"Please... don't leave me..."
Michael's prolonged silence must have unsettled Mei, for she repeated her plea, her voice choked with a sob. This time, Michael couldn't—and had no reason to—ignore her.
He walked over to her and raised his hand, as if to pat her head, but ultimately let it fall back to his side.
"You silly girl, I haven't even finished talking," he said. "Even if you don't want me to stay, that's just your side of the story. I'm sticking by you whether you like it or not."
Mei blinked, finding his words rather amusing. The first half sounded like a concerned elder, but the second half had the roguish, almost tsundere-like petulance of a peer.
Regardless, Michael's message was clear, and a smile finally graced her lips.
It was strange, she thought. She had known Michael for less than two days; by all rights, they shouldn't be this close.
But she could feel the emotion emanating from him. Girls have always been sensitive to such things, and she could tell that Michael genuinely cared for her. Even with her father's downfall, he chose to stay, not out of obligation, but because he truly wanted to be by her side.
That was enough to move her. Whether Michael's words were true or false didn't matter in the slightest to her now; it was the last thing she wanted to think about.
Then again, wasn't that idiot Kiana the same?
Michael understood this, of course. And because he understood, he couldn't help but let a sliver of sympathy show.
Mei's thoughts weren't so complicated. All she wanted was for someone—anyone—to stay with her after her father's accident, not just vanish without a word.
She was afraid. Afraid that everyone had only been nice to her because of her father, and that the moment he was gone, they would scatter like birds, leaving her all alone in a desolate world.
But if someone was willing to stay, even just one or two, and even if Michael's reasons were tied to her father... for the Mei of today, that was more than enough.
After all, at her core, she was a kind girl who always thought of others.
Still, there was one more problem...
"I... um... can't support..."
Mei mumbled, her expression a mess of conflict. Michael didn't need the power of Sentience to guess what was troubling her.
"Alright, you can just treat most of that adoption agreement as scrap paper. As for what to call me... funny enough, I don't like being called 'Father,' 'Dad,' 'Adoptive Father,' or anything of the sort. So, why don't you call me... 'Teacher'? Come on, let me hear you say it."
"Huh?"
Mei looked puzzled, wondering if she'd heard him correctly. After a brief moment of eye contact, she couldn't read much, but she could tell he was dead serious about one thing: he genuinely disliked any title related to "father."
"Well... Teacher Michael... Actually, I think 'Mr. Michael' sounds more natural. Is that okay?"
Michael's lips twitched. He threw his hands up in a shrug.
"Come on, I was just kidding. With what happened at ME Corp, you, as their former princess, are under intense media scrutiny. I'd rather the world not know about our relationship. It wouldn't be good for you."
"Then..."
"So can't you just call me Michael? Why do you have to be so formal? You trying to make me sound old?"
"Pfft—"
Mei covered her mouth and let out a light laugh. She laughed so hard that tears started to form in her eyes.
Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she said softly, "Michael... you don't have to try so hard to make me laugh next time."
"..."
"Okay," Mei said, rubbing her cheeks and forcing a bittersweet smile. "Back at lunch, you gave your noodles to Kiana, so you must be hungry. There should be some food in the fridge. I'll go see what I can make..."
She glanced up at Michael, a little insecure, and added a disclaimer. "Um... I haven't really cooked much before. If you don't like it, you have to tell me."
"Pfft!" Michael shook his head, let out a helpless sigh, and gently pushed Mei, who was about to stand up, back down.
"Alright, you just stay here and rest. Kiana should be back soon. I sent her out to buy a bunch of good stuff."
"Ah... oh... okay."
Mei gave a sheepish smile and sat back down on the edge of the bed.
Michael's gaze lingered on her for a few seconds before he guiltily looked away.
Mei glanced up at him, feeling a little wronged. Yesterday had been fine, but today, whenever they were alone, a strange awkwardness and distance hung in the air.
Maybe it's because of that adoption agreement?
They really didn't know each other well. To have their fates suddenly tied together by a piece of paper... even if neither of them rejected the idea, it was bound to create some awkwardness and temporary distance. At least, that's what Mei thought.
"Ahem... ahem!" Michael cleared his throat, covering his lips with his fist. He then pulled a bank card and its corresponding passbook from his seemingly bottomless pocket and handed them to Mei.
"This is..."
"Two million US dollars that your father managed to liquidate. It's all yours. With this money and this mansion, you honestly don't have to go back to Chiba Academy. Barring any major catastrophes, this is enough to last you a lifetime. If you invest it wisely, you could even multiply it several times over. Of course, the choice is yours."
Mei hesitated for a moment before handing the card and passbook back to Michael.
"I can't accept this. I still want to try."
Michael nodded slightly. That unwillingness wasn't just about leaving Chiba Academy in disgrace; it was also about not wanting to live a life of leisure while her father was imprisoned.
As for Michael's mention of "barring any major catastrophes," Mei didn't pay it much mind. For most people in the world, the Honkai was still a distant legend. No one could have imagined that the countdown for the world's fate had already begun.
Michael silently put the items back in his pocket and said, half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Alright, since you've made your decision, let's make a promise. You'll live strong at Chiba Academy, and I'll use this money to investigate the ME Corp fraud case. If your father was truly framed, I will clear his name and reunite you two. Deal?"
With that, Michael extended his hand to Mei.
Mei didn't hesitate this time, but instead of an adult handshake, she held out her pinky finger.
"Who makes a promise with a handshake? Shouldn't it be a pinky promise?"
Though a hint of sadness still lingered in her eyes, it didn't stop her from pouting in dissatisfaction.
But seeing the unprecedented gravity on Michael's face, Mei immediately dropped her playful demeanor. Even she could tell that he wasn't joking in the slightest.
"Mei, you may not be old enough, but after something like this, you have to grow up. A pinky promise is a ritual for children. A handshake signifies an unbreakable promise between adults. Understand?"
Mei's fingertips trembled slightly. Then, with perfect form, she gently clasped Michael's four fingers with her own.
"Alright, promise made. Kiana's about to be back. I'll go to the kitchen and get things ready. She'll bring some snacks up first."
He turned around, feigning nonchalance, as the muscles in his cheek twitched.
In truth, it didn't matter if it was a handshake or a pinky promise; he didn't care. It was just... he still had another "promise" yet to be fulfilled. If she had to choose between a pinky promise and a handshake as a testament to their pact, Michael believed she would have certainly chosen the pinky promise.
As for his promise to Mei, Michael had no intention of keeping it. In a few weeks, or a few months at most, once Cocolia had full control of Anti-Entropy's Far East Branch, it would be time to activate the Gem of Conquest.
When that happened, the Third Honkai Eruption would devastate Nagazora City, turning it into a dead zone in an instant. Raiden Ryoma would probably be safer in prison. With his skills, escaping wouldn't be too difficult, and besides, Anti-Entropy's main branch would surely mount a rescue. Michael's intervention was completely unnecessary.
Bang!
The sound of the door closing was a little too loud, as if reflecting the turmoil in the heart of the one who closed it. But Mei didn't notice. The moment Michael turned his back, the smile on her face vanished. She curled into a ball, burying her face between her knees.
Sadness was like a downpour that soaked you to the bone before you even realized it was raining. Afterward, no matter how much you towel off, it takes a long, long time for the dampness to fade. Even if you use a hairdryer, a faint humidity clings to you.
And even with enough time, does the moisture ever truly disappear? Of course not. Some of it is absorbed by the skin, seeping into the body, hidden from view but there all the same.
Sadness was just that clinging. No matter how you try to cope, it can't be dispelled in a short time. And even when it's "dispelled," it leaves an indelible mark on your destiny.
On this point, Mei felt she was an expert now.
And on this point, Michael, standing just on the other side of the door, felt he was even more of an expert.
He stepped out of the mansion, and the warm glow of the early winter sunset instantly enveloped him, stirring up a cascade of memories.
Dusk. Another dusk, but it was so much more than that.
It was the cold milk tea she pressed against his swollen cheek. It was the brooch his trembling hands failed to pin to her chest. It was the mist of blood that filled the air.
All of it felt like it happened an eternity ago, yet it was as fresh as yesterday.
So, to ensure those memories—both warm and unbearable—were not betrayed, what did it matter if he committed a few sins, betrayed a few promises?
If one person could shoulder all the world's evils to make it a better place, then let him bear them all. But alas, that was nothing more than a childish fantasy.
He squinted, taking in a breath of the cool air, just as Kiana's boisterous voice called out.
"Uncle Michael! I'm back!"
Michael, who was just about to descend the steps of the mansion, stumbled at her words and nearly tumbled down.
Winter days grew dark quickly. It had been dusk when they left the school, but by the time they returned to the orphanage that served as their base, the sky had turned to night, with only the western horizon showing a purplish crimson.
Rozaliya and Liliya, having slept through the day at school, were now brimming with energy. They laughed as they threw open the orphanage gates and dashed inside.
Sin Mal glanced back at the two figures dawdling behind, stomped her foot in annoyance, but ultimately chose to chase after the twins.
Of course, Bronya wasn't intentionally walking so slowly. In her own words, "The time it takes to walk from here to the orphanage gate is long enough for me to strangle someone with a pair of stockings."
But who could blame her, when Seele was holding her arm, her head resting gently on Bronya's shoulder?
Perhaps Bronya had been too neglectful during the day, absent from the classroom all morning to complete her mission. Seele was likely trying to make up for that lost time together.
The two girls remained in that posture until they reached the sign for the orphanage. Bronya turned her head, but before she could speak, Seele let go, took a small step back, and smiled.
"Bronya-oneechan, Seele is going to go do her homework now. After you report to Mama Cocolia, please come and play with Seele, okay?"
Bronya tried to suppress her smile, but the corners of her lips insisted on turning up. She feigned a look of weary resignation and shook her head slowly. "You're impossible... but... alright."
"Thank you, Bronya-oneechan!"
Seele lunged forward again, but only for a quick, light hug, before she turned and left with a smile.
Bronya didn't head straight for Mama Cocolia's office. Instead, she watched Seele's back disappear down the end of the hallway. Unlike Natasha, who was a mentor, a friend, and sometimes a sister, Seele was her first true friend of the same age.
It was strange. Books always said that people with common interests become friends, but that didn't seem to apply to them.
Perhaps the bonds between people couldn't be summarized by cold text and theories.
And... although there was no proof, Bronya always felt that her relationship with Seele wasn't so "simple." It was just a feeling, as if they shared some deeper connection that hadn't yet been revealed.
But as she turned to walk toward Cocolia's office, a startling thought popped into her head:
"A distance of twenty meters. Considering my wrist still can't fully handle the recoil of a Tokarev pistol, I should aim for her left waist to ensure the bullet hits her heart."
Bronya slapped a hand to her forehead. "Damned occupational hazard."
She leaned against the wall, taking a few deep breaths, before raising her hand to knock on Cocolia's door.
"Hm? Bronya, you're back."
Bronya's eyes darted, effortlessly catching the undisguised delight in Cocolia's expression. Not that Cocolia was trying to hide it.
From experience, she knew this unabashed joy wasn't because of their return from school. It wasn't that Cocolia wouldn't be happy to see her adopted daughters, but for her, that kind of "joy" was an emotion that could be suppressed at will, that didn't need to be shown, and could be discarded at any moment.
Considering the rumors at school that day, it wasn't hard to guess the reason for her current happiness.
"What's the situation with ME Corp?" Bronya raised an eyebrow, her question direct and undisguised.
Cocolia smiled faintly. Bronya's attitude was just like Natasha's. They were mercenaries dependent on her, yet they showed no signs of subservience. Perhaps it was the confidence of a true expert...
Of course, for this adopted daughter, whose abilities were nearly on par with Natasha's and who, due to her youth, had even greater potential (and was easier to manipulate), Cocolia didn't plan to hide much. Sharing certain secrets was a good way to strengthen their bond.
"Raiden Ryoma confessed to his crimes. Anyone can see he's taking the fall for ME Corp, but that doesn't matter. We've achieved our goal. Anti-Entropy's Far East Branch is now without a leader. Tomorrow, we'll move in forcefully. Once we deal with the opposition here, we'll send a message to HQ. As long as the Alliance leaders aren't fools, they'll grit their teeth and accept our takeover of the Far East Branch."
Cocolia paused for a moment. "Then, we must begin the X-10 experiment that was previously delayed."
Bronya's jaw tightened. Perhaps knowing that some words were useless, she ultimately chose to remain silent.
But even unsaid, her attitude was palpable.
Cocolia's eyelids drooped as she leaned forward over her desk.
"So, since the mission against Raiden Ryoma is complete, does that mean we no longer need to surveil Raiden Mei?"
"I know what you're thinking, Bronya." Cocolia understood Bronya's dissatisfaction—if she was going to take down Raiden Ryoma so suddenly this morning, why send her to watch Raiden Mei at all?
Cocolia twirled a fountain pen between her fingers before explaining. "First, setting aside her connection to ME Corp, Raiden Mei is still a target. If you're asking why... she has the Gem of Conquest implanted in her body. Is that reason enough?"
"Is... is that true? But she looks no different from a normal person..."
Bronya's eyes widened, as if trying to physically contain her shock. She knew she was one of the subjects of the X-10 experiment. While she didn't yet understand what this "Gem" was, she remembered the looks the people in white coats gave her—as if they were looking at a dead person. She knew that implanting a "Gem" into one's body was a fatal procedure.
"So that's how it is. I understand. I will continue to monitor her." Bronya nodded, but a strange sense of shared sorrow, of seeing a reflection of her own fate, washed over her.
"You... I haven't even told you the second reason yet." Cocolia took a sip of her coffee, a rare look of concern on her face. "Second, when I woke up this morning, I hadn't actually planned to move against Raiden Ryoma so soon. I hadn't even had time to confirm the specific requirements for the forged ledgers with my inside contact."
"Huh? What?" Bronya uttered, unable to hide her confusion.
"The truth is, this time, I basically won without lifting a finger." Cocolia threw up her hands. "Bronya, what I'm about to tell you might sound like something out of a fairytale, but it's the truth. When I woke up, there was a USB drive on my pillow. It was filled with financial records detailing Raiden Ryoma's fraud. If I didn't know what kind of man my colleague was, I would have thought it was all real."
"The USB drive just appeared? You don't know who did it?"
If that were true, it was terrifying. It meant at least two things:
First, this person could easily take Cocolia's life without alerting anyone around her.
Second, by remaining anonymous, they clearly weren't acting out of pure altruism. Given Cocolia's methods, it was unlikely they were repaying a kindness.
That left only one possibility: this person was watching the conflict between Cocolia and Raiden Ryoma and deliberately pushed it forward because it served their own interests. In that case, both the overt player, Raiden Ryoma, and the hidden one, Cocolia, were merely pawns on their board.
"That's right. I actually showed some mercy. The files on the USB drive pointed the finger directly at Raiden Ryoma. I spent an hour editing them to incriminate all of ME Corp instead. I suppose that's the least I could do for a colleague, right?"
Cocolia tried to change the subject, but Bronya wasn't about to fall for it. However, just as she took a step forward to press the issue, the phone on Cocolia's desk rang.
"Hm?" Cocolia glanced at the screen, her brow furrowing instantly. Seeing this, Bronya obediently held her breath and moved closer, trying to overhear.
"Hsssss—"
A burst of static came from the receiver first, like a bad signal, but not quite.
"Hello? Natasha, what are you—"
"Oh? So the girl's name is Natasha."
The female voice on the other end was cold and viscous. It felt like a serpent's tongue had flickered against her ear. Just that short sentence sent a wave of goosebumps across Cocolia's entire body.
"Who is this?"
Cocolia shivered, her eyes darting around the room. She knew she was alone with Bronya, but the moment she closed her eyes, a pair of emerald green snake pupils materialized in her mind, filled with faint killing intent and mockery, staring right at her.
"Who I am isn't important. But here's a word of advice. The girl named Natasha is on the rooftop of the department store opposite the former ME Corp president's mansion in the Yamate district. You'd best send someone to pick her up for treatment. And another word of advice—I don't want to see anyone watching that mansion again. Next time, it won't be settled with just a broken arm and two ribs."