Honkai Transformations - 31
--+--
"Of course!" Theresa nodded earnestly, her expression betraying a hint of restless excitement.
"Come on, the Principal herself is going to give you the grand tour of St. Freya Academy!"
"Sounds great. Let's get going then!"
Seele was already buzzing with anticipation.
"Let's move!" Theresa turned on her heel with a puff of her chest, leading Seele outside with a swaggering, high-spirited stride. She looked for all the world like a little neighborhood ringleader.
To be fair, that was exactly what Theresa was.
As they stepped out, Seele's eyes remained glued to the greenery lining the path. Her intense focus caught Theresa's attention, sparking a bit of curiosity.
"Those are cherry blossoms," Theresa explained gently, noticing Seele's wonder. "Though it's not the season right now, so they're just covered in green leaves."
"When spring rolls around, though, the blooms are absolutely breathtaking!"
"I see," Seele murmured softly.
Theresa glanced at her. "Seele, did you have cherry blossoms back in your world?"
Seele paused for a moment as if digging through her memories, then shook her head.
"There aren't any cherry blossoms underground. Down there, it's just ore, jagged rocks, and... monsters. Some looked like people, others were just twisted things."
She let out a soft, wistful sigh. "To be honest, I've never seen this much green in my entire life."
As she spoke, she drifted toward a cluster of small pink flowers blooming by the roadside. She crouched down, reaching out a trembling hand to brush against the petals with the utmost care.
She treated them as if they were the most fragile treasures in existence.
"So soft..."
Watching her from the side, Theresa felt a sudden, sharp pang in her heart. This poor girl... raised in the dark, never having seen a flower, a blade of grass, or even the true sky.
"Seele."
She couldn't help but call out to her.
"Yes?"
"If you like them, you can look and touch as much as you want," Theresa said, her voice full of resolve. "These were all planted by the Academy. You can stay here as long as you like!"
"Thank you."
Seele looked up, the corners of her mouth curling into a faint, genuine smile. She couldn't wait to use this body to fully take in the scent of these flowers.
"Mm-hmm!" Theresa smiled back happily, but the moment was shattered by the sudden, frantic blaring of her phone.
"What?! An abnormal Honkai energy surge in Nagazora? Another Herrscher is manifesting?!!"
"Wait, what?"
Seele's expression clouded with confusion as she overheard.
That can't be right... she thought. This isn't how the story goes.
"Theresa, do you need my help?" Seele stood up, her gaze sharpening instantly.
"No, no!" Theresa waved her off, though her face was grim. "Seele, stay here for now. You can head back to the dorms if you like!"
"There's a fountain square just ahead, it's quite beautiful! If you want to check it out... I'll have Mei come find you in a bit to show you around."
Without waiting for a reply, she hurriedly dialed another number.
"Himeko! New Honkai signatures in Nagazora. The Hyperion is fully repaired—get ready to deploy!"
As she spoke, she spun around and sprinted off in the opposite direction, her small silhouette quickly vanishing at the end of the road.
Seele stood rooted to the spot, watching her go, her brow furrowed. Something felt off. Deeply off.
I have to follow her to Nagazora. It can't be that Natasha got caught up in the Honkai energy and turned into a Herrscher, right?
Lost in thought, Seele prepared to give chase. But just as she was about to bolt, a sudden chill crept down her spine, and her feet ground to a halt.
"Seele..."
A voice rang out—shrill, mocking, and laced with a jagged edge of malice.
Seele shifted her weight, casting a cold, sideways glance toward the shadows of the nearby trees.
Emerging from the shade was a girl dressed in the ornate, frilly style of a Victorian doll. She had short purple hair and a piercing gaze, but her entire aura screamed instability.
"It really is you." Sin Mal stared at Seele, her voice a cocktail of twisted joy and simmering resentment.
"And here I thought the intel those guys gave me was a load of junk!"
Seele frowned, her mind racing as she looked at Sin. What is she doing here? Has the Anti-Entropy invasion arc started already? No, the timeline is all wrong.
"Who are you?" Seele asked, her voice flat.
Sin froze for a heartbeat before bursting into a sharp, grating laugh. It was the kind of ear-piercing sound that was annoying yet strangely rhythmic—the girl had the lungs of a professional hype-man.
"Who am I? Ha! You're actually asking who I am?"
Sin took a few steps forward, glaring up at Seele. When she realized Seele was nearly half a head taller than her, her eyes flared with even more spite.
"I'm Sin Mal! Don't you dare tell me you've actually forgotten!"
Seele's frown deepened as she tried to puzzle out why Sin had infiltrated St. Freya.
"I don't know you. You've got the wrong person."
"The wrong person?" Sin's eyes turned predatory, as if she wanted to tear Seele apart.
"Do you think I'm blind? I'd know that face of yours even if it was burned to ash!"
She jabbed a finger at Seele. "Seele Vollerei! You're that pathetic little coward who was always hiding behind Bronya's back!"
However, as she spoke, Sin seemed to trip over a bad memory. She shot a wary, flickering glance at Seele's eyes before regaining her bravado and shouting again:
"Back at the orphanage! You were always cowering. You managed to be brave exactly once during the experiments, and look where that got you—tumbled right into the Sea of Quanta. And now you're back? And you ran off to this dump with Bronya?!"
A cruel smirk spread across Sin's face. "But now that you're here, Bronya must be thrilled, right? Heh. You two were always joined at the hip."
Listening to the rant, the pieces began to click into place for Seele.
Cocolia must have found some way to confirm she was at St. Freya. She had likely staged a distraction in Nagazora to lure Theresa and the others away, leaving Sin to swoop in and kidnap her.
Still, she had to play dumb for now.
Looking at Sin's malice-filled face, Seele felt a sudden spark of playfulness.
What if I just... kept her here?
The Selene incident was still a year or two away. Keeping Sin around as a "guest" sounded like it could be a lot of fun.
Cocolia would absolutely lose her mind.
"Like I said, you have the wrong person," Seele said coldly. "I'm not the Seele you're looking for."
"Ha! Keep acting!" Sin sneered, not believing a word of it. "You think putting on a cold attitude is going to fool me?!"
She lunged forward, reaching out to grab Seele. "You're coming with me. Mommy Cocolia wants to see you! Hmph… Once I've hauled you back, that brat Bronya will come crawling back all on her own."
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 32
--+--
"I told you, you've got the wrong person."
Before Sin could grab her, Seele had already drawn her scythe with a chilling finality.
Sin stared at the blade in a daze for a moment before a sharp, jagged laugh escaped her. "Interesting... You actually have the nerve to flash a weapon at me now?"
Finishing her sentence, Sin stole a cautious glance at Seele's eyes. Once she confirmed they hadn't turned red, her arrogance came rushing back in full force.
"But I like it! This version of you is way easier on the eyes than the one who used to hide behind Bronya's back like a scared little mouse!"
Seele watched Sin, catching the way the girl had nervously scanned her eyes just a second ago. She couldn't help but feel a flicker of amusement.
Just you wait. I'm going to give you the fright of your life in a minute!
"Move." The cold light of the scythe gleamed in Seele's hands. "I'm going home. If you keep blocking my path and talking nonsense, I won't be so polite."
"Going where?"
Sin's tone lost some of its mockery, replaced by a rare streak of seriousness. "Come with me. Cocolia wants to see you. Anti-Entropy is leagues better than this tiny little St. Freya High. Besides—"
Sin's lips curled into a wicked smirk. "I just heard that shorty on the phone. She's calling Raiden Mei to come look after you. Judging by the time, she should be arriving any second, right?"
She's still gunning for Mei?
Interesting.
Seele decided that after she dealt with Sin, she was going to give her a lesson she'd never forget.
Now, how should she go about it...
"Later, you're going to help me ambush that Raiden Mei. We'll take her back with us, and then!" Sin's eyes flashed with a dangerous, manic excitement. "Once we're back, Mother Cocolia will definitely praise us!"
"Sin Mal, was it?"
Seele slowly lifted her scythe. "You said before that Seele only ever dared to hide behind Bronya?"
"Yeah, so what—" Sin's mouth twitched into a haughty, arrogant smirk, looking every bit the smug villain.
As long as Seele's eyes weren't red, she felt absolutely invincible.
"Then I'll show you right now," Seele's gaze sharpened instantly. "Exactly what the current Seele looks like!"
Before the words had even finished hanging in the air, Seele vanished from the spot.
Sin's pupils snapped shut.
She realized with a jolt of horror that her eyes couldn't even keep up with Seele's movement!
Sin lunged backward in a frantic attempt to retreat, but Seele's azure silhouette was like a ghost, appearing instantly at her side. The blunt end of the scythe's handle slammed heavily into the back of Sin's knee.
Sin's legs buckled, and she went flying forward.
She's this weak?
Seele was actually a bit surprised.
In the records, Sin had once taken down an entire three-person Valkyrie squad by herself. That squad was supposedly led by an A-rank Valkyrie, yet they had been wiped out effortlessly.
But looking at it now...
Seele's own strength must have far surpassed an A-rank; perhaps she was already at the level of an S-rank Valkyrie.
The thought flickered through Seele's mind for only a heartbeat.
Before Sin could hit the dirt, Seele's hand had already caught the back of the girl's collar, hoisting her up into the air.
"What?!"
Sin struggled wildly, trying to strike back, but she couldn't break Seele's grip no matter what she did. She looked exactly like a kitten caught by the scruff of its neck, limbs flailing helplessly!
A kitten with heterochromatic eyes, no less.
"Let me go! You dirty cheater!!"
Hearing Sin's screeching insults, Seele's eyebrow arched. She simply carried her over to a nearby roadside bench, sat down, and flipped Sin over her lap, face down and backside up.
"What do you think you're doing!"
"With this little talent, you actually thought you could ambush Mei? You thought you were taking me anywhere?" At this moment, Seele felt immensely satisfied.
"Bullshit!" Sin's face turned a violent shade of crimson. She continued to struggle, shouting in a mix of fury and deep humiliation, "I just let my guard down! If you've got the guts, fight me fair and square!"
"Fair and square?"
Seele laughed. It was a pleasant, playful sound—the laugh of a cat that had finally caught the mouse.
She casually let go. Sin immediately scrambled away and spun around to counterattack.
But in the blink of an eye, Sin was hoisted by the scruff of her neck again. The longsword she held—which looked suspiciously like her signature weapon from the old school days—clattered to the ground.
Once more, she was hauled back to the bench and pinned across Seele's lap.
"I... I wasn't ready! I totally let my guard down that time!!"
Sin kept shouting, her voice a cocktail of rage and a growing seed of self-doubt.
"Is that so? Again, then?"
Seele let go once more. This time Sin scrambled away but had learned her lesson; she didn't rush in blindly. Instead, she watched Seele's movements with wary, guarded eyes.
A moment later, she snatched her sword off the ground and lunged forward again.
Three seconds later.
Seele had her pinned back across her lap, her hands pulled behind her back in a firm lock.
"Had enough?"
"Never!!!"
Hearing Sin's roar—a sound so thick with humiliation she seemed on the verge of losing her mind and entering a berserker rage—Seele decided it was time to start the main event.
She held Sin's bound hands with one hand and raised the other high.
And then—
Smack!
A crisp, sharp sound echoed in the air.
Sin's frantic struggling froze instantly.
Oh~ That felt pretty solid.
Seele's eyebrows shot up. When her palm had landed, there was actually a bit of a bounce!
"You... you hit me?! You actually slapped my butt?!"
Hearing Sin's voice crack with pure disbelief, Seele didn't hesitate. Another slap landed.
"I'll kill you! Ah!!!"
Smack!
"You—!"
Smack!
Every hit gave feedback. Every time Seele's palm connected, Sin's entire body gave a little involuntary shudder.
"You! You jerk!!" Sin's voice was now laced with a tearful, frustrated whine.
But the moment the words left her mouth, Seele's palm came down again.
"Let me go!!"
"No."
Smack!
As the rhythmic slapping continued, Sin seemed to realize how pathetic she sounded. She gritted her teeth and stopped making noise.
However, after another particularly firm strike, she finally couldn't hold it back anymore and let out a sharp cry.
"Ugh—! Stop it!"
"Had enough yet?"
"No!!"
Smack!
This time, Sin couldn't help but let out a strange, muffled whimper. Seele tilted her head, noticing Sin's trembling shoulders and earlobes that were so red they looked like they might bleed. She gave one more experimental slap.
Smack!
"Ah!"
Wait a second...
Seele sensed something was a little off.
Did I accidentally... let my fingers curl a bit when I swung that last one?
Seele felt like her brain was starting to overheat.
She tentatively raised her hand again and let it fall with a heavy thud.
"Mmm!" Sin's body jolted against her legs.
That sound was actually kind of cute... Maybe I should try a few more "curled" ones?
Looking down at the now-quiet Sin, a bold, dangerous thought took root in Seele's mind.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 33
--+--
"Had enough yet?"
Seele's voice had gone a little hoarse.
"…I-I give. I give…"
Smack!
"Ah—! Y-you're still hitting me…!"
The indignation was still there, but the rebellious edge in her voice had already crumbled away.
"Because it feels like you're still not convinced."
Seele lowered her hand, the suspicion in her heart now fully confirmed.
Sin really did seem to have a bit of an M streak.
Usually she strutted around all arrogant and untamed, chin in the air like she owned the world—but underneath it all, wasn't she basically just a bratty little gremlin girl?
Seele raised her hand again, but this time, instead of striking, she let it fall gently.
A touch, not a slap.
The moment her palm pressed against that soft warmth, Sin's whole body locked up.
Whoa~
Even through the thin fabric, the sensation was warm and soft enough that Seele unconsciously curled her fingers slightly.
"W-What are you doing?!"
Sin immediately started struggling again, but with Seele pinning her by the waist, she couldn't move at all. She could only twist around and glare at Seele with those mismatched eyes, shame and fury burning in them.
There was embarrassment, irritation, confusion… and a faint watery sheen.
Looks like all that nonstop spanking earlier had triggered a rather unusual reaction after all~
"What?" Seele met her furious gaze head-on, lifting her hand again before bringing it down once more.
Smack!
The crisp sound echoed out, and Sin's body trembled again.
"Still not behaving?"
"You… pervert… y-you…"
Mmph!
Seele kneaded lightly again, and Sin's back suddenly arched before she collapsed face-down once more, a tempting blush spreading all the way up her neck.
Looking at her like this, Seele became even more certain of her theory, a quiet sense of satisfaction blooming inside her.
She gently patted Sin's back.
"Sin."
"…What?!"
Her voice came out muffled, stubborn and aggrieved… but somehow carrying a trace of anticipation too.
Seele raised a brow, suppressing the urge to keep going.
"Get up. I'm done hitting you."
Sin froze for a second before slowly lifting her head.
There were tear tracks on her face, her eyes red and damp—just like Bronya had looked before. But Seele wasn't about to go soft over a face like that.
"Y-You're really not gonna hit me anymore?"
"Mhm."
Seele nodded and finally released the grip restraining her arms.
Only then did Sin slowly climb off her lap and stand up. But every tiny movement made her suck in a sharp breath, one hand instinctively reaching behind herself.
Then she suddenly realized how embarrassing that looked and hurriedly dropped her hand again, glaring at Seele with humiliation and resentment.
"So? Still planning to drag me and Raiden Mei back with you?" Seele asked with an amused smile.
Sin immediately ground her teeth in frustration again. But Seele merely lifted a brow, mischief flickering in her eyes.
"If you keep refusing to behave, I might have to start up again."
"!"
Sin instantly stumbled backward, only to grimace from the pain in her backside.
"You freak!"
"A freak?"
Seele looked at her teasingly, lips curling upward.
"Really? Because from what I remember, someone was making some very strange noises while getting spanked~"
"Y-You! I-I… that was…"
Sin instantly started stammering, her face flushing bright red as she desperately tried to defend herself, only to fail completely.
"My, my. Didn't you say you know Bronya?"
Seeing her panic, Seele cheerfully decided to strike first.
Now then…what kind of interesting reaction would Bronya have if I told her about this~?
"No!!"
Sin practically shouted it on reflex, eyes widening in panic.
Wow.
Being the "other girl" really does feel amazing~~
"Y-You… I…"
Sin's face grew redder and redder. Her trembling finger pointed accusingly at Seele, but no words came out.
And then—
A confused voice suddenly called out nearby.
"Seele, the principal asked me to find you. And… who's this?"
"Oh, Mei, you're here."
Still lounging casually with one leg crossed over the other, Seele turned toward the approaching Mei with a smile.
"This is my prisoner. Apparently she's from Anti-Entropy or something, and she knows Bronya too."
"No need to worry. She's not a threat anymore."
"Who says I'm not a threat?!"
The moment Sin saw Raiden Mei, her face instantly twisted with anger again.
"Seele! I'm telling you—this isn't over!!"
"Oh? Want another spanking?" Seele asked with a playful smile, that dangerous glint returning to her eyes.
Sin's face instantly flushed again, but this time she didn't dare say another word. She could only glare at Seele in burning humiliation and frustration, as if she wanted to beat her to death with her eyes alone.
Seele finally stopped teasing her and turned to Mei instead.
"Anyway, Mei, go let Theresa and the others know."
"Okay."
Mei nodded and immediately pulled out her phone.
The instant Sin saw that, she spun around and tried to flee without hesitation, but the moment she turned—that azure blur appeared in front of her again.
"Where do you think you're going?" Seele asked with a teasing grin.
"Uwaaah—!"
At last, Sin completely broke.
Her eyes reddened, and she burst into tears before throwing herself at Seele.
"Huh?"
Seele blinked in surprise, though she didn't knock her down this time. She simply stood there while Sin buried herself against her chest, crying as she kicked and flailed at her.
"Waaah! You bully! I'm telling Mama Cocolia about this!!"
"Oh dear…"
Watching the humiliated and tearful Sin sobbing against her, Seele raised a brow.
"Looks like I really did overdo it."
"Uh…"
Standing off to the side, Raiden Mei looked utterly lost.
"Alright, alright~"
Seele lifted a hand and pressed it against Sin's head while using the other to gently wipe away her tears.
"You know, if you keep crying like this, your face is gonna look like a messy little kitten's. Your eyes will swell up too~"
"I don't care! Waaaah! Seele, you jerk!!"
"Yeah, yeah. I'm the jerk."
Seele sighed helplessly, letting Sin vent her frustrations against her.
Only after quite a while did Sin finally calm down.
Seele rubbed her head gently.
"Let go! You jerk!"
"Nope. Behave yourself."
As Sin kept twisting and squirming, Seele's hand followed along, endlessly ruffling her hair while thoroughly enjoying the simple pleasure of bullying a bratty kid.
"Jerk, jerk, jerk!"
That was basically all Sin could manage anymore, and honestly, it carried about as much threat as a wet kitten.
Seele suddenly found herself itching to teach her the word "loser," just so she could hear Sin angrily call her that instead.
That would absolutely be hilarious!
Mm… maybe I should teach her right now~
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 34
--+--
"Sin." Seele leaned in slightly, her lips brushing against Sin's ear. The warmth of her breath tickled Sin's earlobe, sending an instant flush across the girl's face.
"Do you have any idea how you look right now? Total loser vibes. You're trying so hard, yet you can't get a single thing right. Such a... pathetic... loser..."
"Waaaaah! No way! You're the loser! You and Bronya are both total losers!!!"
Just as Sin had managed to stop crying, she exploded again, flailing her arms and legs in a frantic tantrum while shrieking insults at Seele.
"Loser! Seele, you're the loser here! You're a giant loser! Waaaaah!!"
Sweet, sweet satisfaction.
Raiden Mei stood off to the side, watching the scene with a complicated expression. "Um... Seele, don't you think that's a bit..."
"It's fine," Seele replied with a blissful wave of her hand, continuing to ruffle Sin's hair with gusto. "This child just needs a little discipline."
"I don't need discipline from you!"
Mei glanced at Sin, then back at Seele, feeling like something was definitely off. She just couldn't quite put her finger on what.
A few moments later...
Sin had stopped struggling. She stood there quietly, letting Seele mess with her hair. Her teeth were clenched in fury, but she looked utterly defeated.
"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing. After all, you did put in a lot of effort."
Seele offered a soft word of comfort, which only made Sin let out a muffled groan of frustration. She was powerless to do anything about it.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed nearby, accompanied by Bronya's urgent voice.
"Seele!"
"Hey there. You guys finally made it," Seele said, still petting Sin's head as she turned to greet the approaching group, which included Bronya and Theresa.
As Bronya ran up, her silver-grey eyes widened the moment she spotted the person standing in front of Seele.
"Sin Mal?"
Seele felt the body beneath her palm go stiff. Sin suddenly wrenched herself away from Seele's hand, and this time, Seele didn't try to hold her down.
"An Anti-Entropy officer..." Theresa muttered warily, her hand already tightening around Judah.
"Bronya, this girl says she knows you," Seele said, her expression turning serious as she looked at Bronya. "Is that true?"
"Yes." Bronya nodded, her gaze lingering on Sin with a complex mix of emotions. "She is with Anti-Entropy. Before... back at the orphanage, she lived with Bronya and Seele."
"You jerk! You're still pretending you don't know me?!" Sin looked up, baring her teeth at Seele in humiliated rage.
"She mistook me for the Seele from your world." Seele gave a playful, knowing smirk. "Since you two go back, Bronya, I'll leave her to you."
"Understood."
Bronya nodded and then turned toward Theresa.
"Principal... about Sin..."
"Since she's your former family, I'll leave her in your care, Bronya," Theresa agreed, her tone turning grave. "But if an Anti-Entropy officer has infiltrated our academy, it means that earlier..."
Theresa's expression soured as she ground her teeth. "I was lured away on purpose! That commotion over in Nagazora was a deliberate distraction by Anti-Entropy!"
"Only a shorty like you would fall for that!" Sin barked out an insult without a second thought.
One sharp look from Seele, however, and she immediately shut her mouth.
"You! Who are you calling a shorty?!"
"The one who answered is the one I'm talking to!"
"Hey!"
Just as Theresa was starting to lose her cool, Bronya stepped forward and delivered a swift, no-nonsense chop to the top of Sin's head.
"Ow!" Sin collapsed into a crouch, clutching her head, before suddenly leaping back up and rubbing her backside with a grimace.
"Hmph."
Seele finally let out a satisfied laugh.
A short while later, Theresa and the others had managed to piece together everything that had happened.
"So that's how it is..." Theresa's face darkened. "To think there was an Anti-Entropy spy in the academy. Seele has only been here for a day, and that old fox Cocolia already found out."
"Bronya will not let her take Seele away from Bronya again!"
Bronya's expression turned uncharacteristically dark and intimidating.
"You and Seele were both raised by Mother Cocolia!" Sin shouted at Bronya, her voice thick with anger. "Just because of a few... accidents, you're willing to abandon Mother, and everyone else at the orphanage?!"
"Let's get one thing straight: I am not the Seele you know."
Seele looked down at Sin, her lips curling into a disdainful smile. "Besides, I don't have a single drop of goodwill toward anyone named Cocolia."
She hadn't forgotten the absolute mess Cocolia had made back in Houkai Gakuen 2—a literal world-ending disaster that dragged everyone into the afterlife.
"You're still acting?!" Sin glared at Seele.
"Seele... she really isn't the Seele of our world." Bronya looked at Seele, her voice calm and steady. "She is... a Seele from another world."
"What kind of nonsense is that?!"
Sin's face was the picture of disbelief. However, as Theresa and the others began to explain the situation in detail, her expression slowly shifted into utter shock.
"How is that possible... another world actually exists? Then... earlier..."
"When we first met, I told you more than once that I didn't know who you were," Seele said, her tone dripping with amusement.
She watched as Sin's face turned bright red again, the flush spreading rapidly.
"Loser~"
"Waaaaah!! You! You're the loser! Loser!!"
Total bliss.
Bronya stood to the side, watching the flustered Sin and the beaming Seele. Her mood suddenly felt a bit heavy.
"So, Sin. Seele belongs to Bronya. She will not be going back to Anti-Entropy with you."
"You... you guys..." Today was officially the greatest defeat of Sin's life. She had lost face, lost her pride, and lost the argument.
"Bronya."
Theresa sighed, looking at the chaotic scene. "Since this is the case, you and the others will keep Sin under temporary custody. I expect Anti-Entropy will contact us soon to try and negotiate her release."
"She's technically your enemy, isn't she?" Seele looked at Theresa, a bit surprised. "You're actually planning on letting her go back?"
"Of course not freely," Theresa shook her head. "Anti-Entropy needs to take responsibility for their actions. I'll handle the negotiations; you don't need to worry about that."
"Good."
Seele nodded, satisfied.
Sin, however, stared at Seele. Hearing her call her an "enemy" so nonchalantly sent a wave of profound sorrow through her heart.
She really wasn't her Seele.
And just now...
"Wait a second." Seele realized something was off. "You said she's under the custody of Bronya and us?"
"Right."
"Does that mean she's going to be living with us?!"
"Well... given her status, she's a special case compared to the rest of you. But we'll be taking precautions... for example, implanting tracking chips and a few other things under her skin."
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 35
--+--
"Suit yourself," Seele said, arching an eyebrow as she recalled the tiny bomb likely still ticking away next to Raiden Mei's heart.
"Don't even think about it!"
Sin Mal couldn't help but snap again.
"Do you really need another lesson?" Seele turned to her, giving her a pointed look.
"You...!"
Sin stammered, find herself completely at a loss for a comeback.
"Why doesn't Bronya have to do it!?"
"Because Bronya has already joined St. Freya. She won't be returning to the orphanage," Bronya replied, her gaze calm and steady. It was enough to finally silence Sin.
By the time evening rolled around, Seele was staring at Sin—who was currently loitering in her room—with a growing headache.
"What a pain."
"Who are you calling a pain!?" Sin, now officially equipped with a miniature explosive in her chest, barked back at Seele with a flare of temper.
"Fine, fine. You're not a pain."
Seele rolled her eyes, which only served to irritate Sin further. With a frustrated growl, the girl lunged forward.
"I'm gonna take you down!!"
Fuming and flailing, Sin looked less like a threat and more like an angry kitten.
Seele didn't even blink. Just as Sin reached her, Seele executed a fluid sidestep and reached out a hand. In one smooth motion, she caught Sin around the waist, hoisting the girl up and leaving her dangling in mid-air.
"Waaaaah! Let me go! You total scrub!!"
Sin kicked and thrashed, hurling insults at Seele without pause.
Watching from the side, Bronya's gaze drifted for a moment. The scene felt strangely nostalgic, pulling her back to their days at the orphanage. Had they always fooled around like this?
Though, the Seele she used to know would never have acted quite like this.
"Didn't I just say you weren't a pain~?" Seele gave Sin a little shake, watching her struggle with a smirk that bordered on pure mischief. "Why are you looking for trouble again?"
"You! Does that sound like the tone of someone who thinks I'm not a pain?!"
"Then what tone should I use?" Seele looked at her, feigning genuine confusion before tilting her head and blinking innocently. "Like this?"
"Gaaaaaaah!!!"
Seeing Sin reach her breaking point again, Seele finally set her down, satisfied with her teasing for the day.
Soon enough, Sin fell into a sullen silence—mostly due to the threat of a karate chop from Bronya—though she continued to glare daggers at Seele.
"Alright, alright. I'm beat. Time for bed."
Seele let out a long yawn and flopped onto the bed with her arms spread wide.
She felt a tiny bit restless knowing she wouldn't be sharing a bed with Bronya tonight. If only life were like a video game, she thought, where you could just hit a button to skip the useless sleeping hours and transition straight to the next morning.
Just as Seele's eyes drifted shut and her mind began to wander, a sudden knock echoed at the door.
Thump, thump—
"Seele, Bronya, don't go to sleep yet! Word just came in from Anti-Entropy!"
Theresa's voice drifted in from the hallway, sounding both urgent and uncharacteristically serious.
"Coming, coming," Seele sighed, rolling out of bed and heading for the door.
Behind her, the playful atmosphere vanished as Bronya and Sin both straightened up, their expressions turning grave.
"Looks like I'm heading back! Once I'm out of here... Bronya, Seele, you guys are toast!"
Sin's face was already lighting up with smug triumph.
Bronya responded with a deadpan stare before delivering a swift chop to the top of the girl's head.
The door swung open to reveal Theresa. She was still wearing her adorable Homu pajamas, but her small face was set in a stern expression.
"Seele, Cocolia has reached out to us," Theresa said firmly. "She specifically requested to see you, Bronya, and Sin."
Seele's lip curled into a smirk of pure disdain.
"Cocolia... Hmph. Fine, let's see what she wants."
She glanced back into the room. Sin was already marching toward the door like a conquering general, while Bronya followed silently at her side.
"We're heading to my office right now!"
By the time they reached the office, Theresa had managed a quick change into her usual nun attire. She tapped a command, and a virtual screen flickered to life, revealing a blonde woman who was already waiting.
Cocolia.
Seele studied the woman on the screen, her gaze sharpening.
"Heh," Seele let out a cold laugh after a few moments. "She really does look exactly like the Cocolia from Belobog. I can practically feel my fist wanting to connect with her face already."
"Seele?"
Cocolia stared back, her sharp eyes scanning Seele with intense focus. For a brief second, a flicker of confusion and stunned silence crossed her face at the comment.
"Hold it right there. I'm not the Seele you know," Seele said, crossing her arms and meeting Cocolia's gaze with clear hostility.
"Is that so? And yet, you look exactly like her."
Cocolia spoke softly, her eyes lingering on Seele's features.
"You've grown up... and you've gotten thinner."
Seele nearly broke character at that. Honestly, Cocolia was undeniably beautiful—elegant, composed, with a stunning figure and a face that was almost unfairly pretty. She was the textbook definition of a sophisticated "older sister" type.
Too bad her head was screwed on so wrong.
Since crossing over into this world, the two people Seele feared most—aside from Otto—was Cocolia. She lived in constant dread that Cocolia might have a mental breakdown and decide to crash the Selene right into St. Freya High in some sort of "if I go down, we all go down" move.
"Bronya," Cocolia turned her attention to the girl, her voice softening into the tone of a mother greeting a daughter returning from a long journey. "You've grown quite a bit too."
Bronya didn't offer a verbal reply; she simply stared back, her fists tightening at her sides.
Cocolia didn't seem to mind the cold shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Mother..." Sin muttered from the side, her head bowed and her voice barely a whisper. "The mission was a failure."
"It's alright," Cocolia said with a small smile. "I'm just glad you're safe."
If Seele didn't know about the absolutely unhinged things this woman was capable of, she might have actually fallen for the "loving mother" act.
"Principal Theresa."
Cocolia's expression shifted to business. "Let's get down to brass tacks. I want to bring Sin Mal back, as well as Bronya and Seele."
Theresa puffed out her chest, her face contorting into a mask of righteous indignation.
"Hah! You can keep dreaming about that one!"
Nice! That's it, Theresa! Give 'em hell! Seele thought, watching with inward glee.
"Anti-Entropy hasn't even begun to explain or compensate us for this little invasion of our Far East Branch!"
Cocolia's expression didn't flicker. She simply nodded.
"Fair enough. I'll have my staff prepare a detailed report. As for the compensation, name your price."
Theresa blinked, clearly caught off guard by how easily Cocolia had folded.
Seele could see it clearly: Theresa was already being outplayed. She was simply no match for an old fox like Cocolia.
"And another thing!" Theresa cleared her throat, trying to force her high-pitched, sweet voice into a deeper, more "mature" register. "You aren't taking Seele or Bronya. They are now Valkyries of the Far East Branch!"
"Of course."
Cocolia smiled. "I was merely asking. If they wish to stay with you, I won't force the issue."
Seele's brow furrowed slightly at that. There was no way an opportunist like Cocolia would just give up on keeping Bronya as a sleeper agent near Mei to capture her later.
But when that day comes, Seele thought, I'm not going to let her have her way.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 36
--+--
Theresa took a deep breath. Although she was a bit puzzled by how readily Cocolia had agreed, she didn't dwell on it too much.
"Sin Mal can go back, but not yet. We will only make a decision after we've confirmed that your explanation and compensation are sufficient!"
"No problem."
Cocolia nodded. She turned her gaze toward Sin, her eyes filled with a trace of sorrow, looking every bit the worried mother.
"Then, I'll leave Sin in your care. I trust... you won't make things difficult for a child."
Theresa felt a lump in her throat at those words, her small face flushing slightly.
"Of—Of course not!"
"Then it's settled." Cocolia smiled, her expression radiating composure and elegance. "Tomorrow, I'll have someone deliver the report and the compensation proposal. Goodnight, everyone."
The screen promptly went dark.
The office fell silent for a few seconds.
Seele was lost in thought.
This Cocolia seemed to carry a bit more of an oppressive weight than the one she remembered from the games.
Theresa let out a sigh of relief and turned to look at Seele and the others. "Well? How was that? I was pretty good just now, right?"
Seeing her like this, Seele couldn't help but chuckle. "Not bad, not bad at all. You looked exactly like a proper Principal."
Hearing that, Theresa puffed out her chest with pride.
Seele then turned her attention to Sin Mal, a playful smile dancing on her lips. "So, who was it that just said they were going back right away?"
"Hmph! Whatever! It won't be long anyway!"
Sin glared at Seele, spun on her heel, and stormed out of the room.
"Alright, alright. You all should head back and get some rest."
Theresa waved them off. Seele nodded, and as she turned to leave the office, Bronya stepped forward and took her hand.
"Seele."
"Hmm?" Seele looked back at her.
"Can Bronya... hold Seele's hand while we walk back?" Bronya looked up slightly, her eyes meeting Seele's.
Though her expression was as stoic as ever, she seemed somehow more fragile than before.
"Of course." Seeing Bronya like this, Seele gave her a warm, bright smile.
She knew Bronya was likely shaken up by the old memories Cocolia's presence had stirred.
"Walking back is so tiring. How about I just carry you?"
Seele decided to go all out. Without waiting for Bronya's consent, she leaned down and swept her up into a bridal carry.
"Whoa!"
"I didn't realize you were so light. It's no effort at all." Seele adjusted her grip, shifting Bronya slightly to gauge her weight. She couldn't help but laugh at how airy the girl felt in her arms.
"...Bronya weighs exactly forty kilograms."
"Now that you've put a number on it, I actually feel like you're a bit heavy."
"Bronya is not heavy."
After a bit of lighthearted banter, the two fell into silence as they made their way back to the dorms.
"Bronya, you're hurting, aren't you?"
Seele asked softly.
"...Yes." After a long pause, Bronya gave a small nod.
"It's because of your mother. You still care about her, don't you?"
Bronya didn't answer immediately. Instead, she leaned her face gently against Seele's shoulder.
A long while passed before she spoke in a whisper. "Bronya... doesn't know."
Seele wasn't surprised by the answer.
After all, Bronya had been a mercenary on the battlefield, learning how to kill long before she ever learned how to make a friend.
It was Cocolia who had brought her back to the orphanage and raised her.
If it hadn't been for that experiment, Bronya might have stayed by Cocolia's side forever.
"Mother Cocolia... gave Bronya a home. She gave Bronya a reason to live."
Bronya began to recount her past in a soft voice, and Seele listened intently.
After all, hearing this directly from Bronya was a lot more meaningful than watching Cooking with Valkyries back on YouTube.
Seele listened to Bronya describe life at the orphanage—how gentle Cocolia used to be, how she would praise and encourage her.
"Bronya was truly happy back then. But later..."
"Later, you lost your Seele." Seele gently stroked Bronya's hair, asking softly, "So, do you hate her?"
Bronya didn't answer right away. She simply leaned against Seele's shoulder for a long time before finally speaking.
"She did bad things. She hurt Seele, and she hurt Bronya. Bronya... should hate her. But sometimes, Bronya still remembers the life she had with her and everyone else at the orphanage."
Bronya finished her sentence and looked up at Seele, her gaze incredibly vulnerable.
"Is Bronya... being weak for feeling this way?"
"Not at all." Seele shook her head, looking at her with a serious, steady smile. "If it were me, I might have just given up on everything. Bronya, you've done so well. And... the fact that your heart isn't filled with nothing but hate? That's a good thing."
As she spoke, she gave Bronya's head a vigorous rub, completely mussing up her silver hair.
"Now, you have Mei, and Kiana, and Theresa, and the rest. Don't get stuck in the past. Keep looking forward."
Bronya didn't say anything more.
She just stared quietly at Seele, her eyes tracing every inch of Seele's face, taking in every detail.
"...Thank you, Seele."
"What are you thanking me for? You—"
Just as Seele was about to continue with a laugh, Bronya leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
Whether it was intentional or not, the spot Bronya kissed was very close to Seele's lips. Seele could even feel the faint, soft touch against the corner of her mouth.
Should I just cross the line?
Seele felt like the mood was perfect, and she was starting to crave a little "dessert."
In the end, however, she chose to be a saint and held herself back.
Bronya was just so small—so small that Seele felt like her conscience would never let her hear the end of it if she made a move.
"...Ahem." Seele cleared her throat and looked away, pretending to be very interested in the plants along the roadside.
Watching Seele's reaction, Bronya leaned her face back against Seele's cheek.
The corners of her mouth curled up into a tiny smile. She seemed very satisfied with Seele's response.
Seele... has feelings for Bronya.
Seele stole another glance down at Bronya, but she only saw a flicker of joy in the girl's smile and an expression that was much brighter than before.
Honestly...
Seele felt a wave of helplessness.
Bronya... don't push me. If you keep this up, don't blame me when I finally decide to stop being a saint~
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 37
--+--
Evening of the next day.
Outside the living room window, the sky had turned a warm, molten gold, with the deep hues of twilight already bleeding into the horizon.
"No way! How could I possibly lose thirteen times in a row?!"
Seele sat perched on the sofa, clutching a controller in her hands, her eyes wide with disbelief. Beside her, Bronya set her own controller down with a quiet, practiced grace.
"That makes... Bronya's thirteenth consecutive victory."
"You're seriously pathetic—total noob status," Sin Mal chimed in from the side.
She was curled up on the couch in a pair of pink strawberry bear pajamas, munching on potato chips and wearing a look of pure, unadulterated schadenfreude. "You actually dared to challenge Bronya to a video game? Did you miss the memo that she literally never lost a single match back at the orphanage?"
"Tsk."
Seele clicked her tongue in frustration and finally set the controller aside.
"Seele, would you like to go again?" Bronya asked softly, watching her friend's reaction. She had already decided that, if they played again, she would go a little easier on her.
"No, no more. I'll just lose anyway," Seele shook her head without a second thought. She figured she'd just leave her losing streak at thirteen—a nice, cursed number to call it quits on.
"Then, would you like to read Bronya's HOMU comics?"
Bronya offered a small smile and pulled out her prized collection of limited-edition HOMU volumes to show Seele.
"Yeah, okay."
Seele took the books and began flipping through them with idle curiosity, but it wasn't long before the stories hooked her. She really did love HOMU.
Or rather, it was as if the very essence of the character she became simply couldn't say no to anything cute. Even the version of herself in the games would voice her soft spot for Pom-Pom the conductor.
"This world of yours... it's really wonderful," Seele murmured, her gaze lingering on the pages.
"What do you mean?" Bronya looked up.
"The water," Seele said, gesturing with the comic toward the bathroom. "You use it whenever you want, wash whenever you feel like it."
Her expression turned pensive. "Anyone here can just use as much water as they like. Where I come from, every single drop has to be rationed."
As Seele spoke, Kiana's head popped up from the side, a half-eaten, juicy apple tucked in her cheek.
"Rationed? What's that supposed to mean? Do you guys have a drought or something?"
"Mhm." Seele nodded, her eyes clouding with memory. "The Underworld is starved for water. There are no lakes, no rain. Even the few wells we have are only open at specific times, and you have to trade supplies just to get a bucket."
The girls exchanged looks of quiet realization. It had never occurred to them that in another world, something as simple as a glass of water could be a luxury.
"I still remember," Seele said, a touch of melancholy in her voice. "The first time I ever got into a fight as a kid, it was over water. Back then, if I was hungry, I'd trade scraps of junk I found for crackers from street vendors. If I was thirsty, I'd go to the orphanage relief station. One time I got there too late, and the iron barrel for the well water was almost empty."
She spoke casually, but the image of a homeless little girl wandering the streets with nowhere to go began to take shape in everyone's minds.
"There was a vagrant there at the same time I was. We fought over the right to drink those last few gulps. I won. He lost."
"Nice!" Kiana couldn't help herself, pumping a fist in the air with excitement. "That's my Seele!"
"Kiana..." Raiden Mei whispered, her face tight with sympathy as she motioned for Kiana to settle down.
Mei realized all too well that if water was something you had to fight for, then the person who lost that fight was likely facing a death sentence.
"Yeah, I won," Seele sighed, her expression turning helpless. "But later, when I saw that man again, he was lying in a clinic, drawing his last breaths."
"Wait, what?!" Kiana's excitement vanished, replaced by a stiff, uneasy look.
"I've never forgotten that. Since then, no matter where I am, whenever I drink from a well, I always make sure to leave a few gulps for the person coming after me."
As she finished, Seele managed a small, self-deprecating laugh. "I never imagined that one day I'd have more water than I knew what to do with. I can soak for as long as I want. There's even a whole ocean right outside the door."
"So... how did you guys actually stay clean?" Kiana asked, sounding genuinely confused.
"You'd wash up every few days," Seele shrugged. "And that was if you were lucky. Most people... they'd go a lot longer than that without a bath."
Bronya listened in silence, her silver-gray eyes shimmering with heartache. "Seele."
"Yeah?" Seele turned, looking puzzled.
Did she take the bait? Seele wondered inwardly with a hidden spark of glee.
The whole reason she'd brought this up was so that when they went to bed, Bronya—acting like a doting "little-sister-turned-mommy"—would shower her with extra care and affection.
"For the next few days you're here... do you want to have a proper wash?"
"Huh?" Seele blinked, her mind going blank for a second. "Of course. I mean, I've been bathing every day since I got here, haven't I?"
"That is not the same." Bronya shook her head and stood up from the sofa, looking at Seele with total earnestness. "Bronya means a real wash."
Seele blinked again, her gaze innocent. "A real wash? What does that mean?"
"A scrub-down," Bronya said slowly and seriously. "Seele, you probably haven't had a thorough scrubbing since you arrived. There must be some deep-seated grime that has accumulated. Bronya will help Seele scrub it all away."
Seele's face turned bright red in an instant.
H-help me scrub?!
Her mind immediately spiraled into a flurry of suggestive thoughts. Wait, this isn't right, is it?
Even though she desperately wanted to say yes, she put on an act of shy modesty and shook her head vigorously. "No! No way! I can wash myself!"
"Seele cannot reach her own back," Bronya noted, her gaze calm and persistent. "Besides, if you go too long without a proper scrub, the dead skin and dirt will start to pill up into little grey rolls."
"Little rolls..." Yae Sakura muttered from nearby, a look of mild disgust crossing her face.
"What are 'little rolls'?" Kiana asked, her curiosity piqued.
"It's just old skin cells and dirt that build up on the skin. If you don't deep-clean, it rolls up into little strings when you rub it," Bronya explained softly. Kiana actually shivered at the description.
"I—I don't have those!"
Seele's face was now a deep crimson. If Bronya hadn't said anything, she wouldn't have pushed it, but now she knew her chance had come.
"When I was in the Underworld, I made sure to wipe myself down every few days!"
She fought to suppress her excitement, trying to argue her case, but Bronya didn't let her down. "Wiping," Bronya said with a stern finality, "is not the same as scrubbing. Seele, let Bronya help you just once, and you will see the difference."
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 38
--+--
Under Bronya's relentless insistence, Sin's look of utter disgust, and Kiana instinctively scooting a little farther away—Seele still ended up agreeing, burning with embarrassment the whole time.
A little later, inside the bathroom.
Seele had already taken off all her clothes.
In front of her, Bronya was the same, standing barefoot beside the bathtub as she carefully adjusted the water temperature to something just right.
"Seele."
After confirming the bathwater was perfect, Bronya turned around to look at her.
"!"
Seele's cheeks instantly flushed red as she stood there awkwardly in front of Bronya.
"Let's rinse off first. After that, we'll scrub down properly, and then we can soak in the tub together," Bronya said seriously, acting as though she hadn't noticed Seele's shy expression at all.
"...Okay."
Seele took a deep breath and nodded, her expression turning complicated. "Bathing with someone else for the first time... even if she's technically still a kid, this is seriously embarrassing..."
"With Bronya, Seele doesn't need to be embarrassed."
Bronya reached out and gently took Seele's hand, her expression calm and sincere.
Then she led Seele beneath the showerhead, brought over a small stool, and had Seele sit facing her. The two sat there openly before each other, every inch of one another visible.
Warm water streamed down from the shower, winding across their skin before gathering into little rivulets that slipped between soft curves and hidden valleys alike.
"Seele, next Bronya will help wash you."
Bronya squeezed some milky body wash into her small palm with utmost seriousness. She rubbed her hands together until the thick liquid foamed into delicate bubbles, then carefully spread them over Seele's skin.
"Mm... not gonna lie, this actually feels kinda nice."
Seele narrowed her eyes slightly, cheeks burning red. She looked embarrassed, but stubbornly refused to show too much of it in front of Bronya, as though admitting it would somehow make her lose face.
Bronya noticed, but didn't point it out.
Instead, she quietly savored the moment.
Her hands continued moving slowly—from Seele's shoulders to her collarbone, from her collarbone to...
"Huh? W-Wait, you have to wash there too?"
"Mhm. Dirt builds up there easily too."
"O-Okay then..."
"Seele, stretch your legs out a little more."
Bronya carefully scrubbed every inch of Seele's skin. Watching Seele's reddened cheeks and forced composure, something strange slowly stirred within Bronya's silver-gray eyes.
Seele kept her eyes closed, her body trembling faintly.
Not because she was shy...
But because...
It felt way too good.
"Seele, look."
"Mmh?"
When Seele opened her eyes, she saw tiny gray rolls of dead skin sitting in Bronya's palm.
"There's seriously that much?!"
Her eyes widened in genuine shock.
"As expected, Seele really hasn't had a proper scrub in a long time."
Bronya stated it calmly.
"..."
Seele's face exploded crimson instantly, looking so embarrassed she practically wanted to disappear on the spot.
"So, Seele."
Bronya looked at her steadily. Maybe because of the steam and hot water, Bronya's own cheeks had started turning faintly red too.
"Bronya's going to use a little more force now... so try to bear with it."
"...Okay."
This time, Seele didn't object.
She obediently closed her eyes. From there on, all she had to do was occasionally put on a bashful expression—like she wanted to refuse but didn't know how to say it.
And Bronya would continue diligently scrubbing every inch of her skin. At this point, aside from the very last place, Bronya had already personally scrubbed nearly every part of Seele several times over.
By the time Seele stepped out of the bathroom, her legs felt so weak she could barely stand straight.
"What a slob. Finally done bathing, huh?"
The moment Sin saw Seele come out, she started teasing her immediately.
"Tch."
Seele rolled her eyes at her before heading straight for the bedroom.
Bronya soon followed out of the bathroom as well.
"Mei-nee-sama, Bronya already cleaned up the bathroom. You can go bathe now."
"Mm, okay."
"Mei, Meeei~ I wanna get scrubbed too~"
"Kiana~ absolutely not. You can scrub yourself."
"Aww~"
After returning to the bedroom, Seele still found herself replaying what had just happened.
Now she was certain—Bronya definitely felt something special toward her too.
And honestly?
That was wonderful~!
"Seele."
A little while later, Bronya returned to the bedroom as well.
Seele was already lying on her bed. Bronya walked over, clutching her Homu doll tightly in her arms. Wearing an unusually serious expression, she looked at Seele and asked:
"Tonight... can Bronya sleep together with Seele?"
"Mmm..."
Seele slowly sat up, looking at Bronya with newfound seriousness.
In her hand was the phone Theresa had given her.
And on the screen—
Was an article about bathhouse scrubbing culture.
"Bronya."
Looking at Bronya's instantly stiffened expression, Seele sighed softly before asking: "Before that... maybe you should explain why what this says about scrubbing people... doesn't really match what you were doing to me earlier?"
"Seele..."
Bronya's gaze flickered with panic for a moment as she instinctively tried to defend herself.
"Bath scrubbing... is different everywhere..."
"Really?"
Seele's stare sharpened.
Bronya immediately fell silent, clearly flustered enough that she had no idea how to explain herself anymore.
"You little brat."
Seele sighed again, looking at Bronya helplessly. "I know you projected the feelings you had for your own Seele onto me. And the way you felt about her... probably already went beyond normal sisterly affection, didn't it?"
"..."
Bronya stayed silent.
But the way she looked at Seele was already growing visibly anxious.
"And now... because you loved her, you've started loving me too, since I'm so similar to her."
Seele spoke softly.
"But have you ever thought about it? I'm not the same person as her."
"...Sorry."
Bronya's eyes gradually reddened again.
"Bronya... always knew that Seele isn't Bronya's Seele... but... Bronya likes being beside you. Bronya couldn't help treating you like her own Seele..."
"I'm sorry... Seele..."
"It's okay."
Seele sighed, her expression complicated yet gentle as she looked at Bronya.
"As long as you understand that, it's fine."
"I'm sorry... Seele. Bronya shouldn't have done those things... but Bronya doesn't want to be separated from you..."
Bronya seemed to misunderstand, thinking Seele was about to distance herself from her completely.
That only made her panic even more.
She quickly grabbed Seele's hand, her voice trembling with tears.
"I'm not blaming you, Bronya."
Seele gently patted Bronya's head, her gaze still warm and tender.
Seriously~
It had felt amazing!
How could she possibly blame Bronya for that~
Honestly, she'd even enjoyed Bronya doing those things to her~
Though there was absolutely no way she'd ever admit that out loud~
Seele thought to herself, utterly delighted.
"Really, I'm not angry, Bronya."
Seele continued rubbing Bronya's little head soothingly.
"It's just... Bronya, doing this isn't fair to the Seele of this world. I think... maybe she's still waiting for you somewhere in the Sea of Quanta, hoping you'll save her."
That much was true.
Seele definitely didn't want the real Seele to finally return one day, only to discover that her Bronya had become completely attached to another version of her from another world.
That situation...
Would probably turn into a disaster.
"Bronya... understands..."
Bronya nodded, the sadness in her heart gradually calming beneath Seele's gentle reassurance.
"Of course~"
At that moment, Seele suddenly curled her lips into a mischievous smile and leaned close to whisper into Bronya's ear:
"Though honestly... I didn't hate your scrubbing either~"
The instant those words landed—Bronya's face slowly turned bright red all over again.
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 39
--+--
"Are you sure this is actually going to work?"
Inside St. Freya Academy's Research and Development division, Seele stood within an apparatus that looked like a teleportation pad straight out of Alien Shooter.
She was clad in a skin-tight suit the Science Department had scrambled to finish over the last few days, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
It had already been six days since she had crossed over into this world. Logic dictated that by tomorrow, she would simply vanish and leave this place behind.
To be precise, she only had a dozen or so hours left.
This bodysuit and the surrounding machinery were designed to capture the energy spike of her "leap." The goal was to use a mess of quantum theories to try and pinpoint the coordinates of her home world.
"It will work—"
Theresa stood nearby, her expression incredibly firm and serious as she spoke to Seele.
"Indeed. This equipment will capture the quantum fluctuations generated when Seele returns to her own world," Bronya added, her small face a mask of intense focus as she personally calibrated the instrument parameters. "The transit suit and the beacon Seele is wearing will emit a specific quantum frequency once she arrives on the other side."
Bronya paused her work for a moment to look at Seele. "At that point, if we can successfully lock onto those fluctuations, we will be able to find your world, Seele."
"Alright. I hope it works then."
Seele nodded, adopting a serious look of her own, though she couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
How could this possibly work...
Seeing them go to such grand lengths made her feel a pang of guilt.
Once her transformation ended, she would essentially cease to exist in a physical sense until her next random transformation triggered—and usually, there wasn't much time between them at all.
Seele sighed quietly to herself.
She realized something then: sometimes, these Valkyries took things with deadly seriousness, even when she was just "playing around."
Therefore...
No matter what happened in the future, she could never let them find out that all these visitors from other worlds they had seen—and would see—were actually the same person!
If they ever found out, they'd surely mince her into taco meat!
Seele looked at the determined glints in Bronya and the others' eyes and fought back a shiver.
"Next, these are some of the scientific achievements of our Far East Branch."
Theresa stepped forward, producing several flash drives and microchips.
"These contain research data ranging from civil livelihood to military tech, energy, and aerospace. Once you return, give them to someone you trust—someone with the capability to make them a reality."
Theresa handed them over with a look that was a mix of maternal worry and solemn duty.
"Got it! Thank you."
Seele accepted the items with a grave expression, while her mind was already racing with how to handle them.
Once the transformation ends... I'll just "drop" these on the floor and make it look like they didn't make the trip back with me.
"So, do I have to stay here all day?" Seele asked, looking at Bronya and the others with a hint of hesitation.
"No..."
Theresa shook her head, her serious demeanor wavering slightly. "Just... just make sure you're back for the final moments."
"The final moments, huh?" Seele murmured.
She felt like Theresa was practically planting a "death flag" on her with those words. It was a bit irritating.
Just you wait, Seele thought bitterly. When I get the chance, I'm going to show you exactly what happens when you start talking like that!
"In that case, I'm going out for a proper walk!" Seele stretched her limbs, a smile of anticipation spreading across her face.
"Alright, let's get you out of that transit suit first."
Theresa waved over the female scientists to help Seele peel off the stifling, uncomfortable gear.
"Seele, where would you like to go?" Bronya asked. Her silver-gray eyes were earnest, holding a gentle, smiling warmth.
However, Seele could easily read the underlying anxiety, unease, and the pain of an impending goodbye lurking in those depths.
I'm sorry, Bronya. I'm totally playing with your heart right now.
Seele sighed inwardly. She couldn't control these transformations, but she still wanted to immerse herself in the life of a Valkyrie—to enjoy this peace and happiness that didn't truly belong to her, even if it was a borrowed luxury.
"Let's just wander around outside first," Seele said with a bright, beaming smile as she changed back into her regular clothes.
"Okay."
Bronya nodded and naturally took Seele's hand. Seele let her, and the two walked out together.
The rest of the girls from the Valkyrie dorms were there, too. As they passed, Sin Mal let out a dismissive hmph, but quietly trailed along behind them anyway.
Over the past few days, Sin had learned that this Seele wasn't from their world. More importantly, this Seele seemed to have had a much rougher life than the one she knew.
She hadn't been raised by Cocolia, didn't have Bronya by her side, had no orphans for company, and had even spent her childhood scavenging for trash on the streets.
Knowing that, the resentment in Sin's heart had slowly begun to evaporate.
"Whoa... it's raining!"
Stepping out of the Science Department, Seele saw a light, misty rain falling from a bright blue sky. She couldn't help but break into an excited, joyful grin.
"It's not just dirty condensation dripping from a cavern ceiling... it's real, pure rain."
Seele stepped out into the drizzle. She tried to loosen her grip on Bronya's hand, not wanting her to get soaked, but as soon as she pulled away, Bronya tightened her hold. Bronya stepped forward with her, walking into the mist to feel the cool, thread-like rain against her skin.
"Seele, have you ever played the puddle-jumping game?" Bronya asked softly, watching Seele's sheer delight.
"Puddle jumping?" Seele blinked, confused.
A split second later, Bronya stomped into a puddle, sending a spray of water into the air that shimmered like a thousand tiny diamonds in the sunlight.
"That actually looks... like a lot of fun!"
Seele's eyes lit up instantly. Like a little kid, she began hopping and splashing through the puddles alongside Bronya.
"Count me in!" Kiana shouted, diving into the fray.
Watching the scene, the others were drawn in—some reluctantly, some eagerly—joining the game.
"Childish," Sin Mal muttered, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes like she was watching a group of idiots.
But a moment later...
"Take this!"
Seele leaped right in front of her, landing with a heavy splash that sent a wave of water over Sin.
"Seele! You're asking for it! Bring it on!!"
--+--
Honkai Transformations - 40
--+--
The following day.
Seele and Bronya, along with the others, headed out to Sapphire City.
They spent the day drifting through the Homu Amusement Park, the Homu Shopping Mall, and a haunted house. By the time they started their journey back, the goosebumps on Seele's skin still hadn't faded.
"How can people in your world enjoy going to such terrifying places?" Seele asked, an expression of sheer disbelief etched on her face. She rubbed her arms, still trying to shake off the lingering chills from the haunted house.
"Terrifying? That wasn't scary at all!" Kiana chirped from the side, a smug grin plastered on her face.
"Oh, please! You were screaming even louder than I was just a second ago!" Seele rolled her eyes at Kiana, refusing to back down.
"I was not!"
The sky was gradually deepening into twilight. On the great cross-sea bridge connecting St. Freya High School's island to the city, the streetlamps had already flickered to life.
"Still... today really was a total blast." Seele let out a long, languid stretch, a relaxed and joyful smile spreading across her lips. "I'd say today was pretty much perfect."
"Seele..."
Bronya, however, had grown somewhat quiet. She sat beside Seele, her hand gripping Seele's with a desperate intensity—clinging to her as if she were afraid that the moment she let go, Seele would simply vanish into thin air.
From the driver's seat, Himeko stole a glance through the rearview mirror. She didn't sigh or say a word; she simply shifted her gaze back to the road ahead, her voice carrying a soft, warm edge of amusement.
"Let's head back for now. We bought a lot of groceries today. Mei and Sakura mentioned they're planning to whip up a massive feast once we're home."
"Really? Well, I'm definitely not going to hold back then!" Seele laughed.
However, once they arrived back at St. Freya and everyone stepped out of the car, the group suddenly claimed there was still plenty of time. They suggested Seele and Bronya take a stroll around the campus on their own and only head back when dinner was served.
And so...
Seele stood barefoot on the soft sand, gazing out at the horizon. Her voice held a playful, slightly weary lilt. "The beach, the ocean, and in the middle of the night... it looks about as spooky as that haunted house."
"Seele." Bronya walked up from the side, stepping close to Seele and taking her hand. "Just wait a little longer. You'll see it soon..."
"See what?" Seele blinked, looking thoroughly confused.
Bronya didn't explain. She simply kept her eyes fixed on the sea with a look of quiet, steady determination. Seele felt a bit bewildered, but she didn't mind.
Getting to spend a little more time with Bronya like this was nice. The feeling of being someone's entire world was becoming quite addictive.
For now, there was only the scent of the salty sea breeze, the silver moonlight shattered into a thousand dancing shards upon the waves, and the rhythmic, low pulse of the tide.
"Seriously, what am I looking for?" After they had sat on the sand for a while, Seele finally couldn't help but ask again.
"Look."
Bronya raised her hand, her voice carrying a rare tremor of excitement.
"Hmm?" Seele followed the direction of her finger, her eyes searching the distant waters. Then, she saw it—tiny sparks of blue light suddenly flickering to life out on the dark sea.
"Is that...?"
Seele froze, her eyes widening.
At first, there were only scattered pinpricks of blue radiance, as mesmerizing as Honkai crystals. But then, the spots of light multiplied, growing denser and more vibrant until they formed a flowing ribbon of azure. It was ethereal and magnificent, like a dream bleeding into reality.
"What is this...?" Seele whispered, her voice dropping as she stared, mesmerized.
"Bioluminescent jellyfish." Bronya turned her head to look at Seele's awestruck expression, a soft, joyful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "They swim past here every year at this exact time. But only for one day."
How did you know?
Seele didn't ask. She remembered that Bronya had only been here for less than six months. But in this moment, those details didn't seem to matter. The two of them stood there in silence, savoring a beauty that felt, for the moment, like it belonged only to them.
As the blue ribbon of light drifted further into the distance, Seele finally snapped out of her trance. "It felt... just like a dream."
"It wasn't a dream, Seele," Bronya said softly but firmly. She squeezed Seele's hand tight. "This is real."
"Yeah, I know. I was just using a figure of speech." Seele laughed, her gaze turning incredibly tender. She turned her head, intending to say a few more words to Bronya, when Bronya's cute face suddenly filled her vision.
And then...
"Mmph?!"
Seele's eyes went wide again. On her cheek, a soft, fragrant sensation told her everything she needed to know.
Wait, did I just get played? Was I the passive one here?!
"Seele..."
A moment later, Bronya gazed at Seele. Their fingers were still tightly interlaced, as if Bronya were guarding against any chance of Seele running away.
"Wh-What was that for?" Seele's cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes instantly filling with bashful panic as she tried to look anywhere but at Bronya.
I got kissed!
Holy crap!
This isn't the same as kissing Theresa or Kiana! I was the one who got kissed!
Seele had never imagined that a day would come where she'd end up being the "prey," treated like a sweet little dessert!
But this feeling... it's actually not bad at all!
If she wasn't worried about breaking character, she would have thrown herself into Bronya's arms right then and there, acting like a spoiled brat and begging for a few more.
I've been acting like the assertive one for years, and finally, someone realized I actually like being the one taken by surprise!
As Seele's heart hammered against her ribs, Bronya finally spoke in a gentle voice. "Bronya likes Seele. Not because Seele reminds Bronya of her sister... but because Bronya loves Seele. I want Seele to remember Bronya forever."
"Honestly... you didn't have to go that far..." Seele mumbled under her breath, but her shy, flustered expression made it clear she didn't mind one bit.
"But... Seele doesn't seem to hate it."
"Who—who says?!"
After a bit of chaotic back-and-forth, the two finally made their way back to the dorms.
In the dormitory, they enjoyed one last magnificent feast. After resting for a while, Seele followed the group to the Science Department to change into a specialized transit suit.
Looking at the gear, Seele couldn't help but suspect that Otto probably had his fingerprints all over its design. He likely wanted to master the technology to traverse the Sea of Quanta himself.
Too bad for him, she wasn't actually "traversing" the Sea of Quanta—she was just going to transform.
"It's almost time, isn't it?"
After waiting on the equipment for a while, Seele turned to look at her surroundings.
"Yes... it's almost time," Theresa answered softly after a brief silence.
Kiana, Bronya, and the others were gathered around the machinery, but none of them took a step closer. They were afraid of interfering with the data collection.
"Regardless of whether this works or not," Seele said, looking at everyone with a gentle smile, "I'll remember all of you. Bronya, Mei, everyone... and even you, Sin."
Hearing her name, Sin's breath hitched for a second. She turned her head away as if annoyed. "Who asked you to remember me?"
"Fine, then I'll just forget you."
"Hey!!"
"Haha, just kidding~"
After one last moment of laughter and teasing, the time had finally come.
--+--