[HI3] Protocol Stigmata

Chapter 7 - Welcome Back

"Hear me out, Bronya... The truth is...! I deleted the save file in the game where you had 1000 hours of gameplay!"

Bronya halted her attacks, her expression frozen. "You... what..."

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine, and a sense of impending doom washed over me.

"The Bronya will never forgive you..." Bronya's tone began to shift back to her usual self, but she still kept her cannon aimed at me. "The Bronya will... NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!"

"Wait, please! It was an accident!" IT WAS SERIOUSLY AN ACCIDENT!

A barrage of rockets was launched in my direction, and I leaped out of the way. Desperate to reach her, I sprinted forward, but she swiftly retreated while launching more rockets.

"Bronya, just listen to me!"

"No! The Bronya will kill you! The Bronya will put a hole in your head!!"

I gulped, a bead of sweat forming on my forehead. Bronya was truly terrifying in this state.

"Bronya!? Shin!? What's going on!!?" Kiana rushed to my aid and started shooting back at Bronya.

"Kiana! Bronya is back to her usual self, but she's not forgiving me!"

"Forgiving you?! What... What did you do!?"

"I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED THE 1000 HOUR GAMEPLAY IN HER SAVE FILE!"

Kiana stared at me with a blank expression and then turned to Bronya, assessing her state. "Oh, it seems Bronya is back to herself, but her outfit has changed."

"What are you doing!? Stop analyzing and help me here!"

"Nope! It's your fault for deleting Bronya's save file."

"I-I said it was an accident!!"

Lasers nearly struck me, and I dropped to the floor, narrowly avoiding them. "Bronya, you almost put a hole in my chest!"

"The Bronya will never forgive you!"

"E-Err... Hear me out, Bronya... How about this... I'll-" Suddenly, bullets whizzed past my head, and as I dodged, a barrage of fire erupted in front of me. I ran around, narrowly avoiding the bullets. "Bronya! I will treat you to HOMU! I promise!"

Bronya slowly stopped shooting. "Is it true?"

"Yes, it's true." Did that take the bait?

She sighed, and I caught her as she fell to the floor. Her appearance changed back to her usual Valkyrie Chariot uniform. "Yeah... I will never forget that."

Just then, Himeko appeared on the hologram communication in front of us. "Bronya-chan? How are you feeling now?"

What is with your timing, Himeko-sensei!?

Bronya smiled slightly. "I am fine, Major Himeko. Please run a test as soon as I am back at St. Freya."

"Oh, and don't forget about Mei too!" Kiana chimed in.

Mei walked up to us. "I'm right here... Looks like you're alright." She smiled at Bronya.

Uwah! Don't scare me like that.

"Mei-neesan... I'm sorry," Bronya said, looking apologetic.

"Hehe, It's alright... Well, shouldn't Shin-kun apologize instead? After all, I heard that he did something more terrible."

"Mei-senpai, I'm already guilty here. Please don't make it worse."

I'm super guilty and I feel like karma's gonna bite me anytime soon.

"Pfft~ Ahahahaha~ Alright, after this mission, Bronya and Mei, get to the clinic," Himeko instructed.

"Yes, Major Himeko." Bronya nodded, followed by Mei.

The comms turned off and I let out a sigh.

Kiana grinned. "Looks like we're fine, huh?"

"Well, at least it went well."

"Shin... carry me, I can't feel my body," Bronya said, her tone deadpan.

"Exhaustion? Fine, fine," I sighed and scooped Bronya up in the princess method. "There, happy?"

"Yeah," she smiled, but her expression shifted back to seriousness. "By the way, you promised that you would treat me to HOMU."

"Yes, I did."

"Good."

I sighed. "Spare my wallet, okay?"

Bronya's gaze bore into me. "Did you spare my save file?"

Urgk...

"I apologize, I take it back... Please don't show mercy to my wallet."

Bronya smiled. "If you say so."

I can hear it... My wallet crying in tears.

Meanwhile, Mei and Kiana looked at us. "Wow, Bronya-chan can be cheeky at times like this," Mei remarked.

"Hmph! It's what Shin gets for deleting Bronya's save file."

"Oi! Idiot-Kiana, how about we start reviewing exams since we're going to take them next month?"

...

"Argh! Why did you remind me!!"

I smirked, enjoying the triumph.

"Now, now, I'll help you study, Kiana-chan," Mei smiled sweetly at her.

"Mei-senpai!" Kiana looked at Mei with sparkle but as she was about to hug her. Mei said, "But promise me you will not escape from me." Just then, Mei's smile summoned an oni face behind her head.

"E-eh? O-okay..."

I couldn't help but shiver. "That's scary... I'm glad I have Bronya here to help me."

And then within a few minutes, the Selene landed in St. Freya, just like that.

We disembarked from the aft at the back, setting our feet on the ground.

"Welcome back, all of you," Himeko greeted us with Valkyries entering the Selene.

"We're back, Himeko-sensei," I grinned at her.

She nodded at us. "Now then, Mei and Bronya, head to the clinic right away. Shin, head to the headmaster's office. Miss Theresa wants to see you."

"Eh?" I turned to the three girls, who just nodded, and then back to Himeko. "I'll do that right now."

"Good."

I walked away from them and made my way to the headmaster's office. I knocked on the door, "I'm here, Miss Theresa."

"Enter," she said from the other side.

I slowly turned the doorknob, but then I felt a sudden surge of killing intent that was so palpable I immediately stepped back, drawing my katana with a swift motion.

As I looked at the door, it was sliced to pieces, and I was greeted by a maid. "My~, that's interesting."

Who is she?!

With reddish-pink eyes and a smile that never left her face, she was sickeningly sweet in appearance. Her left eye was covered, but she seemed to see just fine.

She smiled at me and then bowed, "Hello, Shin Watanabe. My name is Rita Rossweisse, and I am just a maid."

"Heh... I can tell." I stood up straight, taking a defensive stance.

This woman is dangerous...!