My daily life is not peaceful - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Call Me Sister

Though three or four years had passed, Agulola’s smile before she vanished still pained Luo Yun. It was the first time a beautiful girl had liked him, but before they could spend much time together, those scumbags took her away. To Luo Yun, Agulola was like a younger sister, pure and innocent. But things had come to this, and he couldn’t revive her immediately. Knowing she was still alive was enough for now. “Luo Yun, Luo Yun-kun?! Luo Yun-kun!” A sharp voice snapped him out of his memories. The girl who’d been complaining earlier stood pouting, hands on hips, glaring at him with clear dissatisfaction. “Did you even hear what I said?” “Sorry, I got lost in thought for a moment.” Luo Yun gave an apologetic smile. The girl softened, feeling a bit embarrassed. She knew Luo Yun had been caught up in the terrorist attack on Itogami Island three years ago. Maybe he was recalling bad memories, she thought. “Well… I didn’t mean to blame you. If you’re feeling unwell, you can take leave and rest at home.” The blonde girl clasped her hands together. “I’m fine, Asagi.” Luo Yun shook his head. Indeed, this blonde girl was Asagi Aiba, one of the heroines of Strike the Blood, known as the “Cyber Empress.” When he first transferred to school on Itogami Island, he ended up in the same class as Asagi Aiba, seated right behind her. Over time, they became close. Especially during Asagi’s lowest moments, it was Luo Yun who, in his own way, helped her regain her confidence. By the way, Asagi had black hair in primary school but secretly dyed it blonde, which didn’t help her reputation at school. “Gurgle…” The aroma of food wafting through the classroom made the girl’s stomach rumble. Asagi Aiba clutched her belly in embarrassment, looking at Luo Yun. “Um, want to eat lunch together? If you don’t have anything, I can share…” “No need. You know my sister’s temper. If I upset her again, there goes my pocket money for the month.” Luo Yun declined politely once more. “…Fair point. Next time we have a chance, then.” Asagi’s faint blush faded as she waved at Luo Yun. “Having that sister must be tough.” “You’re telling me.” Luo Yun grinned wryly. Nangong Nayue was a famous loli teacher at this school, highly experienced and undeniably cute. Students privately saw her as the school’s mascot, and her classes always left everyone energised. But whenever other students expressed envy or jealousy, Luo Yun could only think, “Too young, too simple (tai nian qing, tai dan chun).” Nayue’s strictness was unimaginable. Getting up and sleeping on time, eating balanced meals three times a day—she even dragged him to the supermarket to buy piles of underwear. It made Luo Yun feel incredibly awkward. If she were older, fine, but she was such a loli. Those who knew Nayue was his guardian were fine, but others might think he was some creep forcing his little sister to buy underwear. “Bye.” Asagi waved. “See you this afternoon.” Luo Yun shook his head and left the classroom, heading toward the staff office. Soon, as the campus noise faded, he knew he’d arrived. The second-to-top floor of the staff building. A level higher than the principal’s office. Before a door made of expensive rosewood, Luo Yun didn’t knock, simply turning the handle and walking in. The door opened silently, a testament to its costly craftsmanship. A serene fragrance hit him, mixed with the aroma of floral tea, refreshing and calming. “What’d you bring me for lunch today?” Tossing his bag onto the desk, Luo Yun pulled up a chair and plopped down. Though he grumbled about Nayue’s strictness, he secretly looked forward to his three daily meals. As a teacher and high-ranking attack mage, money was no issue for her, so the lunchboxes were not only nutritious but delicious. Truly “fragrant” in every sense (zhen xiang). Noon sunlight streamed in, warm breezes blowing through the window. Facing the boy, a petite figure in a handcrafted soft chair looked up slightly. “Hand over the test.” Luo Yun obediently passed the paper with both hands. It was yesterday’s exam. Seeing the score, Nangong Nayue’s brows relaxed. She sipped freshly brewed hot black tea while reviewing the questions, replying elegantly. “Not bad. Keep it up next time.” She wore a black dress with crisscross lacing at the chest, white ruffles at the collar and sleeves, and a corset accentuating her waist. Less like gothic lolita fashion, it felt more like a custom-made gown. Then, a cyan magic circle appeared before Luo Yun. With a soft thud, an exquisite plastic lunchbox landed on the desk. Luo Yun, used to such seemingly fantastical events, lifted the lid and, starving, dove right in. Watching the boy wolf down his food, Nangong Nayue fanned herself lightly with a folding fan. Though she frowned, her eyes brimmed with affection as she said, “Don’t eat like a reincarnated starving ghost (e si gui tou tai)*.” “Don’t sweat the small stuff, Nayue-chan.” Smack. The hard fan rapped Luo Yun’s head. “I’ve told you countless times—call me Sister.” Nangong Nayue said, her face displeased.

Footnote 1: tai nian qing, tai dan chun (太年轻，太单纯) – Literally “too young, too simple,” a phrase popularised online, often used to mock naive or overly simplistic thinking. Here, it reflects Luo Yun’s dismissal of others’ envy for his guardian. *Footnote 2: zhen xiang (真香) – Literally “truly fragrant,” a Chinese internet meme describing someone who criticises something but later enjoys it, often hypocritically. Here, it praises the deliciousness of Nayue’s lunchboxes. *Footnote 3: e si gui tou tai (饿死鬼投胎) – Literally “reincarnated starving ghost,” a Chinese idiom for someone eating voraciously, as if they were a ghost starved in a past life. Here, it humorously describes Luo Yun’s eating habits.