Honkai Transformations - 11
--+--
Hahahaha—!!
Inside, Raiden Ei was howling with laughter, so delighted she practically wanted to roll around on the floor!
Theresa's mix of bashfulness and fury was simply too entertaining for words.
"You were unconscious just now. For patients who can't swallow on their own, this prevents them from choking," Yae Sakura explained to Theresa, her gaze earnest and sincere.
Listening from the side, Raiden Ei gave a slight, supportive nod.
Theresa, meanwhile, clutched her burning cheeks, her voice growing smaller and smaller. "But, but even then... you didn't have to use your... your tongue!"
"That was to ensure the water didn't flow back out," Yae Sakura continued, her expression still perfectly serious.
Well played, Yae Sakura!
Raiden Ei was gloating internally, savoring the absolute satisfaction of the moment.
Just now... when she had followed Sakura's instructions, Theresa seemed to be dreaming of tasting dessert.
That brief moment of swirling and tangling...
Whew...
Better not dwell on that too much!
Theresa stood there dazed, her eyes turning into literal whirlpools, spinning round and round. She felt like Sakura's logic made sense, yet something felt fundamentally wrong about it!
"My first kiss... gone just like that?" she whimpered like a wounded pup. "And with..."
"First kiss?" Ei murmured the phrase, a trace of confusion in her eyes. "Are you referring to a human's first kiss? Because I am not human."
This was her first kiss, too.
Whether in her past life or this one, she never expected her first time would be given to a "legal loli" like Theresa.
"No! No, that's not what I meant!" Theresa snapped out of it, waving her hands frantically in an attempt to explain, but her voice eventually trailed off until she lowered her head in silence.
"Theresa, looking at you now, it seems you've mostly recovered."
Raiden Ei looked at Theresa and said softly, "In that case, we should head back tomorrow. You still need one more night of good rest."
Her tone carried no awkwardness regarding their current situation—only a clear, eager anticipation to return.
"Um... yeah! You're right." Theresa was still a bit flustered and annoyed, but she tried to stiffen her face, attempting to project the dignity of a School Principal.
However, she still looked incredibly adorable—especially with that blushing face and those darting, uncertain blue eyes.
She looked just like a porcelain doll.
Ei suppressed the urge to pick her up and shower her with hugs and kisses, then turned her gaze toward Yae Sakura. "So, will you be coming back with us?"
Though it was framed as a question, Ei's gaze had turned dangerously cool, as if saying there would be consequences if she refused.
"I..." Yae Sakura didn't catch Ei's drift at all; instead, a flicker of confusion crossed her eyes.
"Wait a second!" Theresa's expression suddenly turned solemn. "Just who exactly are you?"
"My name is Yae Sakura." Sakura looked at Theresa, her gaze softening as she began to quietly recount her origins.
Raiden Ei listened intently from the side.
After all, her prior knowledge of Yae Sakura came only from online wikis; hearing the story directly from the woman herself was far more satisfying.
If only we were by a fireplace with some rice wine right now, that would be perfect!
"Eh... Kallen Kaslana's... lover?"
As she listened to Sakura's words, the whirlpools returned to Theresa's eyes.
"Yes."
Yae Sakura nodded slowly, a tinge of sorrow coloring her features. She looked at Theresa and asked softly, "Kallen... where is she now? Are you her descendant?"
"No, I'm not." Theresa shook her head hurriedly, looking at Sakura with a sense of helplessness.
"Theresa?" Raiden Ei looked at the girl, her own eyes showing a hint of doubt.
Under Ei's questioning gaze, Theresa let out a soft sigh. "I'm sorry... Sakura. Kallen... she passed away five hundred years ago."
"The records say she was killed by a Honkai Beast while trying to save the people."
Is that so?
Raiden Ei tried to recall the details from the comics she had read. Kallen had indeed died that way, but hadn't Schicksal's official story been different?
She couldn't quite remember.
"I see..." Yae Sakura lowered her head, shadows veiling her eyes.
"And... I'm not her descendant, either." Theresa sighed again, looking at Raiden Ei with a complicated expression.
"Ei, I haven't told you much about myself yet. Actually... I'm a clone of Kallen Kaslana. In that regard, I'm... somewhat similar to you."
"Similar to me?"
A flash of realization crossed Ei's eyes.
"Yes," Theresa nodded.
"A clone? What is that?" Yae Sakura looked up again, her eyes filled with urgency.
She didn't understand the word, but she gathered that Theresa had some connection to Kallen.
Theresa proceeded to explain what a clone was.
As she spoke, Sakura's eyes brightened once more, though a profound sadness remained buried in their depths.
"So that's it... You are Kallen's continuation in this world," Sakura murmured. She looked at Theresa, a faint, joyful smile finally gracing her lips.
Is she looking for a replacement? Ei wondered inwardly.
However...
I remember there's a Sixth Serenade battlesuit for Kallen in Honkai Impact. Which means, if my transformations are random, I might actually turn into Kallen one day.
When that happens...
The mere thought made Ei feel a rush of excitement.
After Theresa and Yae Sakura chatted for a while longer, the sky outside began to dim.
The Valkyrie had already received Theresa's message; it would arrive tomorrow morning to bring them home.
So, tonight...
Hehehe~
The place Ei had chosen was a studio apartment. There was only one bedroom, and the living room was so cramped it could barely fit one person.
Rumble...
Just as Ei was fantasizing about how the night might unfold, Theresa's stomach let out a loud growl.
"Ugh... I'm a little hungry..." Theresa clutched her stomach, looking embarrassed.
"Hungry?" Ei's eyes lit up instantly. "In that case, let me cook."
"Huh?! No! No, that's okay... forget it! I feel like I can go a day without eating just fine!" Theresa panicked immediately, trying her best to talk Ei out of it.
"No, your body just recovered. You cannot skip meals," Raiden Ei said, shaking her head.
Hearing this, Yae Sakura spoke up softly: "Then I shall prepare dinner. Please wait about twenty minutes."
"Oh? You can cook?" Ei looked over, her expression becoming incredibly grave.
"Cooking is an extremely difficult endeavor."
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 12
--+--
"Difficult?" Yae Sakura looked confused at first, but the moment her eyes landed on the bowl of soup on the nearby table—still radiating an aura of pure disaster—understanding dawned on her immediately.
"I… have a bit of experience with cooking. Please, leave it to me."
"Alright." Raiden Ei fell silent for a moment before finally nodding. Theresa visibly relaxed in relief as well.
"Ei, you really trust her?" After Yae Sakura stepped out of the room, Theresa glanced at Raiden Ei and asked softly, confusion lingering in her voice.
"Mm."
Raiden Ei gave a small nod, meeting Theresa's gaze with complete seriousness.
"Her aura is incredibly pure. Only someone truly kind could possess something like that."
"You can sense things like that too?" Theresa blinked in surprise.
"One of my many abilities." Naturally, Raiden Ei wasn't about to admit it was because she'd read the script already.
"I'm honestly jealous of you," Theresa muttered quietly.
Raiden Ei looked back at her, a hint of confusion surfacing in her eyes.
Then Theresa suddenly remembered the candy incident.
"W-Wait!" Her tiny hands instantly clutched the blanket tighter, her face turning bright red all over again.
"About what happened earlier—you—you have to pretend it never happened! Got it?"
"What happened?" Raiden Ei fought down the amusement bubbling inside her and deliberately put on an innocent, bewildered expression.
That clueless look only made Theresa even more embarrassed. A crushing wave of guilt even started rising in her chest.
Seriously!
How could Yae Sakura teach Raiden Ei things like that?!
"I-I mean… the thing where you fed me water…" Theresa's voice became softer and softer until it was barely audible.
"Okay." Raiden Ei agreed immediately and decisively.
Theresa finally let out a relieved breath, but then Ei tilted her head in confusion again.
"Though… why?"
Theresa instantly went silent. Her face was already as red as a boiling kettle, and if someone looked closely enough, they could practically see steam rising from the top of her head.
So adorable~
Raiden Ei had to force herself not to pull Theresa into her arms right then and there and smother her with hugs and kisses. Inside, she was absolutely delighted.
"B-Because…" Theresa's voice came out soft and shaky, her eyes darting away in embarrassment.
"K-Kissing is something only couples do… and if you're not dating… a-and we're both girls…"
"Kissing?"
Understanding immediately flashed across Raiden Ei's eyes.
"I see now. You mean kissing is something reserved for couples."
"D-Don't say it out loud like that!" Theresa panicked instantly, glancing nervously toward the bedroom door like a guilty thief.
Thankfully, it didn't seem like Yae Sakura had heard them.
Only then did Theresa relax slightly before continuing in a tiny, embarrassed voice.
"A-And… only people who like each other can kiss…"
She'd wanted to take this opportunity to properly teach Raiden Ei a few things about human romance and relationships.
Unfortunately for her, Ei never gave her the chance.
"I understand now." Raiden Ei looked at Theresa with complete focus and sincerity as she spoke softly.
"I like you, Theresa."
"Huh?!"
Theresa's brain instantly short-circuited just as she was about to start lecturing her. Completely flustered, she stared at Ei with even greater embarrassment.
"I already learned that kissing is an act of deep intimacy." Raiden Ei looked thoughtful for a moment, and at the same time silently found herself the perfect scapegoat.
Himeko-sensei.
"If kissing is something only people who like each other can do… then yes, I really do like you, Theresa."
"W-Wait… I… that's not…" Theresa completely lost control of herself, her hands flailing helplessly in the air as though she no longer knew how to speak.
Her eyes had practically turned into spirals.
"What's wrong?" Raiden Ei asked again, sounding genuinely puzzled. "Theresa… does that mean you don't like me? Did I do something wrong?"
"No! That's not what I meant!" Theresa hurriedly shook her head with all her strength.
"Then why are you acting like this?"
Ei's continued questioning completely overloaded Theresa's brain until she entered full system crash mode.
Pfft—ahaha~
Did I finally break her?
Raiden Ei laughed triumphantly inside, utterly satisfied.
"Theresa? Theresa?" She reached out and gently nudged Theresa's shoulder. When there was still no response, she lifted a hand and touched Theresa's forehead.
"You're really hot… did your fever come back?"
Raiden Ei hesitated for a second before picking up the nearby glass of water and taking a sip.
"Mmph—!!"
Theresa's mind finally rebooted.
But her eyes widened instantly, especially when that all-too-familiar sensation slipped into her mouth again…
This time, she didn't push Raiden Ei away immediately.
Because reflected within those violet eyes staring back at her, she saw her own deeply flushed face and trembling blue eyes.
Gulp… gulp…
A few moments later—
Yae Sakura walked back into the room carrying three bowls of noodles.
"You really can cook. Even after five hundred years, you mastered such a difficult skill so easily." Sitting at the edge of the bed, Raiden Ei looked at the bowls on the tray with genuine amazement in her voice.
"Cooking isn't difficult, Ei." Yae Sakura spoke with complete seriousness. "It's just… possible the methods you learned before were wrong."
"I see."
Raiden Ei picked up the bowl and carefully examined the noodles inside, topped with fresh vegetables and canned luncheon meat.
Where did the vegetables come from?
Could greens still grow in a city corrupted by the Honkai?
"It smells… delicious."
After confirming nothing seemed suspicious, Raiden Ei held the bowl and turned slightly toward Theresa, who was still sitting against the bedrest.
Theresa's eyes kept darting away nervously, like someone hiding a terrible secret from the rest of the world.
Especially with Yae Sakura here.
The moment Theresa remembered everything that had just happened had technically occurred right under Yae Sakura's nose, she became so embarrassed she nearly died on the spot.
Even if… Yae Sakura was technically the one who taught Raiden Ei those things in the first place…
"Do you want me to feed you, Theresa?"
"Huh? N-No! That's okay, I can do it myself!" Theresa shook her head furiously, both embarrassed and panicked.
Theresa was definitely imagining something wildly inappropriate right now.
Seeing her reaction, Raiden Ei instantly understood.
She was definitely thinking about…
Being fed mouth-to-mouth again~
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 13
--+--
That evening.
"Well then, I'll take the couch in the living room," Yae Sakura said, her voice steady and calm as she looked at the two remaining in the room.
"Right. We'll wake you when it's time to head out tomorrow!" Theresa replied with a serious nod.
"Understood."
With a simple nod of her own, Yae Sakura turned and stepped out of the bedroom, pulling the door shut behind her with a soft click.
"In that case... goodnight, Theresa," Raiden Ei said. She sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on Theresa as she spoke in a low, gentle tone.
"Goodnight..."
Being alone in a room with Ei made it impossible for Theresa to keep her mind from drifting back to the events of the day. Her cute little face flushed a deep, radiant crimson once again.
She looked just like a ripe apple.
Ei felt a sudden, strong urge to lean in and take a little bite.
But I can't go scaring my precious Theresa, she thought.
After saying goodnight, Ei lay down on one side of the bed, pulling a corner of the quilt over herself.
Since they weren't at home and were still stuck in the middle of a Nagazora City teeming with hidden dangers and potential surprises, there was no question of undressing. They had to stay ready.
What a pity, Ei mused.
"..."
Seeing that Ei wasn't making any further moves, Theresa breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, she felt a tiny pang of disappointment.
Honestly... what is wrong with me!
Ei is just a child who was born a few days ago. Everything she did today... she did it to save me...
As for her liking me or whatever...
The more she dwelled on it, the more elusive sleep became.
"Theresa," Ei said, opening her eyes. She lay on her side, watching Theresa. "Are you like me? Do you have no need for sleep?"
"Huh? No, it's not that..." Theresa knew Ei was referring to things like clones and dolls. But a moment later, the weight of the words hit her. "Wait, Ei, did you just say... you don't sleep?"
"I don't." Ei gave a small nod and sat up, her expression turning solemn. "I am a puppet crafted by the Narukami. As the one who acts in the stead of the divine, I have no need for the slumber of mortals."
"..." Theresa's mouth hung open.
Suddenly, she felt a wave of pity for Ei.
To be a life so recently born, yet already burdened with the weight of a nation—Ei hadn't even had the chance to experience the wonders of the world as a living being yet. Theresa couldn't help but feel a spark of indignation on her behalf.
"Ei, what about last night then?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Last night, Himeko tried to teach me how to fall asleep," Ei said, her eyes casting downward with a calm gaze. "She taught me to drink. She said that once I was drunk, I would enter a state of sleep."
"What?!!"
Theresa's eyes snapped wide, her face a mask of shock and fury. "That unreliable Himeko! How could she teach you to drink! Just wait until I get back—I'm going to give her a piece of my mind!"
"No, Theresa, I understand that Himeko meant well," Ei said with a perfectly straight face, defending Himeko just enough to fan the flames of Theresa's irritation.
"Meant well..." Theresa gnashed her teeth, her temper rising.
"Sigh."
However, looking at Ei's earnest face, Theresa couldn't help but let out a long breath.
"Fine... So, Ei, did you actually sleep yesterday?"
"No. The alcohol tasted strange. After drinking quite a lot of it, Himeko fell asleep instead."
"Pfft—!"
Theresa, who had been trying to stay serious, couldn't help but let out a burst of laughter. "Himeko fell asleep?"
"Yes." Ei nodded slightly.
"Good job! Hahaha!" Theresa slapped Ei's shoulder, doubling over with laughter. The strange, heavy atmosphere from before evaporated, replaced by something much more natural.
"Come here. Let me show you how to actually fall asleep." Theresa lay back down on the bed and looked at Ei with a warm, maternal smile.
"Okay," Ei replied, nodding as she lay back down.
Before she could even process how Theresa intended to "teach" her, she felt Theresa's arms reach out, gently pulling Ei's head into a warm embrace.
Ei's face was pressed right against Theresa's soft, marshmallow-like chest, while Theresa's hand began to rhythmically stroke the back of her head.
"T-this is how you do it," Theresa stammered. She was clearly embarrassed, but she forced herself to keep going. "Just close your eyes quietly. Don't think about anything..."
"Alright."
"And don't talk anymore..."
"I understand. But Theresa, your heart seems to be beating quite fast. Do you have a fever?"
"No! I don't! Just... stop talking for a second!"
"..."
Ei fell silent and closed her eyes, listening to the frantic thrumming of Theresa's heart.
So soft...
Even in that spot, she's so soft...
Ei's warm, steady breath drifted through Theresa's clothes, making the fabric feel damp and supple against her skin. It sent a very peculiar sensation through Theresa.
"J-just like that," Theresa whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she continued to stroke Ei's hair. "Think of nothing. Let your consciousness rest, and slowly, a wonderful feeling will wash over you... that's sleepiness."
Is it really sleepiness? Ei wondered. Because it feels a lot more like a primitive, restless instinct.
Ei decided she wasn't going to move an inch. With that softness right by her lips and the unique sensation of being pressed against her... it was incredible.
Time ticked by. Eventually, under the weight of the silence, Theresa drifted off into a deep slumber.
Ei, however, remained perfectly still. She stayed that way until the first light of dawn crept into the room.
"Yawn—!" Theresa woke up with a long stretch. She startled for a second before memory came flooding back.
She was still holding Ei.
"Did she fall asleep?" Gazing at Ei's face, Theresa couldn't help but smile with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Ei looks so cute when she's sleeping...
She looked so peaceful and beautiful, her features lacking the sharp edge they usually held when she was awake.
"I didn't."
Ei opened her eyes, her calm gaze meeting Theresa's.
"Whoa!?" Theresa jumped, nearly jumping out of her skin. "You... you weren't asleep?"
"No." Ei nodded and sat up. "I... don't know how to fall asleep."
As if. There was no way she was going to sleep through being held like that. She had spent the entire night savoring every second of it.
"I see..." Theresa sighed, looking a little dejected.
Ei watched her for a moment, then leaned in without warning and pressed a soft kiss against Theresa's cheek.
"!!!" Theresa's eyes went wide. She froze, caught between shock and utter mortification.
Her face turned a brilliant shade of crimson. "Wha—what was that for?!"
"I like you, Theresa," Ei said, watching her with total sincerity.
As she watched the steam practically rise from Theresa's head in peak embarrassment, Ei felt a surge of pure, mischievous joy in her heart.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 14
--+--
"I... I like you..."
The S.S. Theresa! Sunken!!!
"Mm." Raiden Ei nodded softly, her gaze fixed intently on Theresa, whose face was flushed a brilliant shade of crimson.
Perfect.
Teasing her just a little and watching her turn beet-red was simply too much fun. It was a crying shame she couldn't just pull the girl into her arms and shower her with hugs and kisses right then and there.
Knock, knock...
A soft tapping came from the door, followed by Yae Sakura's voice from the hallway. "Ei? Theresa? Are you two awake? I thought I heard something."
"Yes."
Ei stood up, climbed out of bed, and swung the door open. Standing there, Sakura looked at her with a serious, gentle expression. "Breakfast is ready. You can head over once you've finished getting ready."
Ei looked at Sakura, a hint of confusion flickering in her eyes. She couldn't help but ask, "Why are you taking such good care of us?"
"Because..."
Sakura's gaze drifted past Ei into the room, her eyes softening with a focused tenderness.
"Theresa?" Ei followed her gaze, understanding dawning on her instantly.
"Yes." Sakura nodded earnestly. "She is Kallen's legacy in this world. In her, I can feel... Kallen's presence."
So she really is using her as a substitute, Ei thought, a teasing smirk forming in her mind. With a five-hundred-year age gap, it seemed Sakura was looking to play the role of Theresa's mother.
However, remembering the events of last night and just moments ago, Ei felt a tiny prick of guilt. She had been the one practically devouring Theresa whole...
"Is breakfast ready?" Theresa's small head popped out from behind Ei, looking at Sakura with curiosity. She was still incredibly fascinated by this woman who had been Kallen's lover five centuries ago.
"It is."
After Sakura nodded, Ei and Theresa headed to the bathroom. They used the disposable toiletries Sakura had scavenged nearby, washed up, and sat down at the table.
Before them sat three bowls of vegetable and meat congee along with a few side dishes. Though simple, the aroma was heavenly.
"Wow... this smells amazing! Thank you!" Theresa picked up her chopsticks and, after a quick word of thanks, began to eat with gusto. Ei picked up her own utensils, sharing a quiet breakfast with Sakura.
As Theresa ate, she couldn't help but brighten up, her words flowing with excitement. "I just got a ping from Command. In half an hour, the Hyperion will enter Nagazora's airspace to pick us up."
"I see," Sakura replied with a soft nod, her eyes never really leaving Theresa.
Ei surmised that Sakura would probably follow Theresa anywhere at this point.
"This mission had its bumps, but it turned out to be a walk in the park!" Theresa puffed out her chest with pride. At that moment, she looked exactly like a pint-sized version of Kiana.
"Is that so?" Ei set her chopsticks down gently, giving Theresa a look of mild exasperation.
In the original records, Theresa had been danced like a puppet on a string by the Herrscher of Poison. If Sakura hadn't put her life on the line to save her, Theresa likely would have met her end right here in Nagazora.
"Of course~" Theresa straightened her posture. While her modest curves might not have turned many heads, the reality was different for those who knew her.
Tall, mature women are great, but this... this is fine too, Ei mused to herself.
"Despite the little hiccups, everything went quite smoothly!" Theresa declared confidently to Ei before turning back to Sakura. "And besides... we found you."
Sakura set her own bowl down, her gaze warm as she looked at Theresa.
"Of course, I owe most of it to you, Ei." Theresa's proud expression softened as she turned back to Ei. Her eyes grew tender, though a hint of bashfulness lingered as a faint pink dusted her cheeks.
"If it weren't for you, facing that poison-wielding Herrscher alone... well, things might have gone sideways. I'm glad I brought you along."
"Mm." A ripple of genuine pleasure stirred in Ei's heart at the praise.
However, noting the flush on Theresa's face, Ei sensed the girl had more to say—something she was too embarrassed to utter with Sakura in the room.
How interesting... what exactly are you hiding, Theresa?
After breakfast, despite their imminent departure, Sakura insisted on scrubbing the dishes clean. Ei watched as she worked, finally seeing how Sakura had managed to cook in the first place.
She had built a makeshift hearth in the kitchen out of small stones.
Just as the stories said, Ei thought. Sakura really is a total disaster when it comes to modern appliances.
"Finally, they're here!"
The three of them stood on the balcony, looking up at the massive silhouette of the Hyperion—a ship larger than a football stadium—looming over the city.
"That is...?" Sakura's expression turned to one of pure shock. "Only five hundred years... and the world has advanced this far?"
"Indeed. Human creativity is quite breathtaking," Ei agreed, her voice tinged with genuine admiration as she watched the ship descend.
"Hey, Ei," Theresa asked, her curiosity piqued. "In your world, didn't the nations develop technology?"
"They did."
A helicopter began its descent to ferry them up. As they boarded, Ei's expression sharpened into something colder, more stern.
"But that nation was destroyed."
"Destroyed? Why?" Theresa's eyes widened in shock.
"Because they touched the forbidden. They reached for... the power of the Abyss." As Ei spoke, an icy, formidable aura radiated from her, sending a shiver down the spine.
"I see..." Theresa looked conflicted. "The power of the Abyss... couldn't they use it like we use Honkai? To fight Honkai with Honkai?"
"I do not know. But the Heavenly Principles would not allow it."
Ei shook her head. Theresa knew who she was referring to; during Ei's previous stories about Teyvat and the Seven Archons, she had mentioned the existence of the Sustainer.
The helicopter soon touched down on the deck of the Valkyrie.
Still reeling from the conversation, Sakura spoke up, her voice laced with confusion. "Another world? What do you mean by that?"
"I am not a being of this world," Ei explained softly, turning to Sakura. "I hail from the continent of Teyvat. I arrived here due to unknown circumstances."
"I'll handle the explanation..." Theresa sighed, stepping in to detail Ei's origins.
By the time the story was finished, Sakura looked stunned. "To think that other worlds truly exist..."
"Yes. And in our world, there is someone very similar to you," Ei said gently. "Her name is... Yae Miko."
"You mistook me for her before," Sakura recalled, remembering the name Ei had uttered when they first met.
"Wait? A parallel world Yae Sakura?" Theresa's eyes went wide with excitement and curiosity. "Ei! Is there someone like me on Teyvat too?"
"I am sorry, but I have not seen anyone like you. From the moment I gained consciousness, I have only known the Raiden Shogun and Yae Miko." Ei shook her head slowly.
"Fair enough." Theresa sighed, a bit disappointed.
They reached the bridge of the Valkyrie. After reclaiming command, Theresa gave the order to set course for the Far East Branch.
As the Valkyrie grew smaller in the distance, Raven, the World Serpent operative standing atop the ME Corp building, let out a long breath of relief.
"Finally gone... those people... they caused way too much of a scene."
While Ei and Theresa were in the city, Schicksal, Anti-Entropy, and World Serpent had all been watching their every move. Given the chaos, Raven had been forced to hide the children she'd rescued deep within the "Roost" currently under construction, praying they wouldn't be discovered.
"That person's power..." Raven's brow furrowed deeply as she recalled the scene from yesterday—a display of power that looked like divine retribution.
Is she a Herrscher? Or Schicksal's newest S-Rank Valkyrie?
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 15
--+--
On the journey back to the Far East Branch.
Yae Sakura stood on the deck, watching the world shrink beneath her. Her gaze was distant, lost in thought.
"Five hundred years have passed... I just hope she can adjust to the modern world," Theresa whispered from a distance, her eyes filled with worry as she watched Sakura's solitary silhouette.
"She will," Raiden Ei nodded slightly, her expression calm and sincere. "She'll adapt, just as I did."
"Eh?" Theresa looked at Ei, her face a mask of confusion.
"Because you're all here."
Ei turned her head to meet Theresa's eyes. Her sharp, regal features softened, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Wh—!"
Caught in that soft, focused gaze, Theresa froze for a heartbeat. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and she hurriedly looked down, her eyes darting around in bashful avoidance.
"Theresa, you and Mei are such kind-hearted people. Even when I first arrived in this world with a questionable identity, you welcomed me with open arms. You were patient, you accepted me, and you taught me everything about this life. So... I believe Yae Sakura will come to love you and the others, just as I have."
"I... I mean, really..."
Theresa's cheeks were burning. As she listened to Ei's heartfelt words, the only part that really stuck in her brain was the bit about "loving her."
"You can't just say things like that... it's cheating..."
"Is something wrong?" Ei tilted her head slightly, a touch of genuine confusion in her eyes. "Did I say something incorrect?"
"No, no! Not at all!" Theresa shook her head vigorously.
Then, taking a deep breath, she looked up at Ei and summoned every ounce of her courage.
"Ei, about—well, about what happened before. You absolutely cannot tell anyone else!"
"What are you referring to, specifically?" Ei asked, playing the part of the dense blockhead perfectly.
"You... honestly." Theresa looked at Ei, her face glowing red, before letting out a helpless sigh.
She looked away, her head tilted down toward the deck plates. When she spoke again, her voice was tiny, thick with embarrassment and a hint of nervous tension.
"The... the kissing thing. You can't tell a soul!"
"Very well."
Ei put on an expression that said: I don't really understand why, but since you asked, I shall comply.
"Phew..." Theresa finally let out a quiet sigh of relief.
However, as she looked at Ei's stunningly beautiful, serene face, she hesitated. Her blush deepened once more, as if a fierce struggle was raging inside her heart.
What is she thinking about now?
This little expression of hers is just too precious.
Ei was immensely amused, but she didn't push. Instead, she waited in silence.
"Um..." Theresa knew Ei could be a bit of a stone when it came to social cues, but she couldn't bring herself to say what was truly on her mind. She stammered, her face a bright peony red. "Back then... when I had that terrible cold... thank you for... taking care of me."
"There is no need for thanks. It was my duty."
Ei's serious response immediately brought a look of complicated resignation to Theresa's face. She let out a heavy sigh.
"Right... okay then..."
Just as she turned away, looking a bit dejected and ready to leave, Ei spoke softly to her back.
"However, if you feel any discomfort at all, you must tell me. Though the Herrscher's toxin has been purged, still..." Her gaze turned solemn. "It seems there are still lingering traces of it within your body."
"Huh?" Theresa blinked, stunned. Then, a radiant, joyful smile broke across her face.
Realizing she was being a bit too obvious, she quickly coughed and tried to look stern, though her blushing cheeks betrayed her. "Well, in that case... ahem! If this Principal feels unwell... you... you aren't allowed to make excuses!"
"I won't," Ei nodded earnestly, laughing inwardly.
It seems... Theresa has developed quite the addiction to those 'desserts.'
Life was certainly about to get much more interesting.
Time ticked by, and half an hour later, the Hyperion touched down on the landing pad at St. Freya Academy.
"We're back! A total victory!" Theresa stepped off the deck, hands on her hips. She looked at Mei and the others waiting at the hangar with a triumphant grin.
Kiana was the first to charge forward, circling around Ei like a hyperactive puppy.
"Ei! Are you guys okay? Why were you there for a whole day? Was the Herrscher tough?"
"We are unharmed," Ei said, shaking her head slightly as she looked at the enthusiastic girl. "There were some complications, but the Herrscher has been dealt with successfully."
"I see. As long as you're okay~" Kiana let out a long sigh of relief.
Ei's gaze shifted directly to Mei. She started walking toward her, her lips parting to utter those two specific words.
Raiden Mei immediately realized what was coming. Before Ei could get a word out, Mei cut her off: "Wait! Ei, don't forget what I told you about how to address me!"
"...Fine. Mei."
Ei nodded slightly, feeling a pang of disappointment.
Honestly, what's the harm in calling you 'Mother'?
The only reason this mission went so smoothly was because I already had a 'Mother' like you to draw all the aggro beforehand.
Whatever. I'll see if I can get a family photo with everyone in the next few days. I'll just carry it with me next time.
"You worked hard," Mei said, her eyes softening as she looked at Ei. Then, she glanced curiously at the figure behind them. "And who is this?"
"A companion we met during the mission," Ei explained softly. "Her name is Yae Sakura. She is... a Pseudo-Herrscher."
"Hello. I am Yae Sakura. I look forward to... working with you all."
Sakura stepped forward, giving Mei a polite nod.
"A Pseudo-Herrscher?"
"Yes." Seeing Mei's confused expression, Ei nodded. "That is what Theresa calls her. In Nagazora, she was the one who kept the other Herrscher in check, preventing her from absorbing all the Honkai energy. She was a great help to our operation."
At that moment, a mischievous thought crossed Ei's mind. She continued, "Furthermore, she was the one who taught me how to take care of Theresa after she was poisoned by the Herrscher..."
"Wait, wait, wait! That! Don't talk about that!!"
Theresa's face went nuclear. She waved her arms frantically, shouting in a desperate, bashful panic.
"Understood," Ei said, stopping immediately with a nod.
"Ooh? I smell a secret!!" Kiana's internal radar pinged instantly. She leaned in with a wicked grin. "Could it be... Theresa, did you...?"
"Wh-what?! It's nothing! Kiana, don't let your imagination run wild!"
Theresa's clumsy attempt to cover it up only made Ei feel more delighted.
"I get it now~" Kiana's eyes darted between the stoic Ei and the panicked, blushing Theresa.
A realization struck her, and she continued to tease, "Theresa! You totally messed up during the mission, didn't you? And you had to rely on Ei to bail you out, right?"
"Eh?" Theresa paused, blinking.
"Right, right? Heh, I knew it!" Kiana laughed, looking very proud of her detective skills.
"I... well... I suppose if you put it that way, it's true..." Theresa nodded, deciding to just roll with that explanation.
"As long as no one was hurt and you're back safe, that's all that matters," Mei said gently.
"Mm."
Ei nodded, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
For a second there, she really thought Theresa was going to spill the beans. With the way the Principal wore her heart on her sleeve, it was a miracle she could keep any secret at all.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 16
--+--
"Alright," Himeko spoke up, breaking the silence. "First, let's take Yae Sakura to the Science Department for a physical exam and get her information into the system."
"Right," Theresa nodded quickly in agreement.
But then, as if a lightbulb had suddenly gone off in her head, she turned to everyone with an excited glint in her eyes. "Oh, by the way! Did you guys know? Ei said that in her world, there's an alternate version of Yae Sakura too!"
"Whoa! Seriously?!" Kiana's eyes lit up instantly. She practically pounced to Ei's side, clinging to her arm with unbridled excitement. "So! Ei, is there another me in that other world too!?"
"I'm sorry, Kiana." Ei looked down at the girl who had so naturally wrapped herself around her arm and gave a gentle shake of her head. "Shortly after I gained consciousness, I arrived here. So far, the only people I've met in Teyvat are Narukami and Yae Miko."
Wow...
Kiana's skin felt as soft as pudding. Even though she didn't look quite as well-endowed as Mei and the others, that texture—that curve!
It felt like she was made to be held right in the palm of one's hand!
Raiden Ei's expression remained perfectly stoic, even as she felt her arm being completely enveloped.
"I see... what a bummer." Kiana let out a disappointed sigh, but she bounced back almost immediately. "Well, the 'me' in the other world better work hard too! She needs to get to the other Mei's side as soon as possible!"
"Kiana!" Raiden Mei cried out in embarrassment, a deep blush creeping up her cheeks.
"..." Ei went silent for a moment. She looked at Kiana with an expression that was halfway between exasperated and dead serious. "Kiana... Narukami no longer has a physical body. I am Narukami's vessel."
"Eh?" The realization finally hit Kiana like a freight train. When she looked at Ei again, her gaze started to shift into something... different.
Finally catching on, are we, Kiana? Ei thought to herself with a hint of inner mischief.
"So! In other words, Ei, you're basically the other world's Mei!" Kiana's voice reached a new peak of excitement, and her grip on Ei's arm tightened significantly.
"No." Ei shook her head, her expression remaining earnest. "If we're going by your logic, then Narukami is the 'real' Mei. I am merely... the shell she crafted for herself."
"Huh?"
At this point, while Ei's explanation only served to fire Kiana up even more, Mei, Theresa, Bronya, and Himeko all realized something much deeper.
"Wait a second..."
Himeko and the others suddenly looked grave.
"Ei... Mei... the connection between the two of you might be... a lot more unique than we first thought."
"What do you mean?" Ei knitted her brows, playing the part of the confused newcomer perfectly.
Internally, she knew exactly what they were thinking.
Raiden Mei was a Herrscher, and within her body resided the consciousness of the Herrscher of Thunder. At this point in time, the two of them hadn't merged into one like they would in the future.
And right now, in their eyes, Ei and Narukami were in the exact same boat.
"So that's how it is..." Kiana whispered, her eyes turning serious as she looked at Ei. "Then... Ei, between you and Narukami... who is Mei, and who is the Herr—"
"Kiana." Himeko cut her off before she could finish.
"What are you all talking about?" Ei asked, her eyes filled with feigned innocence.
"It's a long story," Theresa sighed, looking at Ei with a mix of pity and concern. She then began to explain Raiden Mei's complicated situation.
Ei listened quietly. Her brow furrowed and relaxed at all the right moments, looking for all the world like she was hanging onto every word. Once the explanation finished, she turned a sincere gaze toward Raiden Mei.
"To me, you are the only one. You, the Mei of the present, are the one I owe my soul's loyalty to."
Just wait. Once I transform into other characters from Teyvat, I'm going to break all your hearts...
Ei hadn't forgotten the lore. In the original story, even though the Raiden Shogun had a consciousness of her own, she was programmed by Raiden Ei to be a cold, mechanical shell obsessed only with Eternity.
If I show up as someone else later and tell Mei and the girls that the Shogun's will is being suppressed by Narukami—that she's lost her sense of self—I wonder what kind of delicious drama that'll stir up?
The mere thought was delightful.
"Hehe~ Whether it's Raiden Ei, Narukami, or our Mei, I love all of you the most!" Kiana declared, essentially making her "harem" proclamation right then and there.
How bold, Ei thought, feeling a genuine spark of amusement.
"If that's the case, I'll have so many Meis to—OW!!"
With a dark expression, Raiden Mei brought her hand down on Kiana's head and sighed in exasperation.
"Honestly... Ei, no matter what, to us... you're family now."
"Family... I see." Ei's gaze softened as she looked at Mei.
Since everyone was in a hurry to get to the Science Department, they all tacitly agreed to drop the subject of Ei's identity for the time being.
After Sakura's check-up was complete, St. Freya Academy had officially welcomed yet another Herrscher into its ranks. The "Demon's Den of the Far East" was certainly living up to its reputation.
By evening, the group returned to the dorms lugging bags of clothes and daily necessities they had bought for Yae Sakura. They even managed to clean and prepare a private room just for her.
"Whew~ Finally done!" Himeko couldn't wait to strip off her outer layers, leaving her in just a cold-shoulder tee. As she plopped down on the sofa, her ample chest gave a couple of heavy bounces.
Ei walked over and took a seat beside her.
Himeko habitually reached into the drawer under the coffee table and pulled out a bottle of Vodka. She gave Ei a playful, mischievous grin.
"Hey, Ei~ Feel like another round? Let's see who can hold their liquor tonight."
"Challenge accepted." Ei had no intention of backing down.
She was actually looking forward to it. If Himeko got trashed like last time, she might end up stripping down and crawling into Ei's bed again. It was quite the "fan service" perk.
However...
Just as the two of them set out the glasses and prepared to pour, a hand landed softly on each of their shoulders. An instinctive chill ran down both Ei's and Himeko's spines.
"Himeko-sensei, can I ask you something?" Raiden Mei stood behind them, wearing a smile that was as "radiant" as it was terrifying.
"W-what is it, Mei?" Himeko asked, her neck creaking like a rusty hinge as she slowly turned around.
Ei turned back as well, looking confused.
"Why is it... that yesterday morning, there were over twenty empty bottles of Vodka in your room, Himeko-sensei?"
Facing Mei's interrogation, Himeko—the adult, the teacher, and technically Mei's legal guardian—felt a sudden outbreak of goosebumps across her skin.
"L-listen! I can explain! Mei!"
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 17
--+--
Several days later…
"Good morning, Himeko."
After waking up, seeing Himeko stirring awake beside her, Raiden Ei softly greeted her.
She had already been staying at St. Freya Academy for six days.
One more day, and this current transformation period would end. She couldn't help wondering who she would become next.
Ei found herself genuinely curious.
Still, the biggest disappointment for her was that during these past few days, Theresa had never once come to her saying she felt uncomfortable somewhere or anything like that~
"Mmm… Morning, Ei~"
Like always, Himeko had fallen asleep drunk last night, then somehow crawled into Ei's bed without realizing it. Her clothes had long since come off too. Sitting up, she stretched lazily.
"You should put some clothes on, Himeko."
Walking to the window, Ei didn't open it immediately. Instead, she turned sideways and spoke softly.
"You really should fix that habit of stripping naked whenever you get drunk."
"Ah, well… I got used to sleeping alone before. Sorry about that, Ei~"
Himeko didn't care in the slightest about being completely exposed.
And Ei, calm as ever on the surface, was thoroughly enjoying the view.
Those were probably the biggest boobs in all of St. Freya Academy.
Soft, full, practically sinful.
Whew~
Absolutely incredible~
Her gaze openly rested on Himeko's chest, and naturally Himeko noticed. A teasing smile crept onto her face as she glanced over.
"What's wrong, Ei? Interested?"
Leaning back slightly, Himeko supported herself with her pale hands against the bed. Her legs folded naturally beneath her in a relaxed kneeling pose.
Her fair skin glowed creamy white beneath the morning sunlight spilling in from outside the window, enough to make anyone's imagination run wild.
What a waste not to put that body to work.
Inside her head, Ei was practically chanting sutras at full speed to maintain composure, but outwardly her expression remained perfectly calm, even slightly puzzled.
"Himeko's body… really is different from ordinary people."
"Oh?" Himeko raised a brow, amusement deepening in her eyes.
She didn't mind Ei looking at her body at all. In Himeko's eyes, Ei didn't understand these things anyway.
Besides, Ei was also a woman.
"How is it different?"
"Your muscle lines are smooth, and your explosive strength is impressive, yet you still retain feminine softness."
Ei's gaze boldly swept across Himeko's body bit by bit, from her chest down to her legs, admiration gradually appearing in her eyes.
"I think… by human standards, your body is nearly perfect."
"Hahahahaha~"
Himeko burst into laughter at the compliment.
"You've got good taste, Ei. But~"
She looked at Ei mischievously.
"Want to… study it more deeply?"
Ei met Himeko's eyes, her heartbeat skipping half a beat.
Wait.
What exactly did Himeko mean by that?
To Ei, this sounded dangerously close to an open invitation for adults-only activities.
"Study what?"
Putting on an innocent expression, she walked over to the bed.
"Study…"
Himeko lifted her hand, fingertips lightly touching Ei's collarbone before slowly sliding downward.
The motion was full of suggestive intimacy, yet Ei didn't dare move at all, simply letting Himeko do as she pleased.
Being passive wasn't bad either~
No, forget "not bad"—this was amazing!!!
Ei quietly grew more excited inside, even wondering if she should cooperate with Himeko later.
"The human body."
Himeko looked at Ei with appreciation, fingertips tracing the resilient softness of her skin.
"You said you're a puppet… so aren't you curious what a real human feels like?"
"A real human?"
Ei looked at Himeko, confusion thickening in her eyes.
"That's right."
The smile on Himeko's face deepened.
Her hand rested on Ei's chest, feeling the softness, warmth, and heartbeat beneath it.
Should I take my clothes off too?
Ei honestly didn't mind doing something enjoyable first thing in the morning.
"Here. Feel it."
Himeko took Ei's hand and generously placed it on her chest. Warm softness pressed against her palm, along with a strong, powerful heartbeat.
"Can you feel it?"
Hearing Himeko's question, Ei fell silent for a moment before boldly giving it a squeeze.
"Mnh—?"
"What am I supposed to feel?" Ei asked with genuine confusion after Himeko let out a muffled sound.
"Haaah… your focus is all wrong."
Himeko sighed helplessly, though her gaze remained gentle.
"Feel a human heartbeat."
"Ei, I don't know how you'll rule Inazuma after you return someday, but I hope… while you're here, you can try learning what it means to truly be alive."
A heartbeat didn't only exist for survival.
It could beat for other things.
Other people.
Or even… for everything you hold dear.
"..."
Ei stared at Himeko.
Bathed in the warm sunlight pouring through the window, the smile on Himeko's face looked unbelievably gentle and comforting.
For a brief instant, it felt as though someone had cast a purification spell directly on Ei's soul.
She really is desperately trying to teach me how to live as a human.
Ei's gaze trembled slightly before she nodded.
"I understand."
"Mhm~"
Seeing that flicker of emotion finally appear on Ei's face, Himeko couldn't help smiling happily. She knew Ei had truly listened.
"Himeko."
"Mm?"
"You're a good person."
Without hesitation, Raiden Ei handed Himeko a full-fledged "good person" card.
And she meant it sincerely.
Because in Ei's eyes right now, Himeko was a saint in every possible sense.
Reluctantly, she withdrew her hand.
"I understand now. I'll try to find out… what my heart is truly beating for."
"Mhm~"
Himeko nodded in satisfaction. Though when Ei's warm palm left her chest, the sudden coolness still left behind a strange tingling sensation.
"But for now, we should get up~"
Watching Himeko stretch once more, proudly displaying her gorgeous figure, Ei silently gave a thumbs-up in her heart.
And after everyone gathered together for breakfast…
At the dining table, Himeko—now dressed, though wearing only a black lace bra on top paired with shorts—let out a light sigh and looked toward Kiana.
"Kiana, your test scores this time were honestly terrible."
"Hm?"
Ei's ears perked up instantly.
"So next week, you'll be taking a makeup exam."
"A makeup exam?"
"That's right. One week from now."
Listening to Himeko and Kiana's conversation, Ei finally confirmed the current point in the timeline.
Hmm…
So this was shortly after Kiana and the others had first enrolled at St. Freya Academy—their first academic exam, not the Valkyrie rank test from the game.
"Seriously, there's got to be a limit to how dumb you can be. Totally flat-chested and brainless."
Himeko scolded Kiana with a dark expression while Mei nervously began discussing the makeup exam with her.
"Mmm…"
Thinking about something almost completely unrelated to herself, Ei fell into thought.
If she remembered correctly, this was when everyone helped tutor Kiana, accidentally accessed Schicksal's internal database, and encountered the AI version of Kallen.
Unfortunately…
It seemed like she was running out of time.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 18
--+--
After breakfast, those who had to get to school headed out, and those with classes to teach followed suit.
Soon, only Raiden Ei and Yae Sakura were left in the dorm.
"Ei, would you like some tea?"
Even when staying at home, Yae Sakura couldn't bring herself to sit idle. After meticulously cleaning the house from top to bottom, she had brewed two fresh cups of tea.
"Thank you." Ei took the cup from her and sat down on the sofa to watch TV.
A particularly melodramatic romance drama was airing. On screen, the lead actors were clutching each other in the pouring rain, wailing at the top of their lungs. The lines were so sappy they gave Ei literal goosebumps.
"Human emotions in this world... they are truly difficult to comprehend sometimes," Ei muttered with a helpless sigh.
It seemed that romance dramas in a world governed by Honkai were even more detached from reality than those in the real world.
"Is that so?" Sakura sat upright on the sofa, clutching her teacup, her gaze soft yet focused on the screen. "I actually think being able to express one's emotions so recklessly is a form of happiness."
Hearing this, Ei turned to look at her, her gaze turning complicated.
Was she serious?
Ei was about to make a quip about how the dialogue in these shows was pure fantasy, but then she caught a glimpse of the deep, inexplicable longing hidden in the depths of Sakura's teal eyes. The words died in her throat, and she fell silent.
She desperately wanted to tell her right then and there: in just two or three days, she might actually meet an AI version of Kallen in the virtual world.
"Yae Sakura."
"Yes?"
"Are you thinking about Kallen?"
The hand holding the teacup stiffened slightly. After a moment of silence, Sakura gave a faint nod, the light in her eyes dimming a fraction. "Every waking moment."
"In that case..." Ei paused to gather her thoughts, then continued with a serious tone. "I believe... one day in the future, you might actually see her again."
"What?"
Sakura turned her head in shock, her eyes widening.
"In my world, there exists something called the Irminsul. Although my understanding of it is still lacking, I know it stores the memories and knowledge of all of Teyvat. The data and souls of those who have passed seem to sleep within it."
As Sakura listened, the light in her eyes grew brighter. Her gaze toward Ei was now filled with an indescribable mix of excitement and hope.
"Therefore, I believe that in this world—which is inextricably linked to ours—something similar might exist."
Ei looked at Sakura and said softly, "So, the person you care about... in the future, there may be a chance to meet her again."
"I see." Sakura nodded, her spirit visibly lifting. "The World Tree... something like that exists in our world too?"
She whispered Ei's words back to herself, her excitement and anticipation becoming difficult to suppress.
"Yes."
Ei nodded, immediately thinking of the Stigma System. Perhaps the Stigma System was simply the way the World Tree and the Ley Lines manifested in this particular world.
"Can you tell me more about this?" Sakura asked softly, her gaze earnest.
"Of course."
Ei nodded and was just about to delve into the details of the World Tree when the dormitory door was slammed open!
"I'm back!!"
Kiana swaggered in, tossed her schoolbag onto the sofa, and plopped down right next to Ei.
"I'm exhausted! School is so draining~!"
While complaining, she grinned and immediately reached out, hugging Ei's arm tightly against her chest.
"..."
Ei looked at her, feeling her arm being pulled into a pair of soft "marshmallows." Her expression remained neutral, though her eyes betrayed a hint of confusion.
"Kiana, isn't it still class time?"
Despite the question, Ei was secretly enjoying herself. Kiana seemed to have completely cast her in the role of an "alternate world Mei," so this immediate, intimate physical contact was actually pretty great.
"Ah... that... well..." Kiana blinked, her eyes darting around shiftily. "It's, uh... it's because I did so well! Yeah! The teacher let me out early!"
"Is that so."
Ei looked at Kiana with a touch of resignation. Only Kiana could come up with such a lame excuse.
"Hehe~"
Kiana gave a guilty little laugh before noticing the teacups on the table. "Are you guys having tea? Is there more? I want a cup too!"
"Mhm."
Yae Sakura picked up the teapot and poured a cup for her. Kiana took just one sip before her cute face crinkled up. "So bitter!"
"Then... I'll go prepare some sweets." Sakura stood up quietly, choosing not to press further about the World Tree for now, and headed toward the kitchen.
"Kiana, skipping class is wrong," Ei said softly once Sakura was gone. "Besides, you have your make-up exams in a few days."
"I know... but I feel like with my skills, a little make-up exam is a piece of cake!" Kiana nodded, her face radiating absolute confidence.
Ei felt another wave of helplessness wash over her. "Kiana, sometimes overconfidence can turn into arrogance."
"I get it, I get it..." Kiana nodded, though her expression turned a bit dejected. "It's just, I really want to learn... but when the teacher starts talking, I get so sleepy... I can't process a single word."
"In that case..." Ei's eyes lowered slightly as she listened. "It's possible your method of learning is flawed. Or perhaps the teaching style at this academy isn't efficient enough."
Or, more likely, you've treated Mei as your external brain for so long that you've forgotten how to use your own.
"Exactly! I mean, I'm actually really smart!" Kiana nodded vigorously, as if she had finally found a valid excuse.
However, a moment later, Kiana's expression turned resentful and pouty. "But Himeko actually called me a 'bimbo' this morning! Where do I lack in the brains department?! And I'm definitely not lacking elsewhere!"
"..."
A spark of inspiration hit Ei. Her gaze drifted toward Kiana's chest. After a moment of silent calculation, she said seriously, "Within this dormitory, your bust size is indeed not small."
"Right? Right?!" Kiana beamed with pride, nodding emphatically. "I'm huge!"
"No. Compared to Mei or Himeko, you aren't actually that big."
"But! But at least I'm bigger than Bronya or the Class Monitor!" Kiana got defensive again, puffing out her chest in an attempt to prove her point.
But then, her eyes landed on Ei's own "assets," and her smile took on a suspiciously "Paramecium-like" quality.
"Hehe~ Besides, we won't know who's bigger unless we take a closer look!"
Good grief... I was thinking about taking advantage of you, but you're actually trying to flip the script and take advantage of me?
Ei felt a pang of amusement. Still, she figured if things kept going this way... well, it wasn't exactly a bad thing.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 19
--+--
"Mhm."
Raiden Ei nodded, her gaze carrying a hint of earnestness. "I can tell the difference without looking too closely, but if you truly wish to see for yourself, I suppose there is no harm in showing you."
"Eek!"
The moment Kiana heard those words, her face flushed a deep crimson at a speed visible to the naked eye.
She had only meant it as a joke!
While it was true she really wanted to reach out and touch, she never expected Ei to actually agree!
"Wait, wait! I—I was just talking!" Kiana, who had been acting like a bold little predator just a moment ago, suddenly became incredibly shy.
She looked exactly like her early days as the Schicksal Valkyrie—the way she'd get all flustered after you tapped her one too many times once her affection was high enough. Quiet, obedient, and utterly adorable.
Looking at her, Ei couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia.
"Just talking? And yet, the look in your eyes just now seemed quite serious. It felt as though you really wanted a closer look."
Ei spoke with a perfectly straight face, her tone laced with sincerity.
"I—I did not!" Kiana's confidence crumbled instantly. She looked like a guilty puppy, her bravado completely vanished.
She was exactly like those people in group chats who talk a big game and act like total perverts online, only to turn into shy little bunnies who can't even make eye contact when they finally meet up in real life.
"Then why is your face so red?"
That one question left Kiana utterly speechless. She could only cover her burning cheeks, inwardly cursing herself for skipping class today.
"Waaaaah! Mei, save me!"
Seeing her like this, a playful, satisfied smile tugged at the corners of Ei's lips.
Kiana and Theresa really were cut from the same cloth—the "lovable idiot" cloth.
"Mei isn't here. Right now, there is only me."
Ei watched Kiana intently. Seeing her this flustered, she knew it was time to stop teasing. She reached out and gently ruffled Kiana's hair.
Kiana looked up at Ei, lost and wide-eyed, her gaze locking with Ei's violet orbs. In that moment, Kiana realized deep down that Ei and Mei were truly different.
Even if Ei looked exactly like Mei did when the Herrscher took control of her body, they weren't the same person.
And yet...
Watching the focused, serious way Ei looked at her, Kiana felt her heart skip a beat.
"Why... why are you looking at me like that...?"
"Waiting for you to make a choice," Ei said, the corner of her mouth curling slightly.
"W-what choice...?"
Kiana's voice grew faint. She knew exactly what Ei was referring to, but she was too embarrassed to say it.
"To look, or not to look," Ei said softly. But seeing Kiana's eyes start to spin like dizzying spirals, she added gently, "However, if you cannot decide now... then it is fine to wait until later."
"..."
After hearing that, Kiana turned into the image of a bashful young bride. She sat stiffly on the sofa, obedient as could be, not daring to move a muscle.
That's more like it.
Ei felt a surge of playful satisfaction watching Kiana act so cute. Since she wasn't sure if she'd keep randomly swapping into her Raiden Shogun form, she figured she'd leave Kiana with this "unattainable goddess" memory.
Then, once she eventually transformed into a Teyvat character...
She'd hit her with a massive emotional gut punch!
It would be the perfect replacement for Himeko's "Final Lesson." It would give Kiana the resolve to grow stronger, and Ei would get to enjoy the drama of it all!
Ei decided she was a goddamn genius.
As for Kiana, Ei had full faith that she'd be able to handle the heartbreak.
"The tea and snacks are ready."
Just then, Yae Sakura walked over carrying her handmade treats, placing several plates of exquisite wagashi on the coffee table.
"Whoa! They're so pretty!" Kiana acted like she'd just found a lifesaver. She immediately shifted her focus to the sweets, reaching out to grab one.
"Wait. Wash your hands first." Ei reached out and pressed down on Kiana's hand.
The moment their skin touched, the tips of Kiana's ears turned an even deeper shade of red.
"Oh—okay, I got it!" Kiana practically sprang up from her seat and bolted toward the bathroom.
Ei watched her retreat, her smile widening.
Sakura sat down across from her, her expression turning quite serious.
"Ei."
"Yes?"
"You are... very gentle with Kiana."
That was putting it mildly. The way Ei was treating Kiana was practically straight out of a romance novel where the heroine just gives herself away.
"She is Mei's family. Naturally, she is someone I must protect."
"Is that so..." Sakura's gaze turned distant for a moment, as if she were lost in a memory.
Ei knew she was almost certainly thinking about Kallen. Given Sakura's personality, there was no need to worry about her thinking anything scandalous.
In truth...
If Kallen had ever actually tried anything with her back then, well... something interesting might have actually happened.
Pity one was an airhead and the other was a total blockhead.
"All clean!"
Kiana finished washing up in record time and came rushing back, eager for the sweets. However, just as she reached the coffee table, the dorm door swung open.
"Kiana! You brat, you skipped class again!!"
"Huh?! Hi-Himeko-sensei!"
"Let's go. You're coming back to class with me!"
"Nooooo! I—I haven't even had my dessert yet!"
Amidst Kiana's tragic wails, she was promptly grabbed by the ear and dragged out of the dorm by Himeko.
"It seems... we'll be the only ones eating," Sakura said with a helpless smile as she looked at the table.
"Indeed..."
Night fell soon enough.
Everyone gathered in Bronya's bedroom, where Bronya was currently tinkering with a Homu virtual reality headset—the kind Ei had only ever seen in manga.
"This headset will help Kiana enter a virtual space to witness historical events firsthand. Immersive learning will improve her chances of passing the makeup exam."
Bronya explained the tech with her usual serious demeanor.
"Can we use it now?" Ei asked, feeling a spark of curiosity.
If she could, she wanted to try it on immediately! Before she had crossed over into this world, she used to read old-school web novels. Back then, writers loved imagining future tech like virtual headsets that let people dive into MMOs.
The people who grew up on those stories were basically dinosaurs now—to the kids born after 2010, they probably seemed like they belonged in a museum.
"Not yet."
Bronya shook her head slightly. "It still needs a full night of calibration. It will be ready for official use tomorrow."
"Bronya, you're so amazing..." Raiden Mei sighed softly, her eyes filled with admiration and pride.
What's with that look? Ei complained silently to herself. It felt like Mei was raising Bronya as if she were her own daughter.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 20
--+--
"Is this thing really that impressive?" Kiana asked, her eyes fixed on the helmet with a flicker of genuine curiosity.
"Given the capacity of Idiot Kiana's brain, it is impossible for her to comprehend Bronya's intellect."
"Bronya, you—! Mei, look! she's talking smack about me again!"
"There, there. We'll leave everything in Bronya's hands tonight then," Mei said, her voice like a calming balm as she skillfully smoothed things over between the two.
"Understood. Bronya will not let Mei-nee-sama disappoint."
Bronya gave a small, sharp nod, but her gaze quickly shifted toward Ei, her expression turning uncharacteristically solemn.
"Sister Ei."
"Hmm? What is it, Bronya?" Ei replied, a hint of curiosity coloring her tone. She hadn't expected to be pulled into the conversation.
"If I delve deeper into the research of this helmet, perhaps we can use it to interface with your consciousness... and in doing so, catch a glimpse of the world you came from."
"Truly?"
The words struck a chord, and Ei couldn't suppress the jolt of shock that rippled through her heart.
What kind of black technology is this?
But the thought was fleeting; she quickly recalled the events of the Gratitude Arc. In that timeline, Bronya had used this very technology to dive into Theresa's Yae Sakura Stigma, helping Sakura overcome Higokumaru.
But now...
Would Higokumaru lose control again?
The thought pricked at Ei's intuition.
"Yes," Bronya nodded slightly, her voice steady and sincere. "Furthermore, it might be possible to use the principles of quantum entanglement to pinpoint the coordinates of your home world."
"Then... I'll be counting on you, Bronya."
Ei's gaze sharpened, her expression becoming one of profound gravity.
Bronya offered another curt nod in response. Nearby, Yae Sakura, who had been listening intently for some time, couldn't hold back any longer. She stepped forward, her voice trembling with a mix of hope and urgency.
"Wait... you just said it's possible to enter a world that shouldn't exist? To witness history as it once happened?"
"That is correct."
As soon as Bronya confirmed it, Sakura took a hurried step forward. "Then... could you let me use the helmet as well?"
"Sakura, do you intend to search for traces of Kallen within that virtual world?" Ei asked softly, her eyes searching Sakura's face.
She had just been wondering if Higokumaru would spiral out of control, and already, she could see the seeds being sown.
If Sakura became obsessed with a digital phantom of Kallen, or tried to drag an AI version of her into reality, her mental defenses would crumble—and that was exactly the kind of opening Higokumaru would exploit.
"Yes..." Sakura murmured, her shoulders slumping slightly as the light in her eyes dimmed. "I just want to see Kallen one more time. Even if it's only a shadow of the past."
"Bronya understands." Bronya maintained her usual stoic mask, but her tone softened ever so slightly.
"Once the equipment is calibrated tomorrow, Bronya will take you all into the virtual world. It will serve as a history lesson for Kiana... and a chance for you to see the Kallen of that world."
"Thank you..."
A look of pure joy washed over Sakura's face.
Tomorrow... Ei fell into silent contemplation. Tomorrow, her current transformation would reach its end, and she would shift into a new persona.
She wondered what would happen after she vanished. Who would she become next? And more importantly, how would the others react when they saw her disappear, only to be replaced by a complete stranger?
They were bound to realize that something was very wrong.
After everyone left Bronya's room, the dorm settled into its usual rhythm—some played games in the living room, while others headed off to wash up for bed.
Kiana, however, seemed off.
As Ei passed by the bathroom, she caught the faint sound of mumbling coming from behind the door.
"The retake... can I really pass? Ugh... Himeko said if I fail again, it'll tank my Valkyrie evaluation. Anything but that! Please!"
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Ei's lips.
This girl... acting all tough during the day like the exam was beneath her, only to hide away and shed 'little pearls' in private?
What a total dummy.
Ei reached out and gave the door a soft rap.
Knock, knock!
The frantic whispering inside cut off instantly. A moment later, Kiana's panicked voice rang out. "Who—who is it?!"
"It's me," Ei said calmly.
"Ei?" There was a few seconds of silence before the door creaked open just a crack. Half of Kiana's face peeked out, her deep blue eyes wide with a mix of fluster and embarrassment.
"O-oh! I'm almost done! You... you didn't hear anything just now, did you? Hehe..."
Ei looked at the girl—her damp hair draped messily over her shoulders—and her gaze softened.
"I heard everything."
"Uwaah..." Kiana slumped, her face falling as her spirit seemed to deflate. "Then... Ei, can you please not tell the others? I just..."
Seeing the girl so dejected, Ei reached out and gently pushed the door open. Kiana instinctively took a step back, clearing the way.
Ei stepped into the bathroom and pulled the door shut behind her. The space was small and thick with steam; the floor was slick with water, and a fine mist clung to the mirror and the tiled walls.
Kiana stood there, completely bare, her porcelain skin glistening under the warm light.
"You... you...!"
Before Kiana's face could turn any redder or she could let out a frantic shout, Ei looked her in the eye with a gaze so gentle and serious it stopped her cold.
"Kiana, are you afraid of the exam?"
"I..."
The directness of the question derailed Kiana's panic, leaving her blinking in confusion.
"I'm not..."
"Then why hide in here talking to yourself?"
"I..." Kiana's mouth hung open for a second before the flush on her cheeks faded into a look of genuine worry. She seemed to forget her own nudity, consumed entirely by her anxiety for the future.
"Are you worried that you won't be able to stay by Mei's side? That if you can't become a Valkyrie, you'll let everyone down?"
"..."
Kiana went quiet for a long moment. Finally, she gave a slow, dejected nod. "Mei has spent so much time tutoring me... Bronya is always helping... even Himeko, she yells a lot, but she really looks out for me..."
"So... I'm just scared... what if I still don't make it?"
--+--