That evening, Mei had originally planned to cook a grand feast to celebrate everyone's triumphant return from the Jiuyou expedition. However, the thought that Himeko's life was still hanging in the balance dampened her high spirits. But not wanting to disappoint Ryn and the others, she dragged Kika along to be her assistant and prepared a sumptuous dinner.
Kiana was initially excited for a big meal, but seeing Himeko's usual seat empty, her mood dropped as well.
Ryn held Kiana's hand, quietly reassuring everyone that Himeko would be fine. The equipment in the academy was Schicksal's most advanced technology; it would surely save Himeko.
But no one knew Himeko's actual condition, so all they could do was wait for news from Theresa.
Halfway through the meal, Theresa and Oath of Judah returned. Judah still had her usual icy expression, while the ever-smiling Theresa now wore a somber face.
"I have some bad news for everyone... 30 minutes ago, I received a call from the emergency center. Himeko, she..."
Theresa paused, then looked at the tense faces of Ryn and the others before breaking into a grin.
She held up a comic book and a glass of bitter melon juice from behind her back and shouted happily, "Himeko is completely out of danger! Now, let's have a party to celebrate!"
"How is that bad news!" everyone retorted, speechless.
"How is it not bad news!" Theresa pouted, saying with a look of pity, "Although Himeko can't get out of bed yet, she'll be able to move around again after a month of rest.
I was hoping she'd get seriously injured so I could teach that fiery temper of hers a good lesson. Looks like there's no chance for that this time..." Theresa shrugged helplessly.
Although Himeko's injury pained her greatly, if Himeko had been injured enough to retire from the front lines, Theresa would have thrown a huge party.
She knew Himeko too well. Once she recovered from this injury, Himeko would undoubtedly return to the battlefield...
Mei watched Theresa, who seemed to wish Himeko harm, and desperately wanted to call her out. However, everyone's attention was drawn to the bitter melon juice in Theresa's hands and next to Judah.
"By the way, Principal, why do you like drinking bitter melon juice so much? It doesn't taste very good..." Ryn asked curiously after taking a sip.
"Because someone once told me that drinking lots of bitter melon juice would make me taller~" Theresa explained to Ryn and the others, a nostalgic look on her face.
(It seems that due to a genetic defect, Theresa has a very limited sense of taste and can only perceive the bitterness of bitter melon. Combined with Cecilia and Otto feeding it to her, she came to like bitter melon juice.)
Hearing Theresa's explanation, Bronya didn't hesitate for a second. She grabbed two large bottles of bitter melon juice and shouted, "Ura!"
*Gulp, gulp, gulp~* She chugged both bottles straight from the mouth.
"Bronya... you don't have to go that far, do you?!"
After downing two bottles as big as her head, Bronya collapsed onto her chair. "No, Big Sister Mei, you don't understand..."
"Principal... I want more! I can still drink... *hic*~"
"No, you can't!"
With a wave of her small hand, Theresa gathered all the other bitter melon juice bottles into her arms. She hadn't brought much with her this time, and Bronya had already polished off two. If she drank any more, Theresa herself would have none left.
Ryn looked at Kiana, who was still looking downcast, and waved a hand in front of her face.
"Are you okay? Theresa was just joking. Himeko is fine now."
"I'm fine..." Kiana slumped onto the table, turning her head away from Ryn.
"I just feel so useless... It feels like I didn't contribute anything during the Jiuyou mission. Even though the Xuanyuan Sword acknowledged me, I was still just like a background character... I'm too weak..."
"Kiana, people grow, but growth always takes time. Compared to when we first enrolled, Kiana has become much stronger, hasn't she? Most of the Honkai Beasts in Jiuyou were defeated by Kiana, you know. And that little punk named Sin, if Kiana hadn't held him off, I wouldn't have been able to get there in time... So Kiana, don't underestimate yourself!"
"That's right, that's right! Kiana, don't put yourself down like that. You're very important too," Kika added in agreement. Although she hadn't gone down into Jiuyou herself, she knew a little about the situation down there.
As she spoke, Kika glanced at Mei and said sarcastically, "Unlike a certain big-chested woman, who can't do anything but talk~"
"No dissing one to praise another!" Ryn tapped Kika's head lightly.
"Mushoku Kika! I always thought I had a good temper, but now I see it still needs work. But before that, I've had enough of you. Die!"
Mei grabbed a knife and fork from the table and charged at Kika. Kika made a face at Mei, then summoned her exosuit,「Sabayou」, and sat nonchalantly in her chair, letting Mei attack as she pleased.
Mei was so angry her hair stood on end. She couldn't actually stab her, and even if she did, she wouldn't be able to pierce the armor...
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, see? Besides having big boobs and the face of a doting wife, she can't do anything else. Oh my~ oh my~ my skin is so itchy, I really want someone to discipline me~" Kika taunted Mei with a smug look on her face.
Mei was so enraged she brought the knife down, only for the blade to get bent...
"She's so annoying... I want to hit her too." "I feel the same way..." Ryn, Kiana, and the others' attention was now completely focused on the comical duo of Kika and Mei.
"Since Ryn said he wants to have a go too, let me help you." As she spoke, a chain shot out from Judah's body, flew into Mei's hand, and transformed into a katana.
"What the hell, that's not fair. Mei, I was wrong!" Kika immediately deactivated her exosuit, got on her knees, and apologized to Mei.
It was one thing to tease Mei normally, but a Mei armed with Judah was not someone to mess with. One slash and she'd be done for.
"Heh, you were enjoying taunting me just now, weren't you? Well, the tables have turned, Miss Kika~" Mei narrowed her eyes, a kind smile on her face as she slowly approached Kika, then grabbed her by the ear and dragged her into the room.
But after the two went into the room, Judah silently retracted the chain.
Seeing the katana suddenly disappear from her hand, Mei's narrowed eyes shot wide open.
"Now, the tables have turned again. Die, Raiden Mei!"
Kika lunged, grabbing Mei's two huge treasures and tackling her onto the bed. Mei cried out in surprise, then, not to be outdone, grabbed Kika's face and pulled it sideways.
"They're so big, why don't you share some with me!!"
"Cut yourself up first, then I'll share some with you!"
......
......
The two fought until they were exhausted, tears streaming down their faces, tongues lolling out. The battle ended with Kika fainting from exhaustion on Mei's massive treasure chest...
(I don't know what I'm writing, just know it's all for fun.)