"Hehe... If you dared to say that in front of Kiana and Mei, I'd be super happy~ But well... this isn't so bad either! I'm super, super, super happy!"
Kika laughed happily and flew into Ryn's arms, planting a firm kiss on his cheek before snuggling into his embrace.
"Eww↗↘"
Durandal let out a disgusted sound. She suddenly felt a bit like a third wheel. She shouldn't be a lightbulb on the sofa; she should be on the floor, serving as a footstool for Kika. Otherwise, Kika would have to jump just to kiss Ryn...
Cough, cough... What am I thinking! That wretched Su, I actually respected him! I didn't think his wicked ideas would start influencing me!
Durandal shot up from the sofa with a look of sudden realization, startling Ryn and Kika, who were cuddling nearby.
"I finally understand what felt so off about that dreamscape!"
In the dreamscape set up by Su, she had experienced his entire life from his perspective and identity. Durandal had constantly felt a strong sense of incongruity but couldn't put her finger on it.
Now she finally understood! A guy like Su was what the internet would call a simp! He served Kevin with all his heart, doing everything he could to heal Dr. MEI for Kevin's sake! He turned himself into a stepping stone to bring Kevin and Dr. MEI together!
Was it because a relationship between two men wasn't accepted by society and went against common sense that Su suppressed his own feelings?
Damn it, I will never be a simp. If I dare to love, I'll dare to pursue it. I won't care about the judgment of society!
That's why, when I confirmed my feelings in the dreamscape and bravely confessed to Ryn, Su considered that I had passed his test!
No wonder Su said that wasn't what he meant back then. His real meaning was to tell me not to care about society's norms and not to be a simp! (jk, don't take this seriously!)
"I understand, Senior Su. I will remember your teachings!"
Durandal earnestly bowed deeply in the direction of Heimdall Labs, towards the Second Divine Key stored there.
Hearing the familiar name, Ryn curiously asked Durandal, "Su? What did he teach you?"
"He is a very great senior. Not only did he test me, but he also taught me many principles..."
Durandal grasped the Sumeru that Su had left her and turned to look at Ryn seriously.
"Ryn, there is something I want to tell you. I hope you're prepared."
"Mm, go on..."
Ryn sat up straight. Durandal was being so serious that he unconsciously became serious as well.
Durandal opened her mouth, but the words seemed to get stuck in her throat.
But the power flowing from the Sumeru constantly reminded Durandal that if she couldn't say it, she might end up just like Su—cuckolded.
Durandal took a deep breath and summoned her courage to speak to Ryn:
"Hah... Ryn... I think I might have started to like you!"
"Huh?"
Ryn exclaimed, completely stunned. Wait, although I was gone for a little while, it's only been three or four days in reality! How did she suddenly fall for me?
"Ah!" Kika shrieked, cupping her face, her expression twisting in horror.
Kika grabbed Durandal's hand, trembling nervously.
"Durandal, the 'like' you're talking about isn't the 'like' I'm thinking of, right? It's just that close bond between comrades-in-arms, right?!"
"I'm sorry, Kika..." Durandal looked at Kika apologetically. "My 'like' is probably the same kind of 'like' you have for Ryn..."
"Aaaah!" Kika's good mood for the day was instantly shattered, and she screamed frantically.
Suddenly, Kika's hands shot under her skirt, and she pulled Sabayon out from her fourth-dimensional skirt, pressing it against Ryn's head.
"What's so good about you that so many people like you!
No, you must have seduced Durandal! Otherwise, how could a blockhead like Durandal develop feelings!
Ryn! How dare you go around flirting with other women! Are myself, Kiana, and Mei not enough to satisfy you?!"
"No, calm down, calm down! Please let me explain! I-I don't know anything about this!"
Ryn quickly raised his hands, terrified that Kika might accidentally fire the gun.
"Besides, Kika, you can't think of it that way! Not only did I know nothing about this, but it's just Durandal liking me, it doesn't mean I like her back! It's just a one-sided crush, is this really necessary? Besides, plenty of Valkyries in Schicksal like and admire me too!"
"Are you saying you're planning to make a move on those Schicksal Valkyries too! Huh?"
"That's not what I meant at all!"
"Then let me ask you, do you like Durandal too!"
Ryn lowered his head in thought for a moment, then looked seriously into Kika's eyes. "If I said no, would you believe me?"
"Fine, fine, you scumbag! Die! Go to hell and explain yourself to Kiana and Mei!"
"Mercy! I was wrong!"
"Just die!"
Ryn shouted as he frantically ran around the living room, with Kika chasing behind him, repeatedly hitting him with the body of Sabayon.
She couldn't bear to actually shoot him, but a good beating was definitely not something he could escape!
"..."
Durandal sat on the sofa, feeling like she was on pins and needles. Her confession seemed to have caused a domestic dispute in Ryn's household...
But she also felt like she had heard something incredible... What did "Are myself, Kiana, and Mei not enough to satisfy you?" mean?
Durandal raised her lance. She had thought she was just the third party, but it turned out she was already the fifth or sixth.
"Kiana is such an innocent child, how could you lay a hand on her! Die!"
Durandal charged forward with her lance, joining Kika in the beatdown of Ryn.
"Having so much fun? How about you let me in on it?"
Tianqi's figure appeared to the side. Although Kika and Durandal couldn't see her, Ryn could see her as clear as day.
Fireballs, thunderballs, waterballs, and all sorts of other strange energy orbs appeared beside Tianqi and shot rapidly toward Ryn.
Since it was all targeted spiritual attacks, there was no fear of damaging objects or harming others.
Kika and Durandal were afraid of seriously hurting Ryn and held back, but Tianqi was different. As long as Tianqi didn't die, Ryn couldn't die either.
"Preaching is pointless; broken bones are the best textbook. Flee to your heart's content! And listen to the lament of death!"
Ryn sidestepped Durandal's lance thrust, only to be smacked hard on the head by Kika swinging Sabayon like a giant brick, and then baptized by a full-body torrent of Tianqi's energy.
"No, how did it even come to this?!"