Chat Group : Another Fate From Honkai

"Nagami, huh?"

The words slipped out like a murmur as HIMEKO gazed at the blazing crimson figure in the sky, one strike cleaving apart the Herrscher of the Void.

She couldn't help but curse without the slightest regard for decorum.

"...Tch. Damn it, I'm so jealous."

A savior—that's what he looked like.

'Damn it! Why didn't our world have a Nagami during the Third Eruption?'

From Ji Lin's memories, she could see it clearly: in another timeline, her other self and that boy definitely weren't just "ordinary friends."

Would a normal friend hand you a Herrscher Core for free and help you resolve Herrscher Will corruption?

In that other world, she wasn't just a free-willed Herrscher of Flames—she had apparently even settled her… lifelong personal matters.

Still, that was another version of herself.

On the surface, HIMEKO only voiced some lighthearted envy, but deep down?

Yes—deep down, she was practically dying of jealousy.

The lemon tree bears lemons, and under the lemon tree—there's only me.

…Ahem. Jokes aside, her heart really did feel a little crushed.

The difference in fate between these two worlds was just too much.

It was enough to make her want to cry, but she didn't dwell on it for long.

Himeko soon flew over, carrying the unconscious Kiana in her arms and the Herrscher armament around her fading away.

"Yo~ Other Me, how are you feeling now?"

The bright, teasing voice reached HIMEKO's ears, and from the familiar tone, she could hear the concern hidden beneath the casualness.

"It's unbelievable. As expected from a Stigma from a seven-core Herrscher… my body feels completely healed. And not only that…"

Lowering her head, she flexed her fingers, sensing the vast, bottomless ocean of Honkai energy within her—like staring up at an endless sky.

"Maybe… I could actually match Durandal now."

At least until these kids could truly stand on their own, this teacher could still serve as their shield.

"Facing another timeline's Sirin… this is a strange feeling, isn't it~?"

The sudden voice caught both Himekos off guard.

Their eyes widened and they instinctively looked up—only to see drifting white hair swaying in the air.

"Kanami!? How—? You said only one person could come through!"

Her surprise lasted only a second before Himeko relaxed.

If Nagami was part of the fusion, Kanami's words were only half to be trusted.

"You've misunderstood me," Kanami said with a shrug, blinking innocently. "I meant only one person would be fighting. I'm just keeping the space-time channel open—it's the same no matter the world."

"My current combat power is basically zero."

As if to prove it, his form flickered like a bad signal—hazy, almost transparent.

With a small smile, he nodded at this world's HIMEKO in greeting.

Then, taking Kiana from the other Himeko's arms, he gently laid the limp girl down, brushing a stray lock of hair from her cheek.

"…And what exactly are you trying to do?"

Her voice was soft but curious as HIMEKO studied the boy's refined features.

In either world, this young man could only be called a true miracle—especially for her other self.

Almost in sync, both Himekos tilted their heads toward each other and smiled.

"I'm figuring out a way to solve the Sirin problem."

In his emerald eyes, countless hexagram stars flickered as Kanami's gaze lingered on the unconscious Kiana, deep in thought.

No one knew Sirin better than he did—not even Sirin herself.

After all, part of him was Sirin.

The Herrscher herself might never directly face her own heart, but Kanami could.

He knew perfectly well how hard it was for the Herrscher of the Void's Sirin side to change without an outside will interfering.

He couldn't bring himself to use a Geass on her—she was, after all, half of him from another world.

"Take this and give it back to Mei later. You've seen Ji Lin's memories, so you know, right? Herrschers are humanity's main force against the Honkai~"

He pulled the Gem of Conquest from Kiana's body and casually tossed it to HIMEKO.

"Herrschers… are humanity's main force against the Honkai…"

She repeated the words, her lips twitching.

Before today, if anyone had said that to her, she would've recommended the best psychiatrist and neurologist Saint Freya could offer.

But after witnessing six Herrschers from another world all standing with humanity, fighting the Honkai together, HIMEKO had no words left.

She didn't doubt for a second that Nagami could create even more Herrschers on humanity's side.

Was it possible that, in the end, the so-called Apostles of God, Trials of Civilization, Calamities… all the Herrschers would defect—to fight the Honkai?

Just picturing it made her head spin.

That kind of thing… was so absurd it was almost laughable.

"So, what's your plan for the Second Herrscher?" HIMEKO crossed her arms, her expression curious.

"That… honestly, I'm torn," the boy replied, his flickering figure becoming harder to focus on. "And I don't think I have the time to come up with a better solution."

He gave a small shrug. "All I can do is… bet on this Kiana. With her luck, it should work out."

The white-haired boy reached out and gently smoothed the frown from Kiana's brow.

"Mmm…"

A soft groan escaped her lips.

Her long lashes trembled, as if she were waking from a deep, endless sleep.

Slowly, she opened her sapphire-blue eyes, still clouded with confusion from the gap in her memories.

The faint golden gleam in her gaze vanished the instant she saw Himeko, leaving only dazed bewilderment.

"You… who are you?" she asked, her mind clearing with each passing second.

Her once-vacant eyes sharpened, until she noticed there were two Himekos standing in front of her.

She rubbed her eyes hard, as if trying to dispel an illusion. "Two… Himeko-sensei?!"

"Kiana, you're awake. How do you feel? Is the Second Herrscher still trying to take over?" That was the caring voice of HIMEKO.

"Yo. Nice to see you, Kiana," said the other Himeko casually, giving a small wave.

"Uh…" Kiana's brain stalled.

Her gaze darted between the two of them, but she still managed to answer.

"The Second Herrscher… isn't trying to take control anymore."

She turned her head toward the Himeko in the ornate red-and-black dress holding a massive greatsword.

She could feel something—this Himeko was… a Herrscher?!

And that sword wasn't that her dad's Judgment of Shamash?!

"I know you're confused right now," HIMEKO said, patting Kiana's shoulder. "Honestly, I am too. And it's all because of that boy."

Following her teacher's gaze, Kiana looked ahead, locking eyes with the white-haired boy she'd seen the moment she awoke.

Something about him tugged at her memory. Why did he feel so familiar?

It was like seeing someone you passed every day—so familiar you forgot to notice anymore.

"Feels familiar, huh? Good. That's exactly what I wanted~"

His tone carried an odd, almost unsettling lilt, and Kanami's eyes narrowed slightly.

His mind-reading ability had never been switched off.

"Let me introduce myself," he said. "I'm Kanami. I'm… you, from the future! After Mei ran off with some guy named Nagami.

You got so determined to win her back that you… uh, underwent gender reassignment surgery and became a guy.

With Herrscher Himeko's help, you traveled back in time to change the future!"

'Smack!'

Himeko slapped her own forehead, the corner of her mouth twitching.

Kanami… Yep.

That was exactly the kind of nonsense Nagami would come up with.

She had no words.

"…Huh?"

Kiana froze, brain sputtering.

It wasn't just unexpected—she'd never imagined those words could even be strung together into a sentence.

Thankfully, she wasn't quite dumb enough to believe it outright.

After taking a moment to think, her expression returned to normal.

There was no way that was true.

He had to be joking.

"I'm not joking," Kanami said. "Haven't you noticed I can tell exactly what you're thinking? That's because I know myself so well."

His eyes curved into a mischievous smile. "If you still don't believe me, I can tell you a few things no one else in the world could possibly know."

"In the first month after your dad left, you went a whole week without eating. Then, when you finally binged a ton of food, you ended up with a stomachache.

In the second month, for… certain reasons we won't discuss, you wet yourself twice.

In the third month, you met a beautiful older woman and shamelessly followed her around for a while. In the fourth month—mmmph!"

Kiana clamped a hand over his mouth, her face crimson.

"D-don't say another word!!"

Thank goodness he hadn't revealed why she'd wet herself in front of Himeko-sensei.

That would've been instant social death.

But then, dread began creeping in.

Those were memories she'd never told anyone—things only she knew.

Could it be…?

Could he really be telling the truth?!

Had she… actually become a boy in the future?!