Mr. Death in the Steam World

Chapter 114 We're Just Friends

After reading it, Moen folded the letter and returned it to Phils.

What do you think?

Phils put the letter back into the envelope, put it in her pocket, and sighed.

"Finally got a holiday."

"You don't have to go back," Moen said.

"It'll be more troublesome if I don't go back." She gave a wry smile, turning her head to look out the window. "Some people, you can't escape them."

"So when do you plan to leave?"

"After returning to Kansas, I'll probably stay for two or three days. The academy said they'll send someone to pick me up at the Kansas teleportation point."

Moen nodded without saying anything more.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and mentally reviewed the events that had occurred in Ironcrown City over the past few days.

Sidwin was sent to the Southern Manor, the Truth Society members were completely purged, Fils became the Agent of the God of Fire, Arthur's demonic power further corrupted his body, Melina remained at the Swallow Inn, and Vera's whereabouts were unknown.

Each event is like a puzzle piece; when put together, they form a complete picture that he still doesn't quite understand.

As for what the painting will eventually become, he doesn't know yet, but he has a feeling that he will find out soon.

"Mr. Marcus," Phils's voice came from the other end of the line.

Moen opened his eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Tomorrow, I want to go to the shantytowns," Fils paused, "and say goodbye to Sai and the others before I leave."

Moen paused for a moment, then nodded.

"I'll go too."

Sai is a good kid. He has visited the hospital occasionally during this time, and he gets along well with everyone in the group.

Every time she came, she brought her younger siblings with her, chattering and circling around the hospital bed, turning the ward into a bustling market.

Then, the landlady yelled at them, and they obediently lined up and said to Moen one by one, "Big brother, get well soon."

Speaking of which, that girl, like Clara, should be starting school soon—if she can get a place to study.

The next morning, Moen and Fils walked side by side on the path leading to the shantytown.

For some reason, Phils was dressed particularly carefully today, wearing a light gray dress, her long silver hair tied into a high ponytail with a red hairband, revealing her fair neck and slightly reddened ear tips.

Moen noticed that she had been keeping her head down since she left the house, clutching the hem of her skirt with both hands, seemingly lost in thought.

"Miss Ignis."

"Huh?" Phils looked up abruptly. "W-what's wrong?"

Why are you so nervous?

"I wasn't nervous," Fils said, turning her head away. "I was just thinking about something."

"What are you thinking about?"

"I want to..." she paused, "Hmph, what's it to you what I'm thinking?"

Moen glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The shantytown was much quieter than when they last visited.

The burned-down shacks have been cleaned up, and those that are still habitable are being repaired.

Several men climbed ladders to spread new tarpaulins on the roof, while women below carried basins of water up to it, and children ran around on the newly paved gravel path.

Although the air was still filled with coal dust and the smell of burnt coal, at least there was a bit more life in it.

Sai was squatting at the entrance of a shack, holding a piece of black bread that he had broken into small pieces and was feeding it to several younger children.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Moen and Phils, her eyes instantly lighting up.

"Big brother!"

She shoved the bread into the hands of the child next to her, jumped up from the ground, and ran over to Moen in a few steps, a big smile spreading across her small face.

"Is your arm better? Does it still hurt? Can you lift it?"

Moen crouched down, raised his right arm in front of her, and flexed his fingers.

"Look, it's all healed."

Sai reached out and poked his arm to make sure it wasn't a prosthesis before nodding in satisfaction.

Then she turned her head and looked at Phils, who was standing behind Moen.

"Silver-haired sister! You're here too!"

Phils crouched down and smiled.

"Yes, I came to see you."

"I'm doing great!" Sai patted her thin chest. "I can eat, sleep, run, and jump. It's just—"

She paused, then lowered her voice, "It's just that Sister Melina moved to a hotel and isn't coming back."

"Yes, she has a new place to go." Phils reached out and patted her head. "That's a good thing."

Sai nodded without saying anything more.

Although she was young, she grew up in a shantytown and had long since learned to accept separation.

The children ran around, but Sai, unusually quiet, stood in front of Moen, her hands behind her back, her toes drawing circles on the ground.

"Big brother," she suddenly said.

"Um?"

Are you... leaving?

Moen paused for a moment.

How did you know?

"Just guessing. People from big cities like you only stay for a few days before leaving. You can't keep them here."

As she spoke, she took a small paper packet out of her pocket and stuffed it into Moen's hand.

"Give."

Moen opened the paper package, inside were two pieces of fruit candy.

"One for you," Sai said, holding up one finger, then a second. "One for your girlfriend!"

Moen paused for a moment.

"girlfriend?"

Sai nodded vigorously, his gaze shifting back and forth between himself and Phils.

"Yes, it's Sister Phils."

Moen opened his mouth as if to say something, but Phils was standing behind him, and he could see out of the corner of his eye that her face was turning red at a visible speed.

"Um, Sai," Moen said carefully, "I don't have a girlfriend."

Sai tilted her head and looked at him with a "you're lying to me" expression.

"No? But I saw you and Sister Fils were very close."

She thought for a moment, then suddenly clapped her hands in realization.

"I see!"

She held up her third finger. "Fils isn't your girlfriend, she's your lover! And Emily is too, right?"

Moen: "..."

Phils: "..."

Seeing that neither of them spoke, Sai assumed she had guessed correctly, took another piece of candy from her pocket, stuffed it into Moen's hand, and ran away with a grin.

"Goodbye, big brother! Goodbye, sister Phils!"

Moen squatted on the spot, clutching three pieces of candy in his hand, his expression complicated.

Phils stood behind him, completely becoming a blushing mute.

Moen stood up, put the candy in his pocket, and turned to look at her.

Phils immediately turned her head away, her voice soft and sweet.

"Um... don't take what kids say seriously..."

"Hmm, don't take it seriously."

"She doesn't understand anything..."

"Hmm, I don't understand."

"And you and I... we're just friends..."

"Yes, friend."

Phils finally couldn't hold back any longer and turned around abruptly to glare at him.