Chapter 72: WHEN WILL YOU GROW UP??

VIVIAN

It was late at night when Vivian and Arin finally arrived at the building assigned to them.

The moment they stepped off the transport, Vivian stopped.

Several Orcs were standing outside the old buildings. Some Orc children were running around.

The moment they noticed the soldiers, their expressions changed.

Without saying a word, they hurried into their homes and shut their doors.

Vivian looked around. The entire area was dark.

Dirty. Old. Broken walls.

There were cracks running through the walls, rusty pipes hanging from ceilings, and trash scattered everywhere. It was not a good sight to behold..

But the sight made Vivian’s heart ache.

This wasn’t simply an old military district.

Orc People were actually living like this.

Arin suddenly grabbed Vivian tightly.

Her body trembled. "Princess...Are you sure you can stay here? It doesn’t suit you. "

Vivian looked at her. "Are you scared?"

Arin nodded quickly. "I don’t like this place and you too..you can’t...."

Vivian gently patted her back. "It’s okay."

They followed the soldier toward their assigned room.

When the door opened, a horrible smell immediately rushed out.

Vivian covered her nose. Rotten fruits were scattered on the floor.

Half-eaten food packs were lying beside broken furniture.

Dust covered almost every surface. Arin stared at the room.

Her face slowly twisted in horror. "...This is worse than the other building."

Arin cautiously walked toward the bed. She wiped the dust away with her hand before sitting down.

CRACK! The entire bed collapsed beneath her.

"AAAAAH!"

Vivian burst out laughing. Arin sat in the broken bed, completely stunned. "You’re laughing?!"

Vivian covered her mouth.

"I....I’m sorry."

"You haven’t lived in a place like this in your entire life!"

Arin climbed out of the broken bed and pouted. "I was scared when I saw the other building because it was ugly."

She pointed at the room. "But this one is disgusting! It’s worse you can’t live here."

Vivian shook her head. She didn’t say anything.

In her previous life, she had lived in a place far worse than this. So, to her, this wasn’t the end of the world.

But she understood Arin. And she also knew something else.

The original Vivian would never have tolerated this place. She would rather die than sleep here.

Arin turned toward the soldier. "Please take us back to the other building."

The soldier looked surprised. "I thought you wanted a private room."

"She did."

Arin glanced at the filthy room. "But we can manage with the other girls."

Before the soldier could answer, Vivian felt Arin’s hand slip into hers.

Vivian looked at her. Then she sighed. "No."

She turned back to the soldier. "I requested to live alone. I don’t mind what the house looks like."

The soldier stared at her for a moment. Then saluted.

"Understood, Recruit Vivian."

Vivian returned the salute. The soldier turned and left.

The moment the door closed, Vivian looked around.

She sighed. "Fine."

She turned toward Arin. "Start arranging the place."

Arin stared at her. Then she pointed toward Vivian’s storage ring. "Take Robot 99 out."

Vivian’s face fell.

"He can arrange everything."

Vivian rubbed her forehead. With a frustrated sigh, she pressed her storage ring.

A pile of metallic parts suddenly appeared on the floor.

Robot 99. Its body was still scattered from the damage it had suffered on the ship. Two arms were broken. Its head was bent.

Vivian’s expression softened.

She had completely forgotten how damaged it was.

Before Arim could say anything, she opened the storage ring again.

Mimi appeared.

The moment the large Husky landed on the floor, he stood up.

He looked at Vivian. Then he turned his head away.

His expression was cold. He walked away from her.

Vivian blinked. "Mimi?"

He ignored her. Vivian quickly followed and picked him up. "I’m sorry."

Mimi struggled in her arms. "I know you’re angry, but it’s my fault."

Mimi glared at her.

Bad female.

You completely forgot about me.

No food. No water.

You almost smashed my head when you threw that robot into the storage ring!

And then you left me inside!

I am a king!

How did I end up suffering like this?

What crime did I commit to meet you?

Vivian hugged him tighter. "I’m really sorry Baby. You know how much I love you" she kisses it.

Arin suddenly screamed. "AAAAAH!"

Vivian flinched. She immediately covered her ears. "What is wrong with you?!"

Arin pointed at Robot 99. Her eyes filled with tears. "How could you?!"

Vivian blinked. "How could I what?"

Arin’s tears began falling. "How could you do this to our last Robot?"

Her voice cracked. "Look at him!"

She rushed toward Robot 99 and carefully picked up its broken arm. "What did 99 ever do to you this time?"

Vivian remained silent.

Arin sobbed harder. "I thought you had changed!"

"You promised you would become better!"

"Why are you destructive again?!"

Her voice trembled. "When will you stop acting like a child?"

Vivian’s expression slowly changed.

Arin wiped her tears. "The Astronova family is gone from your life."

"Your father is gone."

"You kicked the Astronova family away."

"No one is going to stand behind you anymore."

She pointed at Vivian with trembling fingers. "How are you going to survive in this cruel world?"

Vivian lowered her gaze.

Arin’s tears continued falling. "You can’t cook." "You can’t clean."

"You can’t even wash your own clothes properly."

"And now you’ve destroyed the only robot that could help us!"

Her voice broke. "Where are we going to get another one? Which company will sell to you again? Now in Ignora where do we get another Robot?"

Vivian remained quiet. Arin’s shoulders shook. "When will you grow up?"

Silence filled the room. Vivian looked at her. Then at Robot 99.

Then at Mimi.

Finally, she smiled faintly.

"So..."

She stroked Mimi’s fur. "You’ve finally said what’s been in your heart all this time."

Arin froze. But the tears didn’t stop.

"You’re stuck in this godforsaken place with me, so you are angry about it." she whispered.

Arin screamed. "But you destroyed the robot!!." She covered her face and sat on the floor. "I don’t know what we’re going to do. How can we live Vivian? How?"

Vivian sighed. "Arin..."

She looked toward the door. "Leave."

Arin slowly lowered her hands.

"What?"

"You can go."

Vivian pointed toward the door.

"The Guide building is better than this place anyway."

Arin stared at her. Vivian continued quietly. "The officer is still outside."

"You can go with her."

Arin’s face became pale. "What do you mean?"

Vivian’s expression hardened. "I said leave."

"I’ll be fine alone."

Arin stared at her for several seconds. Then she turned toward the door.

Vivian opened her storage ring and pulled out Arin’s belongings.

She placed the box near the door. "Your things are inside."

Arin looked at the box.

Then back at Vivian. "You destroyed the robot..."

Her voice trembled. "And now you’re sending me away?"

She wiped her tears. "Who is going to do everything for you?"

"Have you forgotten?"

"You can’t do anything on your own!"

Vivian’s heart tightened.

She’s right. I can’t cook. I can’t clean. I barely know how to take care of myself.

I’m useless at household chores.

She looked at Robot 99. Then at the filthy room.

But I have to learn.

Vivian walked toward the door. She picked up Arin’s box.

Then...

THUD! She threw it outside.

The female officer standing outside nearly jumped.

She had heard the shouting inside.

She had been waiting quietly, pretending not to listen. She never left, the show inside sounded too interesting to leave.

Vivian looked directly at her. "Take her with you."

Arin stared at Vivian in disbelief. Vivian grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the doorway.

"Princess!"

Vivian pushed her outside.

Arin stumbled. "You want me to leave!"

Her tears fell faster. She was sobbing so hard, her nose was running. She sniffed it in.

"Fine!"

She wiped her tears angrily and clenched her fists.

"I’ll go!"

She pointed at Vivian. "Let’s see how you survive without me!"

Vivian stared at her. Arin turned away, crying. The officer hurried to catch up with her.

Vivian slowly closed the door.

Click!

The room suddenly felt enormous. Vivian stood there alone.

She released a tired sigh. "Its safer to be alone."

She looked around. Then she pulled a mattress from her storage ring.

She placed it on the floor. Mimi jumped onto it. Vivian lay down beside him.

She pulled him into her arms. "Come here."

Mimi resisted for a moment. Then reluctantly settled against her. Vivian closed her eyes.

"Mimi..." She gently stroked his fur. "Let’s sleep. I know you are happy to stay with me because you love only me."

She slowly slept off.

The Next Morning — 10:00 A.M.

Vivian slowly opened her eyes. Her body felt heavy. She sat up.

Mimi was still sleeping beside her. Vivian dragged herself toward the bathroom.

She brushed her teeth half-asleep.

Then she washed her face. She stepped out and froze at the sight of her house.

Her eyes widened. She slowly turned her head. She looked around the room.

Once.. and Twice. Her mouth opened.

The rotten food was gone. The trash was gone. The dust was gone.

The broken furniture had been removed. The floor was spotless. The walls had been cleaned.

The bed had been arranged..the broken wood was gone...now it was metal.

The windows were shining. Everything was neatly arranged.

Vivian stood completely frozen. She slowly looked behind her.

No one was there except her, Dog Mimi and the dead Robot 99.

She looked toward the kitchen...Clean. She looked toward the living room, it was spotless.

She looked toward the bathroom.

Clean.

Her face turned pale.

"...What?"

She took one step backward. Her eyes widened. "Is there a ghost in this house?!"

She yelled. "Did they send me to a haunted house?!!!"