Under the glow of the setting sun, the dismissal bell rang out in St. Freya Academy.
After finishing a day of classes, the students also walked out of the classroom in groups, stepping onto the path home.
At the apartment, Van stood in the center of the living room, inexplicably feeling that this space, usually crowded, was especially empty today.
Raiden Mei and Kiana were going to hold a welcome party in the dormitory for Seele along with Bronya.
Himeko was working overtime to handle some matters related to the upcoming vacation.
Mobius, on the other hand, had already rushed back overnight due to some kind of "emergency situation" at the lab…
It was as if everyone, as if prearranged, encountered some situation today that kept them busy and unable to leave.
Except for…
Van turned his head and saw Ivana sprawled out like a starfish on the sofa, mumbling, "Is this even human if they don't full combo this? …some kind of gaming slang…"
Looking at Ivana, who was currently in a heated battle in-game, Van's face was instantly full of disgust.
"You brat, all you do is lie there and play games all day. Can't you find something else to do?"
However, Ivana didn't even lift her head, still controlling her in-game character while saying, "Isn't this because I'm afraid you'd be lonely all by yourself~"
Speaking up to here, Ivana sighed exaggeratedly and continued, "Caring for the empty-nest Van, it's everyone's responsibility. If I even get scolded for this, then does this world still have any justice? Any law left?"
"Well, thanks so much for your concern!"
Van rolled his eyes, but still turned and walked toward the kitchen while asking, "What do you want to eat for dinner?"
"Whatever~" Ivana lazily responded, "I'll eat whatever you make."
Van shook his head, tied on an apron, and started preparing dinner.
Although he always complained about this brat, Van clearly knew in his heart, Ivana had purposely stayed behind to keep him company.
The sound of running water and clanging pots and pans quickly echoed from the kitchen.
Over here, while Van was focused on cooking, he didn't notice the front door of the apartment being quietly opened.
Then, a slightly cold voice sounded from the entrance.
"I've come in."
It was Fu Hua, who had come in carrying bags full of groceries.
After entering the living room, Fu Hua first glanced at Ivana lying on the sofa playing games, then instinctively looked toward Van, who was busy in the kitchen...
This kind of "warm little family of three" déjà vu made the corners of her mouth unconsciously lift.
It really felt nice.
Just then, Van heard the commotion and walked out from the kitchen.
"Hua, you bought so much stuff? Let me help you."
Saying this, Van casually took the shopping bags from Fu Hua's hands and walked back into the kitchen.
Watching Van's back as he got busy again, Fu Hua softly suggested, "How about... tonight I make some dumplings for you guys to eat?"
Before Van could reply, Ivana on the sofa spoke first,
"Anything's fine... whatever you two decide, I'll eat it all. But, can you hurry up a bit? I'm kinda hungry... Ow! What are you doing?!"
Before she could finish her sentence, she got kicked by Van who had just come out of the kitchen.
"You brat, do you think you're a young master? Still lying there playing games? Hurry up and help Hua knead the dough!!!"
Seeing Van's cold face, Ivana immediately showed a pitiful expression and looked toward Fu Hua to complain, "Mom! Say something to your Van! He actually dares to lay a hand on me!"
Upon hearing this, Fu Hua's cheeks instantly flushed red, and she appeared slightly flustered.
Van ignored Ivana's antics and continued, "You brat, you really planning to sit there on the floor and not help? Then don't blame me for being ruthless with my feet, yeah?"
In response, Ivana didn't answer Van. She just blinked her big watery eyes and continued looking at Fu Hua.
Although to Fu Hua, in this world, Ivana technically no longer had any blood relation to her.
But whenever this girl called out to her like that with such emotion, her heart still beat a little faster.
In the end, Fu Hua softened and said, "Van... kneading the dough and such, I can do it by myself…"
Seeing Ivana already hiding behind Fu Hua at lightning speed and making faces at him, Van helplessly shook his head, "Hua, don't spoil this brat too much."
After a bit of small talk, the two of them walked into the kitchen together, leaving Ivana in the living room.
Looking at the two people in the kitchen working in perfect sync, Ivana suddenly felt that, after being fed up with watching love triangles, this kind of harmonious family scene was actually nice too.
Thinking this, she collapsed back onto the sofa, wanting to pick up her phone and capture a photo of the two's warm moment.
Just then, the apartment's doorbell suddenly rang.
Ivana, who had just been sighing "a peaceful life is the real deal," instantly sprang up from the sofa like a carp jump, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Coming coming! I'll get the door!"
While running toward the door, she was thinking, 'As expected, compared to happy family vibes, I still prefer watching drama!!!'
'Who was it that came, Kiana and the others? Or Himeko? Or maybe Mobius coming back again?'
'Whatever! No matter who it is, as long as they bring entertainment, I'll welcome them with open arms!'
However, as the apartment door opened, Ivana froze. Because the person who came was neither Kiana and Raiden Mei, nor Himeko, and certainly not Mobius…
It was someone completely unexpected... Ji Xuanyuan.
———
[Some Hours Ago]
After school, Ji Xuanyuan, having said goodbye to her classmates, was preparing to head home alone.
While passing by the supermarket, she happened to catch a glimpse of a familiar figure, it was the person she constantly thought about, Fu Hua.
At the time, Fu Hua was carrying two shopping bags full of ingredients, walking out of the supermarket.
"Fu Hua?"
Ji Xuanyuan was just about to greet her, but noticed Fu Hua wasn't heading in the direction of her own home.
Watching the direction Fu Hua went in, Ji Xuanyuan suddenly felt a little uncomfortable inside.
Because she knew very well where that path was heading.
Unbelievable, the most important person in her heart was really falling into that boy's hands.
After hesitating for a moment, Ji Xuanyuan finally chose to follow.
Later, when she came back to her senses, she was already standing at the door of the apartment.
After a bit of mental preparation, Ji Xuanyuan took a deep breath and rang the doorbell.
After a while, the door opened.
Standing inside was the transfer student who had previously come to her class, Ivana.
The two of them stared wide-eyed at each other and blurted out at the same time, "Why is it you?!"
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