How did this blockhead suddenly become so perceptive?
Meeting Kiana's probing gaze, Hua Yi clicked his tongue silently before speaking.
"So, what you're trying to tell me is that you aren't actually homeless, you just don't have a permanent residence? And that you actually have plenty of money for food, but you only went hungry because you forgot to eat? Oh, and I suppose scouting out abandoned buildings and even breaking into my dormitory was purely for entertainment?"
Kiana was left speechless by Hua Yi's rapid-fire questions. Realizing just how pathetic her current circumstances actually looked, the girl took a deep breath and shook her delicate fist at him.
"Let me state this upfront: don't look down on me! I'm very dangerous when provoked, you know?"
Hearing those all-too-familiar words, Hua Yi dithered for a moment, his gaze drifting. Looking at the girl in front of him who was trying her best to look fierce and intimidating he couldn't help but let the corners of his mouth curl upward.
"Message received."
"Then... is it really okay for me to move into your dormitory like this?"
Kiana didn't want to refuse his offer. She was indeed homeless, and Hua Yi's actions thus far aside from his earlier attempt to scare her had been incredibly friendly, earning him a significant amount of goodwill and trust. Just the fact that he was willing to treat her to a meal made her feel like, if he weren't a man, she might have even tried to marry him and bring him home.
"It's fine. Tachikawa Academy won't be sending a warden to a male dormitory that only has one student anytime soon. As long as we both keep our mouths shut, no one will ever find out."
Even though it felt like they were up to no good, Kiana was never the type to behave herself. She even felt a little bit of excitement. Hua Yi's clever way of putting things made her feel like he was an accomplice standing right by her side.
"Even if a warden does show up later, the worst-case scenario is that I'll just apply for another room."
Thinking about the various privileges he enjoyed at Tachikawa Academy, Hua Yi felt that managing something like that wouldn't be too difficult. Hearing his assurance, Kiana felt much more at ease.
"Then let's hurry back!"
As for whether they would be sharing a room, neither of them brought it up. There was no need; it was impossible for a boy and a girl who had just met to live in the same room. If they were the same gender, it might have been a different story.
Having lacked proper rest lately, Kiana just wanted to be a salted fish for a while and charge her phone. Even if the bed was just a hard wooden board, as long as she could lie down and sleep, she would be perfectly happy.
Her father told her that she had hit her head when she was eight, causing her to lose all her memories from before that time. Most of her memories after the age of eight involved her father taking her to fight the Honkai. It wasn't exactly a life of luxury. When wandering through the wilderness, money didn't hold much value.
Because of that, Kiana didn't care much about the conditions of an empty dorm room.
However, Hua Yi couldn't simply leave her to sleep in such a place.
It wasn't that the Tachikawa Academy dorms were particularly shabby, but rather that the unoccupied rooms lacked any basic necessities. The beds were just bare boards; there were no pillows, sheets, or quilts, let alone toiletries like towels. All of these things needed to be purchased.
Unlike most girls, Kiana didn't enjoy the thrill of shopping. Or rather, she didn't find any joy in buying daily necessities that weren't immediately edible—items whose importance she couldn't quite grasp in the moment.
She urged Hua Yi to hurry back more than once. At this point, the girl only wanted to lie down and rest; she had no interest in doing anything else.
Though she seemed a bit willful, she limited herself to mere nagging. Even though she knew where the dorm was, Kiana had no intention of ditching Hua Yi to head back alone. Once Hua Yi picked up the pace and finished buying the essentials,
Kiana took the initiative to grab the shopping bags. Neither of her hands was empty. Of course, Hua Yi was also carrying bags in both hands; the bedding alone took up a significant amount of space.
"Can we finally go back now?"
Lifting the two large bags and gauging their weight, Kiana looked at Hua Yi with an impatient expression. However, Hua Yi's tone suddenly became somewhat elusive.
"Do... do you need me to go with you to buy some underwear?"
"...Hah?!!"
If Kiana's hands hadn't been full, she likely would have punched Hua Yi right in the face for so suddenly invading a girl's private domain.
Looking at her expression, the probability was high.
Hua Yi tried his best to maintain an upright, serious expression.
"You were lying in that dusty, unoccupied room earlier without a care in the world. You've probably picked up quite a bit of dirt and stains. Don't you plan on taking a shower and changing your clothes? Cough, and for the record, I have absolutely no intention of peeking while you bathe."
Even if Kiana hadn't been thinking along those lines, she was forced to raise her guard now.
"I don't need you for that!"
"Fine. I'll give you some cash later, and you can go buy whatever you need whenever you feel like it. I'm a student at Tachikawa Academy, so I have to go to class during the day. You won't have to worry about me then."
Hua Yi's words made Kiana pause. Her eyes flickered with a strange light as she followed behind him toward the dormitory, speaking hesitantly.
"Why are you being so good to me?"
In response, Hua Yi gave her a look of pure astonishment.
"Oh? You can actually sense my kindness?"
"I'm not sure if it's kindness or if you're plotting something, but are you treating me like an idiot?"
I'm sorry, but I actually am.
Though he criticized her in his heart, Hua Yi knew there was a limit to joking. He wiped the casual look from his face and replaced it with a bit of sincerity.
"It's because I've always enjoyed helping others. I won't hesitate to lend a hand to a girl in distress."
Kiana wasn't moved by his words. Instead, she tilted her chin up. If her hands hadn't been full, she probably would have made some sort of cool gesture.
"Did you think I'd be so easily fooled? You're underestimating me way too much. But... anyway, thanks."
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