"What good is apologizing? What were you even thinking? I really don't understand."
Kiana was genuinely angry.
"Alright, it was my fault."
Theresa appeared at the doorway with a faint sigh.
"Auntie?"
"It was something Bronya and I discussed..."
"No, Auntie, you can't do this! She's still a child. Is this how you treat her? Bronya, what kind of mother are you? Getting carried away?"
Kiana rarely lost her temper like this, but this time, she couldn't hold it in.
"I... I thought it would only stimulate the stigmata inside her. I'd been watching her the whole time, ready to step in at any moment, but I didn't expect Losha to get onto the stage in an instant..."
Theresa said helplessly.
She had been far too careless this time and had never anticipated things turning out like this.
"Fortunately, Losha was only exhausted. She should be fine after resting for a while..."
"What do you mean, fortunately? She's lying right here, and you're calling that fortunate?"
Unlike the silent Bronya, even Kiana, who had always been somewhat intimidated by Theresa, snapped back at her.
"Putting aside her physical condition, you used three Honkai Emperors to scare Losha. Aren't you worried she'll be traumatized? Auntie, could you have faced a Honkai Emperor without fear when you were ten?"
"Sorry..."
Judging from the test results, Losha's stigmata power was far stronger than Theresa had expected. But if the simulated Honkai Emperors had truly attacked her, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Headmaster, Bronya, you were too reckless."
Raiden Mei did not tell Kiana to calm down. Instead, she agreed with her.
"Shouldn't a method with risks like this have been discussed with everyone before being carried out?"
At Raiden Mei's words, Bronya clenched her fists, and her silver-gray eyes wavered.
"Bronya, what you did..."
Although Raiden Mei did not want to blame Bronya, her response and actions this time had been far too irresponsible.
"Were truly unacceptable."
Compared to the commotion outside, Losha's consciousness space was no calmer.
"Have you lost your mind?! Do you know what you were doing?!"
"Losha" pinned her to the ground, her scarlet eyes fixed on her as she demanded an answer.
Her expression was more serious than ever.
"I... I wanted to protect Mother Bronya..."
Losha was startled by her actions, but she also knew that she had taken a risk.
"Crazy idiot! You got too deep into the act!"
"Losha" had thought that even if she had been affected, it would not be that severe. Yet when danger came, she had really rushed in.
"I... I trusted Mother Bronya..."
Losha explained.
"Heh... heh... Didn't you see how frozen with fear she was? Do you think many people are as stupid as you?"
"Losha" said unhappily.
"You were putting your life in someone else's hands!"
"Still don't understand? They'll never truly understand you. Their suspicion, their tests—the risks are all yours to bear!"
"Losha" was no fool. She had long noticed that Theresa had been observing them in secret, and she had kept watch as well.
But Losha's actions had truly terrified her.
"If you want her to truly care about you, you can't be the only one loving her. Understand?!"
"Losha" took a breath.
If she had not reacted quickly enough, Losha's little scythe would not have even been enough to block a single strike from a Honkai Emperor.
"Don't forget who we really are."
"Losha" released the hand pinning her down.
"Sorry... I'll pay attention to our safety next time..."
Losha pursed her lips.
"You think I care about my own safety?"
At Losha's words, "Losha" became even more irritated.
But before she could say anything else, Losha vanished.
"Idiot, what I care about..."
"Losha" turned away and stamped her foot.
"Is you."
"You're awake?"
When Losha opened her eyes, Bronya was the first person she saw.
"Mother Bronya?"
Losha was somewhat surprised, because Bronya's usually expressionless face was now forcing out a smile.
"They all went to class. I stayed behind to watch over you."
Although Bronya's words were almost unchanged from before, her tone and gaze were clearly different.
"Sorry for making Mother Bronya miss class..."
Losha said apologetically.
"It's fine."
Bronya stroked her little head, seeming as though she had returned to the past.
That personality had not changed one bit.
"How do you feel now? Headmaster Theresa said you should be fine."
Bronya continued.
"Mm, I feel great. Just a little tired, but it's fine. I can keep going to class."
Losha shook her little head, indicating that there was no problem.
"Alright."
Hearing Losha's words, Bronya did not stop her. Instead, she had Project Bunny pick her up.
"Mother Bronya, I can walk by myself."
Losha said a little embarrassedly.
For some reason, they had all liked carrying her around these past few days, and it still made her shy.
"Be good. Just for a little while."
Bronya's tone had clearly softened.
"Okay."
Losha answered obediently.
"Losha Floe."
Once they reached the door, Bronya suddenly called her by name.
"What is it, Mother Bronya?"
Losha asked in confusion.
"Don't do something so dangerous again."
Bronya said seriously, tightening her hold on Losha slightly.
"Mm."
"What do you want for dinner? Mei has special training tonight, so I'll make something too."
"Anything Mother Bronya makes is fine."
Losha said happily.
She was happy not because Bronya was going to cook herself, but because Bronya's attitude was now completely different from before.
"Mm..."
Many images flashed through Bronya's mind, but in the end, she gently shook her head. Then she looked at Losha and, after thinking for a moment, said:
"Then let's make some Russian borscht."
Kiana: If I Call Your Name, Do You Dare Answer?
That evening
Raiden Mei did not return for dinner because she had special training.
Meanwhile, Kiana sat on the sofa with her arms crossed, turning her head away from Bronya.
"...Losha, come help me."
Glancing at the still-angry Kiana, Bronya ignored her and called to Losha instead.
"Okay, Mother Bronya."
Losha stood up from her little stool and glanced at Kiana in confusion.
"Carrots, cabbage, onions..."
Though she had asked Losha to help, even Bronya herself had to stand on a little stool when she cooked.
"Go get two cans of beef from the box under the bed in Mother's room."
Wiping the fine sweat from her forehead, Bronya said it without thinking.
"Mm."
Losha left with light, cheerful steps.
"Mm..."
Realizing what she had just said, Bronya pursed her lips, but eventually, the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.
Though she found it difficult to truly feel the emotions brought by that expression, it should make Losha a little happier.
"Bronya, do you know what you did wrong?"
Only after peeking over and confirming that Losha had entered the room did Kiana speak in dissatisfaction.
"Kiana, just take care of yourself. Do you need to meddle in my daughter's affairs?"
Bronya's hands paused for a moment, but she quickly continued chopping vegetables.
"There won't be a next time."
After wiping her hands, Bronya turned back and fixed Kiana with a cold stare from her silver-gray eyes.
"You..."
Kiana was taken aback by Bronya's icy gaze. It was the first time she had seen Bronya wear such an intimidating expression.
Before you continue