The Infinite Journey of a Certain Flame

Even now, it can still stir up waves in my heart.

She is probably different now, inside and out.

But there are still some places... that haven't changed, right?

Thinking of this, and with memories of the past lingering in her heart, Kiana slowly said to Bronya:

"Want to play a game with me?"

"...Um?!"

Upon hearing this request, not only Bronya herself, but even Timido, who was pretending to be in a daze but actually eavesdropping, was taken aback.

The reward for all that effort is just playing games?

Isn't this a bit too...abnormal?

However, when Bronya saw the familiar game console in Kiana's hand, her calm gaze wavered slightly.

She never expected to see something like this here...

Could this be something that artificial intelligence called Sodium Chloride secretly brought back from the Destiny headquarters?

That doesn't make sense either. How could she possibly know to bring this out?

So many years after that incident, Bronya doesn't play games much anymore. She has so many things to do every day, and sometimes she has to stay in meetings for a long time before she has a chance to come out.

Now, I can actually see game consoles?

It was rather... abrupt.

“Teammate, I can grant this… well… strange request, but now is not the time to sit down and play in peace. Lyle!”

"Oh!"

Upon hearing the captain calling him, Lyle immediately poked his head out from the second floor:

"Are you all done with your work? Captain, don't worry about me and Timido. If you need us to leave, we can step aside."

"...Avoid it? Is there any need for that?" Bronya seemed completely baffled by her teammate's suggestion. "It's not something particularly embarrassing. Your suggestion is utterly unconvincing."

"Uh... just pretend I'm talking nonsense. Is there something important you need me for, Captain?"

Lyle, who had been scolded, smiled helplessly, then slowly climbed down the ladder from the second floor, looking at his captain with some resignation.

"As for logistical support, I've already made all the necessary preparations and we're ready to depart at any time. Timido!"

"Hey!"

Startled by Lyle's call, Timido, who had been quietly lost in thought, instantly snapped out of it.

She looked at everyone with a bit of a panic, then covered her pink cheeks covered by a mask and shyly looked away.

I was too embarrassed to reply for a long time.

To be honest, she was being far too shy, to the point that Kiana and Bronya felt as if they had been caught doing something wrong.

Is this necessary?

The two women looked at each other and remained silent for a long time.

Seeing this, Lyle could only ask Timido, "How are your preparations going?"

"I'm ready anytime! However, if necessary, I can actually step aside."

Why do you all think this is important?

Seeing the two teammates turn against each other, Bronya directly asked this question.

Both parties hesitated for a moment after hearing her question.

Why...? Because you didn't show any reluctance, Captain!

The two of them simply couldn't understand why they were being blamed for trying to help out and taking a break. Their captain really didn't understand people's hearts.

Finally, after a period of silence, the two immediately switched sides again:

"No! The captain is wise!"

"...What?"

It's really hard to understand, what's wrong with these two?

If it weren't for her teammates being constantly under her watchful eye, Bronya might have thought the two had been switched.

However, the reality is clearly not that far-fetched.

So, feeling utterly confused, she could only slowly express her opinion:

"The area above the elevator will definitely be difficult to explore, but we can't just sit idly by while we prepare to attack. We need to deal with the nearby enemies to prevent the base from being destroyed, understand?"

"Yes!" the two loyal team members answered in unison.

Seeing this, Bronya nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Kiana, who seemed somewhat displeased.

At this moment, the girl was pouting, looking at him with obvious displeasure.

Judging from her expression, she seems very unhappy?

"Well..."

To be honest, after being seen by those clear, azure eyes, Bronya suddenly felt a sense of guilt for abandoning the big dog.

It's strange. It's just a simple refusal, so why am I finding it so hard to say it?

After much deliberation, Bronya ultimately couldn't bring herself to directly refuse; she simply rubbed her forehead in frustration.

"After today's reconnaissance is over, maybe we can give it a try, but I haven't played games in a long time... I might get completely crushed by you then, right?"

"Eh! Really? Hehe, definitely! I'm super awesome!"

Haha, I really didn't expect Bronya to say something so humble?

And you haven't played games in a long time?

This is really unlike the guy who used to play games all night... This is something I wouldn't normally say.

Has she stopped playing games much at all after all these years?

How boring. I was hoping to redeem myself!

However, when Kiana saw Bronya's back, which was completely different from before, she belatedly realized...

Perhaps it was because of responsibilities that they had no choice but to give up?

She has really grown up.

"Forget it, even if I don't have a chance to beat you in the past, it doesn't matter if I beat you now!"

Thinking that she had finally managed to defeat this guy who could almost crush her in the game field that Bronya excelled at, Kiana feigned composure, hoping to cheer herself up.

She continued to follow Bronya, and the day's patrols and reconnaissance were uneventful, although enemies occasionally appeared.

But the astute captain always makes timely judgments and leads the team to overcome difficulties.

It's hard to imagine whether the team's fate would have been more difficult without her, even with Kiana's exceptional combat skills.

"Ugh, I'm so tired."

Finally, after running around for quite a while, Kiana returned to the garage.

At this moment, the sky darkened again.

The monsters that had been quiet seemed to come alive and began to move around.

Fortunately, their actions lacked organization and logic; they were simply wandering around outside.

Thanks to this, Kiana was able to comfortably wrap her arms around Bronya's slender waist:

"Hehe, Captain~"

"Huh? Teammate, you..."

For some reason, feeling the heat emanating from behind her, Bronya felt a surge of heat throughout her body...

Why are we all different now? (Post-Honkai Odyssey): Chapter 18 - An Epic Battle

Is it just my imagination?

Why does she make people feel so hot?

Bronya was completely unprepared for Kiana's approach. She had been planning to lie down on the sofa and rest for a while, but she never expected to be suddenly grabbed by Kiana.

"Teammate, what are you trying to do now?"

After struggling slightly to no avail, Bronya had no choice but to question her softly.

Upon hearing her resistance, Kiana not only did not restrain herself, but instead intensified her reckless attacks. Bronya naturally could not let her run amok, so she also tried her best to stop her. However, the two sides were no longer on the same level.

The former Herrscher is still the former Herrscher. How can he compare to the true Herrscher who disrupted time and space to arrive here?

If it weren't for a little respect for her superiors, Kiana might have fallen asleep in bed with this duck figurine, however...

Until a particularly sensitive area was touched...

A rare hint of shame and indignation appeared on Bronya's usually calm and beautiful face.

She took a deep breath, then grabbed the restless hand on her chest and threw it over her shoulder.

'bump! '

Caught off guard, Kiana used too much force and knocked her down...

"Ouch! Bronya, what are you doing! Uh..."

Kiana looked at the girl lying flat on the bed facing her, feeling a little embarrassed.

At this moment, Timido was covering her pink cheeks and shrinking on the sofa with a shy expression, as if she had seen something inappropriate for children.

Upstairs, Lyle was shrinking back, probably cowering in bed looking terrified.

Seeing that this guy was peeking, Kiana couldn't help but want to rush up and beat him up, but Bronya held her hand tightly.

So Kiana had to put the idea aside for the time being, and said somewhat embarrassedly to her friend:

"Uh...did I hurt you? Bronya?"