"The reason she gone...I can't tell you, Kiana."
Xia Qi looked at Kiana with complex emotions, speaking softly.
"..."
Kiana's teeth clenched involuntarily. She stared at Xia Qi, the corners of her eyes rapidly turning red.
Although she, Mei, and Bronya had only lived with Himeko and the others for a month now, that one month had given them a feeling called 'home'.
In just a month, they had grown fond of and accustomed to the boisterous, often careless, heavy-drinking, seemingly rough but actually surprisingly sensitive and straightforward Nagazora Himeko.
In that short month, Nagazora Himeko had once again given Kiana and the others the warmth of a family.
So, when Kiana confirmed Xia Qi's words, she felt immense sorrow.
"Himeko... went missing in her final battle. We learned of her passing through other means, but...we never actually found her..."
A touch of sadness entered Xia Qi's eyes as she looked at Kiana and spoke softly.
"Then I absolutely refuse to believe she's gone!" Kiana said without hesitation.
"Mm..."
Xia Qi nodded, letting out a deep sigh. Then, a solemn, serious expression appeared in her eyes.
"Kiana... I will absolutely not let any more accidents happen around us."
"..."
In response, Kiana just clenched her teeth, her eyes growing slightly red.
"Believe in me, Kiana. And believe in yourselves."
Xia Qi reached out and pulled Kiana into an embrace, soothing her softly.
Held in Xia Qi's arms, Kiana fought back her grief. She now fully understood why the other her had wanted her to say hello to Himeko, and why the future Mei had looked at Himeko with such sadness.
But she would not believe Himeko had truly died in the future!
If the future Himeko wasn't found, then she couldn't possibly be dead. Someone as cool and strong as her... how could she die?!
And the present Himeko would definitely not go missing in the future!
Kiana secretly made up her mind.
Holding Kiana, feeling her slight trembles, Xia Qi couldn't help but tighten her embrace a little more.
After a moment, she continued softly, "Alright, Kiana. If we go on like this, we won't make it back on time."
As she spoke, she gently wiped the corners of Kiana's eyes, brushing away the tear stains. Then, with a calm gaze but an exceptionally gentle voice, she said:
"Let's go. After we buy groceries, Mei and I will make you a big chicken leg~"
"Mm... Mm-hm!"
Kiana nodded vigorously, then let Xia Qi take her hand and lead her forward.
"Oh, and tonight, I plan to go for a walk alone. Around seven o'clock. I want to take a good look at the academy scenery by myself... see if everything is exactly as I remember. So tonight, you can play games with Bronya."
As they walked, Xia Qi suddenly said this.
"Huh? You don't want me to come with you?"
"No, I don't."
"Okay then..."
"Mm."
After saying this and declining Kiana's company for the walk, Xia Qi continued with her toward the supermarket.
After they left, from the shadows of the small grove, Rita emerged, dressed in an alluring and elegant black maid dress with short skirt.
"So I was discovered... by the time-traveling Miss Raiden Mei, suspected to be from the future..."
Rita shook her head slightly. She knew Xia Qi's words were meant for her—a message to meet here at 7 PM. But she still felt a tinge of disappointment at being found out so easily, even if the other party was a Herrscher.
Still, the initial contact mission was accomplished.
Thinking this, Rita turned and left down another path. She needed to find a place to wait and rest for now. After all, Miss Theresa didn't know of her arrival yet.
After Rita left, from within the same grove, Welt slowly stepped out, holding his teaching plan. He coughed twice, looking at the direction Rita had vanished, then glanced toward where Xia Qi had gone, feeling a bit puzzled.
He wondered if Xia Qi's words were meant for him, for Rita, or perhaps for both.
Ending his thoughts, Welt turned and left. Classes were resuming tomorrow, and his lesson plan wasn't fully prepared yet. He'd better go finish it.
The day soon passed, most of it gone.
Late that night, after Xia Qi and Mei finished cleaning the kitchen together, Xia Qi changed her shoes.
"Teacher Himeko, I'm going out for a walk."
"Hic... Be careful."
Himeko, her face flushed, said to Xia Qi from where she lay on the sofa, a half-empty bottle of vodka in her hand.
"Be safe."
"Are you sure you don't want us to come with you?"
Mei, Kiana, and the others couldn't help but ask.
"No, I want to take a careful look by myself."
Xia Qi said softly, then walked out, gently closing the door behind her.
Outside, Fu Hua was looking at her with a somewhat complicated gaze.
Xia Qi met her eyes, smiled, and continued walking.
"I'm sorry. I said I wouldn't carry things alone, but... some things, I still need to do by myself."
As she passed Fu Hua, Xia Qi whispered this.
"If you need help, I'm here," Fu Hua said, turning to look at Xia Qi's back, her tone serious.
"Mm."
Xia Qi nodded.
Perhaps sometimes, she shouldn't always insist on making everything follow the original course. After all, that course was already blurred, and it would only make everyone angry.
Leaving the dormitory building, Xia Qi slowly walked toward the small grove connecting the dorms to the academy's teaching buildings.
Perhaps because classes were starting tomorrow, there weren't many Valkyries out for a walk. Also, there was more than one path through the grove.
Xia Qi slowly headed for the path from that afternoon. That path was now closed off, with a sign indicating road maintenance—cement not yet dry—but there was a gap left, just wide enough for one person to pass.
She knew this was left for her.
Entering, Xia Qi saw, under the streetlight, Rita. Her figure was graceful and enchanting, her charming face wearing a respectful yet utterly captivating smile as she looked at Xia Qi.
"Miss Raiden Mei, good evening. My apologies for choosing a less-than-ideal location to meet."
"Good evening, Rita."
Looking at Rita, Xia Qi's expression was calm.
"It seems the information about you being from the future holds some credibility, Miss Raiden Mei," Rita said, taking elegant steps as she slowly approached Xia Qi. Her long, black-stockinged legs crossed with mesmerizing grace—a sight unfortunately wasted on Xia Qi at the moment.
"Speak. Why are you looking for me? What does Otto want?"
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