"You all... what are you doing here?"
Ming Yu's throat moved, and he spoke in an incredibly strained tone.
Looking at the four girls who shouldn't have been there, Ming Yu suddenly found it difficult to breathe.
"Hmph! Why can't I be here?"
Noticing Ming Yu at the door, Kiana pouted and spoke in a tone that was anything but polite.
Hearing her resentful words, Ming Yu didn't dare to answer and could only avert his gaze sheepishly.
No matter how he explained it, his unannounced departure six months ago had hurt the girls' feelings. They saw him as a friend, but he left without a word and was gone for half a year.
Although he had his reasons at the time, and he had later explained in writing, what was done could not be undone.
This was also why he hadn't thought of looking for them in the time he'd been back; he still wasn't ready to face Kiana and the others.
In his mind, this meeting should have been pushed back a few days, at least until he had prepared some small gifts as an apology.
But reality always unfolded in such unexpected ways, leaving him completely unprepared.
As Ming Yu was deep in thought, Higokumaru walked up gently, a warm smile on her face, and said softly, "Big Bro Yu, welcome back."
There was no hint of blame in the girl's expression, nor any excitement, as if he had just stepped out for a moment rather than being gone for half a year.
Hearing the girl's voice, Ming Yu's anxious heart instantly calmed down a lot.
Stepping into his own apartment, Ming Yu asked with some confusion, "Wait, how did you know I was back?"
The large room was spotless, clearly having been cleaned recently. The floor was still faintly damp in places.
There were even a few leftover dishes on the dining table, giving a glimpse of how lavish lunch must have been. And with Kiana present, it clearly wasn't a matter of too much food being made; it was obviously left for someone on purpose.
The problem was, he hadn't told anyone other than Fu Hua that he had returned to St. Freya, not even Higokumaru.
If they had met by chance on the way, his keen senses would have definitely noticed.
"The Principal told us," Mei said with a light laugh.
"Hmph! So it was you, Ming Yu. If Theresa hadn't said anything, were you planning on not telling us at all?"
As she spoke, Kiana punched Ming Yu on the shoulder.
To think that Mei had prepared a feast for this guy, wanting to give him a surprise. But he had clearly arrived at St. Freya long ago and only came back here now, wasting all of Mei's hard work.
Even if the broad-minded Mei didn't care, she wouldn't let a guy like this off so easily.
"Hiss~"
Feeling the pain from his shoulder, Ming Yu's body trembled, and he couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath. An angry Kiana wasn't in the mood to hold back, and the force of her punch was something even he found hard to bear.
But even so, he had no intention of dodging. Compared to the worry the girls had gone through, what was this one punch?
If even Kiana showed no reaction, it would mean their friendship was well and truly over.
Noticing Ming Yu's expression, Bronya said flatly, "It's precisely because of idiots like Kiana that Big Bro Yu couldn't stand it, right?"
"Huh?" Kiana turned her head, staring intently at the petite, deadpan girl, and gritted her teeth. "Shorty, are you looking for another fight? Don't think I'll go easy on you just because it's the day Ming Yu came back!"
"To date, Bronya's record against Kiana is thirty-three wins, zero draws, and zero losses," Bronya calmly reported the numbers, perfectly illustrating what a crushing advantage was.
"Why don't you fight without Project Bunny? Let's have a fair duel!"
Her face blushing, Kiana yelled. If it weren't for that troublesome robot, she was fully confident she could pin the shorty to the ground and wipe the floor with her without firing a single shot.
"Project Bunny is a part of Bronya. A Bronya without Project Bunny is not a complete Bronya."
How could the clever Bronya not see through the Paramecium's thoughts? Naturally, she refused without hesitation.
Watching this familiar squabble, a faint warmth rose in Ming Yu's heart.
Wasn't this what he fought for, frequently entering dangerous battlefields and desperately improving his strength, to have the power to protect these things?
"We really have the Principal to thank this time. If she hadn't told us, we would never have thought you'd come back."
Seeing that Ming Yu was in a good mood, Mei's words carried a hint of gentle reproach.
Although she respected Ming Yu's personal choices, she still held some resentment towards him, complaining that he didn't treat them as friends, leaving for such a dangerous affair without any discussion.
Hearing Mei's words and looking at the tidy apartment, Ming Yu couldn't help but sigh.
If nothing else, Theresa's treatment of him was impeccable. Whether it was cultivating his strength or providing for his living conditions, she had never shorted him on anything he deserved. Even in private conversations, she had given him enough respect.
Although the benefits the Principal gave him required him to pay a certain price, there was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. His name wasn't some Paramecium; there was no reason for his initial affection rating to be maxed out, allowing him to receive the Principal's care for free.
To be fair, Theresa was an excellent superior. To be able to hold the position of the highest commander of the Far East Branch with that stature and appearance, even with support from headquarters, her personal charisma was indispensable.
After all, this was a person who could lead the entire Far East Branch to rebel against Schicksal. Did you really think Theresa only slacked off at work and read manga?
At least now, Ming Yu no longer had any thoughts of betraying the Far East Branch. Even after what had happened that morning, he would certainly not entertain the idea of leaving.
"Yes, the Principal is indeed a person worthy of gratitude and respect." Squinting his eyes, Ming Yu said with a smile, "But, I also have to thank you all for helping me tidy up the room."
Although he was prepared to clean the apartment himself and didn't mind such chores, since someone had solved this problem that should have been his, he should express his gratitude no matter what.
To this, Mei just smiled gently and said nothing more.
"Now that you're back, how long will you be staying, Big Bro Yu?"
Looking at Ming Yu, who seemed perfectly normal, Higokumaru knew he couldn't stay here for long and couldn't help but ask with some worry.
Staring into the girl's blue eyes, Ming Yu could almost see the gentle concern within them. But even he didn't know the answer, so naturally, he couldn't give a definite reply. He could only let out a long, soft sigh:
"It won't be very short, but it won't be very long either. What comes next... will be a fierce storm..."