"Where's Kiana? Why hasn't she come for breakfast today?" After a month had passed, Raiden Mei noticed her friend's absence at the dining table and voiced her concern.
Kiana's increasingly lethargic state couldn't escape the watchful eyes of those who spent every day with her.
This greatly worried Raiden Mei.
"Senior Fu Hua's mastery must be profoundly complex; it wouldn't be surprising if studying it consumed all hours, leaving no time for sleep or meals. Miss Mei, please rest assured—under Senior Fu Hua's supervision, Kiana will be just fine," Durandal comfortingly reassured her. Judging by how naturally she sat at the table, it seemed she had transitioned from being a guest to feeling fully integrated.
Yet Raiden Mei's brows remained furrowed, unable to shake her unease.
"You don't understand, Durandal. No matter what, Kiana has never compromised on eating. Even Mr. Zeke always said that mealtime is one aspect where she's quite straightforward. But lately, her appetite keeps diminishing. Like yesterday's dinner, she barely managed three bowls... Normally, she'd start with at least five or six. If this continues, her body won't cope well."
Raiden Mei picked at her breakfast absentmindedly. Seeing Kiana's loss of appetite dampened her own enthusiasm for eating.
Durandal cocked her head quizzically, her eyes—pure and innocent like those of a child—filled with question marks. By most people's standards, three bowls of rice should be plenty, especially considering that Kiana used extra-large servings.
Recalling Kiana's slender figure, Durandal thought it reasonable to assume someone with such a physique wouldn't require much sustenance to maintain it.
However, noticing not just Raiden Mei but also Seele deeply frowning, along with traces of concern on Bronya and Wendy's faces, she realized she shouldn't jump to conclusions without understanding the situation fully. It seemed she might have been too hasty; perhaps Kiana genuinely needed more than three large bowls of rice.
Durandal nodded, starting to brainstorm appetizing dishes and ideas—but alas, Rita wasn't around, or surely she would have had many suggestions.
"Ah..."
Durandal sighed and decided to stop pondering it. This wasn't her area of expertise anyway. Since she was heading to Anti-Entropy Headquarters, not some other realm, she could always give Rita a call later for advice.
Just as the mood grew somewhat somber, a white figure darted through the door like a husky finally let out after being cooped up all day. It moved so swiftly, no one could clearly make out its form.
The... ahem, she leaped onto Raiden Mei, wrapped her arms around Mei's soft waist, buried her face in Mei's indescribably ample bosom, and nuzzled affectionately.
"Mei, Mei, Mei, I'm starving! I want a feast!"
After rubbing against those drool-worthy assets for quite some time, Kiana lifted her head, gazing pitifully at Raiden Mei with teary blue eyes. In that instant, a wave of emotion surged within Mei, triggering an explosion of maternal instincts.
"Kiana, I'll start cooking right away!"
Firstly, due to their close bond forged since childhood, and secondly, as a kind-hearted, virtuous Japanese woman, she simply couldn't resist such a helpless creature crying out for nourishment, akin to a small animal.
Raiden Mei pressed Kiana down onto her chair and strode resolutely toward the kitchen.
Pots and pans, bow to me! silently declared the newly minted Herrscher of Thunder, rolling up her sleeves with boundless ambition.
Seele hurried after her, eager to lend assistance.
With Raiden Mei and Seele gone, Kiana faced the barely touched breakfast left behind by Raiden Mei. Without hesitation, she picked up fork and knife.
However, Raiden Mei's appetite was truly too small. After devouring everything at lightning speed, Kiana sat there biting her fork, looking utterly helpless and pitiful—as if not only had she failed to satisfy her hunger, it had instead intensified, leaving her somewhat dazed!
Bronya approached carrying a tray and transferred her own food onto the plate beside Kiana's.
"Go ahead, eat. Bronya isn't hungry yet."
Kiana turned and noticed a faint, warm smile gracing Bronya's lips, full of gentle affection.
"Bronya, QAQ! From now on, I swear never to badmouth you behind your back again!"
"(???)!"
Apart from a momentary displeased expression, Bronya didn't do anything else as Kiana wolfed down the food. She simply returned to her seat without further ado.
Next, Wendy, Ana, and Durandal each offered Kiana their untouched portions one after another. Finally, Sin begrudgingly pushed her plate toward Kiana as well.
"Go ahead—just choke on it already."
"%&$#@..."
"...I don't understand your gibberish! Swallow first before you talk!"
"Thank you, Sin! You finally showed some humanity!" After gulping down the food, Kiana expressed her heartfelt gratitude, deeply moved.
Bronya restrained a furious Sin to prevent any further escalation.
Kiana, undisturbed, continued eating with gusto. With these generous donations, she managed to fill up about three-tenths of her hunger. Then, Raiden Mei and Seele rushed over with the lavish feast they had hastily prepared.
Naturally, Kiana devoured it ravenously once again.
After quite some time, Kiana patted her bulging stomach contentedly and leaned back, satisfied.
"Burrp~"
"Oh dear, try not to eat so fast next time; you might choke." Holding a clean handkerchief, Raiden Mei gently wiped the corners of Kiana's mouth, exuding the tender aura of a caring mother looking after a mischievous child.
Once cleaned, Kiana wrapped her arms around Raiden Mei once more, cooing softly, "Mei hugs~"
"Alright, alright, as long as you're healthy and have a good appetite, everything's fine."
Raiden Mei reciprocated Kiana's affectionate gestures, her eyes filled with indulgence.
After a moment, Raiden Mei asked, "So, Kiana, did you learn Fu Hua-sensei's secret technique?"
"Hmm... Can you guess, Mei?"
"I'm guessing, yes, Kiana definitely learned it, right?"
"Oh, my dear Mei, you're so clever!" Kiana replied, still cuddling close to that incredibly soft spot. Her flushed cheeks—neither Raiden Mei nor anyone else present seemed to notice anything amiss, except for Bronya, who felt slightly exasperated.
"If not for Zeke's firm guidance, this girl would've surely corrupted countless innocent young women!"
Bronya heard the Book of Fuxi's candid assessment by her ear. Turning her head, she forced a smile and gave a thumbs-up to the little rascal, her eyes reflecting agreement.
"To be fair, Kiana is indeed quite the appearance-conscious flirt... Of course, it only goes as far as playful banter and minor mischief. Just think of her as a harmless little pervert; getting used to it is no big deal, really."
Indeed, when it comes to practical experience, Kiana merely seeks amusement—it's Bronya's expertise that truly shines!
Perhaps this is what it means to be truly at ease!
"(￣) ̄)!"
Bronya puffed out her barely noticeable chest, placed her hands on her hips, and looked quite pleased with herself.
The Book of Fuxi tilted its small head.
"Hmm???"