Project K-324

Chapter-37: Family Reunion and Diana's Last Lesson

"Ana... that song... Where did you know that song from?" I heard Mr.Winters say from behind.

"..." silently I slowly turned my head to look at him. With the corner of my eye, I could see his face mirroring Himeko's expression. "I, uh... made it?" I said, quite confused at the situation I was in. I swear that we would've stay like this for a long time if it wasn't for the cries of the children around us that finally woke up from the shock of the events that happened earlier.

"...We'll talk about that later. Was the police called?" Himeko asked Mr.Winters before going around to reassure the scared customers.

"Ah! Don't worry, I called the police before I left the kitchen. They should arrive soon." like he was woke up from a trance, he assured everyone.

"In that case, I will tie this clowns up." as I said that, I took a string seemingly out of nowhere and begun to tie up each thug. Some regained consciousness before I tied them, but were knocked out again before they could even try to run away.

A few minutes later, the police came with a local Valkyrie team and an ambulance in case anyone was wounded. They were ready for a hostage situation, but they were reassured when they saw that everything was under control. We were then requested to submit a testimony of what happened. Since I 'took care of them', they eyed me suspicious and I needed to fully identify myself, but once I said that I am a Schicksal Valkyrie and they confirmed it (Somehow I am still recorded as a Valkyrie and not a deserter... Ok.), I was cleared of all suspicions.

After making sure that everything was taken care of, I wanted to give Himeko a way to contact me for our deal and leave... but I wasn't so lucky. When I went to Himeko, she instantly told me to go upstairs to the living room and wait for her and Mr.Winters there. I couldn't protest, so I just put my head down and went my way.

When I entered the living room, I was met with a very familiar and warm feeling. It was stronger then when I went to St.Freya. I looked at the HomuStation on the table and smiled at the memory of the annoying matchmaking I was- (A memory... I finally remembered something!) I thought as a memory of me being trashed an annoying P2W baby and then Ms.Ashley petting my head to relieve my anger. I softly smiled at that memory. I was happy. A lot of things happened this morning, but if a memory was the reward, then it was all worth it.

"What are you doing standing there, Ana? Please, sit down somewhere." I heard Ms.Ashley say and I realized that I failed to realize her presence. The moment I heard her voice, my head turned towards her and I nodded while trying to keep my calm expression.

I looked around and hastily decided to sit at the table of the kitchen side.

"Would you like some tea?" Ms.Ashley asked. I looked at her as she went and took out a few cups for tea or coffee.

"...Sorry." I hesitantly said. The memory made me a little hesitant to talk with her, someone the past me was very close to. "I'm not a tea person... Can I have some coffee instead?" but in the same memory, I remembered Ms.Ashley to be a gentle person. Because of that, I tried to be a little more open to her.

"It's alright. Everyone has their own taste." Ms.Ashley reassured me. "What kind of coffee would you like?"

"Any kind is good... as long as it isn't black coffee, that is." I said while scratching my cheek in embarrassment.

"In that case, I'll make you a surprise coffee." she said with a soft smile on her face.

Ms.Ashley turned around and started making my coffee. While waiting for her, I realized that I, at the moment, don't need to keep my hood on, so I took it off. Taking out a hair tie, I put my hair in a ponytail. I always felt so restrained when I needed to keep my hair under my hood.