Once, there was a girl.
She came from a wealthy family, excelled in her studies, carried herself with grace, and was admired by all.
But then, everything she had was destroyed. She lost her purity and became a doll for men to toy with as they pleased. Her body was covered in filth, and her life was cast under a permanent shadow, with not a single ray of light to be seen.
When her parents found out, they helped her transfer schools. However, after she arrived at Senba Academy, word of what had happened to her somehow got out.
The girl became the target of bullies.
Yet, in the midst of the torment, another girl reached out to help her.
The girl thought she had fallen in love.
But her confession was rejected.
It didn't matter, though. The girl and the one she loved... "became one."
The bullying continued, and another girl reached out to help her.
A confession, followed by rejection.
The cycle repeated.
The girl named Asakura Miyuki could no longer remember how many girls she had "become one" with. They reject me because they don't understand me, she reasoned.
Once we fuse into one, then they'll understand.
All of this had happened in Asakura Miyuki's past.
Then, one day, she met her white moonlight.
(My wife.jpg)
Kiana Kaslana. She was completely different from the others—resolute, beautiful, and willing to throw a punch to save her.
Seeing that heroic figure, Asakura Miyuki felt a stir in her heart she had never experienced before. Unlike the girls of the past, Kiana was the most special one. She was unique.
The Three-Year Sakura was prepared only for you.
But...
Her confession was rejected once again.
In the dim alley, shadows fell over Asakura Miyuki. She stared at Kiana, her heart hammering in her chest.
Kiana looked at her friend, but her thoughts were of Otto.
I wonder what Otto is doing right now.
If he were here, how would he respond to Asakura?
"This..."
Asakura Miyuki covered her face with her hands, her eyes vacant.
Kiana gave a slight, respectful bow to her second-ever friend.
"I'm sorry," she said with the utmost seriousness. "I can't return your feelings."
"Why..." Miyuki's voice was hoarse, her heart clenching. She looked at Kiana, the Three-Year Sakura sachet gripped tightly in her hand. "But I... I really like you."
Her thoughts twisted, and her limbs grew cold. Asakura Miyuki felt as if something was about to burst forth from her body.
"I think... love has to be mutual," Kiana said.
"It's like getting pregnant. It needs both people to agree and cooperate. One person can't do it alone."
Oh man, what kind of example was that?
Hmph, it must be Otto's influence. That guy is always thinking about knocking me up.
"But..."
Asakura Miyuki's face contorted.
"I hope... we can still be friends after this," Kiana said softly. Rejection never felt good, but stringing someone along would make it impossible to even remain friends later.
She didn't have many friends.
She didn't want to lose Asakura Miyuki.
However, Miyuki didn't hear Kiana's words. She was just staring blankly at the ground.
Ah.
Oh, God.
You give me trials, so why won't you give me what I desire?
But...
It doesn't matter.
If God won't give it to me, I'll take it myself.
It's not... the first time, after all.
Whiteness was swallowed by black. Her dark eyes became deep and sinister. Her fair, tender hands morphed into sharp claws. Her mouth split into a grotesque grin, and a long, thin tongue snaked out. Ominous, dark purple patterns materialized on her skin.
This was her true form.
Given enough time, Asakura Miyuki would have become a pseudo-Herrscher.
"Miyuki, you—!?"
Kiana's eyes widened. She couldn't understand. How could her friend suddenly transform into this?
Can someone tell me why my friend has turned into a monster?
The aura she gave off felt somewhat familiar to Kiana.
Suddenly, Otto's words flashed through her mind.
This is Honkai corruption!?
Before Kiana could think or react, the corrupted Asakura Miyuki fixed her with a deathly stare, her face twisted with a deranged obsession.
Ah, Kiana, this is my true face.
Even before I met you, I was already a monster.
I must look hideous like this, mustn't I?
"Kiana."
Her voice was raspy. Claws reached for Kiana. Asakura Miyuki would never kill her white moonlight.
She just wanted to become one with her.
I... am so hungry.
Her arms wrapped around Kiana, pulling her into an embrace.
The movement was gentle, as if she were afraid of accidentally snapping the girl's waist.
"Why? Why did you become like this?"
Kiana's voice was still so gentle. Asakura Miyuki half-closed her eyes, holding Kiana tenderly, trying to suppress the impulse raging within her.
"I don't know, either."
"I don't know anything. Why did this happen to me?"
"But..."
"Ever since I became this... thing, all I've felt is emptiness and loneliness. Even when people get close to me, I can't feel like I'm a part of this world."
"Only... by letting them enter my body can this torment be eased."
Asakura Miyuki spoke in that hoarse voice. Before she had met Kiana, she had already taken the lives of several people.
Some of them deserved it. Others were innocent.
"Kiana... have I become a monster?"
Her words cut off abruptly as the last shred of her sanity crumbled. Only one thought remained in Asakura Miyuki's mind: to make Kiana hers.
Her spirit had long been eroded by the Honkai.
And Kiana's rejection had only accelerated her mental instability.
Her arms tightened, as if trying to force Kiana's entire body into her own. Kiana didn't struggle at all.
"No."
Kiana's voice, tinged with sorrow, sounded by her ear.
Ah, Kiana, my white moonlight, who was it that made you so sad?
I don't want to see you look so sad. You should only ever be happy.
"You are my friend."
"I will set you free."
Kiana knew what she had to do.
She raised her hand.
Asakura Miyuki felt something cold and hard press against the side of her head.
In a daze, Miyuki felt a hallucination wash over her.
Vibrant flowers bloomed all around her, vivid spider lilies encircling her. A majestic god looked down from on high, wanting to take her away from Kiana's side.
I don't want to leave.
But I'm so sorry, Kiana.
For letting you see me in this hideous state.
The Three-Year Sakura sachet she had been clutching slipped from her grasp, falling slowly to the ground.
Fresh blood dripped onto the sachet.