"A-adoptive mother?"
March 7th gasped sharply. "Uncle Yang, your past is this eventful?"
"To be precise, the age gap between Uncle Yang and the other party isn't actually that large. For a long-lived species, even a gap of over a decade or several decades is negligible compared to their total lifespan," Lynelle explained from the side.
"Exactly. By the time period Lynelle comes from, this effect was already quite apparent. To put it in anime terms, it's what they'd call 'motherly love evolving into something else'..."
Welt adjusted his glasses, a nostalgic gleam in his eyes. "At least during that dance, I genuinely thought about taking the next step bravely once I returned."
"What happened then?" March 7th leaned forward eagerly.
"Then I died."
"Huh?"
"Haha, not the development you expected, was it?" Welt chuckled softly.
"Truthfully, I buried those feelings deep inside afterward. On one hand, the circumstances at the time didn't permit it. On the other hand... once the alcohol from that night wore off, I began to hesitate again."
"This hesitation lasted until after everything was over... It was only with our companions' encouragement that we finally took that step."
"Aww—and I was hoping Lynelle could've captured that moment on camera..." March 7th sighed in disappointment. "A photo like that would've definitely been among my most treasured possessions."
"Don't lose heart, March," Lynelle said with a laugh. "From what I know, that Tesla sister has quite the temper, and Uncle Yang... well, he's precisely the type to leave without saying goodbye."
"So, when Uncle Yang finally finds his hometown... you'd better have your camera ready~"
"Yikes—"
The sound of sharply drawn breath came from both March and Welt simultaneously.
Though one was from excitement, the other was... pure cold sweat.
In any case, through this gossip session with March 7th and Welt, Lynelle successfully integrated into the "Astral Express family" and quickly grew close with little March.
After all, the outcome when an enthusiastic, outgoing, and slightly airheaded beauty meets a character like Elysia was already clearly demonstrated in version 3.4's storyline.
Though Lynelle was merely a high-grade imitation of Elysia, she was more than a match for someone of March's caliber.
More importantly, since she wasn't a native of Honkai Impact 3rd, even if Lynelle used her Elysia Stigmata to boost March's affection, it wouldn't lead to the kind of absurd situations seen at St. Freya.
Thus, having quickly infiltrated March's private quarters, Lynelle spent the week before departure diligently familiarizing herself with the Astral Express's members and functions, while returning to the Honkai Impact world at least four times daily—grinding affection in both worlds simultaneously.
However, unbeknownst to Lynelle, during her absences, Kiana's heart had begun undergoing some subtle changes of its own.
--+--
"Mei, Bronya, there's something very important I want to ask you."
One evening after dinner, instead of their usual gaming session, Kiana solemnly summoned the two to her room.
Mei and Bronya exchanged glances, confusion evident in their eyes.
"But before I say it, you have to promise not to laugh..."
"Don't worry, dummy Kiana," Bronya said, mechanically tugging at her expressionless mouth.
"Bronya has received professional training. No matter how funny it is, Bronya won't laugh. Unless a medical miracle occurs."
"So, speak."
"I, I think..." Kiana's cheeks flushed as she stammered, "Teacher Lynelle has... a kind of... motherly feeling about her..."
"Pfft— cough cough..." Mei whipped her head away violently.
"Mei—!"
"Cough, sorry, Kiana, I didn't mean to..." Mei clutched her mouth tightly, but laughter still spilled from her curved eyes. "It's okay, it's not just you. We all like Teacher Lynelle very much... pfft..."
"Mei sister shouldn't make excuses for this dummy Kiana," Bronya said, sighing as she held her forehead. "Bunny, go check if Kiana has a game called Valorant on her computer."
"I haven't been playing Val, you dummy Bronya! I'm being serious!" Kiana's face burned crimson.
"Teacher Lynelle really has a certain... feeling about her that's different from everyone else..."
"So dummy Kiana is planning to abandon Mei sister? In that case, Bronya won't hold back—"
"I'm not abandoning Mei!" Kiana wrapped her arms tightly around Mei. "Can't they both be my wings?!"
"But in manga, people who say that usually end up with a bad ending..."
"Alright, Bronya, stop teasing Kiana," Mei said, gently stroking Kiana's head.
"It's been about four months since Teacher Lynelle came to the academy. She often comes to our dorm for meals and gaming."
"I have to admit, she does have a unique kind of warmth about her that makes people want to get close—even Bronya and I feel it."
"But Kiana, could you be misinterpreting this warmth? That might be why you're having... well, such strange feelings."
"M...maybe..." Kiana averted her gaze. "But..."
"How about this, dummy Kiana," Bronya said, lightly tapping a few commands on Project Bunny's screen.
"Bronya has discovered that Teacher Lynelle's academy recommender was Teacher Welt, and the signatory was Principal Theresa. Why don't... you go ask them about Teacher Lynelle's background?"
"However, Bronya must warn you—if you approach Teacher Welt, Bronya suggests you first complete all the history assignments you've neglected this semester..."
"Guh, just kill me then..." The mere thought of making up all that history work instantly deflated Kiana into a limp white-haired puddle.
"So Kiana doesn't want to know the details about Teacher Lynelle after all?"
Though unsure how Bronya had steered the conversation toward Kiana's studies, as Kiana's actual guardian, Mei naturally seized the opportunity to reinforce the lesson.
"Ugh... then, then you have to help me, Mei!"
Thus, after some preparation, a history-addled Kiana found herself standing before...
Theresa's office door.
After all, compared to Welt, her aunt felt much more approachable. So Kiana decided to try her luck here first.
Somewhat unexpectedly, after Kiana cautiously finished describing her feelings, Theresa didn't get angry. Instead, she gazed back at Kiana with an unusually peculiar expression.
Well, to be accurate, there was nothing wrong with Theresa's expression itself—it was more that Kiana found it strange for Theresa to look at her like that under these circumstances.
Because... she seemed to have found a kindred spirit.
"So... you feel that way too, Kiana?"
--+--
T/N: Ima just increase number of chaps to 3 now
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.