Chapter 283: ⊙_⊙ ???
"Gawu! Gawu!"
What was originally a hearty dinner prepared for five had now become Kiana's personal feast.
Naturally, Sigurd wasn't going to compete for food with her, and the others weren't the type to care about indulgence either.
"Slow down. Here, have some soup to ease up."
Sigurd attentively looked after Kiana—sometimes moving dishes for her, sometimes picking out food for her, sometimes wiping her mouth.
Honestly, they looked less like a couple and more like a father doting on his young daughter.
But that's just how they'd always interacted, it's so natural that neither of them even thought twice about it.
"She's got a really good appetite."
"Indeed. Eating more means she's healthy and full of energy—a lively young lady."
The intangible forms of Fu Hua and Su chimed in one after another, their eyes full of gentle smiles—like grandparents watching a beloved child.
As for Kevin, the only one with actual blood ties to Kiana, he remained an unmeltable block of ice.
All potential emotions were buried under a frosty, unreadable expression, making it impossible to tell what he was thinking.
After a long while, Kiana finally leaned back in satisfaction, patting her now round belly.
The table before her was covered in empty plates, and her lightly scarred face glowed with a "life-can't-get-better-than-this" kind of joy.
Slap!
Sigurd swatted away Kiana's hand from her stomach, frowning.
"Don't pat your belly when you're full. It's unladylike."
"Ah! Sig, you're always nagging! So annoying!"
"You want to say that again?"
"…Hmph! I'm a grown-up now—I'm not arguing with you."
The girl made her stand... only to immediately back down with righteous pride.
Sigurd could only shake his head helplessly. A warm, damp towel appeared in his hand, and he carefully wiped Kiana's face clean.
"Sig, huggie!"
Moments later, all cleaned up, Kiana stretched out her arms and acted all cuddly. She immediately dove into Sigurd's arms like a content kitten, eyes squinting with joy and letting out soft, satisfied giggles.
"Ehehehe~~"
And now, she showed no signs of embarrassment at all—even with several people watching.
Sigurd had no idea what was going on in her head anymore. He could only hold her properly, placing her on his lap, and gently stroke her hair.
Fu Hua and Su's gazes grew even more affectionate.
Only Kevin remained unchanged, his expression still blank.
But without exception, every one of them was now watching the sugary scene between Sigurd and Kiana.
Until finally, Sigurd looked up and said with his usual nonchalant tone:
"What are you all staring at?"
"Nothing. Just… thought it was nice."
Su responded with a warm smile.
Yes, it really was nice. Human emotions, pure love and affection… It was because of these beautiful things that they protected the world, gave it their all to find a path forward for civilization. That's what gave it all meaning.
Su quietly shifted his gaze to Kevin's unmoving face.
"Such a pity… Those who've lost warmth have also forgotten their original purpose. Protecting the world… it was never meant to be protection for its own sake."
"Kevin, when will you remember that what you first wanted to protect… was Mei, and all the lives across the world?"
A long sigh echoed in Su's heart, a sense of failure pressing in on him from all directions.
If Kevin had lost his original heart—twisting protection into vengeance against Honkai—then Su was a complete failure.
He hadn't changed a thing. He hadn't saved the world, and he couldn't even help his lifelong friend who lived like the walking dead.
Just then, a hand landed on Su's shoulder.
"Kevin?"
"..."
Kevin slightly opened his mouth, hesitated, then seemed unsure of what to say.
In the end, he simply patted Su's shoulder again, wordlessly.
Su froze for a moment, then slowly smiled—his usual warm, gentle smile returning to his face.
"I'm fine now, thank you."
"That's good."
Kevin replied blandly, lowering his hand.
The conversation was extremely brief, leaving the others utterly confused—but countless unspoken words had passed silently between them.
Fu Hua seemed to sense something and gently shook her ethereal head without saying a word.
As for Sigurd and Kiana, who was lying contentedly in his arms, idly kicking her legs—they both tilted their heads in perfect synchrony. Their equally clear and expressionless eyes failed to understand what kind of silent mime the other two had just performed.
At that moment, Kevin suddenly turned to Kiana as if he remembered something and said:
"By the way, I acknowledge your name—Kiana Kaslana."
Kiana's kicking stopped as she blinked blankly.
"Is it because… I can eat a lot?"
After thinking hard, that was the only trait she could come up with in front of this legendary ancestor she'd never met. As for her usual confidence in her looks—well, not much to say with her face still marred by injuries.
Kevin visibly twitched.
Though his face didn't show it, everyone else could tell he was definitely at a loss for words.
"No. It's because you fought well. Also… because he asked me to."
Kevin glanced at Sigurd.
Kiana blinked, tilted her head up, and saw Sigurd looking down at her, those calm eyes steady as ever.
Sigurd raised a hand and lightly pinched her soft cheek.
"What is it?" he asked in his usual flat tone.
"Mwah!"
Kiana gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, then jumped off his lap and dashed toward the villa.
"I'm going ba—oops! I'm going back in first!"
Mid-run, she tripped over her own feet, staggered, then hurriedly got back on track and made it to the house, slamming the door behind her.
Inside, Kiana slid down to the floor, leaning against the door.
"…Thank you, Sig."
After a quiet moment, Kiana whispered softly, wiping away the damp corners of her eyes—but her lips curved into a gentle smile.
The name "Kiana Kaslana"… did it matter?
Of course it did. It was the true starting point of her life, the first anchor that made her realize she was alive.
Sure, she owed a lot to the real Kiana Kaslana, but after using the name for over a decade, there was no way she could just give it up now.
Having that name acknowledged—it made her genuinely happy.
But what mattered most… was Sigurd's heart.
No matter when, he always cared about her so deeply.
Whether she noticed or not, whether she realized something was wrong or remained clueless, he would always quietly take care of everything.
Just realizing this again made her want to cry all over again.
"Kaslana or whatever… I was ready to give it up, you know. Seriously… so bossy. Can't even ask me first?"
Kiana murmured through teary eyes, grabbing some tissues to wipe her tears.
"Thanks…"
"You're welcome."
"(ㅎ.ㅎ)..."
Kiana stiffly turned her head—and saw Sigurd squatting beside her, holding out a packet of tissues.
"W-Why are you here?"
"I heard you crying."
"Don't say stuff like that at a time like this! It just makes me cry more!"
Kiana sniffled and pouted as she gave Sigurd's thigh a soft punch.
Sigurd sat down beside her, leaning against the door as well.
He placed the tissues next to her hand and asked calmly:
"You're not sad or in physical pain, are you?"
"No…"
"Then it's fine."
"Don't be so nice to me! I'll get spoiled, I'll turn bad for real!"
Kiana buried her head against Sigurd's shoulder and muttered.
Sigurd gently held her head, stroking her hair thoughtfully.
"…Forget it. You won't turn out too bad. Besides, you're already kind of a handful."
"Pfft! Aaaah! Don't joke at a time like this! You're making me want to laugh and cry at the same time!"
"…I'm not joking."
"Huh?"
Kiana snapped her head up and stared at Sigurd in disbelief.
Are you serious?
Sigurd fell silent for a moment, then nodded firmly to confirm that yes, he was.
"Sig!!!"
Kiana lunged at him, tackling him to the floor and straddling him. Her tiny fists pounded repeatedly against his chest.
At that moment, Sigurd's expression was one of deep, deep helplessness.
But Kiana? Her smile was dazzling.
. . . . . . . .
Outside the villa, Su opened a portal leading back to the real world.
Fu Hua glanced at her two old friends and smiled gently.
"Well then, it's goodbye for now. Let's meet again back at home."
She waved her hand as her soul form floated toward the portal.
She had already said her farewell to Sigurd before he left. Now it was time to return to the real world—to her own body.
Partly because her consciousness could only be properly sustained and nourished in her actual body. And partly because she had lingered here long enough for Kiana's sake. It was time to go back, to let the girls waiting at the base know she was safe.
Her gentle parting words—especially the mention of "home"—startled both Kevin and Su.
Right.
How long had it been since they last set foot on that most familiar land?
Even Kevin, who had become as cold and dead inside as a still pond, seemed briefly dazed.
Then, Su suddenly called out:
"Wait!"
"What is it?"
"This is the border between the Sea of Quanta and the real world. Are you sure your soul can make it across safely?"
"Oh, that? Don't worry. I've got it under control."
Fu Hua nodded with confidence.
After all, her spirit had been tempered through countless trials, and with Sigurd healing her once-shattered body, she had refined herself even further. She now possessed enough strength to treat her soul as a quasi-physical form.
In short, crossing this portal would be no problem.
Su scratched his face and let out a long, wistful sigh.
"Then go on. Take care. I don't have many old friends left…"
"…Who does?"
Fu Hua's voice faded as she passed through the rippling space, leaving behind a soft sigh that plunged both men into silence.
. . . . . . . .
Crossing the boundary and returning to the real world, Fu Hua raised her hand and gave it a gentle clench.
"Hm… The Honkai energy in the real world is less active and thinner in concentration. Not as easy to use anymore… Oh well, I'll deal with it later."
Shaking her head with a smile, she transformed into a pillar of crimson light that tore through the clouds.
She was eager.
Eager to share the good news with her students at the base.
Eager to chat with the Book of Fuxi and share the pleasant surprise of reuniting with old friends.
"—Is that Benares?"
She passed by a white dragon pinned down by a massive metal pillar, but didn't stop. She entered the base directly.
"I will reshape all creation! Hahahaha!!!"
A familiar voice rang out—bright, healthy, and slightly manic—just as Fu Hua approached her room.
And then she saw it.
Someone burst through the door.
It was her body.
Fu Hua: (⊙_⊙) ?
Fu Hua: (⊙_⊙) ??
Fu Hua: (⊙_⊙) ???
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