"So, Miss Theresia, would you care to explain?" Himeko asked directly. Although she didn't sense any malice or threat from the girl before her, clarity was needed for the sake of the Astral Express crew and Theresia herself.
Tian An remained silent for a long moment, unsure how to begin.
"If you don't know where to start, perhaps begin with your body. For instance... those... stones on you?"
Himeko gestured towards the cluster of black crystals covering the left side of Tian An's body.
"It's come to this, so I won't hide it any longer." Tian An decided to reveal the truth about Oripathy.
"As you can see, this is Oripathy," Tian An said, holding out her hand.
"Oripathy?" The crew members exchanged glances. They hadn't heard of such a disease in the vast galaxy.
"Oripathy is an infectious disease caused by something called Originium. Its full name is Polymorphic Originium Infection Syndrome. Prolonged contact with Originium, or being wounded by it, leads to infection," Tian An explained slowly, as if afraid they wouldn't understand.
"After contracting Oripathy, the Originium within the body begins to fuse with somatic cells, forming black crystals within organs and on the skin's surface. This marks the gradual worsening of the condition, and patients experience immense pain during flare-ups at this stage. In the terminal phase, all treatments become ineffective. Patients may even lose some motor functions until, upon death, the body gradually disintegrates, leaving behind only Originium particles."
This was the most she had ever spoken at one time in her entire life.
"What a terrifying disease," March 7th couldn't help but murmur. Though she had amnesia, the description sent shivers down her spine. Her eyes kept drifting to Tian An's abdomen, her thoughts unreadable.
"So... Miss Theresia, are you already in the second stage?"
"I suppose... so?" Tian An wasn't entirely sure about the specific condition of Theresia's body, but judging by its current state, it seemed likely to be mid-stage.
"Isn't there any cure for this Oripathy?" March 7th asked anxiously.
Tian An simply shook her head. "It can only be alleviated, not cured."
If Oripathy could truly be cured, then a certain little sheep, a certain little wolf, and countless other Operators, along with so many Infected, wouldn't have had to endure so much suffering and discrimination.
Oripathy was something intertwined with the history of Terra, and Originium itself was a relic passed down from a previous civilization. How could it be so easily deciphered by a few scientists?
"So... perhaps it's best if you all exercise caution when interacting with me," Tian An said softly.
Although she'd heard that pure humans couldn't contract Oripathy, who could be sure? On the Express crew, one had an unknown past, and another was a dragon. If they actually got infected, the loss would far outweigh any gain.
"It's okay! We're pretty tough, you know! A little crystal disease..."
"It's Oripathy, March," Dan Heng corrected.
"Ah, right, right! Oripathy! A little Oripathy is nothing to worry about!" March 7th declared nonchalantly.
Tian An knew she was trying to comfort her, so she just nodded.
Right now, Teacher Xiao Te's gentle smile should make its appearance.
"I can feel the kindness of everyone on the Express crew. Thank you all." Ah, isn't this exactly what I've always wanted to say? No wonder she was loved by so many back then.
Critical hit to the Astral Express crew! The crew is down and cannot get up!
"Um... can I hug you?" When March 7th snapped back to reality, her eyes were sparkling as she stared at Tian An, her excitement palpable.
"But..."
"It's okay, it's okay! I'll be super careful!" March 7th slowly approached Tian An.
"Alright then. Please be careful," Tian An extended her arms in a hugging gesture.
The others nearby: Weren't we just asking her something important? How did this turn into a cuddle session?
March 7th suddenly dove forward, burying herself in Tian An's embrace and rubbing her head against her enthusiastically.
Due to the height difference, they looked like a younger sister seeking affection from her older sister. Coincidentally, both had pinkish hair, though one was more pinkish-white.
"Be careful," Tian An cautioned, her hands hovering awkwardly, unsure what to do.
"Hehe, I've wanted to do this for ages! Yep, it really is first-class warmth!" March 7th released Tian An, giving her a thumbs-up.
"Dan Heng, wanna try?"
"No need," Dan Heng refused firmly. As a proper, upstanding dragon, he steered clear of feminine wiles ().
"Eh? Don't tell me you're shy!"
These people here... they don't ostracize someone because of Oripathy... Maybe it's because they don't yet understand its true nature.
Tian An savored the lingering softness of the hug.
It was actually quite nice.
"Miss Theresia, about that person..." Himeko didn't comment on March 7th's actions, a slight smile playing on her lips instead.
"That person... I've seen her before," Tian An began, lying through her teeth.
After all, she couldn't possibly reveal that the person was her, could she? They'd think she was crazy.
"Uh... in my memories... she was a child who often suffered parental abuse. She had to work various jobs to support the family because her father never did anything." As Tian An spoke about this, the words flowed more easily.
"Later, her mother died in a car accident, and her father kicked her out, enrolling her in a vocational college in some remote mountainous area, and never cared about her again... though he never really cared before either."
Tian An sighed repeatedly, as if deeply empathetic (Confirmed).
"How could parents like that exist?" March 7th fumed indignantly.
"What happened after that, I don't know," Tian An said, unwilling to continue, realizing she was becoming increasingly upset as she spoke.
"I see... Did she... have Oripathy?"
"Probably not," Tian An shook her head.
Unless she really did come from a parallel universe.
"As for that body turning into light and entering mine... I don't know about that either." This part she genuinely didn't know. She couldn't exactly say 'a parallel universe version of myself came looking for me,' could she?
"Poor child... I've noticed, Miss Theresia, are you perhaps very empathetic towards others?" Himeko observed Tian An's expression.
"Uh... I suppose so?" Tian An equivocated. Could you guess why she felt sad?
"Alright, alright, let's stop talking about such sad topics! Since we don't have any clues for now, why don't we just focus on settling down here?" March 7th, seeing the mood souring, quickly interjected.
"March is right. Instead of dwelling on this and exhausting yourself, it's better to focus on living in the present," Dan Heng agreed.
Before Tian An could respond, March 7th had already grabbed her hand. "Ahem! Miss, you're very pretty. Please be my friend!"
the latter half. Himeko remains observant and probing. Dan Heng is supportive but reserved. Tian An's internal conflict and attempt at Theresia's persona ("Teacher Xiao Te's gentle smile") are shown. The "Critical Hit" line captures the exaggerated reaction common in anime/manga.
Tone Shift: Managed the transition from the grave explanation of Oripathy to the emotional backstory, and finally to the heartwarming offer of friendship from March 7th.