Note: Here's my +1
Chapter 52: A Terrified Kiana
On the screen, Aponia slowly walked over and said, "My name is Aponia. I am a humble Flame-Chaser. In this land, where the world is left behind, everyone is troubled by the inner demons of their past. My duty is to guide the lost lambs of this paradise toward the right path."
"Hmph, you ask for a reward? As long as I can see everyone's happy smiles, I am content." The camera zoomed in on Aponia's eyes, where the word "contentment" was written large.
The scene shifted, and Aponia served a cup of coffee, placing it on the table. With a light chuckle, she remarked, "Which lost lamb will come to visit me today?"
Immediately, Raiden Mei appeared on screen, slowly sipping the coffee Aponia had just served.
"Gentle and all-knowing Flame-Chaser, please listen to my confession." Raiden Mei clasped her hands together, looking apologetic.
"I am listening, Miss Mei. Please, speak of your confusion and sins." Looking at the Raiden Mei before her, Aponia replied with a full, warm smile.
However, the scene cut again, and Aponia continued, "But if you are asking why my presence feels as insignificant as a background character, I am afraid I cannot answer that."
Upon hearing Aponia's words, Raiden Mei hurriedly shook her head, saying anxiously, "No, no, it's about my friend."
...
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: Hehehehe, Mei's friend? Isn't that me? ]
[ Genshin Impact - Raiden Ei: I have to say, if Miss Raiden Mei were in my world, I would truly think she was my sister whom I had never met. ]
[ Genshin Impact - Raiden Shogun: Sister, sister, I am the one who is your sister. ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Guinaifen: To use a phrase Master Xuanyong taught me, isn't this what you call a 'sister complex'? ]
...
Returning to the video, Raiden Mei slowly closed her eyes and said worriedly, "Because of a small matter, I got into a hair-pulling fight with her, and then we went our separate ways."
The camera focused on Raiden Mei's face, where crystal-clear tears welled in the corners of her eyes. She said sorrowfully, "Now I want to reconcile with her. What should I do?"
After listening to Raiden Mei's account, Aponia nodded with a smile and said, "I see. So, the lamb who can cast lightning is troubled by love?"
"What… what love?" Hearing Aponia's words, two blushes instantly rose on Raiden Mei's face, and she said bashfully.
But the next second, Aponia leaned in, pinched Raiden Mei's chin with one hand, and said with a wicked smirk, "There is no need for such distress. When introducing true love to others, one should be more joyous."
"Even if you say that…" Raiden Mei's eyes darted away, her voice incredibly soft; had Aponia not been a Flame-Chaser, she likely wouldn't have heard her.
"Miss Mei, please believe in the bond you share." Aponia drew Raiden Mei's gaze back to her own, continuing with a serious expression, "Recall, how did you become friends?"
The scene shifted to a rooftop, where Kiana was holding Raiden Mei's hand.
...
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: Wait, what does that mean? What do you mean 'a hair-pulling fight'?" ]
Although Kiana was usually a bit of a ditz, when it came to Mei, she keenly sensed that something was wrong.
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Aha: Oh, Miss Kiana, did you not understand? It is clearly because Miss Raiden Mei doesn't like you anymore. She fell for Miss Elysia at that time, so she fought you, dumped you, and now wants to find you again. ]
At St. Freya Academy, Kiana, seeing Aha's comment, couldn't help but hug Raiden Mei, tears in her eyes as she said, "Mei, are you leaving me?"
"That's not it!" Raiden Mei first comforted Kiana's emotions, then went online.
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Raiden Mei: Aeon of Elation, please do not make such jokes. ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Aha: Aha has no face, Aha has no face. ]
...
The camera returned to Aponia's face, but her expression was now extremely strange. She said, enunciating every word, "As the saying goes, 'those who don't fight, don't get to know each other.'"
"Ah, is… is that so? In other words…" Hearing Aponia's words and looking into her eyes, Raiden Mei's eyes gradually turned into whirlpools.
"Yes, painful and overflowing with love; this is 'affectionate punishment'." Aponia stared straight into Raiden Mei's eyes.
In the frame, a butterfly slowly flew onto a flower and came to a rest.
"Come, now convey the love you have accumulated for so long to the one you cherish most!" Aponia held Raiden Mei's face in her hands, her tone full of bewitchment.
"O… okay!" Under Aponia's influence, Raiden Mei's eyes had turned into the shape of hearts. Her heart was thumping, and one hand pressed against her chest.
Looking at Raiden Mei, Aponia curled her lips into a smile and raised a hand, tapping Raiden Mei on the forehead.
A black vortex instantly engulfed Raiden Mei, and a strange blue light began to emanate from her body.
Subsequently, Raiden Mei transformed into a beam of light and descended into the Hyperion dormitory.
Kiana was lying on her bed, reading a manga, humming a tune, and swinging her legs, thoroughly engrossed.
But just then, the door was suddenly knocked, which immediately grabbed Kiana's attention. She had no choice but to get out of bed and walk to the door.
"Coming! Who could it be this late?" Kiana opened the door and looked outside with a smile.
"Ki～a～na～" At this moment, Raiden Mei was cupping her face with both hands, looking like a Yandere. Most crucially, a flash of lightning illuminated her face, giving her an eerie, bone-chilling appearance.
"Aaaaaahhhhh～" Seeing this situation, Kiana was instantly terrified. She began to scream wildly, then immediately turned around and slammed the door shut.
"W-w-what's going on? Mei… Mei is standing at my room door with a kitchen knife?" Kiana looked timid, tears ready to fall from the corners of her eyes. She trembled, hiding in the corner while watching the door, her voice filled with fear.
Just then, a large blade slashed directly through the door.
"Aaaaaahhhhh～" This only made the terrified Kiana even more fearful.
"Kiana, I'm here!" The next second, Raiden Mei kicked the door open and walked in slowly.
"Aaaaaahhhhh～" Seeing the door kicked open, Kiana collapsed onto the floor.
"I have gradually understood everything. Come, let us cherish each other!" Raiden Mei held a knife in her hand, her eyes glowing as she slowly turned her head toward Kiana.
After speaking, Raiden Mei lunged at Kiana with the knife and swung it down.
...