Chapter 9: Yae Miko's Smug
3rd POV
While our MC went to sleep, Fu Hua couldn't sleep again after that dream. She had stopped dreaming about her ex-comrade after the previous era got destroyed.
Since she couldn't sleep anymore, she had decided to pull out a box under her bed. The box is made of teak and has a Eustoma-shaped symbol inscribed on it. She specially ordered it for the object inside the box.
She relaxed herself. About 500 years have passed since she last opened this box, and she needed to see the object inside it after experiencing the dream. Fu Hua slowly opened the box and what greeted her was the sight of a pair of beautiful white pistols with purple lines on them. There are also small orange Eustoma patterns on it.
"It is nice to see you again after all these years, LLOYD," she touches the pistols gently. Its name is Sacrificed Eustoma, made from the core of the 13th of the 15 Herrschers from the Previous Era.
Yes, it was made with the core of 13th Herrscher, Herrscher of [redirected]. The 13th Herrscher appeared a week after the defeat of the 12th Herrscher, Herrscher of Corruption. But surprisingly, not many know about this Herrscher as there were no casualties when he appeared.
It was the fourteenth Flame Chaser LLOYD, codenamed 「Altruism」, who became a Herrscher. Only the remaining Flame Chasers and Dr. MEI knew of the 13th Herrscher.
"I dreamt about you today, LLOYD," she said to nobody while gently caressing the guns.
"It was the first dream after thousands of years. It was hard for me, you know? I even tried to delete our memories with Fenghuang Down. But I couldn't do it. Who will remember you if I did that?" She picks up the guns. "Of course, there are still others, but I haven't seen them for a long time," she continued.
"I miss you LLOYD. I really do. Sometimes, I have an urge to end myself and come to where you and Captain HIMEKO are, but I can't. I still have missions to do. So, please wait for me. You, Captain HIMEKO, and me, the three of us will finally be together after that. So, please wait for me, my dear friend. I will apologize to you as much as you like when that time comes," she gently put back the guns inside the box. She wiped the tears at the corner of her eyes and placed the box back where it belonged.
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Lloyd POV
It has been a week since I started studying at Senba Academy, and I'll be honest. I hate being here. Listening to something I've already learned, I am already feeling sleepy after the first 15 minutes.
I shouldn't have thought it was a great idea to attend the school like the kids around my age. Now, I have to deal with boredom as well as teenage dramas.
Yes, you heard that right, teenage dramas. Someone thought it was a great idea to put a love letter inside my shoebox, and now, I have to deal with others trying to do the same thing.
If I tell you the truth, being popular is… hard. I don't know how KEVIN dealt with all the fans and stalkers. Well, he only had MEI in his eyes. Should I do the same? Find someone to fall in love with? I'm not sure… Even if I got over HIMEKO, I don't think I'm ready to get into another relationship yet.
"Lloyd-san, please don't fall asleep," I felt someone nudging my arms.
Still closing my eyes, I replied, "It's so boring, Mei. My Father already taught me all the necessary materials, including the advanced subjects."
Yes, Raiden Mei is now my desk mate after the head teacher thought it was a great idea to let the honor student show some ropes to a new student.
"Even then, what you are doing is disrespectful to the teacher," the queen of thunder sternly reminded me.
"But —" I tried to argue, but…
"Lloyd, no," came Mei's reply.
"Argh, fine," I opened my eyes and moved my body a little. I kind of understand now why the head teacher made Mei my desk mate.
"Always the honor student, eh Mei?" I asked her with an apparent smirk on my face.
"I'm not an honor student, Lloyd," she replied.
"Yeah, right. That's what all honor students say," I shrugged.
"Lloyd-san, Raiden-san, can the two of you stop flirting? It is hard to teach when all the students are more interested in the two of you instead of the blackboard," the teacher said, almost crying.
"Ah…," the two of us, Mei and I, looked at each other. "We're sorry," and apologized to the teacher.
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The day went on as usual, and I sat alone on the roof, eating my lunch. Today as well, nothing noticeable would happen… or so I thought.
*Drip* *Drip* *Growl*
Someone is looking at me while her silva is falling from her mouth like a waterfall.
"I can share my lunch if you want?" I hand her the remaining half of my lunch.
"Really?!" The sound came later as the lunchbox in my hand was already gone before I heard her question. Such speed. Now, she has my attention.
"What is your name?" I asked.
Looking at me with her blue eyes, she quickly tried to swallow the food inside her mouth. "Yours first," she asked back.
"Sounds fair," I nodded. Asking for a girl's name without introducing myself first is kind of rude, and my Mother taught me better.
"I am Lloyd Mervyn from Second Year, Class A," I introduced myself.
"Kiana Kaslana, First Year," she replied.
A Kaslana? I cannot believe my luck. To think I would meet a Kaslana just after a week of studying at the school.
Wait… Kiana Kaslana… isn't she the one who wears a girl's pantie on her head? I think… I should stay away from this pervert. She is a pervert who smells the panties dropped from the zombies.
(Proof)
But even then, her existence confirmed that this world has Honkai, and someday, a Herrscher will be born in this city.
"Fuck," I muttered and put my hands on my face. This opened a whole new can of worms.
But, if she is a Kaslana just like my Mother, I am sure I can rely on her if a situation arises. After all, we must all abide by the Kaslana Oath, and I, too, am supposed to abide by the oath, but I am not just a Kaslana.
"Thank you," the whitehead gave me back my lunchbox.
"No problem," I replied and put away the lunchbox.
*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*
"Lunch break is over," I stood up and walked back to my class, leaving the girl on the rooftop. I didn't know how to deal with my possible relatives, so I ran away. Knowing that the girl is a pervert does not help.
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Time went on, and thank God, the final bell rang before I lost my mind. Just as I was about to get out of this accursed place, I saw Mei surrounded by our classmates, and I thought she was just being popular like usual until I saw her troubled face.
Me and my bleeding heart. Passing through the crowd of males and females, I arrived in front of Mei. "I am sorry, guys. Mei has an appointment with me this evening, so can you please let us go?"
There were a lot of "Kyaa!" and curses in the background, but I was able to successfully save Mei.
"Thank you, Lloyd-san, for saving me back then."
"No problem," I replied.
"That… your hand," she said, making me pause. Oh right, I am holding her hand right now. Well, that explains those "Kyaa!" and curses.
"Oh," I blinked. "Sorry." And let go of her hand. "You seem to be in a hurry today. Anything interesting happened?"
She immediately beamed at the question. "My Father is coming back today," she answered. But her mood soured a little. "Too bad, my car broke down earlier today," and sighed.
"I want to give you a ride, but… I am poor as hell," I shrugged. The latter part is true, though.
"It's okay, Lloyd-san. I appreciate the thought," Mei giggled.
We walked toward the school gate together while having small talk. It was so peaceful… just like my days with KEVIN, SU, and MEI. But… I know these days won't last. The day of the third eruption is near, but I don't know when.
Looking at the girl smiling beside me, I took a deep breath. The prelude of the third eruption will start when the smile on her face is gone. I don't want her to suffer, and yet, there's nothing I could do about it.
Other than the fact that she became an outcast at the school, I know little to nothing about why she became an outcast. But… I am sure I will stay with her even then. Because she is my friend, I will not abandon her.
"Lies! You killed your fiancé! You killed your subordinates! You killed those who trusted you with their lives! You are nothing but a murderer! You will sacrifice everything for your ideal!" Roared my dark thoughts.
A part of me wants to agree with it. Even now, I have some thoughts about killing Mei before a Honkai outbreak happened to save the people from the city.
But… I am done with doing for the greater good. I am done with sacrificing my life and those around me. I… don't want to become a monster again. Thinking nothing but for the greater good, I did many things I regretted. In the end, where did that lead me? Suicide.
Dying was never pleasant. Even —
"Lloyd-san?" Mei's voice woke me up from my internal thoughts.
"Ah, Mei? Did something happen?" I asked, masking my emotions.
"It's nothing. You suddenly went silent, and… the expression on your face looked scary," Mei answered. "Did I say something bad?"
"Ah, no. It was not your fault. I was just thinking of my late friend," I lied. But it was necessary. If I tell her I was thinking about my death, she'll send me to the mental hospital… or the therapist.
"Oh… I'm sorry," the girl apologized. She looked like she had done something terrible. I… didn't know she would feel that bad.
"Nah, it's not your fault, and it's just —" I paused. I do not like what I am seeing. "Shit," I cursed under my breath. In front of me is the sight of Yae looking at me with her signature smug on her face.
"What's wrong, Lloyd?" Mei asked as she noticed I paused my steps.
Looking at the girl, I somehow got an idea. If Yae is who I thought she was, the vixen will notice Mei, right? They do look the same, after all.
"Nothing, Mei. I think I might have an idea to give you a ride," I smirked. Let's see who can have the final smug in the end, you pink head vixen.
I walked toward the woman standing in front of her car. The smugness on her face tells me that she caught me off guard. And from the look of it, she hasn't seen the girl beside me… Nice. Good thing Mei is wearing a floppy hat, hiding most of her face.
"Nice day for fishing, ain't it?" I said as soon as I arrived in front of Yae. Too bad she doesn't reply and simply stares deadpan at me.
Her smile quickly returned as she hugged me and ruffled my hair. "I'm here to give you a ride to your work," she said.
"That's nice of you and all, but can you give my friend a ride too?" I pointed at the girl beside me. Only then did Yae notice Mei but the vixen still couldn't see her face.
"Ah, nice to meet you. I am Lloyd-san's friend, Raiden Mei," pulling down her hat, she introduced herself to Yae meekly.
The sight on Yae's face is a sight to behold. Shock, disbelief, relief, nostalgia, and other emotions appeared on her face. Of course, I didn't forget to take some photos of the blackmail materials.
A smug appeared on my face again as I had won this time. I don't know how or why a Genshin character appeared in Honkai. I did hear that the two worlds are from the same universe.
"Ah… it's my pleasure. My name is Yae Ei," the vixen had lost her composure and became a mess. But… Yae Ei? Is she for real?
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"Thank you for giving me a ride, Yae-san," Mei thanked the pink head. We are already on our way to Mei's house.
"No problem! You are Lloyd's friend after all," she got her usual composure back. Well, what can I say? She's Yae Miko after all.
I don't know why but I kind of want to sleep a little. Welp! With Yae here, I don't think I'll need to worry about my things getting stolen.
"Mei, Yae, I'll close my eyes for a while," and I fell asleep.
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Today, the manager told me to fill in as a waiter as the waitress had an urgent thing to do. She said she would pay for it, so I shouldn't say no to that.
No, I will not tell you how Yae got her revenge on me by making me fall asleep on Mei's lap. No, I won't. That coffee she gave me was drugged! She ended up sending me first before the two of them continued on their little road trip.
I heard the doorbell chime, and from the shadows, there were two ladies.
"Welcome home, mistresses. A table for two?" I asked with a curt bow.
"Oh, you are…." I heard a familiar voice.
Although I want to reply to them, I am currently at work, so, "Table for two, correct? This way, please," I led the two ladies to their destination. Those two were the girls I saw back then. Why are they here at the maid cafe? Wait… are they perhaps interested in that? Well… who am I to judge their preference?
"Please ring this bell if the orders are ready. Now, please excuse me," I gave them a bow and retraced my steps back to the kitchen.
After a while, the bell rang, and I walked back to the two ladies to take the orders. "Did you call me, mistress?" I asked. No matter what kind of bigshot I was, I am currently nothing but a simple butler. Truly… money makes the world go round.
"We will have this one called omurice and a pot of tea brewed by this gentleman, please," the short-haired one ordered. They want me to brew tea for them? Well, why not? I taught myself how to make my Father's favorite tea. I can just do that.
Good thing Father doesn't like to use an expensive brand, so I can find the usual type of tea leaves in this cafe. I can brew it to the finest quality as long as the tea leaves are the same as the one Father drinks.
"Thank you, mistress. I will be back with your orders in a while," I returned to the kitchen to place the orders. I then grabbed a teapot and tea leaves to brew the tea for them.
I pushed a trolley to their place. They requested it, so I should be brewing in front of them, right?
I place the teacups in front of them after brewing the tea. From the expression on their face, they thought I wouldn't be able to brew tea. Hah! Joke on you! I trained it so that I could brew tea for my family.
The two girls placed their cups near their lips and tasted a little. From the look on their face, I can expect they like it. "The same," I heard the long-haired one muttering. I guess she had tasted high-quality tea. Of course, it will be the same. Don't underestimate me.
They left after eating the omurice silently. But the girls did finish a whole pot of tea. They must have really liked it, huh? And I got their business card. Both have nothing except their name and phone number on it. But the cards look expensive. They must come from a wealthy family.
"Bianka Ataegina and Rita Rossweisse," I muttered while looking at the cards.
"Another one?" I heard the voice of the manager from behind.
"It's two this time," I smile slightly and show her two cards.
"Since you arrived, the number of female customers skyrocketed," she teased. I can't do anything but rub my head.
"Here is your pay for today," she handed me an envelope.
"Oh, thank you. But my shift is not over yet," I take the envelope.
"You must be tired because of the extra work. Go and take a rest early," she said.
"Seriously? Thanks a lot!" I can get home quickly and play some VN(s).
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5 minutes later,
Yeah, right. As if I would be that lucky. Standing in front of me was the long-haired girl from before… Bianka Ataegina, I think? Holding a… wait, is that the Abyss Flower in her hand?
Fuck.
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Author's Note;
Bianka and her hotheadedness. What can you expect from a young DuranDuck? This chapter takes place in July 2013, a year after Durandal VN.
Yes, she does not have her boing boing yet, and she is as flat as Suisei's. What I meant was she is not as experienced as when we first saw her in the game yet, and the girl is still controlled by her emotions.
And hey! Almost all the content in this chapter is new! Lloyd is trying to be Mei's friend and actually succeeds!
No, Yae Miko won't be the love interest. Not yet. I don't know if I want to make her Lloyd's love interest, though. Currently, she is Lloyd's pet/guardian.
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