When Ming Yu and Theresa returned to the apartment, Mei had already prepared lunch. A full table of delicious dishes, which even by Mei's standards could be considered a sumptuous feast.
Seeing the somewhat listless group next to the food, Theresa announced, "Sorry to keep you all waiting. Let's eat!"
Seeing that the two were unharmed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The heavy atmosphere from before suddenly cleared, and they all took their seats at the dining table.
Himeko shot Theresa an inquisitive look, wanting to ask what had happened, almost forgetting that Kiana and the others were there. The previous tests on Ming Yu had all been done behind Kiana and the others' backs to spare Mei and Bronya's feelings and prevent them from overthinking.
But this time, the distrust towards Ming Yu was almost laid bare, just short of being brought up right in front of Kiana.
In Kiana's eyes, Theresa was her great aunt and the only person who currently knew her father's whereabouts, so she had no choice but to enter St. Freya High School. But the other three were different; their presence here was somewhat related to her. With her personality, she would never allow Theresa to harm the companions she had accepted.
Even if Theresa was her great aunt, perhaps even her only remaining relative. But the first person in her heart was probably Mei, followed by Bronya and the other companions from Nagazora.
Seeing Himeko's questioning gaze, Theresa returned a look that said 'be patient,' signaling her not to worry about it for now and that she would explain it to her later.
But Kiana didn't have that kind of patience. Being straightforward, she never cared about these things. She quickly grabbed Theresa's hand and whined, "Great Aunt, what were you guys talking about just now? Why did it take so long!?"
"Nothing much. I just think his skills are pretty good, so I recommended him for the Valkyrie Rank-Up Exam in a few days," Theresa said with an unchanged expression, glancing at her niece who seemed silly no matter how she looked at her, the type to help count the money after being sold. "Also, he'll be moving out of this apartment soon."
"Ah~" Kiana exclaimed, finding it a little hard to accept.
"What are you shouting about," the Principal's tone became sterner, carrying a trace of a superior's authority. "After my assessment, with his skills, he's qualified to have his own apartment. Besides, he's still a boy. How can he keep living here!"
Kiana frowned, feeling that things weren't that simple. But Theresa's reasoning was perfectly valid. After all, there should be a proper distance between boys and girls. With Auntie Himeko around, it was usually fine, but it was ultimately somewhat inconvenient.
Even if he was initially placed here because they were all survivors of the Third Honkai Eruption, the Honkai outbreak in Nagazora had long since ended.
She had known this situation wouldn't last forever, but she hadn't expected it to come so quickly. It had only been a little over a month, and the four of them had just gotten to know each other, yet they had to separate again. This feeling of parting made her heart feel heavy.
Today it was Ming Yu, who would it be tomorrow? Mei, or Bronya?
She didn't like this feeling of farewell, but she couldn't stop it from happening.
She glanced at Ming Yu, who was sitting upright. His face was perfectly calm, without a ripple in his eyes. He had clearly known about all this for a while.
Ming Yu's expression remained unchanged, but deep down he felt quite helpless. *Didn't you have a clue in your mind as to why you made me live here in the first place, old lady?*
Sitting next to him, Hiyokumaru grabbed Ming Yu's hand and stared directly into his eyes. She wanted to say something, but didn't know how to begin. After Big Bro Yu got the Divine Key, that short person wanted him to move out. The meaning was already obvious.
She wanted to comfort Ming Yu, but didn't know what to say. All she could do was whisper, "I'll always be with Big Bro Yu. I'll never leave."
*This little one seems to have misunderstood something.* Patting Hiyokumaru's head, Ming Yu didn't explain further, simply saying in a gentle voice, "It's okay, don't worry too much."
This was just one of the terms of his agreement with Theresa: freedom. St. Freya would lift its surveillance on him and would not conduct any more tests, at least not openly.
Although this didn't mean Theresa would completely trust him, it was beneficial for both sides. Easing the tension was a consensus they both shared; an outbreak of conflict would do neither of them any good.
Even if Theresa was confident she could take down Ming Yu, the disadvantages would far outweigh the benefits for her. Without Ming Yu, she couldn't keep Jizo Mitama by her side.
Given her familiarity with Divine Keys, she wasn't confident she could find another person who just so happened to be able to use this particular Divine Key.
For Ming Yu, this was also a good thing. Although being away from Kiana and the others made him a bit melancholic, with Himeko around, many things were inconvenient. After obtaining Jizo Mitama, he could do far more than before. If his guess about the power of this Divine Key was correct, some of his plans could begin, but these were matters not suitable for others to know.
Having his own independent residence would be much more convenient. After all, for him, a tricky character like Himeko was too high-risk; a single slip-up and his cover could be blown. The ace of the Far East Branch was not just for show.
For the past month or so, Ming Yu had always behaved himself. Firstly, because his strength was insufficient, and secondly, because he was quite wary of Himeko.
As a companion, Himeko would be very reliable. But as an enemy, that would not be good at all.
To the perceptive Mei and Bronya, Theresa's words carried another meaning: distrust and wariness towards Ming Yu as a person.
Although placing the four of them in Himeko's apartment could have been seen as a form of guardianship.
It couldn't be denied that, aside from Kiana, whom Theresa regarded as a niece, the identities of the other three were not exactly safe. Whether it was the Third Herrscher, a core member of Anti-Entropy, or a suspected member of the 'Serpent' organization, none of them were reassuring characters.
But now that Theresa was singling out Ming Yu, it made the two of them think more deeply. Whatever the reason, it sent a signal: St. Freya did not completely trust them.
Although this was a fact, when it was truly laid bare, it still made the two of them feel a little upset.
For a moment, everyone in the apartment hall fell silent, and a heavy atmosphere gradually began to spread.
"Haha~" Himeko suddenly laughed, holding her wine glass. "The Principal is right. Ming Yu is about to take the Valkyrie Rank-Up Exam to become an official Valkyrie, so of course he can't live here forever. If word got out, wouldn't it seem like the treatment at our Far East Branch is poor!
You guys need to work hard too. Although this kid Ming Yu is a boy, he's always been very diligent, not any weaker than you. You can't slack off and lose to him!
Besides, when you pass the Valkyrie Rank-Up Exam, you'll naturally get your own rooms too. You can't stay here forever!"
Although she didn't quite understand Theresa's decision—wasn't Ming Yu still under observation? and she didn't think he was that strong either—Himeko still noticed everyone's low spirits and quickly spoke up to change the subject.