Chapter 230. Kiana: You Started a Party Without Inviting Me?
"We've been exposed!!!"
The clear voice rang through the quiet living room, and the whole atmosphere froze at once.
Bronya's once-gentle gaze turned sharp, and Seele clutched her brother's clothes.
Lying on the sofa, using Kaguya Houraisan's lap as a pillow and acting spoiled, Kiana slowly opened her eyes, and even Kaguya looked over in puzzlement.
The sudden change in mood naturally couldn't escape Xander Masato's perception, and sweat immediately beaded all over him.
"Brother, you and Aunt Izumi…"
Usually, when Mrs. Izumi brought Sagiri over to play with Griseo, Seele would sweetly call her "Sister Izumi." Now she deliberately said "Aunt," pointing out the age gap between the two, which made her meaning go without saying.
No one else spoke. They just listened to Seele and quietly watched Xander.
Rationally, they believed Xander hadn't had time to go looking for Mrs. Izumi. After all, even the family couldn't all get their turns—where would outsiders even wedge in?
But emotionally, they didn't trust this guy at all. One look at this big crowd at home said it all.
Xander didn't answer Seele's question. He rapidly flipped through his memories of knowing Mrs. Izumi all these years, confirmed there was absolutely nothing beyond ordinary friendship, and then hurried to proclaim his innocence.
"No, say it clearly—what got exposed? I didn't go after a married lady! Even if she's single now, you can't talk nonsense like that!!"
The sudden reply left the other side a bit dumbfounded. Mrs. Izumi was stunned for half the day before she asked in confusion, "Boss, what are you talking about?"
That puzzled voice came through as well, and the people in the living room suddenly realized things might be a bit different from what they'd imagined.
"Then what did you mean by 'exposed'?" Xander hurriedly asked.
At that, Mrs. Izumi's voice turned a bit flustered again. "It's, um, your identity, Boss. I don't know why, but suddenly a lot of people found out, and they all rushed onto my blog asking if you're Teacher Xander. What should I do?"
Hearing that, Xander immediately let out a breath and relaxed. "Don't worry, don't worry. I already knew about this beforehand. No need to panic."
Right—he wasn't some Cao-style scoundrel. Even if he were going to be one, it would have to be someone like Sayuri Sawamura to be worthy… Ahem, enough.
"Boss, you already knew?"
Clearly hearing Mrs. Izumi's momentary blankness, Xander said with a smile, "Mm. That news actually started spreading a few days ago. Don't worry—I have a contingency plan."
"Really? Ha~ that's good. I was worried sick just now." Mrs. Izumi's voice sounded relieved.
"It won't be that bad. Even if it's exposed, it won't affect anything," he said with a little laugh, but quickly heard Mrs. Izumi refute him. "No way. This is too important for me. What if you think I leaked it, Boss? If our cooperation gets cut off, where would I even cry?"
"I have a lot of trust in Eromanga-sensei's credibility. Rest easy."
"Mm. If you already know, that's good. Right—do you need me to shut down the blog comments or issue some kind of response?"
Even if Xander told her to delete the account, Mrs. Izumi wouldn't even furrow her brow.
"No need to mind it. I'll handle things later. If you shut down the blog, it'll just make us look guilty."
After a few more words with Mrs. Izumi, Xander finally hung up.
The stagnant air had long since faded, replaced by a light, slightly awkward mood.
"Ahem~"
Having washed away suspicion, Xander felt positively triumphant.
"Been holding the phone so long my shoulder's suddenly a little sore~" Sitting on the sofa, he crossed one leg over the other and spoke in a seemingly casual tone.
"Seele will give Brother a massage!"
Wearing a cute smile, Seele scampered behind him, bent down, rested her soft chest against the back of his head, and started kneading his shoulders with her slender, gentle hands in a steady rhythm.
As she kneaded, she leaned close to his ear and said sweetly, "Seele has always trusted Brother. Those things just now were what the other Seele wanted to say. Seele only passed the message along."
Black Seele: "?"
Sitting at home and a pot drops from the sky—that was exactly Black Seele's experience. If she still had control of the body right now, she would definitely rush out and teach that silly Seele a lesson. When it's Bronya, she shrivels up and doesn't dare resist, but the minute something happens she throws it all on her? Fine, fine—if that's how you want to play. Next time it's her turn at the controls, that silly Seele can just wait for it!
"Mm-hmm~"
Nodding in satisfaction, he leaned his head back and sank a little deeper into that ever-more-plush softness.
Then he glanced at Kiana beside him and kept up the hinting. "After walking so long, my legs feel a little sore~"
"I'll do it!!"
Kiana sat up in a flash with her hand raised, plopped down next to him with a beaming smile, and started tapping his thigh with her little fists, eager to please.
But somehow, Kiana suddenly hammered the spot just under his kneecap. With a sharp jab, she triggered the patellar reflex and his lower leg kicked involuntarily. His bare pinky toe smacked right into the stone coffee table.
With a thud, Xander's expression twisted at once.
The pinky toe against the table corner—never a peep until it hits.
"Eh?!! S-sorry, I didn't mean to!!!" Kiana yanked her hand back, flustered.
"Let me do it."
Giving the clumsy Kiana a helpless look, Kaguya stepped over and wedged herself between Kiana and Xander.
Her soft little hands moved along his calf and thigh. The just-right pressure immediately dulled Xander's pain by quite a bit.
"I, I…" Kiana sat there at a loss, clutching the hem of her clothes, her face full of worry for Xander.
Separated by Kaguya at his side, Kiana hurried around to sit on his other side. She reached out as if to hold his hand, but as soon as she lifted it, she drew back, asking timidly, "Does your foot still hurt?"
Seeing her cautious look tugged at the heartstrings. Xander couldn't stay mad. He grinned and took Kiana's hand in his.
"It's okay. It only hurt for a moment."
It actually hurt a lot, but this wasn't the time to show it.
Feeling his motion, Kiana blossomed into a smile, snuggled closer, and got so clingy she disrupted Kaguya's massage—and Kaguya lightly tapped her on the head.
Only Bronya stood by the sofa with folded arms, sneering at this guy enjoying the treatment of an emperor.
Didn't this guy know his own conduct? If he weren't so fickle, why would Seele and she have to keep such a close watch? And even like this, he still hooked up with Schicksal's little princess out of their sight. Why didn't Otto Apocalypse just break his legs for that?
Sometimes she thought it wouldn't be so bad if his legs were broken—so long as what's below still worked. Worst case, she'd do the moving herself in the future. And Seele would absolutely love it if Brother stayed by her side forever and needed her care forever.
The dangerous thought flashed by for a moment, but when her gaze actually fell on his face, all the strange ideas vanished, and her sharp eyes softened.
Thinking about breaking his legs was fine every once in a while, but if anyone dared hurt Xander, Bronya would be the first to refuse. How could she ever bear to see him harmed?
Xander also noticed Bronya's gaze. He lifted his head and said proudly, "Hey, you there—Little Duck—go pour me some juice. My mouth's a bit thirsty."
In an instant, the tenderness vanished, and Bronya actually laughed in anger.
"Thirsty, huh?"
"Yeah, yeah. I want sweet orange juice. Remember to add a few ice cubes… Hey, hey—what are you doing~"
Yanked upright all of a sudden, Xander looked at Bronya in a daze.
She licked her lips, a hint of allure on her face, and said in a slightly ambiguous voice, "Didn't you say you were thirsty? Come on—back to the bedroom. I'll let you drink your fill~"
"?????"
Xander stared for a moment before he understood what Bronya meant. He looked at her chest, then looked down, and finally looked at Bronya's face.
Holy—so bold?
Seeing Bronya about to haul him upstairs, Xander hurriedly said, "Hey, hey, wait. I just got back! Let me rest a bit, okay!!"
"Nope. Little Duck has to obey her master's orders and prepare a drink for her master~"
The deliberately playful tone made Xander's mouth twitch, and before he could break free, he felt Seele pin him from behind.
He turned back. Seele didn't dare meet his eyes. Blushing, she murmured softly, "G-going back to the bedroom will help Brother rest… better…"
I don't believe you at all!!
Unfortunately, two hands can't beat four. Xander didn't dare use too much strength, and could only be dragged by the already-conspiring sisters back to the second-floor bedroom.
"Wait—at least let me shower!!!"
That was his final defiance.
"It's been so long since I've seen Husband. I'll come too this time~" Kaguya chuckled, sat up, and unhurriedly followed after them.
In the end, only Kiana was left sitting on the sofa, dumbstruck.
T-this isn't right. Xander came back—shouldn't everyone be together, playing and having fun? How did everyone leave in the blink of an eye?
The key thing was—the party didn't even include her!
Thinking of that, Kiana's lips wobbled and she almost burst into tears. The "Count me in" stuck in her throat, no matter what, just wouldn't come out.
Click.
The front door opened. Mei, backpack on her shoulder, had just changed her shoes at the entryway when a tuft of white hair pounced into her arms.
"Wuwuwu, Mei…"
"???"
Seeing Kiana wailing in misery, Mei quickly set her bag aside, hugged her, and soothed her. "Kiana, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
"Wuwuwu, Xander—Xander, he…"
"Xander?"
Right—Xander came back today.
Mei clearly remembered that just yesterday, Kiana had come to her room in pajamas, all excited, saying she couldn't sleep and clinging to chat with her.
Girls' late-night talk about private topics—Mei always enjoyed that kind of friend-to-friend sharing.
So she'd lain on the bed, chin in her hands, smiling as she watched Kiana hugging a pillow, brimming with excitement about how Xander would be back today, how she wanted to go on a date, wanted to do some bold things, wanted to bring Xander home to meet her parents—things like that. They chatted until late into the night, until both were too sleepy to go on and their voices finally quieted.
Even now, Mei could still faintly recall Kiana's face filled with happiness.
But seeing Kiana alone in the living room today, and seeing her like this, Mei's brows knit at once.
Don't be fooled by Kiana's daily goofy, carefree act. Mei knew very well that this girl was actually extremely sensitive and delicate inside. And unlike the exterior she showed, when she was wronged she tended to bottle it up, making excuses for others herself.
Chances were Kiana had just been bullied. She didn't dare say it, and came to Mei to pour out her feelings.
As Kiana's best friend—and as Xander's friend—Mei felt she couldn't just sit by.
She patted Kiana's head. "Don't worry, Kiana. I'll get justice for you!"
"Huh?" Kiana's sobbing suddenly caught, and she lifted her head blankly.
"Is Xander upstairs on the second floor?" Mei asked.
Kiana nodded on reflex.
"Hmph. I'll go up right now and give him a piece of my mind!"
"?"
Seeing Mei heading straight for the stairs, Kiana froze for a second, then nearly jumped in fright. She immediately rushed up to grab her.
"Wait, wait—Mei, what are you going up there for?!!"
"Don't worry. I'll have a good talk with Xander. I won't affect your relationship. After all, I want you to be happy in the future too." Mei smiled and said it earnestly.
"N-no, I never said I'm not happy now!!"
"Then why were you crying just now?"
"Uh…" Kiana opened and closed her mouth, at a loss for words.
What was she supposed to say? That they started a party without inviting her?
She was really afraid that if she said it, Mei wouldn't be able to resist punching her.
…
Buried in Bronya's ample embrace, Xander didn't even feel like moving now.
Even "Three Heroes vs. Lü Bu" wouldn't stand a chance against that!
Just wait another year or so—once he upgraded his Sky Piercer, he'd cut down all those who'd tyrannized him!
Bronya lay on the bed, both hands stroking Xander's head, her little face filled with the ease of satisfaction.
Seele was hugging her brother from behind, her soft body piled on top of his, equally languid—her whole self gone rubbery and unable to move.
Just now, when Black Seele took over, she handed control of their consciousness to a still-groggy-and-resting Seele at the very brink of the peak, and the instant release had Seele practically rolling her eyes back.
Only Kaguya sat at the bedside, comb in hand, gently smoothing out her long hair while humming a cheerful tune.
There's no need to say more about what happened just now. Everyone in the room was savoring the afterglow.
"Hey, stop that. I need to ask you something." After a while, Bronya tapped Xander's head and drawled lazily.
"Hmm?" Lifting a hand to continue the action in place of his mouth, Xander also responded languidly.
"Sss~ Could you... take it easier when we're talking?" Bronya muttered a small complaint and shot him a charming glare, her eyes filled with affection.
She wasn't angry. After all, Bronya was quite pleased about her lover's obsession with her body.
Once Xander's movements gentled a bit, Bronya spoke again.
"That leak about your identity... you were the one who revealed it yourself, right?"
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