With her light gray double-twisted curls hanging down, clad in pale blue pajamas, and arms crossed over her chest, who is this adorable girl performing a handstand mid-air? Her flawless fair skin and delicately doll-like features make her truly captivating.
It's our lovely Bronya!
"What are you doing?"
"A handstand."
"Why a handstand?"
"To stay alert."
During their brief exchange, Bronya blinked her bright, expressive eyes charmingly, making Zeke want to scoop her up for a big hug.
Yielding to that desire, he raised his arms.
Understanding as always, Bronya promptly released herself from the little bunny drone's grip. With a graceful flip in the air, she landed comfortably in Zeke's arms, effortlessly looping her arms around his neck.
"All done with your tasks? Is there anything Bronya can assist with?" The girl, still holding onto Zeke's neck, asked sweetly in her soft, melodic voice. Her undivided attention focused on Zeke, as if within those pools of her gaze, only he existed in her world.
Zeke's lips curved upwards, cradling her lightweight yet incredibly soft body. Unable to resist, he gently pinched her with one hand.
Small enough to fit perfectly within one's hand, yet with its smooth curves and delightful suppleness, it was undeniably flawless—Duck's buttocks were truly a treasure, irresistible and captivating just as promised by my fellow reader.
"Got plenty on my plate; let's catch up later," Zeke said without batting an eyelid, acting as if he weren't the one massaging something with his palms moments ago.
Bronya stared silently at Zeke, her face flushing red.
While undoubtedly embarrassed, she also felt a hint of sweetness and pride. After all, it indicated that Zeke admired her body.
Zeke glanced up towards the large bed in the room, noticing Kiana and Sin sleeping intertwined.
To be precise, Sin's sleeping posture appeared calm and composed, lying straight but with furrowed brows, indicating discomfort. Her small lips occasionally twitched uneasily, suggesting she might be having a nightmare.
The reason for this was clear: A certain paramecium had tightly embraced Sin with iron-like arms, treating her like a life-sized cuddle pillow. Saliva dripped from the corner of Kiana's mouth, contrasting sharply with Sin's uneasy expression, as she slept blissfully, fully immersed in her dream world.
So, rather than mutually embracing, it was Kiana unilaterally using Sin as her plush toy.
"Why are all three of you sharing one room?"
"Because now that everything's out in the open, there's a lot to talk about."
"All right. What did you discuss?"
"I'm not telling Zeke; it's girls' secrets. Unless you bribe Bron—yikes!"
Just as Bronya was about to sprout her devilish horns and black tail, someone mischievously grabbed them, causing them to abruptly vanish.
Bronya suddenly felt weak, her face pressed against Zeke's chest. After a moment, she lifted her head, blushing, meeting his half-smiling gaze.
"...Mainly, Kiana was venting and trying to intimidate me, but I didn't give in. Sin mostly gushed over crushes. Eventually, they started arguing, got tired, and fell asleep—that's pretty much what happened." Bronya obediently replied, adopting a gentle demeanor like a bird seeking protection, hoping Zeke would let her go and release her back onto the floor.
Their conversation wasn't loud, yet they didn't intentionally keep their voices low either.
At this point, on the bed, Sin seemed restless in her sleep. Her ears twitched, followed by subtle quivers of her eyelids.
"Ze...ke..."
Through her hazy vision, Sin glimpsed two figures nearly etched into her heart.
As her consciousness gradually cleared, she finally felt Kiana's fiery warmth and the suffocating pressure from being tightly squeezed.
"Yip!"
Simply trying to wriggle free would be too passive. Without hesitation, Sin bit down sharply on the snow-white arm right by her mouth with her sharp teeth.
Kiana, who had been enjoying a sound sleep, frowned instantly. Her eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened.
"...Stop messing around. It's not even morning yet—let go."
"Yip!"
"...You're forcing my hand now!"
The bedspread lifted as Kiana, relying on her unparalleled flexibility, raised one leg up high. Her round, fair toes landed directly on Sin's nose.
"Ah!" Taken aback for a moment, Sin's eyes widened in panic. With a burst of strength, she propelled Kiana away and hastily rubbed at her nose.
"Hey! That's uncalled for! You bit me first, you little brat! Looking for a fight?!"
"You...you paramecium!"
Kiana and Sin lunged at each other.
"O(#￣▽￣)==O)) ̄0 ̄")
( ̄ε(# ̄)☆╰╮o( ̄皿 ̄///)
(╬ ̄皿 ̄)=○#( ̄#)3 ̄)
To the side, Zeke and Bronya—rarely ignored themselves—both sighed deeply with their hands on their foreheads.
"Sigh..." x2
"Bronya," said Zeke.
"Yes, sir!" replied Bronya.
「[┻┳═一> BANG! BANG! BANG! >>>>>」
「[┻┳═一> BANG! BANG! BANG! >>>>>」
Three minutes later, Zeke picked up the bullet-riddled electronic alarm clock from his bedside table, glanced at its blinking display, then pulled back the curtain riddled with holes to look at the sky just beginning to lighten.
"Sunrise is in 48 minutes. Clean up your room; I'll be waiting for you on the observation deck."
Zeke stepped over the floor littered with spent shell casings and left the room.
Bronya ceased firing, saluting sharply.
In the corner of the room, Kiana and Sin, still huddled together, shivered uncontrollably. The precise bullet marks on the wall and floor perfectly outlined their bodies. With shaky voices, they chorused:
"Yes sir!" x2
On the observation deck, beyond meticulously trimmed lawns and flower beds, stood an elegant little pavilion on a platform extending from the edge of the tall building. At first glance, it appeared like a floating structure suspended in mid-air.
"Whoosh!"
A fuzzy white head suddenly popped up amidst waist-high grass patches.
"This is Kiana to Headquarters! This is Kiana to Headquarters! Zeke is setting breakfast; he doesn't seem upset—considered generally safe! I repeat, generally safe, over!" Kiana earnestly whispered while lying flat on the lawn.
Sin lay beside her—in truth, more likely forced down by Kiana's insistence than willingly adopting that position.
Then, Bronya impassively walked past them.
"(?_?)..."
"Do you have something to say?"
"I don't really have anything to say (seriously, idiots)." Bronya replied dryly.
"...Just joking, okay?!"
Rolling her eyes, Kiana muttered under her breath about "lack of humor," finally releasing Sin and swiftly jumping away just in time to avoid Sin's retaliatory kick.
With a glare, Sin huffed indignantly but noticed Zeke's expressionless gaze already fixed upon them. She had no choice but to grunt and quickly catch up with Bronya's strides.
Soon, all three took their seats at the table adorned with meticulously arranged cutlery and steaming plates of various stuffed buns piled high.
"Choose your preferred dipping sauce: vinegar, soy sauce, or chili oil. Let's dig in." Zeke picked up his chopsticks, glanced around at the girls, and spoke calmly.
"Alright."
"Yes! Thanks, Zeke~"
"Woo-hoo! Zeke-made buns! Big meat buns, soup dumplings, custard-filled pastries, bean paste buns, and even baked buns—what a feast!"
Their distinct responses reflected each girl's unique personality, yet they were all equally charming and delightful.
A hint of amusement flickered in Zeke's eyes.