You're So Annoying!

"You're only drawn to that talent. Don't flatter yourselves too much."

That buff happened to target the same sex, and St. Freya Academy lacked nothing more than Valkyries. It was easy to imagine just how popular Rosia would become.

"This little fool... how much advantage are people going to take of her?"

"Rosia" did not dislike that idea. It was simply because Rosia's current thoughts were far too innocent.

With memories of the plot, everyone else thought about how to grow stronger, how to survive, and worried about the future.

But this fool had come looking for her mother...

Judging from Rosia's previous behavior, she was not stupid. She knew what should and should not be said, but she thought far too well of this world.

And she had the mindset of a child who took things for granted. Combined with her timid personality, she should have been especially lacking in a sense of security...

"Did this fool come looking for Bronya because she lacked a sense of security?"

"Rosia" froze when that thought occurred to her.

Compared to Rosia's innocence, she could clearly feel that she had become more suspicious than before, instinctively taking a negative attitude toward many things.

She did not think that was a bad thing, but regardless of whether Rosia truly thought that way, "Rosia" had begun to doubt herself.

"Was I unable to make her feel safe?"

Once that thought emerged in "Rosia's" mind, she uncontrollably fell into a cycle of positive feedback.

At the same time, she fell silent.

During breakfast, Rosia, who had grown used to "Rosia" chattering beside her, was surprised to find that "Rosia" had been standing by the balcony since earlier, apparently lost in thought.

"Rosia, this is delicious. Mei makes it best."

"Thank you, Sister Kiana."

Faced with Kiana's enthusiasm, Rosia could only set the matter aside for now.

"Rosia" on the balcony glanced back at her and muttered to herself.

"Maybe I was wrong?"

Looking at the current situation, Rosia would live very well. They would take good care of her too. If things had gone according to her own thoughts, Rosia might still have been sleeping on the streets...

"Rosia's" grip on the railing gradually tightened, and her crimson eyes flickered continuously.

"How annoying..."

Annoying!

"Rosia, are you coming to class with us later?"

After breakfast, Kiana stretched and asked curiously.

Although she hated theory classes, she had no choice but to attend because of Siegfried.

"Can... can I?"

Unlike Kiana's natural unfamiliarity with knowledge, Rosia now found everything fresh and interesting.

"I'll just tell Headmaster Theresa."

Noticing Rosia's eyes light up, Bronya nodded.

The knowledge they were learning at this stage was still far too advanced for Kiana, but it was just right for a well-behaved child like Rosia.

If she really was Bronya and Seele's child, she should be much smarter than Kiana.

Of course, it did not matter if she could not understand it.

"Okay, thank you, Mother Bronya."

Rosia said happily.

Rosia spent the entire morning attending classes with Kiana and the others. Quite a few Valkyries wanted to approach her, but after seeing Bronya's gloomy expression, they all silently chose to leave.

Naturally, Rosia could easily absorb and apply the material taught in class.

What had been affected was her personality and way of handling things, not her knowledge.

She understood many things, but she could only deal with them in ways she could accept.

Although she had enjoyed the morning, Rosia always felt as though something was missing.

"Rosia, let's go have lunch. Mei made it!"

Just as Kiana was about to pick Rosia up, Bronya heavily smacked her from the side.

"Ow! Bronya, what was that for?!"

Kiana recoiled in pain and looked at Bronya resentfully.

"I can't even give her a hug?"

"You can hug her, but remember to wash your hands next time. You were sleeping in class, and drool dripped all over them."

Bronya's dark stare made Kiana awkwardly scratch her head.

"...I'll pay attention next time."

"Ha..."

Seeing Bronya scold Kiana, Rosia could not help laughing.

"Sister Kiana, sleeping in class is wrong."

"No, it's just that this stuff is too boring. As Valkyries, we should settle things with our fists. Rosia, let me tell you, my Kaslana family's inherited gun kata is amazing!"

Feeling that she had lost face, Kiana immediately defended herself.

"Correction: Kiana not only scores lower than me in theory, but her win rate in combat is also lower than mine."

Bronya remarked.

"That's because you bully people! You have Project Bunny, it's not fair. Who runs a two-against-one combat simulation?"

Kiana protested.

"Heh."

Bronya could not be bothered to argue with Kiana. If it had been a few years ago, she could have easily subdued the current Kiana with a single stocking.

"Alright, alright. Sister Kiana, Mother Bronya, let's go eat. Sister Mei has been waiting for a long time."

Rosia took Kiana's hand in one hand and Bronya's in the other, easing the tension.

"See? Rosia is way cuter than you, Bronya."

Kiana said enviously.

"Heh. And what does that have to do with you?"

Bronya's contemptuous gaze made Kiana grit her teeth.

Though Kiana and Bronya constantly insulted each other, practically anyone could tell that they had a very good relationship.

During the lunch break, Rosia lay on the bed and looked around in confusion.

"What are you looking for?"

Rosia, who had been peeking around, jumped at the sound.

"Ah!"

Only when she turned around did she realize that the girl with black-and-red hair and crimson eyes was lying on her side beside her.

"W-where did you go this morning?"

Rosia shrank back slightly.

"Are you worried about me?"

"Rosia's" eyes flickered.

"Did I... do something that made you angry?"

Seeing her expression, Rosia knew that she was probably in a very bad mood.

"No. You did nothing wrong."

"Rosia" said flatly.

"But you're angry..."

Rosia said softly.

"I'm not angry."

"Rosia" said.

"You're lying."

Rosia puffed out her cheeks. Normally, she hardly hid her emotions at all and was always chattering away. Now, she was expressionless and had stopped talking, which meant she really was angry.

"If... if you're unhappy, you can tell me. I..."

Rosia did not know how to comfort her. In a sense, "Rosia" should have understood her thoughts perfectly, yet Rosia found it difficult to understand what "Rosia" was thinking.

Between them, it was more often the higher position thinking down toward the lower one. It was difficult for the lower one to think upward.

"Will you listen if I tell you something?"

"Rosia" propped up her chin as she lay on her side.

"I... I probably will..."

Rosia answered uncertainly.

"You won't, because you believe what you're doing is right."

"And in truth, it is right. What you're doing really is right."

"Rosia" continued.

"Are you afraid?"

"Why would I be afraid?"

Rosia asked in confusion.

"An unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar people, known threats, a future you're powerless to change..."

Halfway through, "Rosia" suddenly changed the subject.

"Were you happy today?"

"Mm, a little."

Rosia nodded her little head.

"A little? You obviously... smiled so happily."

"Rosia" turned her head away and spoke somewhat haltingly.

"Because Sister Kiana and Mother Bronya are interesting, and Sister Mei's cooking is delicious too."

Rosia answered seriously.

"Why only a little?"

"Rosia" felt that her emotions were very wrong right now, yet there was also an indescribable discomfort.

As long as Rosia was happy, that should have been enough. Why was she throwing a tantrum?

"Because you weren't there."

Rosia sat up on the bed and cutely swayed her little head.

"Me? So what if I wasn't there? Haven't you always found me annoying? Chattering nonstop in your ear."

"Rosia" snorted.