Honkai: Starting to Wander with Kiana

After Otto left, Ryn pressed his palms on the ground and jumped up, instantly recovering all his health. Curious, he poked at the large lump on Nine's head. Nine sucked in a sharp breath from the pain.

"Stop poking me! If you keep that up, I'm going to die for real."

"Ryn, you're turning into that big Buddha with all the lumps! I thought this kind of thing only happened in anime."

"Well, this is a two-dimensional world after all," Nine snapped, swiping away Kiana's meddling hands. He then pulled out his phone to check if the money was still there. Seeing it was, he let out a relieved sigh. But then he noticed a text from Amber, which made his heart leap out of his chest almost instantly.

Not enough funds. Energy shortage. Honkai outbreak. The Bishop wants you to think of a way to punish him. So I've rejected your proposal for A-rank Valkyrie armor. You can make it yourself.

"What the heck?"

Ryn replied with three question marks, but clearly Amber wasn't going to respond. After all, she was lucky not to have sent a Valkyrie squad to kill him for stealing so much money from Schicksal's treasury.

"Kiana, my darling, we're running out of money! We can't keep scavenging from Schicksal, you know." Her small face felt so soft and cuddly, you just wanted to hold her forever.

"It's all your fault for being so greedy. You got caught, didn't you..."

"And wasn't it all those extra charges you added for fun? Just to screw with Otto. Otherwise, there wouldn't have been such huge amounts involved."

"Forget it... We'll just be short on cash for now. It's not like we ever run out anyway." Kiana sounded a bit guilty, mostly because making Otto suffer made her happy. She didn't really care about money herself; she was only in charge of spending it. Besides, selling games always brought in big bucks, more than they could ever spend.

"You may say that, but who could ever have too much money? Watching Cortana's display show our bank balance rising non-stop is really satisfying. Oh well... I guess we'll just have to let Cortana raid other countries' treasuries again when we're short. Anyway, let's wait. Once Sparkle wakes up, we'll continue our game."

A few minutes later.

Sparkle groaned as she stirred from her coma-like slumber, still dazed from the incident. Kiana's Iron Mountain Strike had sent her flying, bashing her head in the process.

"Here, some red bean rice cake soup..." Kiana apologized and bowed deeply. "Sorry about that! Don't sneak up on me like that next time. I reacted without thinking..." This was a local custom she'd picked up; a bow often resolved misunderstandings, and if not, two would do the job.

Sparkle took a sip of the soup, then pouted. "Too sweet, gross. Stupid Kiana... Oh well, it's not like you knocked me out for the first time. I forgive you!"

Kiana's face lit up with joy at Sparkle's words. She took Ryn's hand in one and Sparkle's in the other, then dashed off excitedly.

"Let's go, let's go! The summer festival has so many more stalls to visit! Today's all about having fun!"

"Idiot! Don't pull me along! I haven't finished my soup yet!"

Time flew by, and Kiana, Ryn, and Sparkle had tried all the snacks at the street food stalls.

Every time, Sparkle said she didn't want any more food, but her hands still took the snacks without thinking. Meanwhile, the more Kiana and Ryn enjoyed their food, the more Sparkle suffered. Her stomach was still normal, so she couldn't eat that much; she could only watch enviously as the two of them enjoyed their treat.

Before long, it was time for the fireworks show. The three of them walked to the beach to wait for the fireworks to begin. The beach was already packed with people who had come to watch the show.

During the fireworks display, colorful fireworks lit up the summer night. The fireworks weren't just big and bright; they also formed interesting shapes like hearts and flowers.

Kiana and Ryn sat side by side, whispering to each other. Sparkle, stuffed full, had no energy left to move. She pulled out her portable lounger and sprawled out.

Before long, the fireworks show began. One after another, huge explosions of color burst into the sky, filling the scorching summer air with brilliant flowers that bloomed and faded in an instant.

Fireworks are fleeting, but human bonds endure. While fireworks are beautiful, their presence is brief and ephemeral. Human emotions, though invisible and intangible, remain constant as long as they exist. Time cannot wash away what the heart feels.

People's gatherings and partings are as brief as fireworks. Just as a brilliant firework quickly fades, so too do encounters between individuals seem rushed and short-lived.

And that's why you should never ignore or take for granted the person who shares experiences with you, like watching fireworks together.

As the fireworks display neared its end, Ryn and Kiana turned to face each other without speaking. Their gazes were tender.

Ryn caressed Kiana's face, and she closed her eyes, enjoying the moment.

Suddenly, her eyes flew open, her expression somber. She grabbed the hand Ryn was using to stroke her cheek, her voice slightly hoarse.

"Ryn... If... if I were to change, not be the same anymore... would you leave me?"

Stunned, Ryn froze. What's going on? Weren't we supposed to be building up to a heart-pounding confession? Why does she look like she's facing death?

"Stupid Kiana..." Ryn pinched her cheek and then kissed her directly on the lips. Kiana's eyes opened wide for a moment before slowly closing; she wrapped her arms around Ryn, savoring the taste of their first kiss.

It was their first kiss, a connection that had never happened before.

Sparkle, standing nearby, covered her face with both hands, but separation between her fingers let her peek at them kissing. Damn it! That deceitful Kiana. She just wanted to use me as a dog to bully other singles! A secret smile spread across Sparkle's face on that cold night.

After what felt like forever, their lips parted. A thin strand of glistening liquid stretched between them, shimmering in the reflection of the fireworks.

"Kiana... I won't leave you. We'll always stay together. I'm not very good at making girls happy, but I promise to always be by your side—to share your laughter and your tears.

"Do you know, Kiana? When I first entered this world, I was so excited because I thought I might save it just like the novel's protagonist. But really, I was more afraid—full of confusion and uncertainty... But then I opened my eyes and saw you, and suddenly I didn't feel so lost or scared anymore. Because at that moment, I already had the most precious treasure in the world."

"If... you were to stop being yourself, I wouldn't leave you. I'd help you find your way back. You can't change who you are. You're one-of-a-kind, and that's just you—Kiana Kaslana."

Gazing into Ryn's earnest eyes, Kiana's heart raced harder than when they had kissed before. She felt something bubbling up in her mind... and her thoughts started growing fuzzy...

But it didn't matter... Kiana pulled Ryn's face closer and kissed him.

"You have to find me, no matter what..."

This time, it was a quick kiss. Suddenly, Kiana pushed Ryn away and ran off, leaving him to rub his lips and wipe away the blood. What was that for? Ryn wondered, bewildered.

Sparkle was equally confused. Strange... I clearly remember Kiana had blue eyes, so why were they golden the moment she just ran past...?