CHAPTER 1183: CHAPTER 1182: FIERY VALENTINE’S DAY

To be honest, this time Fang Zheng didn’t really find the chocolate "tasty."

Because he couldn’t quite tell which side was better.

But fortunately, after Fang Zheng finished the chocolate, Fate obediently put on her school uniform and then...

It felt really awkward...

Watching Fate sitting in the chair with a flushed face and not saying a word, Fang Zheng, who had just cleaned up the box and ribbon, didn’t know what to say. Little Hei really has a knack for giving bad advice. Fang Zheng didn’t expect her to egg on Fate into doing something like this... Well, what now?

"Next time, don’t do something like this again. You’re still just a kid, after all."

Fang Zheng finally sighed helplessly, reaching out to pat Fate’s head. With Little Hei, you could still say it was due to Heroic Spirit reasons that she wouldn’t grow up, but her actual age had already reached the legal loli stage. But Fate was different; she was a real little girl, and up till now, Fate hadn’t gotten used to normal life. As for matters like this... she was probably even more unfamiliar.

So Fang Zheng couldn’t let her be led astray by Little Hei, as Fate was honest, earnest, and obedient, totally powerless against Little Hei.

"But... I like you, teacher..."

"There are many kinds of ’like.’ I also like you, Nanoha, Little Sakura, Shisei... Do you think I would do the same to all of you?"

"......"

Fate shook her head slightly, but soon, a smile appeared on her face.

"But... I don’t dislike what the teacher did because just now, the teacher was very gentle, trying hard not to hurt me... I could feel that... It’s the first time I felt so... gentle..."

"Uh..."

Listening to Fate’s response, Fang Zheng was left speechless.

What to say indeed... After all, Fate’s environment was different from others. If it were Little Sakura, Nanoha, perhaps they could easily distinguish the difference. But not with Fate. Ever since her "birth," she had been subjected to Precia’s beatings and insults, although now they’ve reconciled somewhat.

But still...

Just knowing that while "eating chocolate" earlier, Fang Zheng was simply cautious not to touch her to avoid making Fate uncomfortable. Yet, Fate thought this was the first time someone had treated her so gently in her life. In another sense, it was quite a sad thing indeed.

Precia, you need to put in more effort.

"Knock knock knock."

Just as Fang Zheng was sighing with emotion, a knocking sound rang out, followed by the opening of the clubroom door, and then Little Sakura and Shisei walked in.

"Good afternoon, teacher."

"Oh, you’re here."

Fang Zheng extended his hand to greet the two, and then Shisei, smiling cheekily, approached Fang Zheng and Fate, and took two chocolates out of her pocket, handing them over.

"Teacher, Fate, these are your chocolates. Just a small token, please accept them."

"Then I’ll accept them."

"Thank you."

Fang Zheng and Fate reached out to accept the chocolates handed over by Shisei, nodding to her as well. Shisei gave a slight smile and, not long after, pulling out a camera, she came to stand behind Little Sakura, giving her a push.

"Alright, Little Sakura, it’s your turn now?"

"Ah, um..."

Hearing Shisei’s encouragement, Little Sakura walked over somewhat shyly, standing in front of Fang Zheng. With a somewhat shy smile, she lowered her head, took a deep breath, then took out something she had hidden behind her back.

"Te-Teacher... please accept this!"

"Oh? Is this for me?"

Looking at the delicately packaged chocolate in front of him, Fang Zheng couldn’t help but be slightly surprised, while Little Sakura nodded.

"Yes, um... it’s not just me, the Clow Cards feel the same way. We are all very grateful to you, teacher. Without your guidance, I couldn’t have grown into a real mage, so I am very thankful to you... Therefore, I made this chocolate together with the card elves... I hope you accept it, teacher."

"Thank you."

Hearing Little Sakura’s words, Fang Zheng smiled slightly, reaching out to take the chocolate that Little Sakura offered. Simultaneously, he felt a little relieved deep in his heart. To be honest, Fang Zheng was really worried that Little Hei might take this opportunity to lead the other girls astray as well. But fortunately, it seemed like Little Sakura and Shisei hadn’t been poisoned by Little Hei’s influence.

As for Nanoha and Illya... That shouldn’t be the case either.

And then, after school in the afternoon, Fang Zheng finally encountered a particular prime culprit.

"Big brother..."

Little Hei happily skipped out to block Fang Zheng’s path, watching him smugly.

"Was Fate’s chocolate delicious?"

"I knew it must be you causing trouble."

Faced with Little Hei, Fang Zheng was utterly speechless.

"What were you thinking?"

"Huh? This wasn’t my fault. Fate said she wanted to thank big brother, so I gave her this idea. After all, if she’s willing to do something like this, big brother, you’re sure to feel her sincerity, right?"

"Haha."

However, Fang Zheng wasn’t the slightest bit deceived by Little Hei’s excuse.

"You sure know how to talk, so what about your sincerity then? Hm? Little Hei, you can’t possibly not like me."

"Of course not."

As she spoke, Little Hei glanced around, ensuring no one else was around. Then she lifted her skirt slightly, revealing a hint of healthy color beneath.

"...A life-sized Little Hei chocolate, would you like some, big brother? It’s really sweet, you know?"

"Looks like I need to teach you a lesson."

Facing Little Hei’s provocation, Fang Zheng also showed a meaningful smile. Faced with a challenge coming to him, would he, Morpheus, run away?

"Ding dong——————"

The bell rang.

Hearing the class dismissal bell, Nanoha quickly packed her bag and hurriedly left the classroom.

"Nanoha? Aren’t you going home with us?"

Seeing Nanoha about to leave the classroom, Suzuka and Alisa quickly asked, to which Nanoha smiled and waved her hand.

"Sorry, I have something to do, you guys go home first!"

After saying this, Nanoha left the classroom and ran towards the staff room.

However...

"Isn’t the teacher here?"

Seeing the empty seat, Nanoha looked a bit disappointed, but she did not give up. Instead, she touched the item in her bag and turned again towards the club room.

However...

"Nanoha?"

"Huh? Fate? Shisei? Have you seen the teacher?"

"No..."

"I haven’t seen him either."

"Is that so..."

After a brief conversation with Fate and Shisei, who were staying in the club room, Nanoha left again. She wanted to use her terminal to get in touch, but ultimately just sighed.

Ugh... I feel a bit embarrassed... I should go wash my face and calm down.

Thinking this, Nanoha walked into the restroom not far away, turned on the faucet, and washed her face.

"Ugh...!"

However, at that moment, Nanoha suddenly heard a low voice coming from one of the restroom stalls. That voice was...

"Little Hei?"

"Eh... ah... it’s... Nanoha?"

This time, Little Hei’s voice was not as calm, composed, and mischievous as usual. Instead, it was intermittent, as if she were in pain.

"Uh... what’s going on with you..."

"I’m fine, just... ah... mm... I can’t..."

"Little Hei? Are you really okay?"

Hearing Little Hei’s moaning from the stall, Nanoha couldn’t help but feel worried.

"Ah, it’s nothing, nothing. I just ate too much, and my stomach hurts a bit... ah... ugh... Silin blames...

For some reason, Nanoha felt that there was an unfamiliar emotion in Little Hei’s voice... Listening to Little Hei’s pained voice now, Nanoha felt a discomfort growing within herself too...

"Ah... do you need to go to the nurse’s office?"

"Hah... hah... no, thanks, Nanoha... by the way, did you need something?"

"Right, I’m looking for the teacher, have you seen him?"

"Big brother? He... he is... ugh!!"

However, before Little Hei could finish her sentence, she suddenly let out a low cry, followed by rapid breathing from inside the stall.

"Little Hei?"

"Ah... hah... it’s nothing, big brother he... he seems to have gone back... if you want to see him... you should wait until later... ah... ugh..."

"Okay, I understand, then take care of yourself, okay?"

Hearing Little Hei’s response, Nanoha nodded and then left the bathroom with some confusion.

But just as Nanoha left the bathroom and closed the door, she heard a muffled scream from Little Hei inside.

"Training... broken...!! It’s going to break! ...ugh ugh ugh...!!"

"???"

Nanoha paused, taken aback.

"Little Hei? Are you sure you’re okay? Do you want me to call a teacher?"

"......"

It took a while before Little Hei replied to Nanoha’s question.

"No, no need, Nanoha, just... ate a bit too much... ugh... I’m full, can’t eat anymore... just ate too much, y’know... don’t worry."

"Ah, alright then, I’ll head back first, take care!"

After hearing Little Hei’s answer, Nanoha nodded blankly, then closed the door and turned away.

But is it really fine? Little Hei’s voice just now seemed very pained, but somehow different... what on earth is going on?