Sky Striker Princess, but the swan song of Valkyrie.

"Kiri-chan, I'm wondering why Zero-chan made that expression just now."

Tsukuyomi, returning from her contemplation, replied to Xiaoqiege about what she had been thinking about.

"I'm completely stumped. Have you come up with anything, Death?"

Upon hearing Tsukuyomi's question, Akatsuki tried to think about it, but then gave up because she wasn't good at thinking.

"Well...actually, I do have some thoughts. I think Sister Lingyi is too concerned about us."

Unlike the usually carefree Akatsuki, the quiet Tsukuyomi observed more information and, after some thought, came to a somewhat hesitant conclusion.

"Yes, of course Zero cares about us, although she won't show it on her face, right? Death?"

Xiaoqiege said matter-of-factly.

Despite being demanding in some ways, Zero is indeed someone who cares about most researchers.

In addition, their appearance, which is similar to their age, and their mature demeanor have made them quite popular among the recipient children.

"It's not just that, Kiri-chan. In my opinion, Zero-chan's thoughts about us may not be ordinary 'concern,' but rather a deeper 'fear.'"

"The reason why Sister Lingyi is so strict with us is probably because she is afraid that we will encounter danger, so she urgently wants us to improve our abilities."

Tsukuyomi shook her head and stated some of her deductions.

"I see. How did you come up with these ideas about Death?"

Xiaoqiege felt that there was some truth to Tsukuyomi's explanation, and asked her about it out of curiosity.

"Cheer, you should remember how Zero looked when Serena had that accident, right? She's usually so calm, but she showed that kind of expression at that time."

"If I'm not mistaken, Sister Lingyi is probably very afraid that something like what happened to Serena will happen to us again, which is why she's so strict with us."

Seeing her friend tilting her head in confusion, Tsukuyomi briefly explained to her the reason for her deduction.

Initially, it was just out of curiosity about this young girl that Tsukuyomi started paying more attention to Zero's affairs.

However, as time went on, Tsukuyomi gradually came to know some of her qualities, leading her to this conclusion today.

"So, Zero is really scared of Death."

After hearing Tsukuyomi's deduction, Akatsuki agreed with her conclusion without much thought.

"Well... even though we know all this, there's not much we can do to help. After all, Sister Lingyi is so powerful, there's not much we can do."

However, despite this deduction, Tsukuyomi also understood that test subjects like them could not help the powerful Zero.

"Hehe, it's okay, even though Sister Lingyi is so strong and we can't help her much, we just need to do our own thing as before. Death."

"Let's hurry to the exchange point now and get our 'stuff' ready while we have some free time!"

In contrast to Tsukuyomi's somewhat disheartened thoughts, Akatsuki remained as cheerful as ever, pulling off a tune as she prepared to leave.

"Yes, thank you, Chef. That's right, we just need to do what we can."

Tsukuyomi's mood also changed, and she quietly followed in Xiaoqie's footsteps.

Chapter Fifty-One: The Gift

"Okay, that's done."

In the kitchen, Tsukuyomi put down her knife and fork, took a deep breath, looked at the table, and nodded in satisfaction.

The surface is covered with chocolate with a texture like tree bark, and the inside of the cake roll is filled with molten chocolate. The whole cake is still steaming, and it is a freshly made Yule log cake.

"Tiao, is it ready? Let me taste it. Hmm, it doesn't taste sweet enough. Did you add too little sugar?"

Xiaoqiege, who had just finished helping out and was waiting nearby, immediately rushed over, cut off a piece of cake roll with a knife, put it in her mouth, and gave her evaluation with a slight frown.

"Really... no, it's just right. It's because you eat too many sweets, Kiri-chan, that your taste has become too strong. Rei-chan said that consuming too many sweets can affect your health."

In response to Xiaoqiege's evaluation, Tsukuyomi also cut off a piece and put it in her mouth, saying to her close friend beside her with a speechless look.

"Is that so...? But those were really delicious, and the desserts at the exchange were really cheap."

When Tsukuyomi's lecture came on, Xiaoqiege scratched his head a little embarrassedly, but still laughed it off and didn't want to give up sweets so easily.

After all, the cheapest things at the exchange center are high-calorie, high-sugar foods. Since Xiaoqiege started having her own pocket money, she often buys sweets there.

"Stare—but Kiri-chan should still look at her belly. Even with all that training, she's gained some weight."

Tsukuyomi's gaze shifted downwards, subtly pointing out the slight changes in Akatsuki's physique.

"How could this be... Really, no, it can't be a lie, right? How could someone who trains so hard every day die like this?"

At first, Xiaoqiege didn't believe it, but after subconsciously pinching her lower abdomen, she realized that it was indeed true.

"It can only be because you eat too many sweets, Qie Jiang."

Turning her gaze away, Tsukuyomi Tō picked up the gift box she had prepared while speaking. After simple wrapping, with the help of Akatsuki Kira, she packed the remaining cake rolls inside.

"Hmm...Tiao, do you think Zero will like this gift, Death?"

After helping out, Xiaoqiege asked the question with a hint of doubt.

"I don't know, but Sister Lingyi is so amazing, I can't imagine what she might be missing. As long as the gift represents my feelings, that's fine."

After thinking for a moment, Tsukuyomi replied in this way.

Since it was Christmas, after hearing about the holiday from outside, they thought of giving Lingyi a handmade gift as a token of their gratitude.

However, they couldn't really do anything. They just used their saved pocket money to buy some tools and worked together to learn how to make a log cake.

"Hmm... I'm nervous. I don't know what kind of expression Zero will make, but she'll probably be very happy, Death."

At this point, Xiaoqiege felt a mix of trepidation and optimism.

"Let's go, Kiri-chan. At this time, Zero-chan should be working. Let's go check on her."

"Hey, you're moving so fast, Death."

"Cut sauce, you've been staring blankly for too long."

After packing the gift boxes, Tsukuyomi called out to Akatsuki, who was still pondering, and Akatsuki quickly followed, laughing and chatting.

"Hey, isn't Sister Lingyi here today?"

However, the two who went to Lingyi's usual workplace were unable to find her as they had hoped.

"Well, Lingyi said she wasn't feeling well today and needed to adjust, so she didn't come, but it's not really anything unusual."

"Everyone needs rest, and Lingyi is someone who also needs to relax. In fact, her previous work intensity of working year-round without a break was abnormal."

At Zero's workplace, Naztashya pushed a wheelchair in front of the two and explained.

"What should we do, Tiao? If the gift isn't delivered today, it'll be meaningless."

The unexpected situation left Xiaoqiege somewhat troubled, and she wanted to discuss with Yuedu Diao what to do.

"If there's really no other way, and we can't deliver it in person, could you please help us give the gift to Sister Lingyi?"

There was nothing Tsukuyomi could do in this situation, so she could only dejectedly ask the staff member who seemed to be quite familiar with Rei to help her take the gift over.

"Really? You want to give her a gift. Although I can give it to her... but a gift is more meaningful when it is given to the recipient in person."

After learning the purpose of their visit, Naztashya thought for a moment and then rejected Tsukuyomi's idea.

"In that case, I'll tell you about Lingyi's room. Go find her and give her the gift yourself."

"Although I would prefer to take you there, I haven't finished the work she assigned me, and as you can see, I'm not very mobile."

After saying that, she directly instructed the two women to the place where Lingyi lived, and told them to personally deliver the gifts.

"Really? Thank you, you're a good person, Death!"

"That's enough. Thank you so much for your help."

With Naztashya's help, Akatsuki and Tsukuyomi breathed a sigh of relief, thanked her happily and politely, and quickly followed her instructions to the door of a room.

"Hmm...it seems so ordinary. I thought Lingyi's place might have some special features or death."

Xiaoqiege looked at an ordinary metal automatic door for a while and then had this thought.

Why do you think that, Qie Chao?

Tsukuyomi's gaze was filled with confusion.

"Because, you see, Sister Lingyi is very powerful, right? Shouldn't people with such high status live in very special big houses?"

Pointing at the automatic door, Xiaoqiege spoke earnestly about the 'common sense' she knew.

"Cheer, you've been reading too many stories. Don't think about these things anymore. Let's give the gift to Sister Lingyi now. If we leave it for too long, it'll get cold."

Complaining about the unreliability of her friends, Tsukuyomi pressed the doorbell and waited for the homeowner to open the door.

After ringing the doorbell for a while, just when the two thought the doorbell might be broken, the door opened automatically, revealing the figures inside.

"The door's open. This time we're here for... cash. Lingyi, what happened to you? You look terrible!"

Upon seeing the door open, Xiaoqiege immediately wanted to greet them warmly, but the scene that came into view made her speechless for a moment.

"What is it? I'm... resting."

The girl, with her arms wrapped around a black and red sword, her long platinum blonde hair disheveled and her eyes reflecting complex emotions, weakly asked a question to the visitor.

Chapter Fifty-Two Strange Things

"Sister Lingyi, what's wrong? You don't look well."

Seeing the somewhat haggard appearance of the person in front of her, whom she had never seen before, Tsukuyomi stepped forward with great concern and asked.

Just a few hours ago, when the other person left, things weren't like they are now. I don't understand why things have turned out this way in the time it takes them to make a cake.

"Ah, my current state... has nothing to do with you. It's just a problem with my own condition. Don't worry, I'll be fine soon. So, what brings you here?"

When faced with Tsukuyomi's question, Rei paused for a moment, shook her head, and after regaining some composure, answered as follows.

"But, Zero-chan, you've never shown that expression before. Are you really okay, Death?"

Even so, Xiaoqiege was still a little worried.

"You didn't come to me for this, did you? So, what's the matter?"

Without answering, Lingyi directly changed the subject to the purpose of their visit, seemingly unwilling to dwell on the topic any longer.

"Um……" "

...Death.

Seeing this, Tsukuyomi Chō and Akatsuki Kirika exchanged a glance, and finally gave up asking any further questions.

"This is a Christmas present for Sister Lingyi."

"Merry Christmas, Death!"

Then, Tsukuyomi raised her hand and handed the gift box directly to Rei, while Akatsuki Kirika smiled and said words of blessing.

"Eh"

Lingyi's expression showed a slight surprise, as if she hadn't expected such a thing to happen.

"Is this why you've come to see me?"

Instead of accepting the gift immediately, Lingyi stood slowly at the doorway. After a moment of silence, she looked up and asked the two of them the same question.

"That's right, well, it's also to thank you for taking care of Death this past year, Zero-chan."

Despite the minor hiccup, Xiaoqiege still expressed her gratitude as planned.

"This is a gift that Kiri-chan and I worked hard to make together. Rei-nee-nee, I hope it will make you happy."

Maintaining the posture of passing the gift, Tsukuyomi smiled and explained to Zero.

"Ha... there's no need. I was just doing what I was supposed to do within my duties. Since this is your kind gesture, I'll accept it."

"In return, I will return the courtesy out of politeness, but after that, please don't do anything like this to me again, that's all."

Faced with the expectant looks from the two, Lingyi sighed, but still couldn't bring herself to say no, and silently accepted the gift box.

"Great! Speaking of which, Zero-chan, would you like to guess what's inside? Death."

Seeing that Lingyi accepted the gift, both of them were very happy, and Xiaoqiege said with a smile.

"Oak roll cake, don't be so surprised. I'm used to having a kind of heretical technology that monitors my surroundings around the clock."

Faced with Xiaoqiege's teasing, Lingyi didn't say much, but directly revealed the contents of the box, and explained the reason to the two who looked very surprised.

"Wow, Zero-chan, you keep up your guard even in your daily life."