Sorry for the delay, a ton of shit stuff happened while writing this chapter, delaying it.
Disclaimer: Honkai Impact doesn't belong to me. All the right belongs to Mihoyo, who keeps us on edge for our Valkiries' future.
I hope this chapter is to everyones' like.
One week after the Nagazora Outbreak…
"Son of a bitch!"
A scream echoed inside St. Freya's empty gymnasium. Its lone occupant kept punching -his third sandbag- with great strength. His punches were loaded with exasperation and irritation.
"{Wow! I bet that you would have lasted at least three days. But look at you! You blew one week after all!}" It chirped, angering further Adam.
"{You are not helping!}" The other chided. The voices started to argue, much to Adam's irritation.
"{Hey! It's better if he blows off steam right now instead of doing it with his classmates. It helps him!}
"{It doesn't help if he only keeps his frustration on hold until it blows up!}"
"{Then what? Are you going to give a rant about 'self-control' when shit blows, huh?}"
"{There're better ways instead of wreaking havoc here!}"
"{And meditation works better?! If you have forgotten, it only helps so much, dumbass! You know that he is used tearing shitty Honkai beasts with the old-man in a bad day!}"
"{He should learn how to keep his temper in check, fool!}"
"Shut the hell up!" Adam screamed.
With the last punch, and unconsciously, he morphed the back of his fist with a sharp blade and tore open a large hole on the sack, spilling all its contents on the floor.
Both voices fell silent while Adam recovered his breath. He kept breathing deeply for some minutes, trying to get a hold of himself. He cursed when he saw the poor of the sandbag.
"Damn it! Theresa is going to be mad at me when she sees how I left the sandbags." Adam was sure that the Principal was going to nag the hell out of him for being so careless.
"I agree with you."
"Shit! Didn't hear them coming!" Adam flinched at the new voice and turned towards its origin.
It was a girl wearing what he guessed was a blue-themed cheongsam and blue jeans. He noted that her body was slender and very well-toned. A shape hearted face; bright blue eyes behind a pair of red frame glasses; bluish-purplish hair and pale skin.
"Seriously, is this school only filled with cute and beautiful girls?" Adam thought incredulously with a raised brow while looking at the newcomer.
"Good evening. My name is Fu Hua. Class President from your class," she gave a longbow before straightening herself. "I was told by the Principal that we were going to have a new addition at the last minute in our class."
"U-uh… Yeah…" Adam stuttered before replying. "I am Adam Alighieri. A pleasure," he bowed back. "I didn't know that we have a Class President."
"All the classes and all the years have one. We work with the students to resolve problems, inform the teachers and the student council of ideas emanating from the class," the Class President informed. Adam didn't know that the academy held such coordination with the student body.
"So… Are you some kind of assistant to the teachers?"
Adam bit a curse when Fu Hua glared at him. "I won't call ourselves assistants, Alighieri. We take our duty seriously, despite the tasks the teacher asks of us. No matter how trivial they may be."
"{So… They're teacher's pets?}" It asked.
"Sorry, I didn't mean offense, Fu… Hua?" He raised his hands in surrender while trying to say clearly her name. "I don't know if the Principal informed you about my circumstances but, it has been a time since I've stepped inside a school. So I kind don't know some things to do inside one."
"Hmmh." Fu Hua kept her eyes on him, although she was no longer glaring at him. "She informed me about your situation. Although I have to admit that I didn't expect you to be this way behind compared to your peers."
"At least she didn't call me an idiot," he thought at the elegant way she put his main dilemma in the academy. His pause while thinking was interpreted by the Class President as something else.
"The Principal didn't enter in details, Alighieri, but she told me you may need all the necessary help to not fall behind the others." Adam wasn't sure what to make of this situation. Something that the class president took note of.
"You don't seem to be relieved, Alighieri."
"You are serious?" He couldn't help but blurt it out. The Class President raised a brow, surprised at the question. "Yes. Why it shouldn't be serious, Alighieri?"
"This isn't a prank, is it?" Adam was suspicious. "No offense, but my welcome in the academy has been less than stellar," he grumped. While his new classmates tended to keep to themselves, the glares and comments started to thin his patience.
Listening to his discomfort, the Class President frowned in worry. "Are our fellow classmates being troublesome, Alighieri? If that's so, allow me to have a word with them. None must endure this kind of behavior in a school environment." With her words, Adam started to have flashbacks from his time in elementary school whenever he told a teacher when he was being bullied.
"Thinking back, why the hell I didn't learn the first time that teachers only make things worse?" He pondered about a long-gone time. He shook his head and raised his hands in surrender. "Fu Hua. No offense, but that would only make things worse for me. I know how to take care of myself, still thanks for the offer." Adam was thankful that at least she tried. He was about to grab his things and call it a day, but the bluish-haired beauty had another idea in mind.
"Tell me, Alighieri, would you mind sparring with me?" Adam was surprised by the question. "I'm sorry. What?"
"Sparring. I believe it's a good method to steam off one's troubles." She walked towards a ring that was some feet away from them. She slipped up there and waited patiently in one of the corners.
"So, would you mind, Alighieri?" She asked amicably without a challenging tone, making it hard for Adam to deny. She was being polite and overall, she seemed to worry about his reception in the academy.
"If I don't take the offer, I would be seen as a dick, isn't it?"
"{Indeed. She seems to be worried about you.}"
"{Yup. You would look like a little bitch if you back off.}"
Adam sighed and followed the Class President. She seemed happy that he took up her offer.
"So, any particular rules, Fu Hua?" He asked. She nodded. "I suggest we keep it simple. Not low-blows, punching soft points or do harmful holds." Adam nodded. "I can work with that," he agreed, although there was a slight problem.
"{You sure? You're used to doing ALL THAT with Siegfried,}" it reminded him as Fu Hua entered in guard. Adam did the same, although he seemed more relaxed. Make no mistake, he was taking her seriously, but not at the same level as his drunk mentor. He remembered that despite his size, Siegfried moved really fast and punched hard. At least his sparring partner was a normal human. No need to overdo it
"For some reason, I feel that I just jinxed myself…" He thought while feeling sudden regret out of nowhere.
"And lastly, be respectful towards others," she added. "While some customs around here are unknown to you, here people generally don't call one another by their first name. Doing so can be a mark of disrespect unless you're very close to the other person and in the right sort of casual environment," she informed him. Adam didn't understand for a second before he realized what she meant.
"I am sorry? I'm new to all the cultural things here," the Class President gave him a supporting smile. "I will let it pass. I know you are new to all this, Alighieri, but not everyone takes this kindly."
"Noted," then he added. "By the way, I don't mind if you call me just Adam, Fu- Class President," he suggested but she turned down his offer with a shook of her head. "I can't do that Alighieri. We just met and it would be disrespectful towards you. Perhaps in a later date." Adam shrugged it off but understood. He wasn't going to pressure one of the few girls in the academy who was friendly with him.
"Ready?" She asked one last time. He nodded and prepared to launch himself against her.
"Then… Begin!"
The Present…
"Shit!"
Adam grunted as he barely blocked an ax-kick coming down his head with both forearms. Quickly, he tried to get a hold of her heel, but the Class President managed, almost effortlessly, to slip off his grab and jumped back, followed by a round housing kick towards his middle section. Adam grunted, tanking the pain, and delivered a couple of punches on her middle section before Fu Hua stepped back and created a bit of distance between the two. He didn't let her though. He rushed towards her and started to deliver jabs and quick kicks. Adam knew that Fu Hua had the advantage here, her slim form and quick reflexes made it hard to land blows on her.
"{It's impressive that she has managed to put you in such a hard spot, considering that she's human,}" it commented amazed at the Class President's skill to dodge and counterattack.
Adam grunted, barely blocking a kick with his forearm before countering with a kick of his own. Fu Hua grunted before quickly she delivered another kick.
"Yeah," he conceded. "Not many people I had faced before were able to hold on this long." While he wasn't prideful, Adam had only faced few people capable of keeping a long fight with him.
"{Considering that you had fought normal human beings, I don't think you can think that high about yourself,}" it quipped. Adam growled at the comment and when a jab landed on his right cheek.
"Okay. Killing gangsters and mercenaries might not be too much, but I doubt training with Siegfried can be considered normal", he remarked while he started to remember his training sessions with his drunk mentor.
"Dodge! Dodge Dodge!" Siegfried screamed while shooting with Judgment of Shamash and occasionally throwing at him knives.
"Don't let your guard down!" Adam barely jumped back before being severed in two by the Clever of Shamash.
"Hurry kid!" Adam with his claws and Omen tried to overwhelm Siegfried, who held a lit cigarette in his mouth. Both were covered with many slashes and blood on their clothes.
"Keep going!" He yelled from a beach chair while Adam, struggling, was doing push-ups with one stone tablet on his back without the active aid of his powers.
"I'm falling asleep here!" Siegfried drank beer from a bottle, not worried in the slightest as Adam fought against three Alloy Chariots with only Gungnir.
"Don't get distracted!" Siegfried barely blocked a katana coming to Adam's neck before shooting the katana user on the chest.
"My beer!" His tipsy mentor yelled behind a wall, multiple shots tearing apart furniture and bottles inside the bar. Adam clicked his tongue, remembering how mad Siegfried was when some gangsters tried to ambush them there.
"Focus in the fight, Alighieri!" Fu Hua snapped and Adam came back to reality in time to see a kick coming to his face. He barely stepped aside in time, feeling her feet brushing his cheek. Adam tried to counter with a jab, but she side-stepped and wheeling on her feet, threw a kick to his abdomen.
"Crap!"
Adam felt the air leaving his lungs and a feeling of weightlessness, for a second and a half, before landing on his back with a hard thud.
"Remember to always focus on the fight, Alighieri," Fu Hua pointed out as she walked towards him. Adam groaned in response. "N-Noted…" He replied with a drowned voice.
"{Damn… She kicked your ass, man.}"
"{Quite the fighter she is.}"
Adam agreed with them. The Class President was indeed an awfully skilled fighter. According to some rumors he had heard between breaks, among the praises about her looks and knowledge, the Class President prowess would have already made her an A-Rank Valkyrie, but for some reason, she remained in St. Freya as a student. Adam knew that they were just rumors, but Fu Hua was indeed a strong fighter.
He pushed his thoughts aside when she stopped in front of him and leaned forward, offering a hand to help him get up. Adam took it. "Have I ever told you that you have a mean punch, Class President?" Adam asked while giving a wry smile.
"You should pay more attention while fighting, Alighieri. In any second many things could happen while fighting," she chided, although she didn't sound mad at him.
"Will do," he remarked. He had the bad habit of losing himself in his memories or musings. Something Siegfried capitalized when he wanted to mess with him. Or his cousin Katherine. He shuddered remembering when once she pushed him inside her bedroom where all her friends were changing after a fiasco with some drinks he was getting them.
Anyway, seeing the time, both fighters decided to call it a day. After a quick shower in the gym showers, the two were making their way towards the dorms while chattering.
"I had the opportunity to review your scores this week and I'm relieved to see that you have done some progress, Alighieri." Fu Hua praised him. "While they remain average at best, I'm glad that you are no longer below the approbatory standard."
"It was studying hard or endure remedial lessons and tests in the weekends," Adam shuddered remembering his first two weeks doing them. He wasn't sure if it was normal for high school students to do fifteen sheets of tests for each subject. He didn't know how Kiana endured it.
"Glad that Raiden and Zaychik decided to help you, Alighieri." He agreed with her. He didn't know what would be of him. Probably still doing the goddamn exams. "A shame Kaslana doesn't have the same drive as you," she sighed exasperatedly.
"If only Kiana stopped slacking around and glomping Mei," Adam agreed with her. "Maybe if you offered something like Mei's cooking as a reward, perhaps she would study seriously and do her entire homework."
Fu Hua blinked, surprised at the idea. "Maybe that could work. Although I would prefer if she did it on her own and not by some reward."
"Little steps, Class President. One of the many reasons I do the effort is because I don't want to do remedial exams at all." Fu Hua's lips thinned. "I will agree with you if it weren't for the fact that Kaslana already had the time to adjust here in St. Freya."
"That may be true, but the study isn't one Kiana fortes, Class President. I have met his father, and believe me when I say that it isn't in her blood to be a studious person. "
Adam said it so casually that it didn't sound like he was joking or making fun of Kiana. There was no particular intonation in his words. But that only made it that much more shocking to Fu Hua, she even felt a bit bothered after hearing his reply.
"I don't think Kaslana finds what you just said positive, Alighieri." Fu Hua frowned. "From the few interactions I have had with her, Kaslana seems to be a person who cares and trusts her friends, and the words you just said betray that trust," she said with a serious and displeased tone.
Adam stopped, Fu Hua did the same. "I did not mean it in that sense, Class President. I know that Kiana can improve her grades, as long as there is a reward involved, like Mei's delicious food or maybe her praise. "
"But not on her own account?" Adam shook his head. "I can't say I know Kiana completely, but I'm sure the last of her concerns are getting passing grades in theory subjects when we're in a place dedicated to training the next generation against Honkai."
Fu Hua was somewhat surprised by that observation. "Although your words are true, Alighieri, that is no excuse for her to not take her scores seriously." Then she added. "Like you for example. I've seen that you take your grades seriously and pay attention in class, but your grades remain at an average level. I doubt very much that you won't be able to get in the first hundred places."
Adam didn't understand why Fu Hua was focusing on his scores, it might be an obligation as class president, but to be honest, he was just doing what was necessary to keep going and not falling behind in the academy. Spending too much time in here would backfire on his mission, not to mention Hestia would punish him if he worked poorly on his classes and tests.
Again.
"If I were a normal person, living a normal life, in a normal environment; perhaps my scores would be vital to my future, Class President."
"And in what sense your life is not normal?" Fu Hua inquired with a curious look. Adam looked at her incredulous.
"Training to eliminate creatures on a mission to exterminate humanity with futuristic weapons, in somewhat revealing costumes, and then work for an organization that has safeguarded humanity for centuries, not to mention that our director has the appearance of a young girl?"
"Y-Okay. You have a point," Fu Hua conceded. "But still, that's no excuse for not taking your studies seriously. Your future depends on it."
"Maybe. But I don't think a Honkai creature cares about when the Vienna treatises were signed, the correct grammar, the importance of a degree two-equation, or what happens when you mix two volatile substances. Well, the latter may be useful for attacking or escaping, but my point is; pursuing a degree of excellence will not be of use to me when facing a Honkai Beast Emperor, Class President. "
"There is nothing wrong with seeking a degree of excellence, Alighieri," Fu Hua said in a heated tone.
"Well, for me it isn't too important. Or at least that's not in my plans," Adam replied calmly. This called Fu Hua's attention. "So what are your plans for the future, Alighieri?" She asked crossing her arms.
"{Whoa! Be careful, remember that at Schicksal they are very resourceful. She may be one of their spies,}" it warned.
"Aren't you being a little paranoid?"
"{That may be so, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious,}" the other replied, partly supporting its counterpart's wariness.
"I understand."
Adam looked up at the sky and thought for a moment his answer. Fu Hua watched him intently, waiting for the next words from him. After several seconds, Adam replied:
"I think that once I graduate from here, I will ask to be assigned to remote locations, perhaps there are small isolated villages attacked by Honkai creatures. You'd be surprised how many of these are harassed by zombies or beasts. By the time a squad of Valkyries is in the area, these places are already destroyed. Trust me, I've seen it with my own eyes," Adam said with a heavy tone and a grimace.
Fu Hua lowered her arms with a surprised and sad expression. "Sorry to hear that, Alighieri. And I apologize for doubting the seriousness with which you take the classes. Your goal itself is to protect those least seen by Schicksal. A noble goal," Fu Hua finished with a 90-degree bow.
Adam waved his hand. "Don't worry, Class President. It may not sound extraordinary like being part of an elite team, but I like the kinds of tasks that other people don't want, "Adam scratched his cheek awkwardly. "You could say it's a peculiarity of mine."
"Not to say that working in a remote area would put me far from Otto's powerful influence in the great metropolises", Adam thought coldly.
"{How cruel of you. You're lying with a noble goal to someone worried about you,}" it said sadly.
"I am not lying at all. I can also take down Honkai beasts before they approach any village."
"{Even if that jeopardizes your alibi?}"
"You know what's at stake," he answered harshly.
"{Best not to think about it and take action when the situation arises,}" it suggested.
"Alighieri?" Fu Hua asked, seeing that Adam had been silent for a second with a complicated expression.
"It's nothing," Adam assured. "Just a bit tired." He stretched out his arms as he resumed his walk. Fu Hua didn't comment about his short shift in behavior and followed him.
"Anyway, I can't believe how quickly the afternoon went by in the gym. I thought we would have more time to spar."
"When you focus your mind on something, time tends to pass faster than normal," Fu Hua agreed with him. "I have to ask though, Alighieri. Why do you spend most of Friday's training?" Adam looked at her. "I understand that most of the students prefer to spend these days resting or visit the city with their friends."
"Let's say I don't really like public spaces with many people." Lots of people, high chances of being attacked by hitmen in the crowd. He had some bad experiences with those. "And the only people who get along with me are my roommates, and you, Class President." Fu Hua pursed her lips upon hearing this because she knew what Adam was referring to.
It was no secret the disdain and distrust that most of the students had towards the only male student in the academy. Although there was a small growing number of sympathizers towards Adam; rumors and gossip made it difficult for him to be accepted into the academy faster.
"Even though we train to combat a common threat, we still let frivolous things divide us," Fu Hua complained, putting a hand on her temple. "I can understand this coming from the first years, but it is exhausting to hear the senior years complaining." Adam didn't need to ask what she meant by complaints. He was sure that the complaints referred to; how he was a problem for the other girls and such.
"Don't think about it too much, Class President," Adam suggested. "In a few years this will be a simple memory, and by then these people will be out of my life." Fu Hua lowered her hand and frowned. "That may be so. But that doesn't give them the right to make your stay here difficult, Alighieri," she replied. "Principal Teresa founded the academy to bring a sense of hope and normalcy to the next generation of Valkyries. You are entitled to that too, Alighieri," Fu Hua said in a serious but encouraging tone.
Adam almost snorted. "What kind of harmonious and normal life can one have fighting the Honkai and with the time counted?" Adam wanted to say, but he refrained from doing so. Fu Hua's words sounded a bit naive to him, but he could understand their meaning.
The concept of normality gave a sense of belonging. Being Valkyries, most of them could be considered to be stronger than the average human, bordering on the superhuman, but no matter how powerful they were, there was no denying that they were human beings.
And hope? An indispensable requirement if you were part of the war against the Honkai.
Honkai Corrosion Shortened Life; clashes against creatures that have been humanity's natural predator for millennia; an organization that almost reached the concept of totalitarianism; and the uncertainty of knowing if you made a difference or even delayed, if not canceled humanity's final hour?
Sometimes Adam did not know if hope was one of the greatest qualities of humanity or the best blindfold to not see reality.
"Alighieri?" He shook his head, pulled away from his dark thoughts. "It's nothing, Class President," Adam replied calmly. Fu Hua looked at him carefully for a second, but she didn't say anything else.
Trying to change the subject, Adam pulled his cell phone from him and checked the time.
"Damn, it's almost seven o'clock. I better hurry up or the girls will be mad at me."
"I'm sorry, Class President, but here I am retiring. The girls will be mad at me if I'm late for dinner," Adam apologized. Fu Hua's eyes widened and she turned to see the sun, which was close to setting. In the distance, they both noticed that some students wearing their uniforms and casual clothes were heading to the dormitory area.
Fu Hua understood how late it was and clicked her mouth. "I must go quickly to the staff room and hand over some papers that were entrusted to me." She turned to see Adam and bowed briefly. "Sorry to have taken up your time, Alighieri. I hope we can continue this conversation at another time. "
"Don't worry, and good luck," Adam said goodbye. They both ran to their respective destinations, hoping to be on time.
"I'm here!" Adam yelled opening the door. He was about to go all the way in, but he remembered that he had to leave his shoes at the entrance and put on a pair of slippers. Despite the weeks he had been there, it was still a somewhat strange habit for him.
"{You never know when you have to jump out the window ...}" Adam agreed with it.
"Hello, Adam-kun," Mei yelled from the kitchen. From the steam moving through the room, it was easy to tell that she was preparing dinner.
"You are cheating!" In the living room, right in front of the television, Kiana and Bronya were playing a game. "Subject Kiana's abilities are inferior compared to Bronya's." The two young Valkyries were playing a fighting game. From what he saw, Kiana was desperately fighting to defeat Bronya - nothing new in his opinion - although the latter showed no effort in countering Kiana's attacks.
K.O!
"Nooo!" Kiana screeched at the end of the fight.
"The Bronya hopes that Subject Kiana finally understands the difference in skill between her and the Bronya," the little girl said with some derision in her formal tone, barely perceptible. Kiana turned to see her with a pout on her face. "You just wait until I make you bite the dust, dwarf!" Bronya narrowed her eyes a little. "Then another round is necessary to prove who is superior to the other." The girls resumed their game. The sounds of the console buttons being pressed at high speed could be heard in the room with great clarity.
Adam shook his head slightly and went to his room to drop off his things. "For a simple game, the two of them take Homu Fighter very seriously," he thought. Sometimes he liked to spend time playing action video games, but the Homu franchise didn't seem as appealing as it did to Bronya and Kiana. He admitted that the gameplay, characters, and story were decent, but he didn't feel that same sense of excitement playing it.
How can you compare that feeling of searching for treasure, killing monsters, and rescuing innocents in a video game when you already do it in real life? He preferred to play games with a more explicit theme. He recognized that it was not so healthy to do, but playing games of a more innocent theme made him feel like he was playing with wooden swords when he was used to tearing to pieces Honkai beasts with his own hands.
"Shit. I think I'm being more cynical than usual." One of the voices laughed. "{If you're realizing it, then it's serious.}"
Adam mentally snorted but didn't add anything else. He left his room and thought about messing around with his cell phone on the table until dinner was ready. Not knowing what to do, he peeked into the kitchen and noticed that Mei was still making preparations for dinner.
And for a second, he remembered a gentle humming and a delicious pork stew after a tiring day in school.
"Sis…"
"{Thinking of helping her?}" It interrupted his train of thought. Adam blinked and pondered about it for a few seconds before answering. "Yes. By now, Mei should be halfway through if not finishing cooking," he thought, frowning.
No one had said or suggested it, but it could be said that Mei had been unanimously chosen as the official dorm cook. Normally, roommates would roll over the homework but in her case, for the welfare of all -and the poor kitchen- Mei was responsible for feeding the others. A cemented fact after an accident started by a motivated Kiana and a drunk Himeko. Adam winced remembering the mess everyone had to clean up.
"Can I help with something, Mei?" He asked entering the kitchen. Mei turned around and was a bit surprised by Adam's appearance. Usually, it was Kiana who asked to cook with her, so it was a bit of a surprise that Adam offered to help.
"… Ahem. Thank you Adam-kun, but I have everything under control," she thanked in a shy tone. Adam noticed it but said nothing about it. "It is no problem. At least let me help you a little. It's the least I can do for you after you're feeding us every day," Adam insisted. He knew how tiring it was to cook for everyone.
Mei made a complicated expression. He insisted. "Although I am not an expert like you, I know how to do the most basic things in the kitchen. Besides, I think you could use a hand from time to time. "
"Then-"
"This is not fair!" Kiana yelled, peering through the kitchen pass through. "Mei-senpai won't let me be in the kitchen, but Adam can?!" She asked indignantly. Mei raised her hands trying to placate her. "Let's calm down, Kiana-chan. This is the first time Adam-kun has offered to help me cook-"
"But he has never cooked before! And I doubt that he can even cook an egg!"
"I can cook," Adam defended himself with slight annoyance. "Not on the same level as Mei, but my life does not depend on instant meals." And it was true. Traveling around the world, sometimes through inhospitable places with limited resources and a partner who could carbonize a simple piece of meat; Adam decided to relearn how to cook even if his food was very plain.
Despite Adam's words, Kiana was not content. "And Mei-senpai, maybe he is using this opportunity to get close to you and steal your heart in front of me!" She exclaimed pointing her index finger at him. Hearing her words, Mei's cheeks flushed and Adam was flustered. Neither of them said anything for a moment. Mei was embarrassed by Kiana's words while Adam was somewhat taken aback by the strange accusation of the silver hair.
"You got to be kidding…"
"{Well, if you think about it, it's a really good way to get close to someone.}"
"{It might be a good opportunity to learn how to cook something more decent.}"
Adam shook his head and looked at Kiana with a blank face. "Try not to project your intentions through me, Kiana."
"I'm not projecting anything," she complained. "I'm just trying to protect Mei-senpai from a womanizer like you!" Adam's eye twitched at the comment. "If by protecting you mean creating another disaster like the one you did two weeks ago, I will gladly stop you," he remarked.
"That was not my fault! It was the stupid stove's fault for not cooking properly! "Kiana defended herself heatedly. Adam raised an eyebrow. "Yeah... And the chocolate magically appeared on the ceiling." He replied sarcastically. Kiana cringed remembering the event. Before she could reply, Mei interrupted, "Thank you for worrying about me, Kiana-chan. But I don't think Adam-kun has bad intentions. And…" Mei pursed her lips. "It was difficult to clean the stains on the ceiling," Mei said awkwardly.
Seeing that she would not be allowed to help, Kiana pouted and went back to play with Bronya. Seeing her crestfallen expression, Mei became concerned. She was about to change her mind but Adam's hand on her shoulder stopped her. "No," he said. "Although I know that Kiana has good intentions, for the well-being of everybody, it would be for the best if she helped here until she learns how to cook." Hearing his words, Mei sighed resignedly. "I understand."
"He could have said it more nicely, though," she thought.
Time flew by. While Kiana and Bronya continued playing and arguing in the living room. Mei and Adam began to cook in silence. From time to time the silence was broken by the sound of chopping, the boiling of the water, or Mei's instructions. With the latter, it didn't take Adam five minutes to realize that she was very picky when it came to cooking.
"Adam-kun, please cut this off."
"Right away." He quickly complied with the order. He cut a few vegetables quickly and showed them to Mei. She just looked at them and gave her opinion. "Passable, but try to get these sliced thinner."
Five minutes later…
"Adam-kun, you must not add too much salt."
Five minutes later…
"Do not put the flame so high or you will burn the sauce!"
Other minutes later...
"{Wow… Never thought she would be like this in the kitchen,}" it said surprised at Mei's shift in behavior. She tended to be a softy with the others, who would have guessed that she would be quite bossy while cooking?
"Tell me about it," Adam thought while smashing some potatoes. He was also quite surprised. "But considering the quality of her food, well, no pain no gain."
"{Or no burn no-cook?}"
"…."
"{…}
"{It was bad, isn't it?}"
"Yes." / "{Yeah.}"
"Adam-kun?" He blinked and turned to see Mei calling for him. He hoped she wasn't going to reprimand him for spacing out while dicing the pork.
"Y-Yes?"
Mei looked unsure. Adam raised his brow not understanding what was going on. Before he could ask, Mei got ahead. "Why?" Looking like he didn't understand, she elaborated. "Why did you wanted to help me?" Mei asked because she found out of place for him to aid her in the kitchen. While he helped with cleaning the dishes, he didn't intervene when it came to cooking. Though she welcomed his help.
"Mmm," He hummed before answering. "I'll say because I kind of owe it to you, Mei." She got surprised at his words. He carried on. "You cook for us; breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, quite literally. And I thought it would be nice if I helped you every once in a while or whenever you ask. I know how hard is for one person to cook for everybody."
Hearing his words, Mei felt touched. "T-Thank you, Adam-kun," she appreciated it. Then she remembered Kiana's words. "H-He isn't really trying anything, right?" She thought alarmed, remembering Kiana's precious words.
"Mei?"
"N-nothing!" Seeing his questioning expression, Mei decided to carry on. "Y-You mentioned you know how difficult is to feed everyone else. Is it something you have experience on?" Mei asked. Aside from changing the topic, Mei wanted to know better her roommate.
Kiana didn't mind showing her likes and hobbies, or her particular liking towards her. Bronya had a quiet personality, but Mei had seen how her eyes sparkled whenever the Homu franchise was mentioned or her love for video games. Even she knew more about their caretaker Himeko, who acted serious and with discipline on school hours; but was quite the lazy person when she was in the dormitory or complaining about the workload. But, the same couldn't be said about Adam, though.
He rarely spoke about himself and sometimes she was sure he avoided the topic at the first chance. She wanted to know what kind of person he was before he arrived in St. Freya and more about him. It was hard to live with someone who appeared to keep you at an arm's length.
"Mmm…" Before answering, Adam pondered what to tell her.
"{Tell her the basics and 'your' back story. It should be enough,}"it suggested.
"I thought you were the reluctant one…"
"{I doubt she is part of Schicksal, given she was just the Herrscher's mule and a hot young girl before the shit hit the fan,}"
"{Although it sounds like a horny dog, it is right,}" it added, ignoring the insults thrown on its way. "{It's unlikely that she works for them undercover. Share a bit about yourself to not be too suspicious.}"
"Even if I don't remember at all my childhood?" He didn't want to step on landmines, especially if it was on his territory. "Kind of hard to do that."
"{Then tell what you remember, it should be enough. Mei doesn't seem like the imposing type. It would be easy to do this,}" it encouraged.
"If you say so…"
"{Even if the few memories you have make you tear up like a little bitch~"}
"Fuck. You."
"Adam-kun?"
"Well…" Adam cleared his throat and began. "…not like I used to cook, rather it was my big sister Celeste who cooked for the family." He smiled remembering those times. "Mom worked hard to bring food to the table, having barely the time to take a rest. Seeing how tiresome it was for her, my sister decided to help her at least with the house chores." He chuckled. "At first she was quite clumsy, making a mess during her first attempts. One day she even flooded the bathroom with soap foam!"
"Oh my…"
"Yep," Adam remembered helping her. "But later she got the hand of it. And while it gave a breath to my mom, it was still tiresome to balance school, work, and take care of other three family members. So, I tried to help her with whatever I could. Cleaning, cooking, moving stuff, doing the laundry, and… well… that's it. I know a little about everything to do in the house."
"That… that's very noble of you," Mei started to understand why he helped them to move heavy stuff when they moved in.
"I don't know if it's noble, but something to expect when your older sister is already doing all that for you." Mei pursed her lips. "Well, I used to hear from my fri- my classmates that their little brothers or sisters tended to not do anything while they had to take care of the house." She crossed her arms and smiled. "And I think your sister had a big help with you, Adam-kun."
"Not enough, though…" Adam bitterly remembered his sister's tired face or the lack of lunches on some days.
"Yeah. Although I wish my other sister could have helped us in the same way," Adam sighed tiredly.
"You have two sisters?"
"She was a cousin. But she came to live with us, and with time she was another sister to me." Adam's brows twitched. "Although, somewhat disastrous," he sighed remembering the mess left behind whenever she cooked or cleaned.
"It must be nice to have siblings," she said with a nostalgic smile. She entertained the thought in the past but never voiced it aloud, even to her loved but always-busy father.
"Yeah…" He turned and resumed dicing the meat pork. Remember how little of his childhood was sometimes bitter, but still, he felt a soothing warmth on his chest when thinking about them.
The hurry mornings, meeting after school with his sisters at the park, the times they played, his mother's laugh, the times they held his hand whenever he was scared…
"Don't be scared, Adam," his sister Celeste comforted him as she hugged him. "Bad things happen, but you can overcome them if you really try." Then she smiled and said:
"Be brave…" He muttered. Mei heard his words but didn't comment about them.
"{You really miss her, don't you?}"
"{She was incredible. A shame that she was your sis-"
"Finish that and you're done," Adam cut in. He loved his sisters, a bit more Celeste, but he never thought of them in that way. And it would be a cold day in hell before he felt about her like that.
[24 Ringtone]
"Hestia? Why is she calling?" She tended to call him on weekends, asking about how was the week and if he was keeping up with school. Adam left the knife and took out his cellphone. He was about to answer but the call ended before he could take it. A second later a message notification popped up. He opened the message and was surprised at the content.
"[Go to the roof in 5 minutes. I need to discuss something with you in private.]"
"Okay. This doesn't sound worrisome at all," he thought sarcastically. He put away his cellphone and looked at Mei. "Sorry, Mei. Stuff just happened and I need to make a call," he explained.
"Something bad happened?" She asked, hoping that it wasn't the case. Adam waved his hand. "Nothing bad." That was what he hoped for. "But it's important." He felt bad leaving Mei to do the rest when he was the one who volunteered in the first place to help. "Sorry. I'll make it up to you by cleaning the plates after dinner." To his surprise, Mei shook her head.
"Don't worry about it, Adam-kun. If it's something important then there is no problem." The little smile on her face made Adam's heart flinch in guilt. "Now go. You can't keep them waiting, don't you?"
"Thanks."
"Thanks, Mei. I owe you one." He quickly cleaned his hands and left the kitchen, going towards the main door. Kiana and Bronya stopped paused their game for a moment, seeing how Adam hurriedly left the place. Both glanced at Mei, who shrugged off and continued cooking.
"Subject Mei, wasn't Subject Adam going to aid you?" Bronya asked. Mei glanced at them for a second before she resumed cooking. "Yes, but something suddenly showed up and Adam-kun needed to take care of it," she explained.
"Eh? So he left Mei-senpai to do all the work while he just lazes off?!" Kiana complained. Bronya looked at her with an even face. "The Bronya believes Idiotka does the same thing every single day, though."
"What do you mean?! I always try to help in the kitchen!"
"Girls, don't fight," she called from the kitchen, though she knew they didn't hear her as they kept arguing. She glanced back where Adam was previously for a second before she continued cooking.
"I hope that it isn't something bad. Adam-kun already has enough trouble at school," she thought in worry for her new friend.
"{You shouldn't worry about the Worm.}"
Mei almost dropped the utensil in her hand when her head throbbed and heard her voice.
"W-What?"
"{Don't act like you don't know me, coward,}" she barked. "{Just because I haven't spoken to you before doesn't mean I'm gone.}"
"N-No… It can't be," Mei started to panic. "T-The bomb!"
"{Tch!}" She clicked her tongue annoyed. "{Clever from some weaklings to keep me in… line}" she growled at the last part.
"Then… how are you-?"
"{Who said I couldn't speak to you inside your head?}" The Herrscher mocked.
Mei's breath started to speed up. She felt how the room slowly started to spin. Fear gripped her heart and her hands started to tremble. She felt cold sweat forming on her forehead and she was pretty sure that his heart was throbbing like crazy. Regret started to take place on her mind. What was she thinking when she accepted Himeko's offer? She should have asked to be put in quarantine or better, put down before she could become a danger to everyone else who surrounded her! She was a ticking bomb, waiting to explode and take everyone-
"I'm not mean to Mei-senpai!"
In a second, Mei came back to Earth when she heard the still ongoing argument in the living room.
"Kiana."
"Should the Bronya have to remind Subject Kiana what happened in the kitchen?"
"Bronya."
"Be brave…" Aam's muttered words.
"Adam."
She wouldn't allow it! She wasn't going to stay still as long as she was a threat to her friends. Mei's eyes slowly moved downwards, looking specifically at a sharp knife next to her right hand. Slowly her hand moved. She only needed to make it fast and then-
"{Don't even think about it,}" the Herrscher growled, knowing by the fear and the sudden resolution coming from her vessel what she was aiming to do.
"{I'm not here to fight.}" Mei didn't believe her. "{If I have wanted to take control I would have done it already. I'm only here to talk.}" Mei almost grabbed the knife but stopped at the last second. Still, her hand was over it. Just in case.
She took a deep breath. "T-then talk," she tried to sound serious, but her stutter was obvious. The Herrscher would have mocked her, but she knew that it would cause trouble, so she kept abstained from doing it.
"{Very well. Then, I will go straight to the point.}" Mei's mind waited in anticipation of her next words. Would she demand to take over for some hours just like in Kiana's action comics? Would she demand sick offerings to appease her anger towards humanity? Or maybe-!
"{Stop trying to get close to the Worm.}"
"Never!"
"{What?!}"
"Wait, what?"
"Mei-senpai, what's wrong?!"
"Is Subject Mei fine?"
Mei blinked as her thought landed and glanced back to see Kiana and Bronya on their feet, with worried faces.
"{Calm down, girl,}" the Herrscher whispered. "{I don't know what notions you have of me, but I only wish to talk,}" surprisingly she assured. "{Tell them that you saw an insect or another vermin that startled you,}" she advised, to Mei's bewilderment.
"Mei-senpai?"
"I-It's nothing," Mei answered flustered. "I-I thought I saw a cockroach but it was just my imagination," Mei disliked to lie, and more to her closest friends. But if it kept the Herrscher calm for the moment, so be it.
Kiana and Bronya exchanged glances and looked back at her. "Are you sure you are okay? We can order something for dinner instead," Kiana suggested. She loved the food cooked by Mei, but if tonight wasn't a good day for her, then she was willing to make the sacrifice.
"Is Subject Mei sure? The Bronya and Subject Kiana could even manage instant food just for tonight." Even Bronya was worried for her, to the point of calling Kiana by her name.
"I'm fine, girls," Mei insisted. "I appreciate the gesture, but I'm almost done. I'm just tired."
Again, her friend exchanged glances, not convinced at all, nevertheless, they relented and nodded in her direction. "Please tell us if you feel tired or not fine at all, okay?" Mei smiled at the affection and worry in her friends' eyes. "I will do that if it's the case, girls." Both teenagers slowly sit back and resumed playing, although without the same previous vigor.
Mei turned around and resumed cooking, but just like them, without the same gusto.
"{Don't ignore me, girl,}" the Herrscher called back annoyed.
"What do you want?" Mei snapped back. The Herrscher only scoffed. "{Aside from your pathetic display of affection towards those girls, I'm here to warn you about your companion, the Worm.}" It took a couple of seconds and a vague memory to know to who she was referring to.
"Adam-kun isn't a worm!" She thought heatedly. The Herrscher rolled her figurative eyes. "{I don't know why you are so adamant to defend him. You barely know him for a couple of months, and you already considerate him your friend? You're stupidly naïve.}"
"He's a friend, and someone who helped me when I needed it the most," she answered back firmly.
"{To my understanding, humans base their so-called friendship on trust and knowledge of each other, isn't it?}"
"That's right," putting aside her mocking tone, the Herrscher was right. Friendship was based on mutual trust and knowledge about the person in it.
Mei felt a shiver when she felt the Herrscher smile.
"{Then, I wouldn't call that Worm your friend, little girl. Your words could describe the relationship you have with the other two insects as such. But with him? Don't make me laugh!}" Mei scowled at her sneer. "{You only know the basics about him. Things he can tell you but not you can see. Aside from that, what you really know about him? You don't know who he really is. How does he know so much about the Honkai? What is that disgusting power of his? Why he was so calm to admit that he tried to kill you? The brutality he displayed while tore apart those reanimated corpses. No to mention that he managed to withstand my power directly.}"
Mei turn off the oven and started to clean the used utensils in silence. The only thing that could be heard around was the sponge rubbing, the water rinsing out, and the occasional 'game over' from the living room. Even in her mind, Mei didn't think of anything, her mind focused on cleaning the cookware as soon as possible to start dinner. The Herrscher smiled triumphantly. At least she made her naïve vessel realize with who she was sharing a dorm. Now, if only she pushed a little more, then-
"You're wrong," Mei cut in. The Herrscher would have raised a brow if she could.
"{What do you mean I'm wrong?}" She didn't find holes in her thinking. The Worm was someone dangerous. Not to her, of course. But to someone as stupid as her vessel, though? The girl should be glad that she was alert whenever the Worm was close to her. She dreaded to think that he would ambush her at the first chance, killing her vessel and dragging her along with Mei.
"Adam-kun may not share a lot with us. He isn't an outgoing person like Kiana, childish like Bronya, or easy-going like Himeko-sensei." Mei finished washing and started to clean the sink.
"We don't' know much about him. He tends to be reclusive, but he's kind, helpful, and level-headed when the situation calls for it. He keeps moving forward despite the scorn thrown in his direction. Unlike I did. And I believe with time, he will tell us more about himself," the tone and the positive on it attested to the confidence Mei have in Adam and the future she hoped to reach.
The Herrscher didn't like it one bit, though. "{Are you hearing yourself? You can't trust him. He was ready to kill you and he didn't have a single doubt about doing it when I saw his eyes! And that abominable power of his! He's a wolf in sheep's clothing, you fool!}" She couldn't understand her vessel's stupid mind! How can she call that thing a friend?!
"It's not Adam-kun's fault that his powers are like that," Mei admitted that his powers were ugly if not twisted, but Adam never acted out of line towards her, her friends, or even showed to be inclined to the acts Kiana accused him of. Although the Herrscher shared a fair point with Adam's knowledge about the Honkai, Mei was sure that he has his circumstances, just like the rest of them.
"And if it comes to it, if you EVER take control over me, I'll gladly let Adam do the rest." The Herrscher growled at her words.
"{Mark my words, stupid little girl, you will regret it,}" and with it, Mei felt a pressure on her head disappearing.
"I won't…"
"Hestia. What's the matter?" Adam closed the roof door behind him. He kept walking until he was leaning on the roof rail.
"To begin with, a good night would be appreciated, Adam," Hestia remarked with a dry tone. He quickly apologized. "My bad. Seeing your message I thought it was urgent, so I cut straight to the point."
Hestia sighed. "Apologies accepted, though be thoughtful in the future. I doubt that your roommates will be as forgiving as I am," she advised with a playful tone.
Adam took note of it. "Got it, but I doubt you called me just for that." Hestia cleared her tone and went to business. "Indeed, I didn't call you here today for that, Adam. To be honest, you'll need to meet with someone tomorrow."
"It's bad?" He tried to sound casual, but she picked up the stress on his voice.
"No Adam. And you've to stop assuming that whenever I call you it's about something bad happening," she remarked drily. Adam didn't apologize this time, though. "Hestia, no offense, but after traveling with the old man and all the shit that came on our steps thanks to Otto Apocalypse, you can't blame to be on guard," he pointed out.
"That only happened a couple of times. And both of you made it out alive with some scratches on your clothes," she answered raising her voice slightly. "And you have enjoyed a relatively calm school life so far."
Adam realized she was right. "Sorry. It has been annoying to deal with school bullshit and not being able to blow off like I'm used to." Hestia sighed. "Adam, I know it would be hard to adapt to this new lifestyle after all this time. I wouldn't have suggested it in the first place if I thought it would be a bad idea," then she added. "And I doubt you have had a bad time with your current roommates, given all the good things you have told me about them."
He got flustered for a second before he composed. "W-well, the girls are good. Kiana and Bronya are kind of childish sometimes, but they're good people. And Mei's cooking is a blessing. Can't believe I used to think instant noodles were lifesavers after Siegfried's cooking," he shuddered at the last part. Hestia chuckled, knowing the culinary abomination Siegfried was capable of creating.
"Going back on track, you will meet a person tomorrow at noon. You will receive the meeting point once you left the academy. He will give you important information about AE," upon hearing who the information was about, his eyes widened before hardening.
"Should I go casual or with something more formal?" Adam hoped for the first option, it would be hard to explain to the others if he went well dressed up to meet a stranger. That and Himeko's sharp eyes could get him in trouble.
"Wearing your casual clothes would be enough, and to avoid suspicion, check this," a second later this cellphone beeped with a new message. Adam put on hold the call and quickly checked it.
[CONGRATULATIONS!
You are one of the hundred lucky to win our raffle to get the new NSX23 portable console and with the most recent and successful games of this year
You just need to present yourself at the following address and ...]
Adam stopped reading and resumed the call. "Hestia, what is this?" He was put off by the message.
Hestia chuckled. "What? Are you not happy about getting a video game console?"
"You didn't call me just to tell me that, isn't it?" He didn't understand the relation between the message and the matter with AE. "Shouldn't this be more serious?"
"It's a serious matter, but not to the point of asking you to not leave witnesses, rather, I'm giving you a good excuse to go out of the academy tomorrow without raising suspicion and... giving you a little gift for your birthday."
"Aren't birthday gifts supposed to be a surprise?" He asked rhetorically. "And not to be an ass, but you know that I don't remember at all when it's my original birthday."
"Not to mention it has been a long time since I had one..." He thought nostalgic. And he referred to a birthday in the traditional sense. Internally he cringed remembering the parties thrown by Siegfried. Waking up with a hangover and in a place that smelled of piss and cheap weed wasn't the nicest memory for such an event. "At least I got something good from the last time," he thought remembering the incendiary grenades.
Still, his words didn't deter her. "Try to see it this way, Adam. You can visit the city, acquire a new game console for free, meet this person quickly and then enjoy the rest of the day." Hestia knew how stressful can be school, and more to someone who hasn't attended one for years.
Adam had to give it to her, it sounded like a good plan. "That's a good plan, Hestia, but there is a problem."
"Which is…?" She didn't understand what he meant until he said it. "Hestia… What I'm supposed to do in the city?"
His question sounded kind of dumb, if not downright stupid. Any young student would have plans if not have a place to visit or a thing to do after a stressful week in the school to vent off. In Adam's case though, he didn't particularly enjoy the same activities as any other students. Make no mistake, while he dreaded long lectures and homework annoyed the hell out of him, instead of wishing to spend time on his bed or playing video games, he would rather tear apart Honkai Beast to pass the time, earn some extra cash from it and drink.
"You could go to the cinema and watch a movie, play in the arcades, buy something in the main mall, explore the city-"
"Hestia, you know that I'm not a social person, right?" Adam interrupted before she could say more. "The arcade sounds nice, but you know that after fighting a Honkai Beast in real life and avoid bullets occasionally; playing it on video games is kind of boring. And buying something? I'm kind of broke," he stated.
"Please, don't become a muscle brain adrenaline junkie like Siegfried," she begged. "I know that having a normal life in the meantime is strange, but try to have some fun while at it," then her tone became somber. "You know these peaceful days won't last forever, Adam." He closed his eyes as he recalled the echoes of explosions, a swarm of Honkai beast filling the horizon, and soldiers' bodies scattered around.
"Try to make the most of it while it lasts, huh?" Adam took a deep breath and exhaled. "Okay, Hestia. I'll try to do something… fun while I'm out. I don't know, maybe I would spend some time in an arcade or the park."
"Excellent, Adam!" Hestia cheered up at his words. "Remember to leave before noon and to have a nice day."
"I'll try." He meant it. If he dropped, she would be nagging him for the whole weekend. Then he remembered an important matter. "Also, about the money? Does that mean…?"
"Indeed, your bank account has been released and now you have money at your disposition," she clarified. "I don't need to tell you to not waste it, right?" He answered with a snort. "I'm not Siegfried, Hestia." She laughed. "Then, I wish you a good night, Adam."
"Same here, Hestia. Good night." With that, she hung up, leaving him to his thoughts.
"I didn't expect this," he saved his cellphone while still leaning on the rail. "I expected to have a new mission or that shit hit the fan, not-"
"{Enjoying a Saturday in the city?}" It interrupted. "{I suggest you take her offer. These last days you have been tense. Maybe a day out of the academy may be helpful,}" it prompted.
"{And who knows? Maybe you can pick up a girl and have a good time~,}" it purred lecherously. Adam snorted. "I'm not a horny dog, idiot." It ticked him off whenever it brought out these kinds of topics."{What a waste,}" it shrugged off.
"{Ignoring that, you should take Hestia's words. You know better than anyone else these calm days won't last forever,}" it pointed out. Adam grimaced. "Knowing what kind of shit storm is coming, makes this whole school thing so surreal."
"{Then, try to have fun as much as you can before push comes to shove,}" it prompted with a serious tone. Adam sighed before walking off the roof. "What a sobering thought."
"I'm back," Adam called before closing the door and changing his shoes for the indoor ones.
"Welcome back, Adam-kun," Mei greeted from the living room. He walked in and he was surprised when he spotted, not only his roommates, but Fu Hua talking next to Himeko. Feeling his stare, she stopped talking and turned to him. "Alighieri, good evening," she greeted from her seat. "Likewise, Class President," he replied. He was wondering why she was here with them. It seems that she read her thoughts when she answered. "Himeko-sensei invited tonight for dinner."
"I see."
"Adam-kun, please wash your hands. We're about to start." He quickly complied, knowing that every second was vital in front of a hungry Kiana.
Finished, Adam swiftly took his seat, which was next to Bronya, and eagerly awaited like the others for dinner to come. The only exception was Fu Hua, who looked dumbfounded at the other's expressions. Everybody's eyes glinted when Mei came from the kitchen carrying a casserole, making Fu Hua raise a brow.
"What is this all about?" She turned to Himeko and was put off when said person started to drool without shame. Mei started to serve each plate and Fu Hua swore that the food was glowing with angelical light.
"Perhaps I'm too tired," she thought, hoping that she was only seeing things due to exhaustion. "Everyone please enjoy it." Mei's words were the green light for everybody to start dig in. Fu Hua didn't understand their eagerness and their happy hums until she took her first bite.
"D-Delicious…" she uttered in astonishment.
"So another one falls to Mei's cooking, huh?" Himeko chuckled. "I told you that her cooking was out this world, Fu Hua."
"I wouldn't say is that impressive, Himeko-sensei," Mei humbly denied her words.
"Dear, you don't have to be meek about it. Your cooking is by far one the best I had in a long time." Fu Hua nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Raiden. Your cooking skills are beyond the average." Mei got flustered at her words. Himeko and Fu Hua smiled at her expression.
"Dey ar rit, Mei-sinpai dood's hiven!"
"Kiana-chan, don't speak while eating," Mei scolded her. Her friend swallowed her large bite with a sonorous gulp. "But's the truth! Mei-senpai's food is by far the best in the world," she praised her. "Indeed, Mei. I hardly believe I'm eating this right now," Adam followed after.
"But you helped me to do the dinner, Adam-kun," Mei added. "But I left mid-way, though." He didn't voice out.
"Although, the Bronya has noted that the pork dices are a bit bigger than the usual," Bronya informed as she took another bite from her plate. At that, Adam raised a brow. "Really? I'm sure that I cut them at a good size."
"Excuse me Alighieri, but do you cook?" Fu Hua asked. Adam didn't look like the type to know how to move in the kitchen. He shook his head. "Rather, I was Mei's assistant. I did with what she instructed me to do, but it seems I messed with some details."
"Don't worry, Adam-kun. I know you still did your best, it's only a matter of practice and learning," she tried to encourage him. He smiled at her words. "Thanks, Mei."
"Speaking of learning, and before I forget it, there's something we need to speak of," Himeko lied down her sticks. "Kiana, your scores about the last exams came on and I have to say I didn't expect such numbers." Kiana chuckled in triumph. "Ha! I told you I was going to ace the test! They weren't hard a-!"
"They are terrible!" Himeko cut in as she massaged her forehead. "I know you aren't the sharpest tool in the box, but I had never seen such terrible scores in tests!"
"Hey! I'm not that dumb!" Kiana tried to defend herself. Adam, Mei, and Himeko thought; "You're not helping yourself." Bronya kept chewing with a poker face.
"Kaslana, here," Fu Hua handed her a sheaf of papers. Adam didn't know she had them on her persona. Kiana's eyes widened in panic and tried to hide them, but Mei quickly grabbed them and her visage shifted from intrigued to a worried one. "Ah! Mei-senpai-"
"Kiana-chan, how…?" Her tone was heavy, the implications of how terrible they were quite clear. "I know you have been studying hard. So how it is possible?"
"A-Ah, well, you see Mei-senpai," Kiana tried to excuse herself, trying to save some dignity. She didn't have the chance before Bonrya but in. "Idiotka studied for 15 minutes before getting bored and started to play with her cellphone or read manga in her bedroom," she resumed eating once done. Kiana shot her a glare before she resumed squirming under Mei's disapproving eyes.
Himeko spoke. "I don't need to tell you that I'm really disappointed with you, Kiana." A part of her was blaming herself for not paying more attention to her, but it was hard to play babysitter to a bunch of teenagers in her own home. Her plate was already filled with being a teacher in St. Freya and a commander of The Hyperion ship. "From on, games, manga, and distracting stuff are off limits before you improve your scores."
"But then I will bore to death!" Kiana whined but Himeko was having none of it. "You can spend your time studying, for real, before you can make me change my mind."
"But- but-!" Kiana turned to Mei and made her puppy eyes. Mei tried to fight it, but she was quickly won over. "Himeko-sensei, perhaps there is another way…?"
"Ugh. Don't fall in her game, Mei," Himeko stopped rubbing her forehead and crossed her arms on the table. "She needs to know that there're consequences to her slack off," she glared at Kiana. The silver-haired girl whined one last time before lowered her head in defeat.
"Perhaps, there is another way to help her, Himeko-sensei," to Kiana's surprise, her savior came in the form of Fu Hua. Like her, Himeko turned to her with a surprised expression. Knowing what her stare implied, Fu Hua explained. "While I agree about withdraw Kiana's distraction from her, instead of waiting for her to get better results, we should try to stimulate her to get better ones." Her words grabbed Himeko's attention, starting to piece together what Fu Hua meant.
"What do you suggest?"
"I think we should ask Raiden's permission first, after all, she is a key component."
"How I can help Kiana study better?" Mei asked eager, hoping to know how to help her friend. Himeko smiled, knowing that now aiding Kiana was going to be easy. Fu Hua looked at Mei. "Tell me Raiden, if Kaslana here were to improve her grades, would you mind baking her a big cake, just for her?" That quickly got Kiana's attention. "Mei-senpai's going to bake me a cake? Just for me?!"
"It depends on her, Kaslana."
"I'll do it." Mei's answer was instant. "If it means helping her, I will do it." Quickly, Kiana rejoiced. "Yey! Mei's cake only just for me!" She turned to Fu Hua. "Thank you very much, Class President! I thought you just were a grumpy flat chest girl. But you are nice!"
"Y-You are welcome, Kaslana," Fu Hua's eyebrow twitched with a rasped voice. Himeko clapped her back, making her took a deep breath to shake off her bothered attitude. Adam and Mei sweatdropped at the scene.
"The Class President's method is quite helpful to a simple mind like the Idiotka," Bronya commented. Kiana didn't reply, lost in her imagination about what kind of cake Mei was going to make.
"Thank you, Zaychik, but the idea wasn't mine, rather, it's Alighieri's," she turned in his direction and nodded to him. "I commented to him my worry about Kaslana's issue and he came with the solution swiftly." Hearing her, the girls and teacher looked in the only male's direction, who was eating in silence, before stopping when he felt their stares on him. He swallowed and wiped his mouth clean with a napkin. "You're giving me too much credit, Class President. It was nothing."
"I wouldn't say that when you help someone who is struggling, like Kiana, with her studies, kid," Himeko commented a bit impressed. "Most of the time roommates complain about the others' problems and how it bothers them but not giving or looking for a way to help them." She didn't add that she thought Adam would turn out to be like that. She was glad she was mistaken.
"Wow, kid. So you're the brains, the brawn, and you cook," she smiled. Adam recognized that smile. "I guess the following up question is, are you still single?" And winked at him.
"Yes, and no thanks."
"Instant response?!"
Kiana chuckled and Fu Hua had an exasperated look, Mei looked uncomfortable and Bronya kept eating. Their reactions only ticked her off. "Afraid of going out with a woman, boy?"
"No, but I will keep enjoying my single status for the moment," he answered with a poker face. Himeko laughed mockingly. "That's what a loner says when they don't have plans or someone to spend the weekend with."
"Actually, I have plans for tomorrow," he informed. "Somehow I managed to win a prize in a raffle and I'm going to the city to pick it up."
"What did you win, Alighieri?" Adam paused for a moment to recall it. "I won an NSX23 portable console with games included."
"What?!" Kiana yelled. "That console is supposed to go on sale until this winter! How did you do it?!"
"I was lucky." He didn't mention that it was all thanks to an advanced IA.
"So unfair…" Kiana whined.
"Subject Adam is quite lucky to have won such precious item. Even the Bronya registered in the raffle and she wasn't able to win the prize," there was a slight rise in her tone but she didn't sound bothered at all.
"Let me get this straight. You have plans for tomorrow, which are to pick up a video game console and that's all?" Adam felt a sliver of annoyance when Himeko gave him a pit look. "No. I was planning to go and watch a movie, play in an arcade and maybe visit a park to relax for a bit. You know, a change of scenario."
"Then, should we wait for you Adam-kun to eat together?" Adam smiled at the gesture of appreciation. "Mei really think about all of us, huh?" He negated with his hand. "I don't think it will take me the whole afternoon, but just to be safe, you can all eat without me."
"Alright, Adam-kun. Thanks for telling us."
"Well, kid. I appreciate that you tell me this and that you don't have me asking about you tomorrow," Himeko took another bite from her food. "And remember, no funny business while you're at the city." Adam raised a brow. "Like what?"
"Oh, you know. Drink, make a fool of yourself while being drunk, pick up girls to just mess around with them and then leave them with broken promises," she listed as she resumed eating.
"Right…"
"How accurate," everyone thought.
The rest of the dinner passed in relative silence, with the occasional argument between Kiana and Bronya and Mei appeasing them, some bad jokes from Himeko, and the occasional remark from Fu Hua.
And Adam had to admit that it reminded him too much of better times. When all he had to worry about were school and his cousin's pranks, and not about survival and going insane.
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