Chapter 203: Mobius: I've got my eyes on you, little guy

"Interesting…"

Mobius was looking through some information about Nozomi.

"He's a greedy little guy... and some of the things he handed in are very interesting... Blanca, can you still contact him?"

"Uh... Dr. Mobius, I just went back to my alma mater to visit my mentor, and then I met him on the way. How could I have his contact information?"

Blanca spread her hands helplessly.

"The school released this information for your sake... What's wrong with the child?"

"What's wrong?"

The corner of Mobius' mouth curled up slightly, and she looked at the information at hand again.

"Heh... His perspective on life is very interesting to me, so I want to meet him."

"Are you referring to the article included in the school's collection?"

"No, it's the one that was rejected by that group of people... It's really interesting. He seems to believe in the existence of the soul, and his understanding of the spirit and the body is more subtle than others, um..."

Mobius narrowed her eyes and read the article at hand over and over again, especially the chapter about "Life and Death," where Mobius's gaze stayed for a long time.

Although the part about "life and death" in the article is very short, it seems as if Nozomi himself knew that there would be problems with this article and it would be rejected, so he did not describe it in too much detail.

But he still used concise and clear sentences to describe his views on "life and death"... and at the end, he also talked a little about his understanding of [human beings], to the point that he almost deviated from the field of biology to the field of philosophy, which made people feel strange and a little funny... Nozomi actually deviated from his own topic as he was writing.

But Mobius thought it was very interesting... Although many of Nozomi's remarks seemed a bit immature, considering that he was just a student and the information he was exposed to was inconsistent with hers, having been in the laboratory for many years and always at the forefront of the biological field, it was normal for Nozomi to make such remarks.

No... In a sense, he is even excellent.

"That's really interesting."

The corners of Mobius's mouth never fell... She didn't know if it was because she had a good first impression of Nozomi, but she always felt that she could see her own shadow in Nozomi.

Equally weird, but with a strong talent, personality, and goals are also a bit strange, so that others can't understand...

However, there are still some differences between the two. For example, Nozomi has many more friends than Mobius, and Nozomi is much better at handling interpersonal relationships than her.

But compared to Nozomi, Mobius has a clearer goal, which is the [wish] she wants to realize, while Nozomi... doesn't seem to have such a goal. He seems to have been making preparations for something, but he doesn't know what he is preparing for.

Therefore, Nozomi occasionally reveals a vague tendency between the lines, so that in the end he can only use some more formulaic words to fill in and cover up the vague part.

But unfortunately, little guy, I still captured this part of you~

Thinking of this, the corners of Mobius' mouth couldn't help but rise slightly.

"...so?"

"Don't you understand yet? Blanca, I want to meet him. I'm curious about what this little guy thinks."

Mobius said with a smile.

"Come to think of it, didn't you mention your little one named Klein before? She should be there too, right? I can also take a look to see if she is as good as you said."

"I do know Klein, and I have a good relationship with her, but as for Nozomi... I'm sorry, Doctor, I can only ask for you first."

"Of course, but I think if he knew, he would be very willing to meet me, right?"

Mobius stroked the corner of her mouth with her fingertips and spoke as a matter of course.

You have to know that in the field of biology, she is a well-deserved expert, even though her personality and ambitions are somewhat strange, and some of her behavior styles have also been criticized.

But... no matter what, anyone who is willing to develop in the field of biology would agree without hesitation and put aside all their subsequent affairs to meet her if they knew they would have the opportunity.

Even the so-called mentors in those schools have many such people. Although it is not to the point of asking for advice, even just exchanging a few words, or taking a turn or two in Mobius's laboratory to learn some information, can greatly benefit people.

Because of this, after Blanca became Mobius's assistant, Blanca's relationship with her alma mater became better and better. All the mentors wanted to establish a relationship with Mobius through Blanca... This is human nature.

So Mobius was not worried about this problem. She believed that as long as Nozomi knew her name, he would definitely be happy to see her.

However... things didn't seem to develop as Mobius had expected.

"Is that so... Okay, I understand. Thank you for your help, teacher."

Blanca nodded and ended the call.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Mobius, Nozomi did not agree to meet with you..."

"...Oh? Why?"

Mobius was not angry, but rather interested.

"That little guy isn't here? Or does he not recognize me? Or is he like the others, influenced by the rumors about me that have spread outside, and is so scared that he refuses to see me?"

"no..."

The expression on Blanca's face became a little strange and forced.

"Nozomi just said that he is honored to be noticed by you, but unfortunately, he has an appointment in advance, so let's talk about it after he returns to school after the holiday..."

"...Even if he knew this might be his only chance?"

"Yes."

"Even if he knows that this may affect my evaluation of him, and even in the end... I may be more cruel and target him?"

"Yes."

"Heh... this is really interesting."

Mobius was not annoyed by Nozomi's rejection. Instead, the smile on her face became even brighter.

"In that case... forget it. He will regret giving up this opportunity later."

Mobius waved her hand and said casually.

"Let's postpone the trip there. You can go and see your junior named Klein later... As for Nozomi, don't worry about him for now. When you go to see Klein, I just stop by to see him on the way."

"unless..."

Mobius threw Nozomi's information aside.

"He can show more value at this stage... hehe..."

"Doctor... please don't scare my fellow apprentices..."

Blanca sighed when she saw Mobius's state and suggested helplessly.

"How could that be? I'm normal~ I'm just a little different from other people in some ways~"

"sigh..."

After being Mobius's assistant for so long, Blanca was more or less familiar with Mobius's emotions... That was why she knew that Mobius was definitely not going to abandon Nozomi as she said.

On the contrary, at this time, Mobius... had already set her sights on Nozomi.

————————

"Old man, why do you want to play chess?"

Nozomi said this helplessly while moving the black chess piece on the black and white chessboard.

"Rook to King, Rook to Three, Check."

"Little guy, don't you know how to give way to me, an old man?"

The old man sitting opposite Nozomi, holding the white chess piece, or rather, Li's father, had a sad look on his face.

"After all, I taught you how to play chess. Alas... Bishop to Rook, Bishop to Three."

"Old man, you took advantage of my ignorance of the rules and beat me in several games. Is it okay for me to retaliate now?"

Nozomi said with a smile.

"If you suffer a loss, you must retaliate. You taught me this... an elephant eats an elephant."

Nozomi immediately took the white elephant from the chessboard and replaced it with his own black elephant.

"Hey, I just heard from Father Enrique and that brat that you keep speeding up your life so much that they can't stand it anymore. So they beg me for help, right?"

The old man thought with a distressed look on his face and explained.

"It just so happens that I have nothing to do, and I've left all the household affairs to that brat... Now that I have some free time, I just found a hobby. I just happened to be in need of a guy to play with, so I dragged you over... Rook to elephant, rook to four."

"Ah... Did I make everyone worry again? I'm so sorry... But with Vill-V around lately, my life has been pretty good. At least it's a lot more fun than before... Car eating car."

Nozomi said casually.

"...The soldier eats the rook."

The old man moved the chess piece weakly. He realized that he was about to lose. He was being defeated by a novice who had just learned the rules not long ago, and who he had taught the rules to.

But he still asked instead.

"Vill-V? The little tail that likes to follow you? She's pretty... Why, are you interested in her?"

"Why are you talking about this, old man... Elephant to Elephant, Elephant to Seven."

Nozomi's smile was somewhat helpless.

"I can't help it. I'm old now, and I just love to care about the gossip of you young people. And you and her are the most worrying among them. One of you studies hard but I don't know what you are preparing for, and the other one even chased you to Mu Continent. I don't know what's going on with you two kids... Eat the horse later."

The old man stood up straight after making his move.

"Actually, I feel a little weird myself, but I think I did nothing wrong. These things should be useful at some point."

Nozomi responded like this.

"And Vill-V's arrival... I feel like it's a good thing. It seems like she has avoided something bad because of it. That's good... Bishop to Bishop, Bishop to Eight, sorry, old man, Checkmate."

"Hey... you little brat, can't you just let me go for a second?"

"I told you this is revenge for those first few games we played."

Nozomi smiled and rearranged the chess pieces.

"It was fun though... want to play another round?"

"No, no, I can't beat you. Sigh... I'm old. I can't fight anymore. I can't think as well as you do."

"Don't say that old man, you are still very strong."

"You kid, you said I was a muscleman with insufficient brains, right? Be careful or I'll beat you up."

"I didn't say that, please don't misunderstand me, old man."

Nozomi's mouth corners raised slightly, and he put away the chess pieces and chessboard.

"Forget it... I have to admit that I'm old. I can afford to lose anyway..."

The old man leaned back, took out a cigar, and lit it, then just looked at the ceiling, smoking slowly and letting the smoke fill around him.

"Grandpa, please smoke less. It's bad for your health. Look, Brother Li has given up smoking..."

"Alright, alright, kid... don't think I don't know that you teamed up with that little girl Yin to get that brat to quit smoking, and now you want to meddle in my business?"

"It's not that I want to intervene, it's mainly because Brother Li doesn't like you... After all, you can smoke in front of him, but he can only hold a lollipop in front of you, which makes him very unhappy, so he wants me to give you a heads up, and it would be best if I could help you quit smoking so that you can at least live two more years."

Nozomi shrugged and sold the oak casually.

"Well, you little bastard, you're going to curse me to death, right?"

"How can this be considered a curse? I'm just saying this to clarify the matter so that Brother Li won't worry about your health."

"That brat... is meddling in other people's business..."

The old man muttered to himself, but his tone softened a lot, and his originally unhappy expression gradually became relieved, with a hint of joy... and then he forcibly suppressed it again.

"Old man?"

"...Tsk, I'll just take this one, okay?"

Noticing that Nozomi was still staring at him, the old man smacked his lips as if somewhat unhappy, and spoke with a reluctant look.

"That would be great."

Nozomi smiled and pushed the collected chessboard and chess pieces in front of the old man.

"Well, old man, you should take a break first. I've had enough rest time. It's time to practice the piano."

"Hey, wait."

"Um?"

"Take this chess box with you and find someone to play with... Especially that brat. Kill him like a scumbag!"

The old man said viciously.

"..."

"Take it, little one. Think of it as a gift from the elders to the younger ones."

"...Okay, thank you, old man."

Nozomi didn't hesitate for too long. He just nodded and took the chess set in his hand... He understood what the old man meant. The old man just wanted to give him a more time-consuming hobby and wanted to slow down Nozomi's pace of life a little bit in this way.

Especially at... this moment.

"And... little guy, you received an invitation to meet with that Mobius, right?"

The old man habitually blew out a smoke ring and spoke slowly.

"In fact, you can agree to it. Although her reputation is not very good, her ability is real. If she can take a fancy to you, or even if you are lucky enough to enter her laboratory and become her assistant, you can definitely reach the top in one step."

"...No, old man, this is more important."

Nozomi was silent for a while, then shook his head, put on a faint smile, and spoke softly.

"To put it another way... if one day, you left, and Brother Li happened to be out on important business, so he couldn't come back to attend your funeral, or even see you for the last time... what would you think?"

"How dare that brat?!"

The old man jumped up from his seat in an instant, and his head of gray hair almost stood up.

"That brat really dared to do that. I will crawl out of the cemetery and give him a slap in the face even if I have to crawl!"

The old man's tone was fierce, but then he fell into melancholy and pity.

"But... if it's a matter of life and death, then it's not impossible to understand..."

"Haha, it seems like you guys have a pretty good relationship..."

"Who has a good relationship with that kid?! I wish I could crack his skull off! Rebellious son!"

"Haha..."

Nozomi smiled and didn't pay attention to the old man's obviously tough words.

"So... just like you said, if I didn't come back, you would definitely be angry, not to mention it's not a matter of life and death... That's why I came back."

Nozomi's eyelids drooped slightly.

"After all, Sister Teresa... is also considered my [relative], so I should come back and say goodbye to her."

"But thank you for your concern anyway."

Nozomi smiled and bowed solemnly to the old man.

"I'm sorry to have worried you."

"Alright, alright, you little brat... why are you being so pretentious?"

The old man waved his hand and drove him away.

"You still have things to do, right? I heard you have plans later? You said you were going to the beach with that little girl named Vill-V or something? Go quickly, don't keep wasting your time on an old man like me."

"There is indeed such an arrangement... Well, I'll leave first, old man."

Nozomi nodded, then quickly left with the chess piece given to him by the old man.