Honkai Transformations - 61 - 70

Honkai Transformations - 61

--+--

Enough is enough...

If you keep insisting over and over that I'm just like her, I'm really going to start wondering if you've somehow stumbled upon the script—if you know that I'm nothing more than an actor playing a part.

Kallen thought to herself, a sense of helplessness washing over her.

But in that moment, she didn't say another word. She simply stood there by the shore with Otto, watching the moonlit sea and listening to the rhythmic pulse of the waves.

A long, long time passed.

Finally, Kallen spoke softly. "It's time for me to go back."

With that, she turned along with Otto and began walking toward the others waiting behind them.

"Kallen..."

Watching her approach, Sakura stood up from her spot by the campfire.

Kallen walked to her side and took her hand, her gaze sweeping across the group.

"Thank you, everyone..." She looked at them all, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "I've been truly happy this past week."

Kiana watched Kallen, her eyes shimmering with a reluctant sadness. Nearby, Theresa's expression had become one of utter defeat.

She, too, couldn't bear to let Kallen go. Being near Kallen brought her a sense of profound comfort.

After chatting with everyone for a while, Kallen turned to look at Sakura, whose eyes were already rimmed with red.

The time was almost up.

"Kallen..." Sakura gazed at her, the tears she had been fighting back finally spilling over.

"Don't cry." Kallen reached out, tenderly brushing the tears away.

"I don't want... I don't want you to leave..."

"I know."

Kallen pulled Sakura into her arms, giving the group one last display of public affection.

"Sakura, listen to me..." Kallen whispered into her ear. "No matter where I am, I will remember you. I'll remember how you waited for me, your kindness, and everything that happened over these seven days. So... you must live well. Find your place in this world, stay with the others, and keep moving forward."

Sakura's grip tightened, holding Kallen as if she could keep her there by force.

"I'll wait for you..."

"Don't wait for me."

Kallen didn't even know if she would ever inhabit this form again.

"Keep walking. If the day comes where we meet again, I want to see you happy..."

The seconds ticked away.

The group stopped dwelling on the sorrow of the parting; instead, they huddled around the fire, eating barbecue, nursing drinks, and singing songs. Yet, subconsciously, everyone was watching the clock.

"It's time."

In those final seconds, Kallen let out a soft, airy laugh.

"Goodbye, Sakura..."

Under the pale moonlight, her skin seemed to lose its color, turning a ghostly white.

Otto watched this happen, his lips pressed together so tightly they turned bloodless. To the side, Rita smoothly pressed a button.

The beach's searchlights suddenly flared with intensity, the bright glare forcing everyone to squint. In that moment of visual noise, the ghastly change in Kallen's complexion went unnoticed by the rest.

Even at the very end, Kallen fought to keep that smile on her face. She bowed her head slightly, appearing as though she were simply overcome with the sadness of saying goodbye.

"Otto." She looked toward him. "Stay with me until the very last moment..."

Otto nodded.

The two of them turned and walked toward the water's edge.

By now, Kallen's fading state had confirmed Otto's darkest suspicions. Kallen was dying.

But in reality... this was just Kallen pulling a massive stunt.

Before leaving, Kallen had decided to give Otto's heart a thorough wringing—consider it a bit of interest collected for the future. Besides, since Otto was so convinced she would die upon her "return," well... it would be a shame not to live up to his expectations.

Sakura didn't follow them. But in her ear, the distorted, mocking voice of Higokumaru hissed: "Look at her... she's dying... you're losing her again... and once more, the one by her side at the end isn't you..."

"Shut up..."

By the water, Kallen no longer had the strength to stand. She sank down onto the sand. Otto stood beside her in a heavy silence.

"Otto..."

"...Yes?"

"Thank you... for helping me finish this performance."

Otto remained silent, but Kallen smiled. She poured every ounce of relief and tenderness she could muster into that expression, struggling not to let a stray laugh escape.

"Goodbye... my Great Inventor."

The moment before she vanished, she breathed those words into the salt air.

Then, before Otto could even process it, in the heartbeat it took for his pupils to contract, Kallen vanished. It was as if she had never been there at all.

Only the empty beach remained under the moon. A wave rolled in, washing over the sand and erasing the very last trace of her presence.

Otto stood by the shore for a long time, a frozen statue in the night. By the campfire, Sakura was the same.

'Goodbye, my Great Inventor.'

Those final words echoed in Otto's mind like a haunting refrain. After a long while, he looked up at the night sky and murmured in a low, gravelly voice:

"Goodbye, Kallen."

Now that Kallen had "returned," Theresa and Himeko forced themselves to shake off the gloom. Their eyes began scanning the beach.

Based on past experience... the next person to cross over into their world was about to appear.

Sure enough, a figure materialized on the sand.

"Huh?"

Everyone, including Otto, spotted the newcomer.

"Kiana?!!"

Theresa bolted upright, her face a mask of shock.

"Me?!!"

The local Kiana gaped in stunned disbelief. The figure standing on the beach was wearing a suit of white armor she had never seen before. However, this other version of herself was in a state of ruin—the armor was shredded, covered in scorch marks and deep gashes.

Her silver hair hung in a tangled mess down her back. She was hunched over, gasping for air as if she had just clawed her way out of a life-or-death struggle.

"...Everyone?"

The "Real" Kiana looked at the crowd. In her eyes, which were filled with a mix of fury and soul-crushing grief, a flicker of confusion appeared.

Oh boy... I've become... Kiana?

But it's the Kiana from that specific timeline... the one from the end of Chapter 11. The Kiana from the bubble world who was backstabbed by the First Herrscher right after defeating the Second.

"Me??" Kiana pointed at her double, her voice cracking under the strain. "That's actually me?!!"

She had thought it might be an interesting experience to hear about her alternate selves from visitors, but she never imagined she'd literally be staring herself in the face.

"Kiana!!" Raiden Mei couldn't hold back any longer; she dashed forward. Beside her, Himeko and Theresa didn't hesitate for a second, racing toward the newcomer.

"You're... you're still alive..." The battle-worn Kiana looked at them, her exhausted, grieving eyes suddenly overflowing with tears of joy.

Her body gave a violent shudder. Then, as if her very bones had been turned to water, she collapsed onto the sand.

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 62

--+--

Interesting...

Otto stood to one side, watching the scene unfold with an expression of cold detachment.

Around them, the Second Divine Key, the Cosmic Juggernaut, was still humming through its operational cycles.

Yet, the great machine detected nothing—no energy fluctuations, no spikes, nothing.

Kallen's disappearance and the sudden arrival of the real Kiana had happened in the blink of an eye, leaving no electronic signature behind.

But what truly occupied Otto's mind at that moment was the nature of this newcomer. Was she truly Kiana Kaslana, or was she... yet another clone?

"Kiana!"

Raiden Mei dropped to her knees, gathering the real Kiana into her arms. She could smell the acrid stench of gunpowder clinging to the girl's clothes, mixed with the heavy, metallic scent of blood.

Every sense told Mei the same terrifying truth: the girl before her had just come from a nightmare of a battlefield.

"Mei! Let me see!" Theresa rushed over, kneeling beside them. Her small hand pressed firmly against the girl's neck. "There's a pulse! It's faint... but she's alive!"

Nearby, Himeko was already on her phone, barking orders to the St. Freya Academy medical department. "Prepare an emergency med-bay immediately! We have a critically injured patient! Yes, we're on the east side of Golden Beach in Sapphire City. Get here now!"

The resident Kiana stood frozen, staring at the version of herself cradled in Mei's arms. That face—a mirror image of her own—was a map of scars and dried blood.

The girl's eyes were clamped shut, but even in unconsciousness, her brow was furrowed with exhaustion. Her silver hair, once long and proud, was matted with sand and gore. Even her Valkyrie armor was shattered beyond recognition.

Watching this, Kiana couldn't help but whisper, "She... she just said... 'You guys... are still alive'?"

Bronya walked up to Kiana's side, her silver-gray eyes clouded with a complex mix of emotions. "That implies... in her world... everyone might already be..."

Bronya trailed off, but the implication hung heavy in the air.

"Don't talk about that yet!" Mei snapped, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked up. "We need to get her back! Now!"

In that moment, Mei thought she heard a hallucination ringing in her ears.

"Herrscher activity detected…"

No, it wasn't a hallucination. Deep within her, the consciousness of the Herrscher had been stirred.

Himeko and Yae Sakura moved in, working together to carefully lift the wounded girl. The others quickly surrounded them, each lending a hand to support her weight as they hurried off the beach.

Under the cold moonlight, the real Kiana's blood-stained face twisted in pain. Even in her coma, she seemed trapped in a horrific nightmare.

"Everyone..." Her voice was so thin it was almost a ghost of a sound. "Everyone is dead... Theresa... Mei... Bronya... The Sovereign of Anti-Entropy... he betrayed us..."

Theresa's footsteps faltered. She came to a dead stop.

"The Sovereign of Anti-Entropy?" she whispered, her voice cracking with shock.

Theresa knew exactly who the Sovereign was. In fact, she knew he was currently masquerading as a history teacher at her own academy! The others were equally paralyzed by the girl's haunting words.

Everyone is dead? Just what kind of hell had this Kiana crawled out of?

"Get moving!" Himeko's voice was grim. "We'll get the truth when she wakes up."

Back on the sand, Otto watched the retreating figures of the St. Freya group. A thoughtful glint flickered in his emerald eyes.

"Welt... a traitor?"

The corners of his mouth curled into a slight smirk, a hint of dark amusement and anticipation dancing in his expression.

Having just watched Kallen die before his eyes once again, Otto was in a foul mood—vile, even. In five hundred years, he had rarely felt a rage this cold. But now, it seemed he had found a vent for it.

"How very interesting..."

Rita Rossweisse stepped to his side, bowing slightly. "Lord Overseer, shall I follow them?"

"No." Otto shook his head. "Let them handle it for now. My presence would only complicate things." He wasn't yet sure if this 'Real Kiana' knew anything about his future designs. "Rita."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Continue the intelligence gathering. And ensure you secure a copy of her statements, along with her genetic and blood samples."

"Understood."

As Rita turned to leave, Otto remained on the beach, murmuring to the wind. "Another visitor from a parallel world... and this time, it seems she comes from one... teetering on the brink of total annihilation."

A short while later, at St. Freya Academy.

"How is she?"

Theresa stood in the medical wing, cornering the doctor who had just finished the emergency procedures.

"Her vital signs are weak but stable," the doctor reported grimly. "However, the Honkai erosion in her system is severe, and she has multiple traumatic injuries. We found traces of standard Anti-Entropy Titan gunpowder in her wounds, along with fragments of Honkai Beast limbs."

Theresa fell silent. The doctor's report corroborated the girl's delirious warnings.

In another world... had Welt Yang really turned traitor during a mission? Had he killed everyone? Why?

Theresa found it impossible to believe. She couldn't wrap her head around why the man who had fought alongside humanity—alongside Siegfried—would do such a thing.

"You can go in and see her now, but please, do not disturb her recovery."

"Thank you. We appreciate it."

Once the doctor left, the group filed into the room. They stood around the medical pod, staring at the girl inside with a heavy silence. Kiana gazed at the other version of herself, her face a mask of confusion, worry, and a deep-seated, nameless fear.

"Principal?" Mei turned to Theresa, her eyes still red-rimmed.

"She's out of immediate danger," Theresa said softly, trying to offer some semblance of comfort. "But it will be some time before she regains consciousness."

A collective sigh of relief rippled through the room. But Theresa's next words tightened the knot in their chests all over again.

"Those things she said before she passed out... what do you make of them?"

Silence reclaimed the room. After a long moment, Kiana was the first to speak. Her voice was low and hollow.

"She said... everyone was dead. Theresa, Mei, Bronya... all dead." Her voice rasped. "And she said the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy betrayed them."

Theresa opened her mouth to speak, then hesitated and closed it.

"Let's just wait for her to wake up," Himeko sighed, the weight of the night pressing down on her. "Right now, we're all just guessing in the dark."

No one felt like going back to the dorms. They stayed there in the sterile quiet of the ward, keeping watch over the girl in the pod, their hearts heavy with the shadow of a world they didn't know.

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 63

--+--

The next day.

Sunlight filtered through the drawn curtains, casting a soft glow over the real Kiana's face. Her eyelids fluttered ever so slightly.

That was such a good sleep...

She slowly blinked her eyes open. For the first time, she realized that having a whole bed to herself wasn't half bad.

Ah, the classic "unfamiliar ceiling" and that piercingly bright light...

She squinted against the glare, and just then, a voice filled with pleasant surprise rang out beside her.

"She's awake!!"

Hearing the cry, she turned her head to see everyone suddenly rising from their seats to crowd around her bedside.

Theresa, Mei, Kiana, Bronya, Himeko, Fu Hua, and Yae Sakura.

Showtime.

As she looked at them, her pupils contracted slightly. By now, she had already decided exactly how she was going to handle this transformation. She couldn't wait to experience the events to come; she had neither the time nor the patience to keep waiting around for things to happen naturally.

Therefore, the primary goal of this transformation wasn't just to get cozy with the Valkyries anymore. It was to...

Speed up a few side plots.

"You guys..."

She opened her mouth, but her voice was so raspy she could barely find it. Her throat felt as though it had been rubbed raw with sandpaper.

"Don't try to talk yet..."

Theresa hurried to pour a glass of warm water and held it to Kiana's lips.

"Auntie..."

The real Kiana looked at her, tears spilling from the corners of her eyes as her body began to tremble—the very picture of overwhelming joy and excitement.

"Kiana, please, don't talk yet..." Theresa's eyes brimmed with red. Seeing her like this made her want to burst into tears.

She held the glass to Kiana's mouth and adjusted the bed's elevation so she could drink more easily.

Gulp... gulp...

After a few swallows, Kiana broke into a fit of violent coughing. Her frail frame looked so fragile it seemed as if she might fall apart at any moment.

"Easy now, take it slow..." Theresa fussed over her, her face a mask of urgent worry.

It took a while for her to settle down and for the coughing to subside.

"Kiana..." Mei watched her, her own eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"Mei..."

Kiana turned toward her and couldn't help but smile. It was a smile full of sheer relief. "You're all alive... thank goodness."

A heavy silence fell over the hospital room.

Then, Kiana's gaze landed on the other Kiana standing in the crowd. Her deep blue eyes widened.

"Who... who are you?"

"Well..." Theresa's face clouded over with a complicated expression. She had no idea how to break the cruel reality to her.

"Um..." The other Kiana was equally at a loss. She knew how much Mei and the others meant to her.

She also realized... that right now, this girl seemed to believe that everyone was still alive—that everything she had endured before was just a nightmare, an illusion. Because of that, Kiana didn't dare tell her the truth. She didn't even know where to start.

"Kiana..." Mei took her hand, her voice thick with emotion as tears finally tracked down her cheeks. "We... we are all alive. But you... you've come to another world."

"...Another world?"

Kiana froze, her expression shifting to one of utter confusion and helplessness. She looked like someone who understood the words being said but simply couldn't believe them.

The light in her blue eyes died out instantly, and the spark of life that had just returned seemed to vanish in a heartbeat.

She looked at Mei, at her tearful eyes, and then slowly turned her head to look at every single person in the room. Finally, her gaze settled back on the other Kiana.

She studied her—the girl who looked exactly like her—and whispered, "Another... world?"

"Yes..." Mei squeezed her hand, tears falling fast now. "You came here from your world... this is... a different world."

Kiana went silent. She looked as though the very breath of life had left her, turning into a gray, crumbling statue.

"It wasn't... a nightmare?"

Her eyes were hollow as she muttered to herself, her voice a dry rasp.

Theresa's voice began to shake. "Kiana... you..."

"I knew it."

Kiana interrupted her, her voice soft, calm, and haunting.

Are you guys ready? Because I'm about to break your hearts.

"Himeko is dead..." She looked toward Himeko. "After returning from the Nine Realms, because she couldn't obtain the Stigmata of Ji Xuanyuan... her body was eroded by Honkai energy until she died."

Himeko's pupils shrank. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Fu Hua pressed her lips into a thin line.

"Mei is dead..." Kiana turned to Mei. "She died in a sneak attack by Anti-Entropy Titans... buried under a hail of artillery fire."

Mei's body began to tremble. She could almost see it—the grief in her eyes turning into a creeping shadow of resentment.

"Bronya is dead..." Kiana moved her gaze to Bronya. "Bronya and I... we held out until the very end. We were the only ones left on the battlefield... and then the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy arrived. He said that every Schicksal Valkyrie in Siberia had been slaughtered. Theresa... Mom... Dad... they're all dead."

Kiana's eyes went wide, her face pale with shock. Theresa stood there, paralyzed.

"I don't know you..." Kiana looked at Fu Hua, her eyes still empty. "But... Schicksal had an S-Rank Valkyrie named Phoenix. You look just like her, but she wasn't at St. Freya."

Fu Hua remained silent. When she heard the news that Theresa, Cecilia, and Siegfried had all fallen in battle, she knew. In that timeline, perhaps she had never been with them at the academy.

"You..." Kiana then looked at Yae Sakura. "I've seen you before... in Nagazora, during that A-Rank Honkai Eruption. You sacrificed yourself to save Theresa... and became her Stigmata."

Kiana went on as if reading from a casualty list, reciting every name and every cause of death.

"Everyone is dead... and now, only I am left."

The room became terrifyingly quiet, save for the rustle of the trees outside the window swaying in the wind.

"Just now..." Kiana lowered her head, a tragic, broken smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I thought you were all alive. I thought it was all just a bad dream... I thought if I woke up, I'd be back in the past."

Her shoulders began to shake. Tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.

"But I've always known... Himeko is dead... Mei is dead... Bronya is dead... everyone is dead... I knew it all along."

But as soon as the words left her mouth, the agony in her voice vanished.

"You aren't them," she whispered, her voice eerily calm.

That final reaction, more than anything else, felt like a knife to their hearts.

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 64

--+--

Everyone in the hospital room had fallen silent.

None of them knew how to comfort Kiana.

And honestly, if they had gone through everything she had… they probably wouldn't be in any better shape.

Himeko drew in a slow breath and closed her eyes.

It wasn't that she didn't care about her own death. To her, that had long since become an ending she could already see waiting ahead.

What she couldn't accept was the thought that everyone at St. Freya Academy would one day go through something like this…

Fu Hua adjusted her glasses without saying a word.

Mei's eyes brimmed with sorrow and heartache for Kiana.

And Kiana herself—watching the other Kiana now—had gone pale.

Just imagining it was unbearable.

Mei dead. Bronya dead.

Everyone around her gone, until only she remained.

That kind of future…

She couldn't accept it.

"Hey…"

After a long silence, Kiana finally spoke, her voice rough as she called out softly.

The other Kiana lifted her head, her hollow, numb gaze settling on her.

Then Kiana reached out and took her hand.

"I'm not them," she said firmly, eyes unwavering. "I'm… you. The you from this world."

"I haven't lived through what you did. I don't know how to comfort you."

Right, right…

Inside, 'Kiana' had already started planning exactly how brutally she'd emotionally destroy Kiana later once she transformed into another Genshin character.

Then she heard what Kiana said next.

"But I do know one thing." Kiana tightened her grip on her hand, her voice steady and sincere. "Starting today, you're not alone anymore."

Then what am I supposed to say to that?

'Kiana's' brain stalled for a second.

Kiana looked at her, pain and determination shining in her eyes.

"The people you lost… they're alive here."

"Himeko's alive. Bronya's alive. Mei, Theresa… they're all alive. They aren't the same people from your world, but… they can stay with you. They can help you keep living."

Tears slipped silently from the corners of 'Kiana's' eyes.

Something inside her had genuinely been struck.

Kiana really was still that same idiot.

She stayed quiet, still like a puppet, though a little life had finally returned to her eyes.

She tried to pull her hand away, but Kiana held on tightly.

"Kiana…"

Theresa walked over and wrapped both girls in a hug.

Mei followed right behind her, pulling the two of them into her arms as well.

Off to the side, Bronya, Himeko, and everyone else stepped forward in their own ways, silently expressing what they couldn't put into words.

"You silly girl…" Himeko rested a hand on 'Kiana's' head. "Why carry all of this alone? Doesn't that get exhausting…?"

At that moment, 'Kiana's' body began trembling violently. Then the sobs she'd been suppressing for so long finally burst free.

She wrapped her arms around Mei and Theresa and cried openly, loudly.

By late night, everyone had gathered outside in the hallway, the atmosphere unbearably heavy.

"Tonight…" Theresa glanced at the closed hospital room door and took a deep breath. "We should take turns watching over her… just in case she wakes up in the middle of the night…"

"I'll do it."

Mei stepped forward immediately, her expression serious.

Her eyes were still red and swollen from crying.

"Tonight… I'll stay with Kiana."

"Mei-nee-sama, Bronya can take the second half of the night," Bronya offered seriously.

But Mei shook her head softly.

"No… let me stay tonight."

"…Alright. Then we're counting on you, Mei. We'll prepare a spare bed in the room," Theresa said with a nod.

And just like that, the arrangements for the night were decided.

As for whether Mei would go to class tomorrow?

At this point, neither Kiana's group nor Theresa's had any interest in classes or teaching anymore. All day long, none of them had asked 'Kiana' exactly what had happened.

They were afraid bringing it up would only hurt her more.

But tomorrow… tomorrow they intended to ask everything.

"Alright, everyone, head home."

After Himeko spoke quietly, the others finally began to leave, reluctant though they were.

None of them wanted to risk upsetting 'Kiana' further.

One by one, they left the hospital until only Mei remained behind.

"Kiana…"

Raiden Mei looked toward the hospital room anxiously, but at that same moment…

After parting ways with everyone outside, Theresa didn't return home.

Instead, she headed toward the faculty apartments. A short while later, she stopped outside Welt's office and knocked gently.

The door soon opened.

"Principal Theresa?" Welt looked surprised. "It's late. Is something wrong?"

Theresa stood there, staring at him silently for several seconds before finally speaking.

"Welt… I want to ask you something."

"Come in first."

Welt frowned faintly and stepped aside.

The two sat down in the living room, and Welt poured her a cup of hot tea.

"Go ahead."

"What are your plans for the future?"

Theresa looked at him seriously.

"The future?" Welt blinked. "Why ask that all of a sudden?"

"I just…"

Theresa carefully chose her words before continuing.

"What do you think Anti-Entropy will become someday?"

"And Schicksal… do you think your current relationship will stay this way forever?"

Welt studied her quietly, thoughtfulness flickering through his eyes.

"Theresa… why are you suddenly asking this?"

"It's nothing." Theresa held his gaze, deadly serious. "I'm just… worried."

Welt fell silent for several seconds.

He didn't understand why she'd suddenly come to him about this, but he could guess. Most likely, the visitor from another world had said something unfavorable about him—and about Anti-Entropy.

"Theresa, you have my word."

He stopped calling her "Principal" and spoke her name directly now, his tone solemn and low.

"Anti-Entropy's principles have never changed. Fight the Honkai. Protect humanity. I won't allow anyone to corrupt that purpose."

Then, as though that still wasn't enough, he added: "No matter what happens in the future, I will stand on humanity's side."

Theresa looked into his brown eyes, filled with unwavering conviction.

After a moment's hesitation, she nodded.

"…Okay. I believe you."

She rose to leave.

Watching her back, Welt spoke again softly.

"Theresa… did something happen? Did that visitor from another world…tell you about the future?"

"…Yeah."

Theresa nodded.

Then after hesitating briefly, she finally said it aloud.

"The Kiana who came here today… she's another world's Kiana."

"Oh?"

Welt looked mildly surprised.

"What did she say?"

"She said that in her world, Anti-Entropy ambushed Schicksal's Valkyrie forces during a battle against a Herrscher. Every Valkyrie on the battlefield died. Mei. Cecilia. Me too."

Welt's eyes widened in complete shock.

"That's impossible!"

"That happened in a parallel world."

Theresa carefully watched his expression, making sure his shock wasn't fake before continuing.

"And… she said the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy personally gave the order."

"…"

Welt said nothing.

He looked utterly stunned.

"But… I still believe you're different from the version of you from that world."

With that, Theresa turned and left.

Leaving Welt standing alone in silence, lost in thought and disbelief.

The next afternoon…

'Kiana' had slept deeply through the night and barely interacted with Mei at all, but she could feel it.

Raiden Mei had stayed beside her bed the entire night, watching her the whole time. Under those circumstances, 'Kiana' didn't have the slightest mood for anything remotely lewd.

By noon, Mei had only slept three hours before returning to the dorms carrying a mountain of homemade food she'd cooked with Yae Sakura.

"Is it good?" Mei asked gently from beside the bed.

"…Yeah. It's good."

'Kiana' nodded weakly, eyes still red, voice low and lifeless.

Mei's own eyes reddened again as she looked at her.

"Then from now on… I'll cook for you every day…"

But when she said "every day," her voice trembled uncontrollably. Because she knew 'Kiana' only had six days left before returning to her own world.

And in that world…

Mei couldn't imagine how 'Kiana' was supposed to keep living after losing everyone.

Just thinking about it made tears spill down her cheeks.

She didn't even know how to tell her that.

"Don't cry… Mei…"

'Kiana' raised a trembling hand and gently wiped away the tears on Mei's face.

"If you cry too much… you won't look pretty anymore…"

Hearing her weak voice only made Mei cry harder.

She held 'Kiana's' hand against her cheek.

"Kiana… Mei?"

At that moment, everyone else arrived as well.

The large hospital room quickly filled up.

The atmosphere turned strangely tense.

Even 'Kiana' could feel it.

After glancing around at everyone present, she spoke quietly. "If you want to ask something, then ask… I want to tell all of you what happened."

"If telling you can stop your world from ending up like mine…"

"Kiana…"

Theresa looked at her helplessly, sorrow etched across her face.

Still, she forced herself to ask.

"Kiana… what happened in your world?"

"My world…"

'Kiana' looked toward Himeko, her gaze distant.

"Auntie… everyone here calls you Principal. But in my world, you weren't the principal. My mom was."

"Cecilia?"

"…Yeah."

'Kiana' nodded faintly.

"Cecilia… she didn't die during the Second Eruption?" Theresa asked in disbelief.

Off to the side, Kiana's expression turned emotional too.

She had barely ever heard anything about her mother.

"My mom… and all of you… died during the Second Eruption."

'Kiana's' eyes reddened again.

"The battle I fought in—the one where everyone was betrayed by Anti-Entropy's leader—that was the Second Eruption…"

The moment those words fell, everyone froze in shock.

"That's not how it happened in our world…" Himeko said incredulously. "The Second Eruption happened over ten years ago. Cecilia already… died back then."

"…I see."

'Kiana's' gaze wavered.

"So even parallel worlds… still have things that are different…"

Theresa smiled bitterly.

Then 'Kiana' began explaining concepts like bubble universes to them.

Theresa and the others carefully memorized everything. Especially once they learned that the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy from that parallel world had a completely different past from the Welt they knew.

That world's leader had lost his entire family as a child.

Including Tesla and Einstein—who were still alive here.

"So that's how it was…" Theresa murmured softly, her eyes filled with complicated relief.

"Himeko-sensei…"

'Kiana' looked toward Himeko again.

"After discovering the Nine Realms, you led us there searching for Xuanyuan's natural stigmata…"

"But when we arrived, we discovered Xuanyuan wasn't dead. Her heart had been consumed by thousands of years of darkness and loneliness. She'd grown to hate humanity completely…"

'Kiana' explained in detail what had happened without Fu Hua's help.

How Himeko had been possessed by Dark Xuanyuan.

How the Honkai corruption worsened until, even after they rescued her, she still died before fully turning into a zombie.

"So that's what happened."

A helpless smile crossed Himeko's beautiful face.

"Himeko-sensei… your body's already suffering from Honkai corruption?" Kiana asked in shock.

'Kiana' looked at her with a complicated, sorrowful smile. "You're just like I used to be. You didn't know about Himeko-sensei's condition either."

Kiana's expression darkened instantly.

"It's fine, Kiana." Himeko took a slow breath. "I made peace with this a long time ago. It's the ending every Valkyrie eventually faces."

"No! I refuse to accept that kind of ending!"

Kiana shook her head furiously.

'Kiana' watched her quietly with empty eyes.

"I'll tell all of you everything that happened there…"

Everyone fell silent again.

At the very least, none of them wanted to upset her further.

Though inwardly…

'Kiana' was actually pretty pleased with herself.

She'd deliberately brought this up so Kiana and the others would hurry up and raid the Nine Realms early, dragging both Dark Xuanyuan and Xuanyuan out to work overtime.

Those two were at least on par with S-rank Valkyries.

Probably around Rita's level, assuming things even worked out.

After several more hours of recounting events, the doctor returned to perform another examination.

"Her recovery is progressing rapidly. At this rate… she should fully recover in about half a month."

"…"

No one looked relieved.

If anything, their expressions grew heavier. Because 'Kiana' didn't even have half a month left in this world.

"I don't want to stay here…"

'Kiana' spoke softly, her voice low and numb.

"I want to go back… everyone's still there… on that battlefield…"

"I can't leave them behind… I have to go back."

Those words made Theresa and the others' eyes redden all over again.

"…I'm sorry."

Theresa's voice shook as she spoke, nearly breaking into tears.

"You should be thanking me instead…"

'Kiana' forced out a weak smile.

Well, since I already emotionally destroyed Otto, might as well stab all of you in the heart too while I'm at it.

Totally unethical.

But once the opportunity was there, 'Kiana' genuinely couldn't resist.

Theresa clenched her tiny fists tightly.

Mei closed her eyes as tears streamed down her face.

Himeko let out a quiet sigh.

Before this, after seeing people like Raiden Ei, Seele, and Kallen arrive from parallel worlds, everyone had assumed that—even if those worlds suffered hardships—they would ultimately overcome them.

Until 'Kiana' arrived.

Her existence hit them like a brutal slap across the face.

Painful.

Heartbreaking.

Impossible to accept.

"Next… I'll tell you about the Second Eruption itself…"

And so 'Kiana' began recounting the disaster.

How the Babylon Labs facility in Siberia first went dark.

How the Valkyries who arrived ahead of everyone else rescued a group of little girls and confirmed the birth of the Second Herrscher.

How Schicksal and Anti-Entropy joined forces afterward.

The S-rank Valkyries headed to intercept the Herrscher while 'Kiana' and the other A and B-rank Valkyries fought to stop the Honkai beasts from reaching civilian areas.

Here, 'Kiana' borrowed heavily from the manga storyline.

In that parallel world, Otto still tried to use the Phoenix to infiltrate the Herrscher's consciousness and deceive her.

But he failed.

Already heavily wounded five hundred years ago, the Phoenix suffered catastrophic injuries again, while the other S-rank Valkyries were wounded as well.

Although the Second Herrscher was badly injured too, she escaped to the moon and obtained the sealed power of the Previous Era's Herrscher of Finality.

From there, the tide of battle reversed.

Valkyries began dying in massive numbers. Even the S-ranks were pushed into desperate struggles.

Then Anti-Entropy entered the battlefield, and things finally started improving.

But just as victory began tipping toward humanity…Welt seized the Second Herrscher's core and inherited the Herrscher of Finality's lingering power.

Countless Titans suddenly turned their weapons on the unsuspecting Valkyries.

The S-rank Valkyries on the front lines began dying one after another.

By the end, after witnessing Mei die in battle, the last thing 'Kiana' learned was from Anti-Entropy's leader himself—that every Valkyrie on the battlefield had already been exterminated.

Soon after, she and the parallel world's Bronya were swallowed by artillery fire together.

"Damn it… DAMN IT!!"

Kiana clenched her teeth and shouted furiously.

She couldn't understand it.

In that parallel world, both her mother and father had still been by her side…

So why had things still ended like that?

"Principal… we—we have to do something!" Mei turned toward Theresa, fury burning in her voice too.

"…"

Theresa remained silent, uncertain what to do.

"I'll negotiate. I'll report everything… to Grandpa."

"That won't be enough."

Even Yae Sakura's expression had turned cold now, killing intent flickering in her eyes.

Sorry, Welt.

'Kiana' muttered inwardly.

I may have dug a massive hole for you.

Then again…

That blame belongs to your parallel-world self. You'll just have to suffer for him a little.

"I won't let those things happen in our world!"

Theresa inhaled deeply, determination hardening in her eyes.

"Kiana…"

She looked back at 'Kiana' gently.

"Rest here for now… we'll do everything we can to help your body recover quickly."

"…Okay."

'Kiana' nodded.

A little light finally returned to her empty expression.

Honestly…

She was getting tired of lying in bed.

Unfortunately, after transforming into this character, all her injuries had become real too.

So for the next seven days, she was stuck bedridden.

Sigh… guess I'm just an NPC whose only purpose is speeding up the plot.

'Kiana' sighed inwardly.

God, I miss flirting.

She found herself reminiscing about yesterday with Yae Sakura and Rita.

Too bad…

Now all she could do was lie here.

After telling Theresa and the others everything she knew, 'Kiana' returned to quietly recovering.

But…

Mei ended up taking over nearly all of her care duties. According to Mei, she understood Kiana best and was the most qualified person to look after her.

No one could really argue with that.

So they simply prepared a better bed for Mei in the hospital room.

Late that night, only Mei and 'Kiana' remained again.

'Kiana' assumed nothing would happen and had already drifted into deep sleep.

Meanwhile…

Mei sat quietly beside the bed, staring at 'Kiana's' pale face.

Even asleep, her brows remained tightly furrowed.

Her lips were pale and dry from weakness.

Unable to stop herself, Mei reached out and gently brushed between her brows, trying to smooth away the crease there.

But her fingers slowly slid lower.

Along 'Kiana's' brows.

Past her temple.

Down to her dry lips.

After a moment of silence, Mei turned away briefly, wet a cotton swab with warm water, then carefully dabbed it against 'Kiana's' lips.

The white cotton rolled softly back and forth across the cracks in her lips.

'Kiana's' brows twitched slightly, making Mei freeze, but she didn't wake.

Only then did Mei continue carefully until those dry lips finally looked soft and moist again.

"Kiana…"

After finishing, Mei held 'Kiana's' hand.

Thinking about everything she'd heard today, tears silently slid down her face again, especially while looking at 'Kiana's' pale expression.

And because of that…

Mei made a decision.

She carefully lifted one corner of the blanket and slipped into the bed beside her, pressing close enough that nearly their entire bodies touched.

Then she wrapped an arm around 'Kiana's' waist and pulled her gently into her embrace.

Only then did 'Kiana' seem to sense the familiar warmth.

The tension in her tightly furrowed brows finally eased.

"Kiana…" Mei whispered softly while holding her close. "You're not alone anymore… I'm right here…"

"Mmm…?"

'Kiana' shifted slightly.

Then…

Pretending she'd only just woken up, she slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she felt was an overwhelming softness even through their pajamas, along with the sweet scent of a young woman lingering in the air.

There are nighttime bonus scenes too?

'Kiana' froze for a second before slowly lifting her head to meet Mei's tearful eyes.

"…Mei?"

"Sorry… did I wake you…?"

Mei's voice trembled with lingering tears as she instinctively tried to loosen her hold, afraid she'd hurt her somehow. But at that exact moment, 'Kiana' wrapped her arms around Mei's waist.

Now that you're here, you're not escaping.

"Don't go…"

Her voice came out hoarse and quiet as she pulled herself tighter against Mei, burying her face shamelessly against her chest.

"Are you cold?" Mei whispered.

"…A little."

Hearing that, Mei tugged the blanket tighter around both of them.

One hand held 'Kiana' while the other gently stroked up and down her back in comfort.

But feeling Mei's hand slide over her body through the hospital gown—from her shoulders down to her waist—made 'Kiana' feel strangely excited.

I seriously have no self-control.

She sighed inwardly.

Still, she didn't plan to do anything.

Just quietly sleeping together like this was nice too.

After all, she didn't actually want to turn into a complete pervert.

"Can you just… hold me like this?" 'Kiana' asked quietly.

Mei didn't refuse.

She could feel the trembling in 'Kiana's' body.

"…Mm."

Mei nodded and held her even tighter.

After being thoroughly smothered by "premium pillow service" for a while, 'Kiana' finally lifted her head again.

A faint flush had returned to her otherwise pale face.

"Mei…"

She stared blankly at Mei for several long moments before her eyes reddened again.

Then she tried lowering her head once more.

But this time…

Mei stopped her.

She didn't want 'Kiana' drowning forever in grief and loneliness.

So Mei lowered her forehead until it rested gently against 'Kiana's'.

"Kiana… don't keep trying to carry everything alone."

Her voice trembled softly.

That nearly scared the life out of 'Kiana'.

She'd only been trying to come up for air before diving back into the "pillow service" again.

Hearing Mei say that line suddenly made her think of Herrscher of Thunder Mei lecturing Kiana in the future.

"I… I'm not… I…"

'Kiana' mumbled weakly before going quiet again, her gaze dimming.

Watching her like this only made Mei's heart ache more.

She didn't know how to comfort her.

There were only five days left.

Five days couldn't possibly heal trauma this deep.

And afterward, 'Kiana' still had to return to that broken world alone.

Looking down at her, feeling the warm breath brushing across her face, Mei finally made up her mind.

"Kiana…"

"Mm? Mmph?!"

Mei slowly leaned down.

At first it was tentative—just softly brushing and pressing against 'Kiana's' lips, savoring their cool softness.

Then, when 'Kiana's' breathing began quickening, Mei pulled her tightly into her arms. Her tongue slipped gently past her lips, tasting her like a delicate dessert.

'Kiana' instinctively parted her lips.

And Mei tasted a faint sweetness—whether it was lingering blood or simply her natural taste, she couldn't tell.

Wait, seriously?

Confusion flashed across 'Kiana's' eyes.

I already gave up hope on anything spicy happening tonight, and now you're feeding me anyway?

Gomen ne, Kiana.

After a moment of stunned hesitation, 'Kiana' was completely swept into Mei's rhythm.

At first she squirmed slightly, almost resisting, but Mei only held her closer.

Moments later, 'Kiana' began clumsily kissing back.

Their lips tangled together, soft breaths mingling.

Mei's hand slid from her back down to her waist, fingers slipping beneath the hem of the hospital gown to touch the cool skin underneath.

Slowly, gently, her hand traced upward along 'Kiana's' side, until finally she wrapped both arms around her tightly again.

"Mmh…"

Only after a long while did they finally part slightly.

"Mei…"

'Kiana's' eyes were misty now, but not from sadness this time.

Only confusion and uncertainty.

"Kiana…"

Mei gazed at her flushed face, violet eyes filled with unwavering resolve.

"Forget those things. Right now… the only one beside you is me."

And before 'Kiana' could answer, Mei lowered her head once more, swallowing the words before they could leave her lips.

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 65

--+--

The next day, around noon.

The sunlight was perfect. 'Kiana' stood by the window, quietly gazing out at the peaceful scenery of St. Freya Academy.

Then, the door behind her suddenly creaked open.

"Kiana?"

Theresa stepped into the room and looked toward the hospital bed. The moment she saw it empty, panic instantly crept into her voice.

Then the wind lifted the curtains, revealing 'Kiana' standing by the window.

"Aunt Theresa."

"Y-you're out of bed already?" Theresa hurried over, worry written all over her small face. "The doctor said you still needed to—"

"I've rested enough."

'Kiana' turned around and looked into Theresa's blue eyes. Unlike the numb silence from yesterday, her voice was now calm and steady.

The words caught in Theresa's throat.

She stared blankly at the girl before her.

Yesterday, she had lain in bed like an empty doll, eyes hollow and lifeless.

But now, her back was straight, shoulders relaxed. White bandages wrapped around the arms exposed beneath the hospital gown, a few bandages still stuck to her face.

The exhaustion in her eyes hadn't fully faded yet, but the emptiness and numbness from yesterday were completely gone. What remained was something like the sea after a storm—waves stilled, stretching into an endless, unfathomable calm.

Kiana...

She had changed.

Theresa could feel it now—the resilience radiating from 'Kiana' from the inside out.

"Aunt Theresa." 'Kiana' looked at her and gave a gentle smile. Her voice was still a little hoarse, but no longer dry and lifeless. "You don't have to worry about me anymore. I'm... better now. Thank you. All of you."

Theresa opened her mouth, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Unable to hold back any longer, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around 'Kiana's' waist. She was so short her face ended up pressed right against 'Kiana's' chest.

Still, she could hear it clearly—

That steady, powerful heartbeat.

"Kiana..."

Her voice trembled thick with tears, mixed with guilt, as though blaming herself for not taking care of her properly.

"I'm okay now."

'Kiana' lowered her head slightly and gently patted Theresa's small head.

"Mhm..." Theresa buried her face against her chest and muffled out a soft response.

The door opened again.

Himeko walked in as well. Leaning casually against the doorframe with her arms crossed, she watched the scene before her, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"You're looking a lot better."

'Kiana' lifted her gaze over Theresa's head and looked toward Himeko.

"Major Himeko."

"Hm?"

'Kiana' looked at her with a trace of curiosity before softly saying:

"Thank you."

Himeko raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For nothing, really."

'Kiana' looked at her quietly, seriously. There was something about her now that felt strangely familiar to Himeko.

Like those veterans she'd seen on the battlefield before—people who had seen blood, witnessed death, crawled out from the ruins, and still kept moving forward.

'Kiana' had the same look in her eyes now.

The same steel-forged resilience.

"I just wanted to thank you."

Himeko studied her for a second before smiling with quiet relief.

"Alright. Message received."

She walked over and ruffled 'Kiana's' hair. The moment her palm touched those soft strands, 'Kiana's' body stiffened ever so slightly, though she didn't pull away.

"And stop acting like this is some final goodbye," Himeko scolded lightly.

'Kiana' said nothing, only looking at her as the smile on her lips deepened a little.

Not long after, Bronya, Kiana, and the others all arrived one by one.

Kiana looked at the other version of herself in the room and immediately sensed something had changed, but she couldn't quite explain what.

Not until Mei returned from outside carrying clean bedsheets and blankets.

She pushed the door open and saw 'Kiana' sitting on the edge of the bed chatting with everyone, her brows relaxed, a faint smile resting on her face.

"Mei!"

The instant Kiana saw her, she broke into a bright, delighted grin.

And when 'Kiana' looked over, those already-deep blue eyes softened further, carrying traces of attachment and warmth.

Looking at the two of them, Mei couldn't help remembering...

Last night, when 'Kiana' had leaned against her chest, breathing uneven and restrained.

The memory made heat creep across Mei's cheeks.

"Mhm." Mei suppressed those thoughts and walked to the bedside, glancing nervously over the sheets.

There weren't any traces left...

Good...

Quietly relieved, she said softly, "I'm changing the sheets."

"Okay."

'Kiana' stood up, the corners of her lips curling slightly as she noticed Mei's faintly reddened ears.

What happened last night was their little secret.

And she wouldn't let anyone else find out.

After all, she had plenty of little secrets like that with other people too.

Once Mei finished tidying the bed and everyone prepared to eat together, her gaze drifted toward 'Kiana's' loose hair cascading down her back.

"Kiana, your hair's gotten a little messy. Let me redo it for you."

After 'Kiana' sat down, Mei stepped behind her and pulled a comb from her pocket.

Starting at the top of her head, she carefully combed through the long strands little by little, but when her fingers gathered the hair at the back of 'Kiana's' neck, Mei's gaze inevitably slipped beneath the slightly open collar.

That patch of pale skin—faintly pink, whether from the heat trapped beneath the fabric or from what they'd done the night before—

The blush stretched all the way to 'Kiana's' collarbone, tracing elegant, alluring lines that disappeared in and out of shadow beneath the collar.

Mei's throat moved slightly.

Her fingers paused at the ends of 'Kiana's' hair, the comb suspended midair.

"Mei?" 'Kiana' tilted her head slightly, meeting her eyes.

Even the corners of her eyes carried a faint rosy hue, as though the remnants of last night still lingered there.

It made her look beautiful and subtly seductive, adding a touch of mature sensuality to her usual appearance.

"Mhm..." Mei looked away and continued combing her hair, her voice calm and gentle as though nothing had happened.

"Don't move. I'm not done yet."

"Mhm..."

'Kiana' obediently stayed still.

But with her back turned to everyone else, facing Mei alone, the corners of her lips curved upward ever so slightly.

A smile only Mei could see.

Their eyes met briefly before separating just as quickly. Neither of them said a word, yet they understood each other perfectly.

No one else noticed anything.

And yet somehow, everyone could vaguely sense that Mei and 'Kiana' now shared a strange, unspoken harmony between them.

Watching from the side, Kiana's eyes filled with yearning.

She could feel how different 'Kiana' had become from yesterday.

That kind of presence...

She wanted it more than anything.

"Mei."

At that moment, 'Kiana' softly called out again.

When Mei lowered her head, she quietly said: "I think... I want a high ponytail. Higher up."

"...Okay."

Mei's fingers tightened briefly around her hair before relaxing again. Then she gathered 'Kiana's' long hair high behind her head, securing it tightly layer by layer.

The style resembled the Herrscher of Finality from the game.

"All done."

Mei nodded, her eyes flashing with amazement as she looked at the now sharper, cleaner aura surrounding 'Kiana'.

'Kiana' stood before the mirror and examined herself.

"Does it look good?" Mei asked gently from behind her.

"It does!"

'Kiana' nodded enthusiastically.

Though she didn't resemble the Herrscher of Finality, she now carried a bit of the same resilience and decisiveness as the Herrscher of Flamescion.

"Mei~ I want this hairstyle too!"

Kiana immediately fell in love with it and looked at Mei expectantly.

"Kiana, this style doesn't really suit your vibe," Mei replied helplessly, turning toward the girl clinging to her arm with a warm smile.

"Aww~"

Soon after, everyone sat down together in the hospital room for lunch.

The meal had been prepared by Yae Sakura. There were sakura mochi made with cherry blossoms gathered from somewhere unknown, miso soup, rice balls, grilled saury, and several delicate vegetable side dishes.

Mei sat right beside 'Kiana', close enough that they could smell each other's faint fragrance.

Beneath the temporary table set up in the middle of the room, Mei's thigh brushed lightly against 'Kiana's', but she didn't move away.

Neither did 'Kiana'.

Their thighs rested together gently, separated only by thin hospital fabric and black stockings, each able to clearly feel the other's warmth and soft skin.

Mei was getting bolder and bolder.

'Kiana' shifted slightly, her thigh brushing teasingly against Mei's, sending a different kind of thrill through them both.

Then she picked up a sakura mochi, took a bite, and smiled brightly.

"So good~"

Mei watched her fondly from the side and laughed softly.

"I'm glad you like it."

Under the table, her thigh pressed just a little closer.

After lunch, everyone chatted for a while longer.

Eventually, Theresa began shooing people out, insisting 'Kiana' needed proper rest, so everyone gradually left.

Soon, only 'Kiana' and Mei remained.

Mei cleaned up the last bits of trash in the room while 'Kiana' stood by the window watching everyone depart.

"Kiana."

"Hm?" 'Kiana' turned at Mei's voice, confusion flickering in her eyes.

"Do your injuries... still hurt?" Mei's gaze lingered on the bandages wrapped around her arms, pain evident in her eyes.

"They don't."

'Kiana' smiled and leaned against the windowsill.

After wiping her hands dry, Mei walked over and reached out, her fingertips gently touching the soft pink skin exposed beneath 'Kiana's' collarbone.

"..."

'Kiana's' breath hitched.

The same heated tension from earlier, when Mei had tied her hair, surged back through her chest.

"Mei..."

Hearing the slight tremble in her voice, Mei didn't pull her hand away.

Instead, her fingertips slowly traced along 'Kiana's' collarbone, finally touching the place she'd wanted to caress ever since earlier.

"What about here...?"

Her fingers lingered at the edge of 'Kiana's' collar as her voice grew quieter and huskier.

Their eyes locked.

Something difficult to suppress was rising in both of them.

"Mei..." 'Kiana's' voice had become hoarse too.

"Hm?"

"...The door."

Without turning around, Mei simply looked at her and quietly replied:

"It's locked."

Wow...

'Kiana' had never imagined that becoming Kiana would come with benefits this dangerous.

Her injuries... everything she'd been through...

It seemed to have stirred something deep inside Mei.

Changing her in certain ways.

And honestly...

'Kiana' was very happy about it.

She reached out, grabbed Mei's wrist, and pulled her closer until their bodies pressed together.

Mei was slightly taller, so 'Kiana' had to tilt her head up, brushing their noses together, feeling the warm, damp sensation of their mingling breaths.

"Mei..."

"Hm?"

"When did you learn how to do this...?"

"...Do what?"

Like this...

'Kiana' lifted a hand and copied Mei's earlier actions, tracing her fingertips slowly across Mei's collarbone.

Mei shivered at the cool touch gliding over her skin, her breathing quickening.

"You taught me... last night."

Did I...?

'Kiana' couldn't remember.

But it didn't matter.

She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Mei.

Their breathing grew uneven as their lips met.

'Kiana's' hands slid from Mei's back to her waist, slipping beneath her clothes to feel the increasingly hot softness of her skin.

"Kiana..." Mei's voice sounded muffled between kisses, wet and breathless.

"...Hm?"

"Your injuries..."

"They don't hurt..."

A while later, on the bed, Mei rested in 'Kiana's' arms, one arm around her waist, her face buried against her chest as her rapid breathing gradually calmed.

"Mei..."

"Hm? We'll have to wash the sheets again."

"That's okay. I'll do it later."

Mei shifted slightly, her gaze falling on the pink scars scattered across 'Kiana's' body as they slowly healed.

A complicated emotion flickered through her eyes as her fingertips gently traced one of them.

"Mmh..."

The lingering aftershocks still left 'Kiana's' body sensitive, making her waist tense slightly.

A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of Mei's lips, but soon, sadness returned to her eyes again.

That afternoon, 'Kiana' began rehabilitation training.

Though her body hadn't fully recovered yet, making every movement slow and painful as it tugged at still-healing wounds—

She kept going anyway.

"Kiana!" After finishing her work, Theresa rushed into the room and froze at the sight, panic filling her eyes. "The doctor said you still can't—"

"I know."

'Kiana' glanced back at her, calmly cutting her off.

"But I don't have time."

Theresa fell silent.

All she could do was stand there watching her.

'Kiana' continued training until her legs trembled and sweat soaked through the bandages around her body.

Only then did Mei approach with a cup of water.

"Kiana, take a break..."

"Okay..."

'Kiana' nodded and sat by the bed, leaning against it while breathing heavily.

As she took a long drink, water spilled from the corner of her mouth, sliding down her chin and across her collarbone, trailing along the reddish scars warmed by exercise.

Standing with her back to Theresa, Mei's gaze followed the trickling water from 'Kiana's' lips all the way downward, her throat tightening slightly.

'Kiana' noticed.

The corners of her lips lifted faintly.

Maybe tonight they could continue...

These past few days had really been heaven.

And almost every day afterward went much the same.

Her scars healed astonishingly fast.

Partly because of her naturally strong constitution, and partly thanks to St. Freya Academy's advanced medical technology.

By the fifth day, only a few faint pink marks remained, like faded tattoos.

The bandages had long since been removed.

"Kiana..."

One afternoon, while 'Kiana' was in the middle of rehabilitation training, Theresa pushed open the door again, eyes red and swollen.

"Aunt Theresa."

'Kiana' turned around, pausing slightly at the sight of her expression.

She looked like she was about to cry while stubbornly trying not to.

Honestly...

It was kind of adorable.

Though it still tugged painfully at her heart a little.

"You're... leaving tomorrow."

Theresa walked up and hugged her tightly around the waist again.

"Aunt Theresa..."

"Mhm..."

The soft, childish sound she made against 'Kiana's' chest immediately made 'Kiana' raise a hand and rub her head again.

Seriously adorable...

At that moment, Himeko appeared outside the door too, leaning against the frame with folded arms just like before as she watched the scene.

'Kiana's' gaze lifted over the head of this version of her aunt once more.

"You're looking good."

Himeko's voice carried warmth and approval.

'Kiana' nodded with a grin.

"Of course. I've been resting properly these past few days. Drinking milk every morning too."

"We're here!"

Kiana, Bronya, and the others rushed in right after, along with Fu Hua and Yae Sakura.

Just like every day over the past week, the hospital room quickly became packed again.

Everyone looked at 'Kiana'.

At the sunlight pouring through the window onto her body, illuminating the nearly transparent scars across her skin.

At the high ponytail swaying behind her and the straight posture she carried now.

And they all thought the same thing.

The Kiana from another world had truly grown up.

But this kind of growth...

They would rather never have witnessed it at all.

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 66

--+--

Inside the hospital room, everyone huddled around Kiana, chatting away.

Outside in the hallway, Welt leaned against the wall, hands shoved deep into the pockets of his gray overcoat, his brow furrowed in a tight knot. Ever since Theresa told him that in a parallel world, the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy had slaughtered every last Valkyrie—including those from St. Freya—during a battle against a Herrscher, he had been consumed by curiosity regarding this "True Kiana."

"Just what happened over there?"

Welt murmured under his breath, his voice heavy with gravity and confusion. He couldn't wrap his head around the idea of himself killing Theresa and the others; there had to be a reason, something he didn't know.

Inside the room, Theresa finally pulled away from Kiana's embrace and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"I'll go get some water for everyone," she said, turning to leave.

Fu Hua glanced at Theresa's retreating back and then toward the door, remaining silent. Ever since Kiana had revealed the events of that parallel timeline, Fu Hua had been on high alert regarding Welt.

The moment Theresa stepped into the hall and spotted Welt, she froze. She carefully pulled the hospital door shut behind her.

"Welt? What are you doing here?"

"Principal Theresa." Welt straightened up, his gaze locking onto hers with intense seriousness. "I want to talk to her."

"About what?" Theresa met his eyes, biting her lip. A flicker of unease crossed her blue eyes, but she forced herself to maintain a stern expression.

"The parallel world. Anti-Entropy," Welt said, his voice low and urgent. "I need to know more."

"She's... not exactly in the right state for that right now..." Theresa's expression grew increasingly grim.

"But she's leaving tomorrow," Welt countered.

"Which is exactly why," Theresa shook her head, staring him down from a few paces away, her resolve hardening, "you cannot see her."

Welt watched her, saying nothing.

"In her world..." Theresa's voice trembled slightly, colored by a wave of grief. "The other you killed everyone. If she sees you now... she'll..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but Welt understood perfectly. He fell into a somber silence.

"Don't worry," Theresa said, trying to steady her breathing. She looked at him earnestly. "Tonight, I'll ask her everything about that world's Anti-Entropy—and about what you went through over there."

"Fine."

Welt finally nodded, his stern features softening just a fraction. He turned and began walking toward the hospital exit.

Behind him, Theresa watched his silhouette fade and let out a long sigh of relief. Thank goodness... she didn't see him. If she had...

The mere thought sent a chill down Theresa's spine. Beyond that, she had a gut feeling that letting Welt talk to Kiana alone was a bad idea. She couldn't explain why; she just felt it.

When Theresa eventually returned to the room with the water pitcher, Kiana looked up, curious. "Auntie, who was that outside? I thought I heard you talking to someone."

"No one," Theresa lied, shaking her head. Her small face wore a tell-tale look of guilt. "I wasn't talking to anyone."

You really are a terrible liar, Auntie.

Kiana watched her, feeling a spark of amusement. Between Theresa's guilty face and a bit of logical deduction, it wasn't hard to guess. The person outside was almost certainly Welt.

"Okay," Kiana nodded, offering a smile that clearly said, I know you have a secret, but I won't push it.

Later, while Theresa was busy pouring water for the group, Kiana wandered over to the window, intending to lean against the sill and soak up some sun. But as she tilted her head to look outside, she spotted a figure in a brown trench coat walking through the hospital garden toward the gates.

Kiana's body went rigid. Her pupils snapped into tiny pinpricks.

Welt.

The figure in the garden seemed to sense her gaze. He stopped and glanced back over his shoulder.

"Kiana?" Mei's voice called out from behind her.

But Kiana couldn't turn around.

Seriously...

Welt, you actually walked right out the front door and past my window? You're making it really hard not to think you're trolling me! Or maybe your "expert at failing negotiations" trait is just kicking in!

Kiana's fingers gripped the windowsill so hard her knuckles turned white. Her breathing grew shallow and ragged.

"Kiana?" Mei's tone shifted, now laced with confusion and deep worry.

The next second, Kiana threw herself out the fourth-story window.

"Kiana, what are you doing!?"

Ignoring the frantic screams of Mei and the others behind her, Kiana hit the ground, her knees absorbing the impact for a split second before she sprang forward like a coiled snake, charging toward the figure in the brown coat.

Welt had been staring back at her from the moment she spotted him.

Seeing her leap straight out the window and charge him, he suddenly realized that leaving through the front gate might have been a tactical error.

"You!!!"

Kiana let out a guttural roar. Her blue eyes were flooded with primal rage and murderous intent. She became a blur of motion as she lunged at Welt.

She tackled him to the ground, and Welt—looking genuinely panicked like an ordinary man—flung his hands up in the air.

"Kiana! What is the meaning of this?"

Kiana didn't listen. She slammed one hand onto his throat, pinning him, while her other hand pulled back into a fist, channeling every ounce of her strength. She swung it down with lethal force.

"Kiana!"

A shadow suddenly appeared beside her, catching her arm mid-swing.

"Let me go!!" Kiana screamed, her voice cracking with fury. "He's the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy! The First Herrscher!!"

"Kiana, he isn't that man," Fu Hua said, pulling at her arm to drag her away.

"Cough! Hack!"

Beneath her, Welt's hands scrambled at the grip on his throat, his brown eyes wide with confusion and terror. Seeing that look, a flicker of doubt finally crossed Kiana's eyes.

"Let go, Kiana! You're going to kill him!"

Hearing Fu Hua's plea and seeing the Welt beneath her, Kiana decided the "performance" had gone far enough. Though her eyes still burned with lingering fire, she gritted her teeth, forcing her rage into check.

She released her grip.

"Kiana, our worlds are different. In yours, he may be a Sovereign, but here, he is just a history teacher at St. Freya," Fu Hua explained, pulling Kiana back a few steps to put distance between them.

"..."

Kiana remained silent, her expression a messy knot of emotions. Her gaze remained fixed on Welt as he clutched his neck, gasping desperately for air.

"I'm sorry..."

"Kiana!"

By now, Theresa and the rest of the crew had sprinted down the stairs and reached the garden. Yae Sakura, however, watched Fu Hua with a hint of suspicion.

Just now, Fu Hua's speed had been even greater than her own. That shouldn't have been possible. Her gaze lingered on Fu Hua for a moment before she turned back to the crowd surrounding Kiana.

"Kiana!" Theresa cried, her face pale with fright. "Are you okay? You haven't recovered yet, and you jumped from the fourth floor..."

"I'm fine..."

Kiana's voice was hoarse. She kept her head down, refusing to meet anyone's eyes. The sight of her like this made everyone's heart sink.

Welt!! Theresa thought, wishing she could pull out the Oath of Judah and give him a few good whacks herself. Of all the times to leave, you chose the worst possible second!

Welt pulled himself up from the dirt.

"I'm sorry."

Kiana looked up then. Her eyes were still locked on him, brimming with a cocktail of unreadable emotions. Her body trembled as she fought to keep herself together. That apology seemed directed at Welt, and yet at everyone else too. Her eyes were rimmed with red, though no tears fell.

As they watched, it was as if something had been drained out of her. The sharp, resilient edge she'd regained vanished along with the killing intent, leaving her looking like a hollow shell.

"Kiana..." Mei stepped forward, pulling her into a protective embrace.

Meanwhile, Theresa went over to play her part with Welt. She put on a show of apologizing while simultaneously ushering him away. Welt managed to secure a year's worth of salary and full reimbursement for medical expenses before being promptly kicked out.

"Kiana, let's go back..."

Mei took Kiana's hand, leading her toward the Valkyrie dorms. They didn't go back to the hospital. For her final day, they went home.

Once they were back and Kiana was settled on the sofa, she forced a faint smile for the group. "I'm okay... sorry for worrying you all."

Mei shook her head gently. "It's not that you mistook him for someone else... Kiana, it's just... it's just..."

"I know," Kiana interrupted. Her voice was so quiet it seemed a breath of wind could blow it away. "I just..."

She didn't finish. She simply lowered her head and buried her face in her hands. Himeko sighed, walking over to gently stroke Kiana's hair.

"Silly girl... what happened in your world wasn't your fault."

Kiana said nothing, only letting out a low, muffled sob.

Welt!!! At that moment, Theresa's desire to punch Welt surpassed even her desire to punch Siegfried.

Then, a lightbulb went off.

Wait! How could she forget? She needed to tell Siegfried about this! She could have Welt pass the word along to him about Kiana's situation. That way, when Kiana finally saw her father, maybe it wouldn't be so hard on her.

A few hours later, Raiden Mei had taken Kiana back to her bedroom. She held her in bed, doing nothing else.

Hours passed in silence, Mei just holding her, chin resting on Kiana's head, her hand tracing slow, soothing circles on her back—the way one might comfort a child waking from a nightmare.

Kiana felt a bit helpless. If Welt hadn't crashed the party, she and Mei would probably be having a much more "active" night.

"Mei..." Kiana whispered, her voice rough like sandpaper on silk.

"...Hm?"

"Am I... useless?"

Mei's hand faltered for a heartbeat. "No... Kiana, you are the person... I love most in this world."

"..."

Kiana didn't reply, burying her face deeper into Mei's chest. "When I saw him... I forgot everything. I forgot this was another world. I forgot he wasn't him... All I could remember was him standing in front of those mechs, looking at me like I was already dead..."

Mei said nothing, only tightening her grip as Kiana began to shiver.

"Kiana." Mei tilted her head down to look her in the eye. "Look at me."

Kiana slowly looked up. Her eyes were bloodshot and misty, though the tears hadn't fallen. Mei cupped Kiana's jaw, her gaze turning steady, dominant, and decisive as she leaned in.

"Mmph..."

Kiana's lips were dry, but Mei moistened them with slow, deliberate care. Kiana's breath hitched, her fingers bunching up the fabric of Mei's shirt.

Mei is getting more and more assertive... Kiana thought. It's like she's already developing the aura of the Herrscher of Thunder years early.

As the thought crossed her mind, she felt Mei's tongue slip past her teeth. She stopped thinking and just began to enjoy the sensation, like a kid savoring a favorite treat.

"Kiana..." Mei murmured against her lips. "You are the bravest person I have ever met."

Kiana didn't answer, only hugging Mei tighter until there was no space left between them. Tonight, Mei took full command. Her voice was calm but iron-clad: "Kiana... tonight, let me."

Kiana met her glowing eyes and felt a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth. She relaxed her arms at her sides and lay still on the bed.

"Okay..."

Perfect... Kiana thought, a wave of anticipation and pleasure washing over her. Being the passive one is my favorite.

Much later, moonlight spilled through the window, illuminating their pale skin with a soft, translucent glow. Mei held Kiana close, chin on her head, Kiana's face tucked into the crook of Mei's neck. Mei's fingers traced lazy patterns on her waist.

"Kiana..."

"Yeah?"

"Sweet dreams."

The next morning, by the time Theresa knocked on the door, Kiana was already dressed. Mei had helped her tie her hair into a high ponytail, accentuating her long neck and sharp jawline. she looked heroic and beautiful.

"Principal."

Mei opened the door. When Theresa walked in, her eyes immediately went to Kiana, who was standing by the window with her arms crossed. Her aura was once again resilient, but seasoned with a newfound quietness.

"Kiana."

Theresa was carrying a silver case, her eyes filled with lingering concern.

"Auntie," Kiana turned, offering a soft smile.

"How are you feeling?" Theresa set the case on the bed and hurried over, looking Kiana up and down as if checking for cracks.

Kiana caught Mei's eye over Theresa's head for a brief moment before looking down at her aunt and nodding. "I'm... good."

"Good..." Theresa sighed in relief, then cast a grateful glance at Mei. "I knew it. No one understands Kiana better than Mei."

"...Yes," Mei nodded, the tips of her ears turning pink, though her gaze remained tender. "Kiana... she is very strong."

"What's that?" Kiana asked, gesturing toward the silver case.

"Oh, this!" Theresa's mood brightened instantly. She hurried to the bed and flipped the latches, revealing the perfectly folded "White Comet" Valkyrie armor.

"It's your battlesuit! We've fixed it!"

Theresa lifted the form-fitting armor, a proud look on her face. "Since we have White Comet suits in our world too, the repairs were a breeze. Go on, try it on!"

"Okay..."

Kiana stared at the suit for a long time before nodding and reaching out to take it.

"We'll wait outside for you!" Theresa said happily, turning to lead Mei out of the room.

But Kiana called out to Mei. "Mei... wait."

"Hm?" Mei turned back, confused.

"This armor... it's a bit tricky to put on by yourself." Kiana's cheeks flushed slightly, looking a bit embarrassed but entirely sincere. "Could you stay and help me with it?"

"Eh?"

Theresa blinked, then nodded sheepishly. "Oh... I forgot about that. Mei... sorry to trouble you, but could you help her out?"

"Sure, no problem," Mei agreed softly.

Theresa hurried out, considerately pulling the door shut behind her.

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 67

--+--

"Mei…"

'Kiana' stood face-to-face with Mei, White Comet cradled in her hands. In each other's eyes, they could already see a certain emotion beginning to rise.

Back then, they had only dared to do bold things in secret, when nobody else was around, but now… Theresa, and everyone else, were waiting just outside.

"Raise your arms, Kiana." Mei stepped forward and slowly began removing 'Kiana's' clothes for her.

"Huh? I can do it myself."

"…No. Let me help you."

"…Okay."

'Kiana' lifted her arms, and Mei carefully stripped away each layer she wore. Whenever Mei's fingertips brushed across her skin, a faint, tempting blush spread over her pale body.

'Kiana's' breathing gradually turned uneven.

Hearing it, Mei couldn't help the slight curve that tugged at her lips. Only after removing the last piece of underwear did Mei finally pick up the White Comet Valkyrie armor.

The material felt incredibly smooth and soft, almost like real skin, gleaming gently beneath the sunlight.

"Lift your leg."

At Mei's urging, 'Kiana' obeyed, and Mei slowly guided the armor up from her calf.

Starting from her delicate pale ankle, tinged with the faintest pink, the suit slid upward along her calf and past her knee.

Mei hooked her fingers beneath the thin edge of the armor, her fingertips grazing the softest part of her skin.

'Kiana' didn't resist. Her legs merely trembled slightly beneath Mei's touch.

"Mei…"

"Mhm."

Mei gently pushed 'Kiana' down onto the bed before kneeling in front of her. Both hands tugged carefully at the thin material, smoothing out every crease inch by inch.

But she was too close.

When her breath brushed against her skin, 'Kiana' couldn't stop trembling.

The designers of the White Comet Valkyrie armor had considered the possibility of sweat building up during combat, so…

When certain functions weren't activated, the armor was extremely breathable.

"Mmh!"

The moment Mei's fingertips touched that soft spot, 'Kiana's' waist arched uncontrollably, which only made it easier for Mei to pull the armor tighter and fit it more evenly against her body.

At that moment, Mei lifted her head to look at 'Kiana'.

Their eyes met, and the emotions swirling between them could no longer be restrained.

Outside the room—

Theresa had already been waiting in the hallway for quite a while, yet the door still hadn't opened.

Confused, she lifted a hand as if to knock, but after hesitating for a moment, lowered it again.

Then she heard faint laughter coming from inside, along with Mei and Kiana seemingly talking about something. But it soon quieted down, followed by softer laughter and hushed voices.

Looks like they're having fun chatting.

Theresa pursed her lips, a relieved smile appearing on her adorable face before turning and heading back toward the living room.

"Auntie Theresa, are Mei and the other me still not done putting on the armor?" Kiana asked curiously. She was currently playing a console game with Bronya, but immediately set the controller down when Theresa returned.

"Yeah. That armor's hard to put on without mechanical support arms."

Theresa nodded, covering for Mei and 'Kiana'.

Looking at Kiana, her heart filled with pride—and relief that Mei got along so well with every version of Kiana, no matter the world.

"Okaaay~" Kiana nodded, though her eyes darted mischievously for a moment. She immediately abandoned the game with Bronya and scampered over to sit beside Theresa, wrapping herself around Theresa's arm with an ingratiating grin.

"Auntie Theresa~ Since the me from another world already gets to wear White Comet armor, can't you get me one too~?"

"Absolutely not!" Theresa rejected her without hesitation. "Wait until you pass your Valkyrie rank evaluation first! White Comet armor is only authorized for A-rank Valkyries. No matter what, you need to at least become a B-rank first!"

"Huh? Really?! Yay! Thanks, Auntie Theresa! I'll work hard!"

After 'Kiana' finally finished putting on the White Comet armor, she and Mei tidied up the room before walking out.

"All done?" Theresa's face immediately lit up with eager excitement the moment she saw them. "Come on, come on, Kiana! I'll take you to test out that armor—Ahem, I mean, see if it feels comfortable!"

Looking at Theresa's obviously suspicious expression—as though she were hiding some kind of surprise—'Kiana' smiled faintly and nodded.

"Okay."

The moment 'Kiana' followed Theresa into the living room, Kiana's eyes widened in amazement at the sight of her sharp, heroic appearance.

"Whoa! You look amazing!"

Kiana immediately rushed over and began circling around 'Kiana', stars practically sparkling in her eyes.

"I never thought that I… I mean, you—not me—would look this pretty and cool wearing that outfit!!"

"Mhm." Watching Kiana circle around her and even start touching the armor all over, 'Kiana' felt a little guilty… and nervous.

Even though she and Mei had already made sure no lingering scent remained before coming out, 'Kiana' still worried they might somehow get found out.

"You'll wear this armor someday too," 'Kiana' said, looking at Kiana with complete seriousness and conviction.

"Yeah!"

Kiana nodded enthusiastically, her face brimming with confidence.

Soon afterward, everyone headed out together, following Theresa toward the simulation training room she had mentioned.

"We're here!"

After passing through hallways, the training grounds, and several buildings, 'Kiana' followed Theresa into the place she had seen before in the manga—

No, it appeared in the game too.

The Memorial Arena.

The first thing that came to 'Kiana's' mind was…

How many Abyss and Memorial Arena cycles had she skipped by now?

Her liver actually started hurting just thinking about it.

"This is my personal simulation training room!" Theresa proudly puffed out her chest as she led everyone into the control room. "There are barely any facilities of this level in the entire world!"

Then she tapped a few controls, and light suddenly flooded the center of the training room, illuminating the gray bowl-shaped space below.

"Kiana, go give it a try."

Theresa's gaze softened as she looked toward 'Kiana'.

"Okay." 'Kiana' nodded and walked out of the control room toward the arena below.

"You too! Get down there!"

"Huh? Okaaay~"

Kiana was quickly shooed along as well. The two walked side by side into the training room—one steady and composed, the other lively and energetic.

"Alright… starting now!"

Theresa's voice echoed through the speakers.

Then 'Kiana' watched countless particles of light gather across the floor before condensing into a figure within seconds.

Her footsteps abruptly halted.

Kiana's eyes widened instantly too.

Before them stood a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a trench coat, silver-white hair tied into a ponytail, his handsome face marked by years of hardship.

So it really is Siegfried…

Looking at him, 'Kiana' sighed inwardly.

The moment Theresa mentioned testing the White Comet armor, she had already guessed what was coming next, and now that she actually saw Siegfried, an overwhelming sense of helplessness washed over her.

Here we go again…

"D-Dad?!" Kiana reacted before 'Kiana' did.

Her eyes widened in shock, quickly turning red with tears.

"Huh… I have two daughters now? And both of them grew up this gorgeous? Come here and let your old man inspect how well you've developed~"

Siegfried raised his hands, about to strike the infamous ridiculous pose from the manga—only to get immediately nailed in the face by Kiana's running jump kick and sent flying backward.

"You idiot dad!"

Thanks to 'Kiana's' unexpected presence, the conversation between Kiana and Siegfried turned out very differently from the manga.

After getting kicked away, Siegfried didn't explain that he was merely a computer-generated simulation.

After chatting with Kiana for a few moments, his gaze slowly shifted toward 'Kiana'.

Ever since he appeared, 'Kiana' had stood frozen in place, fingers tightly clenched.

"Dad…" she called softly when he looked at her, almost as if speaking any louder would make him disappear.

"You… are you just a simulation?" 'Kiana' looked at him as tears gradually welled up in her eyes.

"This is Auntie Theresa's training room… I used it before… I know it reads the user's memories…"

"I'm not a simulation, Kiana."

Siegfried looked at her, sorrow flickering through those deep blue eyes.

Holding Kiana's hand, he slowly walked toward 'Kiana', carefully studying her face.

After a long pause, his voice came out rough and hoarse.

"You've grown up."

The moment those words fell, 'Kiana's' tears finally spilled over. She couldn't stop sobbing, shoulders shaking violently as she wore the most aggrieved, heartbroken expression imaginable.

Kiana stared at the scene with widened eyes.

She could feel 'Kiana's' grief.

That feeling… of losing family.

Her idiot dad was still here.

But 'Kiana'… she had already lost everything.

Kiana's own eyes immediately reddened as well.

Siegfried said nothing. He bit down hard, fury flashing across his eyes, but his anger wasn't directed at 'Kiana'.

It was aimed at everything that had happened in that other world.

Theresa had contacted him through Welt, and from her, he learned the entire story.

The moment he heard that the Kiana of another world had lost her parents, her friends, even Theresa herself… all murdered—an overwhelming chill had erupted from him on the spot.

He had nearly frozen over the Anti-Entropy base he was standing in.

And now, looking at 'Kiana', the anger inside him surged higher and higher.

But even greater than the anger… was sorrow.

"Kiana…"

Siegfried reached out and pulled 'Kiana' into his arms.

'Kiana' buried her face against his chest, crying like a child as she clutched desperately at his coat, as though loosening her grip even slightly would make him vanish.

Kiana stood nearby, lips pressed tightly together, eyes red.

She wasn't jealous.

She was just thinking—

If one day she lost everything too… what would that feel like?

Then, in the next moment, Siegfried pulled Kiana into the embrace as well.

Father and daughters held each other tightly.

Inside the control room, everyone watched in silence.

Theresa let out a deep sigh.

"So that's…" Mei murmured quietly while looking at the figure in the training room. "Kiana's father?"

"Yeah."

Himeko stood nearby and nodded.

Originally, she almost said, "That's the guy who once groped half the Valkyries at headquarters," but after reconsidering, she swallowed the comment and instead smiled teasingly at Mei.

"That's your future father-in-law, Mei."

"Himeko-sensei…"

A long while later—

Seeing 'Kiana's' tear-streaked face, Siegfried awkwardly wiped at the corner of her eyes with his rough fingers.

The gesture was clumsy, but 'Kiana' instinctively leaned into his hand.

"Kiana…" Siegfried said in a low voice. "Theresa already told me about your world."

'Kiana's' lips trembled faintly.

She fought to hold back the grief threatening to spill out again.

Siegfried continued, placing a heavy hand on her shoulder.

"The Kaslana family never stands still…"

His grip was firm, but warm.

"Keep moving forward, Kiana. The roads you've walked… the people you've remembered… they all become part of who you are."

Tears still clung to 'Kiana's' face as she looked up at him, lips trembling.

"Dad…"

"Mhm."

"Seeing you again… it's really nice."

Siegfried met her gaze. His throat tightened, but he said nothing.

His own eyes had turned slightly red.

Then he pulled her tightly back into his embrace.

"Idiot dad…" Kiana stood beside them, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face too.

She couldn't even explain why she wanted to cry.

Her dad was right here. Nothing had been lost. But seeing another version of herself crying like that made her chest ache unbearably.

"You're not allowed… to disappear again!"

Siegfried loosened his hold and turned toward Kiana, smiling gently with visible guilt in his eyes as he pulled her into his arms too.

"Soon… very soon, Dad will come back."

"You're lying… You always say that."

"This time, I mean it."

Kiana didn't press further.

She just lightly punched his chest, eyes red as she muttered, "Come back soon."

Siegfried nodded.

But then, looking at the two Kianas in his arms, he suddenly laughed.

"Two Kianas… this is gonna be a problem. If I call out 'Kiana,' both of you will turn around."

Hearing that, 'Kiana' nearly lost it.

Just wait…

In the future, when you call "Kiana," three people are gonna turn around. Let's see if you can still keep it together then!

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 68

--+--

A long while passed.

'Kiana' had finally finished catching up with Siegfried and the other Kiana.

However, as Siegfried looked at her now, the smile on his face slowly ebbed away, replaced by a look of somber resolve.

"Kiana," Siegfried's voice dropped an octave, heavy with a quiet seriousness. "That world of yours... what do you plan to do?"

"I'm going back." 'Kiana' met his gaze, her posture ramrod straight, her eyes turning calm and focused.

Her face was a mask of stillness, as if she were discussing a mundane daily chore rather than her return to a scorched earth battlefield.

"And after you get back?"

"I'll finish what needs to be done." Her tone was level, answering without a shred of hesitation. "Mom, Dad... Mei, Himeko, Bronya, and Auntie... they're all still waiting for me. Everything they left unfinished, I'm going to finish for them."

Siegfried watched her, falling into a long silence before he finally let out a laugh—a laugh thick with both pride and gravity.

He realized then that this daughter from a parallel world truly understood her purpose. She knew what she had to do, why she had to do it, and exactly how to see it through.

She had grown up. She had become a true warrior of the Kaslana bloodline.

"You're stronger than I ever was," Siegfried sighed softly.

"I'm not."

"You are."

Siegfried placed a hand on her shoulder. He didn't ruffle her hair this time; he simply kept his palm pressed there, the weight of it feeling incredibly heavy and significant.

"When I was your age, I was still out there just looking for trouble. You... you've already fought through so much."

'Kiana' didn't say a word; she just held his gaze.

Siegfried eventually let go and took a step back. He looked at 'Kiana', then over at Kiana, studying both their faces intently for a long moment before offering a faint smile.

"It's about time."

'Kiana's' eyes flickered with a brief tremor. Beside her, Kiana bit her lip hard again, looking almost resentful of the moment before sinking into a quiet, helpless acceptance.

Siegfried didn't say goodbye.

Instead, he turned around and walked toward the center of the training room. As he moved, flecks of light began to drift away from his body—the digital program was already beginning to dissolve.

"Dad."

'Kiana' spoke to his retreating back, her voice steady and sincere.

Your daughter is mine now, you know.

Calling you "Dad" one last time... it's a fair trade.

Siegfried didn't stop, nor did he look back.

"Take care..."

His footsteps faltered for a fraction of a second when he heard her final call. Then, his voice drifted back, calm and tender: "You too... Kiana."

Then the light scattered, and his figure vanished entirely from the room.

Inside the training hall, Theresa's small face was drenched in tears. She tried to wipe them away with her sleeve, but they wouldn't stop falling. She knew that this parting between Siegfried and 'Kiana' was forever.

"Are you hungry?" 'Kiana' turned back to the Kiana beside her, the corners of her mouth curling upward.

"Starving!"

After everything they had just shared, the bond between the two Kianas had reached a turning point.

Hearing Kiana's response, 'Kiana' looked up toward the control room and shouted at the top of her lungs:

"Mei! I'm hungry!"

"Me too! Mei! I want fried chicken!"

"Alright... I'll head back and start cooking for you both."

In the control room, Mei managed a smile, though tears suddenly spilled down her cheeks even as she laughed.

The group made their way back to the dorms together. Mei and Yae Sakura went out and bought so many groceries that the bags were practically overflowing onto the kitchen floor.

For the rest of the day, 'Kiana' and Kiana ate almost non-stop. For such small frames, they had the bottomless appetites of a black hole.

When evening fell, they all went for a stroll along the beach.

And finally...

"Ha!" 'Kiana' flopped onto the dorm sofa, setting down her controller with a triumphant cheer. "Yes! I finally beat you once, Bronya!"

"..."

Sitting on the other side, Bronya silently put her controller down. Her eyes went red the moment she heard those words.

Time was almost up.

"Kiana..." Theresa looked at 'Kiana', her voice trembling as she called her name.

"Yeah?"

'Kiana' turned to Theresa, a bright, cheerful smile across her face. "It's okay, Auntie. I... I'm ready."

"I know..."

Theresa nodded, though her eyes remained bloodshot and watery. Mei sat beside 'Kiana', draped in silence.

"Mei..."

'Kiana' looked at her, saying her name softly. She reached out and gently took Mei's hand.

After a shared look, 'Kiana' smiled and let her gaze wander across the room, taking in every face one last time.

"Thank you, everyone..." she said, her smile bright and pure, just like Kiana's, yet carrying a weight of maturity that broke their hearts. "I've had so much fun these past six days."

Theresa covered her mouth, trying to stifle a sob. She couldn't bear to let her go. In her mind, she feared that once 'Kiana' returned to that battlefield, she might not survive.

All Theresa could do was pray that by the time she returned, the First Herrscher—who had seized the Core of the Second—would be long gone.

Fu Hua closed her eyes, offering a silent, heavy sigh. As Kiana's dear friend, she hoped that 'Kiana's' return would bring hope to that other world.

But... if she, Cecilia, and the other Valkyries had already fallen...

Then that world, or at least the humanity of that era, was already beyond saving.

'Kiana' stood up. She picked up the last piece of sakura mochi from the coffee table, chewed it down in a couple of bites, and swallowed. She was still wearing her White Comet armor.

She walked toward the door, her steps steady, her back straight. Her ponytail swayed gently behind her with every stride.

They all watched her back.

At the threshold, 'Kiana' stopped.

"Mei."

She turned around, looking at everyone one last time before settling on Mei. Then, she gave a small, soft laugh.

"There are people waiting for me in that world. I have to go."

"Right..." Mei's grip tightened around her glass until her knuckles turned white. "I know."

With one last smile, 'Kiana' turned, pushed the door open, and walked out.

Her shadow stretched long under the hallway lights. Then, the door slowly clicked shut.

At that moment, Mei's tears finally flowed uncontrollably.

"Time's... up," Fu Hua whispered, her voice dry and raspy.

They all knew that the girl on the other side of that door was gone. They would likely never meet her again.

"I hate this..." Kiana murmured, her eyes shimmering with tears.

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 69

--+--

Just as everyone in the dorms was drowning in a sea of grief, the alarms across the entire St. Freya Academy suddenly screeched to life!

Outside the windows, the night sky was punctuated by the rhythmic, piercing flash of red warning lights.

"Warning—Warning—External intrusion detected—"

"Huh?!!"

The group in the living room scrambled to their feet, faces a mask of shock and confusion.

"Waaaaah!" Ai-chan's voice shrieked from Himeko's phone. "St. Freya's systems are being hacked! The firewalls! Three layers have been breached already!!"

"What?"

Himeko froze, an expression of pure disbelief crossing her face. Beside her, Theresa looked just as stunned.

Theresa had personally dug Ai-chan out of a Previous Era ruin. The alarms had barely started, and three layers of Ai-chan's defense were already shredded? Who had that kind of power? Who would even try?

"Anti-Entropy?" Theresa muttered, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Wait, that's impossible." Himeko shook her head, but she was cut off by Ai-chan's frantic voice again.

"The intruder is downloading the combat data for every Valkyrie in the Academy?! Wait! Stop! That's classified!"

Bronya stood up, her expression cold and mechanical despite her slightly bloodshot eyes. Virtual interface panels began to flicker into existence before her.

"Bronya is interfacing with the St. Freya network. Requesting permission... Permission granted."

However, just as Bronya spoke, the ear-piercing alarms throughout the Academy abruptly cut to silence.

"Did... did you do it?" Theresa stared at Bronya, her jaw dropping. "Bronya, since when was your tech... this powerful?"

"No..."

Bronya's expression darkened, her small face tight with tension. Her hands became a blur of afterimages across the virtual screens as endless streams of data cascaded down the displays at high speed.

"It wasn't Bronya. It's..."

Before Bronya could finish, a playful, lazy voice crackled over the PA system. Even through the heavy voice modulation, you could tell the person was talking with their mouth full.

"Who wrote these firewalls? Total noob work. You guys really need an upgrade."

"..." Himeko's eye twitched.

Theresa's face turned beet-red in an instant. "Who is that?! Catch her! This is beyond rude!!"

"I'm trying to trace the location!" Ai-chan shouted. "The intruder's signal is jumping... she's bouncing all over the Academy!"

"Bronya has localized the general vicinity of the target." Bronya's face was set in grim determination. "Signal locked. I have calculated eight possible sets of coordinates."

"Good!" Himeko nodded, her gaze turning razor-sharp. "We split up. I'll coordinate the Valkyries on campus to move on these coordinates and make the collar."

"Coordinates uploaded to the comms network."

Everyone in the living room moved at once. The sorrow over the real Kiana's departure was momentarily shoved aside, replaced by a single, burning desire: to catch the brat who dared to cause trouble now—and had the nerve to call them "noobs" to their faces!

Mei felt a flicker of unease as she rushed out with the rest, but she didn't have time to process it. Kiana had already grabbed her hand, dragging her toward the door.

"Hurry up, Mei! When we catch that jerk, I'm going to teach her a lesson she'll never forget!"

By now, the Academy was in total chaos. Valkyries were pouring out of their dorms—some still in pajamas, some clutching toothbrushes.

They were mobilized on the fly, scrambling to gear up and head toward the coordinates provided by Bronya under Himeko's command.

But...

Once everyone had cleared out of the dorm building, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway once more.

"Hmph~" Silver Wolf sauntered through the unlocked door and into the dorm. After a quick raid of the kitchen, she emerged with a few bags of chips and some drinks.

She made herself at home in the living room. In front of her, a holographic projection displayed a map of the entire St. Freya Academy, littered with dense clusters of red dots. Those represented the people hunting her.

The green dots—the ones currently being surrounded by those red dots—were nothing more than spoofed signal decoys she'd planted.

"Bunch of NPCs," Silver Wolf mumbled, stuffing a handful of chips into her mouth with a loud crunch.

On the map, the green signals began to "flee" according to the paths she had pre-programmed. Outside, the shouts of Valkyries echoed through the night.

"She's in the cafeteria!"

"No! She's on the track field!"

"I just saw the signal on the roof!"

"The pool! She's at the pool!"

The signals jumped every few seconds, appearing in different locations like a clever rabbit darting through the brush, always one step ahead of the hounds.

"They don't even know how to map-run, and they think they can catch me?" Silver Wolf leaned back into the sofa, chewing casually. With a flick of her finger, she hijacked the broadcast again, letting Ai-chan's voice scream: "She's at the track! Quick! Get over there!"

Silver Wolf watched the red dots swarm toward the track field on her screen, her lips curling into a satisfied smirk.

This time, she had manifested as Silver Wolf. As soon as the transformation was complete, she couldn't resist the urge to stir up a little "fun." So, she'd hacked the St. Freya systems. Now, she was genuinely curious to see how long it would take for them to find her.

She swiped the screen again.

"She's in the cafeteria!"

The red dots swarmed back toward the dining hall.

"Too slow~" Silver Wolf sighed, starting to feel a bit bored. This game was losing its edge quickly.

The only thing providing any entertainment was Bronya's counter-attacks in the digital space.

"Hmm…" She tipped the bag of chips to pour the last of the crumbs into her mouth, then took a long swig of her chilled drink. "Burp~ Hope you can give me a real challenge, other me."

She began scouring the maps for Bronya. Soon enough, she spotted her through a security feed.

The Library.

She zoomed in, seeing that Bronya had stayed put in the library instead of running around the campus with the others. While Bronya was fighting back on the network level, she was staring at the screen with a deep frown, focusing on the original starting points of the coordinates Silver Wolf had spoofed.

"Oh? You noticed?"

Silver Wolf's smirk widened into a look of pure delight.

--+--

Honkai Transformations - 70

--+--

"Bronya! What are you still doing in the library? Her latest coordinates are at the training grounds!"

As Kiana dashed toward the training area, she saw that Bronya's signal was still pinned to the library. She couldn't help but flip her comms on and shout a reminder.

"No," Bronya's voice came back, hauntingly calm. "She's not at the training grounds."

"What?"

Kiana froze in her tracks, and the rest of the team shifted their focus to the comms channel.

"Those coordinates... they're all decoys she planted." Bronya's fingers danced across the holographic screen, connecting the original locations of the breadcrumbs Silver Wolf had left behind, one by one.

The classroom block, the library, the grand hall, the clock tower. Then the courtyard, the dorms, the training grounds, and the cafeteria.

As the points linked up...

Bronya's hand faltered for a fraction of a second.

When connected, the coordinates formed a massive arrow. And the tip of that arrow was pointing directly at the Valkyrie dormitories.

Bronya's eyes narrowed as she stared at the screen.

Suddenly, it clicked.

Perhaps this intruder... was a visitor from another world.

"Bronya, what did you find?" Theresa's voice cut through the channel, sounding winded.

"She's been playing us this whole time." Bronya's voice grew even steadier, but her speaking pace quickened, as if she were itching to give the person who pranked them a piece of her mind.

"All those signal sources were fakes. The real intruder is currently in our dorms."

The comms channel went dead for a full second.

Then, Kiana's roar exploded through the speakers: "What?! She's been sitting back laughing at us this whole time?!"

"Back to base!" Himeko's voice was firm and serious. "Everyone! To the dorms!"

Inside the dorm, Silver Wolf watched her holographic screen. Aside from the random background Valkyries, she saw the main squad begin to pivot in unison, charging toward the dorm building. A smirk played on her lips.

She was genuinely looking forward to seeing Bronya's reaction. This was going to be fun.

Though, she suspected Bronya had already figured it out.

After all, while she had distorted her voice during the broadcast earlier, it wasn't anything Bronya couldn't reverse-engineer.

Silver Wolf stood up, brushed some potato chip crumbs off her shorts, and flicked the holographic screen shut. She sat back down on the sofa, crossed her legs, and folded her arms, waiting for the grand entrance with practiced ease.

BANG!!

A moment later, the dorm door was kicked open by Kiana with such force the lock cylinder went flying.

"Don't move!!!"

Kiana burst into the room, already shifted into a Kaslana Gun Kata stance, her face radiating pure killing intent.

Then, she saw her. Silver Wolf was lounging on the sofa, legs crossed, watching Kiana's grand entrance as if she were watching a circus act. She reached into a bag of chips—the ones Mei had specifically bought for Kiana—and slowly popped one into her mouth, chewing with agonizing deliberation.

"Huh?"

Kiana's brain short-circuited instantly.

"Completion time... barely a passing grade."

Silver Wolf arched an eyebrow at her. She twirled a whole chip between her fingers like a playing card before tossing it into her mouth.

"Bro... Bronya?!"

"I'm not her. I don't have that weird habit of referring to myself in the third person." Silver Wolf eyed Kiana with a playful, mocking glint.

"You! Then you're... you must be..." Kiana fumed for a second, but looking at Silver Wolf, the reality of the situation finally dawned on her.

"Kiana, move aside."

Himeko's voice came from behind Kiana, who was currently blocking the doorway. Kiana stepped to the side.

Himeko walked into the dorm, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized the arrogant brat sitting on the sofa.

Long silver hair with blue highlights at the tips, a black crop top, shorts, and a handheld game console hanging from her waist.

"Another one from a parallel world?" Himeko sighed, a touch of exhaustion in her eyes.

"In your terms? Yeah, pretty much."

Silver Wolf glanced at the holographic screens beside her.

The displays showed surveillance footage of everyone from Raiden Ei and Seele to Kallen and the "Real" Kiana. This was data she had scraped the moment she cracked the St. Freya Academy systems.

"Pretty interesting. I was just playing a game, the screen flickered, and suddenly I'm in this dump."

Silver Wolf looked around the living room, her gaze sweeping the space.

"A... pre-faster-than-light civilization. And one that hasn't even been integrated into the galactic FTL comms network yet."

Himeko stared at her, her gaze dropping to the screens. "Why did you do all this?"

"You mean helping you fix this firewall made of wet tissue paper?" Silver Wolf tilted her head, meeting Himeko's eyes with a smirk. "Don't mention it. I was just feeling generous enough to do some stress testing. Free of charge this time."

"Why you—!"

Kiana looked at Silver Wolf, then turned to look at Bronya, who had just caught up with the group outside the door.

"Bronya! This other you is super annoying!"

Silver Wolf's eyes shifted to Bronya, her brow twitching upward. "My local double? Makes sense. Aside from another me, nobody on this planet could have cracked my puzzles that fast."

"Are you... Bronya as well?" Bronya asked softly, staring at her counterpart.

"Never heard of her." Silver Wolf shrugged. "You can call me Silver Wolf."

She stood up, tossed the empty chip bag into the trash can, and clapped the salt off her hands. "Since you actually solved my little riddle... I'll lay off your systems for a few days."

Without waiting for a response, Silver Wolf strolled toward one of the bedrooms, pushed the door open, walked in, and slammed it shut.

"She—she—she!" Kiana pointed a shaking finger at the closed door, trembling with rage. "She's living in our dorm now?! Who said she could do that?!"

Theresa started rubbing her temples, giving Bronya an uncertain glance before muttering, "The Bronya from another world... certainly has a... vivid personality."

"Sigh."

Himeko couldn't help but join in the sighing.

"Control of the St. Freya Academy systems has been fully recovered!" Ai-chan's voice rang out with an excited cheer.

"Furthermore, the system has been upgraded! Based on the optimization scripts left in the database, the overall system speed has been boosted by 30%! Also, several previously undetected vulnerabilities have been patched!"

"Well," Himeko nodded helplessly. "A blessing in disguise? Still... this was a bit sudden."

Bronya stared at the closed door in silence.

Because that was her room.

The living room still smelled faintly of salty potato chips. The group stood there awkwardly, and the lingering sadness from the "Real" Kiana's departure was, in a strange way, slightly dissipated by this new chaos.

"She took Bronya's room!" Kiana yelled, still vibrating with indignation.

Bronya looked at Kiana, not particularly bothered by the room theft. In fact, she felt a small spark of warmth seeing Kiana get so worked up on her behalf.

"Kiana, calm down," Mei said, holding Kiana back, though her own expression was complicated.

After all, Silver Wolf looked exactly like Bronya and sounded exactly like her. Hearing her say "Never heard of her" felt incredibly surreal.

"Even if she did upgrade the system," Himeko said, looking at the door with a mix of frustration and resignation, "we still need to have a serious talk with her."

Theresa continued to massage her temples. Such an eccentric individual was going to be a handful for both of them, especially given who she was.

"She is strong," Bronya said flatly. "In the digital realm, Bronya is no match for her. Those coordinates were just a test to see if we were even worthy of meeting her face-to-face."

"Bronya, are you saying she let us find her on purpose?" Mei asked gently.

"Yes."

Bronya nodded, a hint of helplessness crossing her face. "To her, this is all just a game."

"A game?" Kiana's voice went up an octave. "She messes with everyone at a time like this, and you're telling me she thinks it's a game?!"

"Yes." Bronya's tone was calm, but as the others watched her stare at the closed door, they realized her competitive spirit had been ignited.

"She had her fun. Now... Bronya will make sure to play along."

"..."

Kiana opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words. She suddenly felt that the 'Bronya' behind that door was ten thousand times more annoying than the one she knew.

Himeko thought it over for a moment, then stepped forward and knocked lightly on the door.

"Hey, come out and talk. We want to know more about your situation."

No response.

Himeko knocked again. "As a tenant, you should at least listen to the landlord's rules."

Still nothing.

Kiana leaned in, pressing her ear to the wood. "Did she jump out the window or something?"

"We're on the fourth floor," Mei reminded her.

"Bronya jumps off the fourth floor all the time!"

Just as Kiana was arguing back, the door swung open. Kiana lost her balance and began to tumble forward.

Mei caught her just in time.

Silver Wolf leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching Kiana's near-wipeout with a satisfied smirk. "Eavesdropping isn't a very good habit, you know."

"You! You!" Kiana's face turned beet red the moment she found her footing. "I wasn't eavesdropping! I was making sure you didn't run away! And this isn't even your room!"

"I'm not going anywhere." Silver Wolf tilted her head.

"This place doesn't even have a galactic server to link to. Where would I go? Besides... I like this room. I'm staying here for the next seven days. It's not like you'd let me out of your sight anyway, right?"

After baiting Kiana, Silver Wolf finally understood the joy Bronya felt during their usual bickering.

She turned a cheerful gaze toward Himeko. "Ask whatever you want. Speed-round style, please. I've got games to play."

Himeko nodded, her expression turning serious. "Where are you from?"

"Punklorde."

"And where is that?"

"A hacker planet," Silver Wolf said nonchalantly. "The place that knows more about data than anywhere else in the universe."

"The whole universe?" Theresa blinked, stunned. "You mean... an alien planet?"

Silver Wolf gave her a look usually reserved for a toddler asking what 1+1 is.

"Duh. Where else? Earth? Never heard of it. Solar System? Out of my service area."

Silver Wolf shrugged. "Heaven knows how I ended up here; I can't even grind my Sunday dailies. And this backwater world doesn't even have FTL comms. In galactic terms, you're basically a single-player DLC."

The jargon left most of them confused, but Bronya understood.

"She treats the entire universe... as a game."

"A game?" Kiana's lip twitched. She was starting to think Silver Wolf might be a few chips short of a bag. "Then how did you get here?"

Himeko tried to pull the conversation back to the point.

"No clue," Silver Wolf said, her brow furrowing slightly. "Probably some idiot wrote some trash code, messed up the spatial data, and a bug tossed me here. Or... there's a Curio on your planet."

"A Curio? What's that?" Himeko's eyes lit up.

She felt she had finally found a lead on why people from other worlds were appearing every seven days.

"A Curio is a Curio. They either grant power or have admin-level permissions—all sorts of bizarre functions that make no sense."

Silver Wolf's voice remained flat. "The reason I'm here, and likely the reason for the people who came before me, is probably some Curio."

"What are the specific characteristics of this 'Curio'?" Himeko pressed.

"Tons of them."

Silver Wolf held out her hands and shrugged. "You're better off asking me something else. I already looked for it, and I couldn't find a trace."

Himeko's expression became a complicated mix of emotions.

"Fine."

Even so, the intel Silver Wolf provided was enough to spark a flicker of hope. A hope that they might eventually find a way to reach Ei, the Real Kiana, and the others who had left.

Sorry about that~

Silver Wolf watched them, suppressed a giggle internally.

That "Curio" thing? She totally made it up.

Actually...

If you really wanted to talk about Curios, maybe she herself was one.

--+--