On the journey back to the Far East Branch.
Yae Sakura stood on the deck, watching the world shrink beneath her. Her gaze was distant, lost in thought.
"Five hundred years have passed... I just hope she can adjust to the modern world," Theresa whispered from a distance, her eyes filled with worry as she watched Sakura's solitary silhouette.
"She will," Raiden Ei nodded slightly, her expression calm and sincere. "She'll adapt, just as I did."
"Eh?" Theresa looked at Ei, her face a mask of confusion.
"Because you're all here."
Ei turned her head to meet Theresa's eyes. Her sharp, regal features softened, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Wh—!"
Caught in that soft, focused gaze, Theresa froze for a heartbeat. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she hurriedly looked down, her eyes darting around in bashful avoidance.
"Theresa, you and Mei are such kind-hearted people. Even when I first arrived in this world with a questionable identity, you welcomed me with open arms. You were patient, you accepted me, and you taught me everything about this life. So... I believe Yae Sakura will come to love you and the others, just as I have."
"I... I mean, really..."
Theresa's cheeks were burning. As she listened to Ei's heartfelt words, the only part that really stuck in her brain was the bit about "loving her."
"You can't just say things like that... it's cheating..."
"Is something wrong?" Ei tilted her head slightly, a touch of genuine confusion in her eyes. "Did I say something incorrect?"
"No, no! Not at all!" Theresa shook her head vigorously.
Then, taking a deep breath, she looked up at Ei and summoned every ounce of her courage.
"Ei, about—well, about what happened before. You absolutely cannot tell anyone else!"
"What are you referring to, specifically?" Ei asked, playing the part of the dense blockhead perfectly.
"You... honestly." Theresa looked at Ei, her face glowing red, before letting out a helpless sigh.
She looked away, her head tilted down toward the deck plates. When she spoke again, her voice was tiny, thick with embarrassment and a hint of nervous tension.
"The... the kissing thing. You can't tell a soul!"
"Very well."
Ei put on an expression that said: I don't really understand why, but since you asked, I shall comply.
"Phew..." Theresa finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
However, as she looked at Ei's stunningly beautiful, serene face, she hesitated. Her blush deepened once more, as if a fierce struggle was raging inside her heart.
What is she thinking about now?
This little expression of hers is just too precious.
Ei was immensely amused, but she didn't push. Instead, she waited in silence.
"Um..." Theresa knew Ei could be a bit of a stone when it came to social cues, but she couldn't bring herself to say what was truly on her mind. She stammered, her face a bright peony red. "Back then... when I had that terrible cold... thank you for... taking care of me."
"There is no need for thanks. It was my duty."
Ei's serious response immediately brought a look of complicated resignation to Theresa's face. She let out a heavy sigh.
"Right... okay then..."
Just as she turned away, looking a bit dejected and ready to leave, Ei spoke softly to her back.
"However, if you feel any discomfort at all, you must tell me. Though the Herrscher's toxin has been purged, still..." Her gaze turned solemn. "It seems there are still lingering traces of it within your body."
"Huh?" Theresa blinked, stunned. Then, a radiant, joyful smile broke across her face.
Realizing she was being a bit too obvious, she quickly coughed and tried to look stern, though her blushing cheeks betrayed her. "Well, in that case... ahem! If this Principal feels unwell... you... you aren't allowed to make excuses!"
"I won't," Ei nodded earnestly, laughing inwardly.
It seems... Theresa has developed quite the addiction to those 'desserts.'
Life was certainly about to get much more interesting.
Time ticked by, and half an hour later, the Hyperion touched down on the landing pad at St. Freya Academy.
"We're back! A total victory!" Theresa stepped off the deck, hands on her hips. She looked at Mei and the others waiting at the hangar with a triumphant grin.
Kiana was the first to charge forward, circling around Ei like a hyperactive puppy.
"Ei! Are you guys okay? Why were you there for a whole day? Was the Herrscher tough?"
"We are unharmed," Ei said, shaking her head slightly as she looked at the enthusiastic girl. "There were some complications, but the Herrscher has been dealt with successfully."
"I see. As long as you're okay~" Kiana let out a long sigh of relief.
Ei's gaze shifted directly to Mei. She started walking toward her, her lips parting to utter those two specific words.
Raiden Mei immediately realized what was coming. Before Ei could get a word out, Mei cut her off: "Wait! Ei, don't forget what I told you about how to address me!"
"...Fine. Mei."
Ei nodded slightly, feeling a pang of disappointment.
Honestly, what's the harm in calling you 'Mother'?
The only reason this mission went so smoothly was because I already had a 'Mother' like you to draw all the aggro beforehand.
Whatever. I'll see if I can get a family photo with everyone in the next few days. I'll just carry it with me next time.
"You worked hard," Mei said, her eyes softening as she looked at Ei. Then, she glanced curiously at the figure behind them. "And who is this?"
"A companion we met during the mission," Ei explained softly. "Her name is Yae Sakura. She is... a Pseudo-Herrscher."
"Hello. I am Yae Sakura. I look forward to... working with you all."
Sakura stepped forward, giving Mei a polite nod.
"A Pseudo-Herrscher?"
"Yes." Seeing Mei's confused expression, Ei nodded. "That is what Theresa calls her. In Nagazora, she was the one who kept the other Herrscher in check, preventing her from absorbing all the Honkai energy. She was a great help to our operation."
At that moment, a mischievous thought crossed Ei's mind. She continued, "Furthermore, she was the one who taught me how to take care of Theresa after she was poisoned by the Herrscher..."
"Wait, wait, wait! That! Don't talk about that!!"
Theresa's face went nuclear. She waved her arms frantically, shouting in a desperate, bashful panic.
"Understood," Ei said, stopping immediately with a nod.
"Ooh? I smell a secret!!" Kiana's internal radar pinged instantly. She leaned in with a wicked grin. "Could it be... Theresa, did you...?"
"Wh-what?! It's nothing! Kiana, don't let your imagination run wild!"
Theresa's clumsy attempt to cover it up only made Ei feel more delighted.
"I get it now~" Kiana's eyes darted between the stoic Ei and the panicked, blushing Theresa.
A realization struck her, and she continued to tease, "Theresa! You totally messed up during the mission, didn't you? And you had to rely on Ei to bail you out, right?"
"Eh?" Theresa paused, blinking.
"Right, right? Heh, I knew it!" Kiana laughed, looking very proud of her detective skills.
"I... well... I suppose if you put it that way, it's true..." Theresa nodded, deciding to just roll with that explanation.
"As long as no one was hurt and you're back safe, that's all that matters," Mei said gently.
"Mm."
Ei nodded, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
For a second there, she really thought Theresa was going to spill the beans. With the way the Principal wore her heart on her sleeve, it was a miracle she could keep any secret at all.
--+--