"Hello, is this Wendy's residence?"
Bronya stood outside Wendy's door, knocked, and tentatively called inside.
According to the information from the Schicksal Oceania Branch, Miss Wendy and "Wende" were indeed living here. As long as she found that Wende, she could save Kiana, right?
Bronya didn't hold out much hope. After all, who would casually throw something capable of knocking out a Valkyrie into a trash can?
"Sounds like we have a guest. You sit tight, I'll get the door."
Wende spoke softly to Wendy, then carried her to the sofa.
She still couldn't walk or stand for the time being. This process couldn't be rushed; it had to be done step by step.
"Mm..."
Wendy nodded obediently, her gaze toward the door tinged with apprehension.
For some reason... she suddenly felt a sense of panic...
Click...
Wende opened the door and looked at Bronya with some surprise.
What's going on? I'm pretty sure I avoided the three of them. Could it be... she's here for Wendy?
Thinking of Wendy's eventual fate, Wende's eyes darkened. It seemed he had thrown away that cookie too soon; he should have fed it to this world's Cocolia!
"Hello, Mr. Wende. I am a Valkyrie from Schicksal's Far East Branch, Bronya from St. Freya Academy. May I come in to speak?"
Bronya's words were very professional, and she also implied that the doorway was not the place to talk.
"So it's Miss Bronya. Please, come in."
Wende pretended not to recognize Bronya, stepping aside to invite her in.
"Thank you."
Bronya didn't stand on ceremony with Wende and walked straight into the apartment.
Wendy quietly watched Bronya enter. Who is she? Why haven't I seen her before?
"You must be Miss Wendy? Hello, I am Bronya from St. Freya Academy."
Bronya smiled and extended a friendly hand toward Wendy.
"St. Freya? Are you one of the teacher's students too?"
Hearing the name, Wendy was initially surprised, but her expression soon turned to one of melancholy... That's right, she could never go back...
"Are you referring to Principal Theresa? Yes, we all are."
Bronya nodded affirmatively.
"You all?"
Wendy's head snapped up alertly, the black-and-cyan tips of her hair stirring without a breeze.
"Yes, my companions and I. We are here under Principal Theresa's orders to escort Miss Wendy back to St. Freya Academy."
Placing a hand over her chest, Bronya spoke to Wendy with a solemn expression.
Bronya had learned a great deal about Miss Wendy's ordeal. Her situation was somewhat similar to her own past, but not entirely the same.
Because of this, Bronya held a great deal of sympathy for Wendy. After learning that Wende was her rehabilitation therapist, she didn't immediately question him about the "cookie."
This was also to avoid causing any unnecessary misunderstandings with Wendy...
"Really?"
Wendy's eyes fell, her expression a mixture of disbelief and hesitation. It would be wonderful to return to St. Freya Academy, but she...
Looking at Wende, who was quietly watching her from the side, Wendy hesitated.
Although she had only lived with Wende for seven days, it seemed she no longer wanted to return to her old life... After going back to St. Freya, would her life get back on track like it was three years ago?
Wendy's gaze towards Bronya became guarded.
Sensing the change in Wendy's eyes, Bronya couldn't help but feel a flicker of confusion. As far as she knew, this Miss Wendy had applied multiple times to be transferred back to St. Freya, but was rejected by the Oceania Branch for various reasons. Shouldn't she be eager to return? Why was she showing this kind of expression?
Wende, at the side, also seemed to have figured something out. Looking at Bronya's current appearance, a flash of understanding crossed his eyes.
Although he didn't know what had happened to the Bronya here, her current appearance was worlds apart from her past self.
The old Bronya was able to gain Wendy's trust because of their shared suffering. But the current Bronya... looked for all the world like a healthy young woman.
Could it be that this was precisely why Wendy lacked that sense of security?
Wende thought, quite reasonably.
"I... I need to think about it carefully. If I go back to St. Freya, can Mr. Wende continue to stay with me?"
Wendy looked toward Wende.
For some reason, he saw a plea in her eyes...
"Of course. If possible, I will accompany Wendy until she has fully recovered," Wende replied, as he always would.
"If Miss Wendy wishes to bring Mr. Wende along, I will consult with the Principal. The Principal is very concerned about Miss Wendy's situation. I believe she will not refuse Miss Wendy's request."
Glancing at Wende, Bronya replied to Wendy.
"Concerned... is she?"
Wendy's expression couldn't help but turn mournful. If she was truly concerned, then why wait until today, three years later, to come...
"Let me think about it..." Wendy said hesitantly. She was a little scared...
"Alright. I will come again tomorrow."
Bronya nodded in understanding, then shifted her gaze to Wende.
"Mr. Wende, there are some matters I'd like to consult you about. I wonder if you have the time?"
"Oh? Of course."
Wende raised an eyebrow in surprise. Could it be that Duckie, because of his game counterpart, wanted to get his autograph in real life?
And so, to Wendy's confused expression, Bronya and Wende stepped outside.
"Mr. Wende, may I ask... what was your intention when you threw away that cookie the other day?"
The moment they were out the door, Bronya got straight to the point. Wende felt as if something was aiming at his back. He didn't even have to think to know it was Project Bunny 19C.
But...
"The cookie? The one I threw away?"
Wende's brow furrowed as he looked at Bronya, completely baffled.
It seemed they had spotted him at the market. But that wasn't a big deal; since he was with Wendy, it was only a matter of time before he was discovered anyway.
What he was more curious about was why Bronya was making such a fuss over him throwing away a cookie, even deploying Project Bunny... could it be...
"Yes. The one you threw in the trash can."
Bronya nodded affirmatively, her gaze toward Wende rather unfriendly.
"So you're saying... you guys actually dug through the trash can just to find the garbage I threw away!?"
Wende stared at Bronya with eyes wide with disbelief...
"Ah... this..."