Stare—
During the meeting, in the bright and cozy living room, Kiana sat across from Bronya, watching her disassemble and maintain her firearms with meticulous precision. Her gaze lingered on Bronya's unflappable and indifferent expression.
"Blinking is a natural neurological reflex that helps keep the cornea and conjunctiva moist. The normal blinking frequency is about once every three seconds. Kiana, you haven't blinked in a minute. If your blinking function is impaired, Bronya suggests you see an ophthalmologist," Bronya said without looking up, her hands carefully rubbing some small parts with a white cloth.
Bang!
Kiana slapped the table.
"I know what happened, and you know that I know what happened! Bronya, don't pretend to be innocent with me! You sly, shameless thief!"
"Don't yell at Bronya!"
"—This has nothing to do with you, Sin Mal!"
"Anything related to Bronya is related to Sin Mal!"
Half of Sin Mal's body leaned on the table, inserting herself between the two and blocking Kiana's interrogation of Bronya.
Kiana looked at the grim-faced Sin Mal and sighed, exhausted. This girl… She's not cute at all and has no sense of timing!
"Move aside."
Kiana reached out to push Sin Mal's face away, only to have her hand bitten by sharp, shark-like teeth.
"—Are you part dog? That hurts! Let go!"
"Grr grr!"
"Do you want me to hit you?!"
"Grr grr!!"
(▼ヘ▼＃)!!!
(▼皿▼＃)!!!
Three seconds later, the two were wrestling on the floor, pulling hair and tearing clothes in a comical display.
Bronya, having finished wiping the parts, deftly reassembled them. A compact machine gun with a gradient of red and yellow appeared in her hands. The overly bright and cute design concealed its powerful high-capacity Honkai energy magazine, capable of delivering devastating force.
Bronya shifted the gun's muzzle, pointing it at Kiana and Sin Mal, who were now locked in a fierce ground battle involving joint locks and even biting. Her face expressionless, her finger slowly moved toward the trigger.
Clap!
A hand suddenly pressed down on Bronya's head.
"Trying to mediate?"
"Mm. Bronya believes that overwhelming firepower is the fastest way to resolve disputes."
"The logic is sound, but the living room's materials aren't cheap. This method is better suited for use outdoors."
"Understood. Bronya has learned, also, welcome home, Sigurd."
Bronya lowered her gun and gently placed Sigurd's hand more firmly on her head. She looked up at him with unrestrained affection and joy in her gaze.
This made Sigurd smile.
"We're back. Although, it's not pleasant to return to a scene like this."
Sigurd turned his attention to the two on the floor. Despite one being Kiana, with whom he had a nearly finalized relationship, and the other being Sin Mal, who was almost destined to be tied to him for life, his now-cold and icy gaze showed no trace of mercy.
"Sin Mal wasn't fighting!"
"Right, we were getting along just fine, Sig!"
In an instant, the two switched from a chaotic scuffle to sitting neatly side by side in a formal kneeling posture.
If one were to carefully observe, they would be able to see traces of cold sweat forming on the two fair and innocent-looking faces.
Sigurd shook his head, dispersing the fierceness in his eyes, and sat down on the middle seat of the sofa.
"Come here."
Half a minute later, Kiana and Sin Mal were lying on either side of him, each resting their head on one of his thighs, temporarily achieving a fragile harmony.
Sigurd stroked the soft hair of the two girls. His gaze shifted to Bronya, who, looking entirely natural and unfazed, didn't display the slightest trace of displeasure.
"Welt brought some bad news," Sigurd said.
"What news?"
"The Herrscher of Thousands. A group that may not be strong individually but is troublesome in its own way."
"How do we deal with them?"
"Investigate and wait. That's the current plan. During this time, your teammates, especially those tied to the Herscher, will remain in the inner city of the headquarters. Stay vigilant… Though I wouldn't mind if they came knocking on our door."
"Understood. Bronya will remain alert," Bronya said, stroking her light machine gun with a serious expression.
Sigurd gave her a reassuring nod.
He trusted Bronya. Over the years, she had proven to be the most reliable subordinate—or rather, the tool he used most effectively— Ahem. Even though she had recently used that trust for some rather peculiar endeavors, the facts remained unchanged.
Sigurd then lowered his head, meeting two pairs of sparkling eyes filled with joy and sweetness.
"Sigh—"
Letting out a light sigh, Sigurd once again admitted the undeniable truth: he was a scoundrel.
"I have something to inform you both. Kiana and I, as well as Bronya and I, are now officially in a romantic relationship. Sin Mal, you're probably the last to know… Are you considering leaving me?"
"—No!"
As expected.
Sin Mal's world was twisted, but at the same time, it was pure to an extreme.
In her distorted life, the only two lights were Bronya and Sigurd. Add to that the emotions accumulated over the years, and it was hard to imagine anyone willingly letting go of such ties.
Moreover, Sin Mal herself had an almost pathological stubbornness. Leaving her current environment was simply impossible.
If she were forcibly abandoned, Sigurd had no doubt that she would either spiral into madness in her confusion and despair or take her own life in some desolate corner. There was likely no third outcome.
Sin Mal clung tightly to Sigurd's hand. Though the news had hit her like a bolt from the blue, leaving her momentarily blank, and Kiana's involvement enraged her, Sigurd was what mattered most. Everything else could be ignored.
Using his other hand, Sigurd gently placed it on Sin Mal's forehead as a gesture of comfort.
"Then it's settled. I'll wait for you for four years. If, after four years, you still can't find another emotional anchor or if you do and still decide to stay… I'll look after you for life. Until then, try to form more bonds. Your personality has its flaws. I don't dislike this side of you, Sin Mal, but I hope you can truly grow up one day."
To base one's entire existence on just two individuals, and to live entirely for Sigurd's recognition—such a life was too pitiful.
"…Okay," Sin Mal responded.
Her mismatched golden and blue eyes were fixated on Sigurd, as though looking at her entire world. Her face blossomed with a smile devoid of malice, filled only with soft emotions, as crystal-clear tears slid down her cheeks.
She was undoubtedly heartbroken. After all, the one she treasured so deeply had unknowingly given away his love—something she had longed for so dearly.
A hand reached out to wipe away Sin Mal's tears.
It wasn't Sigurd or Bronya—it was Kiana. Pinching Sin Mal's cheek lightly, Kiana propped her head on her hand and said helplessly:
"That's enough, you little lunatic. I really can't deal with you. From now on, let's get along, okay? After all, we're going to be family, aren't we?"
Family?
A trace of confusion appeared on Sin Mal's face.
The same sentiment also moved Bronya and Sigurd.
Though everyone in Anti-Entropy could already be considered a family in terms of emotions, the "family" Kiana spoke of clearly implied a closer, more intimate, and unique bond—something that naturally sparked imagination and longing.
Sigurd's gaze swept over the three girls one by one, and he let out a long sigh. Matters of the heart were indeed tangled and complex. Even he had deliberated for a long time before reaching this point. What happens next would have to be left to time.
No matter what, having sorted out his romantic entanglements before the Herrscher of Thousands's arrival gave Sigurd newfound clarity. His spirits lifted.
The Herrscher of Thousands? With no more distractions, he was genuinely curious to see just how much of a "surprise" they could deliver.
<+>
"Achoo!"
"Did you catch a cold? No way, right? Can a Herscher even catch a cold?"
"Quiet! Quiet! We've already been exposed. From here on out, we have no choice but to take action. We must launch the wave we've long prepared before they have a chance to react! It's our only shot at victory. I trust no one here thinks we can take on those terrifying monsters head-on, right?"
"Agreed! At this point, we have no choice!"
"Honestly, we've made all the necessary preparations, so it's not that rushed."
"Raise the curtains! Let's give this world a grand surprise!"
"Yeah!!!"
<+>
Tn: If you want to see more chapter of this story, please go to my Patreon[1], just for $5 each month, you can read till the latest chapter.
Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 314: Still Just a Child[2]
Link to the latest chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-131283359[3]
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-131283359
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-131283359
[4] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=condensed