Honkai, why do you only throw me into high-level battles?

Philippines • Manila

"Yuno! Over here! Here!"

As soon as the plane's hatch opened, Anna, who had been waiting outside the tarmac perimeter, jumped up and waved excitedly, trying to make herself more visible, afraid that her friend, new to the place, wouldn't be able to see her.

Actually, she didn't need to be so worried…

Although Ninoy Aquino International Airport was the largest airport in the Philippines, vast, with complex traffic and a sea of people, for Schicksal's special operations needs, a separate area had been specifically designated for military use, closed off and not open to the public.

So currently, counting Anna, there weren't many people in the entire area.

A beautiful girl appearing here was already eye-catching enough.

"Ah… Anna?"

Yuno, at this moment, had a dazed look on her face as if in a dream. Holding onto the handrail of the transport plane, she slowly descended, a little overwhelmed at the sight of her friend's enthusiastic welcome.

"You don't have to…"

"Of course I do! It's rare for you to come out, of course I have to give you a warm welcome!"

Anna seemed to have returned to the carefree and innocent state she had been in at HQ, happily walking towards her quickly, grabbing her hands with familiarity and enthusiasm, carefully looking at her friend, whom she hadn't seen for a long time and had come from afar.

"You really haven't changed at all."

"…Really?"

Yuno seemed a little overwhelmed by her enthusiasm, looking at Anna a bit helplessly, and after a long while, said with some confusion,

"But I feel like you've changed so much… but I can't quite put my finger on it."

"Really?"

Anna was startled, countless scenes flashing through her mind like a revolving lantern. The originally innocent and enthusiastic smile on her face became a bit melancholic.

"Perhaps… after all, people always have to grow up."

Yuno nodded, then fell into deep thought again, as if determined to find a specific change in Anna. Then, her gaze inadvertently swept across Anna's smooth, fair neck, her eyes suddenly lit up as she remembered something.

"Where's your pendant?"

Yuno remembered that Anna never took off that pretty heart-shaped pendant.

"Ah? Uh… this…"

Anna was flustered by this sudden question, hesitated for a moment, then blushed, stammering,

"I… put it away… after all, there are often battles here… I'm afraid of losing it…"

She couldn't just say she'd given part of it away, could she?

The closer the friend, the more embarrassed Anna was to tell the truth!

What a careless decision… Anna wailed silently, somewhat regretful, but not much.

"Oh…"

Yuno nodded, expressing understanding.

"Alright, don't just stand there! I'll take you to my current base to rest for a bit, then take you around to see the sights and have some fun, how about that?"

Seeing that Yuno still seemed prepared to "spot the difference," Anna hurriedly interrupted her, changing the subject.

Yuno nodded in agreement, obediently stopping her searching gaze.

Anna breathed a sigh of relief, led her out of the airport, and got into the car that had been prepared beforehand, ready to return to the base.

It had to be said, as an elite squad stationed overseas, at least in terms of material life, Schicksal had always done a good job.

"Yuno, did you receive the gift I sent you some time ago?"

Even in the car, Yuno, always taciturn, just sat quietly in her seat without saying a word. Anna was already used to her behavior, taking the initiative to start a conversation.

"Mm, I received it. It was a coral, very beautiful, thank you."

"Hehe… Glad you like it!"

Having a gift complimented was something that easily made people happy. Anna saw in the rearview mirror Yuno tilting her head, staring blankly at the passing crowd outside the window, and felt a pang in her heart. Hesitating slightly, she asked,

"Your body… is it alright now?"

Anna knew that Yuno's power easily went out of control, but since HQ agreed to let her go out, it meant that everything was developing in a good direction.

"Mm, much better, as long as I don't use it, it's fine."

"..."

Anna felt her head fill with black lines. What kind of answer was that?

Fine if she doesn't use it, trouble if she uses it?

Was HQ that careless?

As if seeing Anna's hesitation, Yuno thought for a moment, and rephrased her answer.

"It's much better now, it's just that I don't want to use it, so it's fine."

Anna breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's alright, Yuno, I'll protect you."

"Will there be fighting?"

Yuno was startled.

"On the battlefield, I'm fine."

"No, no, no!"

Anna wished she could slap herself twice. Why was she talking nonsense?

"I mean, I'll take care of you, there won't be any fighting, don't worry."

"Oh…"

Her response was a sound that was either understanding or disappointed, hard to tell.

… …

Successfully returning to the Snow Lotus Squad's base, it was a place filled with the chirping of birds and fragrant flowers, lush with tropical plants, easily making people feel relaxed and happy.

"Captain, I'm back."

Pushing open the door, Anna couldn't wait to introduce them to each other.

"Let me introduce you, this is…"

"Hello…"

Seemingly not accustomed to such crowded occasions, or perhaps because she considered herself an "outsider," Yuno just greeted them briefly, then didn't know what to say.

"We're all Valkyries of Schicksal, and you're Vice-Captain Anna's friend, no need to be so polite."

Sensing the slightly awkward atmosphere, before Anna could speak, Captain Jell took the initiative to smooth things over.

"There are still vacant rooms. Anna, take Miss Yuno to find a clean room to settle in first, and think about sightseeing after she's had a good rest."

"Okay, Captain."

After saying so, Jell walked up to Yuno, patted her shoulder, and comforted her gently.

"Don't think too much, just treat this place as your own home, and settle in comfortably."

"…Thank you."

Yuno nodded gratefully.

Jell smiled gently, then left, returning to her own room. The other Valkyrie teammates also greeted Yuno, watching as Anna led her away.

About half an hour later, there was a gentle knock on the door. Before Jell could respond, Anna had already pushed the door open, saying apologetically,

"Sorry, Captain, I'm always causing everyone trouble, I really feel bad…"

"Alright, I already said it a few days ago, no need to say it again."

Jell gave Anna a look of feigned annoyance. Anna had apologized to her in the same way when she first proposed the idea.

Anna's expression was a bit awkward, inexplicably guilty.

"Alright, I know what you mean."

Jell looked at her hesitant expression, and couldn't help but speak for her.

"No wonder you said she wasn't very popular at HQ, I didn't quite understand before. Seeing her today, her aura is indeed quite… dangerous. That look in her eyes, like a wild beast… See, quite a few teammates were scared just now."

"I'm really sorry…"

Anna breathed a sigh of relief, feeling even more apologetic.

"Actually, Yuno she… didn't mean to be like that…"

"I know, so I said you don't need to say it again."

Jell was truly helpless.

"Can you not just use your stubbornness to torment me?"

Anna blushed, her expression even more awkward, but didn't dare to speak again.

"Alright, I'm not blaming you."

Seeing that Anna could finally listen quietly, Jell couldn't help but smile.

"Seeing your friend like that, I can't help but admire you for being able to become good friends with her."

"Because I know Yuno is truly a very good, very gentle girl at heart."

Anna said with emotion.

"Actually… to be honest, when I sent the invitation, I just wanted to express my feelings, and didn't even think HQ would actually approve her leaving…"

Yuno's state, like a "prisoner" closely guarded by the Immortal Blades, Anna hadn't quite understood it before when she was at HQ. Now, after leaving that place, she'd gradually realized it in retrospect, and felt even more pity for her friend.

Perhaps to Yuno, she really was her only friend?

"Captain, do you dislike her?"

Anna asked uneasily.

She really wanted to protect that girl's small world, and didn't want to see her rejected by everyone.

"How could I?"

Jell stood up from her seat, took two cups from the cabinet, poured two cups of hot tea, and pushed one of them in front of Anna, comforting her.

"Not to mention we should trust HQ's judgment, HQ's approval must have its reasons. Just based on Miss Yuno herself…"

Anna held the hot tea in both hands, her heart relaxing slightly, waiting for the captain to continue what she hadn't finished saying.

"You told me some of her stories and experiences, Anna."

Jell sat back down, turning the chair to face the window, looking at the dappled shade outside, and the bright blue sky, silently taking a sip of hot tea.

"A resident of Nagazora City, an ordinary student still in school. Yet she encountered the 3rd Honkai, and by some strange twist of fate, survived by coexisting with a Honkai Beast. Rescued by the Far East Branch, then sent to Schicksal HQ, becoming a trainee Valkyrie with powerful abilities, joining the Immortal Blades…"

Jell tilted her head to look at Anna.

"I didn't get it wrong, did I?"

Anna nodded gently.

"At that time, I was thinking, what kind of girl would this be? Now I've finally met her… Heh, it's an honor."

"What kind of girl…"

Anna chewed on these words, her eyes lighting up.

"Captain, you don't dislike her, right?"

"Dislike? How could I…"

Jell looked at the vibrant green leaves outside the window.

"You know? For disaster survivors, their lives are like a devastated ruin. But Heaven will make it snow on this ruin, gently covering all the wounds and grief."

"But for Miss Yuno, this 'snow' might have come a little too fiercely… A blizzard, although it can also cover past wounds, it also brings new harm itself."

Anna was silent.

She had envied Yuno's power. She also knew Durandal wanted her to master this power quickly.

But she knew even more that Yuno hated this power she possessed, this power forced upon her without her permission.

This "gift" that had made her an "outsider."

She hadn't understood before, but now, thinking back, she only felt that fate was truly cruel.

It clearly took away everything from a person's life, yet still pretended to be merciful, giving a special "reward."

"But snow always melts eventually. When the snow melts, will what's revealed be a rotting wasteland, or a place where new life sprouts… Heh… So I quite admire that girl, at least she's strong. Mm… and stubborn like you, Anna."

"…I don't believe you could see so much from just a first meeting!"

Seeing the captain teasing her, Anna started to protest.

At the same time, she also felt a strange unease, because she felt the captain's words weren't just about others, but also about herself.

"Otherwise, would I be your captain?"

Jell smiled, ending the topic.

"Anything else? If not, go back and rest early, and take your friend out to have some fun for a few days… Right, you haven't been here long either, I'm more familiar with this area. Do you need me to recommend some scenic spots worth visiting, and some restaurants with unique flavors?"

"Yes!"

… … … … … …

A little earlier

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

"Tsk, Anti-Entropy's intel is really accurate…"

Lin Wei stood in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window of the terminal building, looking out wistfully, watching the Schicksal transport plane slowly descending in the distance.

"Yuno is on that transport plane, right?"

In the original worldline, Yuno should have been dead long ago, but now, as a Valkyrie of Schicksal, she appeared in this somewhat delicate city.

"A thousand times unwilling, ten thousand times unwilling, but in the end, by a strange twist of fate, I've come to this city…"

Lin Wei said with some helplessness. The reason that forced him to make this trip was actually that girl he'd met by chance.

"Sakura, do you think I'm asking for trouble?"

"…From the results, yes."

Yae Sakura said,

"Do you regret it, Lin Wei-kun?"

"Regret? Not really… Saving a life, do I really have to weigh the pros and cons?"

Lin Wei smiled. The transport plane in the distance was now blocked from view by another terminal building.

"I did consider that doing this might have unpredictable effects on the future… but I just wanted to do it, didn't consider anything else."

"After all, in this world, is there really anyone who deserves to die from birth?"

Lin Wei turned and merged into the vast crowd behind him, his tone chilling,

"Heh, if that's really the case, I'm probably the one who deserves to die the most!"

"…That's true. After all, I was also someone who should have died…"

Yae Sakura smiled apologetically, then asked,

"Lin Wei-kun, what are you planning to do next?"

Lin Wei didn't stop walking,

"The situation is unclear, we'll wait and see."