I'm in Morioh, just joined a chat group for cute girls.

【Devil Muscle Rin】: Pfft! @WeatherForecast, what kind of terrible ideas are you coming up with! But... it does seem to make some sense. After all, it's Kiana, so using this most direct method might be the most effective.

【American Scythe】: Huh? Such a small thing? Just go for it, why all the hesitation? If it were me, I'd just French kiss. @RiceHerrscher If you can't bring yourself to kiss, I can help you.

【Marin】: Huh? What happened? Did I miss something exciting? Mei kissed Kiana? Why?

【Marin】: @WeatherForecastGuYeJun, didn't you go to Mei's place yesterday? How's Bronya-chan doing?

[Herrscher of the Rice]: Bronya is undergoing surgery, and Kiana and I are waiting outside. Kiana is in a bad mood because of some things...

[Flower Pillar]: So that's how it is. What a pitiful child. Mei, since it was Mr. Gu Ye's suggestion, I think there must be a reason behind it. The direct transmission of emotions is sometimes more powerful than words.

【Sword Maiden】: If physical touch can soothe the wounds of the heart, then it is a sacred healing. Miss Mei, please follow the guidance of your heart.

[Herrscher of Food]: But...

As she watched the messages refresh in the group chat, Mei's heart pounded even faster.

She glanced around furtively; Himeko and Theresa were lost in their own thoughts and hadn't noticed her.

Gu Ye, on the other hand, seemed indifferent, leaning against a wall in the distance with his eyes closed, resting.

She looked down at Kiana, who was trembling more and more violently in her arms. Kiana's face, which was usually full of sunshine and vitality, was now pale and bloodless, and cold sweat soaked her forehead.

Mei felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart tightly, causing her intense pain.

If this continues, Kiana will really break down.

Gu Ye is right, this is an obstacle she must overcome.

All I can do is give her the strength to get through it.

It was just a kiss... For Kiana, nothing is impossible.

Having made up her mind, Mei no longer hesitated.

She took a deep breath, gently released her arms from Kiana, and instead cupped the girl's cold, sweaty face in her hands.

"Kiana."

She called out softly in a voice only the two of them could hear.

The sudden touch and call made Kiana, who was immersed in pain, tremble. She raised her head blankly, and her unfocused eyes met Mei's pupils, which were full of heartache and determination.

"Mea Yi..."

She was about to say something when, in the next instant, a soft, warm touch landed on her lips.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Kiana's eyes widened suddenly, her mind going completely blank.

She could clearly feel the trembling tenderness coming from the other person's lips. That tenderness was like a warm current, instantly flowing through her limbs and bones, dispelling all the sharp and vicious noises in her mind.

The world is quieter than ever before.

Mei's kiss was light and brief, lasting only a moment.

She let go, her cheeks flushed crimson, and dared not look Kiana in the eye, but gently pulled her back into her embrace.

"It's okay. I'm here."

The girl in his arms stopped trembling. Although her body was still a little stiff, the chilling coldness was gradually fading away.

Mei secretly breathed a sigh of relief and reopened the chat group.

[Herrscher of Food]: She...she seems much better. Thank you everyone.

[Herrscher of Food]: I will let everyone know if there are any complications with Bronya's surgery.

After doing all this, Mei finally turned all her attention back to the girl in her arms who was staring blankly at her, seemingly still not understanding what was going on.

At the end of the corridor, the glaring red sign that read "Operation in Progress" finally went out.

"Squeak-"

The operating room door was pushed open from the inside, and a doctor in a white coat, looking exhausted, and Durandal walked out.

"The surgery was very successful."

Although Durandal's voice carried a hint of fatigue, it was mostly calm and relieved. "The biochip has been completely removed, and the brain nerves have been repaired. However, her body will need a long period of rest to recover."

Before she could finish speaking, a petite figure had already darted past her like an arrow and was the first to rush into the ward.

"Sister Bronya!"

Seele rushed to the bedside and looked at the silver-haired girl who had just woken up from anesthesia. Although her face was pale, her eyes had regained their clarity. Tears of joy instantly welled up in her eyes.

She carefully took Bronya's hand, which wasn't receiving an IV, and pressed it tightly against her cheek, her voice trembling with excitement.

"That's great...that's great, Bronya...you're finally awake!"

Gu Ye followed closely behind and walked in. He went to the other side of the hospital bed, bent down, and gently held Bronya's other hand. The warmth from his palm was strong and comforting.

"Congratulations, Bronya."

“Gu Ye…brother. Xi’er…”

Bronya's voice was still a little weak, but her words were clear, and her eyes reflected two faces full of concern. "Bronya... feels good."

The corners of her mouth even twitched slightly upwards; though the curve was small, it was enough to make Seele's tears flow even more fiercely.

"Wow... Bronya smiled!"

Then Theresa and Himeko also came in.

"Oh my, Bronya has finally learned to smile! This is truly huge news!"

Himeko leaned against the doorframe, a teasing smile on her face, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "It seems that this surgery not only cured your leg, but also reconnected your facial nerves."

"Himeko!"

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Theresa gave her a reproachful glare, then quickly walked to the bedside, forcing a kind smile on her small face befitting a headmistress. "Bronya, how are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"

"Principal Theresa, Bronya is alright."

Bronya's gaze swept across Theresa's face before settling on the last two people to enter.

Mei supported Kiana, standing quietly in the corner of the room, as if she didn't want to disturb the joyful atmosphere.

Kiana kept her head down, her white braids hanging down her chest, radiating a low-key aura that seemed out of place in the joyful ward filled with the news of the successful surgery.

Chapter 97 Theresa: No, you really are, you are my niece!

Bronya's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Is that stupid Kiana still blaming herself?

In the past, she would always be the first to rush in at times like this, yelling, "Bronya, you're finally done! Get up and play games with me!"

This silence... is so abnormal.

Is it still because of... Durandal?

"Idiot Kiana."

Bronya suddenly spoke, her voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears, "What are you doing standing so far away? Are you afraid you'll catch Bronya's disease?"

Kiana's body stiffened abruptly when she was suddenly called out.

She looked up and met Bronya's probing eyes. She opened her mouth, but couldn't utter a single word.

"She...she's just too tired."

Mei quickly stepped in to help her out, patting Kiana's back reassuringly. "You were just a little overly worried after waiting outside for so long. Kiana, didn't you always want to team up with Bronya to play Homu Adventure? Now that she's alright, you should be happy."

Encouraged by Mei, Kiana finally managed to twitch the corners of her mouth, forcing out a smile that looked worse than crying.

"Hmm... Congratulations, Bronya."

Her voice was very soft, like a breeze, and she lowered her head again after speaking.

The atmosphere in the ward became somewhat delicate again because of this brief conversation.

Theresa looked at Kiana's distraught appearance and felt a tightness in her chest, as if something was blocking her heart.

10①2二八з零㈨⑧

She wanted to say something, but found that she had no idea where to begin.

The morning passed quickly.

After confirming that Bronya's condition was stable and that Seele was taking meticulous care of her, everyone left the ward one after another so that she could get some rest.

Gu Ye stayed with Bronya in the ward until he was sure she was sound asleep and Seele was snoring softly by the bedside. Only then did he tiptoe out and nod to the people waiting outside.

The group left the medical center silently and headed towards the dormitory building.

The oppressive atmosphere did not dissipate with the success of Bronya's surgery; instead, it weighed heavily on everyone's hearts like a lead weight.

Kiana, in particular, kept her head down the whole time, half-supported by Mei, looking like an empty shell with her soul ripped out, completely unresponsive to everything around her.

Himeko tried to say something several times, but after looking at Kiana and then at Theresa, who hadn't uttered a word since leaving the ward, she finally let out a silent sigh.

Just as the familiar white dormitory building came into view, Theresa, who was walking at the front, suddenly stopped.

匌○弌弍②ノ╲⒊澪⒐ba

She turned around, her small body blocking everyone's way.

This abrupt action brought everyone to a stop.

Kiana,

Theresa spoke up, her voice soft but unusually firm, "And Bianca. You two, wait a moment."

Mei tightened her grip on Kiana's arm slightly. Kiana's body visibly trembled, but she still didn't look up.

Durandal stood there, looking at the "elder" who was much shorter than her, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Himeko, Gu Ye, and Rita exchanged a glance and tacitly took a half step back, leaving them some space.

Theresa took a step and walked up to the two girls.

She looked up, first at the white figure that was almost curled up into a ball, and then at the blonde Valkyrie who stood straight.

Then, without saying a word, she stretched out her hands and pulled Kiana and Durandal's cold hands into her own small palms, one in each hand.

Kiana,

Theresa's gaze first fell on the girl who had her head down, and her voice was gentler than ever before, "Lift your head and look at me."

Kiana's shoulders trembled, but she remained motionless.

"obedient."

0 million yuan

Theresa emphasized her words and clenched her fists tighter.

That unwavering persistence finally made Kiana slowly raise her head.

When those bloodshot eyes, filled with pain and self-loathing, met Theresa's clear and firm gaze, tears welled up instantly.

"Don't think so much, silly child."

Theresa looked at her and said, word by word, "K423, clones, I don't care about any of that. All I know is that you are the child Cecilia risked her life to protect. I believe that if she were still alive, she would treat you as her most precious daughter, just like I do."

"I...I'm not..."

Kiana's lips trembled, and tears streamed down her face silently like beads from a broken string.

"You are!"

Theresa interrupted her, her tone resolute.

After speaking, she turned her head and looked at Durandal, who had a complicated expression on her face.

Palladium 14 blame zero 锟斤拷

"And you, Bianca."

Theresa's eyes became incredibly serious, even tinged with guilt. "I'm sorry."

"As your aunt, I've been so incompetent. I... I didn't even know you existed. I should have searched more carefully back then. I shouldn't have given up so easily... leaving you alone in that place..."