"From now on, I'll only accept Big Brother Elias as my brother-in-law! Sis, if you don't get him, you'll be single for life! And as the saying goes, a girl's romance is like a shooting star—once you miss it, you'll never find it again!!"
Rin spoke as she continued trying to push Sakura back.
But a fusion warrior isn't someone an ordinary person can just push around. Sakura frowned, looking at her sister suspiciously.
"Rin, where did you learn all this weird knowledge? Don't tell me you've started dating already!"
"I wish—uh, no way! I just saw it in shoujo manga, okay? And don't think you can change the subject! Since you already like Big Brother Elias, stop hiding it and go find him!"
Rin was getting anxious. She didn't want her beloved sister turning into a lovesick statue in the future, sighing and staring into the distance where Elias had gone.
If you like someone, hurry up and go for it!
"I… like Captain Elias…"
A blush bloomed across Sakura's cheeks.
But this time, she didn't deny it.
She pressed a hand to her chest as if to confirm it. Closing her eyes, she realized the only image in her mind was that boy's face—even though they'd only been together for two days.
Her heart had already been stolen. And after hearing those words from him and being treated that way, how could she not fall?
But…
"Rin, let's go."
"Eh? Sis, you're going the wrong way—it's this way! Go back!"
Sakura ignored her sister's plea and walked more firmly toward their new home. She unconsciously tightened her grip on her luggage, shaking her head bitterly.
"I'm not going the wrong way, Rin. I can't like that man. Captain Elias is beyond amazing—your sister isn't worthy of him at all."
Even if she liked him… so what?
They were worlds apart.
He was the hero who saved the world, a blazing sun.
She was just an assassin—a person he had saved.
Yes, she had left the darkness now, no longer stained and filthy, but the light that had saved her came from the sun itself.
She had already received so much from him—more than she could ever repay. How could she dare to ask for more?
"Oh please, I've known that from the start!"
"Eh?"
"Of course Big Brother Elias is amazing—that's obvious!"
Rin put her hands on her hips, looking at Sakura in exasperation.
She hadn't forgotten how she was rescued—hand in hand with Elias, walking openly out of that cage while everyone who wanted to take her back stepped aside the moment they saw the boy beside her.
That was when she knew he was someone extraordinary. And later, wandering around the Fire Moth base, she heard more about him.
She realized he wasn't just amazing—he was the greatest hero in the world.
"Rin, I can't trouble him anymore."
"Sis, love is supposed to be greedy."
"No means no."
Sakura crouched down to hug her sister, feeling helpless. Her first crush, and she had fallen for the brightest boy in the world.
"You're going to be single forever at this rate!"
"Rin, that's too—"
"Hmph! After meeting Big Brother Elias, do you honestly think you'll ever be able to like anyone else?"
"…"
Sakura fell silent.
Because it was true.
She had already witnessed the brilliance of the sun—how could she ever be drawn to the dim light of a mere bulb?
Elias' salvation had been far too profound. Even though Sakura had left Fire Moth physically, her heart, along with her blade and mask, would forever remain by his side.
"But my feelings will only trouble him. I can't burden him anymore."
Her head lowered, Sakura spoke softly. She was someone drawn in by him alone—simply put, a one-sided love.
Besides, Elias already had companions like Elysia and Mobius. Her feelings would only be an extra burden to him.
Sakura was a very proper, serious girl. Though she might be a pink-haired kitsune, she was far more reserved and self-effacing than a certain pink elf or a certain green snake.
She would never force her feelings onto Elias.
In fact, she would never even tell the white-haired youth.
(Elias is the great hero who must save everyone and the world itself. He cannot be swayed by unnecessary emotions. Someone like me has no right to occupy a place in his heart.)
"Sis, what if Big Brother Elias likes you too?"
"Rin… what did you say?"
That single sentence made Sakura freeze in place. She stared at Rin in shock, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of her chest.
Elias… liking her?
Impossible! Absolutely impossible! At most, he might like her fox ears—how could he possibly like her as a person?
She told herself firmly it wasn't possible, but her erratic heartbeat betrayed her excitement.
Even if it were one in a million… no, one in a hundred million—if Elias truly had such feelings for her, just imagining it made her feel like her brain was about to melt.
"Rin, why would you say that?"
"Isn't it obvious? Big Brother Elias has been way too good to you! He rescued me for your sake, killed bad guys to avenge you, and now he's arranged a new home for us… As the great detective Rin, I strongly suspect he has feelings for you! At the very least, Sis, you're definitely special to him!"
Rin spoke with conviction. In truth, she wasn't entirely sure—but hesitation here would mean her sister giving up.
And she wasn't lying.
(Sis, I'm not making this up!)
It was normal for Sakura, being directly involved, to be unable to think objectively—or rather, she'd been too smitten to think at all. But from Rin's outsider perspective, Elias' kindness toward Sakura was clearly excessive.
Frankly, Rin was shocked!
(My gosh… Elias treats my sister this well. Could it be he's actually into her? Didn't he say they'd only known each other two days, and that the photo was a misunderstanding?)
(Then where did this massive goodwill come from? Wait… I read that there are 20,000 people in the world you could fall in love with at first sight. Did Elias fall for my sister at first sight?)
(That's the only explanation that makes sense! Oh my god, Sis, how are you even worthy of this? Our ancestors must be blessing us from the grave!)
Though Rin thought her sister was the best in the world—great figure, incredible cooking, beautiful voice, elegant temperament, anyone lucky enough to be liked by her would have fortune for eight lifetimes…
It still depended on the other person. And if that person was Elias… then the roles were reversed: her dear sister must have eight lifetimes' worth of blessings to be liked by him!
"…"
Sakura was silent. She had never considered the possibility that she was being treated specially, but thinking back… Elias might indeed be a little too "partial" toward her.
Could it be that he really liked her?
"!!!" o(////▽////)q
Her face instantly turned scarlet—so red that even the sunset couldn't hide it.
"Sis, hurry and go. After all, Big Brother Elias has helped us so much—if we just walk away without giving anything back, even I would feel way too guilty."
"Rin… maybe you're right."
Sakura's hand instinctively reached for her waist—but the blade she always carried was no longer there.
She recalled Elias' earlier blessing, telling her he hoped she could live happily from now on.
"I need to go back—to his side."
Sakura decided to fulfill her promise. Happiness didn't necessarily mean living as an ordinary person—perhaps staying by Elias' side could be her way too.
"Yes! Sis, you've finally come around!"
"Mm. Let's go."
Now that she had decided, Sakura hesitated no more. She slung Rin onto her back, grabbed both of their bags in one hand, and turned back the way they came.
"Hold on tight, Rin."
"Eh? Waaaaahhhh—!"
With the speed befitting the bearer of Setsuna Signet, Sakura unleashed her full capability as a fusion warrior—faster than any train.
The scenery became a blur to Rin, and before she knew it, they were already back at the Fire Moth base. Her small face had turned pale, both hands clamped over her mouth.
(What the heck, Sis—you're basically a superhero! We walked two hours, and you ran it in under three minutes! And here you were walking away so determined earlier… you just couldn't think of a good excuse to come back, could you? Ugh, I'm gonna be sick…)
What made Rin even more speechless was that the moment they got back, Sakura tossed her and the luggage aside and headed straight off to find Elias without a backward glance.
Rin: "She's totally going to be one of those women who chooses her husband over her sister. Well—go get him, Sis! You can do it! I'll be the perfect wingman!"
…Meanwhile…
"Sakura? Why are you back?"
Hearing the knock, Elias opened the door—only to see Sakura standing there, breathless, a light sheen of sweat on her skin, cheeks flushed, eyes shining like she was in love.
"…I want to stay by your side. Please… let me remain here, Captain Elias." She steadied her breathing after the sprint before speaking.
"Why, Sakura? You don't need to fight anymore. Wouldn't it be better to live an ordinary life with Rin?"
Elias' heart leapt. Of course he wanted Sakura to stay—but more than that, he wanted her to be happy. And happiness was more likely in a normal life than as a hero.
As for the Honkai, he could handle that. He could even arrange a stasis pod for her to reach the Current Era—thanks to her fusion warrior body, she could live for centuries without trouble.
In fact, with her looks, bringing her to meet Otto would be priceless—what better way to let that bastard relive the glorious memory of a saint being stolen away by a pink-haired kitsune?
No matter what—
Sakura no longer needed to fight.
The tragedy where Rin died, became the Herrscher of Corruption, and Sakura sacrificed herself to stop her—that was something Elias would never allow to happen.
But now Sakura had come back of her own accord.
It made Elias wonder—was fate really this persistent? Was she truly destined to bear the name of Setsuna as a Flame-Chaser?
"Living an ordinary life is my dream, but the sins I've committed haven't yet been atoned for. I don't have the right to live peacefully… so—"
"Then I will absolve you of your sins, Sakura!"
Elias spoke without hesitation—and anyone could feel the special treatment in his words.
Sakura felt it too.
Her lips curved into a beautiful smile, the blush on her cheeks deepening. She was almost overwhelmed by the warmth in his voice.
"Please don't do that. I'll atone in my own way—just let me stay by your side and fight for you."
Perhaps she truly was a kitsune after all.
Sakura had lied just now.
That whole 'atonement' excuse was nothing more than a cover—to hide a confession she didn't yet have the courage to speak aloud. It was simply the reason she gave herself to stay by Elias' side.
Sakura wasn't choosing the path of a Flame-Chaser because of fate—she was choosing it of her own will, just to remain close to him.
"Please don't stop me. This is my will."
"…Eh~ fine."
Elias let out a deep sigh. The determination in Sakura's eyes was far too bright, too fierce—perhaps even the Herrscher of Sentience couldn't bend it. And… was that a pink heart he saw? Must have been his imagination.
"Since you're set on this, I won't argue. From now on, join my squad and follow my orders."
"Yes, understood! Sakura obeys!"
Her expression lit up with joy. Elias smiled wryly, then as if remembering something, he used the desk as cover and retrieved a long rectangular case from Imaginary Space.
"Consider this your joining gift."
He opened the clasps.
Inside lay a blade of pure, icy blue. The entire body was blue except for the white hilt, releasing a faint chill even without Honkai energy—like it could freeze time and space itself.
"Prototype Soulium weapon—Frozen Naraka. This is the weapon most suited to you, Sakura."
"Frozen Naraka… thank you. From now on, I will wield it for you… and for humanity."
Holding the hilt in both hands, she raised the blade before her chest, eyes closed as if making a solemn vow.
Elias patted her shoulder with satisfaction, thinking: as expected, her signature weapon in the original story—it couldn't suit her appearance any better.
"Oh, and there's one more thing I ask of you, Elias."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Please… restore my ears."
Sakura bowed her head slightly, as if inviting him to place his hand there.
"Why?"
Elias was surprised. In her story, she had always been self-conscious about her ears due to others' stares—yet now she was requesting to have them back.
"Because you like them."
Sakura smiled sweetly. For a girl in love, there was no stronger reason.
She wanted to wear something he liked—so he would keep looking at her.
"!!!" ╰(▽)╯
Elias' heart felt like it had been struck by an arrow. Rin, didn't you say your sister was honest? How is she this good at flirting—so directly too?!
Who could resist this?
Thanks to those fox ears hitting every one of his preferences, from now on, if someone asked Elias to name a pink-haired girl, he suspected Sakura would come to mind before even Ely.
…A few hours later…
"Elias, I'm back—ah, what a pity Sakura's gone, I wanted to touch her ears some more… huh?!!"
Fresh from teasing Mobius in the lab, Elysia walked in—only to be greeted by a sight that made her feel her hair might turn green.
"Hey, Ely. Welcome back."
"Miss Elysia, please take care of me from now on—ah! Elias, not so hard."
"…"
Sakura knelt demurely before Elias, head bowed as he played with her fox ears, her face tinged with a charming, alluring blush.
Miss Pink Elf had a new rival.
Miss Pink Kitsune had officially entered the fray!
"Again? I can't accept this! Sakura, give me back my Elias—and let me touch your ears again!"
"I refuse, Miss Elysia. From now on, only Elias can touch my ears. Please don't."
"You! Sakura, you kitsune!"
The pink elf bit her handkerchief with teary eyes.
She had just managed to completely suppress Mobius, and now a new enemy had appeared.
Seeing Elias utterly absorbed in playing with fox ears, Elysia felt a strong sense of danger.
"Elias, do you not love elf ears anymore? Touch mine instead~"
"Next time for sure, Ely… ah, so good… I declare Sakura's fox ears number one in the world!"
"Pffft—!"
Miss Pink Elf was down for the count.