Talking with Mei

The next morning.

It seemed that because so much had happened the day before, Mei, who usually rose early, did not stumble out of her room until after eight.

"Good morning, Mei!"

"G-good morning, Jun Xuan."

She did not seem to be fully awake yet. A faint mist still lingered in her jewel-like purple eyes.

"What time is it..."

As she looked at the clock hanging in the center of the living room, Mei instantly woke up completely.

"It's already this late? Oh no, I'm going to be la—"

Mei's words suddenly faltered. Only then did she come to her senses.

It seemed...

She no longer needed to go to school...

Dong Moxuan noticed Mei's reaction and could not help chuckling.

"Come to think of it, Mei, do you really like going to school that much?"

"So this is the legendary model student? I'm terrified."

"Mm~"

Realizing that the young man had seen her dazed and embarrassed state, Mei could not help blushing. However, her attention was quickly drawn to what he was doing with his hands.

"Jun Xuan, are you..."

"Making breakfast? Can't you tell?"

"Huh?!"

Mei usually prepared breakfast, so she was momentarily unable to process what Dong Moxuan was doing.

"Mei didn't wake up at all today. If I didn't make something myself, I'd probably starve to death."

"Huh?! I-I'm sorry, Jun Xuan..."

"Why are you suddenly apologizing?"

Dong Moxuan had not expected Mei to be so stubborn. He waved his hand helplessly.

"I was just joking."

"You've been taking care of me for a month. It's only right that I do something once in a while, isn't it?"

"All right, Mei, most of breakfast is ready. There's only one steamer of buns left to arrange. You don't have to wait for me—go ahead and eat first!"

"Oh..."

Mei sat down at the dining table in a daze.

After finishing preparing breakfast, Dong Moxuan sat down across from Mei as well.

"Mei, what are you spacing out for? Eat your breakfast!"

Picking up a bun with his chopsticks, Dong Moxuan spoke to the girl sitting across from him, who was still somewhat absentminded.

"I-I know..."

As she ate breakfast, Mei glanced at the young man before her and lowered her head, muttering to herself.

"This feeling... It's almost like a dream..."

"What did you say?"

Dong Moxuan had not heard her clearly.

"N-nothing..."

Mei waved her hand with slightly flushed cheeks.

"I just... It feels as though meeting Jun Xuan happened only yesterday... It's as if..."

"As if a lifetime had passed?"

Dong Moxuan finished for her.

"Mm..."

Mei nodded lightly.

"Jun Xuan, you knew my father, right?"

"Mm. I met him when I worked at the orphanage. He was a colleague of my superior."

"What kind of person... was my father, in your eyes?"

"Big Brother Ryoma? He looked somewhat unreliable, but he was unexpectedly dependable!"

Mei was Raiden Ryoma's daughter, after all. Dong Moxuan knew quite well what he ought to say.

Besides, Raiden Ryoma really was that kind of person. Still, praising that fellow so much left Dong Moxuan slightly displeased.

"Is that so?"

After hearing Dong Moxuan's evaluation, Mei lowered her head somewhat dejectedly.

"Sure enough, in Jun Xuan's eyes... Father was an excellent person too..."

"So it's only natural that such an outstanding father didn't have time to accompany Mei, right?"

"Mei..."

Looking at the girl before him, Dong Moxuan seemed to want to say something, but stopped.

"Jun Xuan, do you know?"

Mei paid no attention to the change in Dong Moxuan's expression and continued speaking to herself.

"Ever since Mei started high school, Father... has never eaten a meal with Mei again. Not even on Mei's birthday... So..."

"Mei is really happy that Jun Xuan can stay by her side!"

As she said this, Mei looked at Dong Moxuan. Then, as if she had suddenly realized what she had said, she hurriedly added, "S-sorry, Jun Xuan. I think I just said something strange..."

"Not at all!"

Dong Moxuan smiled and gently rubbed Mei's little head.

"I'm happy that you can tell me these things..."

"Mm~"

Feeling Dong Moxuan's touch, Mei puffed out her cheeks, her face bright red.

"Jun Xuan, don't always treat Mei like a child!"

"You're a child in front of me. I'm from the same generation as your father!"

Hearing Mei's coquettish complaint, Dong Moxuan chuckled and lightly flicked her forehead.

"B-but didn't you say before that you and my father were friends despite your age difference?"

For some reason, Mei felt extremely uncomfortable with Dong Moxuan acting like an elder.

"You clearly look about my age, though?"

"In this world, you can't judge age by appearance alone!"

"A certain perverted old virgin who has lived for five hundred years still looks no different from a man in his twenties."

"Huh? Jun Xuan, you're lying, right? How could anyone live for five hundred years?"

"The Honkai exists, so why couldn't someone live for five hundred years?"

"Never mind five hundred years. Old virgins who have lived for several thousand or even tens of thousands of years exist too!"

"I'm not that ridiculously old, but I'm more than qualified to be Mei's elder!"

"Besides, that fellow Ryoma isn't responsible anyway..."

Rubbing his chin, Dong Moxuan looked Mei up and down and said jokingly, "How about recognizing me as your father, Mei? I'd treat you like my own daughter!"

"Oh?"

Rather than getting angry, Mei gave him an oddly meaningful look after hearing Dong Moxuan's words.

"So Jun Xuan likes Mei's mother?"

"But you should give up, Jun Xuan. The person Mother loves will always be Father. You'll never have a chance!"

"You little brat..."

Mei's words left Dong Moxuan speechless. He could only laugh and scold her lightly before saying, "Hurry up and eat. We still have to go out soon!"

"Go out?"

Mei looked puzzled.

"I mean..."

Dong Moxuan rubbed his temples somewhat helplessly.

"Although you're indeed safe in this city, you don't want to live together with a bunch of 'zombies,' do you?"

"So after breakfast, we're leaving Changkong City!"

"Leave... Changkong City..."

Mei lowered her head, making it impossible to tell whether she was sad or happy.

Was she really going to leave the city where she had lived for more than a decade?

But...

Mei raised her head and looked at the young man before her, then nodded lightly.

"I'll do whatever Jun Xuan says!"

"Then hurry up and eat!"

Dong Moxuan tapped Mei's head with his chopsticks.