A Date (True)

After breakfast, Mei changed out of her pajamas into her school uniform and went out with Dong Moxuan, carrying her ancestral Tachi.

Although Mei was a Herrscher, Dong Moxuan was currently in his human identity, so the Honkai infected were still enemies.

However, with Mei's powerful strength, she could protect Dong Moxuan even without using her Herrscher powers. Furthermore, Dong Moxuan had deliberately chosen a path with fewer infected, so they didn't encounter any danger along the way.

"This is... Honkai...?"

Looking at Changkong City, which had been bustling with people just yesterday, now resembled a living hell, Mei's eyes were filled with complex emotions.

Hearing Dong Moxuan talk about it wasn't enough to truly grasp the horror of the Honkai.

It was only now, seeing the devastation of Changkong City firsthand, that Mei truly understood what the Honkai represented to humanity.

Thinking of this, Mei's thoughts turned to her Herrscher identity.

"Control this power..."

Looking at the lightning crackling in her palm, Mei murmured softly.

"Can I really... do it?"

Recalling the overwhelming negative emotions when she transformed into a Herrscher, even now, Mei still felt a pang of fear.

"What's wrong? Mei, what are you muttering about?"

Mei's reaction caught Dong Moxuan's attention, and he asked with concern.

"No, it's nothing..."

Mei looked startled. She looked at the street before her and said in a somewhat low tone, "Jun Xuan, is this Honkai?"

"Mhm,"

Dong Moxuan nodded gently, then asked, "Does it seem terrifying? Are you a bit uncomfortable?"

Mei nodded.

As a good girl her whole life, Mei had never seen anything like this.

"It's normal to be uncomfortable. No one is comfortable the first time. But, there will be many more scenes like this in the future..."

"Of course..."

Dong Moxuan smiled and patted Mei's head.

"It's okay if you're not comfortable. I'll protect you!"

"Mhm..."

Nodding gently, Mei didn't seem to be in a good mood.

"What? Not happy?"

Dong Moxuan brought his cheek close to Mei.

"No... no..."

Looking at Dong Moxuan so close, Mei felt a little shy.

"You're clearly unhappy. Mei, you have your unhappiness written all over your face!"

Looking at Mei before him, Dong Moxuan thought for a moment, then as if remembering something, he took Mei's hand.

"Mhm... Anyway, we're not in a hurry... How about... Mei, let's go on a date!"

"Huh?!"

Mei was a bit taken aback by Dong Moxuan's sudden change of topic.

However, Dong Moxuan didn't pay attention to Mei's expression and simply pulled her hand and ran in a certain direction.

"Xuan... Jun Xuan,"

The Honkai Energy that had enhanced Mei's Herrscher form strengthened her physical fitness, so she no longer got winded after a few steps like before.

"This is..."

Looking at the building before them, Mei said softly, "The arcade we came to last time?"

"Mhm..."

Dong Moxuan nodded gently.

"Speaking of which, ever since that time, Mei has been busy and hasn't had time to go out with me.

And this time, it's on the way, so..."

"Mei,"

"Let's go on another date!"

"A date..."

Mei silently chewed on the words, her feelings now completely different from the last time.

"Mhm, accompany me and have a casual date!"

"A casual date..."

Mei's initially shy gaze instantly became complicated.

"That phrasing... isn't it a bit too casual?"

"Is it?"

Dong Moxuan chuckled and scratched the back of his head.

"Since there don't seem to be any infected here, let's start playing!"

For some reason, there wasn't a single Honkai infected in the arcade, so Dong Moxuan and Mei didn't need to clear them out. They immediately started playing the arcade machines.

"Jun Xuan..."

Holding the joystick, Mei frowned slightly.

"Is it really okay to be doing this right now?"

"Play seriously, Mei,"

Dong Moxuan showed a completely unconcerned expression.

"I'm about to beat you!"

Mei: "..."

Seeing Dong Moxuan's attitude, Mei could only focus on playing the game seriously.

Then, before she knew it, she was completely engrossed.

"Alright,"

After playing for about an hour, Dong Moxuan put down the joystick and said to the girl beside him, "This is good enough for now."

"Oh..."

Mei obediently withdrew her hands. For some reason, she felt that the oppressive feeling in her heart had lessened considerably.

"How was it? Playing games feels pretty good, right?"

"Hm?"

Mei tilted her head in confusion.

"To be honest, I'm not really obsessed with games myself,"

Dong Moxuan didn't pay attention to Mei's expression and continued talking to himself, "But playing them occasionally feels great too!"

"Just like last time..."

"Jun Xuan..."

Mei seemed to suddenly understand something.

"Don't worry, Mei,"

Dong Moxuan gently placed his hand on Mei's head.

"Nothing has changed."

"Even if the Honkai happened, we can still come to the arcade to play games just like before."

"Whether you're a Herrscher or anything else, our relationship won't change at all."

"Hey, Mei,"

Looking at the girl in front of him, Dong Moxuan said with a smile, "When we leave Changkong City, let's go to the arcade to play games together again!"

"So, stop making that sad face!"

"..."

Hearing Dong Moxuan's words, Mei's expression froze completely.

She suddenly understood why the young man had suddenly wanted to ask her out so nonsensically and bring her here to play games.

It was because Dong Moxuan had seen her hesitation, seen her inner conflict, and was telling her through playing games together.

Everything... had not changed.

No matter what, he would not hate her or abandon her.

Mei suddenly understood why she, who had always been so proud, had developed feelings for this young man.

Wasn't this casual gentleness precisely what made her heart flutter?

But, why...

Why was he so gentle with her?

Why was he so gentle with a girl like her, who was both willful and loved to act spoiled?

Even though she...

"Jun Xuan..."

Subconsciously lowering her head, Mei didn't know why, but her eyes felt a little moist.

"Saying something like this at a time like this... isn't it a bit too cunning..."

"Mm, it's a deal. Once we're out of Changkong City, Mei will go to the arcade with Jun Xuan, just like today!"

As she spoke, Mei looked up.

"Also, I'm sorry, Mei made Jun Xuan worry again!"

"It's nothing, after all, I'm Mei's elder!"

"That's not true,"

As soon as Dong Moxuan finished speaking, Mei turned her head away.

"You... Jun Xuan never acts like an elder at all!"

Dong Moxuan was speechless.

His expression stiffened slightly, and he gave a wry smile before saying, "You seem to really like that plush toy in the machine, don't you?"

"Shall I help you win another one?"

"Mm..."

After hesitating for a moment, Mei nodded with a blush.

Then Dong Moxuan helped Mei win a white plush toy and handed it to her.

"Thank you, Jun Xuan,"

This time, Mei took the plush toy very naturally.

"I really like it!"

"As long as Mei likes it,"

Gently scratching his cheek, Dong Moxuan said to the girl, "I'm suddenly feeling a bit thirsty. I'm going to get two bottles of drinks, you wait here for a bit!"

Mei nodded obediently.