61. Proposal? Promise. Ice and Tribulation.
In Aponia's eyes, "Zero" had always been a good child.
Though he rarely listened to her, often doing things his own way, there was no doubt he always had everyone's best interests at heart.
Aponia knew that while her power of "persuasion" could always extricate the sanatorium from trouble, there was never any shortage of people coming to pick fights. Yet, after Gao Qi arrived, no one ever disturbed the children at the sanatorium again.
Besides that, he was exceptionally reliable and mature. Aponia had to admit that his experience in managing the sanatorium, increasing income and reducing expenditure, and purchasing clothes and food for the children far surpassed her own, even though she was an adult.
However, this wasn't surprising. He hadn't hidden his past, saying he had grown up in an orphanage called "Cocolia," cared for by a strict "mother" and a gentle "older sister."
That "older sister's" dream was to grow up, buy a villa on an island, and find a home for children displaced by disaster.
Aponia thought that "mother" and "older sister" were probably no longer around, leaving only this child to drift to Sundown Alley.
Therefore, Aponia trusted "Zero" deeply. Though she often worried he was overworking, he would always deflect with, "Sister Aponia, aren't you working hard too?"—a point Aponia truly couldn't refute.
Indeed, this child's arrival had put Aponia's mind at ease in many ways. He quickly became one with the children of the sanatorium and understood their needs better than she did. Compared to her somewhat distant demeanor, he was actually more suited to the role of a caregiver.
Most importantly, when it came to her affection, only he was willing to accept it and wouldn't fidget when she hugged him. This greatly satisfied Aponia's maternal instincts.
On many nights, she would also call "Zero" to her bed, tell him stories, and lull him to sleep—though for some reason, it later became him telling stories while she fell asleep first.
In short, Aponia was completely unguarded and unwary around "Zero." Rather, she enjoyed close contact with this child and especially wanted to care for him.
After all, although he was always smiling, Aponia occasionally saw him alone, watching the children of the sanatorium from afar with a somewhat lonely and helpless smile.
Aponia knew that this cheerful little adult also needed care and love.
Not to mention… the threads of fate binding this young boy were tightly intertwined with her own.
Although Aponia couldn't yet see what this intertwined fate meant, a sense of responsibility for this child arose in her heart.
Though still just a young boy now, given time, he was sure to become an outstanding adult. Aponia looked forward to this with great anticipation.
And now, in the narrow confessional, Aponia gave Gao Qi's forehead a light kiss—just a simple kiss, like a mother's reward for her child.
Then, the devout nun saw the young boy before her take a deep breath.
Ever since meeting Aponia, Gao Qi had been restraining himself. Though he had become a child, none of his essential parts were missing!
There may be only one sun in the sky, but shouldn't the solar system have several planets?
Though not controlled by Aponia's words, Gao Qi was successfully dominated by her sinful body.
Without another thought, Gao Qi gently held Aponia's chin and unhesitatingly captured her somewhat pale lips.
"Mmm—hmm…"
Having her lips kissed by the boy before her, and even invaded further, Aponia jolted in surprise. She instinctively wanted to stop, but her slender hands, raised halfway, slowly lowered.
After all… he's just a child, right?
After a long while, their lips finally parted.
Aponia's eyes were somewhat dazed, her blue pupils trembling uncontrollably. She never imagined that the child she trusted most would suddenly do such a thing to her—something so unforgettable.
But… it didn't seem bad?
Meanwhile, Gao Qi, coming back to his senses, began to panic.
Oh no, I've made a huge mistake!
Gao Qi always thought he was somewhat of a herbivore, but… Aponia's allure was just too great! He really couldn't hold back!
Who could resist such a pure and completely unguarded good girl?
This—this must be the fault of the Honkai Will! I didn't mean to cheat! It must be the damn Imaginary Tree controlling my mind!
Alright, alright, Gao Qi admitted it was indeed his lack of restraint. He really was a bottomless scumbag.
"Mmm—sorry, Sister Aponia!"
Before Gao Qi could figure out what to do next, a pair of slender hands clamped onto his cheeks like iron pliers.
"You… you little rascal!"
This time, Aponia was no longer her usual composed self. Her pretty face slightly flushed, she thought for a long while but couldn't come up with any words to reprimand him. She could only pinch his little cheeks.
Knowing he had acted impulsively, Gao Qi could only sigh. He understood his fate and hadn't wanted to leave behind feelings in each simulation.
But then, he remembered what he had just said to Aponia—even if his fate in every simulation was destined to be death, why couldn't he let others feel happiness and joy before the end arrived?
In the last simulation, even without forming attachments, he still made many people sad. So this time… Gao Qi didn't want anyone close to him to grieve. He wanted them to accept his death calmly!
Thinking this, Gao Qi made up his mind.
"I know I'm a child, but Sister Aponia, I really like you… I want to marry you when I grow up! Is that okay?"
Using a child's tone, he made a somewhat naive proposal to Aponia. How Gao Qi wished he were an adult now, so he could charge forward without hesitation.
No matter what, after doing such a thing, Gao Qi couldn't go against his heart. Apologizing inwardly to Mobius and Xiao Hua, and silently confessing his guilt to Cocolia and Raven, he resolutely chose to follow his instincts.
I've been a stay-at-home dad for years now! Can't I just enjoy myself a little?
"..."
Aponia hesitated. In her eyes, the threads of fate connecting the young boy before her to herself grew stronger and tighter.
She had wondered what these threads of fate represented but never imagined... it meant this!
Hmm, this... this sort of thing, we can talk about it when you're older.
Her delicate face flushed red. Aponia, who had just resolved to defy fate, rehearsed the words to reject Gao Qi multiple times in her heart.
But when the moment came, seeing the unusually serious expression on the young boy's face, she wavered.
"If you like your sister that much... hmm."
After a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, Aponia gave a gentle nod.
After all, little brother Gao Qi probably doesn't understand what these things mean—he's just expressing his gratitude and excitement in a simple way. That kiss earlier must have been something he learned somewhere else, right?
Faced with Gao Qi's proposal, Aponia actually found it somewhat innocent and amusing.
And, truth be told, she felt a little happy to be liked by him.
If this was their shared fate, Aponia thought... it might not be so bad?
However, before Gao Qi could rejoice at her acceptance, his little head was lightly tapped by Aponia's hand.
"Don't get carried away! You're still young. I know you understand a lot, but you mustn't do anything strange! From now on, you must listen to me properly, understand?"
This time, Aponia's tone was exceptionally serious. It wasn't that she was afraid the little guy would do anything bad—in Aponia's view, Gao Qi kissing her was already the limit.
"Mhm, mhm, I'll listen well—and I'll definitely make you happy, Sister Aponia!"
Gao Qi also nodded vigorously, making a serious promise.
Then, with a mischievous grin, he blinked his big eyes and asked Aponia in an innocent tone:
"But, Sis Aponia, what counts as 'strange things'?"
Since Aponia saw him as a child, it wouldn't hurt to act a little more naive, right?
"Hmm, that is... things between boys and girls..."
Although Aponia was pure and kind-hearted, having grown up in the Twilight Street, she couldn't avoid exposure to all sorts of strange books and discs no matter how hard she tried. How could she not understand anything at all?
In an instant, Aponia's mind conjured up many intense and passionate scenes—except the roles were replaced by herself and the little boy before her. Just like earlier, he greedily pushed her down, fulfilling their predestined fate.
Aponia! You—you pervert!
Scolding herself fiercely in her heart, a rare hint of fluster appeared on Aponia's gentle face. She racked her brains before finally coming up with a response.
"H-holding hands and kissing, that sort of thing? You mustn't do them casually in front of others! Come on, l-let's go, it's time for dinner with everyone! Tonight, we'll sleep together."
After saying this, Aponia stood up, straightened her slightly disheveled nun's habit, and hurried out of the confessional like she was escaping, leaving behind a smugly grinning Gao Qi.
"Although lying isn't good, if the cost is my life, I must remember to apologize to her before I die."
On Gao Qi's arm, purple Honkai energy patterns began to emerge, and on his chest, the stigma of the Herrscher of Death reappeared.
"Alright, next, it's time to break free from the shackles of fate."
After that day, your relationship with Aponia didn't change much. That little promise seemed like nothing more than a child's innocent words. However, whenever you slept together, you would secretly tease her, doing things that weren't too excessive but were stimulating enough—gentle touches and squeezes that left Aponia at a loss.
As for the increasing number of Honkai-infected children in the sanatorium, you began using your power to absorb and suppress the Honkai energy within them—their Honkai energy levels were low and naturally gravitated toward the holder of the Herrscher's authority.
Your power couldn't completely eliminate the effects of Honkai energy. In fact, even in the current era, only HSN-b46 serum or the blood of the Schariac lineage could purify Honkai energy contamination.
Although your method only addressed the symptoms, the authority of life also repaired the cellular damage in the children's bodies. For the time being, they became healthier.
And you knew that soon, with the arrival of two guests, the Twilight Street Sanatorium would face a catastrophic disaster—yet, at the same time, this was also the only chance to save those children.
The children didn't carry much Honkai energy, not exceeding your Honkai adaptability, but it still made your younger self somewhat drowsy. Aponia would often carry you back to her room when you fell asleep—of course, nothing happened.
One month later, just as autumn began, an inexplicable cold front swept through the entire Twilight Street.
That night, a sudden gale whipped through the sky. Snowflakes and hailstones, sharp as knives, pelted down from above—it was an unimaginable snow disaster.
You and Aponia braved the storm to salvage supplies and bring them back to the rooms, comforting the children until midnight before finally huddling under the chilly blankets, embracing each other for warmth as you fell asleep.
However, you didn't sleep. Instead, you braved the cold wind and left the sanatorium, heading toward the other side of the city.
You saw everything frozen in ice. You saw the raging storm. You saw the Herrscher unleashing destruction upon the world in despair.
And... the person you had been waiting for.
A visitor from beyond the sky.
Note: I'm new to translating so please be kind and tell me any mistakes you all find, I will try to release a chapter a day but don't expect much
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Raw: 崩坏模拟器,你找的人是我么?