hold onto me, okay?"
As it spoke, a guiding cord extended from the bottom of the guide ball, which Pearl fumbled to grasp.
The guide ball, retrofitted from an observation sphere, still retained its wings. It controlled its speed as it flew ahead, while Pearl held the guiding cord, holding his breath and stepping forward with intense focus.
Walking in a world of darkness made Pearl nervous. His palm gripping the cord was already damp with sweat, and his nerves were taut, terrified of bumping into or tripping over something.
But gradually, under the guide ball's nearly seamless guidance and reminders, Pearl began to relax—
"Baby Pearl, we're turning left now."
"O-okay."
"Baby Pearl, slow down! There are steps here—descending, twelve in total. Be careful! Follow me—first step, second step... All done! Baby Pearl did so well!"
Applause sound effects played simultaneously.
Pearl's ears turned red again, quietly.
"Baby Pearl, we're on the final stretch to the dining hall. Just walk straight along the corridor! Maintain your current speed, turn right in 19 seconds, and we'll arrive! I'll count down for you—please follow me with confidence!"
Pearl curved his eyes into a smile and reached out to touch the guide ball's small wings. "Thank you."
The feeling of not stumbling and not having to cautiously feel his way forward...
It was truly wonderful.
At the end of the corridor, Hui, who had been silently following behind the Little Mother Insect, let out a sigh of relief.
Olovikin, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, couldn't help but curl his lips into a smile. "Watching him walk all the way from his room to here, my heart nearly jumped out of my throat. I was so afraid... Tsk."
The elegant platinum-haired nobleman pinched the bridge of his nose, his gentle tone carrying his innate romantic flair: "This must be what it feels like for my heart to be one with Little Pearl."
Hui's face remained expressionless, clearly already accustomed to Olovikin's sentimental antics.
He watched Pearl's retreating back heading toward the dining hall as he spoke: "Ega and his Scorpion group behind him have already pledged loyalty to the King; Xagai and the Blood-burning group have temporarily withdrawn. From what I know, he has already signed up for the Beast extermination operation scheduled a week later and might depart directly after the warship arrives at the Imperial Star."
After a pause, Hui turned his head to look at Olovikin.
"What about you? As the leader of the Royal Guard, what is your stance?"
Olovikin lowered his gaze as his fingers twirling his long hair with leisurely composure.
Instead of answering, he countered: "But the King hasn't yet accepted his own identity, has he?"
Hui: "—You're observing from the sidelines."
"You could say that."
After shedding that gentle aristocratic mask, Olovikin's flattened lips appeared somewhat cold and unapproachable, fully displaying the deep contemplation and calculation characteristic of nobility.
"I'm very fond of him and feel protective—perhaps due to instinct, or perhaps he's simply compelling. But I also remember that I am one of the Narga People. Before completely pledging my loyalty to the King, I need to be certain he is truly willing to shoulder the responsibilities of a monarch."
"Of course, I won't project the prejudices held toward previous Mothers Insect onto Pearl either. I just wish to observe a little longer before offering everything."
"If he can—"
Olovikin smiled, the coldness fading from his face as his pale golden eyes revealed a cruel yet profoundly tender affection.
He said: "—Even if it means carving out my heart and presenting it to Little Pearl to demonstrate my loyalty, I would do so gladly."
Once he confirmed his allegiance, both his life and soul would belong to Pearl, no longer to himself.
Olovikin shrugged, "What about you? Aren't you observing from the sidelines too?"
The little artificial person at the dining hall entrance had completely disappeared inside. Hui withdrew his gaze and murmured softly: "I await the day he makes his choice."
The relationship between the Mother Insect and their Narga People Offspring had once been harmonious in earlier eras—the King held supreme authority, seated high upon the throne, enjoying unparalleled luxury and reverence; the Narga warriors resisted the Beasts, protected the Mother Insect, and pledged their loyalty to their mother.
The Offspring offered battle, while the Mother Insect provided psionic soothing. In this relationship of protection and being protected, they were mutually dependent...
But at some unknown point, the King began to enjoy privileges while shirking responsibilities.
It was from that time that tragedies for the Narga People multiplied—
They no longer died on the battlefield, but perished from the torment of Frenzy Syndrome, from uncontrolled mental power, from helpless self-destruction under unbearable agony.
The King used his responsibilities to manipulate the Offspring who were already devoted and willing to offer their souls and hearts. But as the blood of Narga warriors stained the Imperial Star again and again, and the sorrowful echoes of psionic self-destruction reverberated, these Offspring suddenly began to question the purpose of the King's existence.
Thus, when the Offspring no longer fervently believed in the King or the Hive Will, the Hive Substance that had originally inhabited the caves of the Imperial Star began to wither, and the Mother Insect... disappeared for over four hundred years thereafter.
Occasionally, the Narga People couldn't help but wonder: whose fault was it all?
Was it because the Mother Insect was stingy with psionic soothing? Or was it because the Offspring's lost faith that caused the Hive Substance to wither? Or perhaps both?
But regardless of whose fault it was, when the Hive Substance withered and the Narga Empire ceased to produce New Kings, this race was destined to decline.
Yet at this moment, the hazy Little Pearl appeared.
...
In the dining hall, guided by his guide ball, Pearl sat obediently at the long table and waited for his meal.
The place was quiet but was filled with the sound of an unknown melody, creating an elegant and leisurely atmosphere. Robots dressed in suits glided silently like real butlers, taking orders and serving meals.
Pearl couldn't see any of this. He only heard the soothing music and the silence beyond it, so he instinctively thought he was alone.
Thus, while the guide ball was reading him today's menu, the little artificial person still wearing his pajamas and fluffy slippers swung his feet under the chair, rubbed his calves together, and murmured to himself with a sigh of relief:
"Luckily, I'm the only one here."
He hadn't yet fully grown accustomed to being in crowded places.
Nearby, several masked Scorpion members who had been steeling themselves for ten minutes to greet him all bit their tongues simultaneously and swallowed back the words they had prepared.
Fortunately, they were naturally taciturn.
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