"So that's how it is."

"I heard that the no smoking zone is the core of the entire laboratory. If it malfunctions, the whole laboratory won't be able to function..."

"Is that true?"

Mikael pushed the empty plate after finishing the cake aside, gently placing the spoon on the plate, absent-mindedly asking Oedipus.

"It probably is true."

"Why are you asking this...?"

"Didn't you say you came to the lab to play with me?"

Oedipus seemed a bit uneasy, unconsciously pulling at her collar as if struggling to breathe.

"......"

The atmosphere between the two stiffened. Mikael remained silent, simply turning her delicate youthful face away and silently watching the diverse white-coats passing by on the street.

Due to close family ties, the two had been best friends and partners since childhood, but also each other's greatest competitors.

However, their vastly different environments made it increasingly difficult for them to understand each other.

Oedipus was the caged canary of the family, while Mikael was the wild nightingale of the woods.

Both possessed their own unique forms of beauty that left others envious.

But only they knew that their relationship could no longer be as simple as it used to be.

"Altria...”

"You're right, I'm sorry. I should have come to play with you."

"But, it's been a long time since I last saw my mother... It's probably been two or three years."

"I miss her. But I also fear that as a daughter, I haven't fulfilled my duties."

"As a friend, I'm asking you, could you give me a chance?"

"Think of it as bringing me to play in the lab, with an added scenic spot by chance."

"As long as you can take me outside the smoke-free zone so I can have a look, I won't mention to anyone that you brought me there, okay."

After Mikael finished speaking, she seemed a bit uncomfortable, shifting her shoulder that was feeling sore from the straps, and shook the violin on her shoulder. Oedipus, noticing this, narrowed her eyes. She instinctively sensed that Mikael was hiding something.

Oedipus's expression gradually became serious. She looked down at the black coffee in the delicate flower cup on the table, unsure of what to say.

She wished she could go back to the carefree days of her childhood.

Back then, she couldn't represent the lab, and Mikael couldn't represent the forbidden orchestra.

No one could accuse them of hidden agendas or inconsistencies.

With her hand clenched into a fist, anxiously pressed against her chest as if something was about to burst out, Oedipus felt a intense sense of unease ready to devour her soul.

"I understand what you mean..."

"Give me some time to think about your proposal."

"I need to calm down a bit first..."

Looking a bit fatigued, Oedipus stood up from her seat and walked straight into the depths of the coffee shop.

"Altria..."

Mikael's voice, clear as silver bells, called out to Oedipus.

"Are you okay? You seem to be in some discomfort..."

"I'm fine, I'm fine."

Oedipus simply waved her hand lightly behind her, continuing to the back of the coffee shop.

"We will always be friends, okay?"

"If there's anything, you must tell me."

With sincere words, Mikael couldn't get Oedipus to turn around - the latter just nodded and disappeared through the dim shop door.

Mikael could only helplessly watch her departure, sitting in place, gently caressing the small flower cup in her hand.

Oedipus hurried into the restroom of the coffee shop. She turned on the faucet, letting several handfuls of running water splash onto her head.

The crisp water splashed on her face.

She looked up at the mirror in front of the sink, observing her slightly worn-out appearance, breathing heavily.

A dark plume emerged from her reflection in the mirror, gradually condensing in mid-air, taking on the form of Oedipus herself.

This seeming darkened version of Oedipus floated gently in the air. Her eyes flickered slightly, appearing as if containing a rolling sea within them.

Despite the resemblance to Oedipus, this other figure exuded more femininity.

"She's a disaster."

"She will disrupt the lab."

"You must stop her... Otherwise, all the research achievements your family has made so far will be in vain."

The other Oedipus in the mirror floated gently, a hint of cruelty and playfulness in her expression.

She crossed her arms, coldly looking at Oedipus through the mirror.

Turning to look, Oedipus could not see anyone else in the restroom.

But there was indeed another reflection of herself in the mirror.

Oedipus sighed, speaking to the phantom in the mirror.

"But... Do I really have the right to do that?"

"Isn't the purpose of our family... building the lab to monopolize the nobles' voting rights?"

"What face should I... put on to oppose the Forbidden Orchestra?"

The reflection in the mirror countered Oedipus sharply.

"Fool, why are you still pondering over what's right or wrong?"

"She represents the Forbidden Orchestra, fighting for them is justice."

"You represent your family, fighting for your family is justice."

After hearing the words from the reflection, Oedipus sighed and shook her head.

"Ah... Is that so."

"By the way, you mentioned being my subconscious before..."

"But are you really my subconscious... Why do I feel like... you're much cleverer than me?"