[HI3] Protocol Stigmata

Chapter 28 - A Unique Love Letter

Wendy, looking surprised, remarked, "That's a lot..."

"Right?" Kiana grinned, clearly unfazed.

I gathered the stack of love letters and placed them on the desk. "It's quite a pile."

"Is that all the love letters?" Bronya asked with her usual stoic expression.

"I think that's all...?" I replied uncertainly.

"Great." Bronya extended her hand towards the letters, pointing her palm at them. "Activate Project Bunny: Laser Mode."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "WOAH WOAH! What are you doing?!"

Bronya looked at me with a blank expression. "It's obvious... I'm burning them."

"You're also going to put a hole in my desk!"

Kiana couldn't resist a mischievous smirk. "Bronya is jealous~"

Bronya, usually unflappable, turned to her with a cold glare. "Ha."

Kiana suddenly felt a chill, crossing her arms to warm herself. "C-calm down, Bronya."

I couldn't help but shake my head. "You two... Seriously."

Amidst the banter, Wendy seemed to make a discovery. "Oh? This one was mine," she declared.

Both Bronya and I turned our attention to Wendy.

"What?" Bronya exclaimed, genuinely surprised.

"Hehehe~ After what happened back then... I couldn't help but think about Shin~" Wendy admitted, looking down and blushing.

As I was trying to process Wendy's revelation, I noticed a faint glow on my back. Slowly turning around, I saw Bronya, her Project Bunny ready with a laser.

"Wait... Bronya..."

"Subject Wendy got seduced because of you... I must eliminate you," Bronya declared with a deadpan expression.

I raised my hands defensively. "I didn't do such a thing!"

The tension in the room escalated as Kiana burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama.

Why are you laughing!?

ust then, a love letter gracefully landed on my desk, drawing the attention of Wendy, Kiana, and Bronya. I picked it up, curious about its contents. "Hm?" I opened the love letter and began to read, with my friends eagerly looking over my shoulder.

"Shin Watanabe, This is my first time writing a love letter. I'm in love with you. Please meet me at the arena stadium after school."

"Oh~ Aren't you a lady killer, Shin~" Kiana smirked, playfully smacking my back. "Are you gonna accept it or not?"

Bronya stared at me intensely. stareeee

"Well, I'll go meet her first."

"What if she's a beauty?"

"Then... Hehehehe..."

"Idiot, Shin!" Bronya exclaimed, dashing away.

"Ahh! Wait! Bronya-neechan!" Wendy followed her, but not before bowing to me.

"Look what you did to Bronya," Kiana smirked.

"Shut it, you..."

Geez, I was just gonna reject this sender anyway.

And so, I patiently waited until the end of the school day. As I entered the arena stadium, the vastness of the space reminded me of the time I got beaten up by Fu Hua.

Just then, I noticed a girl with strawberry-blond hair that faded into a light pink at the ends. She wore a tight black coat with streaks of teal, a short cape, a black military hat, brown leggings, and dark boots. Oddly, she held a lance.

"Are you Shin Watanabe?" she asked, slowly turning around to face me.

"H-Huh, Yeah... I uh... came back with an answer."

"And what is it?"

"Sorry, but I don't know you yet..."

"Oh? Is that so? Sorry, but I don't take no's when it comes to this."

"Huh? W-What do you mean?"

"I didn't really write that as a love letter, but I lured you here because... I heard from Rita that you are strong... and I want to have a duel with you."

From that sadistic maid!?

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself..." She took a stance. "My name is Durandal, S-rank Valkyrie who leads the Immortal Blades, the most powerful Valkyrie Squad of Schicksal."

"EH!" My eyes widened in shock as the unexpected turn of events unfolded before me. "You have got to be kidding me!"