53: Chapter 50 You're having an affair?

The rain in the second half of the night was like an uninvited ex-girlfriend; it came whenever it wanted and was endless.

Kaiwen had just crawled out of the back door of the old teaching building when the cold rain smashed right into her face. In just the blink of an eye, the entire gravel path was drenched, leaving only a patch of pale moonlight in a puddle flickering stubbornly.

The iron gate behind her closed once more.

Earlier, Theresa had originally planned to have the researchers carry all three people away, but considering that Kaiwen had called Bronya out to send a message, she casually took Bronya under her own care and had the researchers send only Monitor Fu Hua and Nagi back to the dormitory.

I have to say, Far East's short-acting hypnotic black technology was truly impressive, and Bronya was sleeping very soundly.

Fortunately this was in Saint Freya; if it were anywhere else...

The rain grew denser and denser.

Soda, the orange cat, was curled up on Bronya's stomach.

Kaiwen didn't dare let Soda go back to the dormitory with Nagi; in case the cat got lost halfway, she would have to spend half a day looking for it tomorrow.

The road from the back mountain to the dormitory area wasn't very far, but walking while holding a person made it much slower.

By the time Kaiwen walked to the entrance of the apartment, the black hoodie on her body was already soaked through by the rain.

However, she protected Bronya very well, and even the fur of the orange cat in Bronya's arms wasn't very wet.

Kaiwen let out a breath and gently kicked the door open with her foot.

The door was ajar and opened at the touch of a foot.

In an instant, a wave of warmth rushed toward her face.

A small, warm yellow lamp was lit in the living room.

Mei was sitting on the sofa, holding a half-read book in her hands with her head leaning against the backrest.

On the dining table behind her were two inverted plates covering something.

Hearing the commotion of the door opening, Mei immediately raised her head.

Seeing Kaiwen standing in the entryway, drenched to the skin, she quickly put down the book and walked over.

Mei first reached out to touch Kaiwen's cold cheeks, then pressed against her forehead.

Fortunately, she wasn't having a fever.

Then she bent down and carefully took Bronya from Kaiwen's arms.

Soda was squeezed a bit, jumped down to the ground reluctantly, shook its fur, and then found a corner to lie down by itself.

Mei carried Bronya into the bedroom, and after a short while, she walked out again holding a towel, directly draping it over Kaiwen's shoulders.

"What happened to Bronya?"

"She's fine." Kaiwen wiped her face with the towel. "Bronya is young, and after being tossed around until midnight she was too sleepy to bear it, so she found a chair and fell asleep."

Mei glanced at her without pressing further.

She walked over to the dining table, lifted the inverted plates, and carried them into the microwave.

Mei rummaged through the cabinet for a clean pair of pajamas and handed them to Kaiwen. "Change into these first."

The moment she took the clothes, Mei's fingers paused imperceptibly.

Under the warm yellow light, she silently pinched out a long hair from the neckline of the hoodie that obviously did not belong to Kaiwen.

A flash of dimness swept across the depths of Mei's eyes, but she didn't question her; she just casually brushed away that hair and hung up the wet clothes.

"You must be hungry, come over and eat."

Kaiwen sat down.

Mei stood behind her, picked up the towel draped over the back of the chair, and began to help wipe her hair.

The movements were very gentle, smoothing all the way from the top of her head to the ends of her hair.

"Is it delicious?"

"Delicious."

Mei continued wiping her hair, falling quiet for a moment.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Her voice was very soft, but Kaiwen could hear Mei's grievance within it.

"...Sorry, I came back late."

Mei didn't answer.

She draped the towel over Kaiwen's shoulders, walked around to the other side of the table and sat down, resting her chin in her hands and quietly watching Kaiwen eat.

The warm yellow light fell on her face, making her look extremely focused.

Kaiwen felt a bit uncomfortable being watched like this and gave a dry cough. "Aren't you going to rest?"

"I'll rest after you finish eating." Mei smiled, pushing the warm milk closer to Kaiwen. "Go take a hot shower right after you're done. You've been out in the rain for so long, it won't do if you catch a cold tomorrow."

Mei got up to clear away the bowls and chopsticks, and when she walked to the kitchen, she said with her back to Kaiwen:

"Don't stay out in the rain for so long next time."

Pausing for a moment, her tone mixed with an indescribable heaviness:

"I will worry."

Kaiwen looked at Mei's busy back and said nothing.

Inside the bathroom, steam was swirling.

The warm water washed away her coldness and fatigue. Kaiwen leaned against the tiles, her fingertips involuntarily touching the corners of her lips.

Asakura Miyuki used real force; her mouth still had a numb sensation now.

After taking a shower and changing into dry clothes to lie on the bed, Kaiwen stared blankly at the ceiling for a while before closing her eyes.

Early the next morning.

Kaiwen was woken up by the sound of the morning news on the living room TV.

Pushing open the door, Kiana was still sitting on the sofa watching the morning news.

Moreover, today Bronya woke up early as well and was sitting in front of the dining table.

"Morning, Bronya," Kaiwen pulled out a chair and sat down. "How are you feeling?"

Bronya blinked. "Bronya's physical condition is good, but the Remembrance after arriving at the old teaching building last night is a bit blurry."

"You were too sleepy in the second half of the night and fell right asleep, so I carried you back."

Bronya nodded expressionlessly. "Sorry to have troubled Sister Kaiwen."

Soon, the morning breakfast ended in a warm and plain atmosphere.

After finishing breakfast, the four of them packed their school bags and went to the teaching building together.

As soon as they stepped into the classroom, the atmosphere in the air seemed somewhat unusual.

Himeko walked into the classroom in high heels, slammed a thick stack of reports onto the podium, and rubbed her temples with a bit of a headache.

"Perk up a bit, let's talk about something important."

Himeko glanced around at the sleepy trainees below and said straightforwardly:

"The Headmaster has scheduled the freshmen's simulated tactical exercise for this Friday, and an inspection team from Schicksal Headquarters will also come to inspect."

As soon as her voice fell, there was instantly a chorus of low wails below:

"Ah? Exercise this Friday?"

"And we have to be watched by people from Headquarters, the pressure is way too big..."

Kiana supported her cheek with one hand and asked Himeko on the podium:

"Himeko, is there an extra vacation for getting first place in the exercise?"

Himeko gave her an eye-roll. "No vacation, but whoever comes in last in the exercise will stay behind all day Saturday to take makeup exams with me."

Kaiwen, sitting in the back row, leaned against the back of her chair. Her gaze quietly drifted over the crowd and landed on Monitor Fu Hua in the front row.

Monitor Fu Hua's spine was still straight as a board, meticulously recording the exercise schedule. It seemed she truly didn't remember everything that happened in the underground laboratory on the back mountain last night.

Theresa's false Remembrance had taken effect.

Kaiwen withdrew her gaze, looked at Himeko rubbing her temples on the podium, and raised an eyebrow.

A simulated exercise? Is the Schicksal Headquarters inspection team coming to watch too?

Kaiwen's fingertips unconsciously stroked the edge of her textbook.

It feels like something unexpected is going to happen in this Friday's exercise.