Honkai Impact: Grandma Pine Sparrow is still chasing me!

Chapter 44 Can You Be My Friend?

"So you're Kiana."

"Yes, I am Kiana. Mei, have you heard of me before?"

"That's not important."

Raiden Mei looked away to avoid Kiana's eager gaze; to be honest, she probably felt a little awkward.

A while ago at Chiba Academy—around the time Raiden Ryoma was arrested and imprisoned—there was indeed a campus ghost story about someone who would disappear if rejected by a girl after being confessed to. In the story, Kiana, a beautiful white-haired, blue-eyed girl from Europe, was the last victim to disappear after being confessed to.

After that, the news of Raiden Ryoma's imprisonment overwhelmed all other news on campus, and naturally, no one cared about the legend of Kiana's disappearance.

After all, compared to continuously tracking an outdated school ghost story and the missing Kiana, ME Company's shocking scandal is obviously more likely to attract the attention of gossips. When more "interesting" information is delivered to them, the gossips will not hesitate to abandon the original topic.

"Oh, Mei, just tell me! I really want to know how you see me, Mei~"

A bewildered Raiden Mei couldn't handle the overly familiar Kiana. She wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she felt like Kiana kept trying to rub against her chest. Was this considered being taken advantage of? Therefore, she could only turn to Sora for help.

"Ahem, Kiana, Raiden Mei is a third-year student. She's your senior in terms of seniority. Show her some respect."

"Little Gray, don't talk! When the boss is speaking, the underlings shouldn't interrupt!"

Kiana glared at Sora, then looked at Mei.

"Mei, please tell me quickly."

Well, there's nothing I can do about it. Anyway, this should improve their relationship, so Qiong will just leave it at that.

Bronya did have the idea of ​​intervening, but her current character setting doesn't allow her to summon Heavy Bunny 19C to grab Kiana by the scruff of the neck and throw her away...

After exchanging a few words, Kiana, seeing that Mei showed no sign of resistance, became even more unrestrained, making Mei's face turn even redder. If there weren't others watching, who knows what she would have done or said…

Actually, Kiana was originally quite "smart," but the moment she saw Raiden Mei, her IQ dropped by a whole level.

Finally, before Kiana could touch her, Mei took a step back, lowered her head, and quietly answered Kiana's question: "Actually, I've heard some things about you before."

"Really?" Kiana's eyes lit up. "What kinds of things are there?"

Mei's voice became even softer.

"That's right, that rumor..."

"Which rumor?"

Kiana pressed for an answer out of curiosity.

"The last victim of the rumored 'girl who disappears after being rejected'..."

-------------

Although there was a bit of awkwardness, the four of them got to know each other quickly, and then Qiong led the three families to choose a place to eat.

However, Qiong is somewhat dissatisfied with Kiana's initiative. It's good that you have initiative, Qiong is very satisfied, but the problem is that you're too proactive, and that's what's unsatisfactory.

Seemingly unable to decipher Mei's expression, Kiana's overly enthusiastic approach dealt a severe blow to Raiden Mei, and Kiana still didn't know when to stop. And Kiana, unlike Bronya, couldn't time her intervention perfectly...

Even while eating, Kiana didn't stop what she was doing.

"Kiana, can you finish all this food?"

Raiden Mei's question, which seemed like a simple interrogative sentence (Sora: It should be), was definitely full of hidden meaning in Kiana's eyes.

This meal was paid for by Sora → Kiana ordering too much is a waste of other people's money and food → Kiana is a bad girl → Raiden Mei doesn't want to be friends with bad Kiana.

So, should I just answer that this is how much I eat? No, that won't work either. If I reveal that I'm a big eater and a glutton on our first meeting, this unusual fact might scare Raiden Mei, and we might not be able to be friends afterward!

"Um, actually it was for the frail Qiong and the still-growing Bu..."

What was that cloth again?

"Wolf Fang".

Qiong interjected.

"Yes, it was ordered for this little girl with the wolf fangs. Kids should eat more! Eating more will help them grow taller!"

Kiana gave Bronya a seemingly kind smile, but Bronya just looked back at her expressionlessly.

"Idiot, Bronya's name is Bronya, not Bronya the Wolf Fang."

Kiana's smile shifted to Sora's face. "I dare say, you actually believe that?"

"You dead gray hair! And you, you little dwarf, who are you calling an idiot?"

Kiana?

As soon as Raiden Mei spoke, Kiana, who was on the verge of going berserk, instantly calmed down.

For the sake of image, for the sake of image...

Although she really wanted to grab the two of them and teach them a lesson, Kiana reluctantly handed them the food in order to make friends.

Qiong was alright, but looking at the plate that was bigger than her face, Bronya doubted whether she could finish this enormous plate of roast meat rice...

"By the way, Mei, you still have an elderly mother at home?"

Qiong: Why are you asking about my house out of the blue? Paramecium, we've only known each other for half an hour, what are you trying to do?

"My mother? Well, it's not that I can't say, she passed away quite early, and I was raised by my father..."

……

"And that's how my father was arrested."

"Your classmate is absolutely despicable! Mei's father is definitely innocent!"

How could a father who could give birth to a beautiful and kind girl like Raiden Mei be a bad father?

"But don't worry about Mei. Even though your father is locked up and those fake friends have abandoned you and slandered you, you still have me! I, Kiana, can definitely be your new friend!"

Upon hearing this, Qiong's expression became somewhat... strange.

"So, Mei, would you like to be my friend?"

Kiana asked cautiously, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"We are too, right Bronya?"

Bronya hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Looking into Kiana's sincere eyes, Mei couldn't help but feel two completely different emotions.

There was emotion, but also doubt...

Mei was touched that this seemingly cheerful, active, sincere, and kind girl was willing to be her friend, but she was also suspicious because she didn't believe deep down that anyone could approach her without any ulterior motives.

However, she certainly wouldn't refuse right now.

"Of course, Kiana, I'd love to be your friend."

Upon hearing this, Kiana's face immediately lit up with a bright smile, and she jumped up excitedly.

"Great! Mei is my friend now!"

Seeing Kiana's jubilant expression, Mei's previous doubts vanished: how could she possibly doubt such an innocent girl? What bad intentions could such a person possibly have?

Surely it couldn't be that he was lusting after her body?

Qiong, on the other hand, wore an expression similar to that of a duck standing to the side: This actually worked? She and Bronya were just third wheels for a few minutes, and Kiana had already taken care of Raiden Mei?

You thought you were being too enthusiastic and Raiden Mei couldn't handle it, but it turns out you're targeting Mei specifically?

"What are you doing, little gray hair? Time to eat!"

After taking a couple of "elegant" bites of food, Kiana seemed to suddenly remember something.

"Wait, what are you doing here? Didn't you move to Teacher Yang's place?"

Qiong slapped her forehead, speechless.

Why are you only asking now? Is your reaction time too slow, or is my priority lower than Raiden Mei's?