Honkai: Strijder (Honkai Impact 3 Male MC)

The candy was truly sweet.

Having just tasted it firsthand from Kiana's lips, Sigurd couldn't help but savor the memory.

"Ugh—"

Kiana, her face flushed bright red, squatted down, covering her face as she let out an unintelligible groan.

Moments later, she peeked through her fingers, tilting her head suspiciously to look at Sigurd.

"Why… why do you seem so skilled at this?"

"..."

Sigurd looked up at the sky in silence.

He couldn't answer that.

What could he say—that he'd practiced with Bronya?

Kiana's expression suddenly shifted as if she had an epiphany, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"Oh, I get it. You must've secretly studied some materials to prepare for today, didn't you? Haha, it's fine! I don't mind. Next time, just come to me for practical training!"

Still squatting, Kiana looked up at him with a teasing, wicked smile.

Sigurd gazed down at her, meeting her pure eyes brimming with sweetness and joy. Her innocence only deepened his guilt.

Seeing that he wasn't responding, Kiana assumed she'd hit the mark and that he was too embarrassed to admit it. Standing up, she dusted off her skirt, cleared her throat, and tried to compose herself.

"Ahem! Well then… let's head back and rest. It's really late."

Despite her attempt to act composed, Kiana's heart was still pounding from Sigurd's unexpectedly quick and passionate "counterattack" earlier. Truthfully, she hadn't quite calmed down yet.

So, for once, she didn't insist on sharing a bed with him. Instead, she stepped around him, trying to appear steady and calm as she walked away.

But as she passed by him, Sigurd caught her wrist.

"I'll be staying here for three days."

Sigurd's sudden words made Kiana blink in confusion.

"Huh?"

"There are major plans for the Far East region that I need to discuss in detail with Dr. Einstein. Since we requisitioned the entire Far East, I also need to give Schicksal a proper explanation. They'll only listen to me. Plus… there are some other things I need to handle, including a visit to St. Freya. Altogether, it'll take about three days to deal with everything."

"Oh… so, no time for a date again? Fine, I get it. Prioritize your work. I understand."

Though her words expressed understanding, Kiana's pouty lips and unhappy expression said otherwise. Still, she didn't press further or complain. She accepted Sigurd's schedule with an unusual amount of maturity.

She's grown up… Sigurd thought as he gazed at her. The realization stirred a mix of emotions—pride, joy, and an inexplicable sense of melancholy.

Suppressing these feelings, he lifted his free hand and gently cupped Kiana's cheek, brushing his thumb across her soft, flawless skin.

He smiled faintly.

"Three days later, I should be able to give myself a little break. How about… we visit Mond Town together?"

Kiana froze in place, her eyes gradually widening.

Mond —the small town where she and Sigurd had first met. The origin of everything between them. For Kiana, it was the place where a new chapter of her life had begun.

Her fingertips trembled slightly as she gazed at Sigurd, her eyes glistening. Slowly, a bright, radiant smile spread across her face.

Mond Town was a place that held so much meaning, a place that always warmed her heart and filled her with gratitude whenever she thought of it. She understood its significance deeply.

"Sure! Let's go back together!"

Kiana exclaimed with barely contained excitement.

Though the invitation had come out of the blue, Kiana had a faint sense that there was something more to it—something she couldn't quite put her finger on but felt was special. Perhaps this was the beginning of another new chapter, one filled with promise and excitement.

"Alright. Goodnight, then."

Sigurd released her wrist, his azure eyes reflecting a soft, warm smile.

Kiana twisted her fingers nervously, her gaze darting around. After a moment, her cheeks flushed a deep red. She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to Sigurd's cheek.

"Goodnight!"

She called out loudly, turning away. Her silvery ponytail swung in a cheerful arc under the moonlight as she hurried down the stairs.

…

Sigurd remained where he stood, watching the direction Kiana had gone. The cool night breeze brushed against his face and tousled his hair. For a fleeting moment, it felt as if Kiana were still there, her touch lingering on his cheek.

In that moment, he made his decision.

After making the decision, Sigurd found himself unexpectedly at ease—not only was there no sense of regret, but he even felt a flicker of joy.

Was it the satisfaction of possessing something precious? Or perhaps… could this be what people call love?

At that moment, another petite girl, with whom he shared an equally deep bond, emerged quietly from the shadows.

She wore beige pajamas adorned with bunny patterns, yellow duck-shaped slippers, and held a plush yellow Honkai toy in her arms. Her silvery-gray curls cascaded down her back, swaying gently with the breeze.

Sigurd turned to Bronya, a soft smile forming on his lips.

"Where's Sin Mal?"

"Asleep," Bronya replied.

"How long have you been here?"

"I only came up when Kiana was leaving."

Clutching her plush toy, Bronya spoke in her usual cool tone. Even so, her words carried a distinct milk-like warmth, unique and soothing.

But Sigurd, looking down at her seemingly emotionless face, caught a faint hint of melancholy.

"Jealous?"

At his question, Bronya rolled her eyes.

Isn't that obvious?

Bronya slowly stepped forward until she stood directly in front of Sigurd. Stretching out her arms, she hugged him, standing on her toes just enough to press her face against his chest. There, she listened to the familiar, steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

"Kiana is different, isn't she?"

Bronya's tone was calm as ever, devoid of any visible sadness or joy. It was merely a question, plain and simple.

Sigurd placed his hand on her soft hair, stroking it gently as he responded:

"...Probably."

Bronya pressed her lips together.

It wasn't a direct affirmation, but it wasn't a denial either.

To Sigurd, Kiana was indeed special. Bronya had known this for a long time.

"Bronya came a year later than her. But Bronya will spend the next ten years, a hundred years, or even a thousand years making up for it. One day, Sigurd will say it with his own lips—that Bronya is the most special of all."

Bronya's words were spoken slowly, yet carried a resolve that Sigurd had never seen in her before.

Sigurd was momentarily at a loss for words. He could only sigh softly and say:

"You are already one of a kind."

Bronya pressed her lips together, letting out a silent sigh as she remained against his chest.

"One of a kind" meant that she was Bronya—there was no one else like her, and she was irreplaceable in her own way. But being the "most special" was something different.

That referred to the place someone held in Sigurd's heart, a concept Bronya understood all too well.

She chose not to pursue the subject further. Her purpose was merely to declare her determination. How much Sigurd understood at the moment didn't matter. She wasn't in a hurry—after all, as she had said, they had ten years, a hundred years, or even a thousand years ahead. She had time to make him understand.

"You must be tired today, too. Get some rest early, Sigurd."

"You as well. Let's go."

With those words, Bronya released her hold on him. Side by side, the two left the rooftop together.

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