Warm sunlight spilled onto the corner of the Chiba Academy courtyard as the girl stared blankly at the boy opposite her.
"Huh?"
Slightly stunned, MEI hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is it because of you?"
After speaking, she revealed a look of recollection. But before Leo arrived, she had been focused solely on her studies and really hadn't paid any attention to the classmates around her. It could even be said that she didn't have a single person she could talk to in this school.
"No."
Shaking his head, Leo spoke bluntly, "It's precisely because of your indifference to those around you that you attracted their targeting."
"It's only because your academic grades are good, plus you already have significant achievements now, and considering your family background, that they didn't dare to do anything to you."
"Purely because of jealousy?"
Understanding Leo's meaning, MEI felt somewhat dispirited. She originally thought there was some defect in herself.
But now it seems her intolerance for stupidity was acting up. There are always some idiots who don't think about improving themselves, but instead feel that as long as they drag down the stars in the sky, they themselves can rise up.
—Truly extremely stupid!
"That's right."
Seeing MEI understand, Leo laughed, "But could you please be a little considerate of ordinary people?"
"Although it's a bit strange for me to say this, I must remind you. Not everyone has your talent and flair, nor the opportunity to cash in on their talent."
"...Mn."
Hearing this, MEI couldn't help but freeze. A short while later, she tucked the stray hair behind her ear and said, "Sorry, I was arrogant."
Admittedly, she was indeed smart enough, but her emotional intelligence and experience were still insufficient. If not for Leo's words, she really wouldn't have realized this matter—
Not everyone is as smart as her, and has a world-famous electromagnetic physicist father.
It was precisely because she had these as a foundation that she could climb up without thorns, on a smooth path, and then be discovered by Mobius.
"Heh~"
Seeing MEI quickly reflect on herself, Leo naturally wouldn't continue this topic. In the final analysis, MEI was still too young. The current her wasn't the future Dr. MEI yet, just a daisy inside a greenhouse.
"But speaking of which—"
Returning to the main topic, Leo said, "It's also possible that I became the fuse for them to start targeting you openly, so if you say it's because of me, that's not wrong either."
"Therefore, if they do anything to you, you must not—"
"Rest assured, I will fight back directly."
Without waiting for Leo to finish, MEI gave a reply with a calm face. "One thing is one thing. I won't have the slightest guilt towards stupid people."
"Just because I'm smarter than them, I have to yield to them? This world isn't that gentle."
After speaking, she couldn't help shaking her head at Leo.
"Heh~"
Seeing MEI say this, Leo couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Looking at it this way, my worry was superfluous."
"But you also have to be careful. After all, the situation is different now. They might not be 'them' anymore. At that time, if you trigger some mechanism, it's very likely you'll be directly pulled into a Honkai Domain by them."
"Mn, I will be careful."
Nodding thoughtfully, MEI turned and said again, "But say, could that second-year female student be unable to wake up precisely because of this? Otherwise, the person is cured, so why would she continue to sleep?"
Although according to the doctor, it was because the girl was resisting waking up. But knowing about the Honkai Domain, she didn't think things would be that simple.
"Anyway, after school, let's meet up with Kiana at the hospital."
Hearing this, Leo also became vigilant. But he didn't want to let go of MEI's super-intelligent brain, so he could only seek out Kiana as a bodyguard again.
"Mn."
Understanding Leo's meaning, MEI nodded, sipping the last of her strawberry milk, quietly gazing at Leo opposite her.
—Really makes one feel at ease.
Afterwards, although their acting together caused a small discussion in class, and even sociable boys asked Leo directly, overall, this wasn't a big deal.
After all, high school students, it's the time when hormones have nowhere to vent; even bookworms will welcome spring. The only change was probably that among the girls, MEI's evaluation was deteriorating rapidly. But it was only one day, and no major changes had happened yet.
...
After school, MEI walked out of the school gate with Leo openly, ignoring the gazes of those around them.
"You really have thrown caution to the wind, haven't you?"
Looking at MEI beside him with some amusement, Leo couldn't help but tease.
"Don't play the innocent victim when you're the one benefitting."
Rolling her eyes at Leo, MEI spoke bluntly, "Don't force me to take Mei and Kiana to isolate you."
"Sorry, I was wrong!"
Hearing this, Leo apologized instantly. It's just that from his playful expression, one could see he had no remorse.
Anyway, chatting and laughing like this, the two met up with Kiana who had long been waiting for them at the hospital.
"How is the situation?"
Discussing business, Leo restrained the smile on his face, revealing a serious expression.
"The situation is far worse than you imagine."
On Kiana's pretty face, a rare solemnity appeared. "Not just the hospital, this entire city shows signs of being eroded by the Honkai."
"Perhaps, we don't have three months at all!"
________________________________________
Get rewarded for helping with our community goals!
🎯 Reward for all: +1 bonus chapter at 50 Powerstones.
🚀 Tier Reward: Help us reach 20 members for +5 chapters on all stories!
👻 Join the crew by searching Ms. Medusa on (P). You know the spot! 😉