Whenever Byakuya's fingertips grazed Bronya's scars, they vanished as if they had never existed.
In just a moment, the girl's once scarred body had became fair , as if a curse had been purified.
"Alright, that should do it."
Byakuya clapped his hands in satisfaction.
Not only were the surface injuries treated, but also the internal hidden ailments. Bronya's body had fully recovered. As for the remaining emotional wounds… he believed they would slowly heal in Hearth House.
Since he was already there, Byakuya simply went ahead and helped Bronya wash her hair. Her original spiral twin-tail hairstyle turned into natural curls when let down.
No high-end conditioner or shampoo could compare to the effectiveness of Death authority. Bronya's light gray curly hair, touched by Byakuya's hands, became sparkling and shiny as if dust had been washed away.
"Bronya can perform dust removal herself; there's no need to trouble you."
"Oh, what 'dust removal'? Bronya, you're a human, not some machine. Take good care of yourself. Too many scars aren't pretty for a girl; it'll be hard to get married later."
"Bronya doesn't understand, but… do I really not have to do missions anymore?"
"No, from now on, you won't be harmed, nor will you need to harm others. Bronya, congratulations, you have passed through the deepest hell and arrived in heaven."
"......"
Byakuya gently stroked the girl's hair.
Then he rinsed her whole body with hot water. After being drenched, Bronya shook her head like a small animal, flinging water droplets onto Byakuya.
Looking at her refreshed self in the mirror, the pain that she had come to accept as part of her life, had completely disappeared.
Bronya was somewhat dazed. She had never felt so light. The girl looked in Byakuya's direction, feeling she should say something, but struggled to organize her words, unsure how to begin.
Ultimately, this complex emotion transformed into the simplest two words.
"…Thank you."
"You're welcome. I said we are family," Byakuya said, shaking his head.
"Mm."
"But if possible, could you call me 'Papa'? Like the other children in Hearth House. I'd really like to hear Bronya call me that."
This was a small personal desire, perhaps. Byakuya looked expectantly at Bronya, who showed a conflicted expression. She didn't hesitate for too long; in her opinion, merely using a title as compensation for healing all her injuries seemed too little.
Was it too insignificant?
Should she pay a greater price?
Byakuya seemed to read Bronya's thoughts and gently stroked the girl's head, saying,
"For me, that's enough."
"…Bronya understands. In that case, thank you for saving Bronya, Papa Byakuya."
"Mmm~ That's a delightful address."
Byakuya felt his heart race with immense joy.
Finally getting Bronya to call him 'Daddy,' Byakuya was incredibly excited. He hugged Bronya tightly, nuzzling her cute cheek, and even wanted to go through the full routine of kissing, hugging, and lifting her high.
"Ooh-mm~"
Bronya also made a cute sound.
But she didn't resist; after being embraced by Byakuya, she also felt an indescribable sensation.
Her heart, which could remain calm even amidst a hail of bullets, was now beating a little fast.
Hugging is a very peculiar act.
It can provide warmth, reliance, and comfort to both parties, especially for the one being hugged, it can even be a harbor for the soul to rest.
Someone once said:
In this hopelessly cruel world, only when embraced by an important person can you truly confirm that you are still alive.
"Dry yourself and change into your clothes. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Yes, Bronya received."
She instinctively saluted, then realized she was no longer a child soldier.
Byakuya finally ruffled Bronya's head again.
Then he immediately left the bathroom and returned to his personal sanctuary, the kitchen, beginning a fervent exchange with the ingredients while humming an unknown tune.
Evidently, Byakuya was in an excellent mood.
Bronya,so cute ,he~he~
............
"Children, dinner's ready~"
"Yay~~!" xN
Upon seeing the table laden with lavish food, the children of Hearth Home's eyes lit up. They sincerely welcomed and thanked Bronya's arrival.
They thought the last time there was so much delicious food was when Seele joined Hearth Home.
"Gulp!"
Bronya also instinctively swallowed.
For her, even a can of low-quality corned beef was a rare delicacy, something she might only have once a year. Her usual food was either energy drinks or compressed rations.
And the sight of such rich, colorful, fragrant dishes was something Bronya couldn't have imagined, even if she had lit all of the Little Match Girl's matches.
"Alright, go wash your hands and start eating."
"Yes, Papa Byakuya!" xN
The girls immediately rushed to the restroom. Bronya, having already bathed, sat down directly. She hesitated, looking at the dishes before her, with too many options to know where to begin.
Byakuya gestured for her to choose freely.
Ultimately, Bronya chose the borscht. A spoonful of white sour cream topped the bright red soup, its rich aroma whetting her appetite.
"Good, delicious, this is so tasty."
Bronya used 'delicious' to describe food for the first time, because the taste of this first spoonful of soup surpassed any food she had eaten until now.
Her body moved instinctively. Bronya eagerly cupped the borscht with both hands and drank it down quickly. Soon, an entire bowl of borscht was finished.
Bronya touched her lips, the lingering taste of the delicious food still present, and a warm feeling spread in her stomach. Her eyes involuntarily narrowed, and her tense nerves relaxed.
At the same time, she felt a desire beyond simply wanting to live for the first time; she wanted to… eat more of such delicious food.
"Awoo, ah, glug glug~!"
"You seem to really like it. Eat as much as you want; there's plenty more in the pot if it's not enough."
"Mm, Bronya has never eaten such delicious food before. It's really, really good! Sob…"
Suddenly, Bronya noticed a warm current overflowing from her eyes. She put down her spoon in surprise and touched her cheek.
These were her tears.
"Bronya thought her tears had long since dried up."
"Not those; these are tears of happiness."
Byakuya pushed his own bowl of borscht towards Bronya and raised his hand to wipe away the tears from her eyes.
"Bronya was only half right. You did indeed shed all your tears, but only the tears of sadness. So… from now on, all of Bronya's tears will be tears of happiness."
"Tears of happiness?"
"Yes, just like now."
"…Is that so? That's really good."
Bronya lowered her head to look at the glistening tears in her hand, at the delicious food before her, and… at Papa Byakuya, who treated her so gently.
For the first time, a smile bloomed on her face.
Byakuya was momentarily stunned, almost mistaking her for an angel descending to earth.
(Improving my cooking skills was indeed the right choice.)
He looked down at his hands.
Recently, Byakuya had grown increasingly fond of cooking.
Although it wasn't visible because he had healed them with Death authority, he had, for a time, cut his fingers badly while researching cooking, sustaining more injuries than he did fighting Honkai Beasts.
But Byakuya didn't mind at all, because he had realized a true adage.
(In this world, the only one who wields a blade yet can still bring happiness to others is a chef.)