Herrscher of Dominance in Honkai, starting with the abduction of Kiana

"That child's health has always been poor." 

Kiana flinched at the voice, quickly placing the picture frame back on the table.

"Sorry."

"Why apologize? You came here for him, didn't you?" Himeko placed a glass of water in front of Kiana.

"I…" Kiana hesitated, falling silent.

Himeko picked up the photo, gazing at the young man's image. She sighed.

"Before he left, he contacted me, said a girl might come looking for him. That's why I'm here."

She wiped the dust from the photo and placed the frame back on the table.

"He… knew I would come?" Kiana's voice trembled.

"Yes. Lost children need a light to guide them home, or they'll be lost in the endless darkness."

Himeko took a sip of water. "Those were his exact words. I didn't understand at the time. But the next day, ARC City was engulfed in flames. Then I realized he'd been prepared to sacrifice himself."

"I don't know the nature of your relationship, but if you're the one he was waiting for, you need to understand your own feelings. That child never expresses himself, always shouldering his burdens alone. But as someone who cares for him, I need to understand how others feel about him."

"Your eyes tell me you're lost, unsure of what he means to you."

Himeko studied Kiana's weary face, the wounds from the Honkai corruption. She wanted to ignore Ren's instructions and comfort the girl, but that stubborn Herrscher had insisted she ascertain Kiana's feelings first. She still didn't understand what had happened between them.

Kiana wanted to answer immediately, but hesitated.

During her recovery, she'd thought about searching for Ren. She knew he was special to her, unlike anyone else.

It wasn't the same as missing Himeko-sensei, not some twisted replacement. It wasn't just friendship, either. It was… different.

But when Older Kiana had confronted her, she couldn't articulate it.

He was special, but what did that mean?

Other girls her age had peers and family to guide them, to help them understand these new emotions.

But Kiana had no one. No one had ever taught her about love. She hadn't recognized these feelings for what they were.

She'd returned to ARC City not only to find closure, but also to find answers.

And now, knowing Ren had been waiting for her, the answer seemed clear, yet still shrouded in fog.

"I don't know. I committed an unforgivable sin against him. I destroyed his life. I want him back, but… the guilt… it paralyzes me."

Kiana looked at the water in her glass. If she were an ordinary girl, she could take her time to figure things out. But time was running out. Her body, like the water, was growing cold.

She needed to understand her feelings before it was too late, to find the courage to rescue him from Schicksal.

Himeko sighed. Though she hadn't known Ren for long, his recent missions suggested he cared for Kiana.

That cold, detached Herrscher… She'd learned more about him after his capture.

With Ren gone, she was alone in the apartment.

Traces of his life remained. Without him around to stop her, she'd explored his past, piecing together the fragments, forming a clearer picture of the boy he was. And after learning about him, she could no longer see him as just a Herrscher. He was a wounded child, hiding his pain beneath a mask of indifference.

Seeing Kiana's confusion, she saw Ren in her. Two children, victims of fate, who'd found solace in each other, yet too emotionally stunted to accept their feelings.

Like two injured hedgehogs, seeking warmth, but hurting each other with their quills.

"Are you afraid to face him because of your guilt, or are you simply confused about your feelings? But before you answer that, tell me, what do you feel for him?"

"…I don't know."

"I suspect it's not just guilt, but a sense of unworthiness. That's why you're struggling." Himeko sighed. "Don't overthink it. He's a simple boy. If he truly resented you, he wouldn't have asked me to wait for you."

But if Kiana simply forgot her mistakes, acted as if nothing had happened, that wouldn't be the Kiana she knew.

"He just wants an answer. He never expected anything in return for his sacrifices. But you can't solve this on your own. If you can't understand your feelings, why not talk to him directly?"