Three hours passed.
Yunduo finished showering and walked through the living room, noticing that Bronya's door wasn't properly closed.
A faint light shone through the crack in the door.
Yunduo wiped the remaining water droplets from her cheeks, tiptoed, gently pushed the door open and entered, then silently closed the door behind her.
Bronya, who had been arguing with Kiana earlier, was now slumped over her desk, wearing a pure white jacket, seemingly asleep. The lamplight shone on her small body, outlining a peaceful halo.
Her gaze focused on her. Her fair, tender face was as pure as a cherry blossom petal. Perhaps having gone through too much, she was now sleeping soundly, her brows and eyes relaxed into a gentle curve. The cool light from the computer flickered on her long eyelashes. A breeze drifted through the window crack, blowing the tiny fuzz on her pink ear, making everything clearly visible.
Without Project Bunny, Bronya's body looked even more petite, easily evoking a sense of responsibility for careful protection.
On the computer screen was the roam adventure game, which had been fully completed. The top name on the leaderboard in the upper right corner was still a name familiar to Yunduo: Alloy Armor Bulangya.
The speed of completion was more than a full minute faster than the second place.
Yunduo did not wake Bronya. Besides the faint sound of breathing, she made no noise. She simply leaned down, turned off the computer screen, and then wrapped Bronya up in her arms, gently lifting her.
As the faint light in the bedroom gradually extinguished and darkness enveloped them, Yunduo felt like she was holding a large ball of warm cotton candy in her hands. Bronya's weight was very light, probably less than 40 kilograms; she could be picked up with one hand.
That small body rested against her waist, silently transferring warmth. The sweet fragrance of gardenias lingered at Yunduo's nose. A gentle sniff revealed tenderness, provoking a deep desire to hold her longer.
Since the first moment Yunduo saw Bronya, a strange emotion seemed to have unconsciously sprung up in her heart. From Bronya's first question and her perpetually worried gaze, Yunduo wanted to protect this girl.
Since the first day of her rebirth, Yunduo's emotions had not fluctuated so greatly, but that day, Bronya's cold, milky voice awoke her consciousness, asking her name in confusion.
If she weren't a Valkyrie but just an ordinary person, she might actively pursue this child. If they could be together for a lifetime, that would be wonderful. That was the kind of life Yunduo desired.
Quietly and peacefully, without interference from others, the two of them would live happy and tranquil days.
If the Honkai disappeared, and she was still alive then... Yunduo's consciousness became somewhat hazy, but she was soon startled awake by Bronya's soft hum. She saw the girl in her arms with her eyes tightly shut; it seemed Yunduo had squeezed her hand too hard just now, making her uncomfortable.
"..."
Yunduo had never liked to yearn for an ethereal future. The thought flashed by, and she comforted herself that it was fine to just maintain the present state, then carried Bronya toward the bed.
Yunduo didn't notice that, at some point, the girl in her arms' eyelashes fluttered. The gaze from her side profile secretly looked toward Yunduo's silent eyes. Her small body didn't move, but she hugged Yunduo more tightly, as if unintentionally, transferring her body heat to her.
Their shared heartbeats pulsed quietly. Bronya held her breath until the moment Yunduo placed her on the bed.
Yunduo lowered her head, noticed the gaze, and met the clear, bright light emerging in the girl's pale gray eyes.
She didn't know what emotion that gaze represented, but in that instant, Yunduo suddenly had a strange illusion. "—You're awake?"
Yunduo asked softly, her hands not stopping as she gently covered Bronya's stomach with the Homu blanket on the bed.
The night air was cool; if she didn't cover up well, she might catch a cold and get sick.
"...Mhm, Yunduo Jie, good evening."
"Good evening."
"Bronya accidentally fell asleep while playing games just now. Thank you, Yunduo Jie, for covering me with the blanket."
"You're welcome," Yunduo said, sitting on the edge of the bed and lowering her eyes, a strange apology flashing across her face. "Also... I should apologize to you for entering your bedroom without your permission."
Facing the sudden politeness, Bronya's heart ached. She could feel that Yunduo Jie seemed cautious at all times, maintaining politeness even when giving warmth.
Don't approach, keep a distance, and you won't get hurt? That was probably the sentiment.
This sense of distance made Bronya anxious and even uncomfortable.
So she actively reached out and grabbed Yunduo's palm, applying a little force to prevent a slight struggle. Instantly, their fingers intertwined, and tenderness flowed. Yunduo's expression also seemed a little surprised.
"What is it?"
"Nothing, I just don't want Yunduo Jie to leave right now. Could you... stay with Bronya a bit longer?"
Bronya shook her head. Her hair fell loose, becoming long, silver-white hair. Instead of the naive cuteness of twin drills, she exuded understanding and warmth, like an older sister.
"I'll always be with you, as long as you don't mind..."
"I'll be with you until the day you no longer need me." Yunduo smiled, a hint of happiness seeming to color her face.
"Don't say that!" Suddenly, Bronya pursed her lips, her eyes warming. "Yunduo Jie, you are always Bronya's best friend. Bronya likes you, and Kiana, Mei, and Principal Theresa like you too. Yunduo Jie, don't keep saying things like that. Bronya doesn't like hearing it!"
When talking about liking, she paused slightly when mentioning her own liking, then naturally transitioned the tone to everyone else's liking.
Only Bronya herself likely knew the difference.
The sudden assertiveness made Yunduo feel a little uncomfortable. In her impression, Bronya probably hadn't had this many emotional fluctuations before.
She was practically like the domineering young CEO in an Executive Romance Novel.
"Alright, I won't say it again. I'm sorry, Bronya." Yunduo's little finger moved slightly. As she spoke, she gently stroked the tip of Bronya's corresponding little finger, tickling her like a feather.
"Ugh! It tickles! Yunduo Jie is too cunning, using this method to escape."
"Sorry, sorry, how about I make amends and apologize properly?"
Yunduo wanted to pull her hand back, but Bronya, holding on tightly, forcefully tugged her back. Yunduo looked at Bronya amusedly, realizing the child's eyes were defiant, probably thinking Yunduo was using an excuse to run away.
"It's not an excuse. How about I use my other hand to get it for you?"
Yunduo switched hands and took a small item out of her pocket.
She covered the item with her palm and slowly placed it into Bronya's hand.
"This is..."
Bronya looked down and saw a cute houmi hairpin lying quietly deep in her palm.
It was exactly the same as Kiana's.
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