"Umm... Kiana... Didn't you say we're going to catch the culprit?" Mei asked, her voice carrying a note of uncertainty.
"Yeah, I did say that," Kiana replied casually.
"Then... isn't this the apartment where you and Reina live? Why are we here?"
Earlier, after they left the park, both Mei and Yuna had followed Kiana without question-trusting her claim that she knew where the culprit was. But now they found themselves standing in front of the luxurious high-rise apartment where both Kiana and Reina lived.
"I don't know the details yet," Kiana admitted while gazing up at the towering building. "But this is where I sensed the faintest trace of Honkai energy. So the culprit is definitely somewhere inside."
Without waiting for a reply, Kiana pulled out her room card. "Anyway, let's check it out."
The security in the building was tight-only those who had a resident card or special permission could get in. Swiping the card, the glass doors slid open, letting them step into the lobby. From there, they headed straight to the elevator, where Kiana swiped her card again and pressed the button for the topmost floor.
Because of how tall the building was, and how wide each level stretched, Kiana figured going to the highest floor would make it easier for her to sense if Honkai energy was leaking anywhere on their way up.
While the elevator hummed softly as it ascended, Yuna suddenly spoke up.
"By the way... I've been wondering since earlier. When you say Honkai energy... are you talking about that nuclear-like energy called Honkai?"
Mei turned to her as well. "I was thinking the same. I know my father uses Honkai for weapons research, and I've read it's used to power certain tech... but I've never heard of anyone actually using it like that-to kidnap people or anything."
Hearing their questions, Kiana didn't say anything back.
It wasn't because she didn't want to answer.
She just didn't know how to explain it properly. Explaining things had never been her strength.
"Umm... well... it's because Honkai is really dangerous," Kiana finally said after struggling to find the right words. "And... people who have a high resistance to it can use it to their benefit... like the person we're chasing now."
That was all she could come up with. But rather than answering their questions, it only raised more for Mei and Yuna.
High resistance? How can someone manipulate something as volatile as nuclear energy by themselves?
Before either of them could voice those thoughts, Kiana quickly added, "Anyway, I need to focus now-so don't interrupt me!"
Mei and Yuna exchanged a glance before quietly turning their eyes back to Kiana, who now stood with her eyes closed, wearing a rare look of focus and seriousness.
They both understood-Kiana wasn't good at explaining things. So in the end, they'd have to wait until Reina showed up. Maybe she could give them a proper answer.
With the elevator steadily ascending floor by floor, Mei pulled out her phone to do some searching on her own. Meanwhile, Yuna stood quietly beside her, eyes following the glowing floor numbers above the door as they ticked higher and higher.
After a few minutes of steady ascent, the elevator finally reached the top floor. But just as the doors began to open, Kiana abruptly leaned forward and pressed one of the floor buttons again-this time quickly, like she was in a hurry.
Mei and Yuna both noticed how suddenly her mood shifted.
"What's wrong, Kiana? Did you find the person?" Yuna asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Yeah... I did..." Kiana answered quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. Something in her tone sounded off. Urgent, but also confused.
The elevator stopped with a soft chime, and the doors slid open. Before anyone could say anything else, Kiana suddenly bolted out.
"Kiana?" Mei called out, startled by the sudden dash.
Kiana didn't respond. She kept running through the hallway, her steps echoing sharply against the polished floor until she came to a stop in front of a familiar door.
Her own apartment.
The place she live with Reina.
"[This doesn't make any sense,]" Sora's voice echoed sharply inside her mind. "[I can feel Honkai energy inside, but Reina's been working in another dimension. There shouldn't be any leakage like this.]"
But there was something else.
"It's not just Honkai energy... I can feel another presence inside," Kiana murmured, unease growing in her chest.
Without wasting another second, she swiped her room card through the reader. The door unlocked with a soft beep and slid open.
"Reina!! Are you here?" she shouted, immediately stepping inside, her eyes scanning the room in panic.
Kiana's heart raced as she stepped further inside the apartment.
Then-she heard it.
Reina's voice.
Faint, but clear enough to spark relief and confusion at the same time.
Without hesitation, she followed the sound, her footsteps quick and steady. But the closer she got, the more she realized... Reina wasn't alone. Another voice-soft and playful-was speaking to her.
By the time Kiana reached the dining room, the source of it all came into view.
Through the open doorway to the kitchen, she saw Reina standing with her back turned-long, jet-black hair cascading down her shoulders, unmistakably hers.
But beside her, hugging her waist from the side, was another girl.
The two of them stood so close, their bodies touching entirely.
Kiana froze at the sight.
The girl beside Reina leaned her head lightly against her shoulder, her voice filled with affection as she spoke sweetly, "You're always so good to me, Reina~ I'm seriously falling deeper for you, you know?"
The words hit Kiana like a slap.
She stood there silently, too stunned to speak.
Kiana was too stunned to speak-not because she thought Reina was cheating as that was impossible, but because she knew Reina would never hide something like this. If Reina had someone else, she'd say it outright.
"You!!! Get away from Reina!" Kiana screamed at them.
The girl hugging Reina turned around, annoyed.
"You!? You're that girl from last night!" Kiana recognized her immediately.
Mei and Yuna finally caught up, only to freeze when they saw Reina with the unfamiliar girl.
"Miyuki? What are you doing here?" Mei asked, remembering her from yesterday.
Yuna noticed how close Miyuki was to Reina-something was off. Reina would never act like this, not when she and Kiana were so loving with each other.
"Kiana, is she the culprit?" Yuna whispered.
"I don't know, and I don't care! Stay away from my Reina!" Kiana yelled, pointing angrily.
Miyuki just stared, then chuckled. "Heh. The whole gang's here, huh?" She smirked at Kiana. "And what do you mean, 'your Reina'?"
"You know exactly what I mean! Reina, say something!" Kiana demanded.
But Reina stayed silent, her back turned as she kept cutting ingredients robotically.
"Reina! Are you even listening?!"
"This is weird, Mei. Something's wrong," Yuna muttered.
Mei didn't answer. Her expression was deadly serious.
"[That Reina girl's leaking strange energy. Don't let your guard down.]" Her other self's warning echoed in her mind.
She kept her eyes locked on Reina and Miyuki, fists clenched. Seeing Miyuki so close to Reina made Mei furious, but now wasn't the time to act.
"Really? Hey, Reina, do you know her?" Miyuki tugged at Reina's sleeve playfully.
Reina slowly turned to face them-
"!!!???"
Kiana's breath caught. Reina's usual beautiful ruby-red eyes were now pale, lifeless. Her face was blank, no trace of the warmth she always showed Kiana.
"No... Who are you?" Reina tilted her head, her voice flat.
"See? She doesn't even know you~" Miyuki sang, wrapping her arms around Reina from behind, stroking her waist and chest possessively.
Kiana's fury erupted like a storm, a sudden burst of wind exploding outward from her body. Her twin braids came undone, releasing long white hair that whipped wildly around her.
"Kyaa!?" Mei and Yuna were thrown backward by the violent gust along with furniture around them toppled and crashed.
Kiana's eyes burned bright yellow as her school uniform began glowing, transforming into her Herrscher of Void dress. Behind her, multiple spears materialized, floating vertically in the air.
Not just that - two guns appeared in her hands. These were the same weapons Siegfried used, the prototype Gun of Shamash without a core that Reina had given her after completing it.
Though weaker than the original version Siegfried wielded, Kiana could power them with her Herrscher of Void core - altering their effects from the true Judgement of Shamash.
Without hesitation, she aimed both guns straight at Miyuki.
"GET AWAY FROM HER, YOU BITCH!" Kiana roared - her voice echoing as Sora's voice joined hers in unison.
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A few hours earlier, while school was in session...
Miyuki sat slumped in the corner of her classroom, her face bored. Ever since last night when Reina had "saved" her, she'd been counting down the minutes until she could see Reina again. She couldn't wait to get closer, to finally use her chance to mind control Reina and make her completely hers.
"Unfortunately, it seems Reina is sick and won't be coming to school until she recovers," the teacher suddenly announced.
Miyuki's stomach dropped. No Reina for an entire week? This was a nightmare. She needed her daily fix of Reina's scent, her beautiful face...
"But Kiana is here," she muttered, glancing across the class to where Kiana sat. Mei and Yuna were there too both of them looking just as shocked by the news.
Then her eyes lit up with a sudden idea.
If they're all here... that means Reina is alone in her apartment right now.
When lunch break came, Miyuki immediately used her powers to manipulate several students and teachers so she could slip away unnoticed. She looked around for Kiana, Mei and Yuna, but they'd already disappeared when lunch started.
No matter. She didn't have time to waste.
Miyuki rushed straight to Reina's apartment.
How did she know where Reina lived? Well... that was just another one of her little secrets.
Miyuki arrived at Reina's apartment building and used the same trick she'd pulled to leave school - she controlled someone entering the building and slipped in behind them, following them into the elevator.
When the elevator reached Reina's floor, Miyuki hurried to the apartment door and repeatedly pressed the doorbell. After several minutes of waiting, she finally heard a weak response from inside.
"Who... who is it?" Reina's voice sounded frail, exactly like someone fighting off illness.
"It's me, Miyuki! From last night when you saved me," she answered sweetly. "I heard you were sick, so I came during lunch break to bring you something to help you feel better."
"Miyuki... ah... from last night..." Reina's muffled voice replied.
The door slowly creaked open, revealing Reina peeking out from behind it. Miyuki's eyes widened at the sight.
Reina's normally flawless complexion looked pale. Her entire body glistened with sweat, her thin pajamas clinging transparently to her skin and revealing her underwear beneath. Miyuki's gaze traveled hungrily over Reina's glistening neck and the visible cleavage peeking through the damp fabric, making her swallow hard.
Miyuki grew impatient. Without hesitation, she activated her power, twisting the Honkai energy inside her into a scent that clouded the mind—making its victim dizzy before plunging them into complete unawareness.
Reina's tired eyes, already weak from sickness, slowly lost focus. Her gaze turned hazy, then blank.
Miyuki smirked. "Perfect."
"Let's get inside~" she cooed, taking Reina's hand and pulling her in.
Reina obeyed mechanically, nodding before closing the door behind them.
Miyuki's heart swelled with triumph. Finally, After weeks of waiting, her goal was achieved—Reina was hers.
Now, she just had to deal with Kiana. Maybe she'd order her to stay away… or perhaps claim her too? Having both of them sounded even better.
Lost in her fantasies, Miyuki didn't notice the faint, knowing smile curling on Reina's lips behind her.