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“The stars are as bright as ever today, as they were yesterday.”
“Or any other day for that matter. Heh.”
She chuckled as she fixed the hem of the crop top she wore that day before sighing to herself. After a little bit, she turned around to head indoors of the base. “Not so bad I suppose, but really, it really is just another day.”
The white haired woman paused for a while before she giggled. “I mean, I can be selfish for a day, right? I did a lot already anyways.”
“Kiana? You okay? You’ve been up here for a while now.”
“Hmm, I’m alright, Mei. Just…..stargazing for a moment.”
The purple-haired woman chuckled as she fully entered the room. “You say that, but you’re still standing there. I hope you’re not being bothered by something and refusing to tell us.”
“No, no, hehe. Don’t worry. History has told me that if I kept it in, it’d cause a major catastrophe, so don’t worry.” Kiana laughed, turning around to face Mei. “Just a short moment to stargaze here before I go back in I suppose.”
“Hmm.” Mei gave her a once over before side-smiling. “Alright, alright. I have to go to the kitchen to help with the snacks and drinks that’ll be coming to the pool later. Don’t take too long, you’d miss out.”
“Ahaha, if it’s for food, don’t worry. Just make sure you make enough for all of us too.” Kiana replied, prompting the both of them to laugh for a bit.
“Ah, never change.” Mei shook her head with a smile. “Alright then, I’ll be going. I can’t stay the night though Kiana, something’s come up and I have a few Valkyrie entrance exams to check tomorrow morning, and I'd need to review files and watch their videos back at base before the test.”
With that, Kiana pouted. If she had cat ears, you could probably see them droop down. “Aw…but I was hoping…..”
“I’m sorry.” Mei gently ruffled Kiana’s hair. “I mean, to be fair, I never even said I’d be here, no?”
“That- okay, that’s fair, but still, none?” Kiana looked up, past Mei’s arm.
Mei retracted her hand, sighing. “Giving me those eyes again? I’m sorry, but that won’t work so easily. Hehe, in any case, we have our duties to do, Kiana. And well, it’s not that simple for me. Especially these new Valkyries that wish to enter. If I were to delay it, how’d they feel?”
“....yeah, yeah. Still, next time you can come over, stay for a day longer. You and Bronya both, kay?”
“Haha, no promises, but I’ll see if the chance presents itself.”
“Well, I do hope you will try to find that chance, even if it’s a small one!”
“Kiana, of course I would. The world does still move on and will keep going at its pace, but I’ll try my best. I’ll bring Bronya along of course, so you have nothing to worry about. Maybe she can further extend her win record on you?”
With that, the pair embrace one another in a hug, Mei’s height making her on Kiana’s hair. After a while, the pair separate, Mei walking back into the kitchen with a smile and a wave. Kiana waves back, before sighing as she looks up at the sky again.
A minute or so goes by with her just looking up before the door opens again, another guest coming out this time.
“Still out here? I’d thought you’d come back in with Mei already.”
“Hmm? Ah, captain. Nah, I wanted to look up for a moment longer.”
The man chuckled, closing the door behind him as he stood slightly behind her in the window room, looking up at the sky.
“And yet when she’s done cooking you’re going to go back into the party to eat with us too, huh?”
“Wha- hey. I’m not a glutton.”
“......”
“Well, not as much as I used to…..bah! You get me.” Kiana half pouted.
The captain chuckled with a smile, waving his hand to indicate his joke before the pair fell into silence as they looked up at the sky again.
“I didn’t expect you or the others to be here, to be honest. I mean, when Mei and my old man appeared, I thought it was just them. Turns out you took the liberty of using the ship as a school bus of sorts to come up here, huh?” Kiana asked him after a while.
"Yeah…well, I had to pull some favors from Theresa to be able to have a day to do this with the ship, so here’s that.” The captain scratched his head. “Of course….I had to repay her somehow.”
Kiana paused before giggling. “Oh, Honkai. What did she make you do?”
“.....” The captain sighed, dropping his head. “A lot of bitter melon and a treat to a restaurant sometime this week.”
“Pfft- hahaha! You kinda walked into that one.” Kiana laughed at her captain’s expense, before she looked back out at the earth. “Still, do fulfill it for her. Aunt Theresa has been through a lot, so perhaps it’s only fair.”
“I will uphold my end. I already have ideas to take her someplace anyway, a good one. She’s been busy so I have to uphold that.”
“Aw, she got a date at last!”
“....don’t put it awkwardly, Kiana. Please.” The captain sighed.
“Hmm~ Cap? I do hope a certain someone will understand.” Kiana teased, nudging his arm.
“Who- oh. Oh, actually she was there when Theresa told it to me and she just gave me a smile……yeah, I have to make it up to her later too. Well, there goes my wallet for a month I guess.” The captain half groaned.
“Haha, dealing with girls can be fun, eh?”
“No kidding.”
A short comfortable silence fell upon them as Kiana and her captain looked back out the sky.
“Say…captain?”
“Yes, Kiana?”
“I wanted Mei and Bronya to stay the night, but they couldn’t because they’re both busy. This is….a long shot, but can you? I haven’t finished many of the dishes I’m trying to make too……” She asked, looking at him.
“Eugh…Kiana. I'm a busy man too, you know.” The captain replied, scratching his head.
“Aw, you too? Come on, can’t you let someone do it for you for a bit more?”
The captain turned to Kiana, only to find the Herrscher of Finality giving him the most irresistible set of puppy eyes.
“.......”
He isn’t as resilient as Mei, given that while he is close to Kiana, Mei is more used to her.
“....I’ll see what Theresa can come up with. No promises, I’ll ask, but if I get a no, don’t be disappointed.”
With that, Kiana aborted her puppy face and gave him a smile. “Alright! Deal, but do put some effort into it!”
“....you’re not going to ask if she’s going to say no?” The captain asked, raising an eyebrow.
“To be frank.” Kiana puts a finger on her chin in a thinking pose. “I figured I’d be more concerned if Rita would follow you here if you did.”
The captain paused before worriedly chuckling. “Uh….I'll ask her as well. Don’t want her to suddenly find me missing and be extra worried.”
“Or angry at me?” Kiana gave him a side smirk.
“She wouldn’t dare. Not after what you did for us.” The captain replied, crossing his arms.
“Captain, Kiana. Are you two done?” Mei and Bronya peeked from the door. “The snacks are done and waiting at the poolside, and we got a movie coming up. You’re gonna miss it if you don’t hurry.” Mei added.
“Coming!” Kiana says, before turning to the captain. “Do your best, and don’t disappoint me, yes?” She says, gently tapping his lip with a finger before turning away, her hair waving behind as the captain was left looking at her.
Kiana quickly snatched a talk about HOMU-fight with Bronya as the pair walked towards the pool, the captain following up behind them. Mei, watching the interaction, chuckled as she stood by the captain.
“She asked you too?”
“Yeah. She asked you first, she told me so.” He replied to her.
“Mhm.” Mei sighed. “I really wish I can say yes, but it’s not easy since right now, many finals are wrapping up before Christmas.”
The captain looked at her, gently patting her arm. “If you want to, I’ll say no and leave it for you?”
“No.” Mei looked up as Kiana walked away happily. “It’s her day. If you can make her happier, please do. Next time though, I’m joining.”
“You’re on.”
“You two! Come on, hurry up! Or I’ll pull you into the pool.” Kiana cheered at them from afar with a smile, Bronya rolling her eyes.
Mei nodded as she followed, the captain chuckling as he followed last, heading back to the pool venue as Kiana waited for them, smiling wide.
Yeah, perhaps he can let her be a bit selfish if it’s possible.