"The speculation was wrong?"
Anna slammed her hands on the table in shock, letting out a thump.
"..." Lin merely found it nothing out of the ordinary as he checked today's investigation progress.
"So that means a Honkai outbreak won't happen here?"
"...Still observing."
Anna patted her chest: "Phew, you scared me to death."
"..."
Lin sometimes truly wondered if he and Anna were using the same language system.
"But the news did report that the temperature yesterday and today has warmed up compared to before. It would be great if there are no problems." Anna pushed the news on her phone towards Lin. "What do you think, old man?"
"Ah…" Lin glanced at the report and nodded.
After observing both sides, the headquarters also believed this was very likely a misunderstanding. They didn't withdraw the troops but made no further moves, instead having the previously waiting personnel continue surveying in other areas, perhaps thinking that Turin didn't need any more concern.
The shadow of the Fifth Honkai Eruption still loomed over everyone; this remained unchanged.
"Okay... Old man, come with me."
Anna quickly changed into her going-out attire, covering her small head with a beret, and then tried to grab Lin's hand.
Lin quickly dodged the sneak attack and stared silently at Anna, who was laughing awkwardly after her plan failed.
"Ahem... Misunderstanding, anyway, come with me, old man." Anna coughed twice to relieve the awkwardness, then waved to Lin, opened the door, and walked out.
Lin sighed, got up, and followed her.
...
"Little Anna? Why are you here?"
Lin looked up at the uniquely styled building. The overall structure consisted of white-washed walls and a black roof. The melodious bell tolls and stained-glass windows suggested its close connection to religion.
The destination was an orphanage. Lin had somewhat guessed it, as Anna's profile included her experience of growing up in an orphanage.
Seeing the nun cleaning the courtyard, Anna happily rushed into her arms, and the nun was also surprised to see Anna and Lin, the two visitors.
"Hina, long time no see." Anna reluctantly pulled away from the nun and smiled at her. "I think the last time we met was half a year ago."
"Yes, and you've grown taller since I last saw you. You've become even prettier, Little Anna." The nun, named Hina, happily stroked Anna's head, her eyes full of pleasant surprise and nostalgia.
"Hehe, of course! I'm Anna, the super-duper youthful and beautiful girl!"
Hina smiled kindly, then looked somewhat confusedly at the helmeted man standing behind, hands in his pockets. If Anna hadn't brought him, she would have suspected he was a terrorist with malicious intent due to his suspicious outfit.
And she wondered if it was just her imagination, but this person faintly exuded a dangerous aura.
Anna then remembered she had brought someone: "Oh, I forgot to introduce you."
She took quick steps, pulling Hina to Lin, pointing at Hina and saying: "This is Sister Hina, a nun at the orphanage. She can handle things inside and outside the house, is beautiful and graceful, and watched me grow up, you know."
"Anna~" Hina looked exasperatedly at the mischievous Anna. Introducing someone like this made her face flush with embarrassment.
"What? I was just telling the truth! Otherwise, how could Hina raise a perfect girl like me?" Anna puffed out her cheeks and snorted, "That must mean Hina is also a perfect and mature older sister!"
"..."
Lin sized up Hina. The traditional nun's habit and her youthful face seemed somewhat mismatched, but she had a warm presence.
"And this one~ is Lin. I call him 'Helmet Old Man' because his behavior and demeanor are too mature, and I don't know what the old man under the helmet looks like." Anna winked at Hina while introducing Lin, then smirked, "Also, the old man is my boyfriend."
"What?!" Hina's heart stopped for half a second upon hearing this, and she immediately scrutinized Lin again.
This guy, who looked like he was one step away from being on a wanted poster, was Anna's boyfriend? Even though she occasionally thought Anna was a bit eccentric, she wouldn't fall for this guy!
Lin calmly shook his head: "No."
Hina's polite smile became a little strained: "Is... is that so, Anna?"
"It is, I was lying to you."
"Then..."
"Actually, the old man is my fiancé."
"..."
"..."
"Slap."
Lin caught Anna's head with one hand as she tried to run away, pulling her back and giving her a cold look.
The meaning was: explain yourself clearly.
...
"So that's how it is. I'm sorry for misunderstanding, Mr. Lin." Hina poured Lin a cup of tea apologetically. "Anna can be a little mischievous. I'm truly sorry for the trouble she caused you."
"It's nothing." Lin was somewhat used to it after spending time with Anna.
The pouting Anna snatched Lin's tea and took a sip, sticking out her tongue at the bitter taste: "Seriously, I wasn't wrong. The old man is going to marry me eventually anyway."
"This..." Hina looked at Lin with concern.
Lin shook his head, which reassured Hina.
"What! Does Hina still think I'm a child! And you, Old Man, you're too much. What do you mean by shaking your head?"
"It means you're wrong," Lin said calmly.
"You, you, you... Humph, I've decided not to talk to you for three minutes! Unless you manage to coax me!"
Anna ran into the orphanage, leaving Hina and Lin in the nun's room.
"This child..." Hina sighed helplessly, not knowing what she was sighing about.
Then, before Hina could speak, Lin asked an unrelated question: "Why does Anna use that word?"
"That... oh, you mean 'marry'?"
Upon mentioning this, Hina's face instantly cleared, and she recalled with a smile: "Anna has been very independent, cheerful, and individualistic since she was little. She said that if she ever found someone she loved, she had to be the one taking the initiative and that the other person had to 'marry' her."
That was truly characteristic of Anna's behavior.
"Um, Mr. Lin..." Hina tentatively probed.
"No." Lin cut her off directly. He knew exactly what she wanted to say.
"I'm not against it, but..."
Lin emphasized: "No."
"Alright." Hina understood that Lin had likely been unilaterally claimed by Anna as well. "Please be more tolerant, Mr. Lin... May I ask how old you are?"
"...Twenty."
"So young! Do you have a job?"
"..."
Lin somewhat understood who Anna's self-assertive personality was influenced by.
"Slap."
The chestnut-haired girl pushed open the door again and walked to Lin's side with a bright smile, sitting down.
"...Didn't you leave?"
"Yes, didn't I say I wouldn't talk to you for three minutes? The three minutes are up."