Ever since more than a year ago—
When her father had disappeared under mysterious circumstances, most likely related to the Honkai—
Kiana had set out on a journey.
To find him.
And to investigate the Honkai.
To be honest—
She had found nothing.
No trace of her father.
No meaningful clues about the Honkai.
She hadn't even encountered a single Honkai Beast or zombie again.
Which was strange.
Back when she had been with her father—
He always seemed able to locate Honkai incidents easily.
So why now—
Nothing?
Could it be—
That she and her father had already wiped out all the Honkai?
…
Despite having a "goal"—
Kiana had mostly just been wandering aimlessly.
Thanks to the bank card her father left her—
She had no trouble sustaining herself for a while.
He had also told her—
If she ran into trouble, she could go to the Far East and find someone named "De… something."
Apparently—
Her aunt.
Unfortunately—
Kiana had forgotten the name.
Still—
She remembered "Far East."
So—
She came to Nagazora City.
At first—
The journey was quite comfortable.
With that bank card—
She lived a carefree, food-secure life.
But then—
Somewhere along the long trip from Europe—
She lost it.
Maybe at the airport.
Maybe on the plane.
Maybe after arriving in Nagazora.
She wasn't sure.
All she knew was—
Her father was stingy.
Why only give her one card?!
Couldn't he have given her a few more?!
After running out of cash—
Kiana tried to replace the card.
She even went through the process—
Only to:
Go to the wrong bank first.
Then realize—
She needed identification documents.
But it was her father's card.
How would she have his documents?
Now—
She had been hungry for an entire day.
And still hadn't found that "Aunt De-something."
After finally finding what she thought was an abandoned building—
Lying on a hard wooden bed for a while—
Eating a single peanut candy that barely filled her stomach—
She ended up—
With a debt of one hundred million.
And—
Apparently—
Owing someone a relationship.
Kiana was about to pass out.
"This makes no sense! How could it be that much?!"
Her instincts told her—
Hikari Aoi was talking nonsense.
But—
Her brain also told her—
His long explanation somehow sounded reasonable.
Now stuck in this contradiction—
Even as she argued—
Her confidence had already weakened.
One hundred million—
Was impossible to repay.
Even if she still had the bank card—
It wouldn't be enough.
But—
As for the "relationship"…
"…If you give me delicious food every day, I could consider marrying you."
Kiana proudly delivered her "brilliant" solution.
Hikari Aoi, who had been watching with interest—
Sighed.
Trying to mess with Kiana—
Was clearly a mistake.
Ignoring the issues in her wording and logic—
Hikari Aoi glanced at her.
Though she looked energetic since his arrival—
In reality—
She was exhausted.
And starving.
"Come with me."
"Oh! Okay!"
Kiana blinked—
Then quickly realized—
He was taking her to get food.
She immediately nodded and followed him.
But instead of heading upstairs—
They walked out of the dorm building.
Kiana frowned in confusion.
"Didn't you say there was food in your dorm?"
"There is," Hikari Aoi replied.
"But it doesn't taste very good. I'll take you to a restaurant."
The moment she heard that—
Kiana felt energy surge through her entire body.
No matter how far it was—
She would go without hesitation.
Soon—
Hikari Aoi brought her to a restaurant.
The same one he often visited with Mei.
Good quality.
Affordable.
Friendly owner.
However—
Right now—
The owner's impression of Hikari Aoi had changed.
…Completely.
He had brought another girl.
With just one glance—
The owner determined—
Kiana wasn't related to him.
Which meant—
Either:
He had dumped Raiden Mei and found someone new.
Or—
He was playing both sides.
Sure—
Given how rare young men were in this world—
Having multiple girlfriends wasn't exactly shocking.
And with Hikari Aoi's looks and personality—
Plenty of girls would willingly throw themselves at him.
But—
The owner suspected something worse.
A secret harem.
And that—
She absolutely could not tolerate.
So—
After Hikari Aoi asked Kiana what she wanted and ordered two set meals—
The owner smiled apologetically.
"I'm so sorry, but we've run out of small change today."
"Do you happen to have the exact amount in cash?"
"…No."
"In that case, could I trouble you to exchange some money at a nearby shop while I prepare your meal?"
Hikari Aoi found this extremely strange.
A restaurant running out of change?
And asking the customer to go exchange money?
Shouldn't that be the owner's responsibility?
Still—
He had been here many times.
He didn't think much of it.
Assuming it was just carelessness—
He nodded.
"Wait here."
He told Kiana—
Then stepped out.
The moment Hikari Aoi was out of sight—
The owner quietly leaned closer to Kiana and whispered:
"Little girl, what are you to him? His girlfriend?"
Kiana, who was starving and waiting for food—
Was annoyed.
Why wasn't this woman cooking?
Why was she asking weird questions?
At first—
She wanted to answer truthfully.
"No."
But then—
Her hunger seemed to boost her intelligence.
If she denied it—
There would be more questions.
More explanations.
More delay.
Which meant—
Food would come even later.
So—
She immediately changed her answer.
"Yeah. I am."
"…Then do you know he already has another girlfriend?"
The owner's persistence disappointed her.
Even after confirming—
She was still asking.
Seeing no sign of food preparation—
Kiana puffed her cheeks in frustration.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. It doesn't matter."
"Can you hurry up and make my food?"
Seeing her irritation—
The owner finally stopped.
Apologized—
And went to the kitchen.