Mirabe propped up her legs and typed back, "Just spit it out."


    J: "......"


    Was the usuallyid-back giant feeling particrly irritable today, or had she inadvertently hit a nerve?


    J, skeptical, paused for a couple of seconds in front of hisputer before typing, "Last time, I followed your approach and tried to create a mock database. Does it look something like this?"


    Mirabe replied, "Send it over."


    Seeing this, J sighed in relief and quickly transferred the already packaged zip file.


    Despite beingpressed, the file was still hefty, and it took a minute to download even with their high-endputers.


    Mirabe unzipped the file and spent a couple of minutes reviewing the demo before opening another database module included inside.


    Shortly after, she replied, "It''s passable, barely scratching the surface of the basics."


    J wasn''t surprised by her assessment. After pondering for a few seconds, he asked, "I''ve always been curious about the standalone database you mentioned. What would it be like once it''s fully developed?"


    Mirabe stared at herputer screen, her expression distant for a moment before she finally said, "Once you guys have fully integrated the data core, you''ll understand."


    J: "Alright, I''ll strive for it..."


    J: "By the way, could you take another look at the data core issue for me, Dad?"


    Pulling her wandering thoughts back, Mirabe didn''t respond to his question. Instead, she dug out an old piece of code from herputer and sent it to him, "You can use this as a reference."


    After hitting send, Mirabe shut down herputer. She stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. The moon was nowhere to be seen tonight; the sky was dark and heavy.


    Mirabe pushed open the ss door, letting the cool breeze in, slowly clearing her somewhat dazed mind.


    Lately, she found herself suddenly remembering things, both from the past and regarding her current body, as if something was slowly awakening within her.


    Mirabe gazed into the night sky, unaware of how long she stood there before she finally closed the sliding door and turned back to her room.


    **


    The next day, Mirabe, with dark circles under her eyes and a heavy nasal voice, went downstairs, looking pale as a ghost.


    Zach had a court case to attend to and had woken up early. Seeing his sister looking so wilted, he quickly approached her, "Mirabe, are you feeling alright?"


    Mirabe sniffled and waved her hand nonchntly, "It''s nothing, probably just a little cold."


    Zach frowned and reached out to touch her forehead; thankfully, she didn''t seem to have a fever. He then walked over to the living room, opened a drawer, and asked, "Where''s the first aid kit?"


    "No need, Zach, I''m quite resilient," Mirabe said as she sat down on the couch, hugging her chest and tightening her coat around her.


    Zach simply turned and gave her a look that said, ''Then try not to look so miserable,'' almost as if he would believe her if she didn''t look so ill.


    Mirabe, unusually, didn''t retort and just shrank back into the couch.


    Nick came downstairs too, and seeing Zach rummaging through the house, asked puzzledly, "Zach, what are you looking for?"


    Without lifting his head, Zach replied irritably, "Just look at who''s sitting on the couch."


    Nick then noticed Mirabe, herplexion ghostly and a slight furrow in her brow. He went to the side room and quickly returned with cold medicine and a ss of warm water.


    Mirabe simply nced at Nick and without a word, took the medicine.


    Zach on the side: Hmph!