Bronya: "( ? ? ? )..."
"Ugh!"
Himeko sighed, turned, and walked downstairs, looking completely unsurprised.
The three girls tangled together looked at each other for a moment, then carefully separated without making a sound and went downstairs together.
"Teacher Himeko, how is she?" ×3
After sitting down in the living room, the three of them asked almost simultaneously.
Kiana cared because Anqi had saved her once during the pursuit.
Raiden Mei, out of guilt and sympathy, desperately hoped Anqi would get better.
The thoughts of those two were obvious at a glance, but Bronya's excessive concern left Himeko slightly puzzled.
"Come to think of it, Bronya, you actually cleared out your own room specifically for that child, and even left behind the premium limited-edition Homonculus Doll you've always treasured. Isn't that being a little too proactive? Though, as a teacher, I'm very pleased that you're thinking so much about your new classmate."
"Bronya's room receives almost the best natural light in this building, and sufficient sunlight is very helpful for mental health. Bronya merely believed that a newcomer would need such an environment more. As for Homonculus... aside from the one in my hands, the rest are merely a matter of money. There is no need to care."
With a blank expression, Bronya spoke in her usual icy voice that still carried a childish softness, tightening her hold on the Homonculus Doll Seele had personally given her.
Her words were reasonable enough, and since Bronya could not show emotions on her face due to her brain injury, Himeko did not think too much of it.
Chapter Ten: The Grudge-Holding Anqi
Himeko quickly put the matter aside, crossed her legs, opened the canned beer she had just taken out, and guzzled it down for a while before speaking.
"Ah! This is what keeps me alive... That child is fine now. She's still wary, but she's finally willing to eat. Just spend some time getting along with her and be kinder to her. She'll probably be fine."
"That's great!"
Raiden Mei patted her chest. Her increasingly full and ample breasts stretched the loose white home shirt tight, then trembled slightly, making Kiana drool involuntarily.
"Slurp! No, this isn't the time to think about that! Ahem! It's good that she's fine. For Mei's sake, I'll temporarily let go of our previous grudge. Don't worry, we'll get along with her properly, Himeko Aun—"
"Hmm? (ー`′ー)"
"Big Sister Himeko!!!"
"Hmph! I told you to address me properly as Teacher Himeko! And I'm most worried about you, you idiot who never thinks before speaking or acting. You'd better keep your word, or I'll settle the score for this failed course along with everything else!"
Himeko knocked Kiana on the head with a loud sound, somewhat like striking a hollow wooden fish.
Kiana immediately clutched her head with both hands, rubbing the swelling bump as she said pitifully,
"Stop calling me stupid all the time! I know I messed up this time, but it's not entirely my fault! Who knew that girl would be as slippery as a loach? I already tried really hard!"
"You let an ordinary person slip away, lost her again after catching up, stumbled upon her by accident only to have your gun taken away, then fought her hand-to-hand for half an hour and nearly died. You only survived because she was kind enough to save you..."
"She was stronger than me. Does that count as an ordinary person? And if you have something to say, just say it! Stop repeating all that, stupid Bronya!"
"Sigh. Bronya does not wish to be too rude, but Bronya suggests Kiana start over from freshman orientation and practice the basics again."
Bronya sighed and looked at Kiana with calm eyes.
Veins bulged on Kiana's forehead as she bared her teeth and claws, ready to pounce on Bronya. Fortunately, Raiden Mei grabbed her.
Amid the bickering, Himeko finished her beer, weighed the empty can in her hand, then tossed it behind her.
Smack!
The empty aluminum can struck Anqi squarely on the forehead with a distinct sound.
Kiana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya looked up, only to see a girl with golden hair spilling across the floor lying against the railing at the second-floor staircase. Her clear, crystalline purple eyes stared motionlessly at them.
Himeko raised her head and lazily looked at Anqi above her.
"If you want to listen, just come downstairs. No one's going to catch you. Why are you hiding up there, little one?"
Anqi: "(??_?)..."
Anqi held the aluminum can that had just hit her. After thinking for a moment, she aimed it at Kiana's forehead.
Whoosh!
Smack!
Then everyone saw that little golden head suddenly duck back, followed shortly by the sound of a door rapidly slamming shut.
"Ow!"
Only then did Kiana topple backward off the sofa and onto the floor, belatedly crying out.
"That little brat!!!"
Kiana sprang to her feet, crushed the aluminum can flat, then rubbed her reddened forehead and stormed toward the stairs.
Raiden Mei hurriedly grabbed Kiana's hand, while Bronya wrapped her arms around Kiana's waist.
"Kiana, calm down. That child has only just arrived and doesn't know anyone yet. Forgive her this once!"
"Big Sister Mei is right. Besides, stupid Kiana bumps her head even when nothing happens. There is no need to mind such a small matter."
"What did you say, Bronya!?"
Seeing the scene descend into chaos once more, Himeko spread her arms over the back of the sofa and stretched lazily. The proud curve of her figure became even more pronounced as she smiled and shook her head.
"This little one really knows how to hold a grudge!"
Revenge for that beating, yay! ×30
All the Anqis cheered, while everyone in the Theater had already high-fived in celebration.
After celebrating, the twenty-nine Anqis in the Theater sat in a row. The heavy weight that had been pressing on everyone's hearts these past few days had finally been lifted, and they all relaxed considerably.
"Great. We've joined St. Freya's side. As long as we keep a low profile from now on and stay far away from Otto, we can live in peace."
"Yeah, yeah. I don't want to think that far ahead for now. These past few days had me scared stiff."
"There's something we need to reflect on! We almost turned those corpses into clones right in front of Kiana. From now on, we really need to be extra, extra careful when using powers related to authority. We absolutely cannot expose ourselves!"
"Hiss... You're right. That would've been disastrous!"
The Anqis patted their newly developing, still modest chests in lingering fear.
At that moment, the original Anqi, the only one wearing a bathrobe, revealed an expression too complicated for words.
"By the way, how long are we going to stay naked like this? Sure, we're all exceptionally rare super-beautiful girls, but this scene... no matter how you look at it, it feels like we're having that kind of party!"
"Then share your clothes with us."
"No! There's only one, so I can't split it up, and I don't want to be that shameless. Even if we're all the same person, no!"
"...Seriously, if you weren't also me, I'd strip you naked and spank you hard right now!"
The Anqis beside her rubbed their hands together eagerly. The original Anqi smiled awkwardly, lowered her head, and did not dare provoke them again—after all, no one understood better than Anqi just how vindictive they were.
"No choice. Since we're basically safe now, let's begin the save-point revival plan tonight! First, send one person out. The first target is somewhere like a clothing factory. In any case, we need to get enough clothes for everyone first!"
"Agreed!"
"+1!"
A group of Anqis excitedly raised their little hands, then happily began discussing the action plan for the external save points.
At dinner, Anqi clutched the hem of Himeko's clothes and followed closely behind her into the living room.
Because the girl's figure was so slender and slight, it was easy to overlook the little tail completely hidden behind Himeko if one did not pay attention.
"Alright, alright, we're here! Come to think of it, I didn't notice you being this shy before?"
"Not shy. But right now, instinctively, you are the only one I'm sure is a good person."
Anqi looked up, her purple eyes fixed directly on Himeko. Though her expression was lacking, her trust and dependence were already clearly on display.
What else could Himeko do?
Her heart softened completely. Holding Anqi's little hand, she smiled gently and brightly as she introduced the three students—and future roommates—here.
Kiana: "Hi!"
Anqi: "Hi~"
Raiden Mei: "Hello!"
Anqi: "Hello~"
Bronya: "I'm happy to meet you."
Anqi: "How happy?"
That instinctive retort was met with silence.
But during dinner, with Kiana leading the way, the atmosphere soon became lively again.
Anqi ate quietly, feeling the cheerful and warm atmosphere around her.
It should be emphasized here that the current Anqi was a fusion of the Anqis from both worlds. She possessed both maturity and childishness, strength and vulnerability, optimism as well as sorrowful and dark memories.
In short, this atmosphere involuntarily brought forth the lonely memories and emotions of this world's Anqi.
Drip!
A tear unknowingly fell onto the table.
Anqi did not notice at all, merely mechanically stuffing food into her mouth.
But before she realized it, the food the others had placed in her bowl had piled it full.
Chapter Eleven: Anqi's Encounter
Those compatible with Honkai Energy had strong constitutions, and Rulers were naturally even stronger, so several days of fasting had not burdened Anqi much. She comfortably ate a filling meal.
She was deeply moved.
Everyone in the Theater was deeply moved too.
After all, it had been so long since they had last eaten their fill, and this food had been personally prepared by the beautiful, gentle, virtuous, wife-like CEO Mei¹, the cooking housewife—everyone in front of the screen, can you eat this? Can you?
"OH HO HO HO!" ×30
Before they knew it, though, it was already time to sleep.
To maintain her aloof persona, Anqi suppressed her desire to get close to all her 2D wives and read alone in her room. Since she had already decided to refrain from using her authority within St. Freya, there seemed to be nothing else to do at this hour besides going to bed.
I'll leave the save-point plan to you all. I can't help anyway, so I'm going to get some proper sleep.
Got it! ×29
Anqi climbed onto the bed and lay down beneath the soft, comfortable blankets.
One minute passed. Ten minutes passed. Thirty minutes passed.
The moon outside shone brightly. In the silent academy, Anqi could even hear the faint sound of waves with her excellent hearing.
Everything was perfect for a good night's sleep, yet Anqi could not fall asleep.
"Did I sleep too much before? Or am I just too excited?"
Anqi sat up and gloomily tugged at her hair.
She turned her head, saw that ugly-cute Homonculus Doll, touched it, and suddenly her eyes lit up.
Splash!
A pale, jade-like arm rose elegantly from beneath the water, stirring clear droplets.
Himeko reclined in the bathtub in her room, holding a glass of red wine in one hand. She let out a comfortable moan, naturally exuding a seductive, languid charm that made one's blood race.
"Mmm~~"
"This is the life. I finally don't have to work overtime today!"
Himeko narrowed her eyes and sighed seductively.
Knock! Knock!
Before you continue