Three days after the trio emerged from the virtual space, the make-up exam for Valkyries who had failed was held as scheduled. In this test, which determined whether a Valkyrie could remain on the front lines, Kiana earned an impressive 92 points, placing near the top of the class. She successfully became a B-rank Valkyrie and secured her chance to stay on the front lines.
"So? She's been locking herself in her room for three days and nights straight?" Sheng Jiu asked, looking at the empty "Kiana-only seat" beside the dining table.
"Yeah. Bronya and I have asked her several times when she came out to wash up, but she keeps saying she's fine." Yae Sakura sounded worried. As she stirred the milkshake in her hand, she continued, "So we were hoping you could talk some sense into Kiana—"
"Pfft—" Sheng Jiu nearly spat out the lemon juice in his mouth. "What?! You want me to talk some sense into her?"
"Even you two, her roommates who share a room with her every day, don't know what's going on with her, and you want me to talk to her?!"
Bronya, sitting beside them, continued in her usual mechanical voice. "Exactly. Since idiot Sheng Jiu and idiot Kiana have very similar personalities, she won't tell Sister Yae Sakura because she's too proud, and she won't tell Bronya because Bronya is too smart. (Confirmed.) So we'd like you to keep her company and have a chat. At the very least, you might find out what happened."
Sheng Jiu fell silent, gazing at the cup in his hand. Just as Yae Sakura thought he was going to refuse, he unexpectedly agreed. "All right. Since she helped me out before, I'll... reluctantly say yes. But Yae Sakura, you have to buy me coffee next time!"
"It's a deal!"
Sheng Jiu carried two cups of milk tea as he walked toward the dormitory, wondering how to start the conversation. Oh no... I was too hasty. She might be carefree most of the time, but when it really matters, I have no idea what to say to her... Whatever, I'll just give it a try.
The girls' dormitory came into view in the distance. Just as Sheng Jiu was about to step forward and knock, the door creaked open, and Kiana emerged—the first time he'd seen her in three days.
Kiana was wearing her school uniform. Her eyes were unfocused, and dark circles ringed them. It didn't take a genius to figure out that she'd been staying up late.
Kiana and Sheng Jiu stared at each other, wide-eyed, for a full minute before Sheng Jiu broke the silence. "Well, look who it is. Where are you off to at this hour?"
"...None of your business."
"...Want to have a drink with me?" Sheng Jiu gave the paper bag a little shake, then walked over to a nearby bench and sat down.
Kiana glanced at the bag, then at Sheng Jiu, before slowly sitting beside him.
Sheng Jiu took out a cup of milk tea, put a straw in it, and handed it to Kiana. Kiana's eyes widened. "This is what you meant by having a drink?"
Sheng Jiu grinned mischievously and pointed at the milk tea. "What? Did you think I was going to give you alcohol? Aren't you worried I'd take advantage of you if you got drunk?"
"You! You shameless jerk!" Kiana's face instantly turned bright red. Sheng Jiu just smiled and took a small sip of his milk tea. Not to be outdone, Kiana took a big gulp, and the color gradually returned to her pale cheeks.
"Feeling any better?"
"Mm... How did you know I like rose-and-coconut-jelly flavor?"
Sheng Jiu looked up at the sky. "It told me."
"..."
Seeing that the mood was right, Sheng Jiu got straight to the point. "Why have you seemed so unhappy these past few days? You already passed the make-up exam and became a B-rank Valkyrie. Everyone's worried about you."
Kiana lowered her head, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry for making you all worry these past few days. I'll go apologize to Yae Sakura and the others in a bit."
Although Kiana said that, Sheng Jiu was perceptive enough to see right away that something was still bothering her. After all, Kiana wasn't usually the type to apologize so readily.
"...Don't bottle things up. You'll feel better if you talk about them." Sheng Jiu looked at Kiana, but she stayed silent, seemingly lost in thought.
After a while, Kiana lifted her head and said glumly, "Sheng Jiu, do you think there's anything wrong with falling in love with someone?"
Sheng Jiu hadn't expected Kiana to ask him that. After thinking it over, he shared his thoughts. "I don't think there's anything wrong with loving someone. Everyone has the right to love and be loved. What matters is how you approach that relationship."
"Then is it wrong to fall in love with a Herrscher?" Sheng Jiu's heart gave a jolt. He immediately understood what this was about.
"Are you still thinking about what happened in the virtual space?"
"...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 Will of Honkai, aren't they? What did they do wrong? They want to live their lives too..."
"Tell me, what if I were in love with Yae Sakura—"
"Hold it, hold it!" Sheng Jiu's face flushed red as he interrupted Kiana, shouting in exasperation, "You and Yae Sakura are both Valkyries of the Far East Branch now, not Herrschers. There's no law that says Valkyries can't date other Valkyries!"
Looking at Sheng Jiu, blushing for the first time, Kiana couldn't help giggling. "Hehe, I didn't know you could be so cute when you're embarrassed..."
Seeing that Kiana was clearly in better spirits, Sheng Jiu relaxed and continued, "I know you're still upset about Kallen. But you have to understand that Kallen lived five hundred years ago. Times change. In this era, people aren't condemned for falling in love. So I hope you can let go of the past and look at the present. If we weep for the sun we've lost, we'll miss the stars, too."
"So please, look up. Tomorrow will be even brighter."
The furrow in Kiana's brow gradually relaxed. She gazed earnestly at Sheng Jiu. "Thank you... I-I'm only thanking you for the milk tea!"
Sheng Jiu was about to argue when he suddenly spotted a flash of light streak across the night sky. Then came another, and another... Sheng Jiu and Kiana looked up to see countless shooting stars streaking across the heavens.
"Wow! A meteor shower! Quick, make a wish!" Kiana exclaimed excitedly.
They both closed their eyes and silently made a wish.
"I hope the world will be at peace, with no more wars or disasters," Kiana said softly.
Sheng Jiu smiled and made his wish silently. I hope we can all find our own happiness, and fight for all the good in the world.
The meteors gradually faded, and the sky grew quiet again.
"Come on, let's go back to bed. We have training tomorrow." Sheng Jiu patted Kiana on the shoulder.
"Mm, okay!" A smile spread across Kiana's face.
They walked back to the dormitory together, their silhouettes growing smaller beneath the moonlight.
Volume One: St. Freya Rising Arc, End.
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