A kiss with Kiana through plastic wrap.
Spanking Theresa's behind like scolding a child.
Making Himeko rest her head on his lap while he coaxed her to sleep.
Drinking the nuptial cup with Yae Sakura.
By the time the game of Truth or Dare was over, Kiana, Theresa, Himeko, and Yae Sakura were slumped in their seats like burnt-out boxers.
Kiana had her face buried in her hands. Even though she had gone first, the blush on her ears still hadn't faded. The drumming of her heart was so loud she couldn't hear anything else.
I actually kissed Otto in front of so many people…
Theresa was lying prone on her chair, her bottom stinging, a look of utter hopelessness on her face. She never thought that, at forty years old, she would one day be spanked like a misbehaving child in front of others.
And…
Grandpa hit way too hard!
It's not like I did anything truly wrong. I just used some academy funds to buy manga, occasionally whined to Grandpa for more funding, and slacked off at work from time to time. I may not do my job, but I'm still a good headmaster!
For Grandpa to hit me so hard… he's clearly getting some kind of private revenge.
Tears were about to well up. Theresa lay on the chair, completely devoid of all hope.
Himeko had her head lowered so far it was almost under the table. She was already in her late twenties, not a child anymore, yet she had to lie on someone's lap and pretend to be a baby. And that someone was her ultimate boss, who had witnessed her complete humiliation.
This was nothing short of a public execution.
I really wish I could restart my life.
Yae Sakura, meanwhile, was staring into the air with hazy eyes, as if her soul had departed from her body.
She had been the last to go.
The dare she drew was to drink the nuptial cup with the person on her right.
In her traditional view, this was something only a newlywed couple could do.
But everyone before her had followed the rules. She couldn't refuse, just as she couldn't refuse her duties as a miko in the past.
So, she and Otto had drunk the nuptial cup.
The impact on her traditional mindset was immense. After drinking the wine, she had simply checked out, her expression that of someone whose mind was wandering in another world.
She was escaping reality.
Even though she…
Otto, on the other hand, was leisurely sipping his tea. He had prepared quite a few prompts, but somehow, the four of them had managed to draw these specific dares.
Perhaps it was fate.
In truth, he had felt a bit of pressure himself. But luckily, these were all relatively obedient girls.
Spanking Theresa had been the most relaxing part. As her sole guardian, Otto had every right to discipline her. If he didn't do it now, should he wait until she raised the flag of rebellion?
"Shall we start another round?" Otto asked with a smile. He was the least affected and the only one who had enjoyed himself.
"No, no, no!"
Four delicate hands slammed onto the table in unison. Otto looked slightly regretful, but there was no fun in forcing people to play.
He was, after all, a kind and understanding Overseer.
"Alright then."
Otto said, turning to Kiana. He gently tapped her shoulder with his teacup.
"Happy birthday."
He said it simply. He had already wished her well, delivered her gift, and even hand-delivered the bonus prize to her lips.
"Mhm, mhm." Kiana tiredly raised a hand.
Tonight, she felt as if she had expended all her energy and courage. She didn't even have the strength to stop Otto and Yae Sakura from drinking the cross-cupped wine.
"You should get a good rest tonight. You can pack your bags tomorrow," Otto said with a smile.
Theresa, who had been motionless, flinched slightly at his words.
But she said nothing.
"Well then, I'll be off to rest. I imagine my presence here is making you all a bit tense."
"You all continue to have fun."
"But, no more drinking for the little birthday girl or for little Theresa."
Otto stood up, his right hand clasped behind his back, feeling light and cheerful. Flirting with girls was an enjoyable pastime. He didn't resist this feeling of pleasure; in fact, he reveled in it. This kind of joy was proof of one's humanity, something a being like the Will of the Honkai could never understand.
Otto left the room alone. The drained girls didn't see him off, but a figure quickly followed him out.
He turned his head. As expected, it was Yae Sakura.
As someone from five hundred years in the past, she had a deep generational gap with the others. Staying there would have been more uncomfortable for her than following Otto.
Otto knew that Kiana and the others would eventually accept Yae Sakura, and would even be quite warm to her. After all, it was the fire in their hearts that drew him to them.
But you can't force a melon to ripen.
It would be better to let Yae Sakura slowly acclimate to modern life back at Schicksal HQ.
And it would prevent his dear Theresa from being led astray by this fox.
She had a prior record, after all.
"How do you feel?"
Walking down the dimly lit path, Yae Sakura stuck close to Otto. In this unfamiliar place, she was afraid of getting lost. The surrounding buildings all looked the same.
"They are all good people," Yae Sakura said, handing out three friend cards at once.
Having grown up in the twisted and ignorant Yae Village, Yae Sakura could sense that the three people she met today were kind.
But more than the mature, red-haired woman, she was interested in Kiana and Theresa.
Both had white hair.
Kiana shared the Kaslana name with Kallen, and Theresa looked remarkably like Kallen. Some of her mannerisms even held a shadow of Kallen, making Yae Sakura wonder at times if Kallen's soul resided within that small body.
"Otto."
Looking at his back, Yae Sakura was reminded of the nuptial cup, and her pace slowed slightly.
"What is it?" Otto didn't turn around. St. Freya Academy wasn't a good place to talk. Even though it was night and no one was around, the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy was still hiding here in plain sight. And the security was full of holes.
With that thought, Otto sent another delirious message to old Yang.
[Welt Yang, have you eaten?]
A quick jab, then retreat.
"You and Kallen…"
Her words trailed off. Yae Sakura didn't continue.
"It's nothing…"
There were so many things she wanted to ask, but she couldn't bring herself to say them.
"Alright, get a good rest tonight. If all goes as planned, we'll be taking the airship again tomorrow during the day," Otto said with a smile as he escorted her to the room assigned to her.
Hearing his words, Yae Sakura remembered the feeling of being on the airship. Her legs felt a little weak, as if she were already high in the sky.
Some things were truly hard to get used to.
"However, if you have anything you want to ask, feel free to ask me."
"As long as you are sincere with me, I will be sincere with you," Otto said.
Only through sincerity could relationships be strengthened. He didn't want the people around him to abandon him over some trivial matter.
Valkyries belong by the Overseer's side and should listen to the Overseer's words.
"Mm." Yae Sakura nodded.
"But I'm not mentally prepared yet," she said.
"Then come find me when you are."
With those parting words, Otto returned to his own bedroom and closed the door.