"Hee hee hee, let's do this later."
Inside Kiana's room, Himeko wore a wicked grin.
In truth, she had only known Kiana for a few days, but in that time, her professional instincts as a teacher had flared up when dealing with someone so much younger than herself.
If Captain Ragna were still here, she would have surely guided this girl who just stepped onto the battlefield against the Honkai.
The thought of Captain Ragna brought a touch of melancholy to Himeko's heart.
Three years ago, Ragna, the captain of Himeko's assault squad, had been killed in action.
"Hee hee, we have to make Kiana spill the beans later," Theresa giggled, clutching a tissue box that was to be their prop for the game.
Her friend's words pulled Himeko back from her thoughts. Himeko took a sip of her drink, chasing away the sorrow. Today was Kiana's birthday; it was no time to be moping.
"Mmm, this should do it," Theresa said, tucking a small slip of paper into a slit in the tissue box.
"When Kiana gets back, we'll start a game of Truth or Dare."
Written on that hidden slip of paper was the "truth" Theresa was determined to make Kiana reveal.
"Oh?"
Just then, the door to the room slowly pushed open.
"Truth or Dare? Is there room for two more, my cute little Theresa?"
It was that familiar, flamboyant tone.
Puzzled, Theresa turned her head. Standing in the doorway were three figures.
One was her dear niece. And standing next to her dear niece was…
"Grandpa!?" Theresa exclaimed in shock, looking at the smiling Otto.
"Grandpa, when did you get here? Why didn't you tell me again?" Theresa hopped down from her chair and planted her hands on her hips, her voice full of dissatisfaction.
The last time her grandpa came to Nagazora, he hadn't told her either. This was a complete disregard for her authority as the Branch Chief of the Far East!
The Far East was not a public restroom he could just enter whenever he pleased!
Himeko scrambled to her feet, hastily straightening her slightly disheveled clothes. This was her ultimate boss.
"And how did you come back with my dear niece?" Theresa's suspicious gaze darted between Kiana and Otto. She found it strange. Her niece had just gone to the bathroom, so why was her face all flushed? Was the wind outside that strong?
But her grandpa's arrival was a minor issue. She turned to Kiana with a cheerful grin.
"Dear niece, did you happen to see that beautiful fireworks display just now? It was super pretty! Next year for your birthday, your great aunt will put on a fireworks party for you too!"
"Of course I saw it."
It was my birthday present from Otto.
A smile touched Kiana's lips, but she didn't say it out loud. A girlish whim made her want to keep it as a secret between the two of them.
"I hope I can see fireworks that beautiful again next year," Kiana continued, her gaze shifting toward Otto.
Her words were a massive hint.
But she really did want to see them again.
Because she hadn't really been watching the fireworks at all.
At that moment, her eyes were only for Otto.
"You will," Otto said with a smile.
"Otto…"
Just then, a small, trembling voice came from behind him.
Otto turned his head. It was Yae Sakura.
"She…"
Yae Sakura was staring intently at Theresa.
The resemblance…
It's uncanny.
This child… she looks just like Kallen.
Except for her child-like stature, everything from her hair color to her facial features was almost identical to the person in her memory.
Could it be…
Kallen is also alive?
Excitement began to bubble up inside Yae Sakura.
"She is not."
However, the moment the thought arose, Otto shattered the fantasy taking root in her heart.
Noticing the stare, Theresa tilted her head. She saw that besides her grandpa and Kiana, there was a third person at the door.
"Grandpa, who is she?" Theresa asked curiously, her eyes landing on Yae Sakura's long ears.
Wow, those ears are so cute! Are they a headband from an amusement park?
Theresa's eyes lit up.
She wanted a pair of cute ears like that too.
Valkyrie Pledge wanted to become Flame Sakitama.
Yae Sakura saw the unfamiliarity in Theresa's eyes. The girl was looking at her like a complete stranger.
As I thought… this is not Kallen.
Yae Sakura felt a tightness in her chest. Being looked at that way by someone who so closely resembled her dearest friend left a bitter taste in her mouth.
But what did this little girl just call Otto?
Grandpa?
But… she looks so much like Kallen.
Yae Sakura was confused.
The village girl was thinking. Suddenly, a flash of insight—
But at that moment, Kiana smiled and introduced her to Theresa.
"Great Aunt, this is Miss Yae Sakura. She's this guy's secretary."
As she spoke, Kiana gave Otto's shoulder a solid pat.
It was not a light one.
Otto could only return a strained smile.
He kind of missed his Soulium body, back when Kiana wouldn't dare to pat him so hard.
Now that his reactive armor was gone, Kiana felt she was hot stuff again.
Himeko, trying to be invisible behind Theresa, felt her eye twitch at the sight.
After their reunion, Otto had called over the waiting Yae Sakura and introduced the two to each other.
When she heard that Yae Sakura was Otto's secretary, Kiana had shot him a look of utter disdain.
A young girl as a secretary, in a uniform that looks so lewd it barely covers the tops of her thighs…
He really is an old horndog!
Kiana's words interrupted Yae Sakura's train of thought. Sakura said nothing, however. After all, Kiana and Kallen both shared the Kaslana name.
Yae Sakura simply nodded at Theresa.
"Hello, I am Yae Sakura."
"Oh, oh." After Kiana's introduction, it dawned on Theresa. So, she was grandpa's secretary. But she had never seen this secretary before; she didn't seem to be from Schicksal.
Could she be another one of grandpa's experiments?
Just like his other secretary, Amber.
Amber, like Theresa, was an A-series experiment. Amber was A-303, and Theresa was A-310. Technically speaking, Amber could be considered her older sister.
So, does that mean those fox ears are real!?
Theresa looked at the ears on Sakura's head with envy. Why didn't Grandpa give me cute, long ears like that when he made me?
"Hello, I'm Theresa Apocalypse, Grandpa's granddaughter," Theresa said.
Next, Yae Sakura's gaze shifted to Himeko, who was standing behind Theresa.
"I am Murata Himeko, a teacher here at St. Freya Academy, and also Theresa's good friend," said Himeko, who hadn't dared to breathe too loudly until now. Theresa and the others might not feel it, but as a mere employee, the psychological pressure of meeting the ultimate boss was immense.
For most Valkyries, the Overseer of Schicksal represented mystery and supreme authority.
Her slightly tipsy brain sobered up in an instant.
"Alright now, is this a corporate meet-and-greet? Why is everyone so serious? If I recall correctly, tonight is a birthday party, is it not?"
"Little Theresa, I'm quite hurt. You're throwing a birthday party and you didn't even invite me."
Otto walked into Kiana's room as if he owned the place.
He was, after all, the man of this house.
He sat down in a chair and casually picked up a cup from the table to take a sip.
He then nearly crushed the cup in his hand.
Damn it! What is this divine beverage!?
After one sip, Otto almost lost his composure. An indescribable flavor spread through his mouth, like swill from a sewer drain.
This must be the bitter melon juice Theresa was so fond of.
Maintaining the smile on his face, Otto silently placed the cup back on the table.
He then looked at the four girls still standing and said with a grin:
"I believe someone mentioned Truth or Dare just now?"
"A game like that is always more fun with more people."
"So, the five of us, let's begin our great adventure."
"I am, after all, very interested."