Honkai: Starting to Wander with Kiana

After welcoming them inside, Ryn patted Kiana on the shoulder, subtly signaling her to notice the slightly nervous Mei.

"Mei is visiting our home for the first time, Kiana. Why don't you show her around your room? I'll go finish preparing the dishes."

"Got it! Come on, Mei, let me show you my room first, and then I'll set up a space for you," Kiana said cheerfully, giving Ryn a nod before pulling Mei along to the bedroom.

"Finally alone, huh? Well then, I officially declare this place Ryn Plaza!" Ryn joked as he tied on an apron, determined to prepare a few signature dishes to impress Mei.

A while later, Ryn examined his creations. Although they weren't visually stunning, they were unique culinary attempts that one might consider a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Without hesitation, however, he tossed them into the trash bin.

"Cortana, order some takeout. Seems like I overestimated my cooking skills again."

"I've already placed an order, Master," Cortana responded.

"Next time, save your sarcasm for someone else. You're really testing me here."

Irritated by Cortana's tone, Ryn stubbornly attempted to cook again. The result? A colorful mess of blackened dishes—visually unappealing but technically edible.

Eventually, Ryn set the table with a mix of homemade dishes and takeout, then called Kiana and Mei downstairs for dinner.

Hand in hand, Kiana and Mei descended. As they reached the dining table, Kiana inspected the food and turned to Ryn with a skeptical look.

"Didn't you say you'd cook? Why is there takeout?"

Ryn picked up his chopsticks and playfully tapped Kiana on the head. "What do you mean 'just takeout'? I made sure to order some so you wouldn't go hungry. As for those," he gestured at the dark-colored dishes in the corner, "they're my creations. Kiana, you must finish them. Mei, stick to the takeout. Normal people shouldn't attempt these."

"Why me?!" Kiana whined but dutifully started eating. After all, Ryn had made them with love, and she was confident her Kaslana bloodline could handle anything.

Mei hesitated. "Are these even edible...? They look..."

"Don't judge it by appearance!" Kiana interrupted between bites. "It's the thought that counts. My dad used to be the same—he couldn't cook to save his life but always tried to express his love through food. I couldn't refuse back then, and I won't refuse Ryn's efforts either."

Mei felt moved, but Ryn—overwhelmed with embarrassment—was practically tapping through the floorboards with his foot.

"Kiana, stop talking! I swear it's different this time..." Ryn muttered.

Despite Kiana's bravado, she couldn't finish her plate. Ryn quickly cleared her leftovers, setting them aside. Meanwhile, Mei, out of curiosity, speared a piece of the "mystery meat" with her fork and cautiously tasted it.

It was terrible. But somehow, within the awful flavor, there was warmth—a deep sincerity and love behind the effort. Each bite seemed to spread a comforting energy through her body, filling her with strength.

So this is the true meaning of a meal... But why do I feel like I'm seeing childhood memories? Wait, is that Kiana...?

"Mei! Ryn, quick, help! Mei fainted!" Kiana shouted, catching Mei as she collapsed. Panicked, Kiana tried to scoop the food out of Mei's mouth.

"I told you not to eat it!" Ryn exclaimed, rushing over. "Cortana, initiate medical protocols." While Kiana wasn't looking, he discreetly dumped the remaining "mystery meat" down the drain.

Cortana scanned and treated Mei, revealing that her collapse wasn't due to food poisoning. Instead, it stemmed from exhaustion and accumulated stress. Mei had been running on empty for far too long without proper rest.

Ryn gestured for Kiana to take Mei upstairs to rest. Mei slept deeply, feeling safe and comforted by Kiana's vibrant energy and care.

The next morning, Mei woke to find Kiana sleeping beside her, covered by a blanket Ryn had draped over her. Smiling softly, Mei gently stroked Kiana's cheek, feeling as though this cheerful, round-faced girl had unlocked a door to a new home in her heart.

After nuzzling Kiana affectionately, Mei noticed another figure standing nearby—a holographic woman made of shimmering data.

"Hello, Raiden Mei," the figure greeted with a kind smile. "I'm the housekeeper of this home. You can call me Cortana."

"Just Mei is fine... Are you an artificial intelligence?" Mei asked. In the Far East, addressing someone by their first name was a sign of closeness, and though she'd only just arrived, Mei already felt a connection with the residents of this home.

Cortana nodded. "I'm an advanced AI, currently appearing as a hologram. Kiana stayed by your side all night, and neither Ryn nor I could persuade her to leave. So Ryn asked me to watch over you both while your body recovered."

After tucking Kiana back in, Mei tidied up and followed Cortana out of the room. As they walked, a question came to Mei's mind.

"Cortana, do you know how to cook?"

"I don't have a physical form," Cortana replied, raising an eyebrow. Her expression suggested she found the question rather naive. If I could cook, would Ryn and Kiana keep blowing up the kitchen every day?

Realizing her mistake, Mei felt awkward. She wanted to contribute to the household and not just freeload off Kiana and Ryn. Yesterday's meal had taught her that cooking was more than just nourishment—it was about spreading happiness.

Sensing Mei's hesitation, Cortana offered reassurance. "Don't worry too much. Just living your life freely and happily is the best reward for Kiana and Ryn. But if you want to learn to cook, I have tutorials for over a thousand dishes."

"Really? Thank you, Cortana! Please teach me!" Mei exclaimed, her determination reignited.

"Alright! First, repeat after me: 'Pots and pans, submit to my every whim!'"

"...What?"