My first day was surprisingly calm, a stark contrast to the chaos I had expected. As I took my seat beside the Queen of Senba, I could feel the weight of envious eyes on me. Despite the silent judgments and whispers, I remained composed, determined not to let them affect me, and went about my day with a quiet resolve.
Typically, one might try to make new friends on the first day of class, but that wasn't my style. Being sociable drained me mentally, and the thought of constantly being surrounded by strangers in a school setting left me exhausted. The effort it took to engage in small talk and forge new relationships felt like an insurmountable challenge. I preferred solitude, finding comfort in my own company rather than in the fleeting connections of a first-day classroom.
In my previous life, leukemia had kept me from attending college and university so the opportunity to experience the higher education atmosphere was something I had long yearned for. Would it be any different from high school? The anticipation of discovering new subjects, engaging with knowledgeable professors, and immersing myself in an academic environment filled me with excitement. Yet, there was also a lingering apprehension—would I be able to keep up? Would the reality live up to my expectations?
Anyway, with Rin's support, financial worries seemed to disappear. Despite coming from a well-off family, I felt an intrinsic need to secure my own finances. Who knew what the future held? The unpredictability of life, combined with my past experiences, made me wary of relying solely on family wealth. But with Rin by my side, I felt more confident and capable of handling any monetary challenges that might arise.
To avoid detection, I carefully selected an appropriate amount of money to target—small enough not to draw attention, but substantial enough to be worthwhile. I directed Rin to focus on funds from illegal activities such as money laundering, drugs, prostitution, firearms, and corruption. These sources were less likely to prompt pursuit by authorities or the criminal owners as the amounts I took each time were relatively minor compared to their typical transactions.
As the Herrscher of Corruption, Rin could easily hack and transfer money into a new anonymous bank account for me. She could make me a millionaire with a fraction of her power as her hacking into nuclear weapon arsenals of the Previous Era had been a piece of cake for her. Nonetheless, I made sure Rin to be extremely careful, leaving no traces that could lead back to us. The necessity of avoiding detection was paramount; I wanted to avoid any complications from carelessness.
However, getting rich wasn't my primary goal. The real objective was to navigate through Nagazora and awaken Mei as the Herrscher of Thunder as smoothly as possible. Additionally, I might need to devise a plan to establish contact with Otto.
From what Elysia and God Kiana told me, they had also reincarnated him after his attempt in "Thus Spoke Apocalypse." This meant he would be much more knowledgeable, cautious and cunning in this timeline, an adversary should never be underestimated. Otto might have some redeeming qualities, but he had always been a master manipulator, from start to finish, using his intellect, charm and decisive actions to achieve his ends. In his previous life, his machinations had spanned centuries, affecting countless lives and shaping the course of history. His reincarnation meant he retained that vast reservoir of knowledge and experience, making him even more formidable. He would likely be more guarded, aware of the consequences of his past actions, and perhaps even more determined to achieve his goals.
Regardless, I hoped I could gain Otto's support. I was well aware of the risk that he would manipulate and discard me when it suited him, but as the saying goes, high risk comes with high reward. Reckless? Perhaps. But Elysia and God Kiana had reincarnated Otto for a reason, implying they had plans involving him. If that was the case, establishing a decent relationship with him despite his notorious reputation would be necessary soon.
As I pondered my strategy, I considered the various ways to reach out to Otto. Direct confrontation was out of the question; he could see through any overtures that lacked sincerity or strategic value, and that's not taking into account of his resource. Having lived for over 500 years, he undoubtedly possessed wisdom and cunning far beyond measure.
Moreover, I had to think about what I could offer Otto. He was not someone who acted out of charity or goodwill. Every move he made was calculated, serving a greater purpose or fulfilling a specific need. I needed to present something that would pique his interest, something he couldn't easily obtain on his own.
"Kazuto, I think I've found something that might interest you," Rin's voice crackled through my earphones as I walked home from school. My phone buzzed with notifications, and I glanced down to see a series of documents starting to download onto my smartphone.
"From what I've observed, it's clear that someone is trying to forge numbers and alter documents in the ME Corp database. Do you have any idea what their motive could be?" Rin asked, her tone curious.
I opened my smartphone to review the documents, but the first thing that struck me was the sheer number of them written in German. Why were so many of these documents in German? Did ME Corp really have that much business with German entities? The thought nagged at me as I scrolled through page after page, trying to make sense of it all.
I could understand ME Corp having dealings with Russian, Korean, Chinese, and English-speaking foreign entities, but the sheer volume of German documents was surprising.
I guess learning German just became a priority. Not only that, Schicksal was an Austrian organization so learning German definitely came in handy sooner or later.
"It looks like someone is attempting to hack into ME Corp, but with this many falsified documents, it feels more like an internal coup is unfolding," I explained. "This kind of data manipulation would require inside help. Only you, Herrscher of Corruption, could breach ME Corp's firewall, so I really doubt this is an outsider's doing."
I knew Cocolia and her associates were trying to frame Raiden Ryoma thus paving the way to seize control of ME Corp. The data Rin had just provided confirmed the gravity of the situation.
Damn, my father was practically Ryoma's right-hand man. Was he betraying Ryoma, or was he just as clueless about this as Ryoma? If it was the latter, then my father might be arrested alongside Ryoma once Cocolia completed her takeover. But if it was the former...
"Rin, I need you to investigate my father," I said firmly. "He might be that traitorous insider, and while I want to believe he isn't, I need to be sure."
"Already done. Your father is quite high-ranking in ME Corp, so I've downloaded his messages and emails," Rin replied as a new folder of documents appeared on my screen.
I quickly skimmed through the files Rin had gathered, but once again, the overwhelming number of German documents was seriously slowing me down.
Damn it, I was definitely hiring a German tutor. I might not be a natural polyglot like my old brother-in-law but I knew how to pick up a new language.
I knew translation apps existed but their quality was terrible back in late 2013, the time I was in now. They were practically useless for anything beyond the basics.
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What kind of person is he?
Raiden Mei had been pondering this question ever since the new student appeared in her classroom, a nagging curiosity that she couldn't quite shake off.
She hadn't paid much attention to him at first, just another face among the crowd of students. But her father, Raiden Ryoma, had brought him up during one of their family meals, a rare moment of discussion that piqued her interest.
From what her father told her, the boy—Watanabe Kazuto—was the son of his most trusted subordinate at ME Corp. Her father spoke highly of Kazuto's family, emphasizing their loyalty and competence within the company, and he made it clear that he expected Mei to treat Kazuto with respect. This wasn't a request; it was an unspoken command, the kind her father often issued with the weight of his authority.
Honestly, it wasn't a difficult expectation to meet. Kazuto was reserved, polite, and seemed to carry himself with a quiet dignity that was uncommon among their classmates. He didn't seek attention, and if anything, he blended into the background effortlessly. On their first day as seatmates, the most remarkable interaction between them was when he asked to borrow her book—a simple request, yet delivered with a calm and measured tone that caught her off guard. Unlike others who stammered or hesitated in her presence, Kazuto spoke to her as if she were just another student, not the daughter of one of the most powerful figures at ME Corp and it was such a refreshment.
Raiden Mei was well aware that she wasn't like most other teenage girls. Her classmates often filled their days with chatter about dramas, dates, boys, celebrities, and the latest beauty trends—topics that held little interest for her. While they obsessed over the trivialities of high school life, Mei's mind wandered to far more unconventional subjects. Philosophy, literature, and science were her passions, and she often found herself lost in thought, pondering existential questions or the intricacies of classic novels. She would rather spend hours immersed in a complex theory or analyzing a piece of literature than engage in the superficial gossip that seemed to dominate the lives of those around her.
Her father frequently remarked on how much she resembled her late mother, not just in looks but in her intellectual pursuits and temperament. Mei took these comments to heart, cherishing the idea that she was a living reflection of her mother's spirit. It was both a comfort and a burden; while she appreciated the connection to her mother, it also set her apart, making her feel even more distant from her peers. Her mother's legacy loomed large, and Mei often felt the pressure to live up to it, to be as brilliant and exceptional as the woman her father spoke so fondly of.
In truth, classroom lessons offered her little stimulation. She had already mastered most of the material on her own, having spent countless hours studying beyond what the school curriculum demanded. To her, the daily grind of attending classes felt more like a formality than a necessity. If not for her father's insistence on the importance of "socializing" and experiencing a typical school life, she would have likely pursued her education at a university level already. The mundane routine of high school seemed like a waste of time when she knew she was capable of so much more. Mei often fantasized about skipping ahead, diving into university courses where her intellect could truly be challenged.
There was something about Kazuto that gave her a strange and unsure feeling. When she looked directly into his eyes for the first time, she was caught off guard by how unwavering his gaze was. He didn't flinch, avert his eyes, or show any hint of discomfort. It was unusual, most people of her age, especially in school, couldn't maintain eye contact with her for more than a second or two. They often seemed intimidated, whether by her intense stare or perhaps due to her father's formidable reputation. Mei had grown used to others looking away quickly, mumbling, or fidgeting under her gaze, and she had never quite understood the true reason why.
Was it the way she carried herself? Did she seem too aloof or unapproachable? Or was it simply the weight of being Raiden Ryoma's daughter, a presence that cast a long shadow? Whatever the reason, Kazuto was different. He met her eyes with a calmness that felt oddly reassuring yet mysterious, and it left her wondering just what kind of person he really was deep below the calm surface he had shown so far.
"I told you Watanabe, just proceed with the plan.", the exasperated voice of her father could be heard from the door.
Like a good daughter she was, Mei hurriedly went to the door of her house from her room to meet her father. To her surprise, she noticed there was an unusual tiredness and desperation on her father's face.
"Of course, I'm well aware of the risk, but you must understand that this is the best offer we've ever had from Anti-Entropy. Cocolia has promised us a new technology from Anti-Entropy that could revolutionize our products, and you know how much we've been struggling in that area," Mei's father was saying into the phone, his tone a mix of urgency and conviction.
He paced the length of the room, the tension evident in the way he gripped the phone. Mei watched him from the doorway, unnoticed, her father's words drawing her attention. She had rarely seen him this agitated, this determined to make someone see reason.
"Please, trust me. I know you and Cocolia have a difficult history, but that's behind us now. We can't let personal grievances stand in the way of what's best for the company," he continued, his voice growing more insistent.
The person on the other end of the line wasn't easily swayed. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Cocolia is a venomous snake. She'll strike the moment it suits her."
Ryoma paused, the weight of the words sinking in. Mei could see the conflict in his expression, the struggle between his rational mind and the warnings of someone he clearly respected. His voice softened, almost weary, as he finally responded, "I've heard your warnings, and I don't take them lightly. But this is a risk I believe we have to take. For the sake of the company, and for everyone who depends on us."
With that, he ended the call, letting out a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of his decision. Mei quickly stepped forward, putting on her brightest smile as he turned to face her.
"Welcome home, Father," she greeted him warmly, hoping to lift his spirits even just a little.
Ryoma looked at her, his expression softening as he saw his daughter. For a moment, the tension melted away, replaced by a tired but genuine smile. "Thank you, Mei. It's good to be home."
He walked over to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry you had to hear that," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "Sometimes, business requires difficult choices."
Mei nodded, her smile never wavering, though inside she felt a flicker of concern. "I understand, father. You always do what's best for the company."
Ryoma gave her a small, appreciative nod, though Mei could tell his thoughts were still preoccupied with the conversation. She wished she could ease his burden, but she knew that the world of corporate politics was one she could only observe from the sidelines for now.
"Let's have dinner," he said finally, his tone lightening as he tried to shift the mood. "I'm sure you've had a long day as well."
As they walked together toward the dining room, Mei couldn't shake the unease that had settled in her chest. She trusted her father, but the warning from the phone conversation lingered in her mind. Cocolia, a venomous snake—those were strong words, and they echoed in her thoughts as she tried to push them aside.
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"You..." I stammered, my voice barely audible, caught completely off guard by what I was seeing.
I hadn't even realized the bathroom light was on. Today had been overwhelming, a whirlwind of events that left my mind in a fog. Lost in thought, I wandered into the bathroom without a second glance. My head was spinning, so I pushed the door open without thinking. That's when I saw her, and everything else faded into the background.
Standing right in front of me was a girl with striking white hair styled into long, braided twintails. She was in the middle of taking off her bra as she partially tuned her back at me. Time seemed to slow to a crawl. My eyes involuntarily took in every detail, the way her hair cascaded down her back, her figure fully exposed, her porcelain skin illuminated by the harsh bathroom light. I couldn't look away even though I knew I should.
For a split second, I was completely at a loss. I knew how wrong it was to even have this thought, but damn, the image burned itself into my mind. Her beauty was undeniable, leaving an impression that I knew I would never be able to erase. My mind grasped at logic and reason, but they slipped through my fingers like water. All that remained was the image of her that was stunningly beautify and completely exposed.
Her reaction snapped me out of my stupor. Her eyes met mine, wide and filled with shock. Her face turned a deep shade of crimson spreading extremely quickly. Then, she let out a piercing scream so sharp and sudden that it made me flinch. The shrillness of it echoed off the bathroom walls jolting me back to reality.
Panicked, I scrambled to react, slamming the door shut with a force that sent a jolt through my body. My heart was pounding in my chest, and I could feel the heat rising to my own face. What had I just done? The realization of what had happened hit me all at once, bringing with it a wave of embarrassment and guilt. I had just barged in on her without thinking, caught her in a moment of complete vulnerability.
"Sorry!" I apologized through the door, my voice shaky. The sound of muffled yelling followed, something in what I could only assume was very angry German. It was too fast for me to understand, but even without knowing the language, I knew I was being cursed out.
Leaning against the door, I could hardly catch my breath, my heart thudding in my chest. I couldn't believe what had just happened. Did I seriously just walk in on a half-naked girl? In my own bathroom? It was like some twisted scene from a rom-com, the kind of situation you read about but never expect to actually experience in real life.
Then my brain caught up to me, replaying the image of her in my head. White hair, piercing blue eyes, long braided twintails, and a beauty that seemed almost otherworldly. A stunning figure that left me utterly speechless. My hands were still shaking from the shock, but one name flashed in my mind.
Could it really be her?
Before I could process it further, a voice broke through my racing thoughts. "So, you've met Kiana, huh?" The tone was calm, almost amused.
I turned around abruptly to see my mom standing in the doorway, arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her face as if she'd been watching the whole scene unfold.
"Damm..." I muttered under my breath, the realization hitting me like a truck. It was Kiana. But what was she doing here? Why now? And why on earth was she in my bathroom?
"You could've at least warned me there was a girl in my room," I groaned, throwing my hands up in frustration. "You know, so I could've avoided walking into it."
My mom raised an eyebrow, clearly finding my discomfort amusing. "Isn't she just stunning? She looks just as beautiful as her mother. Seeing her brings back so many memories of Cecilia." Her voice softened as she glanced at the closed bathroom door, her expression turning nostalgic, almost wistful.
"Cecilia?" The name struck me like a jolt of electricity. I stared at my mom, completely stunned.
How could my mom possibly know Cecilia Schariac?
"Who's Cecilia Schari... I mean, the Cecilia you just mentioned?" I asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
I nearly slipped up. How could I have been so careless?
She paused, her eyes narrowing as she studied me with suspicion.
Great. What would I say if she pushed me about my slip? I needed an excuse, and fast.
But instead, she just sighed, her gaze shifting toward the bathroom door where Kiana was still inside.
"Such a tragic fate... for both mother and daughter," she murmured, her voice heavy with sorrow.
"This is sensitive information, but I believe it's time you knew the truth. You deserve to understand what caused your coma," she said, her expression serious, followed by another deep sigh.
I gave a slow nod, signaling that I was ready to hear whatever came next.
"Alright, do you know what the Honkai is?" my mother began, her eyes fixed intently on mine.
"Honkai is a conspiracy theory, or at least that's what I've gathered from the internet," I replied slowly. "It's supposedly a force behind many unexplained events, like what happened in Berlin in 1953 or Siberia in 2000, or with recent events making a whole city disappeared."
"Here's the bad news, kid," my mother chuckled. "That's not a conspiracy theory. It's the truth. A dark reality of this world that governments everywhere are desperately trying to hide from the public."
"I still remember what happened before I fell into the coma," I said, keeping my voice steady and calm. The memories were still vivid in my mind, even though they felt distant, like a foggy dream. "There was this strange, white creature... It appeared out of nowhere, flying directly in front of me. It didn't look like anything I'd ever seen before. The moment it flapped its wings, I felt a sudden burst of energy. It wasn't just any energy; it was powerful, overwhelming. I didn't even have time to react before it hit me, and then... everything went black."
I paused for a moment, glancing at my mother's face, but her expression gave nothing away. I had to be careful. Even though I knew far more about the Honkai than I was letting on, I had to feign ignorance. I wasn't supposed to have this knowledge, not yet. So, I kept my tone neutral, as if I was merely trying to piece things together.
"That creature... those strange monsters, do they belong to the 'Honkai' you mentioned earlier?" I asked, feigning curiosity.
Then, without warning, my mother burst into tears, wrapping her arms around me in a tight, almost desperate embrace. I stood there, stunned by the sudden outpouring of emotion. This wasn't like her at all. I had seen her cry before, of course, but not like this—not with such raw intensity. I could only manage to hug her back, feeling a bit awkward and uncertain, my arms resting hesitantly around her shoulders.
"You have no idea how lucky you are, kid," she finally managed to say between sobs, her voice trembling with a mixture of relief and fear. "Normally, when a male is exposed to Honkai... he usually drops dead immediately. No warning, no chance. It just takes them away, just like that." Her words hung in the air, heavy with the grim reality of what could have been.
She took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself but still holding onto me as if letting go would make this nightmare real again. "And for females," she continued, her voice breaking slightly, "they aren't much better off. They... they transform into zombies, losing themselves completely. Their bodies keep moving, but everything that made them who they were is just... gone."
Her grip on me tightened, her tears soaking into my shoulder. "But you..." She paused, struggling to find the right words. "You were just in a coma. We thought we had lost you, that you'd never wake up. But you did, you came back to us."
I could feel her relief, the weight of it pressing down on me like a physical force. It was as if she had been holding her breath this entire time, living in fear of the worst possible outcome. And now, finally, she could exhale, knowing that I was still here, still myself. The magnitude of what she was saying slowly began to sink in. I hadn't just been lucky—I had been given a second chance, something so many others hadn't received.
"Kiana is Cecilia's daughter from what you've told me, right? I'm curious about that girl's mother," I inquired, trying to steer the conversation gently.
"She was the greatest Valkyrie of her time," my mother began, her voice carrying a note of sadness that deepened with every word. "Back then, I worked as a nurse in the Schicksal Medical Corps so I had countless opportunities to see Cecilia and her Snow Wolf squad. She was...remarkable. Every time I encountered her, it felt like I was in the presence of someone extraordinary, someone far beyond the rest of us. She wasn't just a soldier or a leader, she had a kindness about her, a warmth that made everyone around her feel safe. And yet, beneath all that gentleness was an incredible strength, a willpower that made her the perfect Valkyrie. She was strong, yes, but not in the usual sense. It was more than physical prowess; it was her spirit, her unwavering sense of duty. She could inspire people just by being in the same room."
My mother paused, her eyes distant as if lost in those memories. "I remember seeing her with her squad, how they looked at her like she was their guardian. They trusted her completely, and it wasn't just because she was the best fighter—they trusted her because she genuinely cared about them. She wasn't just leading them into battle, she was protecting them, watching over them. It's rare to find someone like that, especially in this world where everyone's fighting for their own survival. Cecilia... she was different."
She sighed, her voice growing quieter. "It was hard to believe someone like her even existed in this world. An angel, really. She made you think that maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for humanity. But the world... it's not kind to angels like her." Her words trailed off, laced with sorrow, as if she still couldn't fully grasp the loss of someone so bright, so pure, in a world so cruel.
There was no denying it. Cecilia was truly an angel, someone who seemed almost too perfect for a world as dark and unforgiving like this Honkai world. Siegfried... well, he was the luckiest husband to have her by his side.
It was a cruel irony. Cecilia, with her pure heart and unbreakable spirit, had saved so many lives including her husband, yet no one could save her from her own fate.
"And what... what really happened to her?" I asked, carefully masking my emotions and feigning innocence. In reality, I already knew the truth all too well.
My mother spoke, her voice heavy with sorrow. "She died during her mission in Siberia in the midst of the disaster that ravaged that land. Even after nearly fifteen years, I still can't fully accept that she's gone. It feels like just yesterday she was with us. Many of us in Medical Corp left Schicksal after her death". There was a lingering sadness in her voice, a grief that never truly healed. Her eyes seemed distant, lost in memories that haunted her still.
After a brief pause, her sadness shifted to anger, her voice hardening. "Now her daughter is homeless. Can you believe that? I can't fathom what the hell Siegfried is doing. That girl is his daughter for God's sake! How could he let this happen to her?" There was a bitterness in her tone now, anger borne from helplessness. "What kind of father does that?"
I understood her frustration. How could I not? But I couldn't place all the blame on Siegfried. His life had been a twisted series of tragedies. He lost not only his wife but also his biological daughter. The girl he now cared for, K-423, wasn't even truly his daughter. She was a mere clone of Kiana Kaslana, a haunting reminder of what he had lost. Also with the Core of the Void inside her, K-423 was something far more complicated than a normal girl. She was a symbol of all the pain and twist Siegfried had to endure.
I couldn't help but wonder if he saw K-423 as a second chance, a way to make up for his past failures to protect what was left of Kiana even if it wasn't truly her. It must have torn him apart, knowing the girl in his care wasn't the daughter he had once loved, but something created to fill the void. Such a cruel irony that the one person who could remind him of his lost family was the very one he could never fully accept.
Siegfried had managed to save K-423, but in doing so, he lost his daughter he had with Cecilia. The pain of this loss haunted him and for years, he couldn't bear to even give K-423 a name. Each time he looked at her, he was reminded of the child he had lost. Eventually, he had given K-423 the same name of his lost daughter. It was fine until Herrscher of the Void resurface forcing him to leave her behind, terrified that the Herrscher of the Void might resurface again. This was Herrscher of Void that had killed Ragna Lothbrok and most of her squad during her first awakening and she had exacted its revenge on Siegfried by taking one of his arms after he had mutilated one of Sirin's arm during the Second Honkai War.
At time now, the girl in my bathroom was known as Kiana Kaslana, yet she was not the original Kiana. The real Kiana's story had taken a tragic turn. She had perished in a plane crash and her identity had been erased in that catastrophe. In a twisted play of fate, she had been reborn, not as herself but as someone else entirely. Otto, with his manipulative machinations, had rewritten both her body and mind and transformed her into Bianka Atagenia. The person now bearing the name Kiana was the result of Otto's ambition, a calculated attempt to create a controllable Herrscher.
It was a chilling realization, but it was the most accurate way to describe the fate of both Kiana Kaslanas.
With a loud creak, the bathroom door slowly opened to reveal a stunning girl with long, silky white hair. She was dressed in a simple white shirt and denim shorts, with a soft towel draped casually around her neck. My mother's kind and warm voice echoed through the room as she approached the girl, running her fingers gently through her hair.
"Are you feeling more comfortable now, dear?" my mother asked Kiana, her eyes filled with genuine care and concern.
"T-Thank you for your kindness, Yelena-san," Kiana stammered awkwardly, her attempt at speaking Japanese coming out in hesitant, broken phrases. It was obvious that she was far from fluent in the language, struggling to express herself properly, but still determined to show her gratitude despite the difficulty.
"You don't have to strain yourself, my dear." my mother said in perfect German as she continued to comb Kiana's hair with precision and care.
Wait, my mom knew how to speak German? That was new to me. She had never mentioned it before, but considering what she had just told me about her time working at Schicksal, it actually made perfect sense. Of course, she would have learned German while working there, it was a global organization with deep roots from Austria after all. Still, it was a strange realization, something I hadn't expected but now seemed so obvious in hindsight.
I thought about it for a moment and decided I should ask her to be my tutor. After all, if anyone could help me learn the language, it was her. Not only did she clearly have experience with it, but she was my mother.
"It's nice to meet you, Kiana. I'm Kazuto," I introduced myself, my voice faltering a little as I extended my hand toward the white-haired girl standing before me. There was something about her presence that made me feel a bit nervous, and I wasn't exactly sure why. Maybe it was the fact that she was Kiana Kaslana, the protagonist of Honkai Impact 3. Either way, I felt awkward as I offered a handshake, trying to make a good first impression.
But before I could even finish the introduction...
"YOU PERVERT!" Kiana's voice sliced through the air like a whip, her sudden outburst sending a jolt of panic through me. And then, without warning, her hand shot up and slapped me hard across the face. The impact was immediate and intense—my head snapped to the side, and I stumbled back a few steps, my cheek stinging as if I'd been hit with a brick.
"What the hell? Did you really have to hit me that hard?" I grumbled, still feeling the sting of her slap reverberate across my cheek. My vision blurred and swam before me, causing the world to tilt slightly off balance. I instinctively stepped back, feeling the ground beneath me shift as I fought to regain my footing. The sensation was brief but powerful, leaving me disoriented for just a moment before I managed to steady myself, my heartbeat quickening as I tried to shake off the lingering dizziness
Instinctively, my hand flew to the burning spot on my face, already throbbing. I rubbed at it, trying to soothe the ache, but it was no use. The pain pulsed through my skin, a constant reminder of the intensity behind her blow. Honestly, with a smack like that, she could probably take down a Honkai beast with one hit.
From across the room, I heard my mother's familiar, weary sigh. "Kid," she began, her voice dripping with disappointment, "what did you do this time?" She was giving me that look, the one that always made me feel like a burden. Her eyes were tired, like she'd already made up her mind that this mess, whatever it was, was entirely my fault.
I hadn't even done anything. Well, not really.
Are you serious, Mom? You're seriously going to take the side of some girl we barely know over your own son?
I rubbed the sore spot again, wincing as my fingers brushed over the tender skin. "Nothing, mom," I muttered, my voice low and casual, hoping to breeze over the incident. "I just accidentally opened the bathroom door while she was changing. It's not a big deal." I glanced sideways at Kiana, who was glaring at me like I'd committed some heinous crime. I shot her a quick, irritated look. Seriously, what was her problem?
Before my mom could even begin to process my lame explanation, Kiana jumped in, her voice sharp and filled with outrage. "He stared at me for a whole minute while I was naked!" she practically screamed, her face flushed with anger. Her arms crossed tightly over her chest as if to shield herself from the memory of what had happened. "A whole minute!" she repeated, her voice incredulous, as though the mere thought of it was enough to enrage her all over again. "I barely got the door slammed in time!"
A whole minute? That was the most ridiculous exaggeration I'd ever heard. "Hey!" I shot back, lifting my hands in defense, trying to salvage whatever shred of dignity I had left. "I didn't know you were in there!" I protested. "It was an accident!"
I knew I sounded defensive, but come on, this was way out of proportion. Yeah, okay, I'd probably lingered for half a second longer than I should have once I realized what was happening, but a minute? That was just absurd. No way was I going to admit that small hesitation though, especially not in front of my mom who already looked like she was ready to side with Kiana on this.
My mom sighed again, this time rubbing her temples like she could already feel a headache forming from the chaos I'd apparently caused. "Kid," she said, her voice sharper now. "I understand Kiana is a beautiful girl and I get that you're a teenage boy, but you need to show some respect. She's a guest in our home, and the least you could do is give her some privacy." Her tone was firm, and the look of disappointment in her eyes stung far more than the slap.
Ouch. That one hit harder than anything Kiana could dish out.
Kiana wasn't about to let up, either. She smirked, clearly enjoying the situation and my discomfort. "Yeah," she chimed in, her voice smug and triumphant. "Listen to your mom. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two about respect." She crossed her arms and leaned back slightly, looking like she had just won some kind of victory.
I could feel my irritation bubbling up again. Really? Can we just move on from this already? This whole thing had blown up way out of proportion, and I was starting to lose my patience.
With a heavy sigh, I gingerly rubbed my cheek again, still feeling the heat radiating from the spot where she'd hit me. It was probably going to bruise at this rate. "I think someone's forgetting who's actually injured here," I muttered under my breath, casting a frustrated glance in my mother's direction. My cheek was practically glowing red at this point, but no one seemed to care about that.
"You deserved it," Kiana shot back, sticking her tongue out like a kid. Her smug grin hadn't faded, and it was clear she was enjoying every second of my discomfort. I could almost see her basking in the victory of having not only slapped me but having my mom on her side too.
To add insult to injury, my mom nodded in agreement, as if what Kiana had said made complete sense. Really, Mom? Not even a shred of sympathy for your son? I knew then that I wasn't going to win this argument. It didn't matter what I said or how much I tried to explain my side, my mom had already made up her mind. Kiana was the victim, and I was the careless, hormone-driven teenage boy who needed to be taught a lesson.
Great. Just fucking great.
After my mom finally ushered Kiana out of the room, no doubt to show her to the guest bedroom, I slumped down in front of my computer. I grabbed my headphones and slid them over my ears. The sound of the outside world was muffled now but my thoughts raced of the encounter with the protagonist of Honkai Impact 3.
I had a bad feeling about all of this. Based on my mom's words and attitudes, she was probably planning to keep Kiana around for the long haul. If Kiana was going to be living here for the foreseeable future, then things were bound to get even more complicated.
I sighed, leaning back in my chair as I rubbed my still-throbbing cheek. This was going to be a long and uncomfortable stay.
"She's a Herrscher, isn't she?", the question seemed to hang in the air and echoing through my thoughts from the headphones. It was strange, I hadn't said anything to Rin about Kiana. How did she know? Yet Rin seemed to know.
"Yes, she's the Herrscher of the Void," I replied slowly to Rin, the Herrscher who now existed as a computer virus in my system. "But her Herrscher persona is dormant, so she won't pose a threat for the time being."
"You seem to know quite a lot," Rin observed. Her voice had an air of curiosity, and I could sense that she was watching me closely from her place within the computer system. Then, a faint mist began to seep from my computer case. It swirled for a moment before condensing into the shape of a plushie which had a tiny figure with pink hair sitting on the top of my computer case.
"During my coma, I learned a lot more than I expected when I was meeting Elysia." The memory of that encounter still felt vivid, though surreal, as if it belonged to another world entirely. I paused for a moment before asking, "But how did you know Kiana is a Herrscher?"
Rin shrugged casually, as if the answer wasn't all that complicated. "Just a hunch, I guess," she said, though her tone hinted at something deeper. "Actually, I think I can sense it, sensing another Herrscher I mean. It's hard to explain." She paused, glancing around the room as though searching for the right words. "Maybe it's part of the Herrscher of Corruption's power, or maybe it's something more general to all Herrschers. But I just… know."
I considered her words carefully. "That could be it," I said after a moment, nodding in agreement. It was the most plausible explanation we had even if it wasn't a perfect one. The idea that Herrschers could somehow sense each other made sense in a way because their powers were intertwined, drawing them toward one another because all Herrschers' powers were originated from one source.
That source was Cocoon of Finality.