After the Sixth Honkai

[Even though he was surrounded by everyone, Kevin still noticed]

[The heavy feeling on his shoulder since he woke up that morning had vanished without a trace the moment you patted it.]

['Could it be you?' Kevin couldn't help but think.]

[But what about you? And what if it wasn't you? You are still the senior Kevin respects, the one who saved him during the third Honkai. Moreover, you helped him again this time.]

'If Senior doesn't want to reveal his abilities, he must have his reasons.'

Doesn't everyone have their own secrets? Just as Kevin himself didn't understand the origin of his innate monstrous strength.

Kevin watched your retreating back, saying nothing.

'That's right, Senior is always so calm.' Kevin recalled the times he spent with you and realized you always blended into the crowd, yet remained detached from it.

'Then, I'll help Senior keep his secret.'

[As you expected, even though Kevin suspected you, he didn't choose to expose your abilities.]

[Though no one would have been able to discover your abilities anyway.]

[But you don't need to hide your abilities within the Thirteen Flame-Moth Heroes, just as Elysia doesn't need to hide her identity.]

[Because concealment is often the beginning of a rift.]

[Thus, the sixth Honkai ended. Apart from the 3 million casualties caused at the outbreak of the Honkai, there were no other losses.]

[But the deaths of 3 million people were still a significant blow to the current world.]

[But people always have to look forward. The Honkai won't stop its advance because of your mourning.]

[The Flame Chasers also announced that they would be holding the sixth freshman ball.]

"Hey, Kevin, you stole Elysia's thunder this time."

Kevin slurped his noodles and smiled, "I just did what a warrior should do."

"As for why they call me a hero..." Kevin paused, glancing discreetly at Yoshikage Kira, then continued, "Perhaps the Flame Chasers just wanted to set an example."

Even though Kevin's glance was subtle, someone still noticed.

Everyone chuckled knowingly and changed the subject.

"Oh dear, Hua, why the long face? Beautiful girls should smile more!"

Seeing Hua force a smile, Elysia said, "Is something troubling you? Feel free to tell us, everyone here will help you."

After a long silence, Hua spoke, "I don't understand. Why can everyone still smile? Why can they enjoy the banquet here?"

"An entire city, 3 million lives. Shouldn't we be observing a moment of silence, mourning them?"

"Are we just going to forget about them?"

Hua's voice grew increasingly agitated and loud.

"Thump." A hand landed on Hua's head.

"Captain..." Seeing the red-haired beauty behind her, Hua lowered her head.

Himiko patted Hua's head and said, "Hua, no one will forget those 3 million lives. Everyone will keep them in their hearts."

"But you must allow people to forget temporarily. We are human, not machines."

"The confusion about the future, the fear of the Honkai, the sorrow for the departed – if we don't forget them temporarily, they will crush us."

"Forget your sorrow for now, Hua, and enjoy the banquet."

With that, Himiko waved and left, leaving only a dashing figure behind.

Hua came to her senses and apologized to everyone.

"I'm sorry, I spoiled everyone's mood."

"It's okay, Hua. Are you feeling better now?" Elysia comforted her.

"Yes, I'll try to temporarily forget those unpleasant things."

"That's the spirit."

Under Elysia's mediation, the atmosphere at the table quickly became lively again.

Yoshikage Kira simply drank his wine, quietly watching the scene unfold.

'Three drinks already. No more.'