Even though this decision meant she would likely lose Mei☆'s trust completely.
But as long as she could ensure Mei☆ would not be harmed in the slightest, she would pay any price without hesitation.
After all, in the Herrscher of Thunder's heart, Mei☆ was more important than anyone else; her very existence was to protect Mei☆ from harm.
At this moment, the Herrscher of Thunder had secretly made up her mind — after killing Fu Lin, she would bear all the consequences alone, even if it meant death, without any complaint.
----------------------------
The next morning, as the sun had just risen, sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains.
Mei☆ slowly opened her eyes, a flash of lightning glimmering in her bright pupils. She took a light breath and then slowly sat up.
As usual, Mei☆ quickly put on her neat uniform and then walked into the kitchen.
Mei☆ skillfully tied on her apron and began preparing today's bento, shouting a slogan full of passion,
"I will enter the kitchen, and in return, you shall have a full meal!"
Mei☆ picked up a sharp kitchen knife, and with swift and steady movements, she chopped the vegetables into uniform pieces; the spatula danced in her hand, colliding with the iron wok, producing crisp sounds.
"Let the stove cook all the ingredients.
Spatula, submit to me!
Cutting board, submit to me!
Roar, oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar!
Roar, pots and pans!
Roar, fire stoves!
One pot! Two bowls!
One knife! Two halves! One soup, two dishes!!!"
As the last dish was completed, three exquisite and delicious bentos were placed on the dining table.
Mei☆ carefully examined her work, a satisfied smile appearing on her face. She nodded gently, packed the bentos into her backpack, and then walked out the door with it on her back.
When Mei☆ arrived at the gate of Chiba Academy, she immediately saw Fu Lin not far away and stopped to wait.
On Fu Lin's back was Kiana☆, who was still asleep. However, as Mei☆ laid eyes on this scene, she couldn't help but clench her fist.
But this strange emotion lasted only for a moment before she relaxed her hand and regained her composure.
Mei☆ silently walked up to Fu Lin and softly said, "Good morning."
Fu Lin responded with a smile, "Good morning, Mei☆."
After a brief greeting, Mei☆ quietly followed behind Fu Lin, her gaze never leaving him.
Perhaps because Mei☆'s gaze was too intense and direct, Fu Lin stopped and slowly turned his head with a hint of puzzlement in his eyes, softly asking, "What's wrong? Mei☆."
Mei☆ was slightly stunned, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks, but she quickly calmed herself.
Mei☆ gently shook her head and said,
"It's nothing, just (wanted to look at you more)... Class is about to start, see you at noon, Fu Lin~"
After speaking, Mei☆ raised her hand, waved lightly, and then reluctantly shifted her gaze away from Fu Lin, turning to walk towards her classroom.
Fu Lin silently watched Mei☆'s departing figure until her graceful silhouette disappeared around the corridor corner. At that moment, a sweet voice suddenly sounded in his ear,
"Fu Lin~ are we at school already?"
At some point, Kiana☆ had woken up.
At this moment, she resembled a kitten, affectionately rubbing her soft cheek against Fu Lin's, her half-squinting big eyes filled with dependence.
Seeing Kiana☆ like this, Fu Lin couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated, replying with mock annoyance, "My lady, we're almost at the classroom door! You finally woke up."
Hearing this, Kiana☆ was momentarily stunned, then as if realizing something, slowly slid down from Fu Lin's broad back.
After standing firm, Kiana☆ tidied up her slightly messy clothes and hair caused by sleeping on Fu Lin's back.
Then, with a cheerful smile, she took Fu Lin's arm and walked into the classroom with him.
...
Time flew by, and the morning classes ended in a flash.
Fu Lin and Kiana☆ came up to the rooftop, where they saw Mei☆ already waiting.
Seeing Fu Lin and Kiana☆ arrive, they warmly greeted each other. Kiana☆ took the bento box Mei☆ handed over with a smile and began to eat heartily.
At this moment, Mei, who had been eating slowly, suddenly clutched her chest, coughed uncontrollably, and a faint blush appeared on her pale cheeks. She softly said,
"Kiana☆, could you please get me some water? Cough cough..."
She coughed again after speaking.
"I'll go instead."
Fu Lin, who had been quietly eating on the side, saw that Kiana☆ was enjoying her meal and couldn't bear to interrupt her, so he put down his bento and took the task of getting water.
However, Kiana☆ was not about to miss such a chance to make a good impression in front of Mei☆.
"I'll go, Fu Lin."
Kiana☆ put down her bento, pulled a bill from Fu Lin's pocket, and quickly ran towards the school's cafeteria with the money.
As Kiana☆'s figure disappeared down the stairs, Mei☆ finally put down her bento box, slowly turned her head, and fixed her gaze on Fu Lin.
Mei☆'s eyes flickered with complex emotions. After a brief hesitation, she asked with some hesitation,
"Fu Lin, what is Raiden Mei☆'s position in your heart?"
Fu Lin, caught off guard by Mei☆'s sudden question, almost choked on his food.
He patted his chest hard to ease his discomfort. After finally catching his breath, he looked at Mei☆ in confusion and puzzlement.
After a long pause, Fu Lin managed to squeeze out a reply,
".....Mei, why are you asking this all of a sudden?"
However, facing Fu Lin's question, Mei☆ gave no explanation.
At this moment, Mei☆'s face was tense and serious, clearly determined not to give up without an answer, and she questioned again in an unquestionable tone,
"Answer me!"
The surroundings instantly fell into silence. At some point, dark clouds had gathered overhead, and only the oppressive silence spread around.
Fu Lin was slightly stunned and then blurted out without thinking,
"Family."
Mei☆ gave a self-deprecating smile, her lips curling bitterly as she stared ahead and asked again softly,
"Then, Kiana☆... what kind of place does she hold in your heart?"
Time passed by the second.
Finally, Mei☆ let out a sigh, her tone filled with deep disappointment and helplessness,
"Forget it, it seems I will never get an answer, insignificant human."
At this moment, Mei☆ lowered her head. Her once gentle eyes now turned as cold as an icy pond, staring straight at Fu Lin.
Fu Lin keenly sensed that something was wrong with the Mei☆ in front of him. A strange aura emanated from her, causing him to furrow his brow as he tentatively asked,
"Are you... the Herrscher of Thunder? Where is Mei☆?"
Hearing this, the Herrscher of Thunder no longer saw the need to hide. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes flashing with fierce lightning, and coldly said,
"Care for yourself first, today you must die here!"
Before the words even faded, the Herrscher of Thunder struck. A dazzling bolt of lightning tore through the void and struck towards Fu Lin at lightning speed.
Fu Lin's heart tightened. Not daring to be careless, he dodged the deadly blow with a flash of his body and loudly shouted at the same time,
"Calm down! We can talk this over, no need to start a fight all of a sudden! And, what happened? Must I really die? Is there no other way?"
Hearing Fu Lin's words, the Herrscher of Thunder snorted coldly, glaring and gritting her teeth as she roared,
"Hmph! If you don't die, am I to watch Mei☆ die instead?"
With that, lightning crackled and danced around the Herrscher of Thunder, and the powerful Honkai energy fluctuations distorted the surrounding air.
The Third Honkai Eruption broke out, and the entire Nagazora City was instantly plunged into unprecedented silence!
(Next chapter, heartfelt confession (?＞＜?）)