Tomorrow Will Be Better

Three days after the trio emerged from the virtual space, the make-up exam for the failed Valkyries arrived as scheduled. In this crucial test that would determine whether the Valkyries could remain on the front lines, Kiana secured a top spot with a high score of 92, successfully becoming a B-rank Valkyrie and retaining her chance to stay on the front lines.

"So? He's been locked in his room for three days and nights straight?" Sheng Jiu asked, looking at the empty "Kiana's Exclusive Seat" by the dining table.

"Yeah, Bronya and I have asked her many times when she came out to wash up, and she always said she was fine," Yae Sakura said, her voice filled with worry. Stirring her milkshake, she continued, "So, we wanted to ask you to talk to Kiana—"

"Pfft—" Sheng Jiu almost spat out the lemon juice he was drinking. "What?! You want me to talk to her?"

"Even you two, as roommates who sleep in the same room with her every day, don't know what's wrong with her. You want me to talk to her?!"

Bronya, standing beside them, continued in her usual mechanical voice, "Precisely. Because the silly Sheng Jiu and the silly Kiana are extremely similar in personality, she's too proud to tell Yae Sakura, and she doesn't tell Bronya because Bronya is too smart (she's sure of it). So, we want you to chat with her, at least so we can find out what's going on."

Sheng Jiu silently looked at the cup in his hands. Just as Yae Sakura thought Sheng Jiu would refuse, he surprisingly agreed. "Alright, considering she helped me before, I'll... reluctantly agree. But Yae Sakura, you have to buy me coffee next time!"

"It's a deal!"

Sheng Jiu walked towards the dormitory with two cups of milk tea, pondering how to start the conversation. Damn... I was too hasty. Although she's usually carefree, I don't know how to start when it comes to important matters... I'll just try and see what happens...

The outline of the girls' dormitory appeared not far away. Just as Sheng Jiu was about to walk up and knock, the door creaked open, and Kiana, whom he hadn't seen in three days, walked out.

At this moment, Kiana was wearing her school uniform, her eyes unfocused, and dark circles under her eyes. It was obvious she had stayed up late for many nights.

Kiana and Sheng Jiu looked at each other, staring blankly for a full minute before Sheng Jiu broke the silence. "Yo, where are you off to so late, old timer?"

"...None of your business."

"...Want to grab a drink with me?" Sheng Jiu shook the paper bag in his hand and then walked to a nearby bench to sit down.

Kiana looked at the paper bag, then at Sheng Jiu, and slowly sat down beside him.

Sheng Jiu took out a milk tea, inserted a straw, and handed it to Kiana. Kiana's eyes widened. "You call this a drink?"

Sheng Jiu grinned mischievously and pointed at the milk tea. "What? Did you think I'd give you alcohol? Aren't you afraid I'll take advantage of you if you get drunk?"

"You! Shameless!" Kiana's face instantly turned bright red. Sheng Jiu, however, smiled indifferently and took a sip of his milk tea. Seeing this, Kiana, not to be outdone, took a big gulp, and her pale face regained some color.

"Feeling better?"

"Mhm... How did you know I liked rose and coconut flavor?"

Sheng Jiu looked up at the sky. "It told me."

"..."

Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Sheng Jiu got straight to the point. "Why have you seemed unhappy these past few days? You passed the make-up exam and became a B-rank Valkyrie. Everyone's been worried about you."

Kiana lowered her head, looking a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry, everyone. I've made you worry these past few days. I'll go apologize to Yae Sakura and the others later."

Although Kiana said this, the observant Sheng Jiu could tell she still had something on her mind. After all, the usual Kiana wouldn't apologize so easily.

"...Don't keep it bottled up. It'll feel better if you talk about it." Sheng Jiu looked at Kiana, who remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.

After a while, Kiana looked up, her face sullen. "Sheng Jiu, is there something wrong with liking someone?"

Sheng Jiu was surprised by Kiana's question. After pondering for a moment, he shared his thoughts. "I don't think there's anything wrong with liking someone. Everyone has the right to love and be loved. What's important is how you view this relationship."

"Then is there something wrong with liking a Herrscher?" Sheng Jiu's heart skipped a beat. He immediately understood what was going on.

"Still thinking about the virtual space incident?"

"...You tell me, why is it wrong to fall in love with a Herrscher? Herrschers are people too, aren't they? They're just ordinary people whose minds have been corrupted by the Honkai Will, aren't they? What's their fault? They just want to live a good life..."

"You say, if I and Yae Sakura—"

"Stop, stop, stop!" Sheng Jiu interrupted Kiana, his face red, and shouted impatiently, "Yae Sakura and you are both Valkyries of the Far East Branch now, not Herrschers. There's no rule book that says Valkyries can't date other Valkyries!"

Looking at Sheng Jiu, who was blushing for the first time, Kiana couldn't help but chuckle. "Heh, I didn't expect you to be quite cute when you're shy..."

Seeing that Kiana's mood had clearly improved, Sheng Jiu felt relieved and continued, "I know you're still upset about Kallen's matter, but you have to understand that Kallen's era was 500 years ago. Times change. In this era, you won't be judged for falling in love with someone. So, I hope you can let go of the past and look at the present. If we cry for the sun that has set, we will miss the stars."

"So, please lift your head. Our tomorrow will be brighter."

Kiana's furrowed brow slowly relaxed. She looked at Sheng Jiu earnestly. "Thank you... I, I just thank you for the milk tea!"

Just as Sheng Jiu was about to retort, he suddenly saw a bright spot flash across the night sky, followed by two, then three... Sheng Jiu and Kiana looked up at the sky as countless meteors streaked across the horizon.

"Wow! It's a meteor shower! Make a wish quickly!" Kiana exclaimed excitedly.

The two closed their eyes and silently made their wishes.

"I hope for world peace, no more wars or disasters," Kiana whispered.

Sheng Jiu smiled and silently thought, I hope we can all find our own happiness and fight for all the goodness in the world.

The meteors gradually disappeared, and the sky returned to its tranquility.

"Let's go, back to sleep. There's training tomorrow," Sheng Jiu said, patting Kiana's shoulder.

"Mhm, okay!" A smile appeared on Kiana's face.

They walked towards the dormitory together, their figures receding under the moonlight.

Volume 1: St. Freya Rising Arc, Complete.