Chapter 149. Theresa's Fists Hardened
"In the end, it's just the three of us who came."
Sitting in the reception lounge at the entrance of St. Freya High School, Xander glanced at Seele beside him and Kiana across from him, his tone a little helpless.
"Tsk.
I kindly came along to keep you company, and you're feeling wronged, huh?"
Hearing that, Kiana folded her arms, her pretty blue eyes glaring hard at him.
"That's not what I mean.
I'm saying everyone at home just happened to be busy and couldn't come."
They had planned to come together, but because Elysia needed to stay here for a long period and had some procedures unprocessed, she was called away early this morning by the relevant staff.
To avoid any trouble, the local Kaguya wasn't at ease and went along with her.
But they had already set the time yesterday afternoon, and changing it willfully would be rude.
When they met up with Kiana and were about to reach St. Freya's gates, something urgent popped up at the company, and Bronya had no choice but to rush back.
As a result, once they arrived at St. Freya, only the three of them were left.
"Isn't that because all the big sisters trust you, onii-chan~"
Seele held his hand, giving it a light squeeze as she smiled.
"Want some juice?"
Opening the nearby fridge, Kiana asked the two across from her.
"Let me see—orange juice, apple juice, beer—ah, there's even bitter melon juice… I guess Aunt Theresa is truly something."
Kiana muttered while picking and choosing, and just then, the lounge door opened.
A cute "girl" appeared at the doorway, wearing a white long inner dress with a black nun's coat over it.
She wasn't tall, her white hair was tied into a ponytail and draped over her shoulder, and her adorable face was visibly cheerful.
"Aunt Theresa!!!"
Before Xander could greet her, Kiana dashed forward in one stride, shouting excitedly.
"My dear niece~ It's been months, and it feels like you've grown again."
The two hugged, and thanks to the height difference, it oddly made Kiana look like the elder.
Rising on tiptoe to vigorously pat Kiana's head, Theresa smiled and said, "I've been a bit busy lately, so I haven't had time to visit your home.
How are Cecilia and the others doing recently?"
"Big Sis is the same as ever.
If Rita didn't keep looking for her, she might turn into a relic.
As for Sirin, she's still streaming, you know—she's got several million fans now."
"And Cecilia?"
"Mom?
Before I came, she told me to send you her regards.
But over the next few days she's planning a trip with that old man, so she couldn't make it."
"I—I see?
Haha, their relationship is really good, isn't it."
Listening to their small talk, Xander felt like Theresa's last sentence came out through gritted teeth.
Theresa shook her head, unclenched her tightened fists, exhaled, and finally turned her gaze past Kiana to Xander.
"You must be Mr. Masato, right?
I know of you."
He stepped forward to shake hands with Theresa and replied with a smile, "Academy Head Theresa, I've long heard of you.
In fact, I'm even your fan."
They released after a light shake, and Xander's smile deepened.
"Fan?"
Kiana echoed in confusion, while Theresa seemed to realize something and instinctively reached out a hand to stop him—but Xander's words had already slipped out.
"Magical Girl Theresa, of course.
I grew up listening to your songs~"
"Oh—you mean when Aunt Theresa was an idol back then?"
Kiana spoke in sudden realization.
"T-That's ancient history already.
No need to bring it up, no need to bring it up!"
Although she would occasionally still put on the magical girl dress, hold her old magic wand, and spin around the house a few times, telling such things to the youngsters was still too embarrassing.
With a faint blush, Theresa coughed twice and quickly shifted to business.
"You're planning to enroll early, right?
Welt Yang told me beforehand."
"Mm.
Do we need to handle any procedures?"
"All the formalities have already been prepared for you in advance.
You can just come straight in.
It's only the dorm arrangement—how do you want to choose?"
At the mention of business, Kiana suddenly remembered the "task" she had openly taken on today.
Hugging Theresa's arm, she wheedled, "Aunt Theresa, Xander and the others are my dearest family and friends.
You can't just assign them some random place, okay~"
"Relax."
A little exasperated that her niece's elbow was turning outward already, Theresa tapped Kiana's arm and continued, "I'll take you to tour the residential zone later.
Any suitable vacant place there—pick whatever you like.
How's that?"
"Yay, Aunt Theresa, you're the best!"
"You little brat…"
Muttering, Theresa looked at Xander and Seele.
"Go take a look now?"
"Mm.
Sorry to trouble you."
"It's no trouble, since we agreed beforehand.
Let's go."
With that, Theresa led Kiana out first.
Xander and Seele exchanged a glance and hurried to follow.
It had to be said that Theresa was deeply loved at the school.
Every teacher and student they met on the way greeted her with joy, and she responded with unburdened smiles.
Only when they reached the relatively quiet residential zone did Theresa have leisure to speak with Xander.
"How do you feel about St. Freya?"
Like introducing her own child, she asked Xander, who was taking in the surroundings.
"Very nice.
Even though I've been here many times, the atmosphere and scenery still attract me.
Especially this residential zone I hadn't walked through before—I'm already looking forward to the four years of living here."
Trees, flowerbeds, pools—beautiful scenery, refined buildings.
Some places were like gardens blooming inside flowers.
It seemed the investment in this area had been quite substantial.
"Ahem, it's just okay.
As long as you like it.
When you graduate, the school will need your profile to decorate our honor wall."
Hearing his sincere praise, Theresa couldn't help answering with a bit of pride.
"That would truly be my honor."
Everyone likes a sedan chair lifted by many hands.
A little mutual flattery makes everyone happy.
"You two, that's enough."
Rubbing at the goosebumps on her arm, Kiana looked speechlessly at the two showering each other with compliments.
"You, be quiet!"
Glaring at Kiana, Theresa coughed twice and gestured toward the rows of detached houses beside them.
"These buildings are actually prepared to retain outstanding talent—experts, professors, and the like.
You're students, but you meet the requirements too.
So pick a vacant one to live in."
"Does that include those at the very end?"
Kiana stepped forward first, pointing straight at the most luxurious houses at the far end.
Giving Kiana a look, Theresa nodded with exasperation.
"Of course it does!"
"Hehe, I knew Aunt Theresa wouldn't shortchange me~"
Laughing, Kiana tugged Xander and Seele and headed straight for the innermost area.
"Go, go, go.
No need to look at the outer ones.
We'll just check the ones inside."
Watching the three quickly pulled away by Kiana, Theresa sighed helplessly and shook her head.
She felt she needed to discuss child-rearing with Cecilia—how could her elbow keep turning outward like this?
…
In the innermost area, which also had the best environment, six houses stood there.
Only one was occupied at present.
After they finished inspecting the other five, Theresa asked, "How many of you are there in total?"
"Five…"
"Eight!!!"
Before Xander could finish, Kiana cut him off loudly.
"?"
Meeting Xander's puzzled gaze, Kiana coughed, forced herself to look calm, and said, "Mei and I will both be going to Fantasyland Company to work for you later.
Mei is the General Manager.
Wouldn't living together be more convenient?"
"But I'm a guy.
Are you really okay with that?"
Xander hadn't expected Kiana to make such a request and was a little at a loss.
"Relax, relax.
You guys take the second floor, we'll take the first.
We all know each other so well—what's there to mind?
Being able to live with Bronya and the others, Mei is super excited!"
"Then why eight?
Is Sirin coming too?"
"What, if the two of us come over, we can't just leave Sirin behind, right?
She'd actually cry!"
Xander didn't answer.
He turned to look at Seele, and she immediately smiled back.
"If it's Kiana and Mei, Seele has no objections~"
"Alright."
Since Seele was fine with it, Bronya and Kaguya generally wouldn't have any issues either.
As for Elysia…
Tsk.
Let's just say the ones to be cautious of would be Kiana and Mei.
Seeing Xander agree, Kiana quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Sirin, I can only help you this far, sis.
Thinking of how Sirin had softened for the first time and begged her for help after Xander 's call last night, Kiana couldn't help but sigh.
Love makes people blind—it had Sirin begging her now.
The wise should never fall in love, and Kiana considered herself one of the wise.
"Right."
Xander suddenly remembered the matter with Elysia.
He walked up to Theresa and asked, "Academy Head, one of us isn't enrolled at St. Freya.
Can she live here too?"
Elysia wasn't a student of St. Freya.
If that wasn't possible, they'd have to find a rental outside.
At that, Theresa frowned slightly.
But before she could speak, Kiana sprang up again, clutching Theresa's sleeve and shaking it as she cooed, "Aunt Theresa~"
That cloying tone instantly gave Theresa goosebumps.
She quickly pulled her hand back, shot Kiana a look of disgust, and said, "Fine, fine.
But she needs to go to the Records Office to get a temporary pass.
Remember to head over when the time comes."
"Much appreciated."
"For special talents like you, as long as it isn't excessive, we can basically accommodate it.
Plenty of professors come with their families.
Oh, and if the house needs any renovations, remember to submit a report—just don't go demolishing load-bearing walls."
Hearing that, Kiana leaned in again with a grin despite Theresa's death stare.
"Aunt Theresa, once we file a report, can we get reimbursement for renovation costs?
I want to set up a recording studio."
She scratched her head and asked with dopey earnestness.
"Hss—hoo—"
Taking deep breaths, Theresa told herself over and over:
This is Cecilia's child—you can't hit her.
This is Cecilia's child—you can't hit her.
This is Cecilia's child—you can't… I can't stand it anymore!
Thud—
Theresa sprang up and delivered a righteous iron fist to Kiana's head.
"Of—course—NOT!"
She looked down at Kiana, who was squatting with tearful eyes and a pitiful face.
Seeing that face so like Cecilia's, her heart suddenly softened again.
She walked over to gently rub Kiana's head and spoke softly.
"Does it hurt?"
"Mm."
With yet another sigh for the day, Theresa said, "Submit the recording studio costs to me.
I'll reimburse it from my account."
"Really?!!"
"Really."
"Aunt Theresa, I love you!! ( ? 3?)"
"Back off!!!"
Shoving away the wildly hugging Kiana, Theresa wiped the drool off her face and gave the silly, grinning Kiana another look of disdain.
"I'll cover the recording studio, since Kiana's learning voice acting is for working with me."
Seeing this, Xander moved in with a smile.
But to his surprise, Kiana got anxious when she heard that.
"No way—recording studios are expensive.
Let Aunt Theresa handle it!"
Xander: "?"
Seele: "?"
Theresa: "?"
At this moment, an equation had already formed in Kiana's mind.
Sirin likes Xander .
Sirin and Xander will become family in the future.
She and Sirin are sisters.
Therefore, she and Xander will also be family.
As for Theresa, according to what Mom said, her money is just pocket money coaxed out of Schicksal's Bishop.
Compared to spending her own family's money, spending Schicksal's money doesn't hurt.
Theresa clenched her fists again.
She suddenly felt like that punch just now had been too light.
…
Buzz—buzz—buzz—buzz~
The phone vibrated, and the melody named "For River" began to play.
Lifting her head from the pile of documents, Cocolia picked up the phone on her desk.
The song came from the very first game made by her favorite child.
She loved it and simply set it as her private ringtone.
Seeing the caller ID, she arched a brow and answered.
"Long time no see.
What made you free enough to call me?"
Putting away the chill of Anti-Entropy's second-in-command, Cocolia smiled in a relaxed, gentle way.
The caller was a friend she had met in her most difficult days, after all.
No need to put on airs.
Come to think of it, the other party only knew she worked for Anti-Entropy and didn't even know where she was located now.
"It's been more than a year since we met, huh~"
Leaning back in her chair, Cocolia chatted with her old friend for a bit, and finally, the other side got to the point.
Hearing the question about whether she had any acquaintances in the Far East, Cocolia narrowed her eyes.
"I do have a few kids I'm very fond of who are living in the Far East right now.
What's going on?"
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