Cui Ji: Captain, What Are You Talking About? Cui Ji Doesn't Know~

"But reality was cruel. I lost completely. Looks like I'll have to practice twice as hard. Thank you for sparring with me, Miss Fu Hua."

"I hope that in the future, I can continue to receive your guidance."

Fu Hua, who had been putting on the air of a reclusive master, twitched at the corner of her mouth after hearing that.

She waved her hand and took out her water bottle.

Unscrewing the cap, she gently blew on it.

"Slurp, slurp~ Ah—"

"Let's set this matter aside for now. I should be going. Farewell, Miss Miyabi."

As her words fell, feathers gradually began to float around Fu Hua.

Her figure slowly faded until she vanished.

Even the surrounding environment began to blur along with her.

The members of the Anti-Air Sixth Division felt a wave of dizziness, and when they came to their senses, they were all seated at their own desks.

As though everything that had just happened had been as hazy as a dream.

"Th-this is... another illusion?!"

"It felt so real! I actually returned to my seat, and I can still taste the chips I just ate at the corner of my mouth."

Tsukishiro Yanagi's pupils trembled. Although she knew of Fu Hua's abilities, she had never expected that what they had just experienced had been an illusion.

"This kind of illusion makes it impossible to distinguish truth from falsehood.

And we have no idea when Miss Fu Hua activated it."

"Section Chief, if... this were a Remnant, then we—"

Tsukishiro Yanagi did not finish the rest of her sentence, but it immediately made everyone present turn solemn.

"It seems I'll have to fill my entire training schedule with lessons from her."

The heavy atmosphere was broken by Hoshimi Miyabi's words.

"Aren't you worried that Miss Fu Hua might..."

"As a member of the Hoshimi Family, my intuition has always been accurate. In my brief contact with Miss Fu Hua, I could feel it.

Even if I became that kind of person, she never would."

"All right, I didn't expect the Section Chief to trust Miss Fu Hua more than herself."

It was no wonder Hoshimi Miyabi felt that way.

After all, the aura Fu Hua gave off was like the sun,

and a sun born specifically to drive away darkness.

Meanwhile, Fu Hua had already returned home and was once again sitting on the balcony, listening to the wind as she drank tea and played chess.

Inside, Cui Ji was studying as well.

She kept asking Belle and Wise questions, making her remarkably diligent.

Her phone rang. Thinking it was a reply from Belle, she picked it up to check, and her brows immediately rose.

Joy blossomed in her eyes.

Anby has requested to add you as a friend.

After tapping accept, Cui Ji hurriedly put down her book and began typing.

Cui Ji: Ah~ Captain Anby.

Cui Ji: I didn't expect you to add me first~ I'm so happy.

Cui Ji: [smiling kitten jpg]

Anby: Mm, Cui Ji, did you steal that thing of mine?

Cui Ji: ???

Cui Ji: What are you talking about, Captain Anby~

Anby: The clothes you wear underneath.

Cui Ji: Huh!?

Cui Ji: Captain, what are you talking about? Cui Ji doesn't know~

Anby: You took it. Give it back.

Cui Ji: Sure~ Captain Anby.

Cui Ji: My master was just telling me to find some time to go on a proper date with you~

Anby: A date?

Anby: Does that mean setting a time to gather together for a meeting?

Cui Ji: ...

Cui Ji: Just as expected of the Captain. That's exactly what I meant.

Anby: All right, then.

Cui Ji: Captain Anby, hehe...

Cui Ji: You really like the recently popular Remnant Impersonators, right?

Anby: !!!

Anby: Don't tell me you like it too...

Anby: ...

After that, it was as though someone had opened Anby's floodgates, and she began sending Cui Ji long strings of comments and impressions.

Looking at the messages from the other side, Cui Ji smiled.

Captain Anby is chatting with me—how wonderful.

Cui Ji: Mm-hm, Captain Anby, I got tickets for the second movie~

Cui Ji: Shall we go watch it together tomorrow?

Anby: Okay. Cunning Rabbit House has been quite free lately anyway.

Anby: That's thanks to Cui Ji.

Anby: Originally, we only planned to earn money for a bust.

Cui Ji: Hehe, it's an honor for Cui Ji to be able to help Captain Anby.

Perhaps because it was a reunion after such a long separation, the two chatted for a long time.

The next day, Cui Ji dressed herself beautifully, told Fu Hua, and headed out.

Fu Hua nodded blankly and was just about to continue watching video tutorials on flower cultivation.

Then she suddenly remembered that today was the school exam.

After changing clothes, she headed to school.

That afternoon, the exam ended.

Seeing Ellen walk out of the classroom listlessly, Fu Hua, who had finished organizing the test papers, asked,

"How was it?"

Scratching her cheek, Ellen said somewhat embarrassedly,

"Surprisingly, it felt pretty good. The questions weren't too difficult.

Also, thank you for your help, Fu Hua."

"Mm, it's nothing. That's good, then. Let's head back. Just in time for today..."

Before she could finish, Ellen leaned directly against her shoulder and fell asleep.

Fu Hua was initially stunned, but after reacting, a smile appeared on her lips.

She carried Ellen on her back and headed toward Victoria Housekeeping's office.

"Miss Fu Hua, welcome home."

"Mm."

"Did Ellen fall asleep again? I'm terribly sorry for troubling you. Please leave her to me."

Upon seeing Ellen on Fu Hua's back, Lycaon hurried over and took her into his arms.

"Ellen has been very diligent in class lately. Along with the notes I compiled, she may get a decent grade."

"Is that so? You've really put in a lot of effort."

Lycaon placed Ellen on the sofa and covered her with a blanket, then smiled.

"It's nothing. It's what I should do."

"By the way, Miss Fu Hua, I heard that Miss Miyabi has been coming to the school to see you these past few days."

"Mm, that's true."

"That must have caused you trouble. It was my oversight. I'll handle the matter right away.

For now, you won't need to go to school anymore."

"If that's the case, what about Ellen?"

"Mm... I'll arrange someone else. Miss Fu Hua need not worry."

"What about Lina and Kelvin?"

"Miss Lina and Kelvin are still working. They may return a little later."

"I see. Then I'll go buy some groceries. Leave dinner to me tonight."

"Is that so? I'm truly delighted to have the chance to enjoy Miss Fu Hua's cooking.

Since I have nothing else to do, how about I accompany you in selecting the ingredients?"

"That works. Let's go."

Fu Hua nodded and did not refuse.

And so, she and Lycaon went to the mall to buy groceries.

"By the way, how has Miss Lina's cooking been lately?"

Hearing that, Lycaon paused slightly. He placed a tray of sliced fatty beef into the cart before replying,

"Miss Lina has been very diligent, so her improvement in cooking has naturally been remarkable.

At the very least, aside from Ellen, Kelvin and I can sample it a little."

"Is that so? That makes sense. It's clear that Miss Lina truly loves cooking.

I imagine it won't be long before she can make delicious dishes."

"Let's hope so, hahaha..."

The two elegant attendants shopping in the mall naturally drew quite a bit of attention.

"Um, excuse me, could you two give me your contact information?"

Suddenly, a young woman ran over and asked.

Lycaon stopped walking. After giving a slight bow, he politely said,

"Miss, we are attendants of Victoria Housekeeping. Here is our contact information.

If you have any needs, please call this number."

"Ah, thank you."

"Mm, we look forward to your call."