Because Young Lady Anqi and Cocolia were discussing the moral problem of the revenge for a murdered mother over there, Anqi also felt a bit confused.
Himeko lowered her head with concern, tightened her hands around Anqi's body, and said in a soft voice:
"What's wrong? Has the aftereffect not passed yet? Is something uncomfortable somewhere?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Oh, then are you still brooding over wetting the futon the night before yesterday?"
"Himeko!!"
Anqi blushed and raised her head, glaring angrily and poutingly at Himeko.
We agreed to keep this matter a secret from everyone!
Himeko tilted her head, poked out her cute tongue, and acted cute by saying:
"Heh-eh, I forgot!"
"I... it was just..."
"Alright, alright! It's no big deal. For a Valkyrie, erosion disease is just like a life-or-death hurdle; you just broke out in a sweat from the pain, and by the way, maybe shed a little bit of other fluids. This is already a very amazing achievement! If it were anyone else, they would only be able to lie limply in a hospital bed and daydream right now!"
"Exactly, exactly. You little rascal really don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. You're already very lucky to have gotten through it so easily, and you're still fussing over such trifles? This principal thinks you just haven't suffered enough yet!"
Theresa said with a roll of her eyes, while simultaneously picking up a piece of sushi and sending it into her small mouth.
Everyone nodded in agreement one after another.
"?? "×５
The next second, the five-member vacation trip group simultaneously focused their gazes on Theresa.
"Auntie, why did you show up here... Wah! You almost made me spit it out!"
Kiana asked halfway, then hurriedly covered her stuffed mouth with both hands, chewing vigorously while looking at Theresa with big eyes full of question marks.
Theresa wore the noble nun-style long dress worn at the academy, ate sushi, and said nonchalantly:
"I heard that my dear student actually encountered a super dangerous Honkai Energy erosion disease, how could I possibly still sit still? Besides, you unruly little scoundrels, you didn't even call me when you came out to play. Isn't that going too far?!"
Theresa's expression looked quite indignant, pointing her finger at these people one by one, and finally stopping on Kiana's face.
Especially this little bastard!
Auntie treats you so well, and you actually had good things happen without notifying me?
Is this still my cute, dear eldest niece?
Was she raised in vain?!
Kiana chewed and chewed, taking quite a while to swallow the food in her mouth, and then said with a dazed expression:
"But Teacher Himeko said Auntie was very busy and had no time to come out to play, and told us not to go disturb you."
"Himeko!!!"
Theresa turned her head, shifting her firepower direction in a fierce and cute manner.
Himeko shrugged, hugging Anqi without saying anything, wearing a peaceful and composed look as if having Anqi was all she needed in the world.
Theresa glared at her for a long time, and finally, considering that taking care of Anqi these past few days must have been quite difficult, she temporarily put aside her grudge.
"Fine! This principal has decided, I'm joining your vacation trip too, and the expenses will be deducted from Himeko's salary! It's happily decided just like that!"
"Knock, knock!"
Just as Himeko's face changed slightly and she was about to slightly protest for her wallet, a gentle knock came from the door.
"Respected guests, our geisha performance is already prepared. Do you plan to enjoy it now, or..."
The gazes of everyone thus turned to Himeko.
After all, among the original five-member group, she was the teacher, and most of the journey was arranged by her, including this expensive hot spring inn.
"Then let's do it now." Kiana and the others didn't object.
Himeko said nonchalantly, while blinking dazedly.
Did the room package here include a geisha performance too?
Himeko recalled, but seemed to find no relevant memories.
Chapter Thirty-Three: The Timid Anqi
The flute and Xiao played faintly, and zither strings rang out. An elegant and sorrowful tune chimed in the room, making those who heard it instantly calm their minds, guided by the ultimate aesthetic music into an indescribable, wonderful realm.
Undoubtedly, this was a high-level music; even a layman would involuntarily become intoxicated.
In the middle of the room, a girl with hair like a waterfall of black wind and skin like snow stood gracefully, wearing a light blue haori and a dark blue pleated skirt printed with falling cherry blossoms and flowing water patterns. She stood before the audience like a blue butterfly flying in the sky or an egret standing in the snow, sweet and real.
"Please watch over me well."
The poetic and picturesque girl said with sweet shyness, half-covering her peerlessly beautiful face with a folding fan.
This sentence completely stirred the emotions in the audience's hearts.
The dance that followed was a song of waves on footsteps. It was not fast, but the slow movements carried a beauty that brought a knowing smile everywhere, as if physical movements and inner emotions had already perfectly combined, producing a marvelous charm.
Time ceased to matter at this moment, and even Kiana stopped her wolf-like gorging, staring without moving her eyes.
"So beautiful..."
Kiana sighed involuntarily, speaking everyone's inner thoughts.
I don't know how much time later, the dance stopped amidst the lingering clear flute.
The perfect girl who walked out of the scroll smiled shyly, lifting her skirt hem and bowing her head and knees to the audience to express her gratitude.
After another half-minute passed, applause rang out continuously.
"Himeko, Himeko, it makes sense that this place is expensive!"
Anqi clutched her hands in applause while looking up at Himeko, naturally playing the role of the straight man to Himeko's comic foil.
Himeko was also applauding, giving Anqi a slight smile before looking ahead at the peerlessly gorgeous young girl.
"Indeed, I never imagined that a mere hot spring inn could invite the head of the Tachibana Family to perform for guests. I wonder what kind of background the owner of this inn has; could it be the so-called royalty?"
Himeko said with a smiling face, her wine-red, alluring eyes curving into pretty crescent shapes.
Tachibana Yuki, a new favorite in the Far East who officially took charge of the Tachibana Family's massive foundation a little over a month ago—this was a major event in Far East high society, and of course there was no shortage of related reports, so Himeko naturally had some understanding of it.
And as a reasonably intelligent adult, Himeko certainly didn't believe this Far East new favorite would come to an inn to be a dancer.
Just as Himeko expected, the girl who finished her performance did not withdraw from the room just then; instead, she sat down gracefully in front of them, tidied her skirt, and then clapped her hands with a smile.
"Clap! Clap!"
Following the clapping sound, several waitresses walked in lightly and nimbly removed some empty plates, replacing them with obviously much higher-grade, attractive delicacies and fine wine.
"The Far East royalty is merely a symbol nowadays; they do not have the power to command me. As for the owner of this inn, three days ago it was already yours truly. I also know that a rash visit is extremely impolite, so whether it's the dance and music, the fine food, or all of your consumption here, it is just some insignificant apologies. Please forgive my rudeness."
"Speak humanly. We aren't bookish nobles, we don't understand."
"I am very sorry! I have important matters I want to discuss with you all, please listen to me! As a reward, I'll waive your bill—no, a lifetime waiver! Gomen nasai!"
Young Lady Anqi, or using her current name, Tachibana Yuki, prostrated herself on the spot, smashing her head against the floor without any self-esteem or shame.
Himeko's mouth twitched slightly.
"Umm, there's no need for that. We aren't that scary, right? Anyway, get up first. Doing this makes us look like terrorists."
Tachibana Yuki raised her head, rubbed her reddened forehead, let out a sigh of relief, and said timidly:
"Are you really willing to listen? You won't turn around and pull out an AK to rat-tat-tat me, will you?"
"...What on earth are you trying to do?"
Himeko tightly hugged Anqi's body and rolled her eyes speechlessly.
Tachibana Yuki blinked, looking completely innocent as she said:
"To tell the truth, our Tachibana Family has always served Lord Cocolia of Anti-Entropy. Judging from the news over there, you folks from St. Freya are big shots who can determine the life and death of the Far East. Of course I... will be scared."
"Anti-Entropy? Cocolia?!"
Himeko leaned forward, her gaze turning sharp instantly.
Theresa, Raiden Mei, and Bronya's expressions also changed simultaneously.
Only Kiana and Anqi had no reaction. Among them, Anqi was naturally faking it, while as for Kiana, she had probably completely forgotten the name Cocolia heard during the Changkong City incident.
At that moment, several people in the know exchanged glances for a while, and then unanimously left the decision-making power to Himeko.
Himeko took a deep breath, steadied her emotions, and said calmly:
"Cocolia's reach is long enough. But did she forget those things she did before?"
"My trip has little to do with Lord Cocolia. In addition, I only learned about concepts like Honkai, Schicksal, and Anti-Entropy a month ago when I inherited the family business. I truly know nothing about the grudge between Lord Cocolia and you all. Please definitely believe me!"
"Whether we believe it or not, we'll know after we investigate. You'd better not be lying, otherwise..."
"No, no, no! Since I mustered up the courage to come before Lord Theresa and Lord Himeko, it's naturally impossible to hide anything anymore!"
Tachibana Yuki said with an earnest face, her intentionally stiff and serious expression missing only the words "sincerity" written brightly across her face.
Himeko remained calm, not dwelling on the question of truth or falsehood, but directly asking:
"What do you want with us?"
"Well, this topic is a bit big, and I currently don't know to what extent my abilities can achieve it. In short, I want to ask your academy to save the citizens of my Far East!"
"Alright, understood. Then you can leave."
"త్...Eh!?"
"What? We're out on vacation, a vacation, do you understand? I don't want to suddenly work overtime. Let's talk about anything else next time. The door is over there; take care and goodbye."
Himeko pointed at the door and said with a deadpan face, completely devoid of any intention to negotiate.
An Tachibana Yuki Kiana stared blankly at Himeko, and also at Anqi hiding in Himeko's arms.
Seeing Anqi blink at her, Tachibana Yuki pouted and nodded aggrievedly.
"Okay then..."
She walked out of the room with light footsteps, and finally closed the door slowly and silently for the people inside, polite to the extreme.
When Himeko heard Tachibana Yuki's footsteps fade away and truly sensed no one's presence outside, she said:
"Giving up so cleanly means it's not an extremely critical matter. And she is a businesswoman, a big capitalist. Although I don't believe she could dig up much of our data, she must have prepared a lot of rhetoric, while we know very little about her."
"In any case, we can't follow her rhythm. None of us are proficient in negotiation, and it's easy to fall into language traps. Whatever it is, let's wait until the investigation is done before seeing if we want to slowly chat with her."
Himeko slowly explained her reasons.
Mainly explaining it for Theresa to hear.
Theresa was quite quick on the uptake as well, nodding and heavily patting Himeko on the shoulder.
"I'm at ease with how you do things. Then let's do it your way. Let's continue eating. It's a pity there are no bitter melon dishes, but these are all rare high-end delicacies usually. Anyway, since she said the bill is waived, not eating would be a waste!"
Theresa rolled up her sleeves, licked her lips, and picked up her chopsticks unceremoniously.
By this time, Kiana had already stuffed her mouth full.
The others looked at each other in dismay, shrugged respectively, and then continued to enjoy their dinner.
Only Bronya glanced at the door through which Tachibana Yuki had left, her gaze sweeping across the faces of Raiden Mei and Anqi, and then she furrowed her brow, a trace of heaviness flashing in her sparkling grey eyes.
Mother Cocolia, what on earth do you want to do again?
Regarding An's eyes, Honkai Gakuen 2 and Honkai Impact 3 manga do set her up to be able to see things like human hearts, but it is not reflected at all in Honkai Impact 3's live game, and there are no subsequent plots of hers either. I just ignored this point and treated it as if this setting doesn't exist. But I didn't expect you guys to be so meticulous; you could even ferret this out. I surrender~~7
Chapter Thirty-Four: Little Duck ~ So Cute ~~
"Sigh, although I anticipated it wouldn't be that simple, she really shows no mercy... Just why is there such a big conflict between Anti-Entropy and Schicksal?"
On a starry, clear night, in the hot spring, An Tachibana Yuki Kiana sat in the warm hot water, sinking half her small face below the surface and blowing bubbles with burbles.
It's here, it's here, top right corner, above that gazebo!
Before you continue