Initially, Eden had worried that this might not be enough—that perhaps Durandal and Elysia needed more time to build a rapport with the public.
As it turned out, the interview's impact exceeded all expectations. There was no longer any need to have the two of them competing for the limelight with ordinary idols.
Eden was certain that once the video was pushed across all networks, it would ignite a massive wave of discussion, likely spawning a sea of fan-made content on every major site.
After all, who doesn't love a sweet couple and a sugary romance?
Leaving the Schicksal Media offices, Durandal and Elysia were surprised to find that the day's Zombies had already been cleared out.
The trainees, including Kevyn, had taken the initiative to handle the threat themselves. With their schedule clear, the two drove straight to Morita Hospital to check on the victims who had yet to recover.
Upon arrival, they were immediately greeted with good news. The doctors reported that all nine patients were showing signs of responsiveness.
They were no longer the "hollow shells" they had been—lifeless bodies seemingly stripped of their souls.
Though their reactions were still painfully slow, any response was a victory. With continued treatment and rehabilitation, the day they could return to a normal life was finally within sight.
Relieved by the update, Durandal and Elysia returned home. It was a rare treat to simply sit on the living room sofa together.
They weren't really watching anything; the TV was tuned to a random channel playing soothing background music. They just leaned into each other, soaking in the precious quiet.
"Durandal, do you think Connie feels like I've corrupted you? You know, turning a world-class workaholic into... this?" Elysia whispered.
She was leaning against Durandal's shoulder, idly playing with the other woman's hand.
"Perhaps," Durandal replied with a soft laugh. "In the past, even if I had nothing to do, I wouldn't be idling here with you. I'd at least be at the temporary office helping Connie with the paperwork."
"Then... should I apologize?"
The words said "apologize," but Elysia's tone was devoid of any actual regret.
As Durandal watched Elysia intertwine their fingers into a tight lock, her gaze deepened. "I think you're apologizing to the wrong person."
Not yet sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Elysia pouted and decided to change the subject. She brought up how Kevyn and the others had handled the Zombies on their own.
"Durandal, Kevyn and Ato are improving so fast with Vill-V's armor and weapons. I'm starting to feel like a redundant captain! Especially Kevyn—I honestly think she's ready to become a Flame-Chaser now."
"She could lead her own squad against Honkai Beasts; making her fight Zombies feels like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut. Even Sakura, fast as she is, seems a step behind Kevyn lately..."
Elysia's voice trailed off. Her hand stilled. She looked up at Durandal, her expression turning knowing.
"You knew all along, didn't you? You knew Kevyn's potential, and that Ato was more experienced than Emile. That's why you put them in my squad."
"Is that so bad?"
Durandal pulled her hand free, only to cup Elysia's chin. She leaned in until they were a mere breath away from a kiss.
"When your Second Squad produces two aces like Kevyn and Ato—surpassing even my own First Squad—every promising recruit will be fighting tooth and nail to join you. Isn't that a good thing?"
Mwah!
Elysia wasn't one for hesitation. Since a kiss was being offered on a silver platter, she took it.
"Durandal, you know that's not what I meant. You have this one flaw: you're just not honest enough. Is it really so hard to admit you were worried about me and wanted me to have the strongest teammates?" Elysia teased, tilting her head.
"You're right. I should be more honest."
Durandal nodded in solemn agreement.
Then, she stood up and leaned over, sweeping the pink-haired girl—who had been subtly (or not so subtly) teasing her all afternoon—into a bridal carry.
Elysia let out a tiny shriek of surprise. Even though she knew Durandal would never drop her, she still instinctively clung to the nape of her neck.
Pressing her face into the curve of Durandal's throat, she gave a light kiss to a "strawberry" mark she had left there yesterday—one Durandal was no longer bothering to hide.
Elysia flashed a brilliant, mischievous grin.
"My, my, Durandal. I really have corrupted you. It's still broad daylight! Back in Shenzhou, they have a very specific four-word idiom for this kind of behavior. It's called 'Daytime Promis—' Mmph!"
Before she could finish the phrase, her lips were sealed by Durandal. Durandal's face was flushed, but her resolve didn't waver for a second as she headed upstairs.
--+--
Later that evening, Connie and the others trudged back to the villa, exhausted.
Seeing the tightly shut door to the master suite, they sighed, assuming Durandal and Elysia were working even harder than they were—still out there at this hour, hunting Zombies.
Being part of the logistics division, Connie, Eden, and Vill-V had no idea about the combat division's actual movements.
They were blissfully unaware that the day's mission had been handled entirely by the subordinates.
That was until around 11:00 PM. The two "hard workers," driven by unbearable hunger, finally emerged from the room to scavenge for food in the kitchen.
Connie, Eden, and Vill-V, who were sitting in a row on the sofa wearing face masks, stared in dead silence: "???!!!"
So, they hadn't been "out" at all.
They had been home the whole time... just locked away in that room?
Given how well-insulated the villa's walls were, the trio didn't even want to imagine what those two had been doing since getting home so early.
[Connie: That was probably the kind of 'good time' that would make a fan die happy on the spot.]
[Eden: Should I remind them we have a photo shoot in three days? Maybe a little moderation? Even if they've developed a taste for it, they should at least try not to leave so many marks. I really don't want to postpone the shoot again...]
[Vill-V: If I used a magic trick to teleport into the Captain's room right now, would I be killed instantly? Yeah, better not risk my precious life.]
Under the weight of those three deeply complicated stares, the two "hard workers" finished their midnight snack in record time and bolted back to the safety of their room.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.