"Big Bro Zeke, look over here!"
"Click!"
Zeke had just turned off the heat and was about to serve the food when he heard Vera's call from outside the kitchen. Unable to resist, he glanced towards the door, followed by the sound of a camera shutter.
Vera captured a rare photo of Zeke wearing his pink apron, her eyes curving happily like a mischievous kitten who snagged some tasty morsels. She swiftly darted away before Zeke could catch her.
"How childish."
Shaking his head, a barely perceptible smile tugged at Zeke's lips, and he continued with his task.
As Vera ran into the living room, Sin approached her, extending her hands, her mismatched eyes exuding an unusual allure yet silently observing.
Vera waved the small camera in her hand, a playful grin adorning her face.
"You want this?"
"Mm-hmm!"
"Well then, give Big Sis Vera a hug, and I'll share one image file with you."
Sin hesitated momentarily. She disliked strangers touching her, but obtaining one of Zeke's photos—especially such a rare collector's edition—was something she truly, desperately wanted!
The conflicted expression on her delicate and charming face, paired with her Gothic loli dress, made her irresistibly adorable, evoking a strong urge to envelop her in a tight hug.
After a brief moment, Sin tentatively asked, "Can I pay you instead?"
"Oh, money isn't necessary. Besides, during wartime, goods aren't available for purchase with money."
"Then... do you have any enemies? Like paramecia or something? Sin can eliminate them for you, guaranteed success!"
"Nope, Big Sister here loves peace and doesn't need assassin services." Vera grinned brightly as she waved the camera side to side before Sin's eyes. Watching Sin's unique irises move synchronously, Vera's smile widened even further, her eyes nearly disappearing behind it.
Still hesitant, Sin's aversion to strangers ran deep, making her akin to a solitary wolf or a perpetually prickly hedgehog.
Vera pointed towards the kitchen direction.
"If you want this quickly, remember that Big Bro Zeke will be out soon, and then I won't be able to give it to you anymore."
"Just one hug, nothing more. Otherwise, I'll kill you!"
"Deal!"
Vera opened her arms and embraced Sin, who had been subconsciously avoiding her since they met. Then, cheek to cheek, Vera gently stroked Sin's hair as if petting a small animal.
Sin exclaimed internally, "What?! (?▼皿▼)!"
Didn't we agree on just one hug? Is she messing with me? Or provoking me? It must be a provocation, right?!
Just as Sin was about to erupt in fury, a photograph was presented before her eyes.
It showed Zeke wearing a pink apron, looking back while skillfully preparing dinner—a scene exuding a warm, homely atmosphere with a touch of endearing charm.
Sin couldn't help but react, "(^▽^)?!"
Even better than imagined! This is truly a priceless treasure worth preserving forever!
Holding the photo, Sin broke into a dreamy smile.
As for Vera's affectionate touching—let her touch; it won't make my hair fall out. Who cares?! What's more important is engraving this picture deeply into my mind!
Seeing Sin's contented demeanor, Vera smiled warmly and asked, "Now, can we consider ourselves friends?"
"Of course not! Sin doesn't need friends!"
"Can we be friends now? As a gift for my friend, I'll give you the apron Big Bro Zeke wore!"
"Deal!" Sin's eyes sparkled.
From this moment on, they were friends—friends far superior to mere paramecia!
Vera took Sin's small hand and formally sealed their friendship covenant.
At that instant, shadows enveloped the embracing pair from behind.
"Step aside; you're blocking the way." Zeke looked down at them, his tone indifferent.
Instantly, Sin hid the photo behind her back, and Vera concealed the camera likewise. They both turned sideways, standing upright to clear the path.
Zeke glanced askance at them, well aware they were up to some mischief, but paid it no heed. Carrying food trays, he walked past and instructed them, "Go wash your hands; it's time for dinner."
"Yes, sir!" replied two enthusiastic voices in unison.
After dinner, Zeke escorted Sin and Vera to bid their farewells.
On the return journey, soaring through the air, Zeke gazed intently at the golden teardrop-shaped gemstone in his hand, his eyes reflecting a deep contemplation.
"Big Sister left this for me. It protects me during moments of danger, allowing me to unleash power far beyond that of an ordinary Valkyrie... I hope Big Bro Zeke can thoroughly study it, as it seems to embody my sister's strength. I don't know what secrets she holds or the pressures she endures, but it must involve great peril. Please help her, Big Bro Zeke, ensure nothing happens to her. I'm begging you!"
During their farewell, Vera entrusted these words to Zeke along with the gemstone.
In response, Zeke gifted Vera a set of black armor, originally intended for her protection. Now, it seemed perfectly timed to compensate for the security gap created by taking away the gemstone.
"Finality... huh?"
Zeke muttered to himself while holding the gemstone.
The power was so potent it could inadvertently influence others' emotions and distort nearby space with minimal control. Possessing numerous secrets and vast knowledge, she even intercepted Seele and Rozaliya during last year's catastrophic event, thwarting Zeke's attempt to explore the Will of Honkai on the moon—perhaps the Power of Doomsday endowed this Young Lady with sufficient wisdom? Could it have potentially made her strong enough to glimpse the future itself?
Vera didn't provide much information, but after pondering, Zeke concluded that only the alleged Final Herrscher could reasonably explain the many peculiarities surrounding the Young Lady.
However, without witnessing it firsthand, everything remained uncertain.
Zeke composed his thoughts, encasing the gemstone within a Soulium wire sphere, then attaching it alongside the two Herrscher Cores at his waist.
The situation regarding the Young Lady was crucial yet not entirely paramount. Ultimately, human civilization must face its end, and the key to victory lies in its accumulated resources and the strength it can muster, rather than whether the Finality resides within her.
One could argue that the outcome hinges more on Zeke himself, rather than the mysteries surrounding the Young Lady.
Of course, further research is necessary; any intelligence related to the Finality holds immense importance.
"Zeke?"
"I'm fine, we're almost there." Squeezing Sin's hand reassuringly, Zeke spoke gently before soaring through the night sky, enveloped in flame-like Honkai Energy, directly entering the tall base building.
As Zeke escorted Sin to the living room, they found a group gathered around watching Homu animations. The table was laden with fruits, cakes, and various snacks, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
"Zeke!!!"
Seeing Zeke and Sin approach, Kiana hastily waved from where she had her head resting on Raiden Mei's soft thighs. She quickly stood up, stepped over the sofa, jumped across each girl's legs one by one, and finally launched herself towards Zeke.
Initially, Zeke planned to catch her. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed that she held a slice of watermelon in one hand and a small piece of cake in the other, with traces of cream smeared on her cheeks and nose—clearly remnants from hastily escaping Raiden Mei's feeding attempts.
Zeke paused, then sidestepped.
"Ahh!"
Kiana, face-first, seemed about to crash onto the floor.
In the next moment, Zeke grabbed her collar while simultaneously wiping her face with a damp towel.
Swish, swish!
After swiftly cleaning her face, Zeke lifted Kiana, who grinned sheepishly under his disapproving gaze. Simultaneously, she offered him the watermelon and cake at hand.
"Want some?"
Kiana blinked adorably.
Zeke gazed at her, then recalled Vera's mature demeanor, feeling suddenly weary as he sighed.
"You can have it; I'm good."
"Oh," Kiana cheerfully replied and promptly devoured the food in her hands.
Zeke carried her to the sofa, found an empty spot, sat down, and effortlessly placed her on his lap while wiping her mouth and hands with the damp towel. After unconsciously cleaning her up, Zeke belatedly scanned the room.
As expected, everyone initially looked slightly surprised but quickly resumed their usual expressions.
Zeke fell deep into thought: Just what kind of creature have I raised here? How did I ever muster enthusiasm for this misfortune incarnate before?