Chapter 14: Friend

Author's note:

So i will be changing the name of the Herrscher of blankness into the Herrscher of Mimicry, shoutout to AxlCastro on Ao3 for the help. I changed the name because it describe the Herrscher power better that is mimicking/copying another Herrscher's power.

Anyway that's it for the name change for now. Enjoy!

"Hey, Why does Shinki always look lonely whenever I'm not with her? Just what did all of you do to her?" Kyuushou asked Leon, Kiana and Sirin while eating her lunch in their class. It is more practical this way than to find a good spot to have lunch, besides the cafeteria is usually full during this hour.

"I know I'm her beloved cousin and all but all of you have been her roommates." The Houraiji squinted her eyes at the confused Kiana and Sirin.

"She always looks like that. Wait so all this time she was that lonely?" Kiana opened her mouth agape. She always thought it was just Sakuya's usual stoic expression. The others didn't seem to know any better too, especially Leon who is more confused than shocked about this news.

"Ha? I can't believe you never knew that. Did you live a sheltered life or something?"

"Well we did live in a cabin in alaska for a few months and then moved to a tiny town so kind off?" Kiana tilts her head as she is unsure.

The Houraiji lets out a disgruntled grunt. "Unbelievable. Well we gotta do something about it. Come on, any ideas?"

"Do you want to live with us?" Sirin asked. She would have an extra gaming buddy if that happens. So she wouldn't mind it, besides at least Kyuushou can always sleep with Sakuya to help her sleep if that method even works.

"I'll ask mom first. Least i don't have to pay rent." Kyuushou rubbed her chin. It doesn't sound all that bad but she should at least take full advantage of the contract of living in her apartment first. "Didn't answer my question. Come on my council members, rack that brain of yours and tell me what you desire!"

"Hmm more of Leon's cooking!" Kiana raised her arm and grinned.

"Does Shinki like Leon's cooking?" Kyuushou asked. Didn't these 4 basically always eat Leon's cooking though? Sometimes Sakuya do make some meals for them but it is usually cold deserts or a concoction.

"Who doesn't! Try some." It is a rare sight to see that Kiana actually offered parts of her lunch to someone else.

"I-It's delicious! Partner! Be my chef!" Kyuushou points her finger at Leon.

"See i told you who doesn't like his cooking." Kiana said proudly. Leon looks away as his ears redden.

"Al-alright i hear you. If you want it i can make an extra for Kyuushou san too." The boy sighs.

"Woo! More savings in my bank account! Haha!" As Kyuushou celebrated her own small victory. Leon starts to wonder if maybe he should sell his cooking instead though it's not like they needed any extra pocket money right now with how AE and Siegfried are providing them with things.

"Anyway, are you available after school?" Kyuushou asked

"No. I have extracurricular activities. They finally allowed me to join the robotics club." Leon shakes his head.

"Me too. Yeonsheo senpai said that the literature club is watching some sort of movie. Didn't remember what she said." Kiana scratches her head. Typical Kiana always forgetting minor details. Kyuushou still hasn't gotten used to the fact that this Kiana likes to read literature.

"A friend asked me to play some games this evening. Want to join?" Sirin asked. She's the only one out of the 4 of them who didn't join any particular club.

"I- Sure. What about Shinki?"

"Nee san said she'll be going to Mei senpai's house to discuss an assignment. It's from that popular science teacher who was rumored to be a former scientist. What's his name again?"

"Hiroyuki Sensei."

"He was the one that accepted me into the robotics club." Leon stated as a matter of fact.

"Ah so Mr. Straight A's here are already recognized by the other sensei and not just the students." Kyuushou said in a sarcastic manner. Though it is true that Leon is a class topper. Except for asian literature class he excels in every other class and he often got perfect marks in science related classes.

"It's not that hard to understand. Theory of relativity and Newtonian physics aren't that bad if compared to Quantum science or Imaginary theorems." The boy replied in such a casual manner that even both of the Kaslanas find it hard to believe he called physics didn't help that he has his science score to back up his claims.

"What are even Imaginary theorems?" Kyuushou asked if that term actually existed.

"Science about everything related to Imaginary space. Just like how Quantum science is for everything Quantum."

"Al-alright that's enough. My brain would become soup if you decided to explain that in detail." The Houraiji rested her palm on her forehead.

Kiana decided to change the topic into something more normal for them to digest while they eat their lunch.

"I'll be coming back late. So just lock the doors, I'll be fine." Sakuya said on the phone as the girl hung up. Leon puts away his phone as he stares at the classroom door he's supposed to enter.

He couldn't help but to get nervous. This is what he wanted and he was finally accepted. The science club has a very strict requirement if anyone wants to enter the robotics division. He didn't really know what it was but there's only 2 teams and he joined the one with the least number of members in them.

As the boy entered the room he was greeted by a man and a senior of his. His senior is a boy with blonde hair and gray eyes, his face also looks suspiciously similar to that famous mechanical engineer. Maybe he is related to her in some way.

Hiroyuki sensei is a middle aged man with black hair and brown eyes. Apart from the stories he heard about him from school gossip or Sakuya's, Leon pretty much didn't know anything else about him. Though he wonders why team 2 only has 3 people in it including the teacher.

"Ah there you're our newest member. You must've been confused on why there's only 2 of you here correct?" The teacher asked, in which Leon nodded instantly. Guess his facial expression is still easily readable.

"That's my decision and it'll also make things easier for us to communicate, especially since all of you know about humanity's secret eternal enemy. I just thought it would be better for us to know each other."

"S-Sensei knew the Honkai existed?"

"The part where I was a former scientist is true. To be exact i was a former Schicksal scientist before i left a couple years back but that's a story for another time. Natalia and I are good friends. Although she seems pretty busy lately, I wonder what kind of job her boss is giving her. Anyway, you can introduce yourself, Aidan." Hiroyuki glances at the other boy in the room.

"Right. My name is Aidan Vill. I'm in my 2nd year class 2-C. Nice to meet you." Aidan extended his hand.

"Leon Milkova. First year in class 1-D." The two boys shake their hands. It is a bit weird to see another foreigner but it feels comforting to Leon that he isn't the only male foreigner with an American/European descent here.

"Are you related to Veronica Vill?" Leon can't help but ask. Aidan has the same surname as her after all.

"She's my older sister. How did you know her?"

"I read her books."

"I see." Aidan nodded. Well that makes some sense, though his senior didn't expect him to read his sister's books.

"Mhm I've been reading her books for quite a long time. If only I could get my hands on some better materials, my project would've been finished by now." Leon let out a frustrated sigh.

"What kind of project?"

"I'm making firearms."

After hearing that their sensei almost choked on his coffee. Did they hear that right? What's a 15 year old gonna do with firearms?

"It-it's for exterminating the Honkai! Don't be mistaken, I won't use it on ordinary people. Well I hope they won't do that either."

"Th-they?" Hiroyuki wipes his chin with his hand.

"It is technically for Kiana and Sirin. It's already a late birthday present by now." Leon rubbed the back of his head as the other people in the room sigh. The Kaslanas must've influenced him with their weird and silly habits.

"I'm not a mechanical engineer like my sister. I'm more of a software engineer so I couldn't be much help." Aidan replied. Not that he wanted to help as he could potentially be thrown in jail if the weapons were ever found.

"Leon… Let's make something less destructive first okay?"

"Ye-yes sensei." Leon looks down rather guiltily for bringing that up.

"Alright now then since there would be an annual fair to showcase the students talents in robotics or Ai. we should brainstorm about what we should be making."

"I'll make the Ai part sensei."

"Should I make a full body or half body android sensei?" Leon raised his hand.

"Hmm since it is an android, maybe the head first. So we can make human-like expressions. Those robotic fairs tend to like androids like these. From my time working with Schicksal I could guide you on how to make the hardware but for the Ai itself unfortunately that's out of my league."

"Don't worry Sensei, I've got this." Aidan replied with a prideful grin. "Veronica has taught me things about Ai. So this part is my expertise."

"Then good luck. Alright class dismissed. Aidan, please make a group chat about our new club project and Leon. I hope you can get along with your senior here."

"I will try my best sensei. But I'm not that great at socializing, unfortunately." Leon chuckled as the two students picked up their bags.

"But at least be nice. Don't be too pessimistic, sometimes those bonds will come naturally eventually. Don't stay here too late you two." Hiroyuki was the first one to leave the room as he still had some other matters to attend to.

"So Vill senpai."

"Just Aidan please." The senior replied while he locked their clubroom.

"Okay, then Aidan senpai. Where do you live?" Leon asked. The boys walk the quiet hallway together as many of the students already went home and those that do stay are the current student council that is preparing for a new student council president election that will be happening in a few weeks and other club members.

"Hmm in the student dorms. Didn't get an apartment unfortunately all of the cheap ones are booked out."

"Is it good there?"

"Nope not at all my roommate is a total slob. He never wash his dishes and leave his dirty laundry everywhere in his room. The guy sometimes didn't even go to class for goodness sake."

"I-I see. Well if you're free you can come and hangout in my house. If you don't mind Kiana, Sirin and Sakuya that is."

"Haa you're a lucky man being surrounded by 3 girls. Why don't you ask one of them out?"

"I did. She rejected me." Leon laughed at that embarrassing memory. "But we're still close friends, at least that's what I feel about it."

"What does that mean? Does she hate you?" Aidan looked intrigued.

"No I'm pretty sure she doesn't but she does look….distant. Lonely even, I never realized that because we never interacted with that many people."

"Aww then you should continue pursuing your romantic interest. You know, being a man, I'm envious of you that you're able to say that to someone you like for real."

"It was just a puberty thing, senpai. I don't have romantic feelings for her anymore."

"Well do tell me when you do get a girlfriend hm? You know many girls seem to really like you. Maybe one of them is your type."

"No thank you. I don't know them and looks aren't always everything."

"Says the guy who practically lives with 3 girls in his house." The two of them start to laugh. They then start talking about other topics instead as Leon accompanies his senpai to his dorm room before he goes home himself with Kiana.

The girl was waiting for him outside of the academy gates. Leon wonders why she hasn't gone home first yet. Dinner time is still an hour away so it's not like they'll be late to have dinner with him.

"Hmph you're late! Come on, we're going to miss the train!" Kiana immediately grabs his wrist and starts to drag Leon along with her.

"I can run on my own! O-ow hey! Don't rush, please."

"Haa quit whining already and just follow my pace! I know you can keep up." The girl huffed as she picked up her speed so that they wouldn't miss the train. Maybe she was in a bad mood this evening, he wondered if anything happened in the literature club.

Well, it seems like he needed to make an extra large serving for the twins today to calm them down. Though the boy didn't notice the irregularity in Kiana's breathing as well as her ears being slightly redder than usual since he is more focused in trying to keep up with her.

'She isn't gripping my wrist as tightly as she used to. How thoughtful, at least I don't need to worry about having a sore wrist when I get home today.'

Only a handful of people can enjoy the luxury privileges of being rich. Such as being able to have your own personal servants helping you in your day to day lives. A big mansion and maybe your own personal limousine that drives you to your school and home everyday.

An experience that cannot be experienced by the common people unless those people work hard enough until they themselves get rich or be one of the lucky few who is actually friends with that certain high status person.

Such as the case with Sakuya as she was offered a ride back to the Raiden estate by the Heiress herself. Though unlike most students, Sakuya didn't seem to be that astonished by this luxurious ride that she is partaking in.

She mostly kept it to herself and didn't touch anything unless Mei permitted her to. It impressed the Heiress quite a bit seeing the girl's discipline though why does it seem that Sakuya isn't particularly interested in anything in the first place?

Why do her eyes seem distant? Is Sakuya unsatisfied? Mei couldn't understand her new friend at all. Most people would be rather thrilled or excited if they ever got a taste of something like this right?

Mei knows that as it isn't the first time she had invited a friend over. Yeonsheo was quite nervous and anxious. She remembered her friend sweating nervously throughout their ride back to her estate as she was afraid to break something expensive and was forced to pay to replace such an expensive item.

Though Mei reassured her that everything is fine and Yeonsheo doesn't have to be all that nervous. The Heiress didn't realize that she was staring at Sakuya this whole time as she couldn't hold in on her curiosity.

Like an innocent child she too wonders why is Sakuya reacting so differently from the others.

"What is it, Mei? You've been staring at me for a couple minutes now." As Sakuya spoke the Heiress immediately realized what she had done and turned her head away. Blushing a little from her embarrassing act.

"I-It's nothing… I was wondering if you were unsatisfied."

"Ah. No, I'm completely comfortable. I just didn't care that much about wealth like so many hu- I mean people desired." Sakuya almost slipped up there. Thankfully Mei didn't seem to catch on that she was about to say humans instead of people.

Mei nods. "Then what is it that you're interested in?"

"..." The Heiress was met with silence, she waited for a while but got no response from Sakuya herself as she looks like she is busy thinking about the question that Mei just asked a moment ago.

'What an interesting girl but why's she taking so long to answer a simple question?' Just as Mei thought, She really didn't understand Sakuya all that well. But from what she knows Sakuya always has genuine intentions and is straightforward with the way she speaks out her thoughts. Though she may be hiding secrets from her but that's fine everyone has their own little secrets that they wanted to keep hidden.

"I-" Just as Sakuya was about to say something the car stopped.

"Ojou sama we have arrived." Her driver stated.

"Ah. Thank you Thoma san."

The two girls stepped out of the car and were greeted by the Raiden estate head maid, Coincidentally her name is also Sakuya. Though she has silver hair and eyes. She's as tall as Sakuya/Shinki and the maid looks rather young but despite her appearance she is actually in her late 20s.

"I was informed that you brought your friend along, Mei sama." The maid escorted the two to the main gate of the estate. Sakuya noted that the estate has a large front yard with a beautiful garden in it. It is kept rather nicely and many kinds of beautiful flowers were planted here.

"Yes, Well her name is Kaslana Sakuya." The Heiress introduces her friend.

"Nice to meet you."

"My what a coincidence we have the same name." The head maid giggles. "Hakurei Sakuya at your service."

"Hakurei…. " Sakuya looks down at her hands. She didn't find any silver ring on the maid's ring finger so it is safe to assume that she's still single. Maybe Kyuushou influenced her a bit too much after all. Though the name Hakurei felt rather familiar, She wonders which game did she hear that name from.

Sakuya shrugs off her thoughts as she takes off her shoes. She had to give it to whoever designed the interior of the house, that it looks rather beautiful.

The living room was spacious and didn't feel empty as there are furniture arranged in perfectly that creates a luxurious feel to it even though most of the furniture here are just your above average in terms of quality items.

"Follow me." Mei took Sakuya's hand to prevent her from getting lost from the many rooms the Raiden estate has.

"Where are we going?"

"My room. It's quieter there and we won't be giving the maids or butlers some trouble since it is a smaller room." That's a good point. Sakuya didn't think that the Heiress would care about her servants as they're paid to do their job.

Mei opened the door to her room. Sakuya saw a queen size bed with a plain purple sheet in the left edge of the room with many pillows neatly put on top of it. Mei's room looks pretty normal except for the fact that it is bigger than your average room.

She has her own computer on her desk over on the right side of the room. It is also the desk Mei uses to study. There's also a bookshelf sitting closely next to the desk. On her left Sakuya could see Mei's wardrobe as well as another door that leads to her own personal bathroom complete with a bathtub and a shower. Apparently every bedroom has one for convenient access but on each floor they do have 1 public bathroom for guests to use.

The room itself is very clean and organized. Mei herself also usually cleans up her room to lessen the workload for her maids. But the maids do help keep things organized in her bedroom, especially the clothes that their young lady would wear for the occasion.

"Make yourself at home Sakuya chan."

"If you insist." Sakuya put her bag away on a nearby chair. "So about the assignment."

"You can always relax first Sakuya chan. We just got back from school."

"Sorry… " Sakuya glances at the bookshelf and browses it. She wonders what kind of books Mei kept in there.

"I'll ask Sa- I mean Hakurei san for some drinks. Do you want anything?"

"Tea or water is fine."

"Do you want some sugar in your tea?"

"Sure." Mei nods as she heads outside of her room for a while before coming back in after a couple seconds had passed. That was rather quick. Did her head maid really wait near the Heiress's room? 'Guess some maids are something else.'

"Well Sakuya chan do you need a bath or a shower?"

"Mei i don't think that would be necessary i wouldn't stay here all night."

"So-Sorry though if you do please stay until you eat dinner first okay? Can't have you going back with an empty stomach. I can ask Thoma san to offer you a ride back home as well."

"...Thanks for the generosity but I can go home alone. I don't want to burden your employees." Mei was surprised that she rejected her offer. It is dangerous for a girl to be wandering around alone at night. Especially for someone as beautiful as Sakuya.

"Are you sure?" The Heiress looks worried.

"Yes. I can take care of myself just fine." Mei sighs and decides to trust her friend's words.

Sakuya continued to browse at Mei's bookshelf for a couple more minutes. The shelf mostly contains academic books or some books about how to handle a katana and on a rare occasion some far east novels that Sakuya didn't know about.

Afterwards the two then discuss what they should make for the science class final assignment. It is rather early, sure but the Hiroyuki sensei would only give them that one assignment for the entire semester and it would greatly impact their final score if they chose to make them.

"Your drinks, Mei sama, Sakuya sama." The head maid lowered the tray as she put the glasses of warm tea on the table before quietly leaving again.

The two girls took their own glass. While Mei gently blows her tea to cool it down, she notices that Sakuya is already taking a sip of the tea.

"It's good."

"H-Huh?" The Heiress is flabbergasted as Sakuya takes another sip.

"What?" Sakuya raised one of her eyebrows.

"Isn't it hot?"

"No? It's warm, not hot."

Mei was honestly skeptical and decided to try it herself only to have her tongue burnt in the process. It is definitely too hot to drink right now but how can Sakuya nonchalantly drink that without feeling pain?

Mei decided to pinch the girl's skin to make sure that she didn't have some sort of condition and sure enough Sakuya reacted. "Ow. Why did you pinch my hand?"

"Ju-Just making sure. My apologies." Mei sigh, what a tiring day this is. Well at least her friend is normal? She really didn't have that much brain power left to worry about that anymore and decided to question it any further.

The Raiden estate also served the finest dinners as their private chef cooked them a whole course meal while the butlers and maids served them to the owners and guests.

Sakuya is surprised that they cooked her requested meal which was something that has beef in it and they delivered her a steak as well as other beef delicacies that she could choose from. Her sisters would be ecstatic if they were here with her.

"I see you're having a friend over Mei." A man walks into the room. He bears a striking resemblance towards Mei herself especially with his purple hair and eyes that Mei inherits from him.

"Otou san!" Mei looked really happy that her father was able to join them for dinner. "Mhm we were working on an assignment. Say Sakuya chan meet my Otou san. Raiden Ryoma." The Heiress introduced her father as the man sat beside his daughter.

"Nice to meet you Ryoma sama. Thank you for your assistance in helping my family and I enroll into Senba Academy." Sakuya bowed slightly.

"It's nothing. But I'm more than grateful to you Kaslana san."

"Just Sakuya is fine, Ryoma sama."

"Alright. Thanks for being friends with my daughter Sakuya san."

"...Friends…" Sakuya muttered and nodded. Truthfully she doesn't understand why he's that grateful, Mei and her are just fellow classmates, an acquaintance and someone that Sakuya appreciates having around.

"Otou san. You don't need to say that to everyone I befriended." The Heiress slightly pouts and sighs.

Ryoma chuckles "Sorry. Sorry, it's just I wanted to see you happier Mei. Your face always seems to brighten up whenever you're with your friends."

"I-Is that so? I never noticed." Mei touched her cheeks. Has she always been like that? Mei immediately put her hands back on the table. Now's not the time to be curious, She has a guest to please.

"Sakuya!" She heard a child calling out for her name. "Wanna play tag?"

"Yeah! Yeah! Join us!" Kids all over the orphanage gathered around her.

"Mhm! Sure!" With an innocent smile on her face. Sakuya joins the others in their little game of tag. Times were much simpler back then. Kids were being kids as they ran around their small town and played the game of hide and seek.

"..." Sakuya wished she could forget those moments instead. Remembering them only brought her more pain instead of joy. She never could have her childhood back and never could she have her old friends back.

It is something that she is forced to learn the hard way. Kiana, Sirin and Leon are just her precious possessions nothing more nothing less and it is her obligation to play the role of an older sister whether she likes it or not.

"Sirin onee chan. Let's play!" The young Sakuya asked.

"Hehe. Sure thing!" The purple haired girl eagerly answered as she invited her other friends to come along.

"Sirin onee chan! How about we play hide and seek again? Sirin onee chan?" As Sakuya turns around. She only saw an empty and barren land. No one was there anymore, Silence were all there was as the wind blew in the direction she was looking at.

"Oh…." The child lowers her head as she walks aimlessly.

"...I think I'll take a shower. Thank you for the food." Sakuya stood up as she finished everything that was offered to her. She really needs to cool off her head.

"You can use my room's bathroom, Sakuya chan. Oh and feel free to borrow some of my clothes." Mei said. The Heiress then looks at her father again as the two shared a father and daughter session while they ate their dinner.

"..." Sakuya's chest starts to throb as she silently stares at the two of them. Her real father, what is he really like? She has never gotten a good answer to that question. Same thing with her mother.

As she heads upstairs back to Mei's room. Sakuya began to wonder if her parents love her at all? Why can't she remember anything about them? Does Siegfried genuinely love her as his daughter?

She didn't know the answer or maybe she didn't want to know the answer. As cold water poured down onto her skin from the shower. Her thoughts began to wander more and more.

She looks at herself in the mirror as she dries herself. She may look human but inside is she really one? She's just another Honkai beast that has the appearance of a human. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

"Let's not think about this." Sakuya let out a sigh as she looked at the clothes that she borrowed from the Heiress. She was surprised that the Heiress's clothes fit well on her. Kiana's underwear are a little too tight for her chest so she had to get a different size one.

"Hmm. Is Mei really okay with me wearing her pajamas? Guess I'll have to sleep here for the night then. This place isn't too bad." Sakuya muttered as she headed outside of Mei's bathroom.

She saw Mei already wearing her pajamas as she's drying her hair with a hair dryer. "So are we going to discuss our assignments again?"

"Ye-Yes wait a bit, okay? I just need to dry my hair." Sakuya took her phone and waited.

RING…

Sakuya's phone rang. She saw that Dr. Einstein was calling her? Why? Did AE want to warn her about something?

"I need to take this call, be right back." Mei nods and Sakuya walks out of the room before she accepts the call.

"Sakuya here." Sakuya leaned against a nearby wall while keeping her voice down just in case someone is eavesdropping on her conversation. That's the last thing she wants right now..

"Are your sisters nearby?" Sakuya heard Einstein's voice through her phone.

"No. Why?"

"Good. I don't know how to bear this news to any of them. You know how they are and you're the most rational out of the 3 daughters of Siegfried."

" Get to the point. " Just what is it that Einstein wants to talk about? Sakuya starts to get anxious.

Something must've happened to Siegfried from the way Einstein spoke about it. 'He isn't dead is he? '

Sakuya couldn't have imagined what she would do if the worst happened.

"He isn't dead but the world serpent got Siegfried. We're still trying our best to track him down. I'm sorry to bear such unbearable news but we can confirm that he isn't in a critical condition from the monitor we placed on him."

Sakuya clenched her free hand into a fist as she tried her best to hold back her ever growing anger and anxiety. "Einstein, you better find him okay? "

"I know. I understand your anger but I do hope you won't do anything rash. The world serpent is stronger than we thought. But I promise we will find and bring him back. "

As the call ended. Sakuya's breathing became more and more unstable by each second. The girl clenched her chest as her vision continued to get more blurry.

Destroy them

Destroy our enemies

Destroy them all!

Sakuya gasps for air. Eventually her legs gave up as she fell to the hard floor. Those destructive thoughts are returning.

It continues to urge her to destroy and annihilate her enemies. Her head throbs as she continues to resist to maintain her own sanity. It felt as if something was constantly poking her skull with a 1000 needles.

"What ha- Sakuya chan!" As Mei opened the door, she quickly found the source of the thump. She kneeled down and hugged Sakuya tightly. All she cares about now is to find a way to calm her friend down. "Hakurei san! Please bring us some water and a blanket!"

"Understood my lady." The maid instantly did as she was ordered as Mei stayed behind.

"Saku.." KILL THEM!"I…"Eliminate your enemy!"You wi-..." Take back what was taken from us! Remember what they did to us. Remember our pain. OUR SUFFERING! We must deliver it back to them ten fold. The world serpent did this to us! So we must kill their sire to make them pay for what they did! Because we are-

"SAKUYA!" Mei's plea eventually snapped Sakuya back into reality.

"Me-Mei?"

"Oh thank goodness. You weren't reacting when I called you. Can you stand?" The Heiress asked though she didn't get any response from the other girl as her breathing steadily stabilized.

"I see. Breathe Sakuya. Deep breaths." Mei took a deep breath to show the panicking girl in her arms. Sakuya subconsciously mimics whatever the Heiress is doing as she starts to get calmer and calmer by each passing moment.

"It's… Warm." Sakuya didn't want to let go. This warmth that she's feeling. It feels familiar, too familiar but why couldn't she recall the moment when she experienced this feeling?

"It's okay Sakuya. It'll be okay. I'm here for you." The heiress said whilst she helped Sakuya stand back on her feet as she wrapped Sakuya's arm over her shoulder.

"Feeling any better?" Mei asked as she refilled Sakuya's tea. The girl is sitting on Mei's bed with her back against the wall. Sakuya accepted another cup and took a sip.

"A little." Even though the two know very little about each other, the Heiress was willing to go through all of that trouble just to make Sakuya calm down. Mei sat right beside her, Sakuya wondered why she helped her when she had no reason to.

"Why did you help me?" Sakuya unintentionally muttered her thoughts out loud.

"Because we're friends and you were obviously distressed. As a friend I can't just leave you be. I won't ask what it was but if you need comfort I'll be there." Mei answered. "Sakuya."

Shinki.

She heard it as their voices overlapped. It was a woman's voice. She was calling her name in a tone similar to the tone Mei just used but it felt more gentle and familiar. Unfortunately when she tries to recall who that was, her mind can only remember static noise.

"...I see." Mei lightly squeezed Sakuya's hand as the two enjoyed each other's company in silence. Perhaps her previous thinking was wrong. A new friend doesn't feel all that bad but she doesn't want to lose someone important to her again.

Sakuya thought about Kiana, Sirin and Leon and how she came to view them as her own possessions. She knows It's not right for her to see them as her possession. They are also human like everyone else. But growing attached to another human scares her the most. Humans are fragile, weak and they could abandon her again. Either intentionally or unintentionally the results are the same. She will be alone, no she has always been alone from the start.

Being their older sister is just a role that Sakuya played. To be mature and reliable. No matter what she must uphold that role. It isn't necessary for her to view them as a person, She just needs to view them as something precious to her.

Sakuya let out a sigh as doesn't know what she should do anymore. She had failed being a good older sister by letting their real father get kidnapped. She failed to give them a sense of a normal life.

But most importantly she has failed them by always making them worry about her well being.

"I don't know what to do, Mei ...I'm scared…I just don't want to lose anyone again." But why did her mouth move on its own? Deep inside perhaps she always wanted someone to reach out. She wanted someone to understand what it feels like to be alone.

And someone did reach out for her hand. That person is sitting right beside her, Raiden Mei despite being surrounded by people she is in fact alone. Maybe Mei knows that herself but denies that possibility. She has made Sakuya remember what it was like to feel the warmth and kindness of "humans".

"I understand. Ever since Okaa san died. I don't know what to do either. I was scared that someday Otou san would leave me too just like Okaa san did. But he reassured me that he wouldn't. Did you lose someone, Sakuya?" Mei looked at her. Sakuya stared coldly onto the bedsheet.

"It was a long time ago. We were friends. Well we were like sisters but she was taken away from me. I'm glad that the Kaslana took me in but I don't want them to be taken away as well."

"Then Sakuya, how about we make a promise?" Mei asked with a sweet smile on her face. "Promise me that we'll stay together no matter what. How's that sound? We are friends right?"

Is she really friends with Mei? Sakuya opened her mouth. "Y-yes." She answered genuinely.

"Then promise me okay?" Mei held out her pinky finger. It was such a childish promise to make. Sakuya should've laughed at it but instead she decided to intertwine her own pinky with hers. Sakuya decided to trust her feelings one more time.

The feelings that she had buried deep inside her stone cold heart. "Thanks Mei." When she gets back home. She should apologize to all 3 of them for not treating them well enough.

"Mhm no problem." Mei smiled. In turn Sakuya smiled genuinely as well. She wanted to see her friend's smile everyday. That smile reassures her that someone did in fact accept and treasure her.

Though would Mei still accept her if she knew how much of a dangerous monster she is? Leon, Kiana and Sirin knew about her being a mantis but they're still oblivious that she is a monster.

"Jyahnar…" That celestial voice is oddly quiet ever since they arrive in Mei's home. Sakuya isn't able to sense her presence. Even if she was helpful, she is a constant reminder that Sakuya is no longer a human or that's what she thought.

"What is it?" After some time Sakuya finally heard it again. An hour has passed since her first attempt in trying to contact the celestial. Now she definitely knows the truth about Jyahnar.

"You…. Weren't even part of me were you?"

"What are you talking about? I-"

"Jyahnar, I mean your consciousness."

"...Yes. Took you long enough. You only have my genes so I guess you're like my successor or offspring? Anyway you're one of my kind now whether you liked it or not."

"But why did you lie about that?"

"Would you rather know that the real Honkai beast is able to communicate with you through telepathy and experience the stories you lived through whenever they want or would you rather know that the voice in your head is a side effect of having a celestial's DNA implanted into you?"

"Both sound terrible."

"Pick your poison Sakuya."

"The last one sounds a bit better. But Jyahnar, you have no reason to lie."

"I didn't but it was still my fault that you had to go through all of those cruel experiments no? I may not care about the lives of insignificant humans but you're my successor in a sense. I told those scientists when they get a sample of my DNA to implant them to someone that at least has a stigmata but Humans being humans never listens."Sakuya never knew that even a Honkai beast can feel guilt like a human too.

"...Thanks for caring about me then."

"Don't get too sentimental on me, Sakuya. "

Sakuya smiled a little. Once she got back to reality, Sakuya felt something on her shoulder. She glances over to her left only to see a sleeping Mei whose head is leaning against her shoulder. She must've been too tired or bored from the constant silence.

Sakuya wants to move her into a better position but she might accidentally wake her up if she did that so she decided against it. "Fine. Goodnight Mei." Sakuya blankly stared into the otherside of Mei's room before she opened a void portal to grab her phone.

Sakuya couldn't sleep anyway even if she tried. She might as well play something on her phone throughout the night so that she wouldn't get bored like last time something like this happened where Kiana and Sirin decided to sleep with her.

Thanks for reading until the end. See you next time