It was a tranquil evening in Nagazora City, as quiet as a whispering breeze.

That's what Lyon would have preferred, at least.

He found himself leaning against a wall, arms crossed, fingers pinching his nose in evident frustration.

His gaze settled on the diminutive figure of Bronya, who was fiddling with a device that looked like it belonged in a science fiction film. While Lyon had some basic knowledge of computers, whatever Bronya held was far beyond his usual tech encounters.

Striving for calm, he attempted to match the composure of his uninvited guest.

He exhaled sharply, and Bronya noted the sound.

"Subject Lyon's temperature suggests elevated stress levels, possibly indicative of stress or related ailments," she observed clinically.

Lyon's eyes narrowed at her comment, and he retorted, "Oh, I wonder why? Maybe it's because there's a stranger lounging on my couch, in my own studio?"

"Da."

"And this stranger has hacked into the building's security, scrutinizing every tenant's details, including mine?"

"Da."

"Which led you to single me out because I'm the... youngest?"

"Da," Bronya responded in her typical monotone as she tinkered with her device.

Removing his sunglasses and placing them beside the television, Lyon's expression grew serious, "If I didn't know any better, I'd suspect you were here to abduct me. But you claim you needed food. Couldn't you have simply bought it yourself?"

Bronya met his gaze with a flat expression and shook her head, "The Bronya is trained to maintain a low profile, thus avoiding direct interactions at grocery stores. Hijacking the building's systems allowed the Bronya to find a studio apartment where The Bronya could assess and deem suitable for temporary refuge."

Lyon found her third-person speech and overall response unsettling. Her demeanor and monotone voice suggested a lack of emotional expression.

'A sense of detachment... Or perhaps she's coping with some loss?'

He noticed an unusual bulge under the fabric of Bronya's stockings.

'Metal? Prosthetics, perhaps? That might explain the marred door—she could have forced her entry.'

Catching Lyon's gaze on her legs, Bronya's expression mimicked a popular internet meme.

"Subject Lyon is a pervert for inspecting her legs."

Annoyed, Lyon objected, "Oi, I was merely curious about what's beneath your stockings."

Bronya pursed her lips in a 'V' shape, "Ah... The Bronya concludes Subject Lyon is a pervert for attempting to discern what lies beneath her stockings. To satisfy your curiosity, it is merely the Bronya's skin."

Approaching her, Lyon playfully tapped her head, releasing a sound akin to air puffing from a cushion.

"You're quite the cheeky one, aren't you? Labeling me a pervert."

Bronya rubbed her head, "Subject Lyon is a meanie."

Lyon smirked as he sat next to her on the couch, eyes on the TV, "That's not the first time I've been called that. You'll have to do better."

Bronya tilted her head as she noticed Lyon stretching out on the couch.

"Hmm... Pervert?"

"That's been said already, and no, I'm not a pervert. Try something else."

Bronya hummed, her eyes now on the television, "...Narcissist?"

Lyon grinned broadly, "Many have said that, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest. Try again."

Bronya watched as Lyon flipped the TV to a news channel, his demeanor shifting as he relaxed with a banana.

His usual smirk softened, and his gaze mellowed.

He seemed almost a different person now.

After a moment, Bronya formulated her revised assessment.

"...Kind. Subject Lyon is a kind man."

Lyon glanced at her with a banana still in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully as he eyed her neutral expression.

Peeling another banana, he pondered, 'Kind, huh... I've never seen myself that way.'

His smirk was small and gentle this time.

He asked as he began eating, "What makes you say that?"

Bronya looked down at the device in her hand, "Subject Lyon doesn't uphold a narcissistic facade at home. A true narcissist would maintain their image even in private, yet you've embraced simplicity and haven't treated the Bronya as a criminal. You seem comfortable with..."

'Me.'

Lyon dismissed Bronya's silent contemplation with a shrug, "You're not hostile towards me, so why should I be towards you? Living on the streets taught me some harsh lessons, including the need to stay neutral. If someone tries to mess with you, you push back. If they're kind, you return it. It's a simple rule, right?"

Bronya twirled her distinctive, drill-shaped pigtails, "Subject Lyon demonstrates considerable wisdom for his age."

Lyon snorted as he lobbed the banana peel into the trash bin from his seat on the couch, "I wouldn't say I'm wise. It's just life experience I've picked up along the way. As an orphan, I didn't have anyone directly guiding me; I learned from the world itself through exposure."

Bronya tilted her head, trying to process his words, "Doesn't that exposure make Subject Lyon vulnerable, as you're left to figure out right from wrong on your own?"

Lyon shook his head, "No, not really. Sure, as a kid I made choices I regret now. Back then, I was just a kid who didn't know better, but that doesn't excuse the actions that might have hurt others."

Bronya glanced out the window where the moon cast a gentle glow over them, "Does it hurt less now?"

Lyon stood and stretched, his answer thoughtful, "Well, yes, but you also learn to take things in stride. Every action has consequences, and you have to own up to your mistakes. If you ignore your problems, they just accumulate. There's only one way to deal with that."

Bronya hesitated, such advice was something she'd expect from an elder, and she inquired, "And what does Subject Lyon suggest?"

Lyon cracked his knuckles as he stretched further, then replied simply, "You gotta start thinking. It's as simple as that."

Though a straightforward answer, it prompted Bronya to reconsider her stance.

Lyon then headed towards his bathroom, calling over his shoulder, "If you need to sleep, feel free to use my bed. I'll take the couch tonight."

Bronya stood suddenly, her movements accompanied by the faint whir of metal from her legs.

"But—"

Lyon cut her off with a wave of his finger, "No arguments. You're my guest, and I insist. Make yourself at home. Oh, and there's milk in the fridge if you want it."

Leaving a stunned Bronya behind, he disappeared into the bathroom, leaving her to absorb his words.

"Hng... Subject Lyon's response is overwhelming for the Bronya..."

Lyon's lessons had impressed upon her the importance of thoughtful action to avoid escalating problems.

"What would Matushka think if the Bronya began to apply such thought?"

Bronya, feeling the weight of their conversation, yawned, "The Bronya must ponder this further, without involving Subject Lyon."

As she spoke, her body relaxed into the couch, and though Lyon saw and heard everything, he moved quietly towards her.

"Strange how much you're thinking about this, but I appreciate it, Bronya," he murmured.

Gently, he lifted Bronya to his bed, tucking her in comfortably.

He sighed as he took one last look at her for the night, "Well, at least I'll catch that late-night Digimon review. But something's nagging at me, and I'm not fond of it..."

He shrugged off the uneasy feeling and went to change into his pajamas, peeling off the towel from his hair and waist.

Deciding to take the evening slowly, he thought, 'Let tonight's me rest; tomorrow's me will handle whatever comes. What could possibly go wrong?'

---

Mei blinked in astonishment as she listened to Lyon's casual recounting of recent events while she prepared her chopsticks.

"You met a young girl who just barged into your studio, and you're acting as if it's no big deal?"

Lyon picked up a piece of karaage chicken from his bento. "Yep, she seems alright."

Mei groaned, resting her hand against her temple. "You're giving me too much to worry about, Lyon. What if you get hurt?"

The idea of Lyon cohabitating with a stranger he had just met was unsettling to her.

Lyon just shrugged. "If I get hurt, I'll just have to defend myself. I believe in treating others how they treat me."

Mei shook her head. "Maybe calling the police would be a safer option, don't you think? Your safety is really important to me, Lyon."

Lyon raised a finger, drawing Mei's attention.

Twack!

"Ouch... Lyon, that really hurt!" she exclaimed.

Lyon had flicked her forehead, a gesture that had become their playful way of bantering.

He stuck his tongue out playfully. "I appreciate your concern, Mei. But I can handle this. It's like dealing with a yakuza threat—I just have to stand my ground!"

Lyon hadn't actually had a direct encounter with the yakuza, but his past actions had somehow drawn their attention. It was a topic best left unexplored, as it was a sore subject for the yakuza, given the trauma he had caused them.

Mei frowned, her worry evident. "I don't know... You're my first real friend, so naturally, I worry about your safety. It's painful for me to think of you getting hurt."

Lyon felt a twinge of guilt as he saw Mei's distressed expression and gently patted her head. "Don't worry... I'm fine today, see? No scratches or anything."

Mei huffed, "And what about tomorrow? We can't predict what might happen then."

Lyon cleared his throat, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, I guess I'll just have to leave that to tomorrow's me."

There was a brief silence, which made Lyon anxious.

"Uh... Mei? You okay?"

As he waved his hand in front of her face, Mei suddenly turned towards him and grabbed his wrist.

He smirked at her assertiveness. "Oh, getting bold today—OW!!!"

The pain from Mei's tight grip was more intense than he had anticipated.

'Holy—OUCH! THAT'S REALLY PAINFUL.'

Lyon grimaced, realizing resistance only made it worse, and whispered through clenched teeth, "Mei... that really hurts, you know?"

Mei's giggle was almost sinister as she tightened her grip. "Good. Now you understand how I felt when I was worried about you."

Lyon suppressed a yelp and took a deep breath. "O-okay, I get it now. I see your point..."

Expecting further reprimands, Lyon braced himself. But instead, Mei's next move surprised him.

"I'm sorry for worrying you too much. I should have been more considerate with my jokes."

Mei blinked at his apology, then noted the red imprint her grip had left on his wrist.

Yikes.

She smiled, somewhat satisfied. "For a man who prides himself on thinking things through, you should have anticipated this."

Lyon rotated his wrist, trying to soothe the sting. "Well, I didn't think you'd react quite like this."

Mei pondered silently, 'That's because you are my...'

Friend? Yes, but to her, it felt like there might be something more.

She dismissed the thought, 'No, perhaps this is just what it's like to have a close friend of the opposite gender.'

The pair savored their lunch under the chirping of birds, with the crunch of Lyon's chicken audible as Mei delicately consumed her rice. However, their peaceful meal was soon interrupted.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, Lyon, but we've been summoned to the principal's office this afternoon," Mei revealed.

Lyon polished off his meal and grinned mischievously. "Well, that means no class for either of us today, hehe."

Mei wiped her mouth with a napkin and sighed. "I should have guessed you'd be pleased about skipping class, but yes, we're free from lessons today."

Lyon stretched out on the bench, sinking deep into his relaxed posture. "Heh, today is shaping up to be quite the day."

Despite his words, there was a hint of concern in his tone that didn't quite match his casual demeanor.

Mei chuckled. "You always find the silver lining, don't you?"

Lyon flicked away a strand of hair that fell into his view. "Why worry about something if you haven't done anything wrong?"

Mei hummed in agreement. "That's true, and it's actually helped me mingle with more of our classmates. They're really quite friendly."

Lyon groaned at her response. As he glanced at Mei, who sat smiling with her hands neatly on her lap, he couldn't help but interject, "You do realize those same students used to bad-mouth me, right? Now they smile whenever they see us together."

Mei met his gaze with a soothing expression. "I think they've come to see us on equal footing now, which is why they're more positive."

Lyon chose not to respond, feeling skeptical.

"Right... Positive."

He hoped that this newfound positivity would last.

He sighed, deciding to change the subject. "How about we head to the principal's office now? The sooner we get there, the sooner we can wrap this up and enjoy the rest of our day. Sound good?"

Mei seemed hesitant, which Lyon noticed. "You okay?"

She looked away, fiddling with her fingers. "I-I'm fine. Yes, that sounds like a good plan."

With a nod, Lyon stood up, and they walked together toward the principal's office—Mei with quiet, measured steps, and Lyon with his arms crossed behind his head, whistling casually.

As they walked, other students greeted them warmly, and they responded in kind, though Lyon's greetings were slightly strained.

Lyon pondered, 'I wonder what's really behind this meeting. Mei seems uneasy...'

Upon reaching the principal's office, they paused outside.

"I'll knock," Lyon offered.

After knocking, they heard a voice from inside.

"Come in."

Mei recognized the voice and swallowed hard, while Lyon felt a chill.

A mantra repeated in his head.

'Nothing will go wrong, nothing will go wrong, nothing will go wrong...'

They exchanged a look and nodded; Lyon opened the door, letting Mei enter first, then followed and closed the door behind them.

Inside, a lone figure sat on the office couch with a welcoming smile, his hair reminding Lyon of Mei.

Mei greeted warmly, "Good afternoon, father."

Lyon froze for a moment, as if struck by lightning.

He glanced between Mei and the man, who responded, "Good afternoon, Mei. Lovely to see you today."

Then, turning to Lyon, he maintained his friendly demeanor. "Ah, there you are, young man. I've heard from the principal about your commendable spirit and vigor."

Oh, It looks like he isn't a bad man after all.

Lyon, removing his sunglasses, replied with a smirk, "Huh, you don't seem like a bad guy after all. I'm Lyon, an orph—"

Pinch.

Mei quickly pinched him, signaling him to tread carefully.

The man chuckled, wiping his eyes. "My, my... It seems you two have gotten quite close. I've heard from my dear daughter about your influential words of independence and courage. Thank you for that."

Lyon scratched his head, grinning. "Well, I try to help where I can, especially when it's a friend in need."

Mei sighed, and the man's laughter boomed around the room.

"Hahaha! I knew trusting you was the right decision. Now, let me formally introduce myself. I'm Raiden Ryoma. While I hold a notable position in a certain industry, today I am here simply as Mei's father. Pleased to meet you, Lyon. You can call me sir."

Lyon shook Ryoma's hand with a hearty laugh. "Pleasure's all mine, 'father.'"

The room fell silent for a moment as Mei blushed.

Ryoma chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment. "A fearless man, just the type I'd hope would be by my daughter's side. Now, how about we sit down for a chat?"

Lyon shrugged casually. "Sure thing, 'father.'"

Mei's cheeks deepened in color as she stammered, "Fa-Father!"

Ryoma's laughter filled the room once more, reveling in the rare opportunity to tease his daughter, while Lyon chuckled, enjoying Mei's embarrassment.

Is this what a bond between a potential father-in-law and son-in-law looks like?

It certainly promised to be an entertaining day for the trio.

End of Chapter

---

A/N: Surprise, surprise. Lyon is entering the '"Meet the Father" episode. I had a blast writing this. Regarding the Bronya part, I thought I needed to insert some kind of trigger for her to change her mind about future events. Err, that's all for now. See you all when I see you. Bye-bye~