Raiden Mei woke up in her bed, feeling somewhat dazed. Just moments ago, in her sleep, she had recalled some things from the past – things that she should have forgotten.
It was the day her mother had just passed away. Her father seemed to have drunk himself into oblivion. Then, she saw a big brother carrying him back. She couldn't clearly remember the big brother's appearance, only that he had white hair, showed her the stars, and sang her a song.
That person's embrace was very warm, even reminding Raiden Mei of the hugs her mother used to give her when she was still alive.
Why had she forgotten before, only to remember now? Perhaps it was because she had now lost all support. Back then, she still had her father, but now even her father was imprisoned. Having lost both parents, maybe that's why she now remembered the person who had left a trace of warmth in her life.
"I... I'm such a despicable person."
Overwhelmed by everything she had suffered recently, Raiden Mei couldn't help but fall into self-pity. She felt her behavior was utterly contemptible – forgetting someone completely, only to remember them when she needed them. It was truly laughable.
"Heihēi de tiānkōng dī chuí~" (Dark, dark sky hangs low~)
Suddenly, an extremely faint singing voice reached Raiden Mei's ears. The girl abruptly lifted her head, looking around in disbelief. But her surroundings were still empty, just her alone. Yet the singing voice persisted, seeming close yet unreachable.
Normally, hearing a song suddenly manifest late at night would fill anyone with terror, but Raiden Mei felt no panic. Instead, an inexplicable warmth spread through her heart.
She got out of bed, went to the window, opened it, and looked up at the sky. Due to the city lights, people usually couldn't see the stars.
But perhaps because a few stars were exceptionally brilliant, tonight she could indeed see several relatively bright stars twinkling in the heavens.
Raiden Mei could still hear the ethereal, phantom-like, yet undeniably real singing. She gazed at the twinkling stars.
"Mommy..."
Sleep would not come tonight.
"Raiden Mei's psychological state is much better than some time ago. Is it because of that kid from the Kaslana family?"
Within Nagazora City, in the ME Corp President's office, the master of internal conflict, Cocolia, was currently looking at various intelligence reports displayed on her computer.
"Yes, it should be because of that girl. Recently, she has been staying by Raiden Mei's side, protecting her from the pressure of others. It's this behavior that has led to Raiden Mei's improved mental state. If the previous Raiden Mei was slowly sinking into despair, then that girl might have become a rope lowered from above the abyss, tightly grasped by her."
"...Understood. Make arrangements. Doesn't she like playing the hero? Create some chaos on the outskirts of the city, something that kid can discover. While that kid is off playing knight, execute the plan directly. It must be done in one go, triggering all the despair and pain within Raiden Mei's heart."
"...Ma'am, some members of the organization still have family in this city. Should we perhaps notify them?"
"No need. You may leave."
"...Yes."
The subordinate seemed about to say more, but seeing Cocolia's uncompromising expression, knew he couldn't dissuade his extremely assertive superior. He could only leave helplessly.
Cocolia sat back in her office chair. Of course, she knew doing this would cost her support, that some who previously backed her would leave her faction.
But this operation required sacrifice. This operation needed to be swift, executed before Schicksal could react. Trigger the Third Honkai Eruption, quickly secure the Third Herrscher, then immediately withdraw from the scene, leaving Schicksal with no evidence.
If Anti-Entropy suffered no losses whatsoever during the Third Honkai Eruption, not even losing a single family member of its personnel, such a massive loophole could easily be exploited. If Schicksal were to investigate and launch a war against Anti-Entropy, the hard-won Third Herrscher host body wouldn't be available for research.
Cocolia stood up, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window behind her, and gazed down at the bustling crowds below, at this city still thriving for now.
"These are necessary sacrifices."
However, what Cocolia didn't know was that at this very moment, everything she was doing, all the so-called measures deployed to deceive Schicksal, were nothing but a joke.
The Overseer sitting in Schicksal HQ, seemingly oblivious, had long since seen through her supposed plan. He had even deployed his own pieces accordingly.
After all, Kiana Kaslana—no, K423—arriving in Nagazora City and enrolling in Senba Academy was no coincidence.
Xin Yu suddenly stopped his little electric scooter. He looked up at the sky; clouds completely covered it, hiding the sun.
"...Why this intense feeling of unease? It feels like something is about to happen? Is this what they call a 'sudden impulse on a whim'?"
Xin Yu frowned deeply. In that instant, he had felt a strange pressure in his chest, making it slightly difficult to breathe.
He checked the orders displayed on his phone and decided to head back early today, just in case something unexpected happened.
After all, he only had this one disciple. If any accident befell him, he, as the master, would feel terribly inadequate.
Better finish these deliveries quickly.
With this thought, Xin Yu looked at the address on his phone, still some distance away, started his scooter again, and sped away from the area like lightning.
Kiana was feeling rather gloomy at the moment. The original plan was to go shopping with Mei later – that basically counted as a date! And according to the plan she had formulated, they might even end up at the amusement park. Then, once they were on the Ferris wheel and the atmosphere was right, Mei's affection score for her might just shoot up rapidly!
But then her phone rang with a call from a completely unknown number, telling her that a small-scale Honkai Eruption had occurred somewhere on the city outskirts.
Kiana wanted to demand how the caller knew her phone number and knew she could handle Honkai, but the person hung up without another word. The whole thing reeked of conspiracy, but at the same time, Kiana couldn't just dismiss the caller's words as a prank.
So, even though it might be a setup, Kiana could only grit her teeth and head towards the address the caller had given.
"Mei! Something came up this afternoon, so I can't hang out with you. Make sure you head home early!"
Raiden Mei watched Kiana's rapidly retreating figure. She had wanted to say something, but the girl left too quickly for her to get the words out.
She sighed. She had wanted to tell Kiana to be careful on the road. After all, she gave off such a reckless vibe, looking like she was prone to causing trouble.
Raiden Mei walked home alone, planning to buy some groceries first. Kiana had moved in with her these past few days, and that girl had an enormous appetite. As a result, Mei had to go grocery shopping at the supermarket every two or three days.
Just as Raiden Mei was heading towards the supermarket, someone suddenly blocked her path.