When the event was finished, Debbie returned downstairs to work on the front desk where book circulation was, while James told Moira to wait before going to Kenta’s apartment because he and Vannie had something they wanted to discuss.

“Moira, I heard you are good at painting, right? Have you ever painted realistic scenes from history? I got a project for school due in a month and need some illustrations. I’m not asking you to work for free, of course not! My dad’s gonna pay you. Consider this your third official job. You need letters of recommendation, right? Please say yes,” Vannie begged.

“I would do it if you give me more details and if you show me references because I’m not very good at painting from imagination, except when it comes to flowers and disproportionate humanoid figures, but I can paint what is in front of me.”

“Good, that’s what I need to hear. So, my project is about researching how wheelchair users were prominent activists during the Disability Revolution many centuries ago. I already got the perspective of Red Sycamore activists, now I need the points of view from Black Elm ones.”

“Black Elm? I just happened to know someone who lives there! Well, actually, we haven’t met in person but he and I schedule a video call so maybe you can join and ask if he knows a thing or two about the history of Black Elm?”

“Aw, how convenient! Yup, count me in.”

Moira sent Nardho a quick text to tell him that Vannie would be in the video call too and then, after putting some dates on the calendar to make sure she knew when Vannie’s order of historical illustrations were due, left the library with the biggest smile on her face.

When Moira arrived at the door of Kenta’s apartment, she heard rock music played. Hesitantly, she rang the bell but no one answered. She rang the bell two more times, still no answer. She decided to call Kenta and a message popped up: “your voice is going to be converted into texts. This user has a speech-to-text enabled. Press 1 to consent and press 2 to deny request.” Moira had forgotten that Kenta was deaf and used cochlear implants to help him hear and he did mention that he periodically got too distracted to focus on listening to his surroundings. Maybe the rock music had dampened the ringtone of his phone? Moira sent Kenta a voice message. A moment later, the door swung open and Kenta was there looking apologetic.

“Ah, Moira, sorry! I have a bad habit of turning the world off with rock music. I can’t hear the lyrics all that well, unlike face-to-face communication, but I enjoy feeling the vibration on the floor. Come in, I have news for you about my progress with my dissertation!”

Kenta turned off the music player and led Moira to the dinner table, where a stack of paper was scattered about. Moira raised an eyebrow and Kenta picked a sheet with a lot of diagrams and charts. “I figured out why Crimson Yeast, that mushroom-like red flower, grow on ice! Apparently it was brought here to White Banyan many centuries ago by a scientist from Alaska. The thing is, this flower wasn’t even native to Alaska. Guess the rest of it!”

“Um, the flower is not actually one species but many different species that cross-pollinated and then the resulting new plants also cross-pollinate with another species and the cycle went on?”

“That’s a good guess and close enough, but no. I scoured historical archives and read that this scientist guy was obsessed with collecting all plants in the continent of America that could survive the coldest winter and then he extracted their DNA and fortified them with a special chemical formula. Lo and behold, we got our beautiful Crimson Yeast, a genetically engineered organism! Science is great at modifying stuff, huh? Now Moira, guess what your next assignment is.”

“You want me to decode the special chemical formula? I can decipher the chemical equation for you, might take a few days though, depending on the complexity. I would probably consult my teacher Ms. Roberts too. Are you in a rush?”

“No, take your time. By the way, have you talked to Nardho and Nardhia yet?”

“I am going to tonight! I am so nervous.”

“No need to be. They’re very chill, the coolest kids I’ve ever known and yes I’m biased because they’re my boyfriend’s siblings, but seriously they’re amazing.”

With Kenta’s reassurance, Moira was no longer dreading the video call and rode her bike home daydreaming about the conversation that she would have with the twins.