"Kiana, are you feeling alright? Are you cold?"
A clear, calm voice cut through the blizzard.
"Hehehe… Huh? Oh, I feel great right now! Not cold at all—actually, very warm!"
In the snowfield, a black-haired girl trudged forward, a heavy backpack weighing on her shoulders. In her arms, a white-haired girl clung tightly, her face nestled against the warmth of her chest.
Perhaps the world pitied the strong girl. Or perhaps the god who held dominion over time refused to let her beloved suffer.
The swirling snow seemed to bend around the Captain, parting just enough to allow her slender frame to carve a path through the storm.
Behind them, the distant thunder of artillery fire faded into the wind.
The Captain glanced over her shoulder, gauging the distance from the military base. They were far enough now. It was time to find shelter.
She adjusted her coat, wrapping it tighter around Kiana, then turned toward a small wooden hut she'd spotted in the forest ahead.
But halfway there, she stopped.
Her gaze lifted, scanning the blizzard.
Something was calling to her.
Kiana, who had been basking in the Captain's warmth, suddenly tensed. Her honkai-enhanced vision pierced the snow—and saw a familiar silhouette.
Bronya?!
Kiana's expression darkened.
Bronya's progress through the snow was slow, her body battered by the storm. But her movements were precise, efficient. She was gaining ground.
Why is she here? Wasn't she near the base?
Kiana cursed under her breath.
She'd been so distracted by the Captain's beauty, she'd forgotten that Bronya would likely flee the chaos too.
I should've sent her back to the orphanage. Now she's here—to steal my wife.
Kiana's eyes narrowed.
Bronya shouldn't have memories of the previous cycle. But the Captain knew her. And the Captain, with her soft heart and tendency to trust the wrong people, would definitely help her.
No. I won't let that happen. The Captain only needs me.
Kiana scanned the snowfield. Bronya hadn't spotted them yet. Her destination was likely the hut.
Kiana recalled Bronya's words from the previous cycle:
"Captain, Bronya will always watch you."
"Captain, I won't trouble you."
"Captain… I want to return the gift."
"Sorry… Captain. But Seele is waiting for me."
She chose Seele. She abandoned the Captain. She wouldn't come for her now… right?
Still, Kiana wasn't taking chances.
She was about to guide the Captain away when she realized—
The Captain was walking straight toward Bronya.
Huh?! Huh?!
Panicked, Kiana tried to divert her.
"Captain, the storm's getting worse! I just remembered—there's a bigger house in the other direction. We'll be safer there!"
The Captain smiled gently, patting Kiana's head before tucking her back into her coat.
"Careful. You'll catch a cold. We can talk about shelter later—I think someone nearby might be in trouble."
No. No no no.
Kiana's eyes sharpened.
She couldn't convince the Captain to turn back. So she'd make Bronya leave.
A purple glow flickered in her eyes.
The Herrscher of the Void's authority activated.
A spatial void opened beneath Bronya.
But Bronya reacted instantly.
Feeling the sudden shift, she narrowed her eyes.
Again?
She grabbed a tree branch and pulled herself free.
Kiana's jaw dropped.
Why are you dodging?! Just fall in and go back to the orphanage!
Bronya's calm gaze met hers—confident, unreadable. Kiana swore she saw a flicker of mockery.
Is that all?
Memories of Bronya's smug face from the previous cycle flooded back.
Kiana gritted her teeth.
Ungrateful. You're going back whether you like it or not.
She summoned another void. Then another. And another.
Bronya danced between them, her movements fluid and precise.
Kiana stared in disbelief.
So she can move like that when her legs aren't broken?!
But Bronya wasn't retreating.
She was moving toward the Captain.
Kiana's heart pounded.
Her emotions twisted—possessiveness, jealousy, fear. Her mind, regressed by the time reversal, was slipping into childish desperation.
She buried her face in the Captain's chest.
She didn't trust herself to keep watching.
The Captain, unaware of the storm raging in Kiana's heart, simply thought she was cold. She wrapped her coat tighter and continued scanning the snow.
She hadn't heard anything.
The voice she'd followed was internal—an echo from earlier.
It had whispered to her. Urged her forward.
And now, through the snow, she saw a figure approaching.
Gray coat. Steady steps.
Seeing the figure suddenly a name surfaced in her mind.