"Kiana!"
Raiden Mei threw her arms around Kiana, her eyes welling up with tears, her voice choked with emotion.
"You idiot! Why would you want to die?"
"Mei..."
Suddenly being hugged by Mei, Kiana was both happy and embarrassed. She scratched her cheek and said weakly,
"That's the future me. The current me isn't thinking about suicide."
"I don't care! Whether it's the future you or the current you, it's still you, isn't it?"
Mei cupped Kiana's face, brought her own face close, and stared intently into her eyes.
"Kiana, promise me. No matter what happens in the future, you can't try to die, okay?"
"O-Okay, okay, I promise you, Mei."
"Sister Mei, please do not be so agitated," Bronya said. "Although what we saw was a vision of Kiana's future, the future can be changed. Now that we know what will happen, will we really stand by and watch Kiana fall into despair?"
Hearing Bronya's words, everyone present was stunned for a moment, and then their faces lit up with delight.
That's right, how could they have forgotten!
They already knew what was going to happen in the future. Of course they wouldn't just stand by and watch Kiana walk into an abyss of despair.
However, to understand exactly what happened, they still needed to carefully analyze the information revealed in the video.
"Bronya, you've always been the smartest. Can you analyze the situation in the video?" Theresa looked at Bronya, her eyes filled with expectation.
Bronya nodded, then had Project Bunny open a projection and play back the footage it had just recorded.
"First, from the beginning of this video, it is not difficult to deduce that the Kiana of this time is likely not with us. She is wandering alone in this city."
"Next is the voice that sounded in Kiana's mind. If my guess is correct, that voice belongs to the Class Monitor. Although it is unknown why the Class Monitor has become like that, or why she is residing in Kiana's body, Kiana's attitude towards her is clearly not good. Therefore, the Bronya deduces that something significant and unpleasant must have happened between them."
After speaking, Bronya paused and glanced at Himeko, seemingly hesitant to continue.
Himeko noticed her hesitation. In truth, she had already guessed what was coming. She didn't speak, but simply smiled at Bronya, encouraging her with her eyes to go on.
"...And then there are the illusions Kiana saw, or rather, her memories."
"In her memories, Teacher Himeko's figure is always present. Combined with the words she said... if the Bronya's deduction is not mistaken, then at that point in time, Teacher Himeko may have already..."
"..."
An immediate silence fell over the room. Not even Kiana was an exception.
Although her personality was carefree, she wasn't truly stupid. With Bronya having spelled it out this clearly, she'd have to be a real fool not to understand.
"Hehe, what's wrong? Look at all of you, why the long faces?"
After a long silence, it was Himeko who spoke first.
She smiled and hooked an arm around Kiana's neck, seemingly unaffected as she laughed.
"Auntie Himeko... you... I don't want anything to happen to you..."
Tears welled up in Kiana's eyes as she looked at Himeko. The thought that Himeko might die because of her in the future sent a sharp pain twisting through her heart.
"You... fooool."
Himeko drew out the word, smiling as she gently poked Kiana's forehead. She looked at her with gentle eyes.
"Kiana, you don't need to worry too much about the future. Everyone in this world dies eventually, and I'm no exception. But fortunately, it seems my death will not be without meaning."
"I am like a candle, illuminating the path forward for all of you. Even if that light is faint, it will not be extinguished. I will always be by your side. After all, to become the strength that propels a student forward... that is a teacher's most romantic end."
"Teacher Himeko..."
"Himeko..."
Raiden Mei and Theresa both looked at her with sorrowful expressions.
"Alright now, don't you all be sad. Aren't I still here, perfectly fine? There's no need to mourn something that hasn't happened yet. Besides, my body was already on its last legs. To be able to contribute to my students at the end of my life is the best possible ending for me."
Himeko smiled freely. To be honest, upon learning that she would die in the future, it would be a lie to say she wasn't the least bit scared or regretful.
But so what?
As long as this flame could be passed on, Kiana, Bronya, Raiden Mei... they would all carry her will forward and forge their own paths. That was enough.
Just as Ragnar had once done for her.
Oh, right. Should I leave something for them?
Like a letter or something.
"Wait!" Hearing Himeko's words, Theresa seemed to have a sudden realization. She turned to Kiana and shouted excitedly,
"You silly niece! Where's the reward you just got? Take it out, quickly!"
"Huh?"
Kiana, who had still been lost in her grief, was startled by Theresa's shout. She愣了一下, then subconsciously pulled the serum she had just received from the system out of her pocket.
"Himeko, this serum should be useful for you! If you use it, the Honkai energy erosion in your body might be cured!"
Hearing this, Himeko was also taken aback. She looked at the tube of pale red serum in Theresa's hand and said with some uncertainty,
"Are you sure this thing will work?"
"Since the Q&A system itself explained its effect, it must work," Theresa said, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Don't forget, the future can be changed! If this serum really works, then Himeko, you won't have to die!"
"Well... I'll give it a try."
Seeing the expectant looks from everyone, Himeko couldn't refuse. She took the serum, uncorked it, and poured the liquid directly into her mouth.
After drinking it, she smacked her lips. "Hmm... watermelon flavored. It'd be better if it were beer flavored."
"Who cares about the flavor! How are the effects?" Theresa rolled her eyes, exasperated.
"The effects..."
Himeko had been nonchalant at first, but after carefully sensing her body, she immediately realized something was wrong—in a good way.
She felt that her body was much lighter than before. Moreover, the constant pain from the Honkai energy erosion, which she had always needed alcohol to numb, had miraculously vanished!
She even felt as if she had returned to her youth. Every cell in her body was brimming with vitality. This body, which had been riddled with wounds and on the verge of collapse, seemed to have been repaired in an instant by a strange, wondrous energy.