Siberian Region, Cocolia's Orphanage.
It had snowed the night before. Seen from a distance, the orphanage looked as if it had been covered in velvet.
Early in the morning, several girls were already active in the orphanage's courtyard.
One of them had purple hair and golden pupils, with a peculiar set of shark-like teeth. She was currently hugging an enormous broom, sweeping away the remaining snow in the courtyard.
Not far away, a pink-haired and a blue-haired girl were wielding shovels, clearing the snow to the sides of the path.
They were preparing to clear a path through the snow-covered courtyard.
Aponia set down her broom and exhaled a puff of white breath.
Looking ahead, pink-haired Rosalia and blue-haired Lilia were diligently pushing snow to the sides of the path.
Aponia nodded with satisfaction. "You two didn't slack off today. That deserves praise."
Hearing this, Rosalia tossed the snow on her small shovel off to the side and pouted.
"Sin Mal, you're even more like a mom than Mom Cocolia."
Sin Mal said nothing, just hugging her broom and clearing the remaining snow on the path.
Soon, a path was cleared through the snow-covered courtyard.
"Alright, today's duty is done." Sin Mal set down her broom.
Rosalia and Lilia similarly tossed down their shovels.
Then, the more lively Rosalia sidled up to Sin Mal and said with a grin: "Today was supposed to be me and Lilia's duty. It's really so nice that Sin Mal came to help."
"I was just worried you two idiots would mess everything up. Don't read into it."
Hearing Aponia's answer, the expressionless deadpan-faced Lilia commented:
"Classic tsundere character setting."
Sin Mal instantly flared up, shot her a glare, and waved her hand impatiently.
"I said don't read into it. Go eat breakfast, or if you miss the mealtime I won't help you find food..."
Then the three headed together to the dining room.
Sin Mal got herself a breakfast.
A bowl of steaming oatmeal, cooked in milk, mixed with nuts and jam, sweetened with honey.
Several slices of rye bread spread with butter, paired with sliced sausage.
Just as she was about to fill her stomach, she saw Rosalia and Lilia hugging a beautifully crafted box, squeezing secretively up beside her.
Sin Mal looked up, not understanding what these two were up to.
"What are you doing?"
Rosalia's face showed conflict, but her hands didn't stop. She opened the box, and a sweet fragrance wafted out.
Inside was an entire cake decorated with cherries.
"Sin Mal, cherry cake. Let's eat together."
Looking at what was inside, Sin Mal froze. "Where did you get this?"
This orphanage was built in an extremely remote location, and supplies weren't particularly abundant. The nearest town was quite a distance away. How did they get a cake?
"The supply truck came this morning and brought a lot of things."
"Big Sister Bronya sent gifts to everyone in the orphanage. Mine is cherry jam and cherry cake, and Lilia's is blueberry jam and blueberry cake."
"Your gift has already been placed on your bed. It's many fairy tale books..."
"Bronya..." Repeating the name, the displeasure on Sin Mal's face gradually grew.
She felt that ever since this name arrived at the orphanage, everyone's attention had been taken away from her—including Mom Cocolia.
This made her feel somewhat wronged. She had been here first!
"You two... just call her big sister like that? I don't think she's any older than us, is she?"
Rosalia gnawed on her cake, cream still on the corners of her mouth. Hearing Sin Mal's words, she looked at her with an innocent expression.
"But she bought us cherry cake~"
Lilia also raised her small hand. "And blueberry cake."
Sin Mal got frustrated and said in exasperation: "Just a few pieces of cake, and she's already bought you two off?"
Rosalia and Lilia exchanged glances, then decisively nodded.
Sin Mal was speechless and buried her face in both hands.
"You two little idiots..."
Soon, after a lively breakfast, Cocolia's communication came through.
"Sin Mal, how has the orphanage been lately?" Seeing the three of them on the other end, Cocolia asked in a gentle tone.
"Supplies have been sufficient during this period. Everyone's daily life and studies are fine. Mom Cocolia doesn't need to worry."
"That's good. Knowing you're all safe is Mom's greatest fortune."
Sin Mal was just about to ask about Cocolia's life in the Far East, when she saw a girl with silver-gray spiral twin-tails leap into Cocolia's arms and politely smiled at them.
"Good morning. Did you receive my gifts?"
"Wow, it's Big Sister Bronya!" the twins exclaimed.
This made Sin Mal involuntarily frown. She always felt something was wrong with this person called Bronya, and even felt she had ulterior motives toward Mom Cocolia.
The rejection rising in her heart was unreasonable, but Aponia trusted her instincts—they had always been very accurate.
"Hmph!" In response to Bronya's greeting, she let out a cold snort and turned her head away.
Cocolia smiled helplessly and said: "Sin Mal, you mustn't be rude to Big Sister Bronya~"
Sin Mal's eyes went wide, and she asked in disbelief: "Mom Cocolia, why do I have to call her big sister?"
"Bronya looks a bit younger than you, but she's actually older in age, so of course she's your big sister."
Sin Mal was just about to say something when she saw Bronya, in Cocolia's arms, make a face at her from outside Cocolia's field of vision.
Sin Mal's eyes went wide and she immediately pointed at Bronya.
"Mom Cocolia, look! She's making faces at you!"
At this moment, Bronya turned around, looking perfectly well-behaved.
Watching Bronya's well-behaved expression, Cocolia said to Sin Mal: "Sin Mal, good children mustn't tell lies."
And at this moment, Sin Mal saw that after turning around, Bronya made a face at her again.
Aponia felt she was about to explode with anger.
"Mom Cocolia, look! She did it again!"
But what Cocolia saw was still Bronya's well-behaved expression.
Sin Mal, furious, immediately pulled Rosalia and Lilia over.
"Rosalia, Lilia, quickly help me be a witness!"
The twins exchanged glances, both noticing each other's eyes drifting away. They both felt getting involved would be quite unpleasant.
So, exchanging glances, they decided... to bolt!
"Ah... I remember my homework isn't finished yet." Rosalia casually shuffled several steps to the side, quickly running outside. "I'll go do my homework first. You all chat slowly."
Lilia, wearing her expressionless deadpan face, said in all seriousness: "Rosalia is so dumb, she'll definitely need tutoring. I'll go teach her."
And so Lilia also ran off.
Watching the twins scatter with impressive speed, Sin Mal opened and closed her mouth.
She suddenly turned her head and saw Bronya was still making faces at her. Fury made her bite down hard on her shark-like teeth.
Cocolia didn't notice anything amiss, thinking Sin Mal was afraid of being pushed aside now that she had Bronya. She comforted her: "Sin Mal, don't worry. Mom won't show favoritism."
Aponia was ready to explode.
"Bronya, you little... I will definitely expose your true face!"
Hearing this, Bronya immediately curled up in Cocolia's arms, looking frightened, with glistening tears even welling up in her eyes.
"Mom Cocolia, Sin Mal is bullying me..."
Cocolia sighed, hugged Bronya, and said to Sin Mal: "Sin Mal, a little sister mustn't bully her big sister."
"..."
Sin Mal gritted her teeth hard. She felt she had completely fallen into Bronya's rhythm.
She took a deep breath, pulling herself out of the other party's pace, then glared fiercely at Bronya and gave her a look—she was certain this creature could understand it.
—Just you wait. I will definitely expose your disguise to Mom Cocolia!
And Bronya returned a cute smile—the smile of victory.
After the communication ended, Cocolia put down Bronya from her arms and comforted her: "Bronya, Sin Mal isn't a bad child. She just isn't good at expressing her feelings. Promise Mom you won't be angry with her, alright?"
"I can feel what's in Sin Mal's heart. Although she appears very exclusive, she's actually someone who cares deeply about feelings." Bronya clenched her fist and pumped herself up. "I'll try to melt her heart little by little."
Cocolia couldn't help feeling moved. "Bronya is so thoughtful. It would be wonderful if Sin Malcould be as easy to handle as you."
Hearing this, Bronya lowered her head, the corners of her mouth revealing a smile of mission accomplished.
As the eldest in the orphanage, establishing authority was essential. A mere Sin Mal? She could handle her with one hand tied behind her back!
But just as Bronya was secretly pleased with herself, she heard Cocolia say:
"Bronya, go change your clothes. Come with Mom to a dinner gathering later."
During this period she had already accompanied Cocolia to quite a few social engagements, and each time had gotten to eat plenty of good food. So Bronya didn't express any refusal.
"Can I wear the dress Mom gave me a few days ago?"
"No need to dress so formally. This time it's not a formal banquet, just accepting an invitation to a family dinner."
Hearing this, Bronya's right eyelid twitched abruptly, and a bad feeling suddenly arose in her heart.
Then she heard:
"Ryoma has invited us over to his home for a meal. Apparently his daughter Mei is not only brilliantly talented in scientific research, but her culinary talent is even more remarkable. I'm really looking forward to seeing what dishes she'll make~"
Watching the anticipation Cocolia showed, Bronya's little face stiffened, and cold sweat poured out.
She knew perfectly well how terrifying the things Mei made were. They were things even Lucius couldn't withstand.
"Mom Cocolia, I suddenly realized I'm not very hungry..."
"Bronya, when we've promised someone something, we must follow through. Since we've already agreed, we can't go back on our word~"
"Besides, Uncle Ryoma specifically asked to meet you. He just saved you not long ago—we can't let him lose face."
Hearing these words, Bronya knew this tribulation was probably unavoidable. Her little face became bitter.
Could this be what they called karma?
She had just finished bullying Sin Mal, and now it was her turn to suffer misfortune?
After thinking about it, she took out her communicator and reserved two hospital beds.
Hopefully they wouldn't end up being needed...
At Mei's home, Lucius sat on the sofa, listening to the clanging sounds coming from the kitchen.
That was Mei preparing dinner for the upcoming gathering.
As for why he had invited Cocolia and Bronya to dinner...
Lucius looked at the system panel.
[Mission: Complete the First Gathering of the Starter Trio, Reward: A-rank Stigmata Selection Box, Crystals 300]
[Mission Status: Incomplete]
Now that he had found all three characters—Kiana, Raiden Mei, and Bronya—he naturally needed to claim the corresponding reward.
All it required was having the starter trio interact with each other. Coming to eat at Mei's place would do.
As for why it specifically had to be here rather than somewhere like KFC or McDonald's...
Obviously, it was to also conveniently claim the 10 crystals from eating Mei's cooking!
If he chose somewhere else, wouldn't he lose those 10 crystals?
Cocolia hadn't refused the invitation to come for dinner and had readily agreed to bring Bronya along.
The Kiana side, however, was a bit more troublesome.
After learning that the Ryoma who had always been inviting her to Mei's home for meals was actually Lucius in disguise, Kiana had decided she would never come to Mei's home for meals again.
But as her good brother, how could Lucius possibly watch her run off alone?
One sentence about this all being "script" requirements, and he dragged her over.
Now the preliminary work was complete. All that remained was waiting for the guests to arrive and claiming the rewards.
And soon, Kiana, Cocolia, and Bronya arrived one after another.
Everyone chatted leisurely, waiting for Mei to finish preparing the food.
However, none of those present had noticed that Mei, as the chef of this gathering, was not in as wonderful a mood as her face suggested.
In the kitchen, Mei stood before the cutting board. On the cutting board lay a cleaned fish, and her eyes flickered with an eerie light.
In Mei's hand was a finely polished kitchen cleaver. The girl's delicate features were reflected in the blade's surface.
Looking at herself in the blade's surface with her gloomy expression, Mei closed her eyes.
Not long ago she had discovered her father was enthusiastically inviting Kiana to come eat at home. She had even briefly feared that things might develop in the worst direction she could imagine—gaining a stepmother!
Once the thought of Kiana possibly becoming her mother crossed her mind, Mei felt as if her brain was being assaulted.
Something like this, something like this absolutely must not happen!
But fortunately, after observation over this period of time, Mei had found that although Kiana would occasionally glance at her father during meals, there were no excessive behaviors beyond that, nor any other improper conduct in private.
Her father was also only enthusiastic about inviting Kiana to eat at home, with no further actions, which made her feel relieved.
Perhaps Kiana was just rather reserved, afraid of being impolite, and therefore occasionally watched her father's expression.
And her father being so enthusiastic might be because Kiana was the daughter of his friend—a kind of concern for the next generation.
Indeed, her best friend Kiana was pure and clean, not having betrayed her trust.
It was she herself who had been overly sensitive, imagining things in the worst possible direction.
But just as she was preparing to completely let this matter go, she heard that her father was actually planning to invite Cocolia to their home as a guest, causing Mei's brain to shut down once again.
If it were for business, there were many places to discuss it. And those invited to one's home as guests must necessarily have an extremely close relationship. Could it be that Father...
Thinking of this, Mei's expression became extremely gloomy.
Her hand rose and the cleaver fell on the cutting board, the blade flashing as it descended. Fish body and fish head were separated.
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