"So… there really is another Kiana."
Everyone gathered around Kiana's hospital bed, their expressions grave as they looked at the drawing of the 'Kiana' Bronya had made—a girl who looked more mature than the one on the bed, with a face full of shock.
"How is this possible?"
They were all stunned.
Knock, knock, knock. "This is Fu Hua, representing the whole class to visit Kiana. Is anyone inside?"
The hospital room door was knocked. Mei immediately walked over and opened it.
"Hello, Mei. I brought some fruit. Is Kiana awake yet?"
"Not yet."
Raiden Mei shook her head, her expression somewhat downcast.
"I see. How is her condition?"
"She's just unconscious. There are no physical injuries." Raiden Mei explained softly, stepping aside to let Fu Hua in. Meanwhile, Theresa and Himeko exchanged a glance, saying nothing.
"You came at just the right time, Fu Hua. We've encountered something strange. We're not sure if you might have any insight."
They then proceeded to tell her their discovery.
Fu Hua also feigned a shocked and bewildered expression, which left Theresa and the others somewhat disappointed.
Fu Hua now knew that among the at least 26 people who had come to their world, only one could appear at a time. And aside from the other her, none of the others were aware of each other's existence.
And the other her was currently outside.
Hmm?
Her presence… disappeared?
"If there is another Kiana, why doesn't she want to see us?" Raiden Mei was confused and troubled.
"And why would she do this to Kiana? Weren't they getting along before?"
"Mei, perhaps she doesn't bear Kiana any ill will." Himeko stared at the drawing, at the 'Kiana's' face full of shock—as if she hadn't reacted to what happened either—and frowned deeply.
"Bronya agrees."
Bronya said quietly, "Bronya did not sense any malice from her. Moreover, when Bronya saw her, Bronya could tell she was very strong. But Bronya did not have enough time to assess. She only existed for an instant."
"Argh! This is giving me a headache!" Theresa couldn't help but clutch her head and yell. Looking at Kiana's pale face on the bed, she put her hands on her hips and turned angrily, shouting to the surroundings:
"Hey! Kiana! Other Kiana! Come out right now! Otherwise, if I catch you later, I won't be polite!"
The others also held their breath, watching the surroundings nervously.
Xia Qi was currently standing right beside Theresa, her expression complex.
Even Fu Hua hadn't detected her.
She didn't plan to reveal herself because she didn't know how to face them.
"It seems… she doesn't want to come out."
A look of confusion and bewilderment appeared on Raiden Mei's face.
"If she's also Kiana, why wouldn't she want to meet us? She looks a little older than Kiana, but… I can tell she is Kiana…"
"I suggest…"
Fu Hua gently adjusted the glasses on the bridge of her nose and spoke calmly, "We should wait until Kiana wakes up and ask her properly. For now, let's wait quietly."
"Yes, that's the only course of action right now."
Himeko nodded, her expression slightly serious.
"..."
Raiden Mei stood to the side, looking lost and unsure.
Why…
Why wouldn't the other Kiana be willing to see me and everyone?
Raiden Mei couldn't help but glance at the picture of the other Kiana in Bronya's hand. Though she looked startled, her demeanor was more mature and reserved, giving a very reliable impression.
But for some reason, looking at the Kiana in the drawing, Raiden Mei felt a faint ache in her heart…
She had lost that air of innocence and carefreeness. It was as if she had gone through many, many things.
What happened?
Is that a Kiana from the future?
Or…?
Many thoughts filled Raiden Mei's mind, and everyone else's as well.
"I'm going to the restroom…"
Raiden Mei got up, left the room, and gently closed the door behind her.
"I'll go with Mei-senpai." After Mei left, Bronya said expressionlessly in a quiet voice and followed her, leaving the others in the room to watch over Kiana in silence, unsure what to do.
Raiden Mei walked all the way to the restroom. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, her expression lost.
She couldn't help but turn on the faucet, splash some water on her hands, and then just stood calmly before the mirror again, staring blankly, lost in thought.
"Kiana… I mean, the other Kiana… Can you come out? Can you meet me?"
...
Beep… Beep…
While Fu Hua was in the hospital room, her phone suddenly chimed twice. She took it out and looked at it, her brow immediately furrowing.
The others also looked over.
On Fu Hua's phone was a task directly issued from headquarters.
"Headmistress, Instructor Himeko, I…"
"It's fine… Fu Hua, do your best. We'll keep watch here. You can go with peace of mind."
"Alright. Then I'll leave it to you."
Fu Hua took one last look at Kiana, then turned and walked out. She opened the door, closed it gently behind her, walked out of the Valkyrie hospital, and arrived at a helipad in a corner of the academy where a helicopter was already waiting. She boarded it and left the academy.
The scenery of the academy kept shrinking, and even the nearby city gradually became the size of a chessboard.
Once they reached international waters, a virtual screen popped up before her. On it appeared the figure of Otto—handsome, striking, tall and slender, dressed luxuriously, exuding an air of nobility.
"Immortal, I wonder what happened at the academy. Why did a second Kiana appear? And why didn't you report this? Were you unable to detect it in time?"
Otto's voice, casual and carrying a hint of amusement, sounded. His emerald green eyes were fixed intently on Fu Hua, a faint smile playing on his lips. In his right hand, he held a wine glass, swirling the red wine within leisurely.
"I also just learned of this matter."
Fu Hua replied calmly. She wasn't surprised Otto knew about this.
"Oh, is that so? But why was the second Kiana able to evade your perception? Is it Sirin?"
"I truly did not sense her presence." Fu Hua frowned slightly. "But I'm certain it's not Sirin. If it were Sirin, her way of doing things would never be like this. Nor could she have interacted with Kiana so closely for so long. She… isn't that clever or steady."
-------
A/n: New content and stories posted on my patreon go check it out!
patreon.com/deadlygoober