My story… it wasn't supposed to end like this. Was it, Father?
Everything had once felt so bright. A dependable father. Kind friends. A life filled with birdsong and sunshine.
Mei had imagined a future of quiet happiness—graduating, choosing a major she loved, maybe joining her father's company, or starting something of her own.
She'd meet someone gentle. Someone who'd hold her hand and walk beside her.
They'd marry. Build a life together.
But now?
Her father was gone. Her friends had vanished. Her world had rotted.
Why?
She hadn't done anything wrong. So why did she have to bear the weight of it all?
Raiden Mei didn't understand. She rejected this twisted world. She didn't care if someone hurt her. She didn't care if someone tried to save her.
Until—
"Hey! Don't pull me!"
Mei, lost in her thoughts, was suddenly tugged forward.
The Captain smiled at her, leading her through the street with a gentle grip.
Mei instinctively tried to pull away. She couldn't keep up. She didn't want to be touched.
But then—
A voice thundered in her mind.
"Don't… let go of her hand!!!"
It wasn't a whisper. It was a command. A plea. A truth.
Her heart, once chaotic, fell silent.
When she blinked again, she realized she was gripping the Captain's hand tightly.
The Captain didn't seem surprised. She simply smiled.
"See? I told you—you must be hungry. Otherwise, why wouldn't you even want to talk?"
Sirin, watching from inside Kiana's mind, blinked.
"Hungry? She looked like she was ready to jump off a cliff."
Kiana replied calmly.
"Mei's withdrawn right now. But the Captain held her hand. If it were me, she'd have let go immediately."
Sirin frowned. She was beginning to understand the Captain's effect on Valkyries.
But she also felt a growing sense of danger.
Kiana. Bronya. Mei. And more to come.
The Captain had a natural affinity for them. And they… were drawn to her.
Hmph. Mere Valkyries. What's the big deal?
She, Sirin, was the true Herrscher of the Void. The Captain would be her eternal servant. And she—his eternal queen.
…Wait.
Was I affected by the time rewind too?
Sirin stared at the Captain, her emotions swirling.
She remembered the memories she'd seen in Kiana's mind. The warmth. The longing.
But she shook it off.
It doesn't matter. The Captain will be mine.
Kiana, meanwhile, narrowed her eyes.
This reincarnation… feels harder than expected.
Before she could dwell on it, the Captain stopped in front of a familiar building.
Homu Restaurant.
She checked her wallet. Enough for a meal.
She led Kiana and Mei inside.
They found a seat. Ordered. And then the Captain turned to Mei.
"I saw you surrounded earlier. Your skills are good. Why didn't you just run?"
Mei's cheeks were still pink. She'd been wondering why she'd held a stranger's hand.
But the Captain's question caught her attention.
"How did you know my skills are good… Your Excellency?"
Silence fell.
The Captain and Kiana exchanged a glance, scrambling for an excuse.
But Mei's eyes dimmed.
"Right. For someone like me… it's hard not to be known."
She remembered the rumors. The whispers. The headlines.
Raiden Mei. The fallen heiress.
The Captain quickly stepped in.
"It's not like that. We just arrived in St. Freya City. We saw you being harassed and wanted to help."
Mei looked up slowly.
"Then… why did you help me?"
The Captain smiled.
"Why? Because someone needed help. And I hate bullies."
Mei stared at her.
Help. Without asking for anything. Without expecting anything.
She studied the two girls in front of her.
They weren't after her body. She had no money left to steal.
She had no value.
And yet… they helped.
Her guard lowered slightly.
And then, for some reason, she felt something else.
Looking at the Captain, Mei felt an inexplicable trust.
Even… an urge to overwhelm her.
What am I thinking?!
Her cheeks flushed.
The Captain and Kiana looked at her, puzzled.
Mei quickly changed the subject.
"Then… um… my name is Raiden Mei. Please take care of me!"
Kiana glanced up from her plate and nodded.
Sirin, watching through Kiana's eyes, squinted.
That gaze… I've seen it before.
Oh right. Kiana looks at the Captain like that every morning.
I thought Mei was a refined girl. Turns out she's just another pervert!
Three people now lusting after the Captain's body!
The Captain introduced herself and Kiana.
Mei watched them. Their harmony. Their warmth.
She felt… envy. And jealousy.
Especially when the Captain gently caressed Kiana's hand.
Mei swallowed.
Then she noticed her hand—extended toward the Captain.
She yanked it back, horrified.
What's wrong with me? Am I really that lonely?