Chapter 2
Kiana’s POV
“Senti, what’s up?” I asked her while opening the door slightly. Trying as best as I can to smile.
“ahem… So, I’ve been summoned here by Durandal. She wants to discuss something important. Is she home yet?” she asked me with her signature grin plastered on her face.
Even though I met and talked to Senti like 4 or 5 times after I returned from the moon. I can tell she usually has hidden motives each time she visits our home. I know it’s not something bad, but she came here randomly and last time was around 2 a.m because Fu Hua locked her out from their home.
“not yet, Overseer called her and she hadn’t came back after that. She said she will be coming home late” I shrugged and replied casually. I assumed my sister will have a discussion regarding to the missing person cases. The problem has been going on for 10 days, yet they still hadn’t any clues.
“I see, I’ll let my self in and wait Durandal inside…. Hmm I smell something delicious, have you ate dinner?” I held the door open for Senti then she walked passed me. I followed behind her to the living room.
“I was about to but then I heard someone knocked at my front door, and turned out it was you” I scratched my hair while letting weak laugh.
“ahaha yeah, I know right, I like surprise too” Senti said as she plopped down on sofa then her head turned towards kitchen direction to see Mei walking towards us.
“oho, hello miss Raiden, it’s been a while”
“how are you Senti?” replied Mei looking at her.
“I’m happy and healthy as you can see, Just quite busy lately” replied Senti casually while she looking for tv remotes.
“we are about to eat dinner, you may join us if you want” I asked her to join us for dinner, despite me being a little annoyed because she interrupted my moment earlier.
“sure” she replied.
We ate dinner while chatting about our day and mission. Senti is a special agent of Schicksal. She told us that she is quite busy lately because Overseer appointed her directly to investigate a missing person cases for the past few days. She called it a “secret mission”, because only few peoples who know this case. Schickal doesn’t want to make public become panic, so they try to solve this case secretly as fast as possible.
“I kinda feel a little bad for Old Timer. I didn’t help her with Dojo or running daily chores at home lately. I came home just for sleep, eat then going on mission again” said Senti while munching on her fried chicken.
“how is Fu Hua doing lately with Dojo?” Mei asked while slowly eating her dinner. Somehow I felt like Mei avoid looking at me right now.
“Dojo is running great, we’re currently accepting new students. We even plan to open new school near Mt.Taixuan. Old timer said she will create that school based on the previous disciples she invented back then. Well you know 8 years is enough time to adapt with new life without Honkai. Though I wonder what Kiana doing all of those years on the moon” said Senti pointing the fork at me.
“you really wanna know now?” I rolled my eyes with her sudden enthusiasm, not like the other day when I told her and Fu Hua about my experiences on the moon.
“haha not really”
We kept on chatting until time showing at 10 p.m. My sister still isn’t back yet.
“Mei, don’t worry I will wash the dishes. You were the one who cooking for us afterall so let me do the cleaning job” I said to Mei then she glanced at the clock. I couldn’t tell what’s on her mind right now but I saw she sighed then rose up from the chair.
“it’s fine, let me help you clean these Kiana, you must be tired after training all day too right” Mei is still being Mei after all of these times. After we’re done with cleaning the dishes. Mei excused herself to go home first, then Senti following her shortly. I stored dinner leftover to fridge for my sister in case she will come home late to cook for herself. I went to my room and prepared for bed.
“now things became awkward between me and Mei after my attempt to kiss her. Sigh” I rested my head on my pillow while kept thinking what’s best steps to approach Mei. If I asked my younger self, then the answer would be quite easily. Just hug her than said you love her, but now things are totally different. We are adult now and there is this “tension” every time we get close to each other. My mind now is tired to keep thinking even further. I’m just hoping that everything between me and Mei will get better.
Next day.
I found my sister eating her cereal on the kitchen counter. I didn’t expect seeing her in the morning with her already wearing works attire. My sister works at Schicksal as special agent. Same like Senti. Schicksal special agents works individually, unlike Mei.
“do you eat dinner where I left on the fridge last night?” I asked her while joined her with a mug of warm milk on my hand. I learned that my sister is an early riser. She usually goes out for jogging then come back to make us breakfast. Her cooking skills improved a lot thanks to Rita, but of course Mei’s cooking still the best.
About Stan, she asked Rita to take care of him at the moment after she found out me and him didn’t get along at home. That cat kept hissing at me every time I want to talk to my sister. So when my sister not around, I used food bait to get him inside a carton box to trap him, what a clingy and gluttonous cat. I placed the box near the trash bin and closed the cover but left small hole for him to breathe. Later at night, my sister heard constant meowing from outside, she found Stan inside the box then scolded me for being so mean to him. I mean I was about to release him in the morning anyway, I just want to give him some lesson.
“no, I straight away went to bed after I reached home last night. It was around 3 a.m. You cooked it?” asked my sister.
“Mei did. She was here last night then not long Senti came looking out for you. She said you want to meet her”
“Yeah, I will see her later in the office. Kiana, how about we skip training for today? Think of it as an off day so you can rest or even explore the city. I have to see Overseer again. Is that okay?” she said with an apologetic smile.
“it’s okay. I know you’re busy helping with the latest case. They won’t ask your assistant unless it’s super important mission. Plus Mei said she is free today, I can ask her to come over” I gave a reassuring smile at her knowing my sister will worry about me getting bored without her at home.
“if that so then I will cook dinner for us tonight. How about it?”
“alright”
With that we’re both eat breakfast together. After my sister went off, I plan to spend my day just to walk around exploring the city. It’s my first day off without training after I came back from the moon. Back to few days ago, Professors told me to spend 3 months at home before I start another examination for their next project. No one knows about this plan yet. I just came back from 8 years living on the moon. I don’t want everyone to be sad knowing I have to go again, especially Mei.
So for today, my first destination would be a new café I saw the other day when I returned from training. I knew Mei is free today but after my attempt of kissing her yesterday failed, it made atmosphere between us became quite awkward. I decided not to bother her and going alone.
After walking for like 15 minutes, I saw the café with a huge banner above it “grand new opening. Discount 50% for all deserts”. I made my way inside the café and it’s quite busy at the moment. Guessing it’s because their half discount banner so more people came to try it. I kept looking for an empty table then found one near the front window.
A waitress came to my table shortly then she showed me all the menus. Since I just ate breakfast, I would prefer to eat only deserts so I ordered red velvet cake, pumpkin pudding and orange juice. The waitress took my order then went to the counter.
While waiting, I spent good minutes to observe new buzzling city with everyone busy doing their dailies. A new sight after great eruption 8 years ago. I haven’t seen this view for a long time, people doing their life peacefully without worrying about sudden appearance of Honkai monster. I didn’t need to wait long until my order came. While the waitress placing deserts on the table, I saw 2 guys wearing unusual mask, talking to a girl then not long after that they picked the girl to get inside their car. The whole evidence took few minutes until they drove their car away. In my head, I’m wondering if the girl knew those 2 guys, or perhaps they are her relatives since she didn’t put any fight.
I brushed my negative thought then started to eat.
“it’s super delicious” I praised internally for the deserts I just ate. Another thing I missed from earth other than Mei’s cooking. I looked outside then noticed the sky now turned dark. I went to the counter then paid 50% for discounted desserts. I stepped out from the café and decided to go home right away.
“alright, since Bronya is super busy nowadays and I don’t want to bother her. I guess I will try other game in her game list once I get back”
Called it a fate. I bumped into Mei on my way home. Turned out she was from a market buying stuff for herself.
“Mei, I just tried desserts from the café I showed you the other day. It serves delicious deserts, plus they give nice discount for this week only. I will take you there tomorrow if you’re free”
“sure” Mei chuckled.
We walked side by side while chatting then rain suddenly pouring heavily on us. We both ran to nearby empty building to take shelter. Now our clothes were wet. I turned my head to Mei’s direction after I hear her sneeze then my face suddenly heated up.
I saw her wet clothes stick to her body and it showed her curved perfectly from top to bottom. With that view, part below my stomach reacted inside and I turned my gaze away from her to avoid more erection.
“I think we’re both will be stuck here for a while. The rain doesn’t show any sign to stop at anytime soon” she sat at nearby concrete stairs while busying herself squeezes out water from her wet clothes.
“Kiana?”
“yeah?” I replied her while looking away. She clearly has no idea with my current state at the moment.
“Are you okay?” She asked me. I felt bad for thinking lewd things about Mei while she is worrying me like that. So I made my way to Mei then I sat beside her. I created small fire from my palm.
“here, this can help drying our clothes quicker plus warm us up”
She scooted closer to me. Our shoulders touched from our wet fabrics. I immediately froze when she made herself relax while laying her head on my shoulder.
“Thank you, Kiana”
“Anything for you, Mei” those words came from my mouth naturally. I saw she shocked a little bit after hearing me said those words.
I felt one of her hand touched my cheek as she turned my head to look at her face. The more I look at her, the more I realize that she is the most beautiful girl on earth. Her silky indigo hair match perfectly with her mature face. Her plum pink lips so tempting to touch and kiss, made me blushed every time my eyes unconsciously landed on them.
Those thought gone after I felt her face so close to mine. Now even more closer so I hold my breath anticipating for whatever happens. I felt her lips landing slowly on my lips. She gripped my face tightly with her hand. The kiss lasted for few seconds before she pulled away.
We’re both looking at each other eyes, our cheeks red, feeling this new experience washed over my body. Mei then nuzzled her face against the crook of my neck while I warped my other arms on her waist. We were in those position until the rain stopped.
Meanwhile in Schicksal HQ
No body’s POV
Theresa read the report from Nagamitsu while gritting her teeth. That report said several victims have been found. Their bodies were placed on Schicksal underground laboratory for further investigation. Photos showed black bruises all over their bodies with cuts all over. Looking at the cuts, It was done neatly and only appear in the certain spots. Like the culprit cutting it on purpose. Most victims left with losses of blood. Then from further forensic investigation. Surprisingly, all of their vital objects inside were good.
Then Senti told her that everything they found, there is no single clue for whoever did those. It was done by professional, like they know what to do. Even police already gave up with this case, and leave everything for Schicksal to handle.
With their progress still going nowhere. Theresa asked Durandal and Senti to check out the place where Police found the last victim. Probably if the culprit starts their action near that place or find another evidence in case they missing it.
Durandal excused herself outside from the meeting room. She took her phone out then dialed someone.
“Beep…Beep..”
“Hello” the other said replied with her cheering voice.
“Kiana?”
“Is everything good sis?” hearing worried tone from her sis, made Kiana wonder if anything just happened.
“I probably will go to southern part of the city tonight. Auntie asked me and Senti to check that place, in case we probably will find more clues from there. And,..” Kiana heard hesitation from her sis then she spoked up.
“don’t worry about dinner sis, I still have leftover last night”
“I’m sorry Kiana, I will make it up to you once I get back”
“sure you have to, you can treat me with foods from the café I visited today. It serves delicious desserts”
“I will” Durandal chuckled.
After Durandal hanged up the phone, she went to Theresa to check for more details with the location and which specific places they should go. Senti also informed Fu Hua that she will be away for mission.
Few hours later, they both arrived in the southern part of the city. It’s specifically for industrial area only. It was midnight, they decided to start checking near the dock first. They placed their car in the hidden spot, quite far away from their main destination. Once they made sure everything in check, they started walking.
Cold night air hit them along with quietness around the area. They hadn’t saw any other people since they got out from the car so they just kept walking. After like 30 minutes of walking and observing the area, they found nothing suspicious.
“there is nothing here”
“let’s wait and keep searching for another hour. if we found nothing from this area, we can move to the next area tomorrow” said Durandal.
Another few minutes of walking, Durandal saw black silhouette turned around the corner. Thought it was odd, Durandal told Senti to keep searching while She went to the shadow direction. It’s the opposite direction from Senti’s.
Durandal followed where the shadow just left, after few corners, she finally arrived on an large warehouse. She saw the shadow went straight into the warehouse but she couldn’t find any opening how to get inside. Since it is someone’s property, she didn’t want to ruin it so she looked for another way in. Shortly she found a closed folding metal gate not to far away from the spot where the shadow disappeared. She broke the padlock and removed the chains around it, next she lift the gate up quietly.
After she successfully got inside, she examined the area while anticipating for the shadow to appear. Nothing could be found except some empty containers with wooden boxes scattered all over the area. Thought it was just another ordinary warehouse, Durandal decided to leave the area.
When she was about to reach the gate, an unknown man voices suddenly echoing inside the warehouse.
“how unworthy of people who get rid such of great power. You can use it to conquer the world. No, not the world, but universe instead. Yet they choosed to get rid of it”
“who is her name again? Kiana Kaslana. She didn’t have right to do that, it was ours”
Durandal gritted her teeth for whoever the one behind the voices. Clearly this mad man knew nothing about her sister or honkai. Her blood boiling inside hearing such a statement. They didn’t know the pain and sacrifices her sister had to endure to get such a accusation.
“who are you? Don’t be a coward and step out from the dark” Durandal replied the voice and tried kept herself calm. She could destroyed this place easily and caught him right away but she decided not to. She still didn’t know if the voice who talked to her is the same culprit of missing person cases or he was just random person who originally intend to make a mess with her.
“you don’t need to know me now, not yet. Not until we achieve our goal then we can meet and discuss this thing further” replied the voices.
“what thing?” Durandal raised her voice a bit, clearly this man was playing with her right now.
“I shall take my leave, but don’t worry I left small gift for you hahaha” said the voices then Durandal suddenly smell of burning gunpowder. She made her way out of the warehouse quickly before the warehouse exploded. She could saw the building was burning with thick smoke above it. Minutes later she heard someone shouting her and turned out it was Senti. Senti right away went to Durandal directions after she heard the explosion.
“Durandal, what the hell is happening here?” asked Senti surprised seeing large warehouse burning in front of her partner, though her appearance still gave away whatever expression
“We should go back to HQ asap”
To be continue.