While speaking, Elysia casually sent Bronya a message.
Someone says you're bad at games.
"…."
I'm logging in. Don't squeeze me out.
A few matches later, Kiana had long since lost her opening swagger.
She slumped against the back of her chair, shoulders drooping as if someone had pulled her bones out. The bright spark in her eyes dimmed completely.
Loss after loss.
At some point, she went numb.
Even the force of her fingers tapping the screen weakened.
"Ugh… I'm done. We keep losing. This isn't fun at all…" Her head hung low, her voice wilted and faintly aggrieved.
"You just—"
Before Elysia could finish, Kiana stared at her with a complicated look. The words on her tongue were swallowed back down.
She really wanted to ask, Are you cheating?
But the question died the moment she met that innocent, radiant smile.
What she didn't know was that the calm and composed winner across from her was merely operating with the help of a remote "external support," enduring over a hundred milliseconds of latency.
"I lost… The day after tomorrow, I'll come find you again!"
She stiffened her neck and tossed out the line as if it preserved her last shred of dignity.
Then she sighed heavily, dragging herself to the counter.
"One lemonade. The lightest one."
She returned and set it down in front of Elysia, muttering under her breath, "There is still lemonade."
"Is there?"
Elysia tilted her head slightly.
"I'm heading back. Don't forget to accept the friend request. We'll have another match next time. Not tonight though. I need to review my gameplay…"
Kiana took a sip of her drink, waved weakly, and shuffled out.
"Mm."
Elysia nodded. The smile in her eyes softened.
Knowing when to stop was wisdom.
Push this little kitten too far, and she might develop a psychological scar. Then who would play these delightful little wagers with her?
"Hm?"
Just as Kiana's figure disappeared around the corner, Elysia's phone vibrated.
She unlocked it and glanced down.
Bronya had replied. The disdain practically seeped through the screen.
Where did you even find someone this bad?
Elysia smiled and typed quickly.
A pretty fun little girl. I'll introduce her to Big Sister Bronya sometime~
The response came instantly.
Bronya thinks that's completely unnecessary. And Elysia, could you restrain yourself a little—
Peeking at someone's little secret isn't very well-behaved~
Elysia sent a voice message, deliberately drawing out the last note, mischief flickering in her eyes.
A second later, another message popped up.
Didn't you post her photo on your Moments? Tsk. She eats a lot. Can you even afford to raise her?
Immediately afterward, the screen filled with—
Alloy Armored Bronya: …
Alloy Armored Bronya: …
Alloy Armored Bronya: …
Line after line of ellipses drowned out the previous message.
One could almost hear her grinding her molars as she hit send.
After all, just a few hours earlier, she had transferred a seven-figure allowance into Elysia's account.
Bronya collapsed back onto the sofa, poking at Elysia's blindingly pink profile picture with a resigned sigh.
So even staying home as a shut-in could somehow turn her into the scapegoat?
Using her own money to fund that girl's globe-trotting, only to have her act cute and tease in return.
What a loss.
—
"Wow… you're such a good person!"
"A 'good person' card isn't something girls like to receive, you know~"
Elysia tapped her cheek lightly, eyes curving with amusement.
"It's not a good person card!"
Kiana hurriedly stuffed the last bite of drumstick into her mouth so she could wave her free hand vigorously.
After thinking hard about how to phrase it, she nodded earnestly.
"I really mean it! Elysia, you're a super good person! You helped me with homework and treated me to fried chicken!"
"Homework and chicken drumsticks are enough to qualify as 'super good'?" Elysia covered her lips and laughed softly. "Kiana, your standards are quite low."
Her long lashes fluttered. Suddenly, she leaned closer, mischief glinting in her gaze.
"Let me tell you a secret. I'm actually a messenger of love~"
"Then—Messenger of Love!"
Kiana raised her remaining drumstick solemnly.
"Please arrange the perfect partner for me!"
"They have to cook, help with homework, be amazing at games, and carry me to victory!"
"Kiana, that's not very sincere."
Elysia reached out and lightly flicked her nose.
"You can't just read off a script like that."
"Y-you…"
Caught off guard by the sudden closeness, Kiana hurriedly turned her face away. Her grip tightened around the drumstick.
"You're way too shameless! I was just playing along. I wasn't thinking anything weird…"
She sneaked another glance at Elysia.
With her refined features and gentle smile, she looked like the kind of noble young lady who had never touched kitchen smoke in her life.
Kiana frowned.
"Can you even cook? Or play games? You look just like the well-behaved girls in class. All talk."
"Want to test it?"
Elysia arched a brow, confidence ringing in her tone.
"Sure! How?"
Kiana perked up immediately, forgetting to wipe the grease from her lips.
"Name any game. We'll play a round right now."
Elysia paused halfway, slender fingers tapping her chin thoughtfully as her gaze drifted over Kiana's face.
"And if I win?"
Kiana leaned forward impatiently.
Elysia's smile deepened.
"I start at Schicksal Academy the day after tomorrow."
A sly glint flashed in her eyes.
"So if you lose… you carry my luggage. Deal?"
"Just luggage? Of course I dare!"
Kiana thumped her chest confidently.
"Then what if I win?"
She stared at Elysia expectantly, her clear eyes shining.
Elysia nearly laughed.
This silly little kitten… did she think winning meant she could win her away?
If that were the case, she might just throw the match on purpose.
"If you win, you treat me to another meal. How's that?"
"…That's it?"
To her surprise, Kiana's face showed faint disappointment.
Elysia felt a tiny sting of regret.
Perhaps she had overestimated her own charm.
The person in front of her valued food above all else.
"Fine. It's a deal."
"Alright! The latest version of Kallen Fantasy! I'm the best around here. You're doomed!"
"So confident?"
Elysia smiled sweetly.
"Remember, if you lose, no pouting and crying~"
…
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