Xiao Bu

Biodata

Background / History

Life at Rivet Town Orphanage

Xiao Bu and Chu Mu entered the orphanage together when she was three and he was four. Although unrelated by blood, they became brother and sister. Local children mocked her rare silver hair, stole her toys and food, and smashed the snow globe she had brought with her. Chu Mu repeatedly fought them to protect her, eventually injuring one with a sharpened pencil. The incident damaged his adoption prospects, something Xiao Bu blamed herself for 2 7 49.

The siblings shared a classroom desk under Natasha. Xiao Bu secretly copied punishment lines in Chu Mu’s handwriting to spare him trouble, while he gave her food even when doing so meant going hungry himself 1 2.

Waiting for Chu Mu

Xiao Bu routinely waited on the orphanage steps for Chu Mu to return from work. Because she refused to wait indoors, he began coming home before six, when the Underworld’s heating output dropped. When he failed to return one evening, she broke her promise to conceal his whereabouts and tearfully asked Natasha to find him 10 11.

Natasha and the Old Director reassured her before leaving to retrieve him from the Fight Club. Natasha used her Abundance power to put the exhausted girl to sleep. After Chu Mu returned, Xiao Bu demanded a pinky promise that he would not be late again, then noticed the unusual movement of his eyes and suspected one was artificial 11 19.

Chu Mu tried to hide his injuries and declining vision behind stories about his “Wicked King’s True Eye.” Xiao Bu remained suspicious, checking him for wounds after finding a reddish stain inside his gift snow globe. Once she learned he was completely blind, she quietly acted as though she did not know, respecting his wish not to distress others 20 21 22 37 39.

His returns were the happiest part of her day. When he could not find work, he sometimes brought her a shiny stone; when he earned money, he brought warm flatbread tucked against his chest and claimed he had already eaten 11.

Adoption Plans

Concerned that his illness would leave Xiao Bu without a protector, Chu Mu considered an adoption arrangement offered by Sampo. For one thousand Winter City Shields, she could enter an Upper District family by assuming the identity of a deceased girl. Chu Mu intended to explain his health and let her choose, but postponed the decision until after the Supreme Guardian’s visit 30 36.

When Kafka offered to adopt Chu Mu under the identity of Fuka, Xiao Bu urged him to accept rather than sacrifice another opportunity for her. He nevertheless insisted that both siblings be adopted together. Kafka claimed she had approval for only one child, and the arrangement fell through 36 37.

Kafka later explained that special circumstances had genuinely prevented her from adopting both children. Chu Mu continued postponing his departure and only felt able to leave after Xiao Bu was adopted 474.

Selection and Renaming

Cocolia selected Xiao Bu as her prospective successor. Unlike the Chief Stoker, who saw a thin, timid-looking child, Cocolia interpreted her bright, fearless eyes as evidence of inner strength. She believed proper nourishment would address the girl’s frailty 43.

Silvermane Guards took Xiao Bu from the classroom after assuring her that she would return shortly. She left her snow globe on the desk and promised to come back. When Chu Mu called after her, she tried to return to him, but the guards pushed her outside and shut the door between them 43.

In the Upper District palace, Cocolia renamed her Bronya Landau, declared her daughter and legitimate heir, and rejected her plea to bring Chu Mu upstairs. Cocolia then used an eerie voice to erase her memories of her brother and the Underworld 49.

Cocolia raised Bronya for thirteen years. When Chu Mu returned to Jarilo-VI, he worried that their comparatively brief childhood together might no longer matter to her and that she would see Cocolia as her mother. At the ruined orphanage, Natasha promised to investigate Xiao Bu’s whereabouts in the Upper District 148 160.

Reunion Without Memories

During Cocolia’s interrogation, Chu Mu learned that Bronya was with Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng, who had probably entered the Fragmentum 169.

Later, Chu Mu, Natasha, and Svarog watched a Council Hall feed of Bronya negotiating. Natasha praised her understanding of the Underworld, while Svarog played encrypted recordings of Chu Mu’s childhood sacrifices for Xiao Bu. On the Council Hall feed, however, Bronya denied having an older brother and asked Oleg who Chu Mu was 180.

Cocolia subsequently admitted that she had erased Bronya’s childhood memories. Chu Mu confirmed that his sister had not simply forgotten him of her own accord and refused to blame either Bronya or Cocolia. He also told Cocolia that he did not intend to take Bronya away or compete for his place in her life 182.

When Bronya met Chu Mu in the corridor, she cried despite being unable to remember him or explain why seeing him made her so sad. Chu Mu reassured her that he did not blame her, and Natasha embraced them both. Wanting to understand her past and recover her memories, Bronya asked Oleg to let her speak with Cocolia alone 182.

During the confrontation with the Stellaron’s Puppet, Chu Mu also comforted Bronya and March 7th about their forgotten pasts and the possibility of future reunions. Bronya had still not recovered her old memories when he left Belobog after that visit 195 465.

Memory Recovery and Life as Supreme Guardian

By Chu Mu’s later return to Belobog, Bronya had recovered her childhood memories and become the current Supreme Guardian. Oleg told him that she, Natasha, and Seele were in the Underworld for the Paskonja Festival and the opening of the Rivet Town History Museum 465.

Belobog’s rebuilding plans included converting the Underworld into an industrial zone as residents moved to the surface. Bronya had also arranged a future trade partnership with the Astral Express 465.

During her ceremony speech, Bronya faltered when she spotted Chu Mu in the audience. Natasha reminded her to finish her duties as Supreme Guardian, while Chu Mu gave her an encouraging thumbs-up rather than interrupting the ceremony. Bronya resolved to show him that she had become strong enough to protect the city and to let him leave the visit without regrets 470.

She resumed her speech in a personal capacity, recounting her childhood in the Underworld and her beloved brother. She described the stories, gifts, and encouragement Chu Mu had given her despite their poverty, reflecting that he had surrendered his own hopes of growing up for her sake 470.

When Chu Mu introduced Kafka as his family, Bronya recognized her as the woman who had once visited the orphanage to adopt him. Kafka explained why she could not take both siblings and why Chu Mu had refused to leave until Xiao Bu’s future was secured, helping Bronya understand the circumstances of his departure 474.

Appearance

• Silver hair: Exceptionally rare among the children around her; described as silky when Chu Mu ruffles it 2 27.
• Frail, thin build: She is repeatedly described as small and undernourished, with a delicate stomach 2 11.
• Bright, fearless eyes: The feature that persuades Cocolia she possesses the strength to become a successor 43.

Personality

Xiao Bu is quiet, considerate, and mature for her age. She apologizes readily and often takes responsibility for things beyond her control, including Chu Mu’s lost adoption opportunities and the trouble surrounding his disappearance. Despite her fear of separation, she eventually urges him to accept adoption because she does not want to hold him back 2 11 20 36.

Her attachment to Chu Mu makes her unusually stubborn about waiting outside for him, even in the cold or when he is not expected home until the following day. She is also observant enough to question his explanations about his eyes, yet chooses not to expose his blindness once she understands his intentions 11 19 21 27 39.

She values her existing family more than the prospect of leaving the orphanage. After sharing a cake fight with Chu Mu and Natasha, she says she likes living there because Natasha and the Old Director are good people 27.

Even after losing her memories, Bronya retains a powerful emotional response to Chu Mu. Their reunion leaves her crying without understanding why, but she actively seeks the truth rather than dismissing those feelings 182.

As Supreme Guardian, she balances her longing for her brother with responsibility toward Belobog. After recovering her memories, she wants to reassure Chu Mu that she is capable of protecting others, continues her public speech despite her initial distress, and openly acknowledges the sacrifices that shaped her childhood 470.

Abilities & Skills

Handwriting Imitation

Xiao Bu can imitate Chu Mu’s handwriting well enough that he initially does not recognize a sheet of punishment lines as someone else’s work 1.

• Copies the orphanage rules in his writing style to help him avoid punishment 1.

Observation

Xiao Bu notices small discrepancies despite Chu Mu’s attempts to conceal his condition 19 20.

• Detects that his two eyes do not move normally together and suspects a prosthetic 19 20.
• Questions the reddish stain inside her replacement snow globe and insists on checking him for injuries 22.
• Maintains his pretense of being sighted after learning the truth 39.

Governance and Public Speaking

As Bronya, she develops the administrative and communication skills required of Belobog’s Supreme Guardian 180 465 470.

• Negotiates in the Council Hall and demonstrates an understanding of the Underworld that Natasha praises 180.
• Arranges a future trade partnership with the Astral Express 465.
• Resumes a public ceremony speech after the emotional shock of seeing Chu Mu and uses her childhood experiences to address the audience personally 470.

Items

• Original snow globe — An intact globe that lit up and played songs. She carried it from the day she entered the orphanage; local bullies later stole and smashed it. Its precise significance is not explained, but its destruction left her crying for a long time 7.
• Replacement snow globe — Bought by Chu Mu for one Winter City Shield. It was cracked during his beating at the Fight Club, allowing his blood to seep inside. Xiao Bu treasured it and carried it while waiting for him, but left it on her classroom desk when the guards took her away. It contains two animal figurines 6 22 27 43.

When Chu Mu revisited the ruined orphanage with Natasha and Seele thirteen years later, he found a snow globe while they sorted through the surviving supplies 160.

Relationships

• Chu Mu — Her unrelated older brother and closest attachment. She calls him “Mu,” “Brother Mu,” or “Big Brother Mu”; he protects and provides for her, while she helps him in class and later brings him another serving of food without exposing his blindness. Cocolia’s memory erasure initially prevents her from recognizing him, although seeing him still causes overwhelming sadness. After recovering her memories, she publicly honors him as her beloved brother and acknowledges the hopes he gave up for her. Chu Mu also regards Xiao Bu as the family member who helped keep him from becoming cold-blooded during his childhood in the Underworld 1 2 39 182 320 470.
• Natasha — Her teacher and caregiver. Natasha comforts her during Chu Mu’s disappearance and later waits beside her outside the orphanage, holding her against the cold. Years later, she embraces Bronya and Chu Mu during their reunion and encourages Bronya to complete her ceremony speech as Supreme Guardian 11 27 182 470.
• Old Director — The orphanage’s guardian, whom Xiao Bu calls “Grandma Director.” Xiao Bu trusts her assurances and asks her not to punish Chu Mu 11.
• Seele — Becomes Xiao Bu’s deskmate after Chu Mu changes seats. Seele directly offers friendship, which Xiao Bu accepts; she later questions whether Xiao Bu will be safe with the guards. Years later, Seele is with Bronya and Natasha in the Underworld for the Paskonja Festival and the Rivet Town History Museum’s opening 40 43 465.
• Cocolia Landau — Her adoptive mother and the Supreme Guardian who chooses her as an heir. Cocolia gives her the name Bronya Landau and forcibly removes her memories of her former life. After learning what happened, Bronya seeks a private conversation with Cocolia to understand her past and recover her memories 43 49 182.
• Oleg — An intermediary during her attempts to understand her childhood. Bronya asks him who Chu Mu is while she still cannot remember her brother, then requests permission to speak with Cocolia alone. Oleg later informs Chu Mu that Bronya has recovered her memories 180 182 465.
• Kafka — First meets Xiao Bu while posing as Fuka and attempting to adopt Chu Mu. After recovering her memories, Bronya recognizes Kafka despite the years that have passed. Kafka explains that Chu Mu had refused to leave with her until Xiao Bu was adopted, clarifying the circumstances of the siblings’ separation 36 37 474.

Notable Quotes

“I don't want to be adopted. I want to stay here with you forever.” 2

“Don't say things like that. If it happens again, I'll still wait for you to come back.” 19

“I really, really don't want to hold you back anymore. After you leave, I'll be sad, and I'll cry, but I don't want you to turn down another chance because of me.” 36

“Now, I'd like to say a few words in a personal capacity.” 470

Trivia

• Resemblance to Silver Wolf: Silver Wolf’s facial features and hair color are described as looking as though they came from the same mold as Xiao Bu’s. Their eyes and clothing differ, and Silver Wolf appears older and taller 50.
• Early Supreme Guardian reference: While urging Xiao Bu to accept his bread, Chu Mu jokingly asks whether she plans to become the Supreme Guardian someday. She later holds that office as Bronya 2 465 470.
• Unequal experience of their separation: Cocolia raised Bronya for thirteen years, while at least eleven years of Chu Mu’s absence were effectively blank in his life outside confinement. He repeatedly revisited memories of Xiao Bu and his other loved ones while trapped inside the Ambrosial Arbor 160.