Only For you (Sirin x Oc) Honkai Impact 3rd

Chapter 14: concerning matters

Ten minutes later, Val and Theresa stood in Val's office, the door was locked so noone could Interrupt them. Val let out a heavy sigh and burried his face between his hands as he sat down behind his desk. At this point he really just wanted this bad day to end, sleep it all off like a bad dream.
He pointed at the chair infront of his desk, offering her a seat, but Theresa shook her head, her frown had stayed on her face the entire time. She was unusualy serious and that was according to Val's memory never something good.
"Soooo, what's wrong, I can tell you are on a *shortage* of patience"

"Ugh, stop it, I am in no mood for your puns, this is really Important Val, you hear?"

" Alright, whatever you say Mom."
Val lifted his head with a weak smile as he watched Theresa hide her embarassed beet red head behind her hands.

"Val! Please stop calling me that! It's not appropriate towards your teacher!"

Val chuckled and leaned back, the tension was fading away, creating a nicer atmosphere in the room.
"But it's true. You were the closest I had to a mother after all."

Theresa sighed, playing with her hair, even 12 years later, she just couldn't get used to the nickname that he gave her. Fortunatly he only called her that when they were alone, who knows what kind of rumors would have been spread otherwise. However, she sympathised with him, after all, she did indeed take care of him for a long time already, but that didn't help her against her embarassment as she fidgeted with her hair.
"I guess so, but still... I just care about you guys and- "

" Hehehe I know, I know, it's alright I'll stop."
Val raised his hands up, still chuckling, he then took a deep breath and his expression stiffened as he looked Theresa in the eyes, ready for whatever was coming his way.
"Look, if you're angry about what just happend, I understand, but I'll-"

"No, no, that's not it, though I do not approve your reckless use."
Theresa crossed her arms, then took a deep breath.
"Val...I have to step down from my position as head of the far-east branch."

"W-what?"
Val froze in place, shocked at the revelation. His smile had vanished completly.
"But why?! I thought we had-"

"Yes, I know, we did prove our actions as justified, however, until the situation has been completly resolved its in our best interest to assure far east branches safety and unfortunatly this must be done, at least for now."
Theresa sighed heavily, then let herself slump on the chair next to her.
"I may have to stay down for now, but I have already made sure that far east branch doesn't fall into wrong hands.
In fact, I have already chosen who is going to take over for now."

Opon hearing this, Val let out a heavy sigh of relief as he leaned back in his chair.
"Well, this is your specialty, not mine.
I'm glad though that you have a plan."

Val raised his pen and began to aimlessly scribble on a sheet of paper to relax.
Without stopping his scribbles, he looked back at Theresa with curiousity, his smile somewhat returned.
"Soo, who is going to be that 'replacement' that  you're talking about?"

Theresa took another deep breath, this is what she had prepared herself for after all.
"Well... let's say it like that, you'll have to sign a few papers."

Val's eyes widened and he froze in place and his pen dropped out of his hand. A few moments later though, he began to chuckle and finally...

"Phahahaha! That's a good one! I almost fell for that hehehe."
Val burst out in laughter as he clutched his stomache while Theresa sighed and shook her head.
Upon seeing this Val's laughter came to an aprupt halt, his smile faded and furrowed his eyebrows.
"That was a joke, right?...right?"