Once infected by Honkai, one either died or became Honkai cannon fodder—zombies. A rare few became Quasi-Herrschers.
"Protect the people." Kiana recalled the responsibility of the Kaslana family her father had spoken of. "But why does it hurt so much while I'm protecting them?"
Kiana did not understand. She had never imagined that, besides loneliness, there could be something else so unbearable.
"It's okay. I'll always stay by your side."
Otto said, draping an arm over Kiana's shoulder.
"Let's go home first."
"Mm."
Kiana clenched the sachet in her hand. Otto led her back, feeling that she needed some quiet time.
The two soon returned to the hotel. Neither Otto nor Kiana spoke along the way; she simply let Otto hold her small, icy hand.
Kiana's hand was a little smaller than Mei's.
But it was rougher and sturdier.
In the elevator, Otto could not help squeezing Kiana's little hand, making her glance up at him.
She no longer had the strength to hit him.
Forget it. If he wanted to squeeze it, then let him.
Kiana stared at the floor. Only when the elevator reached the top floor did she speak.
"Otto, when can I meet Raiden Mei?"
Her words made Otto's heart leap into his throat. What a troublesome little vixen. But how could This Bishop let her meet Raiden Mei while she was emotionally unstable?
"I'll arrange for you to meet as soon as possible."
Otto said with a smile.
The initiative was in This Bishop's hands anyway. He would introduce them once she had recovered emotionally.
They would be colleagues competing to make breakfast and late-night snacks in the future. What obstacle could they possibly fail to overcome?
"Mm," Kiana answered softly.
Otto smiled. As the elevator doors slowly opened, his smile froze stiffly.
Azure eyes met violet eyes.
Kiana Kaslana and Raiden Mei stared at each other.
Raiden Mei stood outside Otto's door. After Otto had left, Miss Herrscher had gone back into hiding and returned control of her body to Mei.
When Mei woke up, her memories stopped at the moment before Otto was about to kiss her. Although she did not know what had happened, there was no doubt about it.
Mr. Otto had probably kissed her.
The strange taste in her mouth was the best proof.
She felt deeply embarrassed, but she discovered that Mr. Otto was gone. Had something happened?
She could not sit still, so she decided to wait for Mr. Otto outside his door.
And then, as she waited, trouble arrived.
Otto was dumbfounded.
Why was Mei here?
"Mr. Otto...?" Mei had been a little happy when she heard the elevator, because there were only two suites on this top floor, giving it a fifty-fifty chance of being Otto.
And she really did see Otto.
But then her gaze shifted to Kiana beside him, then downward, to Otto and Kiana's clasped hands.
Her eyelid twitched.
Kiana also frowned at Mei. Although she was a very beautiful older girl, Kiana's friend had just died, and she had no interest in anything else.
But she felt Otto tighten his grip on her hand.
Her eyes narrowed slightly. With her wise big eyes wide open, Kiana realized something.
Otto's door was open, and this unfamiliar girl was standing in front of it.
A flash of insight struck her!
Kiana finally understood why Otto had been sleeping in her room these past few days. This man had been hiding a beauty in a golden house!?
Then, without thinking, she spoke a name.
"Raiden Mei?"
Kiana had not yet been spoiled useless by the Housewife.
She was not stupid.
"Mm."
Mei heard the beautiful white-haired girl call her name, while Otto unconsciously pressed a hand to his forehead.
It felt like something was about to go wrong.
He released Kiana's hand. Once he did, Kiana turned toward Otto and frowned slightly.
Her gaze seemed to say, What are you afraid of?
But she no longer had the attention to spare for Otto.
Kiana looked at Mei. Mei gripped her own left arm with her right hand, and she too sensed that the atmosphere was strange.
She was beautiful.
Kiana could not help thinking so. She felt that Raiden Mei resembled Asakura Miyuki somewhat; both had the air of young ladies.
Only, this girl called Raiden Mei looked more mature.
"I have a friend."
Kiana said softly.
"She was a pitiful girl with painful memories."
"She came to Senba Academy, but the world still did not smile upon her."
"It even turned her into a monster."
"Tell me, Raiden Mei. Why did my friend become a monster?"
Her words carried grief. Though Kiana had only known Asakura Miyuki for two days, she had been Kiana's second friend.
Kiana had once smiled because she and Asakura Miyuki could become friends.
"I... don't know."
Mei slowly shook her head.
She did not quite understand.
"I know you're innocent. I also know you never wanted any of this. I learned from Otto that your circumstances were much like my friend's. You're a victim too."
"My friend's fall was also related to her fragile heart."
Kiana knew that Mei was also a victim. Asakura Miyuki had merely been caught up in it.
But...
"But... I really don't feel good about this."
"So."
Kiana looked at Mei, then gave her a slight bow.
"I'm sorry."
It was a very respectful apology.
Then she clenched her fists.
"Please grit your teeth. I want to punch you."
It Was All Honkai's Fault
Hearing Kiana's words, Mei took a step back.
She frowned and watched Kiana warily.
She had clearly been obediently staying here the entire time.
She had clearly done nothing.
Why should she get hit?
"Sorry, I refuse."
Mei said coldly, putting on the aloof, proud mask of the Lightning Queen before outsiders once more.
Only before Otto would she temporarily remove that mask she used to protect herself.
Kiana looked at her with a complicated expression.
When she had held Asakura Miyuki's corpse, she had wondered.
If there had been no Raiden Mei, would Miyuki have never become a monster?
Kiana watched Mei. She knew she was merely throwing a childish tantrum.
Her right fist rose, but halfway through, it dropped again.
There was no strength left in her fist.
That was Kiana's kindness.
Venting her anger on others did not suit her.
Otto had told her that Raiden Mei had been persecuted by Cocolia, and that none of the things that had happened to her were of her own choosing.
Like Asakura Miyuki, she should have been an ordinary high school girl. They were both victims of tragedy, both puppets controlled by fate.
But... Asakura Miyuki's death really hurt her.
The girl was utterly lost.
Like a lone boat trapped in a vast, bewildering sea without knowing its direction, she could be swallowed by the silent depths at any moment.
Kiana and Mei remained silent.
No one moved.
The two lines destined to intersect now felt so unfamiliar.
My Wives.JPG
Otto let out a quiet sigh.
He bent down slightly, then amid Kiana's cry of surprise, scooped her up in a princess carry.
"Otto!? Wh-what are you doing?"
Kiana waved her hands in the air. She had never expected Otto to pick her up directly, and Mei was frozen in place as well.
Ignoring Kiana's struggles, Otto carried her past Mei and walked straight into his room.
Then he threw Kiana onto his bed.
He forcefully pulled off Kiana's outerwear. Kiana watched Otto's movements with slightly unfocused eyes.
Was this... him wanting to take her here?
There was clearly someone else outside...
But Kiana did not stop Otto.
Forget it.
She was tired.
She gave in.
Before you continue