"I'm back, everyone!"
That clear, cheerful voice rang through the air like music.
The moment it did, the tuna Kiana felt herself ignite with excitement.
She shot a quick glance at her best friend beside her, gave herself a little mental pep talk, and without hesitation, launched herself toward the source of the voice.
—It's Kiana Time!
A bright smile bloomed on her face, golden eyes flashing with pride and determination.
'Step aside, sisters! Even you too, Mei! This time, Nagami's arms belong to me!'
"Uh-oh!"
'Kiana-chan!!'
Mei's pupils shrank as she realized what was about to happen.
Sparks of violet lightning crackled from the tips of her bangs as her fists clenched.
'Seriously? How can someone that dumb always surprise me at moments like this? Is this… Sirin's influence again?'
The purple arcs vanished as quickly as they came, leaving Mei staring blankly at the unfolding scene, her expression a mix of disbelief and resignation.
The heiress Kiana beside her pressed her fingers to her temple, lips tightening into a complicated expression.
And true Kiana's face… was an absolute masterpiece of mixed emotions.
Into the tuna Kiana arms fell a warm, soft body, the silky sensation melting against her fingertips like cream.
A faint, pleasant fragrance surrounded her, filling her senses.
'Wait… C.C.?'
Well, whoever it was, she didn't really mind this is soft was soft, after all.
She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply with a blissful look—
'Hold on… this scent's all wrong.'
The tuna Kiana's brows furrowed.
A giant question mark popped above her head.
'And this height feels off too…'
Her smile stiffened as she slowly lifted her head, eyes meeting the face of a breathtakingly beautiful girl.
Soft peach eyes, rosy lips, golden hair glowing like sunlight—her entire presence radiated warmth and purity.
"…Wow, she's gorgeous," the paramecium muttered before frowning in confusion.
'Who the heck is this? Don't tell me Nagami's got himself another pretty girl body?'
"Thanks for the compliment~"
The girl Lumine smiled slightly, twirling a lock of her hair with a teasing glint in her eyes.
"What an adorable little… um, sister you are."
She caught herself mid-sentence, chatting with fusion warriors almost made her forget she was supposed to be an eighteen-year-old girl.
"W-Who are you?!" Sirin demanded, golden eyes narrowing. "Why are you here? Where's Nagami!?"
Mei, her gaze sharp and protective, stepped forward.
'Another fox spirit trying to steal him away? Seriously!?'
"I'm right here."
The familiar voice materialized as a translucent figure took form of Nagami, smiling easily as he looked at the girls he hadn't seen in so long.
To be fair, hugging Lumine didn't feel all that different from hugging C.C., Nagami could clearly feel that same softness either way.
"I missed you all so much! Everyone~" he greeted warmly. Starting with some sweet words always a safe move.
"Nagami! You're finally back! We were worried sick!"
Even though the adorable blonde girl nearby looked so soft and inviting it was almost a fatal blow for anyone who liked girls, the tuna Kiana who had pretty much been "straightened out" by Nagami by now didn't waver.
She spun around and dove straight into his arms, rubbing against his chest like a spoiled cat.
She was never the tsundere type; if anything, from the way she treated Mei in the game, it was clear once she liked someone, she went all in.
You could almost call her… a chaotic yandere-type girlfriend.
This was the same girl who once screamed, in front of everyone, "I want to drink C.C.'s nectar!"
C.C. herself didn't even mind actually, she seemed delighted to offer such a "special drink."
Unfortunately for the tuna Kiana, that outburst earned her a full-on intervention from her sisters and besties.
They surrounded her, lecturing in turns about "how a lady should be reserved" and "don't say indecent things in public."
She'd heard it so many times her ears practically had calluses.
And the end result? Absolutely no effect.
"Uh, Nagami… what is that thing?"
True Kiana stepped up beside Nagami, yanking the squirming the tuna Kiana out of his arms with the help of the heiress, both of them wearing identical dark looks.
Their eyes turned toward the strange creature floating at Nagami's side.
Tilting her head in confusion, True Kiana asked again, "Seriously, what is that?"
"Paimon is not a thing!—wait, no, Paimon is a thing! uh, no, that's not right either!"
The little companion puffed up indignantly, waving her tiny arms and stomping her foot for emphasis before pointing a delicate finger in declaration.
"Anyway! Paimon is just Paimon!"
As soon as she finished, Paimon froze.
Her big blue eyes widened as she looked up and down at the girl in front of her.
"Ei!?"
The exclamation came almost at the same time as another voice.
"…Rosaria!?"
The familiar name made the tuna Kiana and Mei both blink in confusion.
Their gazes met, and they saw the same baffled expression mirrored in each other's eyes.
Before entering the Quantum Sea, Nagami had sent the twin sisters Rosaliya and Lilia—by air to St. Freya Academy to reunite with Bronya.
Now, those two had officially become Valkyries-in-training at St. Freya.
Of course, it hadn't been as easy as it sounded.
At first, the twins absolutely refused to join Schicksal.
They were young, yes—and Rosaliya's intelligence… well, let's just say it was "a work in progress."
But Lilia, at least, was a bit more level-headed.
Their adoptive mother, Cocolia, was one of the leading figures of Anti-Entropy—an organization openly opposed to Schicksal.
How could they just defect like that?
If it had been only Rosaliya, Bronya could've bribed her with blueberry cake and snacks, and that would've probably done the trick.
But Lilia? She wasn't the type to fall for simple sugar-coated schemes.
Then came the turning point.
They received a direct communication from Cocolia herself.
After reporting their situation, the twins were instructed to join St. Freya Academy and await further orders.
Lilia, ever cautious, double-checked the message several times.
Although both girls were confused, they decided to accept the mission—convinced that their mother had sent them as undercover agents.
That idea got them so hyped for days.
Of course, the truth was… nowhere near that dramatic.
Let's just say—C.C.'s "God-tier" move in Abyssal City with the Key of Erosion had left a lasting impression on Cocolia.
And so, the twin sisters ended up staying at St. Freya for good.
Recently, with the Valkyrie entrance exams approaching, Bronya had been tutoring them tirelessly.
She'd even left her dorm early this morning to help them study.
Despite their wild energy, the twins had brought endless laughter and chaos into everyone's daily life.
"Rosaria… the nun?" Paimon tilted her head, blinking.
She'd heard that name before—one of the nuns from Mondstadt's Church of Favonius.
The one who drank too much, skipped prayers, and acted nothing like a real sister of the cloth.
Her innocent, childlike voice was laced with confusion.
Why did this girl, who looked so much like Ei, say something like that?
For a moment, everyone exchanged puzzled looks before turning toward Nagami.
"Uh… yeah," he sighed, rubbing the back of his neck helplessly. "I think we're way past the 'pop quiz' level now."
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