As school started up once more, Kiana, Mei and I found ourselves back in our classes.
Honestly, I thought about just skipping school considering all the crap that was going on in the city. However, I realised that I needed to keep an eye on Mei.
If there was another Honkai pulse at school, then there could be trouble if the Herscherr awakens.
Unfortunately, that meant that I needed to sit through crappy classes again... along with the revision tests that came along the first day back.
Great. Exactly what I wanted.
Regardless, it was just a waste of time rather than anything truly torturous. For me at least.
I couldn't say the same for Kiana.
After all, getting a total of 20 marks for all her subjects combined was quite a feat. She didn't even leave the papers empty!
Otherwise, things had gone back to "normal." Whatever that means these days.
Though, there was a slight addition.
"You brat, how are you at school?" Kiana sneered as she stood over Bronya. "Aren't you supposed to be some sort of super agent saving the city?"
"Knowledge is necessary to efficiently carry out missions.." Bronya didn't even bother looking at Kiana. "Not like an idiotka like Subject Kiana would understand"
"You!-"
"Ah, secretary. There you are. Where's my coffee?"
A tick mark appeared on Bronya's head. However, she didn't argue as she took out a thermos from her backpack and handed it to me.
"Thank you, secretary."
"Will Subject Gojo keep calling the Bronya that?"
"What do you mean, secretary?" I asked with a smile as I took a sip of my coffee...
Which I promptly spat out.
"Subject Gojo is spitting out perfectly good coffee."
"IS THIS AN AMERICANO?"
Gojo Satoru could not adapt to this shit.
"Yes. Subject Gojo did not specify the type of coffee." Bronya said monotonously. However, there was a very obvious smile on her face.
I narrowed my eyes as I drank from my water bottle, trying to get the bitterness out of my mouth. "You win this time..." I paused, before I said again. "Secretary."
There seemed to be a crackle of lightning colliding between our eyes.
"Guys, I'm starving. Let's go find Mei for lunch!" Kiana interrupted as she rubbed her belly and walked off.
Bronya adjusted her bag, breaking the staring contest with me. "Understood." she said as she began to walk away.
I blinked as I saw Bronya's actions, but my mind immediately went to work.
It didn't even take a moment for me to think before I spoke.
"Bronya, why don't you eat with us?"
"The Bronya was not invited." She stopped in her tracks.
"Maybe you need a grammar class, Bronya. Let's is short for let us."
Bronya blinked, not knowing how to answer that. She seemed to be surprised that we were actually inviting her to a meal rather than her having to do the invitation every time.
"C'mon. Mei's waiting for us. We don't want her to get swarmed by her fan group." I turned and started walking, then paused.
She hadn't moved.
Without looking back, I reached out and gave her a slight push on the back.
"Let's go, Secretary. This boss doesn't starve his employees."
She staggered forwards, not from the force, but from her slight confusion.
No sharp reaction nor sharp comment this time.
It wasn't obvious to the naked eye, but I had a feeling that something had changed.
After all, i didn't feel that strange feeling about Bronya anymore.
Then, something fluttered down her blazer. A small photo slipped free and hit the ground face first with a soft tap.
Neither Kiana nor Bronya noticed.
But I did.
So I stepped forwards and picked it up.
At that, Bronya finally realised what had happened and hurriedly reached out. "Subject Gojo-"
Too late.
I had already turned the photo around, only to be met with a picture.
One of Bronya and another girl with black and blue shaded hair.
The both of them looked happy, hugging one another. Bronya even had a massive smile on her face that I had never seen before.
The only expressions that Kiana, Mei and I had ever saw from her was monotonous ones.
Before I could say anything, Bronya had snatched it back. "Subject Gojo. Please don't look at other's private photos."
"That... sounds kinda sus..."
"After all, Subject Gojo is intruding on a girl's privacy."
I ignored that.
"Who is that anyways? A friend?" I asked, placing a hand on my chin.
Bronya hesitated, a melancholic look printed on her visage as she stared at the photo. She let out a small sigh. "She is a very close friend to the Bronya..."
"Her name?"
She shifted her gaze to me, staring into my eyes. It was as if she was asking me, 'Can I trust you with this?'
The answer to that question, was probably not.
But I did want to hear it.
And she told me anyways.
"Seele."
Bronya's voice was gentle as she spoke that name, like a spring breeze.
As if, she had returned back to a happier time. One that was away from all the secrets, all the missions.
It was something that truly mattered to her.
As for me?
Well...
It was the final piece of the puzzle I needed.
A smile appeared on my face.
"I see."
-----------------------------------------
Late that night, Bronya and I stood atop a nearby tree, the wind carrying the scent of salt and rust.
Below us, the dockyard stretched quiet and still, moonlight glinting off the ocean's black surface.
A single warehouse sat near the edge, lights dim, but not off.
We could see multiple armoured vehicles driving in and out the building at intervals, carrying in and out crates of unknown things.
"Why didn't you bring Kiana?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"This mission may be a bit dangerous." Bronya answered flatly, the emotions on her face difficult to decipher.
"Aww, you do care about her~" I teased. "But it makes me sad that you invited me."
"Subject Gojo is... strong." Bronya replied. "The Bronya does not need to worry about your safety."
"You really know how to act the part as a secretary." I sighed with satisfaction. "Should I blow it all up then?" I asked Bronya. Both of Shamash's guns were under my jacket, ready to be used at any moment.
"Probability of causing large scale unrest and casualties is high." Bronya countered. "There may be Honkai explosives inside as well."
"Meaning, we need to do things the old fashioned way right?" I yawned as I stretched my muscles. "I guess I could use some exercise today."
Suddenly, a rustle came from a nearby bush.
Bronya and I turned sharply, eyes narrowing.
"...Don't shoot!" a familiar voice yelped as Kiana tumbled out, twigs in her hair and dirt on her skirt.
She stood up proudly, as if she hadn't just face-planted into a bush. "Hehe... surprise!"
"What are you doing here..."
"What do you mean? I just happened to be out on a nightly stroll! Totally normal thing for a student to do at midnight near a suspicious military dockyard!" she looked away with a whistle.
"Kiana..." I rubbed my forehead. "These guys might have guns..."
"I-I can take a bullet or two!"
"A hundred?"
"That... might be a bit problematic..."
Bronya sighed. "Subject Kiana, Idiotka should stay here. We can't protect you while we fight."
Kiana glared at her. "You guys might not trust me with this yet… but I'm not going to sit around while my friends are in danger." She turned to me. "Please Gojo."
She looked at me.
I looked at her.
Our eyes locked.
And Kiana pouted. "Please?"
And in the end, I really couldn't take it.
"Urgh fine. Just stick close to me..."
"Yes!!"
When I looked at Bronya again, I could see her judging eyes at me.
"Subject Gojo is a pushover confirmed."
I stuck out my tongue in reply.
"So guys, how are we going to do this?" Kiana asked excitedly. "Are we going to do some spy stuff?"
"No." I let out a breath as I summoned my abilities. Kiana and Bronya turned serious as they took a slight step back from the change in pressure around me.
"We're going to walk in through the front door."
(A/N: How was the chapter? Give powerstones and comment! It motivates me a lot!!)