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Caelus blinked at the device before him, trying to examine the instruction on top of it. Recently, he just learned how to use this thing called a lifeform oven, which Asta told him to look for, and discovered that he can do creation nurturing with it. He never thought he would reach the stage where he could create organic lifeforms just like the genius Ruan Mei did. At this point, perhaps he should start applying to be the new Genius Society member.
So far Caelus had created a bunch of creations with different traits. Various heads, various bodies, various patterns, so many things could be created with this single device. He also managed to make a special mutation. A creature with gray skin and black filling, which also somehow resonated with a trash Caelus randomly put in the lifeform oven. No wonder that creature’s name is Trash Cake and for no particular reason, he felt a huge resemblance with it.
Caelus read the research handbook again for the next rare creations he could try. There was no name for it yet, he could only know once he succeeded to nurture it. On the instruction, it said that to produce this creation, the traits he needed were green skin and gray filling. He put two parental creations who matched the traits and started the process.
The nurturing process had to be repeated several times. It did consume a lot of time, but Caelus didn't mind at all. The results were well worth his time anyway. All those "munya munya" choirs that singlehandedly melted his heart? Yeah count Caelus in.
The nurturing process suddenly stopped when the device showed a step where he needed to feed this creation with a material. Caelus squinted, the screen said "This guy loves eating maple leaves". The word “maple leaves” evoked something in his mind, reminding him of someone he knew. Caelus didn’t want to explain why, but he had several maple leaves tucked away in his pocket. So he took a few out and put them in the device before continuing the process.
Once the nurturing process completed, a brand new rare creation popped out from the oven. Its skin was mostly white, with hints of green and gold list, and a maple leaf pattern on it. Its filling was greyish black, like a lighter version of Trash Cake filling. And what caught Caelus’ attention was its tail has three dots aligned like a constellation. This pattern made it more unique than Trash Cake's plain one.
Caelus couldn't hide his smile. He looked at the instruction page that now had revealed this critter’s name. The name is Rice Dumpling, such a cute name for this little critter. He picked it up and inspected the freshly made creation. The longer he looked at it, the more it really reminded him of someone. Without thinking, he pulled his phone out and started to message the said person.
Caelus: It looks just like you
Caelus: Rice Dumpling.Image Attached
Done. Knowing that this person wasn’t the type to respond quickly, Caelus put his phone back in his pocket and resumed his adoring session. Rice Dumpling seemed like a quiet and calm type, compared to Trash Cake that was already babbling nonstop beside it. He tried to understand what Trash Cake was trying to deliver because he didn't have a translation tool yet. However, judging from Rice Dumpling's expression, it seemed like whatever the gray-skinned critter was chattering about didn’t amused the other. Caelus wasted no time to capture every moment between these creatures until his phone buzzed from incoming messages.
Dan Heng: ...
Dan Heng: No.
A string of giggles escaped from Caelus' lips. Of course this specific companion of his would respond like that.
Caelus: Its eyes is totally like yours!
Dan Heng: No.
Caelus: Its vibe is totally like yours!
Dan Heng: Can't tell from the picture.
Caelus was about to convince him more until he saw the other end was typing. He was anticipating what response the Express Guard would say.
Dan Heng: I have never seen a lifeform like this before. If you have data about them, remember to enter them into the data bank once you get back to the Express.
Now Caelus was pouting. Dan Heng was no fun. All night all day, all he thought about was the data bank. It wasn't that Caelus didn't understand his job as an archivist, but could Dan Heng loosen up and get along with his joke this time? Somewhat irritated, Caelus moved his finger in fast motion to send a reply on Dan Heng's message.
Caelus: I do have data about them.
Caelus: But I will only tell you if you agree with me.
Dan Heng: ... agree about what?
Caelus: That this creature looks just like you!
Caelus stared at his screen for minutes, waiting for another response which seemed to never come. His pout deepened without him realizing it. Perhaps, he was actually the one at fault here. Dan Heng was probably busy at the moment, and Caelus had unknowingly decided to mess with him. He should apologize to him.
Caelus: Are you busy right now?
Caelus: Sorry. I didn't mean to bother you.
Caelus: Just ignore what I said earlier. I will bring the data back once I finish with this.
His heart ached a little. The thing is, Caelus couldn't help but get excited whenever something related to the Express Guard came up. He really admired Dan Heng. From their very first interaction, every action he took to protect Caelus, every word he said to encourage Caelus, everything about Dan Heng was just perfect. And that was what made Caelus' heart flutter. But maybe, just maybe, Dan Heng merely saw him as a companion. And he couldn’t blame him for that.
He still remembered the time when he finally met Dan Heng after he gained his Imbibitor Lunae power. Caelus couldn’t even form a word properly so he just left Dan Heng in silence. Silly him, he should’ve expressed his thoughts better. To tell Dan Heng about how he liked his long hair, his horns, his new outfit, and every brand new thing about him. Because after that, Dan Heng refused to join him and March in every activity, causing him to miss many moments with the other two trailblazers. And that also meant less time for Caelus to adore Dan Heng up close. March once mentioned how Caelus was less energized when Dan Heng wasn’t around, but to be honest, he was never aware of that.
Caelus took a photo of Trash Cake and Rice Dumpling for the last time before he continued his experiment with the rest of creatures from the research handbook. As he was about to be locked in, his phone buzzed again, notified him about three incoming messages.
Dan Heng: No, I’m not busy. And you're not bothering me.
Dan Heng: I enjoy your presence, Caelus.
Dan Heng: ... sorry, I made you think that way.
The previously gloomy face suddenly lit up just from those messages alone. Caelus felt very relieved because it turned out he hadn't actually disturbed the other guy. He quickly sent a reply before Dan Heng went offline again.
Caelus: Then you have to look at this!
Caelus : Trash Cake and Rice Dumpling.Image Attached
It was a picture of two special critters he had taken earlier. Trash Cake still hadn't stopped talking, while Rice Cake just sat beside it and listened patiently. There were other common mutation types of organic lifeforms around them, but those two creations didn’t seem to pay attention to them. Looks like they only had each other at that moment.
Dan Heng: They are cute.
Dan Heng: Do they have names?
Caelus: The gray one is Trash Cake, the other is Rice Dumpling!
Dan Heng: Trash Cake, huh?
Dan Heng: Seems like it took reference from someone familiar.
Caelus: Well, look who's talking.
Caelus: Do you agree that Rice Dumpling looks a lot like you now?
Three dots keep floating up and down, appear and disappear, indicating that the person across was typing something.
Dan Heng: Would you be happy if I agreed?
Caelus: Of course!
Dan Heng: Alright, then it looks just like me.
Dan Heng: These critters actually kinda look like us.
Dan Heng: It’s cute.
Caelus could feel his face heating up. He didn't know where Dan Heng was going with his sentence, but it was enough to make his heart beat faster. Who would have thought that the notoriously cold and reserved Dan Heng would say something soft like that?
Caelus: See, it wasn't that hard to admit!
Caelus: So should I multiply them so we can have a bunch of mini us?
Caelus: I can bring back some to put in the archive room!
Dan Heng: ... just get back to the Express quickly after you’re done.
Caelus chuckled again before actually closing his phone this time. Perhaps, having a crush on Dan Heng wasn't that bad at all.