Chapter 1248 Working

A few days had slipped by since the disastrous water gun fight on the beach. St. Freya's Academy had returned to its former tranquility (at least on the surface), but the psychological scars left behind by some might take longer to heal.

In order to express his apology for "borrowing his identity", Zijing specially found Mei and said that he had discovered a secret dessert house with a very good reputation and invited her to go there to taste it on the weekend, of course, it would be his treat.

Mei was a little surprised at first, but soon agreed gently.

The sun was shining brightly on the appointed day. Zijing arrived at the street corner a little early and saw Mei waiting there from a distance.

The girl had clearly dressed up carefully today, wearing a simple, clean white dress that swayed gently in the breeze, her long hair draped softly over her shoulders, making her look exceptionally pure and lovely. She lowered her head slightly, her hands folded in front of her, seeming a bit reserved, yet also a bit shy with anticipation.

However, what made Zijing raise her eyebrows slightly was that next to Mei, there was a petite figure standing - Bronya.

Bronya remained expressionless, her gray, spiral ponytail neatly combed, her Homunculus doll cradled in her arms. She stood quietly beside Mei, seemingly waiting for someone, or perhaps... just waiting?

Amethyst walked over slowly: "Have you been waiting long, Mei?"

"Ah, Teacher Zijing!" Mei raised her head, a blush on her face. "No, we just arrived too." She paused, looking at Bronya beside her, her tone a little helpless and explaining, "Um... Teacher Zijing, I'm sorry. I met Bronya on the way here, and she said... she seemed to have something she wanted to talk to you about?"

Bronya raised her gray eyes, looked at Amethyst, and nodded: "Bronya has a question to ask Teacher Amethyst. About the new weapon concept mentioned last time." She deliberately emphasized the three words "new weapons", obviously reminding Amethyst not to forget the previous "deal".

Zijing understood. He glanced at Mei's slightly apologetic expression, then at Bronya's serious, unyielding gaze, and smiled. "It's okay, let's go together. There should be room at that dessert shop. But..." He changed the subject, looking at Mei with a hint of sarcasm, "I thought you'd bring that Kiana girl with you."

Given Kiana's passion for desserts, how could she miss such an opportunity?

Mei heard this and a look of uncertainty crossed her face: "Kiana... she hasn't been around since yesterday. She's been acting so mysterious and doesn't even reply to my messages. Otherwise, she would have definitely been clamoring to come along."

"Is that so..." Amethyst nodded, not taking it too seriously. "Then let's go. That shop is in the alley ahead. I heard their signature strawberry parfait and tiramisu are great."

The three of them walked through several quiet streets and arrived at a small dessert shop decorated in a warm, retro, pastoral style. A cute cake pattern was painted on the wooden sign, and a faint sweet fragrance could already be smelled in the air.

When I pushed open the shop door with wind chimes hanging on it, crisp bells rang out.

"Welcome~!" A female voice full of energy but inexplicably a little stiff came from behind the counter.

Amethyst, Mei, and Bronya looked in the direction of the voice and were all stunned.

Behind the counter, a familiar figure frantically attempted to place a tray of freshly baked cookies into the display case. She wore a maid's apron that clearly didn't fit her, a rather cute one. Her long white hair was tied into a neat ponytail, but a few unruly strands still stuck up. There seemed to be a bit of flour on her face, making her look... a little clumsy, a little funny.

It was none other than Kiana Kaslana, who had been missing for a day.

Kiana looked up and saw the three people coming in. Especially when she saw Amethyst, her blue eyes widened instantly, and a trace of obvious panic and shock flashed across her face, "Why is it you?!" The cookie plate in her hand almost fell out of her hand!

"Kiana?!" Mei cried out in surprise, "You...why are you here? And wearing...this clothes?"

"Uh...this...that..." Kiana's face flushed red instantly. She put down the plate in a hurry. Her eyes were wandering and she didn't dare to look directly at the three people. "I...I just...um...work! Yes! Experience life! Earn some pocket money!" She explained stutteringly, her voice getting smaller and smaller.

Zijing looked at Kiana like this, then glanced at the deserted shop where she seemed to be the only "clerk" in the shop, and instantly understood something. He deliberately dragged out his voice: "Oh? Part-time job? Experiencing life? Kiana-san is really...hardworking and studious."

He deliberately emphasized the words "diligent and studious" and glanced at an open handheld game console with a lit screen in the corner of the counter, and a box next to it with a poster of an expensive new game.

Kiana followed Zijing's gaze and her face turned even redder, practically smoking. She frantically tried to block the game box with her body, muttering, "It's not what you think! I'm... I'm getting paid for my own labor!"

Mei looked at Kiana's expression of trying to hide something, and helplessly held her forehead: "Kiana... If you want a new game, you can tell me. I won't tell the principal and Mr. Siegfried..."

Bronya deadpanned, "Bronya believes that Kiana's day's earnings from her part-time job aren't enough to buy that limited edition game. Unless she received an advance on her salary, or... engaged in some illegal 'in-game currency transaction'."

"There's no illegal transaction!" Kiana jumped up like a cat whose tail was stepped on. "It's...it's the store manager who is so kind! She gave me a week's salary in advance! And she also said that I can attract customers by wearing this dress!" She became less and less confident as she spoke.

Zijing could probably guess that this "store manager aunt" probably agreed to let Kiana work here because she thought she was cute or silly and easy to fool. As for attracting customers... it was hard to say how effective it would be.

"Alright, alright, now that you're here, why not show some support to our 'hardworking' waitress?" Amethyst said with a smile, smoothing the situation over. She was the first to walk to a table by the window and sit down. "Kiana, could you recommend your signature desserts? By the way, three servings of your signature strawberry parfait, one serving of tiramisu, and a pot of black tea."

Kiana felt as if she had been pardoned. She quickly picked up the menu and began to introduce it haltingly. During the process, she almost held the menu upside down, which made Mei laugh again and shake her head helplessly.