Return Journey

(Sun Yao)

In my dazed state, I felt someone patting my cheek.

"Ceruno, wake up, we're about to land."

There's no need to guess; it can only be Miluno.

"Good morning."

She smiled slightly.

"It is indeed morning; it's already the second day."

On the return trip, I still flew in the luxurious first class, but the novelty of the trip was gone. It didn't feel as comfortable as Miss Sirius's mansion room; not only was the space cramped, but the food wasn't as good as Miss Melissa's cooking.

The plane landed smoothly, marking the end of our five-day trip to Hawaii, and we returned to the familiar Skyreach City.

However, this also means that she has to part ways with Miluno.

"Then I'll go home first."

The separation was unexpected, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon.

As soon as she left the VIP area of first class, Miluno couldn't wait to leave.

"Can't we have lunch?"

She shook her head and refused.

"No, let's wait until we've adjusted to the time difference before coming."

Returning from Hawaii felt like traveling through time, almost like fast-forwarding through the entire day; perhaps Miluno didn't sleep well on the plane.

"Alright, I'll go meet up with Yezi and Miss Yin Wei now."

"Say goodbye to them for me."

"Um."

As we parted, Miluno raised her hand and gently patted the top of my head.

Although it wasn't the first time, having gone through the experience of confessing my feelings, I still feel...

It's just like treating a girlfriend!

Etc!

I'm the boyfriend, not the boyfriend!

That gesture of patting someone's head... should also be my responsibility...

Before I could say anything more, Miluno was blown out of the airport terminal like a gust of wind.

Not long after, Ms. Yin Wei and Ms. Yezi from the business class also came out of the exit carrying large bags and small packages, and I quickly went up to help them.

Although I'm short, I'm actually the strongest one.

Yezi asked, "Where is Miluno?"

"She seemed to have something urgent to attend to; she left in a hurry as soon as she got off the plane."

Wiping the sweat from her brow, Yezi continued, "Maybe it's because we have some plants at home? In this temperature in Skyreach City, potted plants wouldn't survive five days without water."

It's certainly possible. It's normal and suitable for a quiet girl like Miluno to keep some calming plants.

Yin Wei didn't say anything, but just watched Yezi with great interest.

"By the way, where's Goldie?" I asked.

They only have checked luggage with them; is the Golden still inside the cabin?

"Go to the counter and find it. Pet transport can't just be wandering around on the baggage carousel. I'll go get the car first, and we'll meet at the international arrivals gate in a bit... By the way, Ceruno, you haven't forgotten what we're supposed to do today, have you?"

Of course I remember.

"Go directly to the branch in a bit."

"The Tactical Division will be waiting for you at the branch, and your father will be there too... You should be mentally prepared."

"Um."

Having suffered a great injustice, Golden went home with Yezi.

For this smart and energetic Doggy, the eight hours spent in the cabin were like being in jail.

But now is not the time to pity it...

I asked Ms. SpiCa, who was standing next to me.

How should I tell my father about this?

Although I've never been here before, according to Miss Yin Wei, my father's office is at the end of this corridor, but instead of calming down, I became increasingly flustered.

Miss SpiCa has returned to her original state; she is more mature and composed in her later years, but her face is also more haggard.

"You swore you'd help me persuade your father, but it turns out you hadn't even thought about what to say?"

She chose to answer by asking questions.

At that time, I made the decision purely out of passion, but after calming down, I still didn't dare to face him.

My mother's accident was indeed my responsibility. If I hadn't gotten lost then, my mother wouldn't have had to come back to look for me, and she wouldn't have been affected by the Monster's attack.

"I can say that he's the main culprit for becoming like this... How can you expect me to persuade him to accept your plan?"

"But let's keep things separate. We're not here today to discuss Yuehan's matter. The Second Counterattack Operation concerns the lives of thirty magical girls from seven years ago. Although that was a result of my arrogance, there's now a chance to make amends. There's no reason for A-Ji to oppose this plan."

Miss SpiCa really hopes her dad will agree.

My father is nominally the chairman of the Association, but in reality, he is just the Association's external affairs manager and the person in charge of external affairs.

But he neither takes responsibility for nor cares about anything related to magical girls.

Therefore, her actual position was not higher than Miss SpiCa's; they were on the same level. Although Miss Sirius did not hold an actual position in the Association, she still wielded considerable influence because she was not only the founder of the Association but also Association biggest "gold mine" and a significant source of income.

They form the current Big Three of the Association.

Unfortunately, Sirius and Miss SpiCa are not on good terms, and Father has long been detached from internal affairs and indifferent to most matters. If the "Big Three" cannot work together as a team, the Association's massive size cannot play its true role.

Miss SpiCa's plan is the same.

Without the support of Sirius and his father, it would have been impossible to carry out this plan.

However, Miss SpiCa has already gained Sirius's support. Although they haven't fully agreed on each other's ideas, they have still reached a certain level of consensus. Even if her father, as the chairman, disagrees, the two of them can still push forward the counterattack plan, though it won't be as smooth as it seems.

At the end of the corridor, in front of Dad's office.

Standing here, there's no turning back, but my anxious heart is still unprepared.

What should I do...?

Knock knock--

While I was still undecided, Ms. SpiCa knocked on the door.

The person who opened the door wasn't her father, but a woman with bright red hair, dressed in a business-style secretary outfit. She wore a fitted suit with only one button fastened, and dark red stockings under her narrow skirt. She looked young, but exuded a seductive and alluring charm.

She practically has the words "bad woman" written all over her face.

"Chief Pailuo"

Miss SpiCa's full name is SpiCaPairro.

"Should I address you as Young Master Sun Yao, or as Ceruno?"

I've never met her, but she knows who I am; I must be my father's subordinate or assistant.

Although it was our first meeting, she gave off a strong impression, and I felt a little suffocated in her presence.

"... I think there's no difference between them."

However, Miss SpiCa still recognized her.

"Secretary-General Anjie, we need to see Chairman Sun Ji about something."

Despite saying that, the woman Anjie showed no intention of giving way.

"For matters at the Association's strategic level, as long as you, Tactical Division, feel it's within your capabilities, you can proceed directly. Chairman Sun doesn't intend to get involved in these matters."

"I'm organizing the Second Counterattack Operation, and I need to know his thoughts... To put it another way, does this child need to report to you and make an appointment to see his own father?"

"I am well aware of Chairman Sun's views. Having worked under him for so many years, I doubt anyone understands him better than I do."

She spoke with a repulsive smile, as if she were boasting about having her father all to herself... Her mother was still alive, but she hadn't woken up.

How could Dad tolerate someone like that lording it over him?

"Anjie."

A deep, resonant male voice, full of magnetism.

"Don't make a scene at the door, let them in first."

Although it had become unfamiliar, it was undoubtedly his father's voice.

"Yes."

Anjie's attitude towards her father was completely different from her attitude towards us; she was humble and respectful, not out of snobbish ambition or a desire to climb the social ladder, but out of genuine obedience...

What exactly is the relationship between my father and his secretary?

My father, with a serious expression, sat behind his large desk, his square face blank as he greeted Ms. SpiCa and me.

As the Association's chairman, he was also responsible for public image, so he always wore a sharp suit and had hair that was stiff and gelled, as hard as steel, as if even a category 7 typhoon couldn't break it.

Even so, his hair had already turned gray.

"A-Ji ..."

Miss SpiCa had barely opened her mouth when her father reached out and interrupted her.

"You should tell me, I already know."

"And what's your answer?"

"You go out first, let me talk to A-Yao for a bit."

My dad wants to... talk to me alone?