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Nearly twenty nine thousand alternative universes have been observed through the 2nd divine key.
But there are only 5179 universes that have the most interesting anomaly.
Most of those universes didn't have any honkai invading their world while the rest have been attacked by the Honkai. But those which have been attacked by the Honkai, could actually overcome the disaster. And every surviving world will keep floating and exist in the imaginary tree as a very fresh leaf.
And those alternative universes-which already succeeded in defeating the Honkai-actually have a very identical pattern and phenomena to each other.
"This is… interesting." SU slightly frowned. His fuschia eyes kept closed as he tried to observe some of those identical unique universes. Those universes have alternate versions of himself and Kevin. Their method of defeating the Honkai is rather strange.
They are not defeating Honkai by the manpower or even by endless war with millions of human sacrifices.
But there is this kind of 'unique trigger event'. If this 'certain trigger event' is happening, these Honkai will suddenly get erased from the said Universe.
SU needed more observation and data before he could report it to Kevin. And after waiting around ten years, he kept seeing the same result. When those 'certain trigger events' are happening between their alternate selves, those honkai will immediately disappear. Mostly in every identical universe they live in.
"How did this strange anomaly become possible in the first place?" SU still looked rather confused but all of his observations gave the same result.
SU makes a conclusion that if humanity in this era wants to defeat Honkai in their own universe, he and Kevin should be…
"… becoming lovers."
"What…?"
Kevin looked so dumbstruck as he heard SU's explanation. That reaction makes SU become a bit nervous as a slight blush becomes visible in the pioneer's handsome face.
"At first, I had the same reaction as you. I didn't believe it. But, after doing some more deep observation with those identical universes, I finally see the same pattern that made the Honkai suddenly disappear from their world. Here, you can see it for yourself."
He glance at how the white haired mantis keeps his silence while reading his report from their Previous Era holographic Hi-Tech supercomputer. That is when Kevin finally saw those unique universes having an alternative version of himself and SU.
In those identical universes, both of them mostly have a romantic relationship with each other. Some even get married and adopt kids. For example, there is that one universe where they only live as high school students and become lovers. This chain of events makes the Honkai in their world suddenly getting erased.
And then, there is another identical universe in which he becomes a top NBA player and gets married with SU who has become a Doctor. They have a very happy life and suddenly, the Honkai in their world is also getting erased.
Not to mention the other 500 identical universes. All of them having the same chain of events, if this chain of events in which-a romantic relationship-happened between them, the Honkai will suddenly disappear from said universes without leaving a single trace.
Kevin still can't believe what he has just seen. Why the hell the Honkai God suddenly stopped attacking some universe which has both him and SU in it? And what with the romantic relationship between them? Why can it create such a miracle?
"Maybe, we shouldn't think about it too seriously. I'm sure there are some variable errors in those universes that makes the Honkai suddenly disappear."
SU tried to comfort Kevin with a brief smile. but The Kaslana seems like he is in deep thought. Eventually, SU wants to ask something to him but he is afraid of Kevin getting offended about it.
'No. I shouldn't ask those questions…' SU murmured silently. He knew how loyal Kevin was to Dr. Mei even after her death. The Kaslana will never love someone other than her. Not even in a million years.
SU could only keep his silence for a brief moment before he shook his head, putting the usual brief smiles. Hiding his sadness. "Alright. That's all the report I can give to you. I'll go back to the 2nd divine key to continue the project Valuka. See you later-"
"Wait, SU."
"Hmm?" The grey haired pioneer raised his eyebrows as he quickly stopped his step. He then waited for his best friend to continue. "What is it, Kevin?"
"What do you think?"
"About what?" SU is getting a bit confused with those rhetorical questions. Kevin slowly approaches SU until he stands in front of the grey haired pioneer.
"What if we try 'it' in this era?"
"You mean…" SU widened his eyes as he suddenly coughed lightly. He didn't expect Kevin to suggest it first to him. He blushed red, thinking about the possibility of them dating each other.
"A-Are you sure you want to do it… with me?"
Kevin sighed heavily as his cold azure eyes staring directly at SU. "Our mission is to defeat the Honkai. No matter the costs. At least, it doesn't hurt to try this method… compared to project stigma."
Project stigma.
Hearing those things sent a shiver through SU's spine. He didn't want his best friend to even touch that cursed project. Or else, there will be a bloodshed between them.
Anything. He will do anything. As long as that method isn't a project stigma, he will gladly do it.
He didn't want to start the project regulator just to stop Kevin from activating project stigma. He didn't want that.
"And we didn't have more time left before the final herrscher arrived either. We only have around 1500 years from now until her arrival." Kevin murmured with both of his arms crossed. SU's fuschia eyes staring at him with a concerned look.
"But there is a weakness in this method, Kevin."
"What weakness?"
"We really need to truly fall in love with each other. Only pretending to date or marry without love is futile. It will fail to create miracles and those Honkai won't disappear."
SU's statement makes it clear that this isn't a mere joke and a very serious matter. They can't lie and play with fate. And truly falling in love with someone other than his previous lover-Dr.Mei- isn't such an easy task. The moment his beloved died, Kevin's heart already became cold and dead inside.
He never opened his heart ever again. Let alone touching people.
But with SU, he can still do this. Both of them are mantis and Kevin knew how the grey haired pioneer can withstand his cold temperature body. Just maybe…
His very best friend is the only one who can make his long dead heart beating in hope again.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" SU just wanted to make sure. He tries to find the sign of hesitation from the white haired mantis. But the lack of expression from Kevin makes it rather harder to read his mind.
"I'll try. What about you?" The white haired mantis asked shortly.
SU kept his silence for a moment. For him, falling in love with Kevin isn't such a big problem. The moment they become best friends back when they are still in high school, he already feels something special toward Kevin. He already cares a lot for The Kaslana. The one thing that stops him from developing those feelings to become more and more deeper is because of Mei.
He knows how Kevin and Mei love each other. And as their friend, SU didn't want to be in the way and just kept those forbidden feelings he had for Kevin to himself.
And they are in the middle of a gruesome war too. There is no time to think about love when the Honkai has already destroyed millions of people.
And now, there is nothing that can prevent him from rekindling those feelings. Mei is already dead. And he already vowed to Mei to always be at Kevin's side no matter what. He never thought in his mind that falling in love with his own best friend will become his mission to get rid of honkai. And SU must fulfill those missions no matter what.
Because the fate of humanity depended on them.
And at the same time, it's for his own selfish reason.
He really longings for Kevin's affection and love.
And this is the only chance for SU to fulfill his dream.
"Well, it depends on you. I can show my act of love and care to you. But, can you give me the same treatment I'll give to you, Kevin?"
Those fuschia eyes staring at Kevin intently, waiting for an answer. The white haired mantis looks like he was drowned in his own thoughts once again. Act of love and care. He never received it from anyone the moment Honkai came into his life.
Kevin already lost touch with the warmth of other people.
His mission and life purpose is only to purge all The Honkai no matter the costs. His hands already drowned in blood. His body is being made to burn the enemies. The warmth in his heart has been extinguished, becoming cold and dead. And nothing else matters to him anymore.
Everything in his life is just to do his mission. And nothing more.
But to share some love and car with someone? That concept is just so foreign to him. He used to be such a kind, cheerful and warm person back then. But now, it feels like he didn't even know those cheerful white haired boy who wore his high school uniform in his memory.
He already lost his way to be an ordinary 'human' .
His azure eyes finally meet those fuschia.
"Can you show me your act of 'love' to me first? I need a demonstration. Just for… reference."
The 2nd divine key holder laughed softly as a brief smile appeared on his handsome face. His best friend needs guidance. He will gladly show it. Those forbidden feelings he had for more than 50000 years for his best friend.
He will gladly show it.
SU slowly lifted his hand to touch Kevin's face. Those expressionless face just felt so cold. His azure eyes look so empty and dead. It pained SU to look at it. He really missed it when those eyes were just full of warmth and kindness.
But either way, SU always finds himself mesmerized in those azure color.
In his eyes, Kevin is just that perfect. No matter how cruel and cold blooded his friend is right now.
"It's been so long, right? You never get someone to touch you like this?" There is a sign of sympathy in SU's expression when he gazes softly at Kevin. The white haired mantis could only close his eyes, trying to feel those touch. It's so warm. Such a big contrast compared to his cold body.
"How does it feel?"
"Nice… I guess." Kevin answered shortly as he was still letting the grey haired pioneer touch his chin carefully. Those azure eyes opened slowly when SU began to lift their fingers together and intertwine it. He wants Kevin to feel the warmth from his hand.
They never had such kind of intimacy before.
And their faces are mere an inch away now. Creating some unspoken tension.
"May I…?" Kevin seemed to freeze for a moment. SU can feel the hesitation from those azure eyes. He just slightly smiles. "I won't do it if you don't want it. There is no point to force it upon you-"
"It's alright, SU. Let's do it."
Kevin takes a deep breath as he is preparing himself. He can't be hesitant now. This is all to get rid of The Honkai. He must opened his heart to SU and trust him enough. But he can't deny that he felt rather tense and maybe a bit nervous.
SU began to press their lips together. He does it slowly, carefully. He just pressed his lips and kept his silence. Those lips felt cold as SU began to shiver a little. He wants to make Kevin feel comfortable first before he continues to the next step.
He can feel the white haired mantis in front of him tense a bit as he keeps his composure. It's been a long time since Kevin last kissed a person. That person was Mei back when he still haven't become a mantis. He just forgot how good it was to kiss someone. To feel some close contact with people.
SU's gentle kiss to him made The Kaslana appreciate his best friend more. He knew SU didn't want to force it on himself. He wants all of this intimacy flow just as naturally as possible. After a minute, SU stopped his kiss and stared passionately at him without words.
'Done already?' Kevin looked a bit surprised since their kiss was too short. He expected SU to kiss him again. But, the grey haired mantis seems to be silent as if he is waiting for Kevin's reaction.
The progenitor of all Kaslana began to touch SU's red lips with his finger, softly trailed on it. Those coldness in his lips made SU blush a little. He didn't expect Kevin to do that kind of romantic gesture. He can't read what is on his best friend's mind. But from the way those azure eyes staring at him…
Admiration.
Somehow SU can feel a slight admiration in those eyes.
'Such soft lips…' Kevin never knew how beautiful SU was from this close view. He only knew how soft Mei's lips were before he became a mantis. He never had his attention on anyone other than Mei. He is just that loyal. That's what all his mantises comrades were saying about him.
And he already knew SU even before he met Mei.
Compared to when they are still in high school, there are so many changes in SU's appearance. He looks more wise and calm now. Having conjured the 2nd divine key power. His friend must have already seen thousands of alternative universes. Thousand possibilities. Thousand life secrets. And all those visions granted him even more wisdom beyond any human in the world. Make him even more charming and charismatic.
And those soft long grey hair. It really fits him.
If Kevin remembered correctly, SU decided to let his hair grow long the moment he became a mantis. And he is often mistaken for a girl by other people of the current era. Not to mention both of these male mantises have been associated with the legend about 'The Great Merlin who has the lady of the lake as his wife'. Kevin really didn't want to think about it.
But knowing their newest mission right now. Just a matter of time for those legends to become true.
They will eventually become lovers. It's really just a matter of time.
"Kevin? Are you okay?" SU's heart began to skip a beat when those azure kept staring at him intently. Those cold fingers are still on his lips. The handsome mantis in front of him seems lost in his thoughts again. But, SU suddenly stood in awe when those empty azure eyes slowly began to look more soft and warm.
As if Kevin slowly regained his light. His long lost humanity.
SU decided to kiss those cold fingers lovingly. It succeeded in making Kevin back to reality. His azure eyes widened a little.
"What are you thinking right now?" SU asked softly.
"I…" Kevin can't identify what kind of emotion and feelings that were invading his mind. He just see how beautiful SU right now. And it feels like the time has stopped between them. He needed more skin contact to validate that strange sensation inside him.
SU seems like he can read what's on Kevin's mind. The grey haired mantis cupped those cold face again, leaned slowly, shortening distance between them. This time, it's Kevin himself that pressed his lips first to his best friend, kissing him rather roughly.
The coldness pierced SU again, colder than before. However, it's not something he can't handle of course, thanks to his mantis power. Decided to try his luck, SU opened his mouth for a bit, hoping that Kevin would take his sign. Not before long, The Kaslana takes the hint and he tries to slip his tongue inside. SU blushed hard as their tongues slowly intertwined with each other. He let The Kaslana dominate him as he began to moan a bit, enjoying the pleasure.
Even Though those kisses feel so cold, SU's body temperature suddenly rises with a hot sensation. He feels intoxicated as those overwhelmed feelings begin to overflow inside his heart. He already buried all his love that he had for Kevin for far too long. And it needs more than 50000 years just to fulfill his dream.
He has been waiting for too long. He just can't hold it anymore. He wants to pour all those hidden and forbidden feelings he has to The Kaslana. To his very best friend. To his most precious person in this world.
"Kevin… I… I'm sorry. Please, let me…"
"S-SU-Nghh..." Kevin groaned as SU suddenly bites his neck, sucking it deeply. The Kaslana began to blush slightly as his best friend licked the mark that he just created. The grey haired mantis wrapped his arms around the Albino, hugging him tightly as he buried his face in Kevin's broad shoulder.
"What is it for?" Kevin frowned, confused. SU blushes more harder as he didn't dare to see those azure eyes directly. He is risking his life by biting and leaving a mark on the neck of the strongest human being in the world. SU would die in peace if suddenly his best friend slashing him with his Judgement of Shamash out of rage.
"Sorry, I can't resist it, Kevin. Please, forgive me..."
Kevin just sighed heavily as he closed his azure eyes, coughed up a bit. That bite is just unexpected. And surprisingly, it feels good. He actually didn't mind it a bit.
"Well, how is it? Do you… like it?"
"Huh?" SU raised his eyebrows. Kevin just avoided his gaze, looking a bit shy. "About the act of 'love and care' that I've shown you. Do you like it? Well, I mean… the faster you fall in love with me, the better."
"Oh, you mean, our kiss?"
"Just answer it." Kevin gritted his teeth as a slight blush appeared in his irritated face. That wholesome reaction only makes SU feel weak and hopelessly in love with his best friend more.
'Well, can't you see for yourself how much I love you, Kevin?' murmured SU silently as his face was blushing red. He felt like he wanted to slap himself mentally. He can't admit to Kevin that he actually has fallen in love with The Kaslana for a very long time. Not yet. He wants to see Kevin's effort as well as making the albino fall in love with him.
"Well, not bad for a starter. I kinda like it. You are a good kisser, Kevin."
SU chuckled lightly when his compliment made Kevin blushed and nervous. The albino has been trying hard to hide his emotion behind those cold exterior. But SU can see through inside him.
He can see how his best friend slowly regained his humanity again. He can see how those long lost hidden kindness and warm sides, slowly arise inside his cold heart. He can see how those dead azure eyes slowly find his light again.
SU can still see how his old best friend never truly left him.
He is still the same Kevin. Kevin that he loves till his last breath. Kevin that he loves more than anything in this world.
And SU has vowed that he will make Kevin fall in love with him. No matter the costs.
"Kevin."
"Yes?"
"Can you kiss me again?" Su blushed harder when Kevin quickly leaned toward him without hestitation. Instead of kissing on the lips, the albino cupped his face softly and kissed his forehead instead. It makes SU's heart flutter. He felt shivering with excitement as Kevin whispered in his ear with a very deep voice.
"Maybe later."
And just like that, the white haired mantis left, leaving SU alone with more longings and thirst of Kevin's love for him. Well, The grey haired pioneer still has another 1500 year to make Kevin fall in love with him completely to create a miracle and erase all The Honkai.
And for SU, those remaining years are already more than enough.