Raiden Mei curled up in the corner like a wounded little animal, trembling.
Compared to the vicious words echoing in her mind, what made her even more despairing was the future. Because, without her father's protection, she was just a coward who couldn't do anything.
Just as Raiden Mei was about to be swallowed by despair, a voice suddenly rang in her mind.
'Give everything to me... I will help you take revenge... I will also make those who hurt you pay the price...'
Raiden Mei froze. She didn't know where this voice came from. But somehow, that bewitching voice felt extremely familiar to her.
Just as Raiden Mei was hesitating whether to believe this voice, she suddenly heard the main bathroom door being forcefully pushed open.
The commotion outside made Raiden Mei's heart tighten. She was afraid the abusers had returned. So, she instinctively shifted her body further into the corner.
But the cold wall told her, she had nowhere left to retreat.
Just as Raiden Mei felt despair and was ready to face another round of bullying... A strange sound came from outside the door.
Then came the sound of objects being knocked over and hitting the ground.
Immediately after, the stall door was slowly pushed open, and sunlight poured in through the opened door.
The sunlight brought warmth to Raiden Mei and dispelled the darkness in the compartment.
She lifted her head and saw a boy standing at the doorway. Under the sunlight, the boy's figure looked especially tall.
He extended his hand and softly said, "Sorry, I came late."
The apology from the unfamiliar boy puzzled Raiden Mei.
Obviously, the other person had saved her; she should be the one saying thank you. But why... was he apologizing to her?
Raiden Mei looked at the boy in front of her, sunlight falling on his side profile, outlining a clear face. In his eyes there was no mockery, no pity, only a kind of calm that made people feel at ease.
In that moment, Raiden Mei seemed to see hope.
She subconsciously ignored her father's warnings since childhood, and as if under some kind of spell, held onto the boy's extended hand.
The boy's hand was a bit cold, unexpectedly cold. But it was these very hands that pulled her out from the cold darkness.
After changing into clean clothes, the two strolled through the grounds of St. Freya Academy.
Skipping class, this kind of thing, for the once Raiden Mei, was absolutely impossible.
But after everything that had happened, Raiden Mei felt it was time to make some changes. Of course, it couldn't be ruled out that she also just wanted to stay beside the boy who had saved her.
In their casual conversation, she learned the boy's name was Van, and he claimed to be her father's friend.
But such a lame excuse couldn't fool the clever Raiden Mei.
Because the boy before her didn't look much older than her, how could he possibly have any connection to her middle-aged father?
Although she knew he was lying, Raiden Mei didn't expose him. Because, she was afraid that if she exposed the lie, the boy would leave her.
As the two chatted, somehow the conversation turned to personal matters.
Out of safety concerns, Van suggested that except in special circumstances, Raiden Mei should try not to stray too far from him.
If possible, it would be best for them to stay together 24 hours a day.
Van's suggestion stunned Raiden Mei. Because if she agreed, it would mean she'd be spending the vast majority of her future time with him, even... Sharing the same room.
Although Van was the one who pulled her out of the darkness, moving in together on their first meeting... was just too embarrassing.
At that moment, Raiden Mei suddenly heard the voice of her old father, Raiden Ryoma, in her head.
And she also recalled how her father had warned her, never stay in the same room with a strange man.
Then... Raiden Mei agreed to Van's request.
———
[At the Same Time, in the Real World.]
After watching this scene, ME Corp's president Raiden Ryoma was so angry his lungs nearly burst. He almost flipped his office desk over.
As a hardcore "daughter-con," he naturally couldn't stand this kind of scene.
'Fine, fine, FINE! Where did this brat come from, just one meeting and he's already trying to abduct my daughter And even wants to cohabit?!'
'If I don't sink you in pool today, do you think I, Raiden Ryoma, am a vegetarian?!'
'What?! This is just a video? To hell with the video! Even a video is not allowed!'
To prevent this kind of situation from happening in reality, Raiden Ryoma quickly found his discarded phone from the messy floor.
[Three minutes! Within three minutes, I want to know everything about this guy Van from the video!]
———
[Back to the Video.]
From that point on, Raiden Mei was no longer going to school or eating alone. Van was always by her side.
If someone tried to bully her, Van would appear immediately to protect her, and he'd fiercely teach the bullies a lesson.
Gradually, as time passed, Raiden Mei began to realize she had developed different feelings for him. She started relying on Van, feeling like as long as he was around, everything would be okay.
Until one day, a white-haired girl suddenly appeared beside Van.
From Van's mouth, she learned the girl's name was Kiana Kaslana, his friend's daughter.
Because that friend had urgent matters to handle and had to leave, Van had been asked to take care of her temporarily.
Raiden Mei said it was fine, but she actually cared a lot deep inside.
After returning to her room, she wrapped herself in her blanket, as if only in this way could she feel a little safer.
Thinking about the white-haired girl who had appeared next to Van during the day, Raiden Mei murmured, "You clearly said you'd protect me for a lifetime... but now why are you..."
At this moment, the voice that once appeared in Raiden Mei's mind came again.
'Crybaby, I told you long ago, men are no good. Look, this Van who said he'd protect you for life, isn't he now getting involved with another girl?'
The words ringing in her head were like a sharp blade, stabbing Raiden Mei's fragile heart. Angry and ashamed, she shouted for the voice in her head to shut up. And, just as she said, the voice really went silent.
But what Raiden Mei didn't know was, at that very moment when she told the voice to shut up, a purple light flashed in her pupils.
As time went on, things didn't unfold the way Raiden Mei expected.
Instead of sticking with Van, that girl Kiana seemed to prefer staying by her side?
This confused Raiden Mei greatly. Could it be... Kiana had the same motives as those who approached her before, to covet the Raiden family fortune?
But soon, Raiden Mei abandoned this thought. Because she was moved by Kiana's cheerfulness and enthusiasm.
Looking at this white fluffball rubbing against her chest, Raiden Mei couldn't associate her with those who had ulterior motives.
Coupled with her trust in Van, Raiden Mei quickly accepted Kiana.
The three of them became the best of friends, going to class together, eating together, and sharing many joyful moments.
Until the Third Honkai Eruption arrived...
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