Chapter 163: Su Mu is Durandal's Husband? What Kind of Sisterly Bond is This?
Su Mu sneezed. He rubbed his nose, muttering to himself about who was talking behind his back... This caused Sirin, who was standing beside him, to look at him with a hint of concern.
"Are you feeling unwell?" she asked.
Griseo tugged on Su Mu's sleeve, her large, watery eyes also filled with a trace of worry.
Su Mu shook his head and looked at the girl beside him. Sirin was dressed in the St. Freya Academy High School uniform. Her lower legs were wrapped in white over-the-knee socks, and she was carrying a black handbag under her arm. Those golden eyes were currently looking at him with concern. It was hard to imagine that this "pufferfish" could give off the vibe of a gentle and quiet young lady...
Genetic mutation, surely.
But on second thought, Su Mu felt relieved. In this world, Sirin hadn't undergone those inhumane experiments; she had a happy family and received a proper education. This was likely the power of knowledge. After all, the Sirin in the Honkai 3rd game possessed a beauty unpolluted by knowledge... that wasn't an exaggeration at all. Though for some reason, the Queen was a supreme master of trash talk and philosophical waxing... perhaps she had been secretly taking private tutoring during all those years she was asleep?
Looking at the cute, blinking Sirin, Su Mu felt an impulse to pinch her cheeks. He had to admit, Miss Pufferfish was an absolute beauty—a character so cute she could deliver a critical hit to one's heart with just a little bit of moe.
"I'm fine. But Sirin, you've seemed a bit moody since this morning?"
"Second Sister is just too much... She's so busy with her customer service work that she didn't even have time for the parent-teacher conference." Sirin pouted, her cheeks puffing up like a real pufferfish; she was clearly unhappy. "It would have been fine if she didn't come, but to ask my Second Brother-in-law... I mean, Brother Su Mu, to come instead... your work is much harder than hers."
Su Mu gave a non-committal smile. He was heading to St. Freya anyway. He had signed a cooperation agreement with Herta's studio to help them debug the Synesthesia Beacon, an experiment that had also piqued Mobius's interest. Since St. Freya was fully equipped, they suggested he come here for some new tests.
It just so happened that the mid-term exams had passed, and according to routine, the academy was holding a parent-teacher conference. Under Su Mu's arrangement, Kiana was currently losing herself in the praise of players as "Customer Service Xiao Qi"... though this was only temporary. The next step in the plan to train this "social waste" into a capable CEO was about to begin. In short, Kiana was indeed too busy, so she had entrusted the conference to Su Mu.
The same went for the Elementary section where Griseo was. Usually, someone from the Golden Courtyard would attend, as Griseo's parents were always traveling. But Eden couldn't show up without turning the conference into a fan meeting, and the others had their own reasons. Finally, after Elysia pleaded with her hands together, little Griseo was also entrusted to Su Mu.
What about Kosma? Self-reliance. What else could he do? A man should be tough; it's fine if no one attends his conference, right? Probably? Maybe...?
Since it was on the way, Su Mu didn't refuse. He picked up Sirin and Griseo early in the morning and was now walking toward the teaching building. To be fair, as a world-renowned institution, St. Freya's environment was excellent. It was a comprehensive campus covering elementary to university levels, with multiple campuses across various countries. Though a top-tier school, it wasn't exclusive to elites and nobles.
The founder was Cecilia Schariac. Under her lead, Schicksal and Anti-Entropy had invested heavily, sending experts to help her build and operate it. Her original intent was to ensure every child had a chance to study, so the academy had various policies for underprivileged students. Cecilia believed poverty shouldn't crush a child's thirst for knowledge. When a reporter asked why she did such a thankless task given the high subsidies, she simply smiled: "The world may not be as beautiful as we imagine, but we are working to make it better."
This had earned her the title of World Charity Ambassador. Even today, she continued to work for a better world. When mentioning her mother, even Kiana would stop smiling and say solemnly: "She is the person I respect most in this world. I've always thought my 'Stupid Dad' doesn't deserve her at all. He just got lucky!!" It was clear Kiana respected her mother—and absolutely did not respect her "Stupid Dad."
Sirin was a student in the High School section. She didn't intentionally hide being a Kaslana, but outside of the top management, few teachers knew she was the third daughter of Cecilia and Siegfried. This was Sirin's own request; she didn't want special treatment.
Although it was late autumn, Arc City wasn't freezing yet, though students had already switched to winter uniforms. Groups of lively girls passed Su Mu, animatedly discussing last night's TV shows or after-school plans. The winter uniform consisted of a white top, a small black jacket, and a brown plaid skirt that reached the knees. As the girls walked, the swaying skirts looked like beautiful butterflies.
So much youth. Su Mu couldn't help but sigh. Having lived two lives, he knew exactly how wonderful and happy an experience youth was.
Along the way, Sirin was secretly sizing up Su Mu. She was interested in him, and not without reason. she constantly heard his name from Kiana. Every time she mentioned it, Kiana would get weird—sometimes crying, sometimes laughing, sometimes crying right after laughing. She looked like a mental patient escaped from an asylum. Sirin knew her sister was eccentric, but "eccentric" was trending toward "insane."
After actually meeting Su Mu, her first thought was that there was definitely something between her sister and this man. Later, during the training camp, Theresa had Su Mu take care of Kiana for half a month. Sirin didn't know what happened during those two weeks, but when Kiana came back, she could clean the house and use a washing machine. It was like discovering a new continent! Sirin's many previous attempts to teach Kiana those things had failed. But Su Mu did it!
Too amazing! Too miraculous!
Sirin didn't know how capable Su Mu was in the industry; she only knew this man had given her "social waste" sister basic life skills and even got her to go to work properly. Is this the power of love? Under love's power, could even a failure like her sister face life with passion?
Love is too great! It's like magic!
Since then, Sirin had developed immense respect for her (self-appointed) brother-in-law. If he could turn Kiana into a normal person, what couldn't he do? He was a superman! Now, having a chance to be alone with her idol, Sirin couldn't stop sneaking glances. She attended an all-girls school, so she had no contact with boys and no dating experience. And now at St. Freya, she was being tormented by her sister's growth. As a girl in puberty shocked by Kiana's change, she was naturally longing for love.
"Is... there something on my face?" Su Mu asked, touching his cheek.
"Brother Su Mu! What exactly did you do to make my sister work seriously? Is it the power of love? It's definitely the power of love, right!" Sirin had been holding it in, but now she looked at him with sparkling eyes.
"Love?" Little Griseo looked up with innocent curiosity.
Uh... Su Mu didn't know how to answer. Love was too complex to describe in one sentence. "This is a bit too profound for Griseo...."
Griseo blinked: "But Griseo heard Sister Elysia say that just being by someone's side and feeling happy is a kind of love! Griseo is happy with Brother, so does Griseo love Brother Su Mu?"
"Ahem!!" Su Mu nearly tripped. He looked around; luckily, no one noticed. Elysia, you bastard, what are you teaching her! Being 'loved' by a cute loli in public—are you trying to get me arrested?
"Ohh! Little Griseo is so brave! To say those words so easily, so impressive!" Sirin clenched her fists, stars in her eyes. "Griseo, I'll cheer for you! Even with the age gap, I believe as long as there's love, anything is possible!!"
You, Pufferfish, don't make it worse!! It seemed Griseo's education needed serious attention... she had to be kept away from Elysia!
Since Griseo's conference was later, Su Mu had Sirin wait in her class while he dropped Griseo off. After saying goodbye, he rushed back to Sirin's classroom.
"Is the guardian for Sirin here? Sirin's guardian?" The meeting had started, and Su Mu heard the teacher as he reached the door. Just as he was about to answer, a female voice rang out from the room.
"I'm here. Hello teacher, I am Sirin's sister."
The voice startled Su Mu. Sirin's sister? But it wasn't Kiana's voice; it was louder, full of confidence and vitality. He walked into the classroom and immediately spotted the woman among the parents. She had pale gold wavy hair with light coral tips, tied into a sharp high ponytail. She wore a crisp black suit, meticulously maintained; even her white shirt collar was perfectly ironed and symmetrical. Her clothes reflected a rigorous, meticulous personality.
In stark contrast to her rigid attitude, the blonde woman possessed an awe-inspiring figure. She was the center of gravity in the room, drawing every eye to her.
Bianca "Durandal" Kaslana.
Her appearance caught Su Mu off guard. Shouldn't Bianca be in Europe? Why is she here at Sirin's conference?
Su Mu entered the room. Sirin's homeroom teacher was a woman in her early thirties with glasses, looking quite elegant. "Mhm? And whose guardian are you?"
Facing the teacher's confusion, Su Mu looked at Sirin, who was sitting in the third row from the back by the window. she was currently panicking; clearly, she didn't know why Bianca was here either.
"Mhm? Are you Sirin's guardian? Then the lady just now...?"
As the teacher wondered, Su Mu felt a sharp gaze land on him. Bianca was staring at him directly. Her gaze was too piercing, her look too honest... it was as if she wanted everyone to know she was interested in him. Straightforward and prone to direct speaking... Bianca's personality was exactly as imagined.
Under the teacher's strange look, Su Mu was about to explain when Sirin suddenly stood up: "Teacher, he's my brother-in-law! Since my sister was busy, I invited my brother-in-law!"
"I see." The teacher nodded. "So, because Ms. Bianca was busy, you asked her husband to attend. But then Ms. Bianca found time, so she came too. Is that right, Sirin?"
Pfft, no, wait? Su Mu didn't know where to start his rebuttal. Brother-in-law? Sirin, what are you saying? And Teacher, don't just pair me up with this Goose!
"Eh? Uh...." Sirin froze, about to explain, but the teacher gestured for Su Mu to sit in the back, giving her no chance.
Su Mu walked to the back awkwardly. He found that no one was sitting next to Bianca... or rather, her powerful aura kept everyone at a distance. He sat beside her. Despite the awkwardness, he reached out his hand.
"Hello, I'm Su Mu. Bianca, I often hear Kiana mention you."
"You can call me Bianca." Her expression didn't change because of the teacher's words. she kept sizing him up, her gaze sweeping over him repeatedly, which made him a bit uneasy.
"Pardon me, Bianca, but why do you keep looking at me?"
Bianca said candidly: "You look more mysterious than I imagined. I can't see through you at all, which interests me."
Su Mu thought to himself that the Goose was indeed too direct. "May I ask what about me interests you?"
"Everything—Su Mu, I've heard of your deeds and investigated your resume. Honestly, it's hard to imagine a fresh graduate revitalizing a dying company into a city-wide GDP leader in just a year. Your education is at most an undergraduate degree, and your background is unremarkable—your parents left you early, you were raised by your grandfather, and he passed away when you were eighteen."
Hearing her list his past so accurately, Su Mu gave a helpless, wry smile. Truly, his life was a standard "protagonist" template—orphaned at the start. It was no wonder Bianca was suspicious of someone with no background or top-tier education possessing such ability.
"My apologies. I am a direct person; please forgive me if I've offended you."
"It's fine. You're a straightforward person, Bianca. I like dealing with people like you because there's no beating around the bush."
"Is that so? You are a strange person. Aren't you angry that I investigated you?"
Su Mu shook his head: "Of course not. I understand your concerns; I'd do the same. I'm your sister's employee, so checking my background is normal."
Bianca followed up: "Just an employee? Then why did Sirin imply you and Kiana are together?"
Su Mu spread his hands: "If I said I only found out today that Sirin sees me that way, would you believe me?"
"Yes, I believe you." Bianca nodded. she didn't think he had a reason to lie. she thought to herself that the situation was more complex than expected; even Sirin thought they were lovers, yet Su Mu was unaware.
Taking advantage of the time, Bianca asked Su Mu several more questions, all of which he answered.
"Mhm, you really are a strange person." After the conference ended, Bianca stopped Su Mu to speak with him privately and reached that conclusion.
"Strange?"
"Yes. I've met many people, but you are completely different. Your psychological age isn't as young as you look, and your mental fortitude is unexpected; you answer every question fluently. I even wonder if you're hiding your real age."
"I can show you my ID."
"No need, I believe you. I just find you to be an interesting person." Bianca shook her head. "In fact, you are one of the few people I don't mind dealing with. My directness has offended many, but you're the first outsider who isn't bothered by it."
As she said, Bianca's strict and even rigid nature had indeed offended many. Although she was capable, the real world wasn't the Honkai world where the biggest fist solved everything. In business, her lack of tact had cost her. But she hadn't changed; she believed this was her life and she stood by her convictions. she was a perfectionist who felt unhappy if things weren't done to the best of her ability. she knew it was a flaw but didn't intend to change it.
Because of this, Bianca had few friends; her personality either made enemies or gained countless fangirls. Plus, her status usually made people speak to her with extreme deference. People like Su Mu, who spoke to her as an equal regardless of status, were rare.
"Is that so? I think your personality is fine. People are used to hearing flowery words and platitudes, but those who dare to speak the truth are fewer and fewer. I don't think that's a good thing. Your character is rare in this day and age."
"Can I take that as a compliment?"
"Certainly."
"But some say my personality makes it hard to find like-minded friends."
"Really? I'd be happy to be your friend, Bianca. If I had a friend like you to constantly spur me on, I wouldn't stray from the right path."
"A friend....." A trace of something different appeared in Bianca's eyes, and her expression became slightly odd. "My apologies. While I'd be happy to be your friend, honestly, I don't know the proper way for friends to interact. Though Rita and I are friends, I don't think our way of interacting applies to everyone."
The question stunned Su Mu, then left him feeling helpless. Right. Though Bianca was reliable and serious, she wasn't without flaws. Kiana was unreliable, but she had her own shining points. The sisters were like two sides of a mirror—Bianca was responsible while Kiana slacked off. Bianca's personality left her with few friends, but Kiana had them everywhere; she had a natural magic that made people like her. Most importantly, unlike Kiana, Bianca was aware of her flaws but didn't know how to fix them.
"There's no fixed form for friendship. Just follow the pace you like. There's no standard answer; everyone interacts differently, and you have to find your own way."
"I see.... thank you for talking with me for so long." Bianca nodded to Su Mu. "I've heard of your deeds from others, and I now fully understand that you are an empathetic person. But your capability remains to be verified. Therefore, I will stay at MiHoYo for a while. I want to see your daily work with my own eyes. Of course, if you have tasks for me to complete, I will do my best."
Su Mu's expression became strange. He had always wanted to "recruit" the Valkyries to MiHoYo, and the Goose was certainly on his list. But he hadn't expected her to offer herself up before he even opened his mouth. This brought him one step closer to a full roster, but he felt Bianca wasn't just here to verify his skills. she seemed to have another motive, though he couldn't see what it was yet.
Just as their conversation ended, Sirin and her teacher walked over.
"Ms. Bianca, Mr. Su Mu." The teacher looked at them. "Sirin has been nominated as one of the Top Ten Students for her academic excellence, team spirit, and helpfulness. There will be an award ceremony in the city next week. I heard Sirin's parents are abroad and she is usually cared for by her sister, Bianca. There's a saying that an older sister is like a mother, so I hope you two can find time for the ceremony. If possible, I'd like you both to speak on stage as her guardians. There will be a TV broadcast, so please prepare despite your busy schedules."
Su Mu's face turned odd. Why does the teacher think Bianca is the one caring for Sirin? Oh, if that lazy dog Kiana hadn't come to the school, that explained it. That was definitely something she would do. But then he felt something was off. If it's just Bianca, why invite me?
Before Su Mu could ask, Bianca agreed immediately. After the teacher left, Su Mu looked at Bianca with a strange gaze.
Bianca was confused: "?"
Su Mu spoke: "Haven't you thought about why the teacher invited both of us?"
Bianca thought for a bit: "she probably thinks you are Kiana's husband and Sirin's brother-in-law, so you are family too."
Su Mu sighed, realizing she didn't see the gravity of the situation. "Kiana never comes to the school. Who do you think the teacher thinks is the sister Sirin mentioned? And whose husband does that make me, the 'brother-in-law'?"
Su Mu's words left Bianca stunned. Then, as realization hit, her eyes widened.
"....Mine?"
END OF CHAPTER
Like this story Leave a review ; it would really help me out a lot.
Want to Read Ahead in Advance?
Join my Patreon!
+75 Chapters
Support me in
Patreon.com/BestElysium