In Honkai, Only Love Valkyries

Otto chuckled as Mei tilted her head in confusion. It was 2013, and as a sheltered young lady, she didn't quite understand the internet slang "simp."

Bronya might have understood.

Kiana, on the other hand, would probably guess the meaning with her "yellow glasses," then inexplicably punch his shoulder.

Seeing Mei's confusion, Otto merely smiled.

"Don't become a simp. Once you're a simp, you're a loser forever."

Otto wasn't just saying this to Mei, but to himself as well.

He didn't explain. It was a date, and talking about another girl in front of a girl was impolite.

Yes, Otto considered this a date with Mei.

And Otto's goal was simple: to make her blush through this date.

Herrschers, mysterious girls born from Honkai disasters. Faced with their pure power, should one use force, or communicate with love? Otto's choice was now being put to the test.

Otto's Operation: Date had begun.

"Are you full? If you are, then it's time for our date."

Otto picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped away a non-existent smudge on the corner of Mei's mouth. Hearing his words, Mei parted her lips, her pretty face flushing slightly.

"A d-date?"

Wait, wasn't I just invited down for breakfast? How did it suddenly become a date?

Mei realized she'd been tricked by Otto. Now that she was out of her room, it would be difficult to refuse his next invitation.

It was like a drunk girl going home with a stranger; don't blame him for what happens next.

"Speaking of healthy ways for men and women to deepen their feelings, dating is what we should do right now."

"You don't need to worry. Just think of it as playing, like when you went to the amusement park with Ryoma."

"But, treat me like a boyfriend, not a dad~"

Otto said with a smile. Mei looked down at the table, recalling the last time she went to an amusement park with her father, it was when she was very young.

It was truly happy back then.

But why does my heart ache?

Her hand on the table clenched slightly, and a larger hand rested on top of it, grasping hers.

Though his hand was cold, Otto's gaze was gentle.

"The deepest pain is none other than remembering happy times."

"But it's okay. Now, I'm here."

"However... I don't want to eat breakfast here tomorrow."

Otto lightly tapped the table with his other hand. Mei didn't understand what he meant, and Otto continued unhurriedly.

"Don't you people in the Far East have a custom of making bento boxes? I want to eat a bento box you made."

"I-I don't know how to cook..."

Mei lowered her head. As a young lady from a prominent family, she had never cooked before. She had never even been in a kitchen.

"It's alright. Try it. You might be able to do it if you try, but you definitely can't if you don't try."

"I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of dish you'll make tomorrow."

The luxurious hotel rooms came equipped with kitchens, but Otto and Kiana both ate in the restaurant; neither of them cooked.

Still, Otto wasn't unfamiliar with cooking.

"Mmm..."

Mei murmured uncertainly.

Right now, the young lady in her childhood phase hasn't yet evolved into the ultimate cooking machine.

Otto wasn't worried.

After all, a body made of Soul Steel isn't afraid of poison. Even if she eats the plate tomorrow, it'll be fine.

"So, where should we go next? This is my first time in Changkong City, so you must be more familiar with it."

"I-I rarely go out. I don't know where to go either."

Let alone dates, Mei rarely went out even with friends.

Perhaps, when I made friends with them back then, it wasn't out of genuine feelings...

That's why, as soon as Dad got into trouble, they left me.

"Alright, but dating spots for men and women are usually limited to a few places."

"Movie theaters, aquariums, amusement parks. Those are generally the options."

"Okay." Mei nodded.

"So, let's go to the lingerie store."

"Mhm. Huh!?"

Mei was listening without any issue, but then Otto abruptly changed the subject.

Why did he bring up a lingerie store? That was completely different from the first three options!

"Because I think any man would be incredibly happy watching the girl he likes wear cute lingerie he picked out."

"And I'm no exception."

Mei lowered her head further. She rarely interacted with men. Many people were captivated by the Herrscher mask she wore, and she had never experienced such a strong advance from someone of the opposite sex.

It was the first time the deeply closed-off Herrscher had experienced something like this.

She felt a little shy, her fair face flushing with a hint of red.

"Never mind, let's not go to a place like that then."

"I'm worried that if Mei you're too cute, I might just eat you up."

Otto spread his hands in front of him, like a little lion baring its claws, and seeing Otto's playful demeanor, a faint smile appeared on Mei's lips.

It was her first smile in days.

"Actually, I already bought movie tickets. We'll go see a movie first, and after the movie, it'll be about time for lunch."

The movie tickets were for a recently popular romance film.

Mei nodded. She looked out the window. The sky outside was clear, and she felt it was much brighter than it had been in the past few days.

Chapter 39. Teasing

Holding hands.

Hesitation.

Agreement.

Buying popcorn and drinks.

Checking tickets.

Entering the pitch-black screening room together.

Sitting in adjacent seats.

Then Otto was stunned.

Mei was to his right.

But... who was the white-haired furball to his left?

Even though the screening room was so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, Otto still recognized Kiana sitting upright to his left, relying on the faint light.

To Kiana's left sat a young girl. Otto couldn't see her face clearly, but she was likely Asakura Miyuki.

Her voice was quite delicate; perhaps she was another young lady from Senba Academy.

Kiana's hands were placed on her knees, and Asakura Miyuki spoke softly next to her. Kiana responded intermittently.

She was clearly a little unaccustomed to talking with her "second friend."

This was the first time Kiana had been properly asked out by a so-called friend.

She felt awkward, like she was in prison.

Asakura didn't seem to mind and remained very enthusiastic.

Kiana helping her wipe the table had touched her, not to mention Kiana saving her from falling debris.

A fond smile spread across Otto's face. This usually boisterous Kiana was so quiet now.

But this was a big step for Kiana, and Otto was quite satisfied.

When they get to Schicksal, he could introduce her to some more friends.

However... Otto felt like he had overlooked something.

Ah well, he'd worry about it if a problem arose later.

Otto pulled Mei to their seats quietly. The nervous Kiana didn't notice that her "owner" was to her right.

He didn't let go of Mei's hand. He was quite surprised that Mei had agreed to hold his hand.

It seemed she was making an effort too.

But her hand was cold.

Otto leaned back against the chair, quietly holding Mei's hand, not speaking.

He couldn't say anything, or Bronya would immediately notice.

But holding Mei's hand next to Bronya felt strangely exciting.

This made Otto squeeze Mei's small hand. He noticed Mei's body tremble slightly, so he loosened his grip a little, changing to gently stroking the back of her hand.

He couldn't push too hard; balance was very important.

Mei also remained silent, likely because she didn't know what to say.

Mei understood how to feign strength in front of others, but she had never been taught how to love someone.

She felt that she didn't love Otto right now.

But compared to others, Otto had planted a seed of emotion within her, very small, even buried in the soil, but it would eventually break through the earth.

Therefore, she would accept Otto's invitation to hold hands.

She looked at the screen, and images gradually appeared, the movie began.

The sparse chatter in the cinema disappeared. Asakura Miyuki, who had been chatting with Kiana, also fell silent. Her dark eyes flowed with an eerie luminescence as she and Kiana both looked at the movie screen.

It was a currently popular romance film about a man imprisoned by a young girl. The girl, psychologically twisted due to family reasons, had a novelist father. While imprisoned, the man told the girl stories every day. Eventually, the girl was moved by the man, and after they were separated for many years, they met again. The now-grown girl had become the man's new editor.

"I'm your fan. I've been listening to your novels since I was little."

However, Otto wasn't very interested. He turned to look at Mei, seeing her engrossed in the movie.

Otto stroked Mei's hand, not disturbing her.

After all, she wouldn't have many days like this, being a normal girl.

On the contrary, a faint chewing sound kept coming from his left. Kiana was constantly eating popcorn.

Asakura Miyuki and Mei were watching intently, but their companion's attention was completely elsewhere. Otto knew Kiana preferred bloody and violent action films; she couldn't appreciate this kind of Japanese "slice of life" movie.

However, a playful smile suddenly appeared on his face.

This was what happens when you're too full and have nothing better to do.

He secretly took out his phone and sent Kiana a message.

"Don't talk, and look to your right."

Otto's smile remained. After sending the message, Kiana's pert backside gave a little jolt. She held her popcorn bucket and curiously took out her phone.

Then she saw that Otto had sent her a message. She opened it and turned her head in confusion.