NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 9: Kiana, You...
"Kiana!" Shu, snapping back to reality, rushed to the window. Cold rain lashed against his face, momentarily blinding him.
He hastily wiped his face and looked down.
Kiana had already landed and was running towards the middle of the street. The petite figure, who strongly resembled Bronya, froze, startled to see someone else jump out of the window almost simultaneously.
Kiana, however, didn't hesitate. Without a second thought, she scooped up the stunned girl and took off running.
Just then, Shu saw several zombies, writhing and struggling, emerge from the broken window of the building across the street.
He instantly understood. The girl must have stumbled into a room full of zombies and had no choice but to escape through the window.
Shu immediately turned and raced downstairs.
Kiana, carrying her "prize," was already running back towards the convenience store. The "competitors" from the room opposite had squeezed through the window and were scrambling after their escaped meal.
Shu quickly unlocked the door, stepping aside to let Kiana in.
"Thanks!" Kiana yelled as she passed, showering Shu with rainwater.
Shu: "..."
You're welcome, I guess.
Shu closed and locked the door, then dragged a heavy shelf over to barricade it.
A few moments later, he heard the screeching sound of nails scraping against the glass outside. Fortunately, it wasn't too intense or loud. He covered his ears and took a few steps away, the sound fading.
It seemed these claw-happy zombies weren't getting through the glass door. But now the front entrance was blocked...
Are we going to have to jump out the window again when we leave?
Shu sighed, wiping the water off himself with distaste, then followed the trail of water back upstairs.
He needed to see if the girl Kiana had "rescued" was actually Bronya.
As he reached the top of the stairs, he heard Kiana's excited voice. "Quick! Let me see!"
"Bronya is grateful, but Bronya refuses..."
Bingo! That emotionless voice, the thick Russian accent, and that characteristic way of speaking – Kiana had definitely picked up Bronya.
So, of the main trio, only Mei is missing?
And that conversation... what did Kiana want to see?
"Haha! They're off!"
"Ugh! Bronya's pants..."
Shu: "???"
Kiana, how could you?! Have you forgotten your promises to Mei by the lakeside? Have you forgotten your vows on the rooftop?!
Just wait until you find Mei; I'm reporting you!
A surge of responsibility propelled Shu forward. He flung open the slightly ajar door.
Bang! Kiana froze, then spun around, hiding something behind her back.
"Oh, it's you, Shu." An unnatural blush colored her cheeks, her eyes darting nervously around. "Ahem, is the door locked? Did the zombies follow us? Uh, weren't you going to sleep? Go ahead, if you're really tired, I can hold off on lunch, haha..."
Shu stared at her with deadpan eyes, then at Bronya, who was peeking out from behind Kiana.
"What are you doing?" he asked, knowing full well.
Kiana's eyes flickered, then she straightened up, puffing out her chest and placing her hands on her hips. "Ahem! I'm just giving this child a routine check-up!"
Shu frowned, looking at her with feigned confusion.
You might as well just say you're helping her change out of her wet clothes!
"Those zombies are dangerous. A single scratch or bite could be fatal, right?" Seeing his gullible expression, Kiana's confidence grew. "I just want to make sure she isn't injured!"
Shu shifted his gaze to Bronya, silently questioning her.
"Why did you touch Bronya's body?" Bronya asked, deadpan, defending her innocence.
Damn it, I forgot about the possibility of someone calling her out! My calculations!
Kiana froze for a moment, then quickly recovered. "I'm checking for internal injuries! Yes, internal injuries! Sometimes, you can't see the injuries from the outside, right?"
Seeing Bronya fall into thoughtful silence, Shu gasped inwardly.
Oh my god! Kiana's bullshit has actually worked on Bronya!!
Kiana, I envy your talent! If I hadn't already known your true nature from the game, I would have believed you!
"Alright, fine. Do your check-up, but give her some privacy." Shu chose not to expose Kiana's lie, instead offering a mild warning before giving them space. "I'm going to sleep. Wake me up for lunch."
With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him.
Kiana's smile turned mischievous. The moment the door closed, she pounced on Bronya. Although Bronya had tentatively accepted Kiana's explanation, seeing herself alone with her, she instinctively crossed her arms over her chest, clutching her wet shirt tightly.
This shirt is the last line of defense!
At noon, as expected, a ravenous Kiana woke him up.
When a groggy Shu entered the kitchen, he found not only Kiana, slumped over the table and waiting for food as usual, but also Bronya, now in dry clothes, sitting primly and properly.
Bronya looked a little tense, or perhaps her perpetually stoic expression just made her seem that way.
"What do you want to eat?" Shu asked, tying on his apron.
"Manchu Han… uh, can you make red braised pork?" Kiana's ambitious request was met with a sharp glare from Shu, and she quickly changed her tune.
Shu turned to Bronya, his voice softening. "How about you? Any dietary restrictions?"
Bronya blinked, then looked at Shu, replying formally, "Bronya has no dietary restrictions. Thank you."
"Oh..." Shu felt a little awkward and turned to start cooking.
Kiana grew bored waiting, so she initiated a conversation with Bronya, Shu occasionally chiming in.
The sound of the rain outside, the faint scratching at the door, and their chatter created an unexpectedly cozy atmosphere in the midst of the apocalypse.