Chapter 233: The Most Gullible Battle Angel

Mika knew Fauna was different.

Different from Yelena, different from Nadia, and different from any of the others who had shaped his life.

Like when he did something reckless, Yelena would always demand an explanation.

No matter what the situation was, she’d fix him with those sharp, commanding eyes of hers and expect him to tell her why—why he acted that way, what drove him, what he thought he could achieve.

She’d still forgive him in the end, she always did—but only after she’d heard his reasoning. It was her way of grounding him, of making him think before he leapt.

Nadia, however, was a complete contrast.

She would never question him outright. She wouldn’t even raise an eyebrow or give the smallest hint of judgment.

She simply trusted him.

But Mika always knew that somewhere deep down, she expected him to come to her eventually—to explain himself, to share what had happened, to show that he respected the quiet bond between them.

It wasn’t verbal, it was just there, a silent understanding that spoke volumes without a single word.

Fauna though...Fauna was an entirely different story.

Fauna, unlike the others, didn’t even ask him a single question. She didn’t demand an explanation, didn’t search for logic or reason.

She simply accepted him, wholly, unconditionally, and without hesitation. To her, there was nothing Mika could ever do that could possibly be wrong.

Every word he said was law, every action he took was justified in her eyes. No matter what he did, she always believed there had to be a good reason behind it, because that was just who Mika was to her...her beloved boy who she believed she raised right to be a good boy who would never disappoint her.

And because of that, she spoiled him endlessly. She defended him even when he was clearly at fault, she forgave him before he ever asked, and she believed him no matter how impossible his explanations sounded.

To Fauna, Mika was the embodiment of innocence itself, the kind of person who could never truly hurt anyone.

Her love was absolute, blind in its purity.

But that same innocence was what made her the easiest of all the Battle Angels to manipulate.

Unlike Yelena, who would see through deception if he made a mistake, or Nadia, who would stay silent but sharp—Fauna’s heart was open, unguarded, trusting, and far too kind.

She was, without question, the most gullible of the three. And that very purity, that unwavering belief in Mika’s goodness, made her the most fragile target.

Still, that didn’t mean taking her down would be easy.

In fact, it was far trickier than dealing with Yelena.

Because while Yelena could be reasoned with through pride and logic, Fauna’s world revolved entirely around emotion.

To truly conquer her, Mika would have to handle her heart delicately, softly enough not to break it, but firmly enough to ensure it belonged to him completely.

And yet, as he stood there with her arms wrapped around him, all Mika could think of at that moment was how guilty he felt.

He knew she’d waited for him. He knew how deeply she missed him. And for all his cold thoughts, he also knew he owed her something genuine, an apology, even she had already forgiven him.

So, as she clung to him tightly, Mika gently pulled back, his hands resting on her shoulders. Fauna blinked up at him, confused by the sudden seriousness in his expression.

"I already know I don’t have to do this." He said quietly. "You’ve already forgiven me...I can see it in your eyes. You’ve probably even forgotten what I did. But still..." He took a breath, his gaze softening. "I need to say it anyway. I need to be held accountable for the things I’ve done."

He smiled faintly before saying,

"I’m sorry, Fauna."

Her eyes widened as he continued.

"I’m sorry for leaving you alone. For disappearing without saying anything. For making you worry, for making you feel like I didn’t care." His voice was low but sincere. "I didn’t mean to hurt you. I didn’t mean to make you feel abandoned. I was...just going through some things. I wasn’t in the right place, and I took that out by distancing myself. That’s not an excuse, I know. But it’s the truth."

He looked at her gently, his expression unguarded.

"I also promise I won’t do that again. Not to you. You didn’t deserve that...And I really am sorry that everything happened the way it did."

Fauna’s lip trembled. Her eyes glistened again, though this time not from joy but from the ache of hearing him speak so honestly.

She didn’t want to hear him apologize.

She didn’t want to see that soft sadness on his face.

In her mind, he had done nothing wrong. The thought of him feeling guilty, of blaming himself, hurt her more than anything else.

"Mika..." She whispered, shaking her head quickly. "Please don’t say that. You don’t have to apologize. I was never—"

But before she could finish, Mika’s voice cut in.

"I know what you’re thinking, Fauna."

Her eyes widened in surprise, while he smiled faintly, his tone quiet but teasing.

"You don’t want me to apologize, right? You’re thinking I’ve already been forgiven, that it’s pointless to bring it up again. You don’t like seeing me sad. You’d rather see me smiling, isn’t that right?"

Fauna froze, her face turning a soft shade of pink as she stared up at him. He was right, completely right, and the realization only made her heart flutter harder.

"H-How do you always know exactly what I’m thinking...?" She murmured helplessly.

"Because I know you too well. You’ve always been easy to read, Fauna."

Her pout deepened, but he could see the corners of her lips trembling with a shy smile.

"That’s why." He continued with a light grin. "I’m not going to drag this on any longer. I’ve said what I needed to say, and instead of making you sad with apologies..." He leaned closer, his breath brushing against her ear. "...I’ll give you something else instead."

"Something else?" Fauna blinked, tilting her head in confusion.

Mika’s smile deepened, the faintest glimmer of mischief flickering in his eyes. "Think of it as...compensation. For all the time I left you alone."

The moment the word "compensation" left Mika’s lips, Fauna’s entire demeanor changed.

Her eyes lit up instantly, and before he could blink, she bounced against him like an excited child.

"Compensation?!" She gasped, her voice already full of hope. "Wait—wait, what kind of compensation? Don’t tell me—" She gasped dramatically, her hands pressed together. "—you actually made some fresh cookies! You did, didn’t you?! The white chocolate ones! You know how much I love those white chocolate cookies you make!"

She grinned, leaning forward, eyes shining.

"Or—or maybe! Maybe you made a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs! Ohhh, with that special cheese you make yourself! You know how much I love that one too!"

Mika blinked, caught completely off guard by the rapid-fire enthusiasm.

"Fauna—" He began.

"Or maybe—!" She went on without missing a beat, her words spilling out faster with every guess. "You made something new this time! Something with caramel! Or maybe you finally perfected that honey-glazed bread! Oh, Mika, please tell me—"

"Hold up, hold up." Mika interrupted, laughing and raising a hand. "It’s not something you can eat."

Fauna froze mid-sentence, then pouted so dramatically that even the air seemed to pause.

"Oh, come on, Mika!" She whined, puffing out her cheeks. "You’re the best chef in the entire family! It’s been so long since I ate something you cooked, I’m absolutely dying to taste it again!"

Mika chuckled, amused by how genuine her disappointment was. "Don’t let Yelena hear you say that or she’ll chase you around this entire hospital for calling me the best chef."

"Let her!" Fauna said defiantly, crossing her arms but failing to hide her grin. "She can’t stop the truth!"

"Well, this one’s better than food. Trust me." Mika shook his head, still smiling.

Before she could question him again, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. The screen lit up with a soft glow as he swiped through it, then turned it toward her.

"Here." He said.

Fauna blinked, curious, until her eyes landed on the display.

Then, in an instant, her entire face melted into pure delight.

Her hands flew to her mouth as she squealed. "Ohhh, they’re so cute! They’re so absolutely adorable!"

She snatched the phone right out of his hand, hugging it to her chest like treasure before tilting it back toward her.

"Look at them! Mika, look at this one! Oh my goodness, that little tail! And, oh, oh, this one with the round ears! I can’t take it!"

Mika laughed quietly as she scrolled rapidly through the gallery.

On the screen were hundreds of photos, tiny kittens curled up in flowerpots, chubby puppies tumbling over each other, fluffy sheep napping in the sunlight, and even small, harmless demonic beasts with gleaming eyes and silly smiles.

Each picture had been carefully captured, framed in perfect lighting, full of warmth.

Fauna was completely entranced.

"Look at this one! Awww, this little baby mouse! Mika, look, it’s holding a seed in its tiny hands!" She squealed, her voice cracking from excitement. "It’s so fluffy and small, I want to take it home!"

"And his one’s sticking its tongue out! Hahaha, oh my goodness, look at its eyes! They’re sparkling!"

"Oh my goodness, this one’s sneezing, Mika, it’s sneezing! How adorable!"

Meanwhile, Mika smiled at her reactions and finally said.

"Whenever I was out, whether in this world or the other one, I’d often see small, cute little animals like these. Every time I saw one, I thought of you."

"Of me?" She said distractedly, still swiping through the photos.

"Yeah." Mika said. "Not only because you look like a cute little hamster when you get flustered—"

"Hey!" She pouted, not even glancing up from the screen.

"...but also because I know how much you love animals." He continued, smiling fondly. "You always have. Even back then, remember?"

"Every time I found an animal hidden somewhere odd, you’d get so excited. You’d message me back with little heart emojis and tell me to find more."

"I did!" She chirped. "And you always found them! You were so good at it."

He smiled, brushing his thumb lightly along her shoulder.

"That’s why I kept taking them. Every time I saw a new one, I thought...’Fauna would love this.’ I thought that when I met you again, I’d show them to you. Consider it...my way of making up for lost time or do you want me to do anything else, since I’m ready for anything you ask for"

Her heart softened instantly, her expression melting into something tender.

"Mika..." She whispered, clutching the phone close to her chest. "This...this is more than enough. You don’t have to do anything else. You don’t understand how much this means to me."

Her smile turned shy, her eyes glistening again.

"I wasn’t having the best week, you know. There’s been trouble with other hospital corporations trying to undermine us again. I’ve barely slept, and it’s been exhausting. But then..." She took a shaky breath, her lips trembling between a smile and tears. "But then you came here. And now I’ve seen all these adorable little babies. And now...I feel so much better. This is more than enough for me."

Mika smiled gently, but Fauna wasn’t done.

She turned the phone back toward him, grinning through the tears.

"But you have to tell me more! Where did you find them? Did you name any of them? Oh, please tell me you named them, Mika! You always give them the cutest names!"

Mika laughed under his breath. "Alright, alright. I’ll grab another chair, and we’ll sit side by side. I’ll tell you where I found each one, and—"

"Wait." Fauna interrupted, frowning suddenly. "Another chair? What do you mean another chair?"

He blinked. "You know...so we can both sit comfortably?"

"No way." She pouted dramatically, crossing her arms. "We don’t need another chair. There’s already a perfect one right there and you can sit on that—while I sit on top on your lap."

He stared at her blankly.

"Fauna, you’re the director of this entire hospital."

"So?"

"So." He said dryly. "Every single patient and doctor here worships you like a saint. If anyone walked in right now and saw the same woman who’s saved millions of lives sitting on my lap, scrolling through animal photos, they’d probably have a collective breakdown."

"Mika!" She gasped dramatically. "Are you saying I can’t sit on your lap?"

"I’m saying it’s not very saintly." He said with a sigh.

"No, Mika. I want to sit on your lap. That’s final!" Fauna folded her arms, glaring up at him. "I don’t care what anyone says!"

Her lips quivered in anger, cheeks puffed adorably.

"If you don’t let me, I’ll get really mad! And you know you can’t handle it when I’m mad!"

He exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose with a small, defeated laugh.

"Fine, fine." He said finally, resigned. "You win, Fauna."

Immediately, her pout vanished, replaced by a radiant grin.

"Yay!" She cheered, clapping her hands. "Now come on, let’s go quickly! I want to see the rest of the photos!"

Shaking his head in disbelief, Mika went behind the office table and sat down on the cushioned chair. Fauna wasted no time, she turned around and carefully perched herself on his lap, leaning back until her body rested snugly against his chest.

"There..." She said with a content little hum. "Perfect seat."

Mika wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her, shaking his head with an amused sigh.

"If only the patients outside could see what their revered doctor is doing."

"Shh." She said without looking up. "Less talking, more explaining...Now tell me." She said eagerly, scrolling to the next picture. "This little one, where did you find it?"

"That one?" Mika leaned forward slightly, his chin brushing her shoulder. "Found her near the old village ruins outside the forest of the southern realm. She was alone, but fearless. I named her Liri."

"Aww, Liri! That’s adorable!" Fauna cooed. "She looks so tiny!"

She swiped again. "And this one? Oh my gosh, look at that face!"

"That’s a leolet cub." Mika said, smiling. "That one used to follow me everywhere for a week. Tried to steal my boots once."

"I love it!" Fauna burst out laughing, clutching the phone close. "You actually had a little demon-cat stalker!"

"Apparently."

They went on like that, photo after photo, story after story.

And if anyone had seen them then, the world-renowned battle angel, perched on Mika’s lap, giggling like a child while they scrolled through pictures of cats and foxes, they’d probably faint on the spot.

But to Mika and Fauna, right then, none of that mattered.

For that brief moment, there was no weight of the world, no titles, no responsibilities—only the two of them, laughter, warmth, and the simple joy of sharing something beautiful.