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

The next day.

Shu sleepily opened the curtains and took a deep breath of the outside air.

The post-rain air was exceptionally fresh, finally washing away the lingering stench of decay that had permeated the world since his arrival.

"Looks like today will be a lucky day..." Shu murmured, gazing at the sun peeking through the gaps between the buildings.

In the kitchen, Bronya was already sitting at the table. Shu looked around, but Kiana was nowhere to be seen.

"Where's Kiana?" he asked Bronya, who had shared a bed with Kiana last night.

"Kiana is still sleeping…"

Shu silently tied on his apron and sighed. "Go wake her up..."

By the time a sleepy-eyed Kiana stumbled into the kitchen, Shu had used up all the ingredients, preparing a generous spread.

Kiana was instantly wide awake, her eyes sparkling as she rushed to the table.

"Did she brush her teeth?" Shu asked, staring at Kiana, who had already started wolfing down the food.

Bronya, who was about to sit down, froze, then smoothly turned around, went to the counter, selected a new toothbrush and toothpaste, and headed for the bathroom.

Shu nodded knowingly, then looked at Kiana, who had suddenly become hesitant and was avoiding eye contact.

Right…

"Brush your teeth after you eat, then we'll get ready to leave." Shu sighed and sat down.

"Hee hee, okay." Kiana looked up, grinning sheepishly.

After Bronya returned and they finished their meal, Shu took out the Homu backpack and began packing food.

"Let's see... cookies, chocolate... hm? Bronya?" Shu noticed the small figure trailing behind him. "Is something the matter?"

"Bronya wants to help." Bronya said, but Shu clearly saw her eyes fixed on the Homu backpack.

Bronya… seems to really like Homu?

Shu silently switched the backpack to his other hand, and Bronya's gaze followed.

Recalling Kiana's shifty behavior before breakfast, he couldn't help but sigh. Why are these two so bad at hiding their true intentions?

"Don't tell me you want to carry the backpack?" Shu asked, holding up the Homu backpack.

"Yes." Bronya answered without hesitation, surprising Shu. But his surprise was quickly interrupted by her next words. "Bronya cannot eat for free. Bronya can help carry the backpack."

Right, so Bronya found a noble reason. Is this a soldier's pride?

"It's okay, it gets pretty heavy when it's full. You're still small, I'll carry it." Shu looked at Bronya, who barely reached his chest, her limbs slender, her… undeveloped frame. He hesitated for a moment, then declined her offer.

Bronya: Stare…

"I'm just tagging along too, you know. I need to contribute! If you do all the work, what if they decide I'm useless and Kiana throws me out to the zombies?"

"Kiana is not that kind of person…" Bronya's lips twitched. She suspected Shu was teasing her.

"There are plenty of other ways to contribute, aren't there? You could give Kiana a shoulder massage, or just act cute." Bronya's suspicion was correct; Shu was teasing her. "Kiana invited you to join; she adores you. I, on the other hand, practically begged and almost got my head bashed in twice just to tag along!"

"The way you say that makes it sound like I'm the bad guy…" Kiana's voice drifted from behind, startling Shu.

"Kiana? When did you get here?" He instinctively distanced himself from the "almost-bashed-his-head-in-twice" Kiana.

"Just now." Kiana's expression was neutral, as if nothing had happened. Shu relaxed slightly, then heard her continue, "When you asked Bronya if she wanted to carry the backpack."

Shu's lips twitched. He felt like Kiana was messing with him… and he found it highly objectionable.

"Bronya can do it." Bronya broke the awkward silence, her gaze shifting from the Homu backpack to Shu. "Bronya will not be a burden. Shu is already responsible for cooking; Bronya can only carry the backpack."

Before Shu could respond, Kiana chimed in. "Just let her carry it. Look how much she likes Homu; let her have it for a while."

Bronya stiffened. Shu gave Kiana, who was grinning mischievously, a deadpan look.

Was that intentional or accidental? Even little kids know how to hold a grudge! Which one of you is the actual child here? And Bronya was just defending you; she totally misjudged you.

I don't believe you didn't notice why Bronya was making up all those excuses.

"Yes, Bronya likes Homu." Bronya looked up, her expression unreadable. Whether she was giving up the pretense or doubling down on her lie, she was now forcing his hand.

Shu refused to be the only loser.

"You should have said so! There's no shame in liking Homu." Shu put on a cheerful facade, pretending to believe her. "And you came up with all those reasons to convince me. Here you go."

Bronya, with a deadpan expression, accepted the Homu backpack, her eyes curving into a happy crescent.

Shu: "..."

Damn, I'm the clown again!

Shu, feeling utterly defeated, continued his preparations. Bronya, with the coveted Homu backpack, was victorious. Kiana, meanwhile, enjoyed the spectacle with amusement.

After they were ready, Kiana explained their exit strategy. As expected, it involved placing the alarm clock by the front door and jumping out the window.

There was no other way. Those persistent zombies had been scratching at the door for a whole day; other passing zombies were probably giving them confused looks.

"Can't we use a rope?" Bronya suggested, looking at the window.

"A rope is too slow!" Kiana was already stretching. "Bronya, I'll go down first, then you jump. Don't worry, I'll catch you!"

Bronya reluctantly agreed. Shu, meanwhile, felt like he'd forgotten something.

With the plan finalized, Shu set the alarm clock, and they took their positions by the window.

A few minutes later, three figures leaped out the window, one after the other, amidst the ringing alarm.

After landing, Shu suddenly remembered what he'd forgotten.

"Kiana!! Slow down!! We can't keep up!!!"