"Here, it's still hot."

"Thank you."

Seele spoke, her voice soft and gentle. Holding the small cup to her mouth, she blew away the steam from the top, before taking a sip of the coffee.

Bronya sat opposite of her on the couch, her arms lightly folded together. As she waits for the girl to finish her drink, many questions flashed through her mind. Some more damning than others, but the most prevalent one on her mind was…

Why are you here?

Neither of them seemed willing to make the first move, as both were content to sit idly by, eyes never staring at one another. Utter silence began to envelop the two, as the air became almost denser to breathe in.

After drinking away half of her cup, Seele carefully placed the cup down onto the table in front. Her hands retreated onto her lap as she gazed down her feet. With a long inhale, she turned her eyes upwards as she opened her lips.

"I-I need your help." She said in the calmest voice she could muster, but it still came out somewhat shaky. Despite her courage, the tension in the air was still palpable to shake her nerves.

"Yeah, I already know that." Bronya responded in an almost distant tone. Still refusing to look at her, she remains in her stature, arms folded neatly in front.

"Right…sorry." Seelie muttered, tilting her head down slightly. Even so, a spark seemed to ignite inside of her eyes, as she regained her vigor to keep speaking.

"Something has been going on lately, but it isn't exactly related to me."

"What are you trying to say?"

"...Do you still remember the names, Liliya and Rozaliya?"

"Oh…the twins, right?"

They were around 12 when I left.

Distant memories surged back into Bronya's mind as she reminisced. The days where those twins would constantly get themselves into all sorts of trouble, as she was often the one having to discipline them. She remembered their cheeky and playful smiles whenever they pulled a prank on the other kids. A wave of nostalgia passed through her as she recalled these once thought to be long forgotten memories, her face softened slightly.

"This matter concerns them.." Seelie says, the edge of her lips jerked downwards into a frown. Her eyes expressed a deep sadness. "You might have heard it on the news. Something concerning a certain kidnapping."

"You mean that high school girl from St. Freya? Yeah, I have seen it, had quite the buzz around it because of the family the girl was associated with," Bronya muttered, leaning back onto the couch. "What about it?"

"That girl was Kiana Kaslana…she was Liliya and Rozaliliya's friend."

"Is that so?"

"Mmm…they believe it was their fault that she disappeared."

"Why?"

"I don't really know for sure, but I think it has to do with the last time they met." Seelie muttered, shifting her eyes to the coffee as she took another sip from it. Her lips thinned as she continued.

"Liliya often accompanied Kiana on their way home from school. They would walk all the way back to Kiana's home before separating, but on that day, Rozaliya had plans for her sister, so instead the two went their separate ways. Kiana disappeared after that, and I think the two had blamed themselves for this."

"I see…" Bronya nodded, staring down onto the glass table.

Poor girls…

She was very fond of the girls, for she saw them as her family after everything they went through. But even so, Bronya still made the decision to depart from their childhood home, leaving Seele to take care of them.

Did she hate her decision then? Absolutely. Does she regret it? That was difficult to say. But in any case, hearing this still stings her heart, knowing those two and how kind they were.

"Are the two of them alright?" She asked, her voice now took on a more softer tone, contrasting her coldness from before.

To answer that question, Seelie shook her head heavily as she held her lips tight together.

"Rozaliya is trying her best to be of help. But Liliya…she's barely present these days anymore. I have hardly seen her put anything in her mouth this week, and her sister's words of encouragement are working less and less…" Seelie muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, her arms trembling slightly.

"I….I don't know what to do. I don't know if there is anything I can do to help. I…can't bear to watch her crumble like this…"

Her words became harder to comprehend, her lips trembling with every word, barely coming out as coherent sentences. Visible tear lines treading down her cheeks as she gripped onto her clothes.

"S-so plea-please….he-"

Before she could finish that sentence, she felt a sudden warmth pressed against her hand. She opened her teary eyes, spotting a palm clutching onto hers. Looking up to find the source, she saw Bronya's face much closer than before, having moved towards her without her noticing.

She held an expression that Seele had not seen in so long. A face that once gave her peace and relief, as if everything will be alright. A face so firm, yet so soft and gentle in its features that it makes her heart throb every time she sees it.

"Don't break Seele. You mustn't let yourself fall to the pressure. For their sake, you must hold on."

Bronya's voice reverberated through her, a fierceness so ever present. She remembers this, oh how she could never forget.

She was always like this. So determined and head-strong in her convictions that nobody could hope to stir her heart. And yet for those that were deserving of it, she could exude such warmth and comfort that could soothe your soul.

It was just who Bronya Zaychik is.

It was just who Seele had come to so deeply admire and respect, someone where she could entrust it all without a second thought.

And why you are the one I-

Seelie took in a long, deep breath, as she slowed her breathing down to a controllable level. She no longer felt the tightness in her chest as before, as she slowly relaxed her body. She had learned to do this from the person she had always looked up to.

So she remembers.

Bronya noted as she retracts her arm, moving back to her previous seat. Planting her arms now to her sides, she patiently waits for the girl to calm down.

"Thank you, Bronya-san..." Wiping the tears still lingered on her cheeks, Seelie spoke with a soft smile.

"No need to thank me. I just don't want to see those two be worse off from you." Bronya says, her tone lacking any sense of real impact from before.

Seele seemed to have noticed this as her smile remained, forcing Bronya to turn her head to the side. A faint redness emanated from her cheeks.

Damnit…

Cursing herself, Bronya scratches her head. She just had to do that after going through the effort of cutting off her ties, and now this simple action might have rendered all that useless.

"Are you okay?" Seele asks her, tilting her head to the side.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. Feeling better?" Bronya blurted out, her face still turned away from the girl. She needed to calm her heart for a bit.

"Mmm, I am now."

"Good then, so moving back to the main matter…basically you want me to help find this missing girl, right?"

"If it's possible, yes."

"You do know that something like that can be very difficult right? From what I have heard on the news, the cops themselves don't even seem to have a lead on anything."

"I know, that's why I want your help, Bronya-san. You're the only one that can solve this."

"You're awfully sure of that aren't you? What if I refuse?"

"You won't."

"You're certain?"

"I believe in you too much to think of anything else."

"…."

Daaaaaaamniiiit…

Bronya slumps back to her couch, eyes fixated on her ceiling as her mouth gaped open slightly. She couldn't argue her way out of this one.

In truth, she wasn't very optimistic about this if at all. If the police themselves have yet to find any kind of clue, she wasn't sure if she would fare any better. Not to mention it's been years since she has ever really tackled anything like this, let alone handling a whole case herself.

Well…maybe not exactly.

She did have something in the background, but the last lead she had on it was literal years ago. So it was largely left to collect dust.

Which in the end just means that she is out of touch. She could have used that to be an excuse to refuse; a stray thought like that kept flashing through her mind. Or she could forget about it and not be bothered; another entered her mind. But deep down she knew that she wouldn't choose any of these. She couldn't lie to herself.

For the memories of those twins echoing through her head like a bell, reminding her of the sweet moments she had with them. The bond she had forged could not be brushed away so easily. when the time is needed for them to.

So despite her guilty conscience, she would have declined the offer. If it really was just that, she could continue her facade without fail.

She could have.

But if that was it, maybe she still would have refused. If it was just them, she could still believe that they will be strong enough.

But those tears

Those damn tears.

Those dark blue eyes like that of the ocean, a depth far below the surface. It's weight heavy onto anyone gazed by it, and yet carries a gentleness of the morning ocean waves all the same.

When she smiles, those eyes light up, as if the sunlight itself has penetrated and permeated throughout the ocean, revealing its true vastness, and everything laid bare for those that could witness it.

When she cried, they darken and churn in an endless torrent of sadness. Like the pain itself was so overwhelming, turning the sea into nothing but sorrowful tears for those truly unfortunate enough to see.

Bronya hated it. She hated that twisted and contorted expression that seems to exude unimaginable agony, results of bottled emotions with nowhere to escape to. She hated how her anguish and pain laid so painfully bare in all its horridness, reflected from the barely contained trembles of her body.

Bronya hated it all. Those damn eyes that capture her attention everytime she sees them, unable to turn away no matter how hard she tries. But perhaps worse than all of this, was the one thing Bronya could never truly erase or get used to.

She hated to see Seele so sad.

For how could she not do everything in her power to make sure this girl will never have to show this again?

"Haaaaah..."

"Eh?" Seele yelped in surprise, watching Bronya slowly slump down onto the couch.

"Bronya-san, are you ok-"

"I need you to promise me a few things." Bronya suddenly spoke, her voice firm and serious. The whiplash between how the woman was a few seconds ago sent Seele's mind through a loop.

"And no matter what, you won't break it. Not in any circumstances. Can I trust you on that?"

"I-…Okay. But what are these things?"

Bronya then sits up from her couch, leaning forward slightly as she holds out a finger.

"First, after today, we'll be exclusively talking on the phone from now on."

"Eh? Wouldn't that be too inconvenient? And why?"

"Don't ask. If there is something you have to share with me directly, then we can schedule somewhere to meet, but not here." She then lifts another finger.

"Second, don't tell the twins or anybody my involvement in this. If they start asking, just think of a reason that is believable enough. This is only for the two of us to know."

Bronya then paused for a moment, observing Seele's reaction. She was fidgeting ever so slightly, her eyes narrowing towards her. She was clearly bothered by this, but regardless, she still nodded her head.

With her confirmation to continue, Bronya then raises another finger. This time she gulped, her voice deepened with sudden intensity.

"Third. How did you find me?"

"…what?" Seelie muttered, her back straightened subconsciously.

"I gave a fake address to where I work and made sure nobody knew any better. This place is completely cut off from any main traffic or roads of the city, leaving only alleys and empty spaces to roam around. To find me, you will need to have a pretty clear idea on where I would be hiding." Bronya leans her head further forward.

"There is only one other person who knows exactly where I live, and it isn't you. So how did you find me?"

"I-"

Seele immediately swallowed whatever words she was going to say, a shiver traveling down her spine. Bronya's gaze was piercing, almost like she was staring straight down her soul. She gulped as she spoke with great consideration of her next few word choices.

"It was from someone. A woman."

"And who is she?"

"I…don't really know much about her. I only went to the bar there once."

"A bar? You go to bars?"

"It's not just a bar, there are many things there too! At least, that's what Roza and Liliya had said when they tried to get me to go. I only went there to get something that the sisters left, and it was then that they told me."

"That she knew where I was?"

"Roughly, yes…"

"And you followed that clue until you found me here. Is that all?"

"Yes, that's all I was told…"

"...I see."

After a few more seconds, Bronya simply mutters, as she closes her eyes.

So you didn't completely keep your end of the deal. Well, not like I did either, so I guess we are even on that front.

Biting her lips, Bronya scoffed at her thought. The very notion of her actually trusting those words said to her long before seemed so awfully childish and idiotic of her. But even so, she still held onto it, thinking it might mean something. She was still a child after all.

"Um…why are you smiling?" Seele asked, taking Bronya's mind out of her thoughts as she gazed back at her.

"Oh."

She touched her mouth, noticing a slight curve at the end of her lips.

"Is something the matter?" Seele said.

"Nah, it's nothing."

"Really…Bronya-san."

"Hmm?"

"You…never told me the reason why you left. Even when we last called, you didn't give me much of an explanation."

"I have my reasons."

"Still, hasn't it been long enough? Can you at least give me an idea?"

"...No, I can't."

"Even now? Why? Was it something I had done?"

"No, it wasn't." Bronya affirmed, her face stiffening with each response. This only seemed to make the girl even more livid, as she held her hand in front of her as she pleaded.

"Then what could it possibly be? Why would you leave me? Why would you leave us? Could…it be something to do with her-"

"Seele, don't."

Bronya growled, shocking the girl as she stopped her words. Those silver eyes seemed to glare right at her, an intense flame burning inside them. A grimace present on the woman's face that was so unlike her to ever make.

The person Seele had been with for most of her life, the one who had helped during her worst and been with her through her best. The one she had always been happy around.

That person was not present anymore, all there was a silver-haired woman, her eyes burning with intensity that it could melt metal. A rage that is barely contained within her that seemed ready to combust any day.

Seele didn't know who this was, and so she simply kept her mouth shut.

"...I'm sorry…"

Just as sudden as her anger, did Bronya's immediate words rang with regret and shame. She buried her face into her palm, unable to look at the girl in front, cursing herself under her breath.

"...No, it was me who brought this up, I'm sorry for that."

Seele spoke softly, her eyes averting away from Bronya. Dropping her arms down to her lap, she stayed silent, a palpable sense of sadness exuding from her expression.

The two stayed in that perpetual state of null for what felt like hours, neither wanting to look at one another. For both were filled with things they could not bring themselves to confront.

For the fear of it only worsening it more.

For the fear of it ending up not mattering.

For the fear of losing something far dearer to them than they could allow themselves to admit.

Bronya sat in solitude, her mind wandering. The only thing that accompanied her was the wind gently blowing from outside, a forever reminder of the promise she had made.

"Here's my number. Call me if you find any more information from the twins." Bronya spoke as she handed the girl a small slip of paper.

Seele gave a nod as she took it. Her mouth slightly opens as if to say something, but relents as it closes. Instead, she bowed, before turning towards the opened door.

Bronya watched her figure slowly shrunk, before disappearing behind an alley. Only then did she let out a long sigh, leaning onto the door frame.

She raises her arms lazily to her face, checking the time. Mid afternoon, and still half the day for herself.

Welp, guess I'll do some research myself.

Closing the door, Bronya went towards the table as she cleaned up the cups.

So much for a relaxing weekend for me.

Wiping the table with a nearby towel, she thought to herself. Afterwards, she then folds the towel back into shape as she puts them back, her hand accidentally knocks over a small DVD case.

Picking it up, she noted the contents. It was a horror movie she had recently bought, one that she had planned to watch on one eventful evening weekend.

Bronya huffs another sigh, putting it back.

I wonder what Mei is doing…

Darkness enveloped the room, with the only thing that kept things visible was the dim light from a nearby lamp.

The room was accompanied by an eerie silence, save for the faint sounds of breathing, barely audible amongst the distant sounds of chirping of birds.

A bed was placed in the middle of the room, with it stretching far from the sides. On it lay a girl, the one whose breath came in infrequent puffs and guffs, her chest shifting ever so slightly. Her body laid bare, her head and back sideways as she laid limp, occasional twitches here and there.

Her eyes were closed shut, dried marks visible on her face stretching from her eyes to her chin. Another exhale, her eyes twitching slightly.

Resting beside the girl was another. A woman laying firmly with her legs stretched out. Her hands cradling the girl's cheeks, she chuckles, leaning into the girl's forehead as she presses her lips against it.

"Goodnight Kiana~"

She whispered, a soft smile spread through her lips. Moving away, she pushed her body up as she slowly got off the bed, careful as to not wake the girl up.

Once she got up, she reached over to the table next to the bed and picked up her phone as she turned it on, a bright light clashing at her eyes that had adjusted to the darkness.

After a few seconds, the brightness became more bearable as she checked the time displayed on her screen. Four-thirty, three hours before her work day starts.

I didn't realize it was already so early. Time really does go by so quickly when you're having fun.

With that, her eyes drifted back to the bed where the sleeping girl laid, another smile crept up to her mouth. Suppressing the giddiness and urge to lay back down beside her, the woman began to grab for her clothes splattering on the floor.

Time for work now.

Collecting her clothing and undergarments, hanging them over her arm. Before she headed out however, she took another glance at the girl, deep in thought for a moment.

She remained still for a few seconds before moving over to the girl's bedside. Opening a drawer beside the bed, her eyes and hand trace over the items stuffed inside, before brushing over a long thin cloth. Taking them out as she smiles.

As much as I would love seeing you taking care of the house while I'm gone, it's better to keep you here for now, Kiana-chan...

"So don't hate me on this, okay~?"

She muttered, finishing tying up both the girl's wrists onto a pole of the bed. Pulling on it to make sure it was tightly secured, she then traveled her hand over the girl's arms, stroking her skin lightly before reaching just barely above her chest. For a moment, she could hear Kiana's breath hitched upon the sudden contact on her skin, the coldness of her fingers sending the girl shivers. The woman found it utterly adorable of her, but stops herself from lingering any longer. She still had a job after all, and Kiana needs her to help sustain their life.

"But don't worry, I'll come back later in the day, so just lay tight and think about what we'll be doing together tonight. It's going to be very exciting~"

With those last words, the woman left the girl to sleep, as she made her way towards the door, ready to start a new day.

We'll be doing more than just this starting from today my lovely Kiana-chan~

With a grin so unnaturally wide for her face, Raiden Mei then disappeared behind the door, leaving Kiana in the endless darkness of her room.

AN: An over month long wait just for a 3k chapter, man am I an inefficient writer. Not sure what to do here other than trying to improve on my very infrequent schedule, but oh well.

Hope this chapter was at least interesting though. I did have an idea for Seele and Bronya's relationship, but it was only really expanded upon thanks to JingWei's help and our uh, very informative talks. Now I'm actually quite excited to start delving more into their past, but that will need to wait. Don't wanna turn this into a completely different story now would I? Hah!

But anyways, with this the set-up for the story is complete, now things can really start to move. I sure do hope that it would be the same for my very slow updating speeds…

See yall in the next chapter then!

P.S: Why are there so many Koikatsu related posts for Honkai on Pixiv. Like jesus that is a lot. Keep it cumming though :)