The grand hall was filled with the lively chatter of soldiers, their spirits lifted by the music that echoed through the room.
It was a rare moment of reprieve for the members of Fire Moth, a party to honor their dedication and encourage them for the battles that lay ahead against the Honkai. Amid the festive atmosphere, Kevin stood by the edge of the dance floor, observing the scene.
At a nearby table, Fu Hua stood with a glass of wine in her hand, though she seemed unsure of what to do with it.
The delicate young warrior was only 17, and it was clear that she was out of her element in such a setting. She held the glass awkwardly, glancing around nervously, her uncertainty evident to anyone who cared to notice.
Kevin, noticing her unease, decided to approach. As he neared her, he smiled softly, hoping to put her at ease. "Fu Hua, you look more beautiful every day," he remarked, his tone warm and friendly.
Fu Hua blushed, her cheeks turning a soft pink. "I could say the same for you, Kevin-san," she replied shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kevin chuckled at her response, then gestured to the drink she was holding. "You seem a bit unsure about that drink. Here," he said, offering her another glass. "I brought you something alcohol-free."
Fu Hua accepted the glass, relief washing over her. "Thank you, Kevin-san. I don't really like alcohol."
Kevin nodded, understanding. "That's why I thought this would be better for you. You're still young."
However, his next comment caught Fu Hua off guard. "Besides," Kevin added with a teasing glint in his eye, "you're still small and underage."
The word "small" caused Fu Hua to freeze. Her eyes widened as she instinctively looked down at her chest, her face flushing even deeper. Indeed, she was small compared to many others, and Kevin's comment made her self-conscious.
Kevin, noticing her reaction, quickly tried to lighten the mood. "You know, there's a technique to... enhance that area," he said with a playful grin, though his voice held a touch of sincerity.
Fu Hua's face turned a deep shade of red, her thoughts racing. No one had ever flirted with her so openly before, and she didn't know how to respond.
She was saved from her flustered state when Elysia appeared beside them, her usual radiant smile lighting up the room.
"Kevin," Elysia chimed in, her tone light but firm, "why don't you let the young girl be? Don't drag her into your clutches so easily." She gently took Kevin's arm, leading him away from the now thoroughly embarrassed Fu Hua. "Come, let's dance."
As Kevin was led away, Fu Hua watched them go, her heart still racing from the unexpected encounter.
Elysia effortlessly guided Kevin onto the dance floor, the two of them moving in perfect sync with the music. Their movements were graceful, drawing the attention of everyone in the room, Fu Hua's eyes were also glued to them.
As Fu Hua watched them, a familiar voice came from behind her. "Sorry, Hua. It took longer than I intended."
Fu Hua turned to see her squad leader, Himeko, approaching with a smsll smile. "It's alright, Captain," Fu Hua replied, her voice calming as she greeted the woman.
Himeko looked down at Fu Hua with a kind expression. "How do you feel? Did anyone come to talk to you?"
Fu Hua nodded. "Yes. Kevin-san did come over to speak with me," she said quietly, her thoughts still lingering on the earlier conversation.
"Kevin, huh?" Himeko said, her gaze shifting to where Kevin and Elysia were still dancing. "Already making close friends, it seems.
You've got potential, Hua. Maybe soon you'll leave Squad 5 and join Kevin and Elysia in their ranks. This way you can get close to him."
Fu Hua shook her head quickly, flustered by the suggestion. "Don't make fun of me, Squad Leader..."
Himeko chuckled, giving Fu Hua a sly smile. "I'm not making fun of you, Hua. You're strong, and you've got a bright future ahead."
As the music swelled, Himeko's smile softened. "Just have some fun and loosen up. Tonight is about celebration. The party is beginning soon, and you won't get a dancing partner if you stay mute."
Fu Hua lowered her gaze, feeling a bit out of place. "No... Squad Leader..."
Himeko looked at her curiously. "What?"
"I... I can't dance..." Fu Hua admitted, her voice filled with embarrassment.
Himeko blinked in surprise. "...That was unexpected," she finally said, a bit taken aback.
"Sorry," Fu Hua mumbled, feeling awkward.
Himeko shook her head, her tone reassuring. "It's nothing to be sorry for, Hua. Everyone has things they're not good at."
As Kevin continued to dance with Elysia, he couldn't help but glance over at Himeko, who was now chatting with Fu Hua.
His sharp instincts told him that something was off. Himeko was smiling, but it was the kind of smile that didn't reach her eyes—a mask to hide what was really going on beneath the surface. Kevin could sense the sadness and guilt that lingered just out of sight.
Himeko had been through a lot recently. Losing a large number of soldiers to a Viprolopa-class Honkai beast had taken its toll on her. The weight of those losses was heavy on her shoulders, and it was clear to Kevin that she was struggling, even if she tried to hide it behind her usual bravado.
Elysia, ever perceptive, noticed Kevin's concern. "You're worried about Himeko, aren't you?" she asked softly as they continued to dance.
Kevin nodded slightly, his eyes still on Himeko. "Yeah. She's putting on a brave face, but I can tell she's hurting. The casualties in her squad have hit her hard."
Elysia's expression turned serious for a moment. "She loves her squad deeply. Losing them like that... it's no wonder she's been drinking more. She's trying to cope, but it's not healthy. Why don't you cheer her up "
Kevin sighed, feeling a pang of sadness for his friend. "I don't think there are many girls out there who would encourage their lover to get close to someone else," he said, glancing at Elysia with a small smile.
Elysia returned the smile, her eyes sparkling with understanding. " if you can help and Himeko makes her happy, then I'm all for it.
Beautiful girl shouldn't be depressed. She said.
That's a odd way of caring. Kevin thought.
Maybe you should ask her for a dance. It might help take her mind off things, even if just for a little while." Elysia said.
Kevin nodded, appreciating Elysia's support. "You're right. She could use a distraction."
As the dance with Elysia came to an end, Kevin gently pulled away and made his way over to Himeko, who was now standing alone, lost in thought. He approached her with a charming smile, offering his hand in a dramatic gesture. "Beautiful woman, may I have the honor of a dance?"
Himeko looked up, surprised by the sudden invitation. The way Kevin asked, with such exaggerated formality, brought a small blush to her cheeks. She hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Kevin. I'll dance with you."
Taking her hand, Kevin led Himeko onto the dance floor.
As they moved to the rhythm of the music, Kevin tried to lift her spirits, telling light-hearted jokes and sharing stories in an attempt to make her laugh. But Himeko's smile remained faint, her eyes distant as if she were somewhere else entirely.
Despite his best efforts, Kevin could see that the weight of her grief and guilt was too much for her to simply shake off.
After the dance, Kevin and Himeko found themselves by the bar, where Himeko reached for a drink.
Kevin watched as she downed her glass, the alcohol barely making a dent in her somber mood. He knew that she was using it as a crutch, a way to numb the pain, but he also knew that it wasn't the solution.
Before long, Fu Hua appeared, concern etched on her young face. "Squad Leader, maybe it's time to call it a night?" she suggested gently, noticing how much Himeko had already drunk.
Himeko sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Yeah, you're probably right, Hua."
With Fu Hua's help, Himeko made her way to her quarters, leaving Kevin standing by the bar, lost in thought. As he watched them go, a sense of foreboding washed over him.
He knew what the future held for Himeko—that she would one day become the Herrscher of Fire. And he knew that this transformation was only a few months away, set to happen when Eden performed her concert in Australia
Only 2 months left for Eden concert in Australia.