Chapter 124 Black Seele: Su Mu, your first kiss isn't with Big Sister, it's mine!
After Pardo's stream ended, Su Mu drove to the bottom of Bronya's apartment building. He picked up the three laughing women and headed out to a restaurant to welcome Seele.
"Brother Su Mu, you have no idea! When Pardo told the fans the info you leaked, they were scared silly. They thought you were going to do something to Sister Bronya..." Pardo sat in the passenger seat, giggling as she recounted the interaction with the audience.
"Is that so? They think of me as too much of a demon. I'm clearly a kind-hearted person." Su Mu drove while glancing out of the corner of his eye at Pardo. She was wearing cool summer clothes, her fair legs crossed. Likely due to her frequent outdoor shop-vlogging, she was fit and her skin looked exceptionally elastic.
"Brother Su Mu, you have the nerve to say that." Pardo pouted cutely. "Do you know how shocked Pardo was when she saw the Azure Sea plot? You're so ruthless to your characters! I really suspect you're a wicked stepfather!"
Su Mu laughed. "It's not that serious. I'm merciful."
Sitting in the back, the Big Duck rolled her eyes. Merciful? Merciful my foot! If you were merciful, would you write the Trio to be more miserable than the last? Would a merciful person write 'Final Lesson'? Heh, Su Mu's mouth is a lying ghost!
Seele didn't join the conversation. She looked at Su Mu in the driver's seat, a strange emotion flashing in her beautiful eyes. Finally, she secretly tucked her phone into the crack of the seat.
After Su Mu parked the car in the underground garage, the four of them took the elevator up. The specialty of Arc City was, of course, hotpot. After all, Arc City was modeled after Chongqing from Su Mu's previous life, known as the "Mountain City." In the game, Arc City was a cyberpunk Chongqing; while the reality wasn't that exaggerated, the similarities were there. The spicy and fresh hotpot, the tender and crispy Geleshan spicy chicken... these were all top-tier delicacies.
Pardo had suggested hotpot, wanting Seele to try the local flavors. Su Mu was slightly worried whether Seele could handle such heavy seasoning. To be honest, in Arc City, choosing a place to eat on a date was a challenge. The local food culture was famous for being pungent and spicy; if you didn't have a heavy palate, you wouldn't feel satisfied. But for a girl who dressed up and wore perfume, coming out of a hotpot place smelling only of oil and spices could ruin the mood. However, this wasn't a date, just a meal among friends.
"Hehe! Pardo has filmed a vlog at this place! The taste is authentic! The boss is a fan of Pardo's too!" The moment they entered, the owner recognized her and greeted her warmly. He immediately offered a discount and began making arrangements. With such hospitality, it was no wonder he made money.
At that moment, Seele, who had been following behind, suddenly let out a small "Oh!"
Bronya and Su Mu turned back curiously. "Seele, what's wrong?"
Facing their gazes, Seele lowered her head sheepishly. "Um... Brother Su Mu, I think I left my phone in the car. Could you go back with me to get it?"
Bronya gave a helpless smile. "Seele is so careless. Su Mu, sorry to trouble you."
"It's no trouble at all." Su Mu smiled. It was a small favor. "You and Pardo find a seat first; we'll be right back."
After a quick word with Pardo, Su Mu headed out with Seele following him. The atmosphere was silent; they didn't speak in the elevator. Su Mu felt a bit awkward, but since they had just met and Seele seemed shy, he thought it was normal. He didn't know that Seele, watching his back, had suddenly dropped the "weak little girl" act she showed in front of Bronya.
Su Mu found the car in the garage and unlocked it. He stood by, pulling out his own phone, thinking it would be faster to call her phone if she couldn't find it. Seele climbed into the back seat. Crawling across the seat, her summer dress and the lace trim highlighted the beautiful curves of her legs. Most striking was the butterfly-themed thigh strap—to be honest, such accessories were quite aesthetic, emphasizing a woman's leg lines. Paired with ribboned sandals wrapping her fair feet, she looked like a fairytale dream in the summer heat. Because she was leaning over, the view under her skirt was... distracting.
Su Mu didn't consider himself a saint, but he wasn't a creep either. He coughed awkwardly and looked away, even though the image was already burned into his memory.
"Brother Su Mu, I can't find it... how strange, it should be here..." Seele emerged from the back, looking distressed.
"I'll help you look. I'll call it if we can't find it." Su Mu climbed into the back as well. Since his car was a large SUV, the back seat was spacious enough that even a grown man didn't feel cramped. Standing at 1.8 meters, Su Mu preferred the SUV's high ground clearance and large interior.
As he rummaged around, the scent of Bronya and Seele lingered in the car. If the Big Duck had a milky, baby-like fragrance, Seele's was like lilies of the valley—pure and fresh.
"Oh, it's in the crack of the seat. Found it." Su Mu pulled the phone out. It had a pink HOMU case, clearly a matching set with Bronya's yellow one. Just as he picked it up, he heard the car door slam shut.
When Su Mu turned around, a hand shoved his shoulder firmly, pushing him back against the seat. Seele's white dress featured an off-the-shoulder design that showed off her elegant neckline. The dress was adorned with butterfly motifs, hugging her slender but surprisingly developed figure. This dress should have radiated innocence, but the Seele currently sitting on top of Su Mu was licking her finger, her clear blue eyes flashing with a predatory charm. She looked like a seductive little demon.
"Seele, you...?" Su Mu was surprised, but he quickly realized he had been played. In the cramped, quiet car, the atmosphere turned heavy with tension.
"Brother Su Mu, actually, I fell in love with you at first sight. I've been thinking about you the whole way here." Seele put on a pitiful, soul-stirring expression. "But seeing you and Bronya-oneesama so close makes Seele so jealous. Why does it have to be Big Sister?"
As a normal man, Su Mu had his moments of weakness, but he knew this wasn't the time. There was no way Seele fell in love with him at first sight. Combined with why she was here, Su Mu guessed her goal instantly.
"Brother Su Mu, do you think Seele is pretty? Though Seele isn't as 'well-shaped' as Big Sister, I'm very confident in my... texture." Seele's face was flushed. she began to slowly lower one shoulder of her dress, seemingly wanting to show off.
Su Mu felt a headache coming on. Looking at her obvious attempt at seduction, he couldn't help but want to call her out. The acting was clumsy—on par with an idiot like Rozaliya—and the logic was non-existent. Unless you were a total moron, it was clearly a "honey trap" set-up. The phone had been the bait.
He sighed. "Miss Seele... your acting is so bad I can't help but want to spoil the scene."
Seele's eyes widened, and she froze. Then, her expression darkened. The seductive mask vanished. "You really do know I exist... I suppose you told Big Sister about me too?"
Facing the "unmasked" Seele, Su Mu said helplessly, "Get off first. Someone will misunderstand if they see us like this."
"Seele" didn't move. She grabbed Su Mu's collar. "Tch! Be quiet! How do you know about me? Big Sister never noticed, and I've never met you. How do you know my secret?"
Su Mu had been uncertain, but the tone confirmed it: this was the other Seele. Perhaps the switch happened earlier, but since her eyes didn't change color in this world (no Honkai energy), he hadn't noticed.
"Your mother, Cocolia, told me." Su Mu looked into her eyes. He wasn't lying. Before Seele arrived, he had called Cocolia to prepare, asking about Bronya and Seele. Cocolia, a former soldier, had incredible insight. She knew about the second personality but had never mentioned it. Strangely, she didn't tell Bronya, but she told Su Mu.
"Bronya will find out sooner or later... I'm telling you because Bronya trusts you." "...Thank you, Ms. Cocolia?" "Hehe, if you don't mind, you can call me Mother Cocolia like Bronya does. You might have to change how you address me one day anyway..."
Su Mu hadn't understood her meaning then, but he wasn't deceiving Seele now. He did hear it from Cocolia (even if he knew it from the game first).
"Mother Cocolia... she found out long ago?" Seele let go of his collar, her attitude softening.
Su Mu said, "She loves you. How could a mother not know her daughter's situation?"
Seele nodded, drifting into memory. "Mother was always good to us. She gave us a home." But then her face turned fierce again. "One more thing: what do you really think of Bronya-oneesama? Do you truly love her? Don't think I don't know—Pardo-oneesama told me there are a lot of girls circling around you!!"
Su Mu answered seriously: "I truly like Bronya, just as I like you, Seele."
Seele froze, then clenched her fist in anger. "You—"
But she noticed Su Mu's gaze. It wasn't the gaze of a man for a woman; it was more like... a father looking at his daughter. "You are Bronya's sister. I've heard so much about you from her, so of course I like you too."
This wasn't the first time he looked at these girls like this. As a veteran Captain, he had seen their tragedies. Seeing them happy and peaceful now made him genuinely glad.
Seele blanked out. Pardo's words from earlier flashed in her mind: "Brother Su Mu? I don't get him. I feel like he isn't our director, but the 'Father' of our whole big family. He worries about everyone... but he doesn't look like he knows how to actually date. A total workaholic."
Seele felt both annoyed and amused. Why did Bronya-oneesama fall for such a blockhead? No, rather than a blockhead, this man who wasn't much older than her had a maturity that made her feel like... a little girl?
Having received Su Mu's explanation, Seele got off him and climbed out of the car. She straightened her dress. It was summer, and the car was sweltering; she was sweaty and her face was flushed.
"Thank you."
After she shut the door, Su Mu looked up in surprise. "Mhm?"
Seele crossed her arms, looking reluctant. "I'm thanking you! For telling Big Sister, and for creating this opportunity for us..."
Su Mu smiled. "It's fine. Bronya is my friend, so her sister is my sister too."
Seele felt her blood pressure rise. She couldn't accept them as a couple, but she couldn't accept this either. Big Sister is so charming, and you aren't moved at all? Who are you acting mature for? If Bronya-oneesama likes such a dense man, will she never get a response?!
The more she thought, the angrier she got. Why aren't you pursuing her? What's with the 'holy saint' act? Why do you look at me like a child? No! As the man closest to Big Sister, you MUST be moved by her, so I can ruthlessly reject you on her behalf!
Guh... does Big Sister like your 'untouchable' image? I have to break your perfect image and show her you're a total scumbag!
Looking at his smiling face, a mad idea popped into her head.
"Brother Su Mu." "?"
Before Su Mu could react, he felt something soft on his lips. The scent of lilies made him freeze.
"Your first kiss, right? Ha... ha-ha! Now, you... you can't take Big Sister's first kiss! Your first kiss doesn't belong to her, it's mine!! I'm Seele!!"
The "Seele" in front of him wiped her lips. Her eyes were a mess of confusion, but she forced a smirk, acting like she had won. "As long as I'm around, you will never, ever get close to her! Remember, I have something on you now, so... so—"
Her face was so red she looked like steam might come out. Her voice got smaller until it was a whisper. She lowered her head, her ears burning.
"Seele? You're back?" "Mhm..." The real Seele replied weakly.
Su Mu coughed. "Let's go up. Bronya and the others will be waiting..."
Seele nodded silently.
"Your phone." Su Mu handed it to her. She followed him, her body feeling hot. she wanted to vanish. Other me! What did you do... you kissed him and then ran away, leaving me to face him!
She couldn't believe her other self had surrendered control mid-sentence because of embarrassment! That's so mean! How am I supposed to face him now, or Big Sister who likes him! Her brain felt like it was frying. Even if the other personality did it, she still felt it!
She touched her lips and whispered, "The other me is such an idiot... and it was Seele's... our first kiss..."
When they returned to the restaurant, the food was served. Bronya looked at them curiously. "You're back? What took so long?"
Su Mu replied, "Crowded. We were waiting for the elevator." He naturally couldn't mention what happened. He was still reeling from "Seele's" boldness. This had to stay a secret, especially from Bronya. kissing her sister right after meeting her? He couldn't say that!
"Seele, why is your face so red?" Bronya asked, noticing the girl's flushed cheeks.
"Ah... it was too hot in the garage. I'm sweating..." Seele forced a smile and quickly sat next to Pardo, leaving the seat next to Bronya for Su Mu.
Bronya's face flushed slightly as Su Mu sat down. She felt a bit stiff.
"Eh? Seele isn't sitting with Sister Bronya?" Pardo looked at them, a question mark appearing above her head.
"Ah, it's easier to serve food from here. Pardo-oneesama and Brother Su Mu work so hard; let Seele do something helpful." Seele's logic was sound, and Bronya didn't suspect a thing. It was typical Seele behavior.
While waiting for the pot to boil, Seele's gaze was darting around. Every time she accidentally met Su Mu's eyes, she looked away. Bronya was looking at her phone, seemingly chatting with someone, so she didn't notice.
Pardo, however, noticed they weren't talking and were avoiding eye contact. What's the situation? They just went to get a phone, and now it feels like something happened? Pardo looked at Seele. She noticed Seele's left dress strap was twisted. It had been perfectly straight before they left.
Could it... Could it be?! Pardo Felis felt like she had discovered a world-shattering secret. She clamped her hand over her mouth to stop a scream from escaping. Her heart was pounding. A massive secret! This cannot be told to anyone! At least not here! Pardo, calm down, calm down!!
"I-I'm going to the restroom." Pardo stood up, her movements as stiff as an un-oiled robot.
"Sigh... Kiana is such an idiot." Bronya let out a sigh at that moment, looking troubled.
"Oh? Bronya?"
Facing Su Mu's question, Bronya put down her phone. "Mhm... St. Freya High is organizing a two-week field trip. Sirin will be away for those two weeks—it ends right around our next version update. You know Kiana's habits; without Sirin, she won't survive half a month!"
Bronya knew all too well that Kiana was a disaster at housework. Back in school, Mei handled everything for her. Without Sirin, the "Tuna" would likely starve to death at home.
"Can't she order takeout?" "But laundry and cleaning... no one to do it." "...." Su Mu fell silent. A purebred disaster.
"She asked if she could stay at my place, but with Seele here, it's too crowded. Mei-oneesama is busy with work too and has no time to look after that idiot."
Su Mu thought for a second. "What about Theresa?"
As he asked, his phone rang. It was Theresa.
"Hello? Su Mu? It's Theresa..." "Ms. Theresa, what's up?" "Call me Auntie... or Auntie Theresa is fine." Theresa paused. "Actually, about Kiana... I want to ask you to look after her for two weeks. Is that okay?"
Theresa's request made a giant question mark appear over Su Mu's head.
END OF CHAPTER
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