A few days had passed since Kiana woke up in Reina's cabin.
The heavy blizzard outside continued relentlessly before finally it's start to easing up on the second day after Kiana had awakened. However, the sheer amount of snow that had piled up around the cabin kept them trapped inside. Even if they managed to push the door open, the snow outside was so thick that walking through it would have been nearly impossible.
Thankfully, Reina seemed well-prepared for this. The cabin was stocked with everything they needed-plenty of food, fresh water, logs for the fireplace, and even warm water for showers. It was a level of comfort that felt almost surreal to Kiana.
If Kiana were a bit more smart, she might have noticed how strange it was for such stuff to be available in a remote mountain cabin. The consistent supply of warm water, despite being surrounded by snow and forest, and the presence of electricity seemed impossible. Yet, Kiana never really questioned it. She was too busy enjoying the comforts of her new life.
After traveling the world alone for two years-sleeping anywhere she could, stealing food to survive, and begging strangers for money to pay for transportation-this place felt like heaven. For the first time in years, she didn't have to worry about where her next meal would come from or where she would sleep.
Reina was more than willing to let Kiana stay as long as she wanted, always welcoming her with a warm smile and delicious meals. Of course, that also meant enduring Kiana's constant marriage proposals.
"We can marry each other so we can stay together forever," Kiana declared one day, her face serious despite the lighthearted tone.
But Reina always gave her a gentle refusal, reminding her that they had only just met a few days ago.
"Then I'll never give up until you accept my proposal. That's the way of the Kaslana!" Kiana would answer confidently, refusing to back down.
As the days passed, they gradually got to know each other better. Reina learned about Kiana's two-year journey, wandering the world alone to find her father. Hearing the story made Reina feel a deep sadness for the young girl. How could someone so small and full of spirit have endured such hardships?
One evening, unable to hold back her emotions, Reina wrapped Kiana in a gentle embrace, stroking her white hair soothingly. "Poor you, Kiana... You've been wandering the world all by yourself for so long. It's okay now-you can stay here."
"Ahhh~" Kiana melted into the hug, a contented sigh escaping her lips. Reina's embrace was warm and comforting, and her chest-much bigger than Kiana's-felt like a soft, pillowy cushion against her head.
Even though they looked similar in appearance-both with white hair and blue eyes-Reina had an air of maturity about her. There was something soothing and almost motherly in the way she cared for Kiana. Not to mention the subtle, pleasant scent that always lingered around her, leaving Kiana feeling fuzzy and calm.
After that incident, Kiana developed a new favorite pastime besides eating Reina's cooking-hugging her. It became a daily ritual, and Reina never seemed to mind, always welcoming Kiana with open arms and a gentle smile.
"Reina, your appearance is really similar to mine. Are you a Kaslana like me?" Kiana suddenly asked, her curiosity piqued as they lazying together on the couch, watching TV.
As usual, Kiana didn't question how the TV even worked in the middle of nowhere-especially after being hit by a heavy blizzard. She was far too comfortable snuggling up against Reina to worry about such trivial details.
"My appearance?" Reina raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the girl nestled against her. "I mean, yeah, I've noticed we look alike, but... do all Kaslanas have white hair and blue eyes?"
"Yeah!" Kiana replied enthusiastically, shifting a bit in Reina's embrace. "My old man said all Kaslanas have white hair and blue eyes. But you're not a Kaslana, right? Even though you look a lot like me."
A soft giggle escaped Reina's lips. "Fufu, that's because I have a secret ability."
"A secret ability?" Kiana's interest was immediately piqued. She pushed herself up slightly, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she stared at Reina.
Reina gave her a gentle smile before closing her eyes, as if focusing on something. At first, nothing seemed to happen, but soon Kiana noticed a subtle change. Reina's smooth white hair slowly shifted in color, turning into a jet-black shade that gleamed in the dim light.
"Woah!" Kiana's mouth dropped open, clearly fascinated. She had never seen anything like it before.
Not only did Reina's hair change, but as she opened her eyes again, Kiana saw that her bright blue eyes had turned a vivid, mesmerizing ruby red. Her entire appearance seemed to transform, becoming even more breathtaking than before.
"What about this?" Reina smiled playfully, running her fingers through her now-black hair. "White and blue is my original appearance, but I use this look when I visit the city. People tend to stare when they see white hair, so this is less conspicuous."
Kiana continued to stare, still processing what she just saw. "Wow... That's amazing! You look even more beautiful now! How did you do that?"
Reina just chuckled softly, reaching out to pat Kiana's head. "It's just one of my little tricks. I didn't want to draw too much attention when I traveled, so I came up with this way to blend in."
Kiana huffed, puffing out her cheeks in playful annoyance. "That's so unfair! I want to have a cool transformation too!"
Reina couldn't help but laugh at Kiana's pouting face, pulling her back into her embrace and stroking her hair. "Maybe one day, Kiana. For now, you can just keep hugging me like this."
"Mmm... Fine," Kiana mumbled, burying her face in Reina's chest and letting out a contented sigh. "But I'm still not giving up on marrying you."
Reina just smiled fondly, holding her close as they continued watching TV, the warmth between them making the cold world outside feel like a distant memory.
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It's been a few months since she started living here. And even though time kept moving forward, these past few months had been the happiest she'd ever experienced.
Meeting Reina was a coincidence—no, more like a miracle. She had stubbornly decided to trek across the mountain despite knowing a blizzard was on its way. In her mind, she thought she could outrun it, that she could just "yolo" her way across before it hit.
But if she hadn't met Reina… she would've frozen to death, alone on that mountain.
"But it was worth it," she murmured with a soft smile, her gaze fixed on Reina's back as she hung freshly washed clothes out to dry under the sun.
Now that the seasons had changed, the thick snow had melted away. The mountain, once blanketed in white, had transformed into a peaceful, vibrant field. Green grass spread across the ground, dotted with blooming flowers that painted the scenery like a canvas. The cabin looked like it came straight out of a fairy tale.
Kiana sat at the front steps, enjoying the breeze. She had wanted to help Reina with the laundry, but Reina told her she could handle it.
Over the months, Kiana had come to realize something—Reina was like a perfect wife. She could cook, clean, do laundry, fix things around the house, and even take care of her with such natural grace. Kiana had tried offering to help more than once.
But every time she did…
"I just kept making a mess," she sighed to herself, remembering how she'd nearly burned down the kitchen when she tried cooking. That simple recipe had turned into charcoal. And when she tried cleaning the house, she somehow managed to break the furniture. In the end, Reina gently asked her to stop and let her handle it instead.
"Why are you still staring at me like that? Are you not tired of staring at me?" Reina's voice broke her train of thought.
Kiana looked up to see her standing with a laundry basket in one hand, the other resting on her hip. Her face shimmered with sweat, and the way the sunlight caught her jet-black hair and ruby-red eyes made her look like something out of a dream.
"You're just… beautiful," Kiana murmured without thinking.
"Eh? You've been saying that too much lately," Reina replied with a teasing smile. "It's already been months since we met, you know."
"Because it's true!" Kiana said, walking over to her. "You're so beautiful, especially with that black hair and those eyes. How is it even possible to look that good?"
She wrapped her arms around Reina's waist with her voice soft. Over time, she had grown more affectionate—what started as casual cuddles had now become bolder touches and words.
Reina smirked, clearly used to this by now. "If you keep saying things like that, I might just change my hair back to white~"
Kiana instantly let go, panic spreading across her face. "No! I'm sorry! Please don't! I like your hair better like this!"
"Fufufu, then how about this? Why don't you go to the city and buy some ingredients for me?" Reina suggested with a playful smile. "If you bring them back, I'll make some tuna just for you~"
Kiana's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?! Leave it to me!" she declared, eager to take on the task. Since she was practically useless when it came to housework, running errands or occasionally hunting for food had become her job.
"Wait here. I'll get you the shopping list," Reina said before disappearing inside the cabin.
Kiana stood there, stretching her arms as she waited. A few moments later, Reina returned, carrying a small bag and a hat.
"Here, wear this," Reina said, placing the hat on Kiana's head. "I know you've told me before that your body is tougher than normal people's, but the sun is really strong today. You should protect yourself."
Kiana adjusted the hat, grinning. "Thanks, Reina!"
After handing over the rest of the supplies, Reina watched as Kiana turned to leave.
"Alright, I'm heading out!" Kiana called, waving excitedly.
"Be careful, okay?" Reina waved back, a gentle smile on her lips as she watched Kiana disappear down the path.
"Hmm~ hmm~"
Kiana hummed a cheerful tune as she skipped down the mountain trail, her steps light despite the rough terrain.
Most people would think she was crazy for skipping in a place like this, but Kiana was already used to it. After all, this wasn't her first time heading to town for groceries.
As she walked, her fingers idly touched the hat on her head, a small smile forming on her lips. Reina's concern for her made her feel warm inside. It had been a long time since someone genuinely worried about her like that.
Sure, her old man had treated her better after that one incident, but it was short-lived. And now, after abandoning her for two years, she really wanted to punch him. Right in the crotch.
"But... if that stupid old man hadn't left me, I never would've met her," she muttered to herself, slowing her steps. A mischievous grin spread across her face. "Alright, I'll lower his punishment. Instead of a crotch punch, he's getting a kick to the stomach~"
She giggled at the thought before shaking her head. "Anyway, I should hurry! The sooner I get there, the sooner I can eat!"
With that, Kiana picked up her pace, eager to reach town.
But then—
She stopped dead in her tracks.
A sharp, sickening feeling crawled up her spine. The air around her felt wrong—heavy, twisted, and reeking of something familiar.
Her smile faded instantly.
"This is... Honkai energy!?"
Her body tensed. She knew this presence. During her two years of traveling, she had come across a few small-scale Honkai eruptions before. And this—this was definitely the same.
Her heart pounded.
"Don't tell me—the town!?"
Without hesitation, she broke into a sprint, gripping the bag tightly while holding onto her hat so it wouldn't fly away.
Faster. She needed to move faster.
After a few minutes of running, she finally burst through the forest's edge. A cliffside view of the city stretched before her.
And what she saw made her blood run cold.
Smoke billowed into the sky. The distant echoes of screams reached her ears.
Above the city, multiple Honkai beasts hovered, their grotesque forms circling like vultures. On the ground, smaller Honkai creatures rampaged through the streets, tearing through anything in their path.
Her grip on the bag tightened before she tossed it aside along with the hat.
She had no time to waste.
Without hesitation, she leaped off the cliff, running straight into the town to help anyone that she can help.