Chapter 150. Elysia Looks Good in Anything She Wears!
After picking among the remaining five locations and taking some photos to ask for Duckie's, Elysia's, and Kaguya's opinions, they finally chose the one tucked away in the far corner—the quietest place, with the largest and most beautiful garden in the yard.
The whole residence is European-style, covering several hundred square meters across three floors.
Aside from the bathrooms, the first floor has a living room, a kitchen, and three bedrooms.
The second floor has a master bedroom and four rooms that can serve as secondary bedrooms or various functional rooms.
The third floor has no bedrooms, only a large room wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows with lots of exercise equipment—apparently a gym—and a terrace on the other side with a swing, plus a delicate table, chairs, and a tea set.
They walked up the stepped porch, opened the solid-wood door, and stepped into the entryway to see the spacious living room.
On one side of the living room is a huge floor-to-ceiling window, which gives great light and a view of the finely landscaped garden in the yard.
Stone paving runs through the middle of the garden, and the winding path meets at a small gazebo in the center.
When summer nights come, everyone eating ice cream and lounging in the gazebo for a relaxed get-together would be pretty nice.
Putting on disposable shoe covers, Seele headed straight for the kitchen on the side.
Seeing that the kitchen was fully equipped, oven included, she nodded in satisfaction.
Kiana first sprinted a few laps around the living room, then rushed off to claim one of the three first-floor bedrooms.
It just so happens that she, Mei, and Sirin can each take one room.
After saying a word to Theresa, Xander walked up the spiral staircase, taking photos for those who didn't come while checking out what would be their new home.
On the curved outer wall, long strip windows run from top to bottom, connecting the first, second, and third floors, making the lighting of the whole building quite good.
On the second floor he, naturally, picked the biggest master bedroom without hesitation, and the spacious ensuite made him nod in approval.
After all, there are a lot of people… ahem.
The three of them looked left and right for over ten minutes, then went up to the third floor, sat on the terrace to rest for a bit, and Kiana even leaned over the railing to smile and wave at Theresa downstairs.
Finally, just as Theresa was getting impatient from waiting, she saw the three of them chatting and laughing as they came out the front door.
Arms folded, she raised an eyebrow at them from below.
"So it's settled, this one?"
"Mm. We're very happy with this place."
"As long as you don't mind it being small."
"How could we possibly mind?"
He waved with a smile.
When he was little, he'd starved and shivered under Cocolia's roof, you know.
It's not like he was born the second-in-command's kid at Anti-Entropy; they'd only really gotten rich these past few years.
So a place like this already counts as pretty great in his book.
Hearing that, Seele frowned a little.
"Living in a place like this… it really won't cost money?"
"Of course not."
Theresa gave her a reassuring, grown-up smile.
"Putting aside the reputation you enrolling will bring to St. Freya, Anti-Entropy is one of our sponsors to begin with, and your company is under Anti-Entropy as well.
So we're basically half family.
Charging you would be hard to justify."
"Aww, Seele, don't sweat it.
I'm staying here too, and my Great-Aunt and I get along great.
She'd never charge me!"
Theresa's teeth ached a little at Kiana's words.
She was happy to be close with her dear niece, sure, but why does it always sound so irritating when the girl says it?
She shot her niece a look and said coolly, "No. Public is public and private is private.
Kiana, you'll still pay your lodging fee.
I'll mail the bill to your house."
"Eh?! Great-Aunt!!!"
Completely ignoring Kiana's expression of catastrophic defeat, Theresa started doing some mental math.
If she remembered right, when she last went shopping with Cecilia, Cecilia mentioned how much pocket money "that guy" gets every year…
As the father of Kiana and Sirin, shouldn't he personally cover his daughters' lodging fees?
She wouldn't even ask for much—just 99% of his yearly allowance.
She'd even leave him 1%.
She was being quite merciful.
Oh, and lodging is billed annually.
At that moment, somewhere else, a certain man slurping noodles on his break suddenly sneezed, shivered, and looked around suspiciously.
It felt like someone was trying to do him dirty.
Was that just an illusion?
"What's wrong?"
The white-haired man across the table asked in a cool tone, which he didn't really mind.
He waved it off with a casual smile and lowered his head back into the noodle bowl.
This time, the person in charge from Shencheng Technology also liked slurping noodles just like him—perfect.
Looks like this round of coordination would go smoothly, and he might even gain a noodle buddy.
Get things wrapped up quickly and then go traveling.
Speaking of which, he was almost out of allowance for the month.
When he got back, maybe he could get a little advance from Cecilia.
Mouth full of noodles, he thought.
…
"I'm hooome~"
After treating today's big contributor Kiana to a nice meal, they got back, and it wasn't until close to evening that Elysia and Kaguya finally came back, a bit late.
Their hands were full of shopping bags, and they were already bracing their hands on their waists in exhaustion as soon as they walked in.
"Welcome home."
Passing by, Xander stopped, walked to the entryway, and smiled warmly.
"Waa~"
Elysia's eyes went wide.
She dabbed the sweat from her forehead with a tissue, changed her shoes, and came closer with anticipation.
"Xander , can you say that again?"
"Mm… welcome home?"
Elysia bloomed like a flower, her whole face lighting up.
"Wow! Do you know how long I've been waiting for this feeling?"
She jumped up and clung to him, rubbing her cheek against his in excitement.
Kaguya smiled at the scene.
She could very much relate to what Elysia was feeling right now.
She bent down, gathered up the bags—including the ones in Elysia's hands—and started tidying.
After finishing the paperwork, they'd still had time, and she'd planned to buy Elysia some changes of clothes—her shipped packages would take days to arrive—but guided by Elysia's enthusiasm, they ended up buying a lot, even for Kaguya herself.
"Elysia, I've put your clothes in the walk-in closet~"
"Thanks, Kaguya~"
With a sweet thank-you, Elysia immediately tugged Xander toward the walk-in closet.
"Xander , quick, come see the new clothes I bought today~"
She held up each new outfit against herself one after another, looking at him with expectant eyes.
"Not bad."
"So cold! A beautiful girl painstakingly picked these out for you, and they contain a girl's heartfelt feelings.
You can't just give me that little of a reaction, Xander !"
"Then what should I say?"
He looked curiously at the sweet girl who'd planted her hands on her hips with a touch of pride, and heard her coquettish answer:
"You should say 'Elysia looks good in anything she wears.'
Hurry, say that to me~"
Before she finished, Elysia stepped in close, raised her head, and gently cupped his cheek.
Her crystal-bright eyes, full of feeling, gazed straight into his.
Mm… that's a bit hard to handle.
That warm, unhidden, and pure affection made his face heat up.
He averted his gaze and muttered softly, "Elysia looks good in anything she wears."
"Mhm~"
Elysia's smile grew even sweeter.
She rose on tiptoe, took his face in both hands, and as he stared a little dazed, her soft lips lightly pressed to his, wordlessly delivering their sugary allure.
Then she pulled back a little, cheeks pink, and gave him a playful blink.
"That's a reward for an honest good boy~"
Outside the closet door, three little heads peeked in, all nodding in sudden realization.
Learned, learned.
Take notes, take notes.
After collecting a bit more "reward," Xander walked out of the closet quite satisfied.
He'd barely taken a few steps before running into Bronya, who was heading upstairs.
Seeing her, he paused, then blurted, "Bronya, when did you get back?"
"What weird thing are you saying now?"
She rolled her eyes at him.
"I came back while someone was busy being charmed.
So, how were Elysia's lips?"
"Very soft and sweet… ah, no, that's not…"
Still riding the high, he spoke his heart without thinking.
Realizing something was off, he quickly slipped an arm around Bronya's waist.
She shot him a glare but didn't pull away.
"A-hem.
So—was there something urgent at the company today?
You left in the morning before we could talk."
Smartly changing the subject, he relaxed when Bronya's expression softened.
"Besides Pokémon, what else could be so urgent at the company?"
"Pokémon?"
"Don't tell me you forgot—the first World Championships will be held at St. Freya in the second half of the year."
Bronya gave him a suspicious look, and he waved his hands.
"I know, I know.
But… prep this early?"
"It's just over two months away.
Not early at all.
Promotion and logistics are already underway, and some regional tournaments have begun.
How is it that you, the Pokémon designer, know less than I do?"
"Uh…"
Can he say he basically didn't handle anything during his vacation?
Feeling a tad guilty, Xander listened carefully to the plans Bronya and Mei's group had made.
"No worries about the stage and such.
Anti-Entropy HQ will install the latest large-scale AR equipment in Gymnasium No. 5 at St. Freya.
People will be able to watch Pokémon battles clearly without wearing glasses."
"The schedule is mostly set too.
Per your earlier outline, the Championships will invite the top four from each regional tournament, divide them into Groups A through D for the group stage, then proceed to the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals to decide the first Champion and the Masters Eight."
"Anti-Entropy can handle the cash prizes.
But for special in-game rewards… that probably needs you to design."
Xander nodded slowly.
"Mm, got it."
Master Ball and Rainbow Wing—he'd planned those long ago.
"As long as you've got it in mind."
She leaned in against him, and he hugged Duckie a bit tighter.
They entered the studio, and Bronya quietly clicked the lock.
Seeing Xander's puzzled look, she rose on tiptoe and sealed the words on his lips.
She'd been peeking at Elysia just now, and she hadn't stayed with Xander these past two days either—she was getting a little hungry herself.
Unfortunately, it was almost dinner time.
After a little taste, Bronya relented.
The two sat in the same chair, nestled together, catching their breath as she spoke softly, "Right—do you have any ideas for the Pokémon Championships' opening ceremony and hosts?"
"The opening ceremony, huh?"
Thinking of a certain Far-Eastern Olympic opening ceremony, Xander grimaced.
"As long as we don't hire a director from the Far East."
"Anti-Entropy will handle the director."
"Good.
I don't want to get roasted by the whole world over an opening ceremony."
Bronya chuckled at his visible relief, then shifted and tucked herself into his neck, breathing in the familiar scent.
"What about the host?"
Her breath against his skin made him itch.
He tilted his neck and nipped her ear in return, then smiled.
"Isn't there a perfect pick downstairs?"
"Elysia?"
"Mm-hm~
She's my top choice."
"That works.
You'll go on stage with her, then."
"Huh? Me too?"
"You're the Pokémon designer.
It's the first Championships—how are you not going on?"
"…"
Just then, Xander's phone rang.
He fished it out from where Bronya's thigh was pressing against him, glanced at the caller ID, raised an eyebrow, and showed the screen to Bronya in his arms.
"Cocolia (Mom)?"
She nodded.
Xander answered, and Bronya leaned in close, hugging him and putting an ear to the phone.
"How's life lately?"
"Thanks to you, it couldn't be better."
"Has that little lass Elysia moved in?"
"How did you know?"
Xander looked surprised.
He remembered Elysia had only been here two days.
How did the person on the other end know?
"She told me.
She keeps in touch with her 'mother-in-law' all the time~"
Hearing that teasing lilt, Xander coughed in embarrassment and said, pointedly, "Don't say that nonsense.
Bronya's right here."
He felt his waist get twisted, and he winced.
"You deserve it, kid."
After a mock scold, Cocolia got to the point.
"Enough of that.
I called because I need your help."
"Help you?
Sure—what is it?"
Bronya's eyes widened at the idea that Mom Cocolia needed Xander's help.
"I've got a friend whose daughter wants to study over there in the Far East."
"Mm."
Did she want him to pick someone up?
Xander nodded.
That would be easy.
"The kid's actually a somewhat well-known painter, but according to her mother—my friend—she suddenly wants to learn manga for some reason.
The whole family can't talk her out of it, and she insists on going to the Far East to study."
"Mm… mm?"
He'd been listening casually, but then froze, his mouth slightly open.
Wait a second—this déjà vu…
"But my friend's family is very busy.
They can't bring her over themselves, so they came to me."
"So, you want me to pick her up and take care of her for a while?"
"Oho, quick on the uptake.
Yes, that's exactly my plan."
Tch, so it really is that.
Was he about to become Sorata Kanda?
Except he doesn't live in Sakurasou…
"Since you get it, I'll leave it to you.
That kid's a very simple girl, and she's my good friend's daughter.
Don't you dare bully her, got it?"
"I'm not the type who bullies girls."
He made a little rebuttal and heard Cocolia's laughter.
Simple.
A painter.
Wants to learn manga.
Yup, that's a smoking gun.
Should he rename the new house "Sakurasou"?
"Just keep an eye on her.
I'll send you the kid's info later.
She'll probably be on a flight in two weeks.
As for the flight details… I'll send them along with her file right away."
"Oh, and remember the child's name."
Hearing that, Xander chuckled.
Remember what?
Isn't it Shiina Ma—
"Her name is Griseo.
Don't mess it up when you meet her."
Griseo?!!
Xander stared, eyes wide.
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