In the end, Ryn didn't scold Kiana too harshly. It wasn't like Kiana would listen anyway. Kids at this age don't listen to their parents' lectures; they might even develop a rebellious streak.
Kiana hadn't done anything truly bad. She just slept in class, skipped class, and got into fights, breaking other people's arms and legs. Hmm... wait, the perpetrators of school violence don't count as people. Besides, the school hadn't said much, which meant the school tacitly approved of Kiana's actions. So, Kiana was still just a sleepy little kid. Don't ask, if you do, it's the juvenile protection act.
"Wait, what kind of trash school is this? School violence is so severe, and they don't do anything about it?" Ryn now wanted to go to the school and ask those damn teachers how they were managing things.
Kiana nodded, thinking Ryn was right, and then told him.
"The teachers did something, but it wasn't very effective. Every time they pull the bullies into the office for a lecture, the bullies just bully the victims even more severely next time."
"That's why I hate kids the most. They have no sense of guilt; they derive pleasure from the suffering of others. And to make matters worse, the bullies are always at the top of the meta, standing on the moral high ground, making it impossible for anyone to punish them." Ryn sighed helplessly. It seemed school violence was inescapable in any world. It was a flaw in human nature. After all, schools now only teach knowledge but not how to establish correct values and morals.
Kiana propped one foot on a chair, brandished a baseball bat with one hand, and said with a smile: "This world is sick. It has been collapsing in another form all along. But now that's coming to an end, because I'm here, the great savior of Senba Academy has arrived!"
"Where did you learn all that? Kiana's little brain can say such cool things now."
"Hehehe, you taught me well..."
"..."
————————
The days that followed were much the same. Ryn worked on his game, and Kiana slept in class and used violence to fight violence after class.
But just as the Stigmata had said, do you believe in fate?
As if woven by the threads of destiny, Kiana Kaslana still met that girl.
Where there are bad students, there are naturally good students. The ace of Senba Academy, the Lightning Queen—Raiden Mei.
As the young lady of ME Corp, Raiden Mei had lived a life of luxury since she was young. But under Raiden Ryoma's strict upbringing, she developed a noble temperament that was a blend of grace, elegance, maturity, and refinement. She was polite and courteous in her interactions with others and had a side to her that enjoyed taking care of people.
Raiden Mei had the long, straight black hair typical of a Japanese girl, as well as deep black eyes. Mei often used a ribbon to tie her hair back, fastened with a bow. Her appearance possessed a mature beauty that was beyond her years, but she seemed somewhat unapproachable, like a flower on a high peak.
The perfect Raiden Mei was the object of fantasy for countless boys and girls. Every day, many boys from other schools and girls from her own would confess to her. But in order to focus on her studies and to make those who confessed to her give up completely, her methods were always harsh.
As a result, the number of confessions gradually dwindled. But at some point, the title "Lightning Queen" began to spread and gradually became well-known. Raiden Mei didn't reject this title, perhaps because she felt it suited her?
But Kiana didn't care about any of that. The moment she saw Raiden Mei, her heart pounded. The last time Kiana's heart had pounded like this was when she was with Ryn.
*From the moment I saw Raiden Mei, I knew: this woman is someone who can become my mother!*
"Hey, hello. My name is Kiana Kaslana, let's be friends!"
Kiana ran right up to Raiden Mei, flashed a standard Kiana-brand smile, and extended her hand to her.
"Hello, I'm Raiden Mei."
Raiden Mei replied politely. She was a little startled by Kiana's sudden appearance, but her good upbringing made her seem not too flustered.
After that, the two chatted for a bit before going their separate ways, as they weren't in the same class. Although Kiana wanted to talk more, Raiden Mei felt that she would be late for class.
Raiden Mei didn't pay much attention to Kiana, just thinking of her as someone who had heard her title and wanted to get to know her. Raiden Mei was very popular in her class; her classmates all loved to joke and play with her, and during lunchtime, they would all gather around her. At those times, she would also share the bento her family's maid had made with everyone.
But Kiana didn't see it that way. Raiden Mei was the second friend she had made in a long time; the first was Aoi Miyuki. Ryn wasn't a friend; he was family.
As for why she had no friends... she was either asleep or skipping class, so apart from recognizing the teacher and knowing where her own seat was, she knew nothing else. She had even forgotten which grade and class she was in. When Raiden Mei had asked her earlier, she had stammered for a long time without being able to remember.
*Oh no, I must have left a bad impression on Mei. Oh well, at least I know which class Mei is in now, so I can go find her to hang out later.*
Kiana hummed a song she had learned from Ryn and skipped back to her classroom.
*I'm in a good mood today, let's try to change myself and study hard!*
Zzz—
*Kiana, oh Kiana, you can't be so degenerate. Two periods have already passed. You must hold on and not fall asleep for the last two periods.*
Zzz—
*Ah! How is school over already? I must have been studying too hard. I'll go back and eat a lot to reward myself and continue working hard tomorrow.*
Kiana was startled awake by the school bell. Seeing everyone packing up their things, she thought school was over and bolted home. She didn't see Ryn at the gate, so she ran home by herself.
Ryn was building a data model with Cortana to simulate the game environment. Suddenly, a white-haired furball launched a headbutt attack, crashing into his arms.
"Cortana, you can continue the simulation on your own. Kiana, I'm sorry. I was busy with work and forgot the time to pick you up." Ryn ruffled Kiana's hair and said apologetically.
"It's okay, it's okay! I'm Kiana Kaslana, I can get home by myself, no problem! I studied really hard today. Time flew by so fast, and school was over in a blink of an eye."
"Kiana actually studied hard? You get a thumbs-up for that. Extra food tonight!"
"Yay!"
Kiana hugged Ryn, jumping up and down with joy. Just then, Cortana's holographic projection walked over and said to Ryn:
"Master, Kiana's teacher is calling you. Should I connect?"
"Oh, Kiana, did you get into trouble again?" Ryn looked at the call display on the projection in front of Cortana and kneaded Kiana's little face vigorously.
"No, absolutely not! I've been very good lately!" Kiana quickly waved her hands. They had all been beaten into submission by her lately and hadn't caused much trouble, so naturally, Kiana wouldn't go looking for trouble either.
"Hello, teacher. Yes, I'm at home. Is something wrong?" "What? Kiana is missing!" "Okay, okay, I understand. Leave the rest to me, you don't need to look for her. I'm sorry to have troubled the teachers."
Ryn's face grew darker and darker as the phone call went on. Finally, he grabbed Kiana, who had sensed something was wrong and was trying to sneak away.
"You silly girl, did you sleep yourself into a stupor? There was still one P.E. class left, how did you just sneak back? Your teachers have been going crazy looking for you."
"Ehehe... I saw them packing their things and thought school was over..."
"'Ehehe' my foot..."