Honkai, but Behind the Scenes

"This part of the explanation ends here for now."

Mei didn't ask all her questions at once; instead, she learned step-by-step in a very organized manner.

This kind of self-discipline always makes Tian Shi feel emotional.

"Is there anything you don't understand?"

"No, Doctor, your explanation is very easy to understand."

Mei shook her head to indicate that she understood.

[Mei's Compatibility +5%]

It seems she really got it.

"By the way, don't call me Doctor. It sounds weird, although it's fine if you really like calling me that."

Tian Shi felt nothing when he called others "Doctor," but when Mei called him "Doctor," he always felt an inexplicable sense of weirdness.

After all, if the future Dr. Mei calls me Doctor... This feeling is truly great, but it's also really strange.

"?"

Mei simply expressed her confusion for a moment and then buried her head in her book again.

"..."

Tian Shi sighed slightly and then began to observe Mei's house.

After all, Mei's father is a world-class scientist, so her family is quite well-off, and the space at home is large enough.

"Mei, where are your family members?"

Tian Shi suddenly found that there was no one in Mei's house.

"Mom and Dad went to the Mu continent for an academic seminar. They won't be back for half a month."

"Your parents really trust you."

Tian Shi's expression was strange.

Even if they were a family of scientific researchers, they wouldn't be like this, would they?

Although he didn't doubt Mei's ability to take care of herself, after all, Mei was only in the third grade now, which usually meant she was around nine or ten years old.

There's no problem taking care of the house, but leaving her alone for half a month... It seems a bit dangerous from any point of view, right?

"The babysitter is an acquaintance of my parents, and I also talk to them regularly every day."

Mei replied without lifting her head.

If it weren't for Tian Shi's special status and the fact that he was her teacher, Mei would never have answered such "small talk" questions.

There's no other reason, it will distract your attention and reduce your learning efficiency.

"So they arranged for your care."

Tian Shi nodded.

After all, Mei was a disciplined person.

As long as nothing unexpected happened, she would undoubtedly make the call on time.

"But no matter what, there's still a little danger..."

Tian Shi touched his chin and suddenly had an idea.

"Mei, do you want to learn some boxing?"

"...?"

I don't know if it was the word "learn" that piqued Mei's interest, or if it was because the suggestion was too absurd that she was speechless.

In any case, Mei, who rarely lifted her head while reading, looked away from the book.

"What's the point of learning boxing?"

Since there is no direct rejection, it means there is hope!

"So you can protect yourself when you encounter bad guys in the future?"

"That wouldn't make sense."

Mei returned her gaze to the book.

"Professional matters should be left to professionals."

"I see myself as a researcher rather than a fighter in the future."

"Besides, even if I learn so-called 'boxing skills,' I will be powerless to resist dangers like a knife robbery."

Although Mei's argument is well-founded, the problem is... This is not ordinary boxing!

An ordinary thief, even if he has a knife, would not be able to beat Fu Hua when she was in high school, even if he had a chainsaw.

The human body is amazing, isn't it?

"Although I agree with you, I suggest you still try it."

Although Tian Shi wanted to prove that Fu Hua's boxing was not ordinary boxing, he felt it would be quite troublesome to refute Mei in this regard.

"And, on the other hand, even if you're not a soldier, it can help you stay healthy. A strong body is necessary for a scientific researcher."

While it's fine for young people to work through the night because they're full of energy, they are still stressing their bodies.

There are three reasons why Mei, the most secure researcher in the rear, passed away after the battle: years of hard work, the inevitable erosion caused by studying Honkai energy, and the overload of the God Key Fenghuang Down.

Tian Shi had no idea what to do with the last two, but he could always think of a way to deal with the first one.

Even the overuse of the God Key Fenghuang Down can lead to physical damage.

"If that's what you mean, Doctor."

The current Mei cannot look as far into the future as Tian Shi, but at least the reasons Tian Shi gave at this moment are reasonable and well-founded.

With that said, Mei felt some curiosity.

What would be so special about the boxing style the Doctor so highly recommended?

"However, regarding the topic of boxing, please wait until after study time before discussing it with me, Doctor."

"..."

Looking at Mei, who was once again engrossed in the book, Tian Shi felt powerless.

Girl, you are too disciplined now!

Well, Mei is still a loli now, but even so, she should still be a little childish and lively!

She's really not cute...

Tian Shi could only sigh slightly at this.

Afterward, Tian Shi witnessed a boring and tasteless night.

"So, Mei, besides the daily necessities of eating, drinking, and studying, do you have any hobbies?"

Tian Shi couldn't help but ask after seeing Mei finish eating.

"For me, those kinds of things right now will only waste my time and energy."

Mei replied without changing her expression.

"I knew it was for that reason."

"Can't you think of a cuter reason?"

Tian Shi thought about it, then pinched his throat and gave an example: "For example, 'This hobby isn't elegant at all, I don't like it~' - something like that."

"..."

Ah, Mei began to look at his position as if he were an idiot.

It reminded him of the look Mobius gave him.

"No, just pretend I didn't say anything."

Tian Shi was finally defeated by Mei's eyes.

"So, what are your plans for the future?"

"Taking a shower and going to bed."

"Then don't shower yet."

Tian Shi made the decision.

"When you're done practicing boxing, you'll surely be covered in sweat."

"It won't be too late to take a bath then."

"Covered in sweat?"

Mei showed a slightly hesitant look.

As a little girl who has never done much exercise, no matter how rational she is, she actually has her own likes and dislikes.

For example, what Tian Shi said just now, "covered in sweat," just hearing that word, Mei recalled the uncomfortable sticky feeling during physical education classes in the summer.

But fortunately, this is my home, and I can shower at any time.

"You can even put on a cute face! But don't worry, it's a gradual process."

"At the beginning, it's just a few basic movements, although basic doesn't mean easy."

For example, the horse stance.

Or maybe this isn't so simple at all.

Practicing martial arts is an exercise that has the ability to strengthen one's will.

Although when Fu Hua taught me, I skipped the basic training like the horse stance due to my ghost nature.

When Mei heard the words "Basic doesn't mean easy," she felt like she was being deceived.

......

"Don't sink into the bathtub."

Tian Shi shouted through the bathroom door.

Although Mei was allowed to rest for a while before taking a shower, it was the first time Mei had done high-intensity exercise, at least compared to a small third-grade loli, so Tian Shi was still worried about whether something would happen.

"..."

Don't you have anything nice to say?

Mei sighed a little tiredly.

Her legs hurt a little now, but luckily it doesn't affect her exercise; after all, Tian Shi is not a demon and does not intend for Mei to be unable to get out of bed to train the next day.

He just lets Mei gradually adapt to the intensity.

And making a third-grade girl unable to get out of bed... sounds too sinful.

"Is practicing martial arts always so tiring?"

"That's more or less how it is, just like studying."

"Studying isn't that tiring."

Mei retorted from the bathroom through the door.

I don't know why, but after a normal training session, everyone else should be too tired to speak, but Mei seems to talk more, probably because she doesn't have the energy to continue thinking so rationally.

"That depends on the person."

How dare you say that, a guy whose research ability is definitely on par with Mobius?

Tian Shi couldn't help but complain in his heart.

"But in the end, even if it's just studying, it's not entirely easy, is it?"

Although Tian Shi was considered a cheater, he was at least as talented as Mei and Mobius.

He naturally knew that there were some thresholds that even someone with his talent would not be able to cross easily.

"I can't deny that."

Mei, who was behind the door, thought for a moment and agreed with Tian Shi's statement.

"But I still feel like I can't get used to this kind of exercise."

"Are you going to give up?"

Tian Shi asked.

"..."

Give up?

Although her emotions told her that today's exercise brought her nothing but fatigue and pain, on the other hand, her reason told Mei that, as Tian Shi said, it was necessary to do proper exercise, although she had no way of knowing if the current exercise was appropriate.

"No, I'm continuing."

Mei seemed to have returned to her usual rational state.

"Tsk, I thought you'd give up, that's not cute."

Tian Shi's voice sounded quite disappointed.

"But it saves me the time of deceiving you."

Deceiving me.

Is it really okay to talk about these kinds of things?

Mei felt as if she had developed something called "the desire to complain."

But then again...

"Doctor, do you think 'cute' is an important evaluation?"

Mei's tone was a little confused:

"Mom always talks to me about 'cuteness'."

Fortunately, it seems that not all family members are nerds.

"Well... maybe it's not very important?"

Ah, this is a difficult topic for Tian Shi to answer.

After all, it seems that no one he knows has anything to do with cuteness...

That's not really the case.

Mobius, Durandal, and the others were actually quite cute when they were little.

But in terms of personality... Tian Shi seemed to understand a little.

"Mei, usually the people who say you're not cute at all are the ones who actually think you are."

Although he used to say that Mobius, that sharp-tongued little girl, was not cute at all, but if he were honest, how could she not be cute?

Although by now, that sharp-tongued loli has become a sadistic queen.

Well, in any case, maybe she'll change in the future.

And Durandal, although her personality is a little unpleasant in some ways, is she really not cute?

It seems that the stubborn and gullible little knight is still very cute. ...

Of course, the key point is that she's stubborn, so please don't take it seriously.

The same can be said of Mei today, a serious nerd loli, which is cute in itself, and even more adorable with a little contrast.

"It's just that they hope you can be cuter."

"I can't understand it at all."

This is the first time in Mei's life that she "can understand every word of a sentence individually, but cannot understand it at all when they are put together."

"Yes, this kind of confusion outside of studying is a kind of contrast."

Tian Shi chuckled:

"Although I think it's better if the girl with glasses has a cute contrast... ahem, sorry, I'm getting off-topic."

Tian Shi!

What on earth are you talking about with a third-grade little girl?

"In short, Mei, you just have to stay the way you are."

Tian Shi quickly returned to the main topic.

"Now?"

Why keep things the same when they can be improved?

This is a little difficult for Mei, who is still an elementary school student, to understand.

"Yes, for now, it's enough. I think you're great."

"If you force it too much, it could go wrong."

Tian Shi thought for a moment and said:

"Of course, if you're willing to spend more than half an hour or even an hour every day to get dressed up, then just ignore what I said."

"Yes, it's better to maintain the status quo."

Just thinking about what Tian Shi said, Mei felt it was unacceptable.

No matter how much time you have, you can't waste it like that.

My original study schedule was already very tight, and now, with the addition of martial arts training, my schedule will obviously be even tighter.

There's no time to spend time getting dressed up right now.

Afterward, the conversation between the two ended.

After all, given Mei's current state, it would be better for her to concentrate while bathing.

If she really fell into the bathtub... even if Tian Shi was nearby, there would definitely be no danger.

But it's obviously embarrassing.

As a little loli, Mei still has to save face.

Now that I think about it... I feel a little hungry?

Mei touched her belly.

Is it because I did more exercise tonight?

Mei shook her head, not caring.

Although she came from a wealthy family, she was not a spoiled child.

After all, the hunger was not that strong and would pass with time.

She couldn't ask the Doctor to cook for her for something, right?

[Mei's Compatibility +10%]