Chapter 142 Big Duck: My head feels a bit "green" lately, what's going on?
After Senti ended her stream today, Su Mu didn't leave the Schicksal branch immediately. He checked in with Kiana, letting her chat with Fu Hua and Senti for a while, and then headed over to Theresa and Seele's side.
"Oh, is the stream over? Looks like things went smoothly."
The moment he pushed the door open, Theresa and Seele turned their gazes toward him. Theresa's gaze was somewhat playful; looking at Su Mu, there was clearly something more in her eyes.
"Seele, how did it go?" Su Mu looked at Seele inquiringly.
"Mhm.... Sister Theresa agreed to our collaboration request. The Magical Girl Teriri outfit has also been designed according to her requirements." Seele nodded obediently and handed the tablet in her arms to Su Mu.
Su Mu took the tablet and was startled by what he saw. He hadn't expected Seele to be so talented in design and drawing; in such a short time, she had managed to produce several different proposals. He suddenly understood why Elysia loved giving Seele work so much; Seele's talent would be wasted otherwise. Letting her practice and grow through work was a good thing.
"Brother Su Mu, how is it?" Seele looked at Su Mu with expectant eyes, seemingly waiting for his praise.
"Mhm, Seele worked hard.... I think this set is pretty good." Su Mu pointed to a design that closely resembled the Magical Girl outfit from his previous life. It was largely what he had imagined. Originally, he thought he might have to draw a draft himself if things didn't work out. But now it seemed unnecessary; Seele had clearly done her homework. This skin design for the collab perfectly matched Theresa's cute and lively persona...
Well, okay. Looking at the Theresa before him, who shared the same model as "Luna Vow," Su Mu tried to imagine her wearing this outfit.... it didn't seem impossible?
"....You were just looking at me with a very rude expression." Theresa looked suspicious.
Su Mu shrugged. "No, I was just thinking that in such a short time, you and Seele have become quite close."
Theresa blinked. "Close? Seele is my student, didn't you know that?"
? Su Mu really didn't know.
But on second thought, it seemed normal. Aside from being the "Star of Hope for Middle-Aged and Elderly"... no, the "top idol" Magical Girl Teriri, Theresa also served as the Principal of St. Freya Academy. Since Seele and the Duck hadn't been forced apart by experiments in this world, it was normal for them to attend school together. He had been led astray by his preconceptions; the circumstances of this world differed from the Honkai world.
Wait.... as a Principal, Theresa probably mastered the same essence as Kiana—the kind who wouldn't go back unless absolutely necessary, a pure hands-off manager. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to tour the world performing.
Hmm? So who was actually running St. Freya right now? Cecilia?
"Don't guess. It's Ragna... you're so close to Himeko, you must have heard the name?"
Theresa's answer left Su Mu stunned. He hadn't expected Ragna to be the one managing St. Freya now. He hadn't heard Himeko mention it.... Himeko often complained to him about petty school matters, but she never mentioned Ragna. It made sense upon reflection. Given Himeko's alcoholic tendencies, she was probably lectured by Ragna like a student; for a mature adult, such a thing would be too embarrassing to talk about. ...Then again, that woman didn't seem to care much about "face."
Su Mu asked curiously, "Mhm? Does she also serve as the gardening teacher?"
Now it was Theresa's turn to be shocked. "You know? She indeed serves as the gardening teacher.... Ragna is exceptionally capable, and more importantly, she has a kind and strong heart. At St. Freya, Ragna's gardening class is very popular among the students."
"Is that so? That's quite nice." Su Mu nodded, feeling a bit sentimental. Ragna had finally fulfilled her wish in this world, becoming a gardening teacher.
Theresa didn't ask how Su Mu knew about Ragna. In her eyes, since Kiana and the others graduated from St. Freya, Su Mu could have easily found out by asking around.
Su Mu then asked, "But why does Seele call you 'Sister Theresa'? Shouldn't she call you 'Teacher' or 'Principal'?"
Theresa replied righteously, "Because I told her to. Don't you think 'Teacher' sounds way too old?"
Su Mu's expression became weird. Theresa wanted him to call her "Auntie" earlier, and now Seele was calling her "Sister".... wasn't that family tree a mess?
Theresa puffed out her chest, causing quite a stir. "Ahem! Actually, if you want to call me 'Sister,' that's not impossible either."
It had to be said, the "Large Luna" version of Theresa had an incredible figure. Those "good balls" were truly something else. Especially standing next to Seele, their shapes and styles each had their merits—a feast for the eyes.
"Brother Su Mu, hmph!" Seele seemed to notice Su Mu's gaze. she pouted and crossed her arms, clearly a bit annoyed.
Su Mu coughed. "Since matters are settled, Seele and I will head back first..."
Theresa stopped him. "Hey, don't be in such a hurry. It's not often you visit; don't you have time for a chat?"
Su Mu looked at Theresa suspiciously. "Chatting" wasn't exactly work-talk. "Not necessarily.... is there something, Ms. Theresa?"
Theresa hesitated, looking somewhat awkward. After a moment, she asked: "How are things with Kiana....?"
"....?" Su Mu slowly typed a question mark.
Theresa spoke again: "I'm asking how your romance is progressing! Haven't you been taking care of Kiana lately? Did nothing happen?"
Su Mu was suddenly speechless. Case closed. Theresa's intentions weren't pure from the start; she had been aiming for this all along. Su Mu wiped sweat from his brow. "Is there any other auntie like you who pushes their niece into a 'fire pit'.... and besides, does a normal person ask that directly? How am I supposed to answer?"
Theresa's eyes widened. "Hey, hey! That's a bit heartless! I went through so much trouble to create an opportunity for you two. Shouldn't you be grateful?"
Su Mu rolled his eyes. "Grateful? Grateful that Seele and I had to spend our after-work hours at Kiana's house high-intensity educating her lazy-cancer?"
"?" Theresa froze. "You... you went with Seele? Wait, Rita didn't tell me about that—u-waah!!" She suddenly covered her mouth. Shoot! Just exposed Rita!
Su Mu sighed. "She was exposed long ago. From the first day Rita reported to me, I knew she was a supervisor sent to the company."
Looking at the silly Theresa before him, he suddenly felt the future of Schicksal was doomed.
Theresa quickly changed the subject. "Y-You brat, I finally made an opportunity for you and you didn't even cherish it! My good intentions were wasted!"
"No, I cherished it." Su Mu was innocent. He did fall in love; Theresa's efforts weren't in vain. It just wasn't with Kiana.
"Sigh.... I originally thought I could take this chance to marry off that idiot Kiana...." Theresa shook her head and sighed, clearly troubled by Kiana's status.
Su Mu asked, "I am curious, Ms. Theresa, why are you so set on setting me up with Kiana?"
Theresa sighed. "You know Kiana's personality. Cecilia and I have always worried she'd end up alone for the rest of her life.... maybe even starve to death somewhere. As her aunt, I can't watch her starve, so I wanted to find a man she could rely on.... and I thought you were pretty good. Plus, you and Kiana have feelings for each other, don't you? That kid said last time you had to get her permission to date. I thought your relationship was progressing to that point, so I wanted to be a wingman."
Seele was listening with a smile, her eyes narrowing into slits. "Oh? So Brother Su Mu needs Sister Kiana's permission to date? This is the first time Seele has heard of this."
It was the peak of summer, but Su Mu suddenly felt a chill.... Seele picked up the AC remote. "The temperature seems a bit low, don't you think, Brother Su Mu?" Though she was smiling, Su Mu felt a prickle down his spine. The little girlfriend's jealousy was flaring up; she looked like she was about to sharpen her blades. He hadn't forgotten that Seele had a bit of a yandere attribute.
Su Mu stated his position: "Ms. Theresa, romance isn't that simple. This approach only causes trouble for me—and besides, I don't think Kiana meant it like that back then...."
"Yes, Sister Theresa," Seele interjected. "Romance cannot be forced. Maybe Sister Kiana doesn't feel that way about Brother Su Mu; could you have misunderstood?"
Theresa's gaze moved back and forth between Seele and Su Mu. Then, as if reaching a realization, her expression turned very strange. "Alright.... maybe I was being too arbitrary. But Su Mu, I hope you can be good friends with that useless Kiana. With you looking after her, I can rest easy."
Su Mu didn't reply, but Seele spoke first: "Regarding that, Sister Theresa can rest assured. Brother Su Mu always looks after everyone in the company. When he takes care of Sister Kiana, it's just like an older brother."
Theresa felt a sense of "gravity" emanating from Seele, and cold sweat appeared on her brow. "I-Is that so?"
"....Seele has one thing to say, though she doesn't know if she should say it." Seele was smiling, but her eyes were completely different from before. Clearly, Black Seele had taken over the conversation. "Since Sister Theresa thinks Brother Su Mu is so outstanding, why not take some action yourself? Instead of pushing your niece, why doesn't Sister Theresa try? I remember Sister Theresa is single too, right?"
"Eh... Eh?" Theresa froze, clearly blindsided by Seele's words.
"Brother Su Mu, we should go. Don't keep Sister Kiana waiting; aren't we going to dinner together?" Seele stood up and naturally took Su Mu's hand, interlacing their fingers tightly. That intimate gesture was her way of stating her position.
Su Mu said goodbye to Theresa and left the office with Seele.
"....Eh, eh, EH??" Theresa sat in her chair, unable to snap out of it for a long time. She thought of the way Seele and Su Mu interlocked their fingers, and then of Su Mu's line about "cherishing her intentions."
So he wasn't lying. He did cherish the opportunity, but he cherished it with the wrong person!!
"A crisis... an absolute unprecedented crisis...." Theresa felt things were going south. "Now Su Mu is going to be snatched away by the Anti-Entropy side.... Kiana, why can't you be more useful!!"
Theresa leaned back, feeling exhausted. But for some reason, Seele's words kept echoing in her mind: "Why doesn't Sister Theresa try? I remember Sister Theresa is single too, right?" Her face turned beet red. It was a provocative statement, so why was she dwelling on it so much??
After leaving Theresa's office, Seele didn't immediately take Su Mu back to Kiana. She forcefully pulled him into a nearby stairwell, giving him no chance to explain before pushing him against the wall. Without a word, she began kissing him frantically. She was like a wild little beast, her movements rough, nearly biting Su Mu's tongue.
A minute later, a panting Seele leaned against Su Mu, pounding his chest with her small fists to vent her frustration. "Smelly Su Mu, bad Su Mu, I really want to throw you off this building...."
Looking at Black Seele, who had been scratching like a wildcat in his arms until she was tired—her face flushed and her breath heavy—Su Mu's eyes held a mix of helplessness and doting.
"Are you calm now?" "Hmph." Black Seele didn't answer, just clung to him like an octopus. It was as if she were afraid he would run away. "You... you know nothing is going on between me and Kiana." "Shut up! I don't want to hear your explanations, you big flirt!" "Sigh...." "Why are you sighing? If anyone's sighing, it's me! Do you know how hard you're making it for Seele!" "I was just thinking: someone wanted to set me up with Bronya, but Theresa just said a few words and that someone's jealousy blew up." "I am jealous, so what? Do you have a problem with that!"
Seeing the "fanged and clawed" Black Seele looking like a ruffled black kitten, Su Mu found her too adorable. She used to be a pure tsundere, but now, only the "dere" part seemed to remain.
"W-Why are you suddenly smiling? Disgusting!" "I just think you're too cute." Su Mu's words made Black Seele's face flush even more. "You're just saying that to make me happy, aren't you? Seele is the cute one, not me!" "Aren't you Seele?" "I-It's different.... Compared to someone like me who loses her temper and causes trouble, you definitely like the gentle Seele more..."
Black Seele's words made Su Mu pause. He realized she was feeling insecure. Though they were one, they weren't identical. To Black Seele, she carried Seele's inner darkness and negative emotions.... Perhaps in her eyes, her existence was more like an anomaly. She might not even consider herself "human." She had always been insecure.
Facing such a Black Seele, Su Mu reached out and, imitating Fu Hua's finger-flick technique, tapped her forehead.
"Ouch! W-What are you doing!!" Black Seele clutched her forehead, her eyes watery as she looked at Su Mu. "Oh? Now you want to pull up your pants and ignore the debt?" Su Mu wiped a non-existent tear, putting on a heartbroken look. "You were the one who kissed me first, right? You were the one who confessed first, right? And now you're being so cold and heartless. Wuu-wuu!" Black Seele couldn't help but complain: "Hey! Who actually says 'wuu-wuu' out loud! Do you have no sense of shame!" "I have shame, but my wife doesn't want me." "W-Who doesn't want you!" Black Seele panicked. "I never said that.... and w-who is your wife!" "There you go." Su Mu immediately performed a face-change, becoming serious in a split second. "?" "You want me, I want you—aren't you my wife?" "You...." Black Seele tried to speak, but Su Mu placed his hand on her head. "I like you better when you're being a brat." "Who are you calling a brat!!" "Mhm, that's more energetic. The tragic drama routine doesn't suit you at all." "You bastard, you're just making fun of me!!"
Black Seele extended her small fists, pounding Su Mu's chest, but the strength was minimal. It was more like a couple's banter. Su Mu didn't dodge, just accepted it happily.
"Hmph.... thank you." "Mhm?" "I thought you'd try to comfort me like Sister Bronya.... even though your way makes me want to hit you."
Using another method to prove that Black Seele was also a living person—she was part of Seele, but also an independent personality with her own joys and sorrows. For this Black Seele, Su Mu didn't use direct words of comfort. His seemingly careless joke gave her a sense of being cherished. This feeling made Black Seele's heart feel warm.
"Then shouldn't you show some gratitude? Something tangible?" "You greedy man." Black Seele's mouth showed disdain, but her body moved honestly. This time, however, she kissed him on the cheek. Su Mu looked disappointed. "?" Black Seele grit her teeth. "Don't misunderstand. That was the thanks. Now... for the punishment!"
The wildcat pounced on Su Mu. This kiss, however, lacked the previous anxiety and mania. What remained was only a young girl's most sincere affection.
During lunch at the cafeteria: Bronya rubbed her temples, feeling tired. For some reason, her sleep hadn't been restful lately. It felt like someone was constantly repeating "I'm sorry, I'm sorry" in her ear.... I'm sorry? Was someone doing something they shouldn't? But when she woke up, there was no one beside her except the sleeping Seele. Was she having weird dreams? Or had something happened that she didn't know about? She searched her memories but found nothing. So what was with the "I'm sorry"? Strange. Had Kiana caused trouble outside again and used miHoYo's name? That would certainly warrant an "I'm sorry."
At that moment, Carole, sitting across from Bronya, waved her hand. "Bronya-senpai, what are you thinking about?"
Bronya shook her head. "Nothing. Carole, do you feel that Seele and Su Mu's relationship has gotten quite good lately?"
"? Really? I guess? Haha...." Carole gave a dry laugh. Quite good? They were practically eating each other earlier! But she couldn't say that, which made holding it in incredibly difficult!
"It's a good thing." Bronya didn't notice Carole's abnormality and smiled faintly. "Seele hasn't really had friends.... Having an excellent friend like Su Mu will surely let her learn a lot through his influence."
Carole didn't know how to respond. Sister Bronya, I can see you admire Director Su. But aren't you a bit too relaxed about Seele? Right now, your precious sister and the man you like are probably being intimate somewhere.
Just then, Bronya received a call. "Mother Cocolia? Yes, alright, I understand. I'll give you an answer later."
After hanging up, Bronya's expression turned peculiar. "Senpai, what happened?" "Mother Cocolia... she wants to see me, and she wants me to bring Su Mu along...."
Carole's eyes widened in shock. "W-Wait, isn't that... m-m-meeting the parents?!"
END OF CHAPTER
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