Chat Group : Another Fate From Honkai

"Kiana… what do you think of K423?"

While brewing tea with the leaves he had prepared earlier, Nagami glanced at the thoughtful True Kiana, who was pondering his sudden question.

"A long time ago, I truly hated K423," she said plainly, adjusting the black-rimmed glasses Nagami had thoughtfully found for her.

Her voice carried no emotion—no joy, no sadness—as if she were simply commenting on a stranger with no connection to herself.

"But at some point, that hatred faded. Now, K423 is nothing more than a pitiful test subject to me."

True Kiana gently pushed up the glasses on her nose, her clear, elegant face calm and untroubled.

"To me now... she's like a passerby on the street. Someone who just happens to walk by. That's all~"

Maybe, deep down, some faint trace of resentment still lingered, impossible to completely erase.

But overall, True Kiana felt nothing in particular toward the "pest" anymore—indifference.

Suddenly remembering that the person in front of her was Nagami, not that "pest," the girl's face softened slightly with a trace of embarrassment, a gentle smile curling at her lips.

Perhaps because she had spent so much time lost in books, her temperament had developed into something quiet and intellectual.

Unless something extreme disturbed her mind, True Kiana usually kept her spirit steady and collected.

When not facing Otto or the researchers—when she was alone—she showed this hidden side.

A refined, intelligent beauty that far exceeded Nagami's expectations.

Honestly, this literary, graceful version of True Kiana completely caught Nagami off guard... but in the best way possible.

A white-haired, book-loving beauty with a calm, thoughtful aura?

Dangerously charming. Almost unfair.

Of course, spending so much time alone in the lab, she'd naturally turn to books for comfort.

No one to talk to, nothing else to pass the time—reading was her escape.

Games, TV, novels, poetry, history, even something as dry as wine guides—she devoured them all.

It was only natural she'd develop this rich literary aura.

"By the way... do you know about Otto's Sirin Project?" Nagami asked, trying to suppress his excitement as he met her clear blue eyes.

True Kiana gently nodded, resting her delicate hands on her lap.

"Yes. Otto told me about it before sending me here."

"Oh? I see..."

Nagami squinted slightly, pushing down the slight chill the mention of Otto always gave him.

"And what do you think of the plan?"

"That... really has nothing to do with me, does it~?" She raised a finger to her lips playfully, smiling gently as if brushing the matter aside.

"I see..." Nagami understood immediately.

So she really does see the 'pest' as a complete stranger now.

Or so it seemed.

But Nagami, unusually sensitive to emotional shifts, could hear something forced in her light laugh.

There was hesitation behind her carefree words.

She hadn't truly let go.

What a headache...

Nagami absentmindedly twisted a lock of his hair, wondering how on earth he would introduce True Kiana to both K423 and Mei.

Having her use a fake name felt wrong.

After all... the name Kiana was originally hers.

It had been stolen—gifted to that clone by Siegfried.

Making True Kiana adopt a false name now would be deeply unfair.

Nagami could imagine True Kiana agreeing without complaint if he asked, sacrificing herself again just to avoid conflict.

But no. He couldn't let her do that.

Not after seeing the emotions flicker in her blue eyes.

His fingers tightened in frustration.

Wherever that idiot Siegfried was hiding, Nagami really wanted to drag him out and punch him in the face.

Seriously—what kind of moron gives away a name like it's candy?

What kind of brain-dead generosity was that?!

Wait.

A sudden thought sparked in Nagami's mind.

His gaze shifted subtly to C.C., sitting in the classroom, who seemed to glance instinctively at K423 as well.

A normal alias wouldn't do... But maybe this name would work perfectly.

Sooner or later, they would involve the Herrscher Squad to help with the Honkai Impact 2 world.

Revealing this much in advance would even serve as motivation for Kiana and Mei to grow stronger.

"Kiana... now's not the right time for K423 to learn the truth," Nagami said, trying to sound serious. "So... as a friend, I'd like to ask you to keep this quiet. For now."

"…I see. That's fine," True Kiana replied softly, brushing her pure white hair behind her ear, lowering her gaze.

Her delicate eyelashes cast shadows over eyes that shimmered with a touch of sadness, impossible to fully hide—even as she forced a calm smile.

Nagami noticed immediately.

Without rushing, he leaned in closer, looking directly into her deep blue eyes, as dark as the sea.

"Then... what do you think of the name Sirin?"

Her fingers froze.

She slowly raised her head, strands of hair slipping free as she stared at him in surprise.

The sadness in her eyes vanished completely, replaced by confusion—and curiosity.

A long silence.

Then... a quiet laugh.

A soft, silvery laugh, like wind chimes swaying in a breeze.

She lowered her head, her hair hiding her expression—but her shoulders trembled with barely-contained amusement.

Nagami couldn't see her face, but he knew:

She was laughing freely, unrestrained.

No bitterness. No sadness. Just genuine joy.

Her small, reserved giggle soon became bright, open laughter. Clear and delightful. She even wiped tears from her eyes.

"…Alright! No problem~"

Her reply was light and lively—Nagami could feel her excitement, and something else sparkling beneath the surface.

A quiet sense of mischief. Maybe even... revenge.

And strangely enough... happiness.

"Good. Then it's settled. Leave the rest to me," Nagami grinned.

"Of course~"

As Nagami turned to pour tea, True Kiana's smile deepened. An excitement long forgotten stirred in her heart.

Even if she told herself she no longer cared about K423... the truth was, she couldn't let it go completely. Knowing K423's existence wasn't her fault didn't ease the bitterness.

But now... thanks to Nagami's strange little idea, the old resentment had transformed into something far sweeter.

She remembered Otto's strange words when introducing Nagami and K423 to her...

A dark, delicious thought bloomed in "True Kiana"'s mind.

Not only could she take back the name Sirin—her rightful name...

She could also take the person she liked.

What better revenge against K423 could there possibly be?

'Kiana…' licked her lips unconsciously.