Chapter 31: Customization and Shopping

Fu Hua decided to train with him every morning. However it was postponed as the sky decided to rain last night, making their training area wet and muddy.

Glynne can't really train today as he was still banned in the training room. Having no other choice, he decided to spent his time on the weapon development facility.

"Should I improve its overall power?" Glynne inquired as he put a hand on his chin. His newly acquired Barette M95 was dismantled as its parts are spread all over the working table.

"Negative, the Barette series are already powerful. Any further upgrade in that part would disrupt the balance." Bronya suggested as she also observed the parts while taking down notes using a floating holographic screen.

"I know, however I don't think it would be enough to quickly kill an Honkai beast." Glynne scratched the back of his head. If he calculated it right, all he could do was to disrupt and misdirect enemy attacks. Though that itself was not bad as he can support his teammates, it would a different scenario if he were to go solo.

"Don't be down. You still have the power of your battlesuit, right?" Bronya reassured as she reminded Glynne about his trump card.

"It's true that I would be able to compensate if I used that." Glynne ponders. "But if we're going with that route, I need to customize the magazines and bullets then."

Glynne was a bit reluctant in doing that though, expending materials on disposable stuffs are a bit wasteful in his opinion.

"By the way, Bronya suggest to also upgrade on the durability. Bronya think that it would be a good investment for future customization." Glynne agreed at Bronya's opinion. However with the limited resources he would need to think wisely what to do first.

Glynne was deep in thought as he was thinking hard what to do. He reach to his side for the snacks he prepared earlier and munch on it.

Crunch!

Crunch? — Glynne thought. What he prepared was potato chips for the snacks so he expected it to be make a crisp noise instead of a hard crunching sound. Also he thought they were supposed to be a bit salty but he tasted something else instead. For some reason it felt familiar.

"Glynne, are you okay?!" Glynne was started when Bronya started shaking him. He snapped back into reality and saw the worried look on her eyes. "Are you feeling any stomach ache or something?!"

"What are you talking about?" Glynne tilted his head as he was confused at Bronya's questions.

"Y-you digested a honkai part!" Bronya exclaimed, somewhat panicking. It's really hard to tell with her impassive voice and face.

Glynne look down to his hands. There, he was holding a piece of scale that seems to belong to a fish-like honkai beast.

So that's why it taste familiar... — Glynne nonchalantly thought. He just shrugged his shoulders as he told Bronya that there was nothing to worry about.

Despite Bronya still unsure about Glynne words, they both started working on the weapon.

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"Hhmmmpppp" Glynne moaned while he stretches his hurting back. He heard creaking sounds as he felt relief spreading all over his body.

Glynne and Bronya worked nonstop on customizing his weapon for a few hours. Though nothing seems to have been changed, its overall durability has been upgraded. This is achieved by fusing honkai materials on some parts of the weapon.

"Good work you two." The two was surprised when two cups of juice was place in front of them. They turned their head and look towards the culprit.

""(Big sister) Mei?!"" Both of them was surprised of the sudden visitor.

"What are you doing here?" Glynne asked.

"Bronya thought Big sister Mei is busy teaching Kiana Idoitka." Bronya mentioned.

"We are already finished with the study. Kiana went training so I decided to check on you two." Mei explained them what happened. "However when I came here, both of you are concentrating hard so I sat down on the corner and waited."

"You could've said something though. " Glynne said as Bronya nodded in agreement.

"No no no, how could I disturb you two." said Mei. "Besides I wasn't waiting for too long."

Despite what Mei said, Glynne still felt a bit guilty for making her wait. He was about to offer his potato chips as an apology but he noticed that he seems to have already ran out of it.

"Ah, if like more, here..." Mei rummaged her backpack and grabbed a pack of chips.

Kindness sometimes hurt, Glynne's debt to Mei is starting to pile up. Though he has mixed feelings about it, he opened the bag of chips and shared it everyone. They spent some time chatting with each other.

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"Ah look at the time." Mei realized something as she look at the clock hanging on the wall. "Sorry, I need to go now. We're running out of ingredients so I need to stock up again."

Glynne smiled wryly. The refrigerator last week was full just a few days ago. However they are quickly running out of ingredients due to a certain white-haired girl eating everything like a black hole.

"Let me help." he offered. "We plan to leave the school anyways since we are already done with our business here."

"Are you sure?" Mei asked as she seems to be reluctant.

"Of course! I'm still a guy afterall, I don't want you girls doing all of the stuff while I just sitting around in the dorm." Glynne said with a smile. If that was his reason, Mei find it hard to reject his offer.

"Ah, what about you Bronya?" Glynne asked almost forgetting about the girl.

"Bronya would go on ahead. There is a new patch today, Bronya is excited to play it." Bronya said. Glynne just smiled, he doesn't have the idea what she was talking about but base from her reaction, it seems to be important.

The three begun packing up as they prepare to leave the school.

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"Hey, I thought we are buying groceries?" inquired Glynne. He was confused when their first destination after arriving at the mall was a cafe.

"Actually, I got a message earlier from Himeko that she has already taken care of it." Mei said as she was looking through the menu. "Since we are already at the mall, it would be a waste to go home now."

"You could've said something earlier." Glynne said as he is acting restless. He keep fidgeting on his seat as his eyes are wandering around the place.

Mei giggles at the boy's cute antics. "Anyway, feel free to pick anything from the menu. It's my treat."

"No no no, " Glynne waves his hand in denial. "I appreciate the gesture but I can pay for my food."

Mei was doubtful. She remembers the time when she visited Glynne's previous apartment. As he begun browsing the menu, wrinkle soon appeared on his forehead. It was as expected, the cost of the food in this cafe is on the expensive side but the taste is totally worth it.

"Uhm Mei, " Glynne fidgets as he seems to be embarrassed. "Can you tell what types of desserts are these?" He said while pointing list of cakes.

Mei was confused a bit. However when Glynne explained to her that this is his first time visiting a cafe, she can't stop laughing. She stood up and sat near him as she explained to him one by one about the cakes.

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In the end Glynne only ordered milkshake. Though the cakes sound tasty, he doesn't have that much of an appetite yet. Mei seems to be the same as she also ordered one.

She suggested it to be a takeout and drink it while they wander around the mall. Glynne didn't see anything wrong with it, so he just agreed.

They were chatting as they visit various shops and browse the items. Glynne was telling a funny story but stopped midway when he noticed he was not getting any response. He glance over his friend to see her in daze.

"Do you like that, Mei?" Glynne asked as he wonders why the girl suddenly stop and stares at a pinkish-white fox plushy.

"N-no, you misunderstood!" Mei waved her hands as she was blushing in embarrassment. "I just thought that it was cute, that's all."

That's basically you saying you want it. — Glynne thought as he stared at Mei in disbelief. He was then suddenly hit in an idea. "Let's check it out!"

"G-Glynne?! Wait~" Mei was surprised when Glynne held her hands and drag her into the store.

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"Geez, you shouldn't have done that." Mei complained as she hugs a paper bag near her chest. "I would appreciate it if you only just offer buying it."

Glynne has a smile plastered on his face. Despite her saying all those things, he can tell that she was genuinely happy getting the plush toy. "Hehe, well consider this my thanks for the delicious dinner you always cook."

"Something simple would suffice.... I'm definitely paying you back soon." Mei said as she looked at Glynne with a reddened ears. "But still, I'm quite surprised you are able to afford it."

"Ah, that... " Glynne don't know if he can tell her. The money he got was like a retirement pay. "Let's just say, I got lucky from my previous job."

It was a few days ago when he discovered a bank note containing a huge amount of cash, attached to it, is a piece of note that belongs to Cocolia. Despite being cold-hearted and calculating, Glynne can't help but think that the woman is also a doting parent.

Mei was about to asked what he meant but interrupted by her phone vibrates in her pockets. She stops and checks what was the message.

"I think we should go now, It seems like everyone is searching for us." Mei said as she close her phone.

"Ah, now that you think about it, it's almost nighttime." Glynne look up through the glass ceiling to see the sky turning black. He agrees with Mei as they both decided to go home.

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It was suspicious. The whole dorm was quiet and has all of its lights turned off. Glynne was about to say something's wrong but he was surprised to find out that Mei is missing on his side.

Glynne gulped down his saliva. He put his hands on his bag and grabbed a sheathed knife. He put it on his belt as he slowly got near the front door.

It's unlock? — he thought, further raising his suspicion. He turned the knob carefully as he opened the door. When he judged that it was enough for him to go through, he entered the house with quiet steps. So far, he never felt any killing intent.

"Urk!" He let out a grunt as he finched when the light suddenly turned on.

"""'""SURPRISED!!!!""""""

All the girls gathered on the doorway and shouted. Kiana, Bronya, Fu Hua, Himeko, Theresa, and even Mei who was with him a while ago, are all standing respectively with their hands holding a cake. Behind them is a big surprise banner decorated with colorful balloons.

"W-what's happening?!" Glynne exclaimed in surprise. The girls giggles seeing him dazed and confused about their surprised party.

"Actually, we never really celebrated you coming to the dorm." Theresa explained.

"Though it was a month late, I hope you would still enjoy this welcoming party." Bronya said with her rare smile.

"E-eh.... T-thanks..." Glynne didn't really know what to say.

"Geez, snapped out of it!" Himeko complained. "This is the night we all drown in booze!"

"Himeko, some of us are still underage" Fu Hua reprimanded. "And don't overdo it since we still have school tomorrow."

"C'mon!" Kiana got near and grabbed Glynne's hands. "There are delicious foods waiting for us inside! Let's go!" She was in high spirits as she lead the boy into the living room. As expected, the room was decorated like a party with a large table in the middle full of different kinds of food.

Glynne was overwhelmed with the feeling of gratitude. He put a hand on his chest as he felt his beating heart. It was his second time he felt that he truly belong in a place.

I swear, I won't let you all down ever again. — Glynne engrave those words on his heart.

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Ah~ this heat just keeps messing with my head... I really wish I could go somewhere nice and breezy... But oh well, might as well write some summer stories and imagine myself being in that place....

Anyway enough of that rant...

THANKS FOR READING!!