Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

"Zeke, drink your milk and go to bed obediently, okay?"

Lying tied up on the table, Kiana lifted her head earnestly, as if she held all the authority, completely disregarding her cocoon-like state.

"Tap!"

Zeke leaned over, gently flicking the girl's fair forehead, producing a crisp sound.

He asked, "Why do you insist on telling me to sleep... Ah, understood now. What did Dr. Ein tell you that prompted you to persuade me? Your clever little mind must have realized it couldn't convince me directly. So, resorting to sleeping pills for a sneaky approach?"

Kiana turned away, whistling nonchalantly—a clear sign of guilt, easily seen through as always.

"W-What are you talking about? I don't understand at all! I was just delivering some milk; don't read too much into it!"

"What did she tell you?"

No response.

"Silence is also a form of answer. I can ask Dr. Ein directly; she wouldn't hide anything from me."

Kiana lowered her head.

After a moment, she suddenly started jumping wildly on the table and yelled,

"I don't care, I don't care! You're not allowed to do any dangerous experiments! Absolutely not!"

Zeke swiftly grabbed her soft cheeks, stretching them forward, effectively silencing her outburst.

He leaned closer, face-to-face with her, narrowing his eyes.

"So, you believe her but not me?"

"...That's not the point!" Kiana protested weakly.

"No, it is the point. Dare you doubt me?"

Zeke's bloodshot eyes now exuded an aura of unparalleled danger.

How much effort have I put in to handle all these messes for you? Every time this little brat has managed to skip around with a smile, wasn't it because I swiftly resolved her troubles? And yet, when faced with trouble again, you choose to trust outsiders instead of coming straight to me?

Kiana ceased struggling, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead—only at death's doorstep do humans (and paramecia alike) gain true enlightenment.

"&#$%?!# (I was wrong)..."

One of Kiana's rules for survival: Admit your mistakes promptly and never stubbornly cling to your folly. This way, Zeke might give her some leeway.

"What did you do wrong?"

As expected, Zeke released his grip, resting one hand under his chin as he asked. But that sinister tone, like a chilling breeze blowing from the Underworld itself, made Kiana's hair stand on end.

She knew all too well that whether she'd see breakfast tomorrow hinged entirely on her response.

"Well, I shouldn't have doubted you..."

"And?"

"...shouldn't have decided on my own..."

"And?"

"I-I shouldn't have doubted you..."

"You repeated yourself."

"Shouldn't have...disturbed your rest late at night? And I'm not wearing shoes. Also, forcing you to drink milk was wrong. Plus, I shouldn't have put sleeping pills...and...and..."

Kiana's wide eyes darted around as she racked her brain for more phrases.

Then Zeke released the iron chains binding her.

"That's enough; you're running out of apologies anyway," he said dismissively, waving his hand coldly to shoo her away—signaling that it was time for Kiana to return to bed gracefully.

Relieved, knowing she had narrowly escaped trouble, Kiana simply climbed up and sat on the table with her legs tucked beneath her like a duck. Leaning forward with hands braced against its surface, she pleaded:

"Seriously, Zeke, I believe Aunt Eins wasn't lying; that experiment must be dangerous. If you insist on doing it, why not use me as the test subject first?! I'm strong, I can handle it!"

"Stronger than Wendy, a former S-rank Valkyrie candidate?"

Zeke leaned back in his chair and shot her a sideways glance.

With Wendy sitting duck-style facing Zeke directly, one corner of the little girl's bear-patterned underwear peeked out from beneath her skirt.

Yet, Zeke remained completely unfazed, not even bothering to smile.

Kiana was momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, she had learned just how exceptional Wendy used to be. In terms of physical prowess alone, she was undoubtedly far superior to Kiana now.

But what good did that do? It hadn't prevented her paralysis, after all.

Precisely because human experiments were so perilous, Kiana tried to dissuade Zeke without hesitation, aiming to halt his sleepless plan altogether and make him abandon the experiment.

"In any case, I absolutely disagree! No way!" Kiana bit her lip, her determined gaze locked on Zeke.

"...I don't really care about your opinion."

"Don't say such insincere things! Zeke, I know you must have thought long and hard about this, and I'm sure you've made extensive preparations. But you also understand Wendy's situation; if anything goes wrong... I don't want to think about it. Promise me, don't take unnecessary risks."

A shimmer of moisture welled up in Kiana's eyes.

This was the last scenario Zeke wanted to envision.

So he turned away, dismissing her plea.

"It's not your place to tell me what to do yet."

"I'll become stronger! I'll work incredibly hard and surpass everyone else! Then, no matter what you want to accomplish, Zeke, I can help you achieve it flawlessly. Please don't take unnecessary risks on yourself—I'm begging you!"

Kiana stepped closer, gently embracing Zeke with her head resting on his shoulder. In a rare soft and pleading tone, she spoke tenderly.

Zeke didn't want to admit his vulnerability, but for a fleeting moment, he felt inclined to yield.

He patted Kiana's head, attempting to change the subject, "How many times have you begged me since we first met? Still at it?"

"This time is different."

"...I have my own reasons, Kiana."

"Then tell me, Zeke! Either convince me that you must do this, or I swear I will stop you!"

Just as Zeke was about to scoff—what could she possibly do to prevent him—he heard her add softly by his ear:

"I'll go on a hunger strike if I have to!"

Zeke was momentarily speechless.

Her approach was absurd and childlike, akin to playing house. But—damn it! Despite her gluttonous nature, upon closer consideration, Kiana was indeed determined enough to follow through on her threat.

If there was anyone who could unequivocally overpower Kiana, it would undoubtedly be Zeke.

And if there was one person guaranteed to stop Zeke at any moment, it had to be Kiana herself.

Zeke gently stroked the girl's silvery-white hair, momentarily distracted as he noticed she seemed to have grown taller, already feeling the softness near her chest. Girls at this age truly change day by day.

He took a deep breath, inhaling the faintly sweet scent from Kiana, and couldn't help but marvel that Dr. Einstein's judgment was spot-on; choosing Kiana proved to be the most effective decision.

Then, Zeke pushed Kiana away slightly and rolled up his sleeves before her.

On his pale, slender arm, intricate peach-colored patterns resembling circuit diagrams wound around, emitting a distinctly eerie glow even under the room's lighting.

"What is that?"

"As you can see, Deterioration by Energy of Honkai."

"Don't you have a cure? After Vera's incident, didn't you develop a special medicine?! Rozaliya, Liliya, Seele, Bronya, and Sin—all were successfully treated with your remedy!"

"But my initial goal was transformation, so I've been intentionally letting the deterioration worsen. As planned, we've now surpassed the threshold, rendering that medication ineffective. Without completing this experiment, I will die."

The word "die" made Kiana's pupils tremble.

Zeke silently muttered an apology to himself.

In truth, he had prepared contingencies, allowing for more time without needing to rush the experiment completion immediately. Worst-case scenario, he could always cry out for help to Otto, who would undoubtedly spare no expense to save Zeke. With their combined efforts, his death would be averted.

This revelation alone should suffice to persuade Kiana.

Her eyes dimmed momentarily before quickly brightening up again.

"Then I'll protect you from the sidelines! Just focus on your work; I won't let anyone disturb you!"

"All right. Now go get some sleep."

"No way, I'm staying with you."

"Why bother? To stargaze?" Zeke rolled his eyes.

Undeterred, Kiana shamelessly snuggled closer, chattering incessantly.

As the night deepened...

Outside the door, Einstein, Bronya, and Sin leaned against the wall.

"It's failed," Einstein sighed. As a scientist, she was well aware of the Fusion Fighter Experiment's inherent dangers. Trusting Zeke's abilities didn't mean she fully endorsed it. But with even Kiana unable to succeed, they truly had no other choice.

Bronya clutched her Homu plushie tighter.

"I'll enhance security around Headquarters, ensuring nobody disrupts the experiment during its critical phases."

"And I'll protect you, Zeke!" declared Sin.

Exchanging glances, both decided not to disturb Zeke at this moment and quietly left.

He looked genuinely exhausted; let Kiana help him unwind for now.

Einstein followed suit, departing without further ado.

Inside the room, Zeke glanced toward the door before turning to look at Kiana, now fast asleep.

Once relaxed, she had chattered nonstop until her throat went dry. Without any suspicion, she eagerly drank the milk he brought for her. Only after setting down the cup did she belatedly exclaim, "Oh no!" and sway, collapsing onto Zeke's lap with a contented sigh.

She even wrapped her arms around his fingers, sucking and nibbling like a young female husky pup.

"You fool," Zeke muttered affectionately, stroking her head as he reached up to turn off the bedroom light.