Honkai: You're telling me this difficulty is from Honkai Impact 3?!

With the limited ingredients available, Shu managed to whip up a three-dish, one-soup meal.

It was clear that both Kiana and Bronya hadn't seen such a feast in a long time. Kiana was slightly better off, having enjoyed two hot dishes and a bowl of rice last night, and a large bowl of beef noodles this morning.

Bronya, on the other hand, probably hadn't lacked food, but a hot meal like this was a rare luxury.

So, even though Bronya was stiff and formal in her movements, Shu could still sense the urgency in her gobbling.

Of course, the presence of Kiana, who was truly letting loose, might have also contributed…

Shu's eyes narrowed, his chopsticks shooting out.

Hold on! I just looked away for a second, and half the red braised pork is gone?!

No longer able to maintain his observer status, Shu joined the fray, shoveling food into his mouth with gusto.

However, Kiana's movements were too swift, her strikes too precise. Even with all pretense of table manners abandoned, Shu couldn't turn the tide.

"Kiana! Eat some vegetables!" Desperate, Shu resorted to taking the moral high ground. "Aren't you going to get sick of just eating meat?"

"Huh?" While Kiana looked up, momentarily confused, Shu swiftly snatched a large piece of red braised pork.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Kiana's reaction time in matters of food was astonishing, but it was against the rules to snatch food from someone's chopsticks. She could only watch helplessly as Shu deposited the large chunk of meat into his own bowl.

That was the biggest, best piece she'd specifically chosen!

Retaliation! I must retaliate!

"I won't get sick of it. You, on the other hand, aren't as robust as me. You should eat more vegetables for balanced nutrition!" Kiana grabbed the plate of stir-fried greens, shoving it under Shu's chopsticks, displacing the pork.

Oh? The enemy refuses to surrender and dares to counterattack?!

"No, no, no! You girls need to watch your figures. Vegetables are good for you; you should eat more." Shu smiled, his hand subtly preventing the plate of greens from moving any closer.

"Nonsense, I have a metabolism that can handle anything. Your health is more important." Kiana smiled sweetly, pushing harder.

Shu maintained his smile, but the veins on his exposed arm bulged.

Damn, Kiana is strong!

Seeing that he was losing ground, the plate inching closer to him, Shu had a flash of inspiration.

"We can't just think about ourselves." He glanced at Bronya, gradually increasing the pressure on the plate. "Bronya is still growing; we should let her have more."

Come on! Mutual destruction! I already got the biggest piece; I have no regrets!

Kiana's eyes widened, staring at Shu in disbelief, a pained expression on her face.

Such a cunning person exists in this world!

Bronya didn't understand, but she was deeply impressed.

Under the weight of Shu's triumphant gaze and Kiana's near-tears of frustration, Bronya hesitantly accepted the remaining portion of red braised pork.

Shu grinned, then turned to see Kiana, pouting, dumping the entire plate of greens, along with its juices, into her bowl.

Shu: "..."

He stared at the nearly empty plate, aghast.

That's barbaric! Complete annihilation!

Having been outmaneuvered, Shu tearfully ate two large bowls of rice with miso soup, finishing the meal in last place.

While washing the dishes, scrubbing away the grease, Shu viciously plotted to add lethal amounts of chili peppers to the pork next time, letting Kiana experience the true meaning of "demon's embrace."

"Haaah... I haven't eaten that well in ages..." Kiana slumped against the table, rubbing her satisfied belly.

Shu glanced at her, still unable to comprehend how that small stomach had just accommodated six bowls of rice, two plates of vegetables, half a plate of red braised pork, and a large bowl of miso soup.

She eats so much… way too much!

No wonder it's Mei. Only a wealthy heiress like Mei could afford to keep Kiana fed.

"Burp!" Bronya let out a small burp, her expression unchanged.

"Bronya." Kiana suddenly spoke. Bronya's body twitched, her face remaining impassive.

"Why were you alone on the street?" Kiana asked curiously. "Couldn't you find a safe place?"

Bronya relaxed slightly, then nodded.

"I see… just like Shu back then." Kiana glanced at Shu, diligently washing dishes, then asked, "So, do you have any plans? Or a goal?"

"Bronya wants to return to Koko Kuseru." Bronya's eyes suddenly turned serious.

"Koko Kuseru? That's pretty far from here, isn't it?" Kiana looked surprised. "Don't tell me you came all the way from there?"

Bronya nodded silently. Kiana's face fell, a pang of sympathy hitting her.

Such a long distance… A girl younger than herself wouldn't have traveled to Nagazora City alone. But now, she was here by herself, meaning...

Kiana's gaze softened.

Bronya, who had come to Nagazora City alone: "?"

"That's it!" Kiana slammed her hand on the table, standing up abruptly.

Startled, Shu fumbled with the plate in his hands, barely catching it before it shattered. He glared at Kiana.

Kiana, chest puffed out, seemed oblivious to his resentful gaze.

"It's too dangerous for a little girl like you to be alone! You could become a zombie snack at any moment!"

Bronya stared blankly.

Nice sentiment, but please don't say it again.

"And your moves are pretty good, so I'm going to keep you by my side and protect you, okay?" Kiana declared grandly, extending her hand towards Bronya with a confident smile.

Shu couldn't help but anticipate Bronya's response.

If she refused, Kiana might cry.

"Bronya refuses."

Crash!

"Huh?" "Huh?!"

Bronya watched Kiana, who had dramatically grabbed the table in shock, and the plate that hadn't escaped its fate after all. The corners of her usually straight mouth finally curved upwards ever so slightly.

"However, Bronya is scared. So, until Bronya finds an opportunity to return to Koko Kuseru, Bronya wants to stay with Kiana and Shu."

"Yay!" Kiana cheered. Shu also breathed a sigh of relief.

That was close. I almost thought I wouldn't be able to collect the whole trio.

But Bronya, could you have found a more ridiculous excuse? You, the mighty Ural Silver Wolf, are scared?!