After being discharged and returning home, Angel, with her right arm still in a sling, received meticulous care from Himeko.
Even though Angel knew that this injury was purely the result of her own cleverness in trying to show off her talent, and that she had subconsciously thrown caution to the wind because she knew she wouldn’t die, in Himeko’s eyes, it was a failure on her part as a mentor.
She hadn’t helped Angel understand the dangers of Honkai energy.
It was a shortcoming in her guidance and teaching.
The next morning, after patiently feeding Angel, Himeko straightened her skirt, helped her into her little white shoes, and led her to the principal’s office.
As they walked, Angel clutched Himeko’s jacket with her good left hand.
The more she thought about Himeko’s attentive care, the more guilty and ashamed she felt.
“Himeko…
QAQ…”
Angel looked up from behind, her eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at Himeko’s flowing wine-red hair.
Himeko heard her, turned back to look, and then couldn’t help but chuckle as she patted Angel’s head.
“What’s wrong with you?”
It was the first time Himeko had seen Angel with teary eyes, and she could sense the child’s remorse.
Her heart softened, and she felt that the exhaustion from two sleepless nights was nothing compared to this moment of warmth.
“Himeko, I’m sorry.
I’ll make it up to you in the future!”
Angel furrowed her thin brows and said with determination.
Himeko, I know I’ve had to hide a lot of things from you and lied to you several times, but I’ll definitely make it up to you double in the future.
You have to believe me.
I’m really, truly sorry!
The Angels vowed together in their hearts.
Himeko’s face was full of an irrepressible smile as she ruffled Angel’s little head.
“Little brat…”
Himeko laughed affectionately, then took Angel’s left hand and led her all the way to the principal’s office.
“Here we are.
You just got out of the hospital last night, so no classes for the next couple of days.
No one will be home during the day, so you’ll stay here with the principal for a while.
She has plenty of snacks, manga, and game consoles.
Perfect for a little kid like you.”
Himeko settled Angel onto the sofa, then casually took some fruit and a knife from the corner fridge, quickly sliced up a fruit platter, and placed it in front of her.
“By the way, the principal likes to slack off and read manga during work hours.
So here’s a mission for you: if you catch her slacking off, let me know.
I’ll give you a reward, little Angel~”
Himeko leaned close to Angel’s ear and whispered with a playful smile.
Her warm breath tickled Angel’s sensitive ear, making her blush slightly before she obediently nodded.
However, Theresa was standing right behind Himeko with her hands clasped behind her back.
No matter how quietly Himeko spoke, an S-rank Valkyrie’s hearing couldn’t be fooled.
Theresa kicked Himeko in the calf and said with a straight face:
“Don’t spread rumors about me right in front of me!
Get out there and do your work.
If I catch you spreading baseless gossip again, I’ll dock your pay!”
Himeko remained unfazed, wearing her usual lazy, mischievous smile, and waved her hand.
“Yes, yes, whatever the principal says.
Well then, I’ll be off.
I’ll be back at noon to bring you lunch.
See you later, little one.”
“See you later, Himeko!”
Angel said her goodbyes with sincerity, watching Himeko’s figure disappear through the door before turning her attention to Theresa.
Theresa had been observing Angel’s reactions the whole time.
She curled her lips and said in her childish, pleasant loli voice:
“Hehe!
Looks like you and Himeko get along pretty well.
Your eyes have been glued to her since you walked in.
What, do you think I’m not cute enough?”
“…”
Angel speared a piece of fruit, chewed it, and stared blankly at Theresa without saying a word.
Of course you’re cute.
But I’m supposed to be a traumatized, withdrawn cat right now.
I can’t just talk to strangers.
I have to be reserved!
Angel put on her cool facade in front of Theresa with a clear conscience.
Also, the fruit Himeko cut is so sweet~
Theresa raised an eyebrow but didn’t press further.
She had heard from Himeko that this child was highly wary of strangers, so there was nothing to be done about it.
She pulled a manga from behind her back and said:
“This is my personal recommendation: Homu Legend: The Great Adventure, Volume 6.
A masterpiece with unmatched depth and artistic quality.
Ten years after its release, its popularity hasn’t waned in the slightest.
Little one, accept this with gratitude.
This is a rare signed collector’s edition.
I wouldn’t give it to just anyone!”
Theresa placed the manga on the table, then turned and walked back to her desk with a confident smile.
Hehe!
No one can resist the charm of Homu Legend!
Just you wait, Himeko.
This little one will soon become my fellow enthusiast, and then my loyal fan!
Angel tilted her head, unsure what Theresa was plotting.
Though she wasn’t particularly interested in Homu stuff, she had nothing else to pass the time with.
So she casually opened the manga, nibbling on the fruit Himeko had cut, and began reading with mild curiosity.
Time passed.
The pages turned.
Angel had to admit that the reason this had become a legendary IP was because Welt really did have talent.
Beneath the childish art style, the story was romantic and adorable, carrying the pure innocence and emotional resonance that children loved.
Wait.
Something didn’t feel right.
Angel’s expression turned serious.
She turned her head toward the desk, but Theresa’s figure was completely hidden behind a towering pile of documents, out of Angel’s line of sight.
“Himeko’s reward…”
Angel remembered Himeko’s instructions before she left, and a tickle of curiosity stirred in her heart.
Himeko’s reward.
Even though it would probably be something wholesome right now, what if it wasn’t?
That thought lingered.
Angel’s eyes sharpened.
At that moment, Theresa was happily reading her manga.
Work is important, but doing it a little earlier or later doesn’t make much difference.
I’ll just read for one hour.
Just one hour.
It won’t affect anything, right?
Theresa flipped through the pages, her guilt actually making her more immersed in the story, lost in the joy of slacking off.
Click!
Click!
Suddenly, her S-rank Valkyrie instincts picked up the sound of a camera shutter from behind.
Theresa still had a blissful smile on her face from enjoying her downtime.
She turned her head and saw Angel perched like a little cat on top of the tall bookshelf behind her, phone camera aimed at Theresa.
The screen’s glow illuminated Angel’s expressionless little face.
“Ahem!
Dear little Angel, what are you doing up there?
Come down.
Look, I just found the next volume of the manga and was about to bring it to you.”
Theresa forced a stiff smile.
Then…
Ding!
A familiar notification sound rang out.
Angel’s video message had been sent.
Theresa’s smile vanished.
Angel obediently climbed down from the bookshelf, returned to her spot on the sofa, and sat down very, very quietly.