Afterwards, the two shared a rather plain lunch.
I mean in terms of atmosphere, not the food itself.
Mostly because once Columbina discovered delicious food, she had no mind to consider anything else.
Let alone talk.
Please forgive her; she hadn’t had a good meal in too long.
Besides, quietly enjoying a meal is also part of resting.
After finishing the meal, Sandrone stood up and called Pulonia over to clean up.
The food was all eaten cleanly; Sandrone felt that perhaps she had still underestimated Columbina’s appetite.
It seems she would need to prepare more next time.
Sigh, this meal was probably one of the best Columbina had ever eaten, right?
Seeing her eat so happily.
How could someone be so simple-minded?
Given her status…
This guy…
she really doesn’t let anyone rest easy!
“It was delicious.
Thank you for the meal you prepared for me, Sandrone.”
The ethereal words interrupted Sandrone’s thoughts.
Columbina stood up and expressed her sincere gratitude.
she seemed to have accidentally eaten a bit too much just now; she didn’t know if Sandrone was full.
Mmm…
she would have to hold back and be a bit more restrained next time.
Sandrone was working very hard right now; she couldn’t let her go hungry.
“Who said this was prepared for you?”
Sandrone gave a soft hum and raised her hand, taking the tea Pulonia handed over.
Drinking tea after a meal was her habit, and she continued to retort.
“Columbina, I eat like this normally.
I just had them make a bit more this time; don’t flatter yourself.”
“Eh?” Columbina expressed confusion at this.
“But I remember that in the past, Sandrone would often spend the whole day soaked in the Laboratory, and meals were always…”
“Shut up, Columbina!”
Sandrone rudely interrupted Columbina, but when she looked at her simple, clear face, she somewhat guiltily looked away.
“Um…
if you’re done eating, you can leave.”
“Columbina?”
After waiting for a long time without receiving a reply from Columbina, Sandrone looked up, only to find that at some point, Columbina had walked to the side and seemed to be tidying up things.
This guy, is she finally leaving?
It took up quite a bit of time, but considering you helped me with a massage just now, I’ll see you out.
Sandrone slowly walked in that direction.
Seeing Sandrone walk over, Columbina took a book from that pile and handed it to Sandrone.
“Here.”
Sandrone looked down and discovered that what was in Columbina’s hand was a novel with a pink cover.
“A novel?
Columbina, when did you develop this hobby?”
“Wasn’t it recommended by you this morning, Sandrone?”
Columbina’s tone sounded a bit dejected.
And Sandrone instantly realized it.
It seemed that was indeed the case.
But she had only mentioned it casually at the time; she himself had forgotten, and she never expected Columbina to listen and take action.
Tsk…
Good grief, why does she always remember such trivial things?
But just as Sandrone wanted to explain that those words were just something she said casually, she noticed the faint trace of disappointment in Columbina’s eyes.
Damn it, I…
I really can’t stand seeing you unhappy!
Ah! Get faster updates on g.com.
Fine, I was wrong this time, okay!
“I’ll accept it.
It might be nice to use as a garnish for dessert and tea.
Also…
thank you, Columbina.”
Upon hearing this, a faint joy gradually climbed onto Columbina’s face, quickly covering up the slight disappointment from just a moment ago.
Sandrone accepted it.
she hoped it would allow her to relax after her busy work was finished.
“Arlecchino said it was very good; you should like it too.”
“Oh?”
Sandrone became interested; after all, something that even someone like Arlecchino evaluated as good was definitely not ordinary.
she even wanted to read it now.
However…
it was better to wait.
At least she had to see Columbina off first.
“Hm?” Sandrone suddenly noticed that Columbina still had several books in her hand.
“Did you buy that many?
Even if you’re giving them away, isn’t that too many for a first-time purchase?”
“It is indeed a bit much,” Columbina nodded first, then smiled as if she had gotten a great bargain.
“But the bookstore had a promotion; ten books for half price!”
“…”
Looking at Columbina’s innocent appearance, Sandrone didn’t know how to explain the concept of a consumer trap to her.
But perhaps even if she explained it, she wouldn’t understand?
she, sigh…
Sandrone helplessly supported her forehead.
Forget it, it would be a hassle to explain, so she wouldn’t.
“Columbina, from now on, you should call me when you go out to buy things.”
“Eh?”
“Don’t overthink it, I’m just afraid you’ll get scammed.” Sandrone looked at Columbina helplessly.
“When that happens, I won’t have the energy to comfort you.”
“…”
Columbina didn’t quite understand how she had been scammed; clearly, she had gotten a great deal.
But since it was Sandrone’s words…
“Okay, I’ll remember that.”
Columbina said earnestly.
Sandrone said that when going out to buy things, she should call her and go with her.
she would remember.
It’s just…
she was very busy recently; she needed to be careful not to disturb her.
So…
she wouldn’t go out for now.
After everything ended, before going home, she would go out with Sandrone to take a good look around, play, and buy some things together.
But at this moment, an inexplicable impulse suddenly arose in Columbina’s heart.
Going home…
After everything ends, is it time to go home?
That place hanging high outside the fake sky, but one she had never been to…
Home?
Why did that wish seem not so strong anymore…
“What are you thinking about?”
A question interrupted Columbina’s deep thoughts.
she raised her head, “looking” at Sandrone, who was not far from her and staring at her curiously.
Sandrone…
A thought suddenly popped into Columbina’s mind.
Perhaps she could choose not to return to the frost moon?
Although the Fatui was not home, the time spent with Sandrone was always happy.
“…It’s nothing.”
After struggling for a while, Columbina finally gave up.
she was still being rejected by Teyvat, and her power was slowly draining day by day.
Although she didn’t have to undergo those experiments by the Doctor now, and the power loss was slower, there would always be a day when her power ran out.
she, after all, had to go home.
A white dove under the moon, what makes a home?
Columbina had no other choice.
“Are you really okay?” Sandrone looked Columbina up and down; her intuition told her that this matter wasn’t that simple, and Columbina might be hiding something from her.
“Forget it, I don’t have time to waste on you anymore.
Columbina, you go first; I have to go to work.”
After finishing, Sandrone turned around and was just about to go back to the Laboratory with Pulonia to continue the experiment when suddenly, she felt her left hand being grabbed by a cold, small hand.
“Hm?”
Sandrone turned her head and saw Columbina “staring” at her seriously.
“Sandrone, you promised me earlier that you would rest well.”
Upon hearing this, Sandrone was silent for a moment, but still stubbornly retorted.
“…I already rested enough just now, I still have…”
“Sandrone,” Columbina’s tone carried a trace of firmness that would not be denied.
“That’s not enough.
I know you still have many things to do, but just for today, don’t think about them, okay?
Those are not as important as your health.”
Columbina knew that if she let Sandrone go, it would surely be another whole day and night of busyness.
she had truly seen what Sandrone was like when she was at her busiest.
she was even a bit regretful now for asking her for help…
Columbina was actually very guilty that she could hardly help Sandrone with anything, but she also couldn’t just watch Sandrone “destroy” her own body like this.
So, not just today, but in the future, Columbina would urge Sandrone to rest on time.
Those jobs might be important, but they were far less important than Sandrone.
Including dealing with the Doctor.
At the end of the day, the Doctor’s target was only her; the worst case was that she would just return directly to the moon when the time came.
Could the Doctor possibly chase her to the moon?
Anyway, she already knew the specific location of the Moon moon marrow, and she knew how to return to the moon.
It could be said that as long as she was willing, she could return to the moon at any time.
she only needed to wait for a Moon Prayer Night.
If she left, the Doctor probably wouldn’t target Sandrone, Arlecchino, and the others anymore…
Anyway…
she had to go back eventually…
Thinking about it this way, Columbina actually relaxed a lot.
she remembered that there was still a long time until the next Moon Prayer Night.
So she had enough time to properly say goodbye to her friends.
“Sandrone, come with me.”
Originally, upon hearing Columbina say “Those things are not as important as your health,” Sandrone’s heart felt as if it had been struck hard by something.
she knew Columbina was serious.
Columbina…
did she see her as this important?
One had to know, those jobs included helping her deal with the Doctor.
And the Doctor, after all, wanted her authority.
Of course, in Sandrone’s view, wanting the authority was equivalent to wanting her life.
Could it be that she saw her as more important than her own life?
And now, Columbina was dragging her forward without explanation.
After Sandrone realized what was happening, she tried to break free, but it was useless.
The strength coming from Columbina’s palm was surprisingly large.
After failing to break free, helplessly, Sandrone asked Columbina, who was in front of her.
“Columbina!!
Where are you taking me?!”
Upon hearing this, Columbina turned around and revealed a reassuring smile to Sandrone.
“To Sandrone’s bedroom.”