A Date (For Real)

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

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

However, with Mei's formidable strength, she could protect Dong Moxuan even without using her Herrscher powers. On top of that, Dong Moxuan had deliberately chosen a route with fewer infected, so they did not encounter any danger along the way.

"Is this... Honkai...?"

Looking at Changkong City, which had been bustling with people and prosperity just yesterday but had now become a scene resembling hell on earth, Mei's eyes filled with complicated emotions.

Simply hearing Dong Moxuan describe it had not allowed her to truly understand how terrifying Honkai was.

Now that she had seen Changkong City's devastation with her own eyes, Mei finally understood what Honkai represented to humanity.

Thinking of this, Mei remembered her identity as a Herrscher.

"To control this power..."

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

"Can I really... do it?"

Recalling the overwhelming negative emotions she had felt when she transformed into a Herrscher, Mei still felt shaken even now.

"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 gazed at the street ahead and said in a somewhat subdued tone, "Jun Xuan, is this what Honkai is?"

"Mm."

Dong Moxuan nodded lightly, then asked, "Do you find it terrifying? Are you having trouble adjusting?"

Mei nodded.

Mei had always been a well-behaved girl since childhood. When had she ever seen a scene like this?

"It's normal to have trouble adjusting. It's your first time—no one would be able to adjust right away. But there will be plenty of scenes like this in the future..."

"Of course..."

Dong Moxuan smiled and gently patted Mei's head.

"It's fine if you really can't get used to it. I'll protect you!"

"Mm..."

Mei nodded lightly, but she still looked rather downcast.

"What's wrong? Unhappy?"

Dong Moxuan leaned his face closer to Mei.

"N-no..."

With Dong Moxuan so close to her, Mei felt somewhat shy.

"You're obviously unhappy. Mei, you've practically written it all over your face!"

Looking at Mei, Dong Moxuan thought for a moment. Then, as if he had remembered something, he took her hand.

"Mm... Well, we're not in any hurry... So how about... Mei, we go on a date!"

"Huh?!"

Dong Moxuan's sudden change of subject left Mei completely bewildered.

However, Dong Moxuan paid no attention to her changing expression. He simply pulled her by the hand and ran in a certain direction.

"Jun... Jun Xuan..."

The Honkai Energy strengthening her after she had become a Herrscher had improved Mei's physical abilities, so she no longer became breathless after running a few steps as she had before.

"This is..."

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

"Mm..."

Dong Moxuan nodded lightly.

"Come to think of it, Mei, you've been pretty busy ever since that time and haven't had time to come out with me."

"And this time, it just happens to be on the way, so..."

"Mei."

"Let's go on another date!"

"A date..."

Mei silently savored those two words, but her feelings were completely different from last time.

"Mm, come on a date with me while we're at it!"

"Come on a date while we're at it..."

The faintly bashful look in Mei's eyes instantly became strange.

"That wording is way too casual, isn't it?"

"Is it?"

Dong Moxuan smiled and scratched his head.

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

For some reason, there was not a single Honkai-infected in the arcade. Thus, Dong Moxuan and Mei did not need to fight their way through. They simply started playing the arcade games.

"Jun Xuan..."

Holding the joystick, Mei slightly furrowed her brows.

"Is it really okay to be doing this at a time like this?"

"Play seriously, Mei."

Dong Moxuan looked completely unconcerned.

"You're about to be defeated by me!"

Mei: "..."

Seeing Dong Moxuan's attitude, Mei could only start playing seriously.

Then, before she knew it, she had become completely immersed in the game.

"All right."

After playing for a little over an hour, Dong Moxuan set down the joystick and said to the girl beside him, "That's enough for now."

"Oh..."

Mei obediently withdrew her hands. For some reason, she felt that her oppressed mood had improved considerably.

"How was it? Playing games felt pretty good, didn't it?"

"Hm?"

Mei tilted her head in confusion.

"To be honest, I'm not particularly obsessed with games."

Dong Moxuan paid no attention to Mei's changing expression and continued talking to himself. "But playing once in a while feels pretty good!"

"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 though Honkai has occurred, we can still come to the arcade and play games like before."

"Whether you're a Herrscher or something else, our relationship won't change in the slightest."

"Hey, Mei."

Looking at the girl before him, Dong Moxuan smiled and said, "Once we leave Changkong City, let's come to the arcade and play games together again!"

"So stop making that sad face!"

"..."

After hearing Dong Moxuan's words, Mei froze completely.

She suddenly understood why that boy had so inexplicably wanted to go on a date with her and brought her here to play games.

It was because Dong Moxuan had seen her hesitation and her inner conflict. That was why he had chosen to tell her through playing games together.

Nothing... had changed.

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

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

Wasn't this unintentional gentleness exactly what made her fall for him?

But why...

Why was he so gentle with her?

Why was he so gentle with a girl who was both willful and fond of acting spoiled?

Clearly, she...

"Jun Xuan..."

Mei lowered her head instinctively. For some reason, she felt her eyes growing moist.

"To say something like that at a time like this... That's too sly of you..."

"Mm, it's a promise. Once we leave Changkong City, Mei will accompany Jun Xuan to the arcade, just like today!"

As she spoke, Mei raised her head.

"And, sorry. I made Jun Xuan worry again!"

"It's nothing. After all, I'm Mei's senior!"

"No, you're not."

The moment Dong Moxuan finished speaking, Mei turned her head away.

"Clearly... Jun Xuan never acts like a senior at all!"

Dong Moxuan: "..."

His expression stiffened slightly. He gave a wry smile and said, "You seem to really like that stuffed toy in the machine."

"Should I help you grab another one?"

"Mm..."

After hesitating for a moment, Mei nodded with flushed cheeks.

Dong Moxuan then helped Mei win a white stuffed toy from the machine and handed it to her.

"Thank you, Jun Xuan."

This time, Mei accepted the stuffed toy very naturally.

"I really like it!"

"As long as Mei likes it."

Gently scratching his cheek, Dong Moxuan said to the girl, "I suddenly feel a little thirsty. I'll go get two bottles of drinks. Wait here for a moment, okay?"

Mei obediently nodded.