Raiden Mei let out a long sigh, pressing her tired fingers against her temples. After a while, she weakly asked,
"Kiana... are you genuinely trying to help me heal, or are you just having fun and teasing me?"
"Why can't it be both? Eh-heh!"
"...I've noticed that, in terms of twisted humor, you and Mr. Sigurd are quite alike."
"Ah! You just accused Sig of having a twisted sense of humor! I'll remember this, and I'll definitely tell him later!"
Kiana pointed at Raiden Mei, speaking with a righteous tone.
But Raiden Mei was already slowly raising her fist—she was ready to strike.
"Ki—a—na!"
"Eh-heh! Come and catch me, Mei! Bet you can't catch me, haha!"
"Stop running!"
"I'm not dumb! Why would I stay still and let you hit me? Besides, once this is over, knowing Mei's personality, she'll quickly forget about being mad! Nyeh~~"
The two began chasing each other near the entrance.
When Kiana decided to mess around, she could make anyone, no matter how patient, feel an itch to retaliate. Raiden Mei was no exception.
However, with Kiana now having a preliminary grasp of spatial powers, escaping from someone was easy. She was practically like the Monkey King—impossible to catch, even by a hair.
<+>
While Kiana and Mei were messing around, Ana, who was walking ahead, had already encountered a few kids staring up at her.
"Big sister, are you today's volunteer?"
"Uh… yes. I'm Ana. Ana Schariac. Nice to meet you all!"
"Nice to meet you, big sister! I'm Sora. Just call me that. I'm today's supervisor and manager. We have a lot to do, so be prepared!"
The little girl with short lavender hair and bright red eyes had a serene, gentle demeanor. However, as she smiled, she suddenly took out a device resembling an asthma inhaler, placed it to her mouth, and inhaled deeply a few times.
Seeing this, Ana's pupils contracted, and her hand trembled slightly when she noticed the glowing Honkai energy corruption marks under the girl's collar.
"You..."
"Don't worry about me, big sister. I'm just a bit special. I need to absorb mild Honkai energy and some unique medications to stay healthy… Oh, I guess I'm not that unique. Almost everyone here at this orphanage has their own issues. This is the only place where we can get the best care and not worry about being snatched away by bad people for experiments or something."
"Does it hurt?"
Ana crouched down and carefully held the little girl's small, soft hands, her expression filled with endless compassion.
She had encountered many children affected by Honkai energy before—true embodiments of despair, almost impossible to save. Countless ill-intentioned people sought to exploit their fragile lives. As a Valkyrie, Ana had felt powerless to help them every time, leaving only with heartache.
"If given the chance, I'll save these children at any cost." This was a promise Ana and her companions had once made.
Now, Ana was the only one left to uphold it.
Uncontrollably, pain flickered across her face.
Sora tilted her small head, blinking as if puzzled by Ana's reaction. Interpreting her expression as concern, the little girl smiled reassuringly and said,
"Don't worry, big sister. I'm fine! I haven't had any painful episodes in a long time. Everyone in Anti-Entropy is really, really nice, so everything's okay! Besides, Sigurd told me that my condition is only temporary. Once my stigmata fully awakens, I'll become a strong warrior for Anti-Entropy! Don't mind~~"
She gave a thumbs-up, her optimism shining through as she spoke cheerfully. Then, she grabbed her inhaler again and took two more deep breaths.
Ana gazed at Sora, suppressing her overwhelming confusion and sorrow, and instead offered a warm smile.
"Then tell me about today's tasks. Big sister is a Valkyrie, you know—I'm really strong and full of energy, so I can handle anything!"
"It's not that big of a deal. The robots help with most chores, and we manage the rest ourselves. Today, the main thing is heading out for a painting class. We just need an adult to watch over us, so we're counting on you!"
"No problem. Leave it to me— Oh, by the way, there are two more big sisters at the entrance. They're with me, and I'm sure they'll take great care of you too."
"Okay! I'll go check on everyone to see if we're ready. Once everything's set, we can head out."
Sora jogged over to her waiting companions, pausing mid-way to take another puff from her inhaler.
After a flurry of chattering discussions, a group of children, around forty to fifty little ones, gathered in front of Ana and the two others who had finished their playful antics.
"Big Sister Kiana, Big Sister Mei, Big Sister Ana, we're ready!"
Sora, carrying art supplies on her back and several inhalers attached to different parts of her body, stood in front of the three with a cheerful smile, raising her hand.
'So they know each other? It makes sense; after all, they live so close by, and both Kiana and Mei are good people, so they must often come to help.'
Ana thought to herself as she observed the scene.
Then, she saw Kiana crouch down and begin ruffling Sora's light purple hair with both hands, grinning widely with a pure and lively smile.
"Long time no see, little one! Did you miss me? Did you bring enough stuff?"
"Big Sister Kiana, stop it! My hair is going to get all messy!"
"Oh no! It's okay, even if you end up with a bird's nest on your head, Big Sister Kiana will still like you! So, did you bring enough medicine?"
"Mhm! I've got the full supply of inhalers, backup inhalers, backup for the backup inhalers, and extra backup inhalers—everything's good!"
Sora smiled shyly as she proudly counted all the inhalers attached to her body.
Kiana nodded in satisfaction.
But Ana hesitated.
"Um... is it really necessary to bring that many backups?"
"Of course it is!" x2
Kiana and Sora turned their heads simultaneously, looking at Ana with serious expressions.
Then, Kiana pressed her hand gently against Sora's little head and said,
"Sora, teach Big Sister Ana the wisdom of Big Brother Sigurd!"
"Mhm! Big Brother Sigurd always says, 'If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.' You must always be fully prepared, especially for important matters. Never be careless. So, having sufficient backups for essential items is the first quality of a mature and strong individual, and it must always be remembered. Big Sister Ana, did you get that?"
"Uh, I still think—"
"Big Sister Ana, Big Brother Sigurd's words are never wrong. Did you understand?"
"I—"
"Did you get it?"
"...Got it."
Under the girl's inexplicable persistence and forceful nature, Ana finally gave in and nodded weakly.
Then, Kiana and Sora clapped their hands together, both smiling brightly.
"Well done, Sora! Another follower of Sig's teachings added to the list—this is all your doing, Sora, so you get extra food tonight!"
"Yay! I want chicken legs!"
"No problem! And some little cakes as a bonus!"
"Oh!!"
Sora cheered excitedly.
Joining her in the cheer were the children behind her.
Seeing their joyful smiles, Ana gradually let a smile spread across her own face.
Volunteering at orphanages wasn't something Ana was doing for the first time.
However, she realized that this orphanage was unlike any other she had known.
Apart from Sora, who needed a special inhaler, there were many children here with signs of Honkai energy corrosion or even physical disabilities. As Sora had said, they were all special children.
Yet, these special children did not show any signs of gloom or sorrow. Instead, each of them was full of energy, brimming with vitality.
Ana glanced thoughtfully at the smiling Kiana and Mei, and then recalled the kind-hearted girls she had met in the inner city recently, as well as the Honkai leader, Walter, who was so universally liked even among those with the most challenging fates.
'Of course, they're all good people, so they wouldn't let the children's smiles fade.'
Ana unconsciously pressed her hand to her chest, remembering her teammates, many of whom also loved children and had backgrounds in orphanages. If they could see this scene, they would surely be very happy too!
For a moment, Ana's gaze dimmed, but then she quickly shook it off and regained her composure.
It was fine! Since they weren't here, she would carry on their efforts, working hard on their behalf. She would make sure these special children had a happy day!
'I will make sure of it!'
Ana reaffirmed in her heart, suddenly realizing how important this task was. It was no lighter than the tasks of fighting against the Honkai beasts.
With determination, Ana followed the children, who had already lined up by themselves, and with a smile, she led them out of the orphanage's gates.
<+>
Tn: If you want to see more chapter of this story, please go to my Patreon[1], just for $5 each month, you can read till the latest chapter.
Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 307: This Is a Coup[2]
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[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/95348?view=expanded
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-131269637
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/honkai-strijder-131269637
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