MGSFV?! Chapter 432. Once More; Mei's Not Very Good
After Kiana and Mei reunited and resolved their emotional conflict,
it was foreseeable that the question of who tops who between Kiana and Mei would become part of the players' daily "discussions."
This might even split into various camps...
For example, the "confident pure-1s" and the "deluded fake-0s"...
When it comes to memes and antics, Honkai Impact 3rd players definitely hold their own.
Of course, their "debate" would probably stay at this level.
It wouldn't escalate further.
And if things got awkward, they could always convert to the Church of Love—wave the banner of universal love:
"I accept everything!"
As long as Kiana and Mei can do it, those minor details are irrelevant!
...
Back to the story.
After their intensely sweet exchange, Kiana and Mei stepped into the light together, leaving the mental world.
What does it feel like to fall out of a dream?
This time, the girl gained a new answer—
a sensation akin to nestling closely with someone dear, a warm, lingering touch.
The first sense to return was touch.
Waking from the mental space, the first thing Kiana felt was her and Mei's hands still clasped together.
Players: Huh?!
Just two short lines of narration instantly yanked their attention right back.
And to be fair, the following lines truly deserved all the praise.
Next came smell.
Amid the ultra-dry, artificial air on the moon's surface,
Mei's scent was especially distinct.
[The scent! I'm dead!!]
[I can smell Mei.]
["Mei's scent was especially distinct"]
[Should the Honkai Impact 3rd writer consider writing for an otome game?]
Hmm?
Maybe "Miss Lawyer" will appear someday soon? Who knows.
But that's a topic for later.
"Lastly... hearing."
As Elysia gently read aloud the next narration line—
In the game,
Kiana and Mei let out a synchronized exhale.
Kiana: "..."
Mei: "..."
Their breaths crossed in midair, intertwining with each other's scent.
A careful feeling.
Thus, those lingering emotions became even longer-lasting.
For a moment—silence.
And then, as if someone had flipped a special switch...
The girls suddenly burst into laughter.
"...Haha."
"That was a really strange experience.
Feels like we went through a really long time."
Scene shift.
Kiana and Mei had landed, standing on the lunar surface, looking into the blackness of space.
The once overwhelmingly deep sight didn't feel quite so cold anymore.
Not only because of their inner state—
but also the players', who had just been stuffed full of sugar.
[Go into detail about the hands, the scent, the...]
[Feels like the 12+ rating is holding the writer back. If only this were 16+!]
[Be bold! Just make it 18+ already!]
[Don't even dare imagine it...]
"It felt short to me...
After all, it only lasted as long as a dream,"
Mei softly replied.
——Just like all those similar dreams they had envisioned before.
"But... it wasn't a dream."
Kiana turned to Mei:
"At least—not this time. Starting now, it's no longer a dream."
"Yeah, we don't need those kinds of dreams anymore."
Mei nodded seriously:
"We have enough time to plan for the future."
[And then lived a shamelessly blissful life.]
[Feels like we've hit peak flag territory (cries)]
[But it's Mei saying it! I trust her—she'll make a bright future with Kiana!]
[Writer: No, they won't.]
[Kick out that "nonsense talker" from the room!]
"..."
"There'll definitely be enough time..."
She wanted to believe.
That they could create a story never before told.
Welcome a future they were never able to before.
Healthy, bright, and positive... that's what you said about Honkai Impact 3rd, didn't you?
...
Leaving aside the players' drifting thoughts—
Back in the story, Kiana picked up Mei's line and began dreaming about the future together.
"And after that... we'll enjoy life."
"It's all because Durandal's been watching me so closely lately.
It's been almost a month since I've had ice cream with everyone!"
Seeing Buggy's bright smile—
The mood quickly returned to normal.
Players also set aside their vague unease and sent cheerful comments:
[Eat! Eat well! And get white peach flavor!]
[Just keep the sweetness coming!]
Though...
From earlier bullet chats, it was clear they weren't totally unaware—
After all, this much sweetness in a row...
The last time the story was this sweet, this happy...
was during the Elysian Realm arc...
And we all know what came after that.
So based on their many years of Honkai experience... what are they looking at?
Nothing.
Just ship it.
Deal with consequences later.
Live in the moment.jpg
That was probably the mindset of some players right now.
Back to the plot—
Kiana brought up how Durandal had her stuck in intense training lately.
Well...
Compared to the stoic goose, Buggy really did slack a bit more.
But—
Durandal is the number one grind king of Honkai Impact 3rd!
Who could possibly match her in dedication?
Can't think of anyone...
"Pfft~"
Mei laughed and replied:
"If she pushed you this hard, then Durandal really must be something."
[Do y'all even understand the significance of being Honkai's #1 grind king??]
"But—just from your energy, it's clear you've fully recovered your strength."
"Of course~~"
Kiana put her hands on her hips:
"This is peak Kiana Kaslana form!"
"Look at me—I couldn't be better."
Nothing to fear now. Confirmed.
"What about you, Mei? How much do you feel you've recovered?"
"By my estimation, at least half my strength. But..."
Mei raised her hand, then silently lowered it.
Sure enough—Kagutsuchi didn't respond to her call like it normally would.
"Mm... as the one who entered the mental space, I didn't regain my full combat capability."
And as soon as Mei finished—
Outside the game, Elysia suddenly said:
"So if Mei enters Kiana one more time, wouldn't that restore her to 100%?"
"Elysia..."
Hokuto hesitated.
"Did I misunderstand something?"
Elysia asked innocently.
"..."
Seeing this, Hokuto gave up and bluntly said:
"No, I think you just wanted another round of sugar..."
"Ah—'Otto'-san, you caught me... ahem..."
Elysia coughed twice and changed the subject:
"If Mei can recover, and everyone's happy again... isn't that great? So why not?"
"...It would be nice."
"Right, right~" she answered brightly.
"But..." Hokuto added, "It's not that simple.
Just that one entry already took a heavy toll on Kiana and Mei.
They probably won't be able to do it again any time soon."
"Fine..."
Elysia was clearly disappointed.
She shifted her attention back to the game screen.
...
At that moment, Kiana, hearing that Mei hadn't fully recovered, mischievously said something provocative:
"Sigh~
So Mei's not very good, huh?"
Players: ???
Excuse me—did you just say that out loud?!
["Mei's not very good"]
[Spread the word: Buggy said Mei's not very good.]
[Buggy's getting cocky—wants to be the top now (not like that)]
[Whoa, what kinda scandalous line was that?!]
Mei froze.
Seeing she got a reaction, Kiana cheerfully continued:
"In that case, let Knight Kiana come protect Princess Mei!"
"..."
Mei snapped out of it, blinked at Kiana, thought for a moment—
And returned the favor:
"Makes sense.
Then how about we assign the front-line support work... to the Herrscher of Sentience?"
[Herrscher of Sentience: I didn't do anything to you people!!!]
[Little Shiki: You're ruthless.]
[Herrscher of Sentience: Not working OT on the moon too!!]
Kiana immediately pouted:
"Ugh... Mei, I was kidding!"
Tsk.
Still trying to tease Mei?
And yet, she's the one who's thoroughly whipped.
"Mei and I are the most in sync.
Even if she can't use her full strength, she's still my most irreplaceable, most reliable partner!"
"And earlier, fighting side by side with you...
I really was happy."
Mei smiled:
"Me too."
"Then next, like Dr. Mei said...
we'll go intercept the next Imaginary construct."
"...Speaking of which, where are they?"
Only now—
did the girls finally shift their attention away from each other and notice their surroundings.
[Keyword detected: finally!!]
[They've gone full ship mode.]
Every line of narration is sugary.
This much sweetness—
is this still Honkai Impact 3rd?
Even veteran players were beginning to doubt it.
So much sugar—it's overwhelming.
...
Perhaps worried that continuing at this pace would give players diabetes (foggy screen),
Kiana and Mei got back to business—
Looking for...
Possibly those deliberately absent characters, to help them stay immersed in the mental space—
or maybe just to avoid awkwardness.
Though...
If it's "just" entering a mental space, why would that be awkward?
Think about it. Think carefully.
"Maybe they've already headed out?
Anyway, let's check near the rendezvous point first."
Kiana had just finished speaking.
The in-game camera rose—
A small white dot entered the players' view—
It was Bronya, clearly far away and making an effort not to be a third wheel.
Duck is so considerate.
Noticing her, Kiana and Mei quickly went to where Bronya was.
Seeing the two glowing and clearly having had a very enjoyable time—
Bronya commented knowingly:
"Yo. Done already?"
Kiana cheerfully greeted:
"Mm, sorry to keep you waiting, Bronya."
"Compared to certain...
'delightful developments,'
Bronya's wait wasn't long at all."
As she spoke, her eyes scanned the two of them.
"Ha... haha."
Apparently more perceptive Mei gave an awkward chuckle.
Kiana, in contrast, didn't seem to catch Bronya's meaning.
[So weird~~ let me look again.]
"Kiana, how are you feeling?
Ready to face the Imaginary construct?"
Kiana put her hands on her hips and answered confidently:
"Of course!
I've never felt more fired up!"
["This lady"! I've waited nearly three years to hear this again!]
[As expected, with Mei back, Buggy's full of life again.]
But then, Kiana added:
"—Just kidding. I'm still missing something."
"...Missing something?" Bronya asked.
"Just Mei isn't enough~"
Kiana looked at Bronya seriously.
"We still need your intelligence and brilliance."
"Indeed.
If I may say so myself,
that happens to be Bronya's specialty."
Bronya smiled.
In fact—
that was another reason they chose Mei to help unlock Kiana's mental shackles.
As the Herrscher of Reason representing civilization,
her ability to replicate relies on her comprehension.
And for tactical support, even 10% of her power is more than enough.
Even—
If you recall her predecessor, Welt Yang,
his sync ratio with the core rarely exceeded 50% throughout his Herrscher career.
[Wait—are they praising our Anti-Entropy Leader, or...?
This feels... layered.]
[Welt: shaking and crying.
When will I get buffed? (dog head)]
Hmm...
Probably when several years pass in Honkai's timeline?
At that point, Welt might finally receive a "legendary" buff (serious).
Even if... it's on the other side.
[Actually, I'm more curious how high current-era Reason Mei's potential ceiling is.]
[Poor Joyce.]
As the original Herrscher of Reason, Joyce could instantly analyze and replicate nearly anything by simply touching it.
In every way, he was kind of a walking bug.
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