I ran wherever I could go. To wherever my legs would take me. Lights in the narrow corridor dimmed away.
I kept sprinting. I kept moving.
Their muzzles flashed.
Gunshots echoed.
White sheets soaked with red.
My body fell down, down and down...and down, smacking the ground.
The constant, sharp pain on my chest burns as I coughed.
I crawled backwards until my shoulders hit a wall. I looked up at the approaching group. Their eyes, ears, noses, lips were oozing down like a melting wax. They kept reforming back Again and again. All parts mangled into a foul attempt to replicate a human. Again and Again.
The dark clouds combined altogether. The sunlight was missing. The backyard had no souls wandering except me, and these parasites. The crooked little smiles of them; The beady little orbs of them, hovering around me.
I recognized them. One of them was Marc. The so-called king who reigned over the entire class in my school.
"We were looking for someone, and look what we got: the big ol' goody two shoes himself. Tsk, tsk, talk about luck."
A girl—Christina—laughed behind the couple of his boys.
"Aww, he looks like he's about to cry." One of them was holding his phone out and recording everything.
"Hey," Marc called, lightly slapping my cheek, "I told ya not to bring me a loaf. Do you have brain damage or some shit?"
"..."
"What? You're not gonna say anything about that?"
"They ran out of stock..." I whispered, "you said everything was okay—"
He swung his fist on my face and my body fell to the side.
"So your very first idea was to buy me a plain-fucking-bread!?" He threw the plastic wrapped food to the side.
Even if they had it, the money he gave to me wasn't enough to buy anything but that piece of food. I shouldn't have returned with it, I should have asked for more funds...
I fell silent and sat back up.
"Whatever—" He clicked his tongue. "Hey, Kilo. You seen Rami around?"
"That nerd owes me a teeth!" Christina glared down. "Look what he did!"
I took a quick peek at her right shoe—a brown colored patch marked the tip of it. Small as it was, Christina wouldn't shrug it aside.
Though, as I gazed behind their legs, a boy was hiding on the corner of a big tree. His foundation cowered as if it were about to fall anytime.
My classmate and the guy they're looking for, Rami Joutsen...
"Well, Kilo? Care to give one of your oh-so virtuous hints?"
A frail guy like Rami wouldn't stand a chance—The odds were stacked against him. They were going to toy him, dragging him into an empty space, and the rest was going to be history.
I gulped. Marc noticed my look and I stared straight into his eyes, and opened my mouth.
"I saw him," I said. "H-He went into the bus when I headed out of the front gate..."
For that—I had to lie.
"Must've overheard us and gone straight home."
"Urghh..." I heard Christina groaned, followed by mumbles from the bullies.
"Oh, really? That's a reaaaal shame, then." Marc shook his head. "Why didn't you stop him, hm?"
"I didn't hear you guys—"
"We can't do that, Kilo. We had a deal." He chuckled and stood up. "You are our eyes and ears—C'mon, you said so that you're willing to help us..."
I did...I did.
"You didn't do your part well, so I guess this is bound to happen."
A sickening punch to the jaw sent me to the ground again as I grunted. The next thing was pain running across my stomach, thigh and shoulder. Everywhere. I had to cover my head and my vital points between my legs with my arms. I gritted through blows after blows from their stomps, it didn't seem like it was going to end.
"You were! Supposed! To stop him!" Marc shouted between his kicks.
Sooner or later, they would get tired and leave. And after one last kick, reassurance calmed my beating heart as I peeked between my narrow eyelid.
"Haha, I'm going to save this for sure!"
"Catch ya later," Christina sneered.
As their figures went to the horizon, I pushed myself to sit back. Rami was nowhere to be seen. He probably ran away already.
My head tilted up.
No sun. No stars. Only the amalgamation of thick darkness, and there came its vile essence pouring down onto the earth.
A long sigh escaped my thin lips. I picked up the bread, and I sought shelter under a terrace. Leaning on the wall, watching the acid dropping from the heavens, assimilating the colors into substances.
A whine caught my attention and I stared down. White and brown beagle with no collar, sniffed and licked my shoe. Another stray wandered without purpose and burned itself to hunger on this forsaken town.
I unwrapped and tore the plastic from the flat bread and I crouched down, the bread was on top of the torn plastic acting as a plate.
"There. You can eat them up, don't worry..."
The little one sniffed and began to chew it bit by bit. I couldn't contain the smile cracked on my lips as I hugged my knees while watching the stray eating.
I wish the rain could stop for a moment...
"Did you fight back?"
"No...I didn't..."
"That's good. Jumping into violence is not the correct answer."
The narthex in the church was disorganized. Benches, tables, furniture broken, stretched into every angle as if trying to overwhelm my presence. The pitter patter came from the outside continued to ruin my thoughts.
I frowned at her face. Disfigured. Melting like the rest of them.
I hissed when my face met with the cold water.
"B-But Sister—"
"Endure it," she said. "There are countless children who are going through the same fate as you, maybe even far worse. Think about them."
"That's not... that's not fair at all!" I raised my voice. "I was trying to—"
"Mind your tone, Kilo. This is a holy place."
"..."
She continued, "To do good deeds and the Lord shall bestow light upon you. One day, you will see the result of your fruition."
I looked down at the floors. A poison was trying to crawl up to my throat. I grasped my knees as firm as I could.
"...That was what I was trying to do..." I whispered.
"What did you say?"
"I said I'll...I'll try..."
I wish the rain would stop forever...
The first view that comes to my vision is a blur of whites. The soft, powdery aroma occupies my sense of smell afterwards.
My eyes keep blinking until I manage to gain clarity. I find myself staring at the bright ceiling and lying on a soft mattress under a warm blanket. I move my head to the side, but my neck stiffens, refuses to turn.
I struggle—groaning throughout the discomfort—until I stare at the blue tinted clouds through the window with folded blinds.
Am I at some hospital?
I try to move my limbs around under the sheets to no avail. There is a strange numbness on my arms and legs, and I fear the dreaded. It's obnoxious, but I force myself to lift my right knee. Just a tiny bit. As long as I can see a bump on the blanket.
The sheet moves and rustles. Relief washes over me, and the minor strength releases my leg as I lay it down.
I hear a door opening from the left. Groaning as I turn my head to see the visitor.
"Oh, you're awake."
"Miss...Himeko." My voice is coarse, as if I haven't hydrated for days. I probably am...
The teacher closes the door, walks to a water dispenser, taking one of the empty cups. When I hear the water flowing down into the plastic, I purse my lips. The intense need of drinking becomes ever so stronger.
"Here." Himeko tenderly places a hand behind and lifts my head up. She draws the cup closer between my lips and tilts it.
The lukewarm drink moistures my dry throat as I gulp it all down. Himeko lay my head back on the pillow. She places the cup at the bedside table, near the violet flowers of sort in a transparent glassy vase.
"Really"—she sits on one of two stools beside my bed—"you're making us all worried sick for a whole week."
My eyes snap wide. "A week...?"
"Yeah, well, six days in Saint Freya's infirmary room. That doesn't make it better, though."
I can only make a grumble noise as a response. That answered why every part of my body feels like a statue.
She sighs through the nostrils. "How the hell did you always get yourself into danger?"
"Ugh...?"
"You don't remember? You got caught red-handed by some local gangsters while trying to bring a toy back to the kids."
Oh...Oh yeah, that's right. I was in some warehouse and the platform I stood broke and I fell into the lion's den. I did defend myself and someone saved my ass but, that's all I can remember.
"You're lucky that Fu Hua stumbled upon the place."
Fu Hua?
Himeko nods when she notices my surprised gaze.
The silhouette becomes clear as day, my savior was none other than her. Though, I feel like there's something missing... It's like the answer is right in front of me, yet it grows distant each time I pry the memory back.
"You have done a good thing, Kilo."
Fu Hua sang the praise after she rescued me. I remember now—I recall her smiling, even. My beating heart flutters each time her words resonate in my head.
It feels...odd. Nothing like I've experienced throughout my life, or when I met Mei for the same time either. "Abnormal" is how I would describe it—I just can't put my finger on the entire concept.
"Blunt trauma on your stomach—no serious internal bleeding—you almost got yourself a fracture on your mandible."
"That bad...?"
"Worse, you could've died." Himeko crosses her arms, frowning not out of malice. "Getting a hard hit on your jaw can result in traumatic death, jamming something in your brain and blocking the flow of your oxygen. That's what the doctor told us."
Her sincere concern makes me gaze to the side. Horrible as it sounds, It's still downright embarrassing for a person you barely know citing your condition as though she was my living parent.
My own decision on helping those three kids is still pinning me with shame. I don't owe them anything; I don't know them that much either.
"Yeah..." I was tempted to put up a smile. "Sorry for that..."
"Tell that to Fu Hua and Mei," she says. "Mei went and brought you those fresh lilacs."
I glance at the aforementioned violet petals. Color reminds me a bit of her hair, and the beauty of her face flashes in my mind. A driving force nudges me to get up now and thank her millions of times and ask her what she wants in return.
"And stubborn as she always is, Kiana visits you every other night when you're asleep."
"What...?"
"I thought she was just finding an excuse to skip studying," she snickers. "Color me surprised when I saw her bringing her books out of the house. Mei likely told her to do that."
Why though? I only assisted her with her tests, we didn't even talk a lot or share anything related to myself and vice versa.
What is her point in any of this?
Another visitor steps in as the door creaks. Just a small glance on her lower dress is enough for me to recognize her.
"Miss Himeko?" Fu Hua says with a surprised tone.
"Hey there." Himeko nods to her and smirks. "Look—sunshine's awakened already."
I wave with my hand but, like before, failed miserably. In the end, I put up a weak smile.
"Hi..."
"Kilo." She takes a seat beside Himeko. "How are you feeling?"
"...I wanna go home," I mutter.
"Well, bad news. Doc will probably tell you to stay for a little while: Checkups and all that," Himeko giggles after seeing my disappointed eyes as I sigh. "Keep it together now, champ. Good news is, you did well on your test: eighty-nine mark for you."
"Yay..."
My voice was monotone. Honestly, I don't care about it anymore...
Before she can say another word, her phone rings and she takes her device out of her pocket. Her eyes turn critical from looking at the screen, the same discouraging look she made a few days ago.
Although, Himeko faces us back with a reassuring smile, standing up as the stool legs winces on the marble floors.
"Anywho, I'm gonna tell them about your condition. You best get some rest after you two are done talking, m'kay?"
"Understood, miss."
Fu Hua smiles.
She smiles at the redhead, there's no layers of stoicism; but only mutual, genuine respect. It can be one of the rarest sights I've ever seen in my life. Well, it's logical that Himeko's her instructor and all, yet something tells me it's more than that...
I blink multiple times. "Y-Yeah...I'll be fine, miss."
Himeko shoots us one last smile before heading out as the door shuts tight, leaving both of us here. Minutes tick by as Fu Hua stares at me with sharp eyes through her shades.
"So, uh..." I look at Fu Hua. "You don't have a class today?"
She shakes her head. "We go home early during the exam period. It's how the system works here."
"Must be fun."
"We have more time to prepare ourselves for tomorrow's subject. Every thirty questions are essays, after all."
Well, facing fifty essays of various topics and a six-day deadline was pestiferous enough that I could throw myself out of the window. Should have not divulged too much during that time of dinner with the Principal.
"Do you always see me?"
"Everyday—after school," Fu Hua says.
"Did you... mean it?" My voice became weak.
"About?"
"What you said before I passed out."
Fu Hua doesn't reply and keeps her face straight. I want to know, I want to hear her saying that to my face again.
"Why did you decide to help them?"
"What..."
Fu Hua furrows. "There has to be a reason why you chose what you did—Why did you help the kids?"
I grow quiet, eyes looking anywhere but hers. Fei's disquiet look locks into my mind, a look that describes the fear of forthcoming punishment.
"I... don't know."
No reason as to why I'd risk myself in the first place. My actions are still fresh in my mind: It was all nothing but outright, bad fortune that put me down there and ends up on this hospital bed.
A tired sigh escapes my lips.
"They told me they offered you a piece of candy, but you declined it. Did you perhaps think you will receive some other benefits from them? Some money?"
My brows twitch. "No...They're just dumb kids."
"Then, what tempted you?" Fu Hua presses on as her brows furrow further. "You could easily walk away."
Everything becomes quiet once again, until she speaks, "Nevertheless, you did what was right. You might think this is worthless, but setting a good stone is never a dreadful way to pave the road."
...I swear this girl can read people like an open book. Wish I could know every intention of every folk I met with just a mere glance and things couldn't be way more complicated as it is.
Is being beaten up worth every suffering? Is being used like a doll one of the ways to seek approval?
"..."
Sleepiness starts to crawl unto me as I heave another sigh—The comfy mattress drags my thoughts away and invites me into slumber like a piece of lullaby.
"I will take my leave." Fu Hua stands up, probably realizing my heavy eyelids are dropping over time. "When you're fully healed, you may join me at the dojo and we'll proceed back with your training."
I watch as she exits the infirmary room. A faint yet strong despondency bolts my heart. A powerful yearning arouses, trying to force me to stand up and argue back... Though, my fatigue has proven itself to be stubborn as I feel my entire body shrinks and the ceiling becomes hazy.
It doesn't matter. They are all the same. Nothing can change that...
Nothing—
Sunface Bar in Shinjuku City is one of the places that feels like it's stuck in time. When Daigo eyes the penchant around when he enters, same table placements, black ceiling fan rotating around, marble bar top and wooden stools, same smiling, old mixologist by the name of Master Kushumoto—reading himself a book behind the bar.
You can ask for any other cocktails. Every flavor he crafts and mixes are all worth the money. Though, for Daigo, what he wanted was a simple bottle of Scotch.
He takes another shot, letting the warm substance burn his tongue and feel its heat up the back of his throat.
Same as always, but the smoky flavor never gets old.
Frowning on the counter, Daigo taps the glass tumbler with his finger, synching the rhythm of the jazz affairs from the hanging speakers: drum crashes and corner razzes.
Then, a chime rings from the door bell.
"Welcome, sir!" Master Kushumoto exclaims.
Daigo hears the steady footsteps coming towards him but pays no heed as he drinks. The new customer sits on the stool next to him and huffs.
"Yo."
"Took your sweet time." Daigo mutters with a groan.
"Gotta keep yourself busy when there's eyes watching your back." His hood is obscuring his face, but Daigo catches his smirk. "Master! Gin, please—Plymouth, if you have them."
"Certainly. Would you like to try out a Gimlet cocktail, sir?"
"Well..." he scratches his stubble beard. "Eh, why not, hit me with that."
"Right away." Kushumoto proceeds to make his order.
"Take that stupid hood off, my colleagues are guarding this place," Daigo says, "no point of hiding yourself anymore."
"Sheesh, chill out, old fart."
Daigo casts a glance on the corner of his eyes as his friend chuckles once more while removing his hood.
The same determined outlook on life flares in his eyes. The man's long coat serves a purpose to hide the twin Divine Key dangling on the holsters behind his hip—the Judgment of Shamash. And his hollow left sleeve throws Daigo back to the event that happened 14 years ago.
Daigo stares at the melting ice cubes in his glass. "I saw her."
"See, told you she's lurking around Soukai." Siegfried frowns. "The more reasons not to trust those pricks."
"Not worried about your daughter?"
"Theresa's with her. Plus, my baby doll isn't gonna give up that easily—Got the traits from his old man right here."
Daigo grunts in affirmation as Siegfried grins. The older man sips his glass, and he takes out a slip of paper from his pocket suit.
"They're moving him to Okinawa"—Daigo shoves the sheet to Siegfried on the table—"dial the numbers when you're ready."
Siegfried steals a look at it before keeping it safe in his coat. "Anything I should know about? Like some mechs guarding him twenty-four-per-seven?"
"To her, Ryoma is another trash ready for disposal. And trash doesn't need another surveillance."
"So prideful, huh." Siegfried grimaces.
"Lousy."
"Don't tell me she doesn't pay you well from smuggling those Souliums out of city," he flashes a humorous grin. "What is she doing with those materials anyway..."
"Something for a ship. We don't know what exactly."
"Not even those two profs?"
"No..." Daigo shakes his head, brows wrinkles and ponders. "And the other day, she sent one of her girls to Shenzhou to seek an ancient artifact."
"Seriously? Does the Sovereign know about any of this?"
"Eins doesn't wanna tell him. Neither Tesla."
"Eh, why?" Siegfried raises a brow.
"Don't wanna disturb his rehabilitation," Daigo says.
"Riiight then..." Siegfried ruffles his hair before smirking. "Heh, first time jailbreaking someone out. What has my life gone up to."
"Here you go, sir." The owner places the martini in front of Siegfried.
Garnished with a lime wheel on the glass, the pastel yellow liquor fizzles from the mix of gin and a fresh juice.
The Kaslana's eyes widen at the cocktail and blinks a couple of times.
"Lime...?"
"What do you think, dumbass."
"This is called 'Gimlet'? I thought it's gin with apple juice," he says while pointing at the drink. "You're...paying for this, right?"
Daigo closes his eyes, resisting to huff.
"Haha, I was joking! This time, I got some bucks on me." Siegfried pats his pocket pants. But his grin slowly fades away as he fumbles over the other pocket and his coat. "Shit...I must've left it."
Daigo finally sighs and grumbles.
"Loosen up a bit, yeah? We both aren't exactly Schicksal's pawns anymore, and you're yakuza no more, Big D," he says. But behind his hardened look, Daigo's gaze grows distant.
"Fifty years," Daigo scoffs, "world's changing day by day... Little to no good men and women left in this god-forsaken earth."
Siegfried is taken aback. Not out of perplexity, but he understands the weight behind the words—how one's perception of the raging waves of time corroded the spirit of oneself. In his younger days, he thought the world as in all rainbows and sunshine. Hardships between people were simply how life came and went.
Throughout his journey—after he stepped out of his house, Siegfried tasted those hardships, and he came to understand that they were mere words for "endless struggles".
Perhaps it's his Kaslana blood running through his veins, but it pains him to see the constant sufferings—caused by Honkai and immoral humans alike—on the people he had known. He tried to help them. Some were lucky enough to live and see the day, some lost their lives and were buried underground.
Time is a fearful concept to which they cannot control. Time can turn people into something else, for better or worse.
Siegfried sighs, but nonetheless, he will continue to fight and save whomever he can. Kaslana will never yield.
"At least, we're still here." He takes up his glass and gestures for a toast, smiling all the way. "For a better future?"
"...Hm." Daigo glances at his cocktail for a while before deciding to do the same as he picks his tumbler up. "For our health."
The glasses clink and both of them down their drinks.
"Mm!" The Kaslana widens his eyes after his tongue tasted the Gimlet. "Wow, man, this is surprisingly tasty. And sweet—how is it sweet?"
Master Kushumoto has an amused smile on his face. "A simple syrup was the magic of balancing them, sir."
"Huh." He takes another sip. "I'll be sure to order this some more...When I bring my money."
Siegfried laughs wholeheartedly. A faint smirk forms on Daigo's mouth as though his friendliness intoxicates his cold heart.
Perhaps, time isn't so cruel, after all.
September 5th, Friday.
After various assessments—telling you to "wiggle your toes" and all kinds of that—the doctor advises me to put an ice pack should the aching on my jaw subsides. My stomach doesn't hurt anymore, so a small dosage of painkiller is unnecessary.
I take a sharp breath when my bare feet touch the cold floor. Well, apparently, trying to stand after a week of no legs activity is not good; Everything feels wonky and my knees slightly tremble.
Himeko volunteers to hold my arm to prevent me from falling flat while I pace, from wall to wall, in the room a few of times. Slow and steady as it goes, until I get my senses back down.
"Like a newborn baby," she says with a rhythmic tone.
Her teasing at my desperate attempt is already degrading enough that I wanted to bury myself alive.
"Or probably a pup."
And Himeko laughs. I tend to dismiss her antics, paying full attention to my careful steps. After a decent amount of attempts, I can now walk straight. The doctor gave us the green light, too.
Changing from the patient gown to my casual, green shirt and blue jeans, we walk out of the hospital. The building is positioned right next to the school and a few meters away from the dormitory.
Thank Christ we don't encounter any students walking by. The 5th Squad's residence is on our sights, and we reach the front door. Due to my lack of awareness still, my foot knocks on one of the steps and I stumble.
"Ow, ow..."
Himeko takes a quick glance over her shoulder. "What's wrong, pup?"
"Please don't call me that," I say, face twisted in discomfort.
"Why not." She pushes the door as I follow from behind. "'Kilo the Puppy' sounds cute."
"Please..."
Himeko shakes her head, and I can tell she's clearly enjoying this, and picturing her smiling ear-to-ear vexes me further.
"—least I did better now than I was before."
On the sofa in the living-dining room, I watch Kiana shoving a paper in front of Bronya's face. Seems like the latter was watching a cartoon about those yellow bunnies, again. They're still wearing their student attire, so I assume they just got home. Mei is nowhere to be found—She's probably upstairs.
"The Bronya recollects Subject Kiana had the same exact digits during our preliminary exam."
"No, it's not, look!" Kiana flicks the upper edge of the sheet. "It's six, it's far different. Are you blind or something?"
"Nyet."
"What do you see in front of you, then?"
"The same numbers as two months ago."
"It's clearly not!"
I lean my shoulder on the opening's frame, Himeko shrugs and opens the fridge, taking out some can liquors and plumps down on the dinner table's seat.
"Provide the examination paper as a source of evidence and Bronya will retract her suspicion," the Russian girl says and Kiana grins.
"That easy? Hah, weeeeellll..." Her smile turns one-eighty as she slowly motions back. "I think I threw it away..."
"The Bronya will hold this assertion."
"Okay, okay, hold on. I'm gon' check my room!" Kiana vaults over the sofa, zooms towards my direction as my shoulders jump. I step backwards with a haste.
"Whoa!" Kiana skids to stop when she sees me—somehow she manages to flare the floor and smoke fizzles from her heels. "Hey, you're back!"
The Kaslana beams at me, and the recurrent discomfort comes back to greet me by slapping me on the face.
"Yeah, hi." I flash her a condescending smile. I don't bother to keep my act on anyone but her. Kiana doesn't mind it either. Or maybe she's too oblivious about it.
"Look." She holds the paper in front of my face and invades my privacy. My head leans back and I skim to every red circle up-and-down, glancing up again afterwards.
She scored 67 on mathematics.
"Uh... " I tilt my head to the side to see her face. "Congratulations are in order?"
"Hehe, first time I've ever gotten this high." Kiana grins, twirling her body around like a ballerina while raising her paper up. "This is soooo super!"
Over Kiana's shoulder, I see Himeko smirking at us as if she's enjoying this.
"Thanks, Kilo! You're a lifesaver!"
My eyes snap back to her and I blink. "Oh, yeah, sure..."
Impassive as I've always been. This time, there's a sense of abstraction that causes my hair to stand. The unpleasantry wants me to empty my stomach.
"Welcome home."
The angelic voice shoves this oddity away. Mei steps down the stairs on her school uniform, a friendly smile appears on my face and I nod to her.
"I'm back."
"Are you feeling alright?"
"No worries." My smile grows wider. "I'm good as new. Thanks for the flowers you've sent to me, they smelled really good—I should've brought it back with me."
"Um, the flower..." Mei mutters something I can't hear, taking a fast glance on the corner of her eyes. "It was Kiana's idea."
"Huh?"
"She told me lilacs bring good fortune. I believe she found about it from the internet," she says, giving me a broad smile.
"I'll... grab the flower back tomorrow," My voice is almost low but I didn't miss a beat. "Is there anything I can help you with—Anything at all?"
"Uhm, not really." Mei slightly recoils back. "If it's about food, then don't worry about it."
"Well, I can help a bit. Maybe—Maybe cleaning the dishes? The dishwasher is still broken, isn't it?"
"No—I mean—Yes, but really, there's no need." Mei shakes her head and gauges me with a worried look. "You... don't look that well. I suggest you sit back and just relax on the sofa, okay?"
I stand here, staring at nothing as she goes to the kitchen. Confused and surprised at the sudden revelation. My eyes catch the sight of the Kaslana doting her paper on Himeko's side as she nonchalantly nods at every word Kiana spouts.
Kiana's idea. Not Mei's, but Kiana?
A sudden weight emerges on my head as if the ground becomes a magnet. My hand holds the frame to support myself from falling.
It's not hurting at all, but I somehow have the urge to vomit all over the floor. I breathe like the usual; my heart rate is beating normally; no pain in my abdomen, either.
My eyes wander around. Finding something that can distract me. Anything, anyone but her existence. I look at my hanging satchel bag. Bits of leathers torn and peeled, revealing the inner fabrics of it. The strap and everything is still usable, it seems.
"Kiana's jacket got messed up pretty bad, too," Himeko says. "What the hell did you do with your satchel?"
"I, uhh..." I lightly cough to get rid of the nausea. "I fended them off with it."
"With the stones in it? "
"It's the only thing I could use."
Kiana raises her brow, switching glances to me and Himeko.
"What are you guys talking about?"
"This guy here." Himeko points her finger while holding a can. "Thought of using his bag as a weapon to defend himself."
"Not like I have much of a choice." I throw my arm up. "Besides, they were gonna beat me to death."
"And I'm not gonna buy another one for you, mister."
"It's fine, I can stick with that."
Until I find a way to earn my own money.
"You guys still haven't answered me," Kiana says, frowning and placing her hands on her hips. "With what, where did you get the stones from?"
"Bricks. He hit them with his bag full of destroyed bricks."
"What? " Kiana exclaims and Mei glances over her shoulder, the faucet stops, as their eyes widen in surprise. "That's crazy. How did you manage to pull that off?"
"Like I said," I breathe out, ruffling my hair. "I had no choice. Plus, it's a long story."
"It sounds cool, though! How about you sit back and tell me everything you know? Did ya knock some sense outta them?"
"Yeah, I'm a bit curious about it, too," Himeko chimes in after she drinks again.
"I can't remember the details that much." I glance to the side to avoid their eye contact—especially Kiana's. "I don't wanna recall it back, either."
"Why not?"
"Because it's a bad experience."
"Eh, couldn't be worse." Kiana shrugs and I shoot her a quick glare.
Girl, you weren't even there to begin with.
"Byyy the way—" Himeko put her drink on the table, takes her phone out. "Bronya, come here for a sec!" and beckons at the little girl with her fingers.
The little girl walks towards us with calm steps. When she catches my stare, I quickly look away. Her uninterested vibe sends me goosebumps. I will never ever get used to this.
"You all have anything to do tomorrow, or anything at all until next week?"
"The Bronya has no upcoming tasks for the undergoing holiday."
"Eh, well, I plan on working on a part-time job," Kiana says.
"Me, either." Mei nods, cleaning her hands with a handkerchief.
"I don't have anything in mind," I say. "But, what is this about, if I may ask?"
"Well... we're going on vacation."
The entire house becomes peacefully quiet as if she drops a nuke from the sky. We stare at Himeko for a good few seconds—
"Let's goooooooo!" Kiana throws her arms up in jubilation and her paper exam falls on the floor.
"Kiana, pick it back up," Mei says with a stern voice before staring at Himeko. "To where exactly, miss?"
"The beach, are we going to the beach?!"
"Summer's ended, hon." Himeko shakes her head with a playful smirk. "Guess again."
"A resort island?"
"Nope."
Kiana's shoulders slump and she stares at Mei like she had missed a great opportunity.
"Err—Oh, oh! Please, I wanna try out the mountain hot spring with Mei!" Her energy comes back, and now Kiana's cheeks reddens while she leaks out a strange giggle.
"..."
Mei's strained smile comes to my view. My presentiment on their relationships grows stronger, to the point that I conclude: Kiana likes Mei, and I can probably say the same to the latter.
Where? When? How could this girl get so close to Mei? Was she made Mei to think like this?
"Something wrong, Kilo?" Himeko asks as she raises a brow. "You're sweating."
Was she forced her? Why is Mei alright with any of this?
"Subject Kilo appears to be having a symptom of anxiety attack. His eyes have locked on to Subject Kiana and Subject Mei for fifty-three seconds," Bronya says and I switch my glance to her. "Possible cause of stress: Excessive thinking."
All eyes fall on me once again. Ranging from concerns to suspicions. But I remain calm as I smile.
"I just thought about a place that we can go," I say.
"And please give us your voice, young man," Himeko snickers.
"Can we aboard the Hyperion and take us to London for the vacation? I'm dying to visit that place, to tell you the truth."
I give a small chuckle. No more glares shooting upon me; no more panic.
"Yeah, no, London's a shithole."
"Wait, what?" My smile becomes a frown, genuinely shocked. "W-What are you talking about, miss? What about Big Ben?"
"You wanna come all the way there just to see the tower from this close?" She pinches her index and thumb fingers, laughs at my stunned look and shakes her head.
"I don't... think it'll be bad?"
"Not. Worth it. You haven't seen Birmingham. Especially, Birmingham."
The channels I watched years ago told me otherwise. But well, I managed to turn them blind. And the state of my mind has never been calmer.
"Too bad, folks. We're not going to any of those places you mentioned—I already settled out everything—and no, we're not using my ship." Himeko grins. "We're going to Guangzhou."
I frown. Kuang-what?
"Are we gonna try out the Peking Duck there?" Kiana's eyes gleam in excitement.
Pegging what?
"Mhm. And some other places we talked about before."
"Oooh, hell yeah!" She pumps her fist. "There's also a famous hot spring there. Man, I can't wait."
As Kiana becomes giddier, Mei shakes her head, and I see her smiling before she walks to the fridge. For the same reason, the cavernous feeling haunts me back as I sigh through my nose.
"Well, we're going tomorrow at ten. Saturday should be okay..." the redhead ponders a bit before putting her phone down.
"Oh dear."
The taller girl rummaged the contents as I heard the cold packages shackle. She closes the lower door and checks the upper one, looking around until she sighs and shuts the fridge.
"I forgot to buy them the other day..."
Kiana turns to Mei. "The bonitos?"
"Yeah. The seasonings are here but..." Mei turns at us, eyes a bit downcast. "Sorry everyone, I'll think about other dishes I can do."
"That's it?" Himeko stares with an amused smile. "I'm fine with anything, really."
"Da." Bronya bops her head down and I shrug. Any piece she crafts will turn out excellent, so I'm not that bothered.
"Mm, it's been so long since I ate fried bonito though... " Kiana grumbles as her shoulders lowered, and then she perks up in just a second. "Hey, what about Mama?"
"Right now?" Mei leans forward from the granite kitchen divider, squinting through the gaps of shelves to find the clock. "Her store's already closed—This is Friday, remember?"
"Mama?" I raise a brow.
"A local store. She used to work there and we call the owner that." Mei looks at the Kaslana. "But Kiana, you still haven't taken a shower yet."
An idea rams into my head like a raging bull after she said that.
"No biggie, I—"
"I can go and grab it." I cut Kiana off as I raised my hand.
"You sure?" Himeko ask, probably concerned about my condition.
"Positive. I mean, I could use some exercise."
"Do you even know the place?"
"Google map is very helpful nowadays," I reply with a smile. "Finding it will be no problem."
With this, I can send my gratitude to Mei for the flower.
"Still though, you look pretty beat and I bet she doesn't know you," Kiana says, and she grins. "How about we go there together? I know the shortcuts like the back of my arm."
"Sure—Huh?" My eyes widen, perplexed at her words.
"Hand."
Kiana turns bewildered from Bronya's remark. "I-I knew that!"
"Minor idiom mistake."
"Zip it!"
"Well, good idea." Himeko leans back. "Kiana's an expert with routes, you can learn a thing or two from her."
No, no, no, no.
"Lemme change for a sec."
"Kiana, you need to take a bath," Mei says with furrowed brows.
"I'll do it when I get home."
"Subject Kiana has forgotten about the paper."
"It can wait, food comes first!"
The Kaslana runs by me, heading upstairs. I become quiet, gnawing my teeth at the sudden turn. This has gone terribly wrong.
Everything is wrong.
Instead of heading to the store, we're going to Mama's house. Kiana mentioned the place isn't as far as I expected. Just on the west side of the city—outskirts of St. Freya. A one-way ride with the bus transport then a short walk and we'll reach it in no time.
On the bus, I sit near the window and she's on the aisle. Every time the bus hits a patch of uneven pavement, it jostles Kiana from side to side. Even though I grip the railings on top of the window, I still stumble, the fabric of the shirt on my shoulder still rubs onto her yellow ruffle tee.
We haven't spoken a single word after leaving the house. And by any means, I'm not in the mood for small talk. The drawbacks force me to look outside the glass, staring at the walking pedestrians, the structures, and everything, just to make me feel at ease.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Sooo...you got yourself the band again." Kiana's voice is hesitant. "On your cheek, I mean."
"It's become one of my defining features..." I say plainly.
"Oh, haha..."
How I wish Christine McVie and Lindsay Buckingham would surround the entire bus with their vocals and tunes.
"Look"—her index finger points out the window, right in front of my face and I recoil back to the head rest—"that's the golden statue of Homu!"
I cast a frown at her hand before looking out again. True to her words, an imitation of the fictional bunny character stands tall in front of a building as its toothy smile gleaming above us.
"Uh-huh..." I give her a small nod and she retracts her arm. The passing lamp posts allure me more than that.
"..."
"..."
"...What's up with you all of a sudden?"
I turn my head to her from her bluntness. "I beg your pardon?"
"You usually talk a lot."
"I don't talk a lot."
"Yeah, you do." She nods with a slight smirk. "When you taught me the whole night, remember?"
"I was giving you directions." I frown. "Would you rather have me giving you hand signs instead?"
Instead of being angry at my response, Kiana snorts and laughs with zest.
"That wasn't a joke," I whisper.
"N-No, but I just imagine you doing that while—" She stifles another laugh. "You—You know the show where the cast is a robot and it goes like, 'Aiyaiyaiyai'?"
She motions her hands like a robot, chopping up-and-down.
I slowly shake my head, eyeing her like a crazy person. "No."
Kiana lets her arms down and gazes at me back with surprise. "You seriously dunno?"
Again, I shake my head. "No."
"Everyone loves it. I mean, duh, the good guys're fighting bad guys and all that."
"So, a superhero genre."
"It is a superhero TV show!"
"Okay..." I look outside again and don't give another reply.
"What kind of stuff did you watch then?"
"Late night 'Channel 4'," I say with my utmost honesty—I wouldn't dare to lie.
If I had no more movies to watch from the borrowed CDs, I switched on to said channel and consumed any media they threw upon me. Plain and simple. Not that most of the drama series in it are exceptionally bad, some of the better ones can be tedious to discover like searching a needle in a haystack.
Tedious, as in, I didn't have much time to wait because they clashed with my fixed sleep schedule back in the church orphanage.
"What's that?" Kiana asks.
"Just the name of the TV channel."
"And? What's in it?"
"Mostly drama series—"
"You watched those?"
When I look at her, Kiana's face becomes distorted as if she's having a stomachache.
I can't help but frown. "What?"
"As in like 'Godfather'? Aren't those boring?"
The moment she finishes, the blood in my veins boils in outrage as I grip the bar tight and look at her with wide eyes.
"You take that back." I heightened my voice.
"Buh-bah-Wha-Huh?" She blinks multiple times. "Why?"
"Because the film elevated the range of what a gangster drama can do. In terms of cinematography and plot, it was very well crafted with—"
"The entire movie is just them talking to one guy to another guy for straight hours! And the action parts are short—"
"—which it's very core of it is considered as a pioneer to the future movies as a whole up to this point. Which is also a huge evolution to big, Hollywood produc—"
The brake on the bus hisses, and we jerk forward, almost slamming onto the back of the seats in front of us.
The girl's face is still baffled. Seeing her like this makes the tide in my chest turn into a short wave as I grumble.
"Forget it." I get up and shimmy by her knees.
"Hey!"
Trailing the other two passengers—they give me judgmental looks as if I was at fault, probably from our loudness—getting off the transport and I walk away from the station. Taking the air in; enjoying the bath under the heat of the sun, calming my nerves down. Soon enough, I hear flurry steps behind, and Kiana's bursts of apologies to the pedestrians.
She falters right by my side and follows my tempo. "Man, what got you so worked up?"
"What did I just say?"
"What?"
Oh, my god...
I groan. "Just—forget it. Don't talk about it, anymore?"
"Uh, no, well." Kiana rubs her cheek. "You sounded very mad...and still mad."
"I am not."
"Your voice says otherwise, though."
"I'm—Look, it's in the past, alright? Dump it away."
"Alright, alright, sorry..."
"Didn't I specifically tell you to not bring—"
"Oh, through here!"
Before I could finish my words, Kiana points at a wide alleyway. A couple of food vendors stationed along the passage, as Kiana skips to one of them, deciding to buy a meatball of sort (I couldn't interpret the Mandarin on the board).
When another street seller offers me her product, I politely decline, nodding and waving my hand with a dry smile.
The Kaslana goes back with a wooden skewer and a plastic bowl on both hands while munching. "Mwun som?"
"What? " I lean a bit. She takes her time consuming the meal before gulping it down and releases a long sigh.
"Want some?" Kiana asks while showing me the bowl.
Four spicy, hot meatballs, as there's red tints on each of them. The pungent smell makes me swallow my saliva in reflex. Even so, I throw my left hand and glances aside.
"No."
"Your lost, then." Kiana pierces the meatball and eats another. "Boh ish 'possed rond ko'oh."
She fastens her steps, prompting me to catch up with her. When we exit the food alley, turning to the right, Kiana jerks her chin across the street.
"I heard Mei bought your shirts from there. It's cheap and really convenient," Kiana says before eating again.
I look at the displays of the mannequins from the window shops. True to her words, the clothing designs are considered as "modernish", none of those unnecessarily dark ones, but the vibrant tone of colors that bring a variety of conviviality to one's eyes.
A light-green jacket caught my attention. I should visit it some other time.
"This around here is the shopping area. That huge building up ahead is the plaza." She points at the five-stories modern structure, towering us, as if we're mere ants.
Gazing back at my track, Kiana walks through another shortcut—another alleyway—with me behind. We quickly pass by a strange, black tent with several stars on it. I didn't have a chance to peek through the rather transparent fabrics, as Kiana doesn't seem to slow down.
After a few walks, she throws her empty bowl, along with the stick, to the nearby bin and stops in front of an ordinary flat roof, hands on her hips.
"This?" I ask behind her.
"Yup!" She nods.
Kiana knocks the wooden door five times and waits for a few moments until someone answers the door. An old, chubby woman, roughly in her 40s I assume, dressed in an outfit with flower patterns. Her face immediately beamed when she saw Kiana, smiling like the sun.
"Oooh, Kianaaa~!" The older woman wraps Kiana around with her wrinkly arms, and the Kaslana does the same. "Long time no see~"
"It's just three and a half weeks, Mama." She giggles. "I was out studying."
Mama breaks the hug, holding her slender hands still. "You should just call me anytime. You have phones, right?"
"Yeah." Kiana lets out a sheepish chuckle. "Sorry, I was kinda busy."
"Look at you, you are getting more skinny."
"I'm not! I ate a lot!"
The woman clicks her tongue, shaking her head. "Haiya—every time you say that, it makes me worry."
Soon enough, Mama notices my presence as she eyes me over Kiana's head. My lips turn into the usual friendly smile and I wave.
"Hi."
Mama purses her lips, frowning at me. "Kiana, who's this?"
"Oh"—The Kaslana whips her head around within a second and goes back—"He's my friend—He's new—He just wanna take a look around the place."
"Why didn't you tell me at first?" Mama's smile comes back and she releases Kiana's hands, walking towards me.
"Nice to meet you, ma'am." I raise my hand for a handshake. "My name is Ki—"
"Ohoho, come here."
"—looo-uhhh...?"
Much to my surprise, the older lady suddenly hugged me and my back straightened itself as though my whole senses became alarmed. Wariness pushes my tranquility away—Heart is pounding faster than normal, the back of my hair stands. The perfume pollutes the air every time I breathe. I can only furrow my brows and gaze at grinning Kiana.
"A friend of Kiana is a friend of mine." She pats my back—I winced from the bruises—finally releasing me as my smile comes back, but just like Kiana, her plump skin grips both of my hands.
"Ooh, soft hands...but strong! Fierce like a tiger!"
"I—"
"Hmm, but face..." She wrinkles her brows. "He's smiling like a snake! Maybe a coyote!"
Is this... woman okay in the head?
"Um...thank you?" I squeaked my words out, unsure of what to be said.
Kiana taps her shoulder. "Actually, Mama. Do you have bonitos in stock?"
"For Mei?" Mama lets go of me and I hastily, but quietly steps back, rubbing my palms.
"We plan on eating those fishies tonight."
"Sure, sure! I'll be right back."
The lady's enthusiasm fuels her steps as she hops back to her house. I sigh.
"That's Mama." Kiana jerks her thumb to the door. "I sometimes do some side gigs around these parts, like being a clerk in her store, few blocks to the left from here. To get money and part-time job stuff, y'know."
"I can see that..." I keep slowly rubbing my palms together.
"Well actually, her name is not 'Mama'." Kiana must've mistaken my confusion. "We just call her that 'cuz it's far easier. Her real name is super-duper long."
I wiggle my hands, and the shivers have gone away. Moments after, Mama goes out of the house, carrying two plastic bags. One's contents are two bonitos, the other is filled with a bunch of snacks.
"Take it, take it. No need to be shy."
"Whoa-hoho! Thanks a bunch!"
Her face lights up with impish glee when grabbing the bags from Mama's hands.
"There's some for Mei and Kiss-low."
"Kilo," I whisper, but nod nonetheless and sends my gratitude to her with a wide smile. "I appreciate it, ma'am."
"Bye, Mama. See you when I see you!"
"好好! 再见!/Goodbye~!"
Kiana waves with her occupied hand, I was worried that the fishes would fly out, but they didn't. I send one last smile to the woman for today, and we go back to the station using the same routes.
"Maybe you can ask Mama for some work. The people here are also veeery nice, but there are some jerks who can be up-to-no-good," Kiana says and I cast a short glance at her frowning.
"I can't speak Mandarin that well yet."
"Relax." She chuckles. "They know English."
"They can speak the language?"
"It's—Uh, well..." Kiana ponders as she tilts her head. "Okay, so, not all of them know how to speak, some are fluent, but they can understand whatcha talking, you know."
"Sure, but you're in Shenzhou—You gotta at least speak their tongue to prevent any freak accidents from happening." I roll my eyes when I remember the events a week ago. "You have to follow the rules."
"I mean, there's no rules about it so I don't see why not."
...Fair point.
We get out of the pathway, but Kiana stops for some reason, focusing her eyes at a hunched elder holding a wooden stick on the side road.
"Wait, wait, here, hold this for me."
"Huh, wha—Hey!"
She shoved me the bags on my chest and I clumsily snatched them before they could fall.
"Hey there, Uncle Xian!" Kiana skips to his side and the elder is flabbergasted. Despite that, I can see his happy gaze when he sees her.
"Aah, Little Kiana. It's good to see you."
"Oh, c'mon, I'm not 'Little' anymore," She says with a pout.
Even when she protests, Kiana holds the elder's other hand with gentle care and begins to help him walk across the road.
"What are you saying?" Uncle Xian shakes his head. "You're still a youngling; younglings are all still 'Little'."
There's no traffic light along this section. Cars and bikes won't stop in command. Not a single citizen to be seen other than the old guy. I understand her intention on doing this but still...
"..."
An incoming blue sedan slows down when Kiana holds her palm up to them. Here, I watch her—no emotion, no comprehension— only an abundance of emptiness masking my expression.
"Take care now, Uncle!"
Her brash voice managed to reach here. The old man nods at Kiana who waves her hand, jogging backwards to the road, uncaring of her own safety.
"Alright, let's go." Kiana snatches the fish bag from my possession. I stare at her back for a little while, before trailing behind her.
"Do you do this all the time?" I ask, my tone falters in each word.
"Yep!"
"...Even to people you don't know?"
"Mhm!"
Kiana nods two times at my two obvious questions.
"For what reason?"
"Uhh, reasons?" Kiana looks over her shoulder before shrugging. "I dunno, I just like to do it, I guess."
Just why?
I can't seem to squeeze those words. Instead, I look away from her white hair to the ground below me as if all the energy has left my side.
"Well," Kiana continues, "it's just that helping people who can't help themselves feels like the right thing to do, y'know."
The thought of helping people without a solid reasonable purpose, without any sense of gratitude, not for your own, is—
"To do good deeds—"
Absurd.
"Eh, I learned that from my pops before he—"
"You should leave them."
She stops, twists her body and faces me with a raised brow. "Did you say something?"
This time, I gaze up, dead straight in her clear blue eyes.
"I said, leave the—"
"The two of you."
Kiana jerks her head a bit, our eyes snap wide for a second.
A lady-like voice echoed around the alley. We trace back at the source to the sable, star-patterned tent. The same one we passed a while ago.
Kiana leans to the side, trying to peek inside through the fabrics. "Hello?"
"Yes, you two—standing at my very presence. Please, come in."
"Uhh?"
The Kaslana shares my expression. Puzzled, but we train our cautions at the stranger.
"Why should I do that?" I ask with a frown.
"It is your desire, is it not? You wish to know what's within this veil, and you cannot deny yourselves to seek the answer."
"Wha—"
Kiana recoils and I remain still. Just like her, I was pretty much surprised. Albeit not as exaggerated as Kiana. It was a direct assumption to each of our inquisitiveness.
"Have you worried so much that something will go wrong?" The lady in the tent asks. "Do not fret. I mean you no harm."
We look at each other. Kiana contemplates as she bites her lower lips. However, I jerk my thumb out of the alley, telling her to ignore the stranger and move on with our lives.
Kiana took the first step into the tent.
She moved the sheets that served as its entrance. I thought about leaving her—she's a Valkyrie, she can deal with danger alone—and walk away.
But, those fresh bonitos are still with her and Kiana might forget it or something. Mei wants to cook it, and I crave to take a bite of the taste...
The fish must stay in a good condition. So, I groan and enter the tent as my shoes step on a foamy red carpet.
The space around holds two wooden chairs and a ruby clothed table; three-fork candles stood on the table, its bright with the energy it contains as the wax dribbles down, and black deck with star images on the back stacks neatly.
There are no visible traps as far as the eye can see, though the limited amount of lights don't really help, I peek out of the fabric and see no people surrounding us.
"Welcome, young ones. To my humble, little chamber."
Sitting behind the table on the other side, is the strange lady. Her features are obscured by a purple cloak. The flickering lights reflect her single pale eye, peering under the hood, a pleased smile creeps on her lips.
Her voice was full of delight, harbored no malevolence. Or she's that good at hiding her true nature.
"Kiana." I call the girl beside me. When she blinks at me, I only nod at the entrance.
"Hold on for a sec," she says, turning her attention to the lady.
"Just leave," I hiss through my teeth.
"You wish to return so soon?" The lady speaks and I glare at her.
"I've no need to be here in the first place."
"Yet you followed your wish and ventured into the unknown," she says. "Curious."
I frown. Her mocking words have cut my patience short as I glare at her. "I was just—"
"C'mon, Kilo. I don't sense any danger at all!" Kiana goes and sits on the right, setting the bonito down. Even does a little jump as the chair creaks. "See? It's A-Okay."
The Valkyrie beams at me with utter confidence. Oblivious as always, until a disaster falls down upon you and you will regret it no matter what.
Which is what will happen to Kiana. If anything horrible happens to either of us, I will be thrown with a million questions. Mei would be extremely worried, and I'd rather jump off the cliff than see her sad face.
Well, if worse thing ever happens...
I stare back at Kiana who nudges me to sit on the left. After a while, I shake my head and take the seat.
"Very well. Allow me to introduce myself." The lady motions forward, placing her hands on the table that made me on guard. "Magis—That is my only name."
" 'Magis'?" Kiana scratches her cheek and I fold my arms. "That's a weird one. Are you a fortune teller of some sort?"
She giggles. "Quite the contrary. I do not predict your future, merely to understand the gestalt of your life. To aid your soul. I am a nomad in the study of the universe."
Kiana doesn't say anything, but she slowly leans her body to my side while keeping an eye on the smiling Magis.
"What is she talking about...?"
"A mistake."
"'A mistake'?" She raises a brow, going back to her position.
Magis giggles again. "To conclude: I am naught but a tarot card reader."
"Carrot?"
I sigh. "Isn't that the same thing as a fortune teller?"
"Yeah, where's your crystal ball?'
"Divination comes in many forms. You may call it as 'categories': Mine is focusing on the path of a person's soul—their true self."
"I don't get it that much," Kiana says, tilting her head.
"You will see soon enough," Magis replies, "but before we proceed, I will need both of your names."
"I didn't agree with any of this," I say, and Magis turns her eye at me.
"You didn't...but you did."
The moment she says that, the stronger my presentiment as I narrow my eyes at her.
"Well then." Kiana points her thumb on her chest. "The name's Kiana Kaslana! One day I will become the strongest Valkyrie in the entire universe!"
Her grin matches her glowing conviction and Magis seems to be taken aback as she flinches.
"Kaslana..." Magis mutters, the smile returns, "And Kiana? A name derived from Diana. Romanian's Goddess of the Hunt."
"Huh?"
"But also can be interpreted as the Goddess of the Moon. 'She who soars above the heavens'...perhaps."
Then, she turns to me. Waiting for me to say something.
I glance sideways for a bit and say, "Kilo."
"Kilo?" I can see her pale eye blinking in wonder until she begins to giggle.
I grasp my arm tight. Of course, she's laughing at my name. How original is that.
"The man who dreams."
When I look up at her, Magis sports an earnest smile. A warm and contagious one.
"He who observes the stars."
What?
"Master Kilo. Lady Kiana." She nods at us with a hint of respect. To which I become even more puzzled at it. "Inspiring names...Your parents must love you so much."
"..."
"L-Lady?" Kiana quickly leans back and holds a finger. "Okay, hold that thought! My heart already belongs to someone else, sorry about that."
The elegance of her face comes to my mind. It's none other than Mei she spoke about.
"Err maaaybe another room for more won't be as bad." Kiana then giggles, her ears turn crimson and I glare at her face as if she's a ridiculous horndog.
"Forgive me, milady." Magis tilts her head. "I, myself, have no aspirations on searching for a soulmate."
"Darn," Kiana whispers with a frown. "Where do you learn our names, and their meaning, anyways?"
"The world-wide web."
"..."
"This is stupid—"
As soon as I try to stand, Kiana holds my shoulder down. "Wait, wait, that's reasonable enough, right?"
"How. Is it. Reasonable?" I hiss.
"I did find some of these stuff from it, too. Hell, some of my classmates do that."
"Don't lump your..." —I pause and take a deep breath— "ways into others."
The girl blinks a couple of times, shaking her head a bit in a perplexing way as though my words didn't reach into her ears.
I shut my eyes and whisper, "Please."
"Well..."
The so-called Tarot reader chuckles and breaks our stares as we look at her. "Patience, milord. The ceremony is about to begin."
"I didn't bring enough money, though. How much is this?" Kiana tilts her head.
"It's fine." Magis dismisses Kiana's concern by waving her hand. "First trial is always free. Should you wish to redo, a good amount of five yuan will do. I do not recommend it, as the end result will stay the same no matter what."
She then reaches out the deck with a hand, and swipes them to the side as the sheet rustles, lining across the table, in one motion.
"Whoa..."
"Forty-four of them. Half of the cards are in upside down positions, half of them are not. If the conditions meet, then we will proceed with the minor arcana." Magis gestures at the table with the same hand, looking at Kiana. "Milady."
She quickly faces back at the lady. "Oh, uh, yeah?"
"Please choose two."
"Anything?"
Magis nods. And Kiana goes back to the cards, eyeing from far left to the end of the right. She bites her lips, frowning as she's thinking.
"Umm..." She lifts her right hand and floats around it for a moment. "This one...And this one."
She jabbed the cards with her index—one nearing each other—and drew them back in a free space on the table in front of her.
"Please do not flip them open yet," Magis says urgently yet softly, as she saw Kiana about to do that, and faces me.
"...Is this a laborious trick?" I ask with a sharp tone.
"There are no illusions. Only the choices of your own."
Another riddle. I roll my eyes at it, leans forward and randomly picks two cards as I drag them towards me. Better to get this over with.
"It settled." She switched her attention to Kiana. "Milady."
With exaggerated pursed lips, the girl picks the left one first, lifting the edge of the card with her thumb—albeit being unnecessarily slow about it—and reveals the image.
Kiana blinks again and again, squinting at the image.
"It looks like a beggar carrying his stuff...Hey, does this mean I'm poor?"
Not really a beggar, but a youth walking towards the edge of the cliff, wearing a patterned outfit and boots, one hand holding a long stick with a sack of his belongings tied at the end; the other holds a flower. A canine raises its paw behind him, as if trying to gain his attention.
There is a circle on top of him that looks like a number. And under the card, it says—
"Ah, 'The Fool'. The number zero which holds the unlimited potential," Magis says, "and marks a new beginning of one. You follow what your heart tells you. You see the world as your playground with the highest sense of freedom."
"Whoa, that's literally me..." Kiana mutters, mouth opening and closing as though her mind has left her, and then she shakes her head. "Wait, why is it called 'Fool'? Are you saying that I'm an idiot!?"
I hold a laugh from erupting, and Magis doesn't even try to hide hers.
"No, milady, no. The simple explanation is the card itself is unique. As I had mentioned, The Fool has untapped potentials. Infinite possibilities that most successful nor failed people have. There is one reason why The Fool is called the 'Wild Card' of arcana."
"I... don't really get it." The Kaslana plays with her braid with a small smirk. "But, it doesn't sound that bad, I guess."
"Now then"—Magis gestures at the other tarot—"if you please."
"Huh-Oh, okay!"
This time, Kiana glows with heavy enthusiasm as she grins and flips the card without thinking twice.
A child riding a white horse. Fresh-looking sunflowers lining the background across the field. What captivates me the most, is the giant sun with a smiling face shining bright above them. A Roman numeral of 19 embedded on top of it.
"Why does the sun look cartoonish?" Kiana asks, but there's no answer given from the reader.
Magis stays unmoving like a statue. A single eye looking down as I just caught her lips twitched.
"Hellooo~? Earth to Miss Magis?
"...'The Sun'—Number nineteen. A sign of optimism." Magis pauses and a satisfying nod to herself. "Just as I expected, you are a special one."
My eyes twitch as Magis shows a tender smile at her with pure satisfaction.
She faces me once again. "Master Kilo, it is your time."
There is something wrong with all of these. I stare down at the two unrevealed cards. My right hand has more weight than it should be.
It's just a stupid game—
Taking a sharp breath to calm my nerves, I choose the right one first, and hastily flip it.
A sense of déjà vu pokes my heart in a provoking way. Everything turns quiet. Nobody speaks, nobody dares to move a muscle as I stare at the tarot image. That is, until someone points a finger at the card.
"Hey, that's the same as mine!" Kiana says with awe. "But, why is it upside down?"
The Fool is in a reversed position. When I look at Magis, her eyes turn wide. She keeps locking at me, and then points at the left card of mine.
"Please proceed." Her tone holds no emotion that sends shivers on my back.
The air becomes heavy and hot as my palms turn sweaty. I do what she told, and I unravel the last arcana.
The candlelight burns the shadow away. Two twin towers erected in the background; Two twin wolves—black and white—howl on a field and an enigmatic crayfish emerge from the pond between them. All of them are looking up towards the sleeping face on the crescent moon.
"This is 'The Moon'? Hey, how come you got it?" Kiana asks.
Magis' hands and her body quakes for some reason, her eye hovers from my cards, to Kiana's and then both of us, back and forth.
"It is..." She breathes out, shoulders shaking, "a welcoming unorthodox."
Kiana tilts her head and gazes at the lady closely. "Are you alright, you look pale."
"..."
"Though, I don't get why he got the moon of all things. Lemme just—" She reaches over her Sun card and switches my Moon tarot. "Now this is spot on. Matches my name, too!"
I have no strength to voice my disapproval. Though, she managed to break the gloomy atmosphere as I quietly take my card back. Magis, on the other hand, keeps her weird gaze at me. And I steel myself back.
"Was it five yuan?" I ask Magis. "I want to start over."
The Tarot reader finally breaks out of her stupor as she clears her throat. "Y-Yes...But I highly suggest—"
"Do it." I close my cards down and shove them back to their friends.
"...As you wish."
She sighs and begins gathering them, leaving Kiana's. I watch her shuffling the cards on the table with an impressive skill. Papers rustle as many times that I could count, until she sets the deck on the side with a thump.
"I had warned you, milord," Magis whispers as she lines them in one sweep.
My narrowed eyes draw at the many arcana. There's absolutely no way in hell I'll get the same outcome. However, the wariness that has been building up in my chest convinces me to be conscientious with this.
With careful actions, both my hands reach out and pull one from the far right and one from the middle. I open them.
...
"Oh well, five yuan gone just like that," Kiana mutters.
The Moon and The Reversed Fool.
"How..."
How did I get the same exact ones?
How is this even possible!?
"You're doing this on purpose." My voice trembled. Anger boils in my veins.
"Whoa, hey now, Kilo." Kiana raises a hand, attempting to de-escalate; but it only adds the fuel as I glare at Magis.
"The Fool holds an unlimited potential," Magis says unsmiling. "When it's reversed, you may find yourself in a chapter where the paths are surrounded by immense fog."
"Combining it with the presence of The Moon, all you see, everything you understand..." She pauses, hesitant to speak. "Could be a fabrication of a false system."
Magis releases a breath she's been holding and leans back on her chair. I remain quiet, still, eyes lock onto the arcana.
Her explanation was... insignificant. Yes, this is nothing but a child's ploy—a cheap trick in order to force you to come back after a couple of days. To see if there are any changes.
It is worthless.
"We're done."
The legs of my chair scratch the carpet as I stand up. I snatch a couple of yuans from my pocket and throw her the right amount of crumbled money. I pick the bags up and turns.
"H-Hey, wait. What about the minor arca-thingies?" Kiana also gets up. I pay no attention as I roughly swung the fabric entrance, and stepped out. "I wanna know if I can become the strongest warrior ever! O-Or with me and—"
"Lady Kiana, Master Kilo—A word!"
Her pleading words stop us. Kiana is still inside the tent, but I don't bother to look back.
"Take heed to the long journey ahead of you... Be vigilant with your falls. I pray the stars will kindly guide your path."
Another one of these...
I walk fast away from the tent. One more word, one more glance from her, and I will start to lose my patience...
"Hold your horses!" Kiana jogs to my side. "What the hell's up with you? We could stay a bit longer, it's still early—"
"Look," I stop and grip her shoulder. "It's just superstition—It's fake, alright? She was trying to get into our heads."
"You mean like a con artist?"
"Yes!" I shout out of frustration and thrust my finger at the black tent. "Her words mean nothing! Do you even understand what I'm saying!?"
She backs away, raising both of her hands. "Okay, okay, okay! I get it—I get it, alright?"
I pant, running my palm on my hair as I look around.
"Just... calm down, yeah? Take a deep breath and calm down..."
Kiana motions herself into my view, her palm slowly flaps up and down, loudly inhales and exhales through her lips.
Then, she presses her palms together. "Namaste~"
My whole face twitches before I shut my eyes and try as hard as I can to balance my temper.
"You know what 'namaste' means, right? Inner peace, inner peace..."
...I will go home. I will grab the flowers and put them in my room. I will take a warm shower. I will gulp on a cold, orange juice. I will dine in Mei's masterwork. I will learn and gain knowledge about the place I will go. And I will sleep soundly on my cozy bed.
I keep my lips sealed and walk myself to the bus station. I ignore her cries. As a matter of fact, I will simply disregard Kiana Kaslana for the rest of the day.
I will enjoy my vacation alongside Mei Raiden.
And the vacation will turn out perfect.
I finally got myself a 9-5 job a week ago. My writing and gaming schedules are now limited, only nighttime and weekends do I spend my time on them. Sucks, but it is what it is. :(
This chapter marks the beginning of Act I. Huge fans of Honkai will know where this is going after you see the word "Guangzhou". The funny thing is, the Xuanyuan manga wasn't included in the official site because there are some parts that got heavily censored and there are several things that don't align with the canon story lmao. I feel like they should remade the manga, since it held an important piece of early lores.
The whole tarot thing? Did I get the idea from Persona? Yes. When I played P3 (FES edition) and OG 4 back on ps2 when I was 10. I was deeply enthralled by the concept of the cards. I didn't know what the hell was going on, but I knew I loved everything they threw on me. And I still do! Both are fantastic games with incredible characters. Even the Social Links chars are well-written, too. They were my first ever turn-based game (the second was FFX).
Haven't touched P5 yet. I know the Royal one released on steam a couple of months ago, but I have to find some time to squeeze that in. Plus, I'm saving money for some other stuff as well. And I just finished Judgment, that Yakuza spin-off game. And I wanna try out Hi-Fi Rush too...And I absolutely cannot wait for Star Rail to come out.
Originally, before I outlined my plot and characters, Kilo was meant to be straight-up heroic. But I thought to myself "Why not spice things up a bit?", and so this version of Kilo is born: distrustful to others and a bit of a narcissist. Which I knew that some people won't like this character, but so far, things are looking good...?
I just love writing morally grey characters. There's just something about their imperfections that made them interesting. One of the greatest examples is Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2. We, as the audience, watch him change (depending on your in-game choices) from start-to-end is poetically written by Rockstar.
Anyway, that's all I wanna say. Hope you all have a great day/night! See ya!