Theresa took a deep breath. Although she was a bit puzzled by how readily Cocolia had agreed, she didn't dwell on it too much.
"Sin Mal can go back, but not yet. We will only make a decision after we've confird that your explanation and compensation are sufficient!"
"No problem."
Cocolia nodded. She turned her gaze toward Sin, her eyes filled with a trace of sorrow, looking every bit the worried mother.
"Then, I'll leave Sin in your care. I trust... you won't make things difficult for a child."
Theresa felt a lump in her throat at those words, her small face flushing slightly.
"Of—Of course not!"
"Then it's settled." Cocolia smiled, her expression radiating composure and elegance. "Tomorrow, I'll have soone deliver the report and the compensation proposal. Goodnight, everyone."
The screen promptly went dark.
The office fell silent for a few seconds.
Seele was lost in thought.
This Cocolia seed to carry a bit more of an oppressive weight than the one she rembered from the gas.
Theresa let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at Seele and the others. "Well? How was that? I was pretty good just now, right?"
Seeing her like this, Seele couldn't help but chuckle. "Not bad, not bad at all. You looked exactly like a proper Principal."
Hearing that, Theresa puffed out her chest with pride.
Seele then turned her attention to Sin Mal, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "So, who was it that just said they were going back right away?"
"Hmph! Whatever! It won't be long anyway!"
Sin glared at Seele, spun on her heel, and stord out of the room.
"Alright, alright. You all should head back and get so rest."
Theresa waved them off. Seele nodded, and as she turned to leave the office, Bronya stepped forward and took her hand.
"Seele."
"Hmm?" Seele looked back at her.
"Can Bronya... hold Seele's hand while we walk back?" Bronya looked up slightly, her eyes eting Seele's.
Though her expression was as stoic as ever, she seed sohow more fragile than before.
"Of course." Seeing Bronya like this, Seele gave her a warm, bright smile.
She knew Bronya was likely shaken up by the old mories Cocolia's presence had stirred.
"Walking back is so tiring. How about I just carry you?"
Seele decided to go all out. Without waiting for Bronya's consent, she leaned down and swept her up into a bridal carry.
"Whoa!"
"I didn't realize you were so light. It's no effort at all." Seele adjusted her grip, shifting Bronya slightly to gauge her weight. She couldn't help but laugh at how airy the girl felt in her arms.
"...Bronya weighs exactly forty kilograms."
"Now that you've put a number on it, I actually feel like you're a bit heavy."
"Bronya is not heavy."
After a bit of lighthearted banter, the two fell into silence as they made their way back to the dorms.
"Bronya, you're hurting, aren't you?"
Seele asked softly.
"...Yes." After a long pause, Bronya gave a small nod.
"It's because of your mother. You still care about her, don't you?"
Bronya didn't answer imdiately. Instead, she leaned her face gently against Seele's shoulder.
A long while passed before she spoke in a whisper. "Bronya... doesn't know."
Seele wasn't surprised by the answer.
After all, Bronya had been a rcenary on the battlefield, learning how to kill long before she ever learned how to make a friend.
It was Cocolia who had brought her back to the orphanage and raised her.
If it hadn't been for that experint, Bronya might have stayed by Cocolia's side forever.
"Mother Cocolia... gave Bronya a ho. She gave Bronya a reason to live."
Bronya began to recount her past in a soft voice, and Seele listened intently.
After all, hearing this directly from Bronya was a lot more aningful than watching Cooking with Valkyries back on YouTube.
Seele listened to Bronya describe life at the orphanage—how gentle Cocolia used to be, how she would praise and encourage her.
"Bronya was truly happy back then. But later..."
"Later, you lost your Seele." Seele gently stroked Bronya's hair, asking softly, "So, do you hate her?"
Bronya didn't answer right away. She simply leaned against Seele's shoulder for a long ti before finally speaking.
"She did bad things. She hurt Seele, and she hurt Bronya. Bronya... should hate her. But sotis, Bronya still rembers the life she had with her and everyone else at the orphanage."
Bronya finished her sentence and looked up at Seele, her gaze incredibly vulnerable.
"Is Bronya... being weak for feeling this way?"
"Not at all." Seele shook her head, looking at her with a serious, steady smile. "If it were , I might have just given up on everything. Bronya, you've done so well. And... the fact that your heart isn't filled with nothing but hate? That's a good thing."
As she spoke, she gave Bronya's head a vigorous rub, completely mussing up her silver hair.
"Now, you have i, and Kiana, and Theresa, and the rest. Don't get stuck in the past. Keep looking forward."
Bronya didn't say anything more.
She just stared quietly at Seele, her eyes tracing every inch of Seele's face, taking in every detail.
"...Thank you, Seele."
"What are you thanking for? You—"
Just as Seele was about to continue with a laugh, Bronya leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
Whether it was intentional or not, the spot Bronya kissed was very close to Seele's lips. Seele could even feel the faint, soft touch against the corner of her mouth.
Should I just cross the line?
Seele felt like the mood was perfect, and she was starting to crave a little "dessert."
In the end, however, she chose to be a saint and held herself back.
Bronya was just so small—so small that Seele felt like her conscience would never let her hear the end of it if she made a move.
"...Ahem." Seele cleared her throat and looked away, pretending to be very interested in the plants along the roadside.
Watching Seele's reaction, Bronya leaned her face back against Seele's cheek.
The corners of her mouth curled up into a tiny smile. She seed very satisfied with Seele's response.
Seele... has feelings for Bronya.
Seele stole another glance down at Bronya, but she only saw a flicker of joy in the girl's smile and an expression that was much brighter than before.
Honestly...
Seele felt a wave of helplessness.
Bronya... don't push . If you keep this up, don't bla when I finally decide to stop being a saint~
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