July 26, 2011
The Captain and Kiana officially left Siberia.
They took one last glance at the snowfield—scarred by war, ravaged by Honkai, and now eerily silent. No words were exchanged. Just a look. And then they turned away, stepping into a journey destined to stretch across years.
This time, the Captain wasn't alone. And neither was Kiana.
"Kiana, are you feeling better now?"
The Captain's voice was gentle, concerned. She walked behind Kiana, her backpack heavy with supplies, her gaze lingering on the girl's back.
Even before they left Siberia, she'd noticed Kiana's emotional instability—especially after Bronya's arrival. It was subtle at first, but then it became volatile. Unpredictable.
The Captain couldn't help but wonder: was the Herrscher of the Void stirring again?
Kiana, walking ahead, knew exactly why the Captain was asking. Her emotions had been a mess lately.
Time reversal had played a part, sure. But the real reason?
Every time she saw the Captain and Bronya getting along, something inside her flared. A fire. A childish jealousy. A desperate need to be seen.
She hated it. She knew she shouldn't feel that way. But she couldn't help it.
The Captain's presence unraveled her composure—made her forget the maturity she'd earned in the last cycle.
She turned to glance at the Captain.
Still smiling. Still gentle.
Gentleness. That word again. So overused. So deceptively powerful.
But this time, Kiana didn't smile back.
She turned away, unable to meet those eyes.
She was scared. And she didn't know why.
"What are you afraid of?"
Kiana blinked.
She looked around. No one else was nearby. Just her and the Captain.
But that voice… it was familiar.
She slowed her pace, sidled up to the Captain, and—after a brief performance of wide eyes and innocent charm—earned her way back into the Captain's warm embrace.
Nestled there, she whispered into her mind:
"Sirin?"
"It's me. Surprised? I thought you'd be used to me by now."
"It really is you… Wait, how did you know I restarted the Reincarnation?"
Sirin scoffed.
"Hmph. You and I are two sides of the same soul. You didn't even try to hide your memories. Of course I saw everything."
"What?! That's a violation of privacy!"
"Privacy? Between us? Please. You declared the Captain your wife without shame. Don't get shy now."
Kiana flushed. Her murderous intent flared.
"I… I had a reason! And the Captain didn't object!"
"Not objecting isn't the same as agreeing."
"Ugh… Forget that. Those negative emotions I had—was that you?"
Sirin stretched lazily in their shared consciousness.
"Bingo. Your memories from the last cycle annoyed me. So I dumped all the bad vibes on you. You're welcome."
Kiana's jaw clenched.
Before she could explode, Sirin added:
"I know you're mad. But calm down. I'm no match for you now. Still… you wouldn't want the Captain to worry, would you?"
Kiana narrowed her eyes.
Sirin was right. She couldn't afford a consciousness duel—not if it risked the Captain discovering the truth about the time rewind.
She'd done all this to bring the Captain home. To make her hers.
Sacrificing that for a petty spat with Sirin?
Not worth it. Her wife was more important.
"You're shameless. One cycle and your skin's thicker than Otto's."
"Then tell me—what did caring about my reputation get me last time?"
"…The Captain was chased away."
"Exactly. So, back to your question: what am I afraid of?"
"You've embraced Finality. What could you possibly fear?"
"That the Captain won't be my wife."
"…That's it?"
"That's it."
Sirin was speechless.
Kiana had rewound the entire world—for love.
Through Kiana's eyes, Sirin stared at the Captain's profile, watching her walk ahead.
"She's really that good?"
Before she could stare longer, Kiana severed the connection.
"What are you doing?!"
"My wife is not for you to look at."
"You—hmph! Fine! I won't look!"
"Even if you don't care, I still won't let you."
"I said I won't look!"
Sirin vanished in a huff.
Kiana blinked, then chuckled.
So this is why Bronya likes annoying me. It's kind of fun.