In the final result, Yunduo still voted to exit for now.
Mainly, she knew who this challenge was about.
Since Bronya wanted to exit for now, she would follow her opinion.
After all, she was the protagonist of this challenge.
Under the Deep Sea, dangers lurked everywhere.
It was getting late, and everyone was very tired.
They agreed to meet again at this time tomorrow.
Returning to the dormitory, after a simple wash, Yunduo went back to her bedroom.
She had also been feeling very tired lately.
Too many things had happened suddenly, and there was no way to prepare in advance.
Benares's attack, the tide-like Honkai Beast swarms, and Yae Sakura's special challenge.
Every single thing was extremely exhausting; an ordinary Valkyrie would have surely broken down long ago.
Standing by the window, Yunduo looked into the distance, her ink-black eyes fluctuating slightly.
At this time, St. Freya Academy was quiet and peaceful. All the prosperity of the day had settled into a rare quietness as night fell.
By the streetlights, fallen leaves were caught in the breeze, rolling intermittently along the cunning moonlight.
The north wind was slightly cold, and an occasional soft laugh could be heard. In the distance, an insomniac Valkyrie was singing a gentle song.
It seemed that the scent of warmth and the night permeated everywhere.
If only it could always be like this.
If only it could always be this peaceful.
Yunduo picked up the Homu bitter melon juice sitting by her bedside and drank it all in one gulp.
Bitterness spread across the tip of her tongue, stimulating her taste buds to long for a sweeter flavor.
She had long been accustomed to the pain and suffering of ordinary people.
Finished drinking.
Sleep.
She stopped thinking about anything else.
Like this, she felt it was enough... she didn't know how much time had passed.
Sensing a slight movement beside her, Yunduo, wrapped in the quilt, snapped her eyes open.
Even if she didn't sense danger, she couldn't afford to be careless.
But Shuhu, before she could react, she caught a whiff of a familiar fragrance, sweet and fresh like milk.
"Mmm~"
Into her originally cold embrace, a small body suddenly squeezed in, like a bucket of hot water poured into ice and snow. The warm, soft touch, even more comfortable than a body pillow, burrowed into the place where Yunduo's defenses were weakest.
It seemed the newcomer didn't notice Yunduo's sudden stiffness upon waking; she pulled the edge of the quilt to cover her back and then stopped moving.
"..."
Yunduo's mind was in a mess, unable to understand why Bronya was trying to steal her quilt.
That wasn't quite it; although they were close, a midnight sneak-attack like this was a bit too intimate.
Yunduo didn't dare move a muscle, worried that if Kiana and the others found out, they would tease Bronya.
Even though she knew Kiana and the others wouldn't actually do that, they would only be slightly curious.
But, but... things were getting a bit messy.
Yunduo was dazed from sleep; her stalled brain found it hard to process such a difficult task.
Should she pretend to be asleep now?
She was a bit thirsty; what if she wanted to drink water?
What if she fell asleep and started hogging the quilt?
She knew her own habits; once asleep, she would wrap herself in the quilt and tuck both sides under her for a sense of security.
Of course, when it was hot, Yunduo would also kick the quilt off in her sleep.
While Yunduo's thoughts were racing, she felt the warmth in her palm. Bronya's small palm grasped her fingertips, their fingers meeting as if intertwining all their trust and conviction.
The lines on their palms pressed together like two fate lines growing with all their might. Everything that was originally unrelated finally converged after hardships and obstacles, drawing together the red strings at both ends of fate.
That is, which is to say, Bronya seemed to be pinning down her hair.
Yunduo gently moved her hair, acting with extreme caution.
However, in the eyes of the other person, someone whose fair forehead was beaded with crystalline sweat was stiffly closing her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly. The dark night hid all emotions above her trembling lips.
In the reflection of the moonlight, her pink lips were like a crescent moon, trembling from time to time.
Actually, such movements were quite noticeable. Bronya quietly lifted her head, making the eye-closing Yunduo unable to help but heave a sigh of relief.
In the next second, the person in her arms let go of their joined palms.
Only then did Yunduo realize that her palm had been soaked with sweat at some point, perhaps due to nervousness or some other emotion.
She had never been like this when facing others.
Toward Yae Sakura, Mei, and the others, Yunduo's heart was always very indifferent and calm.
Yet for some reason, when facing Bronya, there was always a sense of guilt in her heart.
Was it concealment, affection, or concern?
Yunduo couldn't quite figure it out.
Perhaps from the very first moment they met, the instant she reached out her hand, some promised things had already been changed.
At the moment Bronya made her vow under those fireworks.
Yunduo etched this scene deep into her heart, unable to shake it off.
Usually, she was carefree, but sometimes she couldn't help but feel melancholy.
Kiana said Yunduo was very extroverted, but the moment Yunduo looked into Bronya's eyes, she realized she had been completely seen through.
She was actually very afraid of losing things, so she cherished what she had exceptionally.
It was losing things time and again that led her to gradually seal these emotions in her heart, showing nothing to the outside world.
Not taking the challenge during the day was also a subconscious choice by Yunduo.
She also didn't know if Bronya would undergo other changes after learning about future events.
Could everything they had now continue?
"Mmu~"
Her anxious mood vanished without a trace in the next moment.
She only felt a sudden heat, as if a freshly toasted marshmallow had wrapped around her body. Yunduo's slender waist was hugged by Bronya's hands; at this moment, the roles were reversed, and it was Yunduo who had burrowed into Bronya's embrace.
She could even feel the soft sensation of Bronya's youthful body.
Like a branch just sprouting its twigs, the small jade-like buds covered Yunduo's face.
Because the distance was too close, sweat soaked through their thin pajamas, making the barrier of clothing unfelt, leaving only their hearts pressing close to each other.
Like a mother's... Bronya's heartbeat.
The joy of a young swallow returning to its nest.
Yunduo's mind was a blur, her hands clenched tight.
A milk-like body fragrance wafted over, and sweat carrying that scent dampened her cheek.
So warm, it seemed all worries and suffering had flown away.
"Sister Yunduo, Bronya will always be with you."
"No matter what happens tomorrow, or what happens in the future."
Yunduo was dazed; hearing the warm breath by her ear, she only then realized that Bronya had known she was awake all along.
Does such a vow really exist?
Every time something was promised, it always ended in tragedy.
Absolute affirmation often brings absolute negation.
Yunduo didn't want to know about those things anymore.
Whatever, let it be.
She just tightly hugged the warmth before her, burying her head in Bronya's embrace.
"Mhm."
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