"You know, Bronya, I didn't realize you knew how to ride a motorcycle."

"The Bronya has always possessed the skill to operate a motorcycle. Subject Lyon should consider learning as well."

"That's easy for you to say, I don't even know how to drive anything."

Lyon sighed deeply as he clung to Bronya from behind while seated on her motorcycle.

His mind was heavy with concern for Mei. She hadn't attended school for a week, and the absence of her presence was deeply felt.

Reflecting on his recent plan to meet Mei early at the school gates, he suddenly grasped a fundamental flaw.

'I don't even know where she lives...'

It struck him as foolish to have concocted a plan without knowing something as basic as her address.

'She could be living near or far, yet here I am, completely clueless about where to even find her.'

Embarrassed by his oversight, Lyon facepalmed. Fortunately, it was the weekend—no school, no classes.

He decided to enlist the help of his uninvited but resourceful houseguest, Bronya, to hack into the system and retrieve Mei's address.

Bronya agreed to help, noting Lyon's distress. "Subject Lyon appears troubled. The Bronya dislikes seeing her friend unhappy, thus she will assist."

Shortly thereafter, Bronya located the address with a simple swipe of her finger—a method Lyon couldn't begin to understand—and they were soon speeding toward the destination in the early morning light.

During the ride, Lyon voiced a concern, "Hey Bronya... I don't want to alarm you, but shouldn't you be wearing a helmet? What if we crash?"

Bronya replied, "The Bronya considers helmets cumbersome, particularly for her hairstyle. It is Subject Lyon who should be concerned about helmet safety."

Realizing he too was without a helmet, feeling the wind whip through his hair, Lyon conceded, "You have a point, but isn't it still risky?"

Bronya accelerated, her confidence unshaken, "The probability of The Bronya encountering an accident is as likely as a polar bear thriving in the Sahara Desert."

Lyon raised an eyebrow, "...So, practically zero?"

"Precisely."

Relieved yet still tense, Lyon tried to reassure himself.

"So, we're safe, right?"

Bronya nodded just as they approached darker skies, the looming clouds overhead mirroring Lyon's inner turmoil.

'Hang in there, Mei,' he thought, hoping against all odds that they would find her safe and sound.

---

It had been a week since Mei secluded herself in the mansion.

What was once a pristine and lively interior now appeared savagely torn apart, as if a wild beast had rampaged through the halls.

The paintings, once treasured by Raiden Ryoma, were shredded, bearing the marks of desperate claws, like those of a creature fleeing its hunter.

Her father's private study was a shambles; books from his extensive library were tossed and scattered about, as though a mad scholar had desperately sought answers within their pages.

Destruction was evident in many rooms, all wrought by her own hands.

On her second day of isolation, Mei ventured outside seeking fresh air, only to encounter hostile figures who recognized her and sought to degrade her.

The verbal assaults were brutal, targeting her dignity with words foreign and cruel to her ears, each one chipping away at her fragile heart.

It hurt unbearably.

She retreated to the mansion and, when she dared to step out again the next day, the hostility resumed.

Broken, she withdrew once more, searching her father's desk for money—finding it, yet facing extortion from those who recognized her, demanding more than she could pay.

Unskilled in cooking and devoid of the desire to learn, Mei's will to survive waned.

Driven by despair, she unleashed her frustrations on the inanimate, her tantrums echoing through the mansion's vast halls.

Then, voices whispered through the shadows.

"My, oh my... What do we have here? A lamb, stubborn to die, yet mourning her losses."

Mei scanned the gloom, finding no one. "You... who are you?" Her voice was raspy from disuse.

Silence followed, then a strange, electric spark seemed to crackle along the walls.

The darkness outside deepened. How long had it been since she had seen daylight?

"Mirror, mirror on the wall~ Who could have predicted this fall?"

She murmured as she wandered down the corridor, "Mirror? Mirror, mirror on the wall..."

Was it her own voice echoing back? Had isolation driven her to madness?

Her stomach growled, her body noticeably thinner.

"You are disintegrating. Why not seek sustenance? Humans inherently strive to survive. Why do you resist?"

Mei wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. "I don't want to live..."

A clap of thunder startled her.

"You don't want to live? A mortal who once basked in luxury, now wishes for death?"

She nodded, alone with the unseen presence.

She found herself in the kendo training hall, staring at the floor marked with old, dried bloodstains.

"The blood on the ground mirrors the dire state of your solitude."

She whispered, barely audible, "I..."

"I can grant you the will to live, if you embrace me."

Her gaze drifted to the wooden swords, each a relic of her past training with her father, now just a haunting memory.

Dark circles under her eyes, she found a sliver of resolve. "...How?"

At that moment, as if summoned by her plea, a shadowy figure materialized before her, tinged with an ethereal purple glow.

"Of all the people you've passed in your silent suffering, you haven't reached out to him—the white-haired boy who is always nearby. Your first friend."

Though Mei's body remained still, her mind raced in response.

"L-Lyon..." she whispered, her hands covering her mouth as if to hold back the flood of emotions.

At that moment, the shadowy figure enveloped her in an embrace, as if sensing the exact moment her resolve was faltering.

"Shhhh... In your relentless drive towards self-destruction, you've overlooked your most cherished friend."

Tears began to cascade down Mei's cheeks, each drop hitting the floor in a silent yet profound declaration of her pain.

"Lyon... Lyon..."

The figure's presence grew clearer, radiating a soothing, purple glow that seemed to ease her turmoil.

"There, there, let it all out. You've always strived to be as strong as him, yet now that he's absent, you can release the pent-up compassion you've reserved for your friend. You won't have to shoulder this burden alone any longer..."

A renewed pulse of energy surged through Mei's heart.

"I will be here, for you, for him."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, causing Mei to panic slightly.

"...I was correct. He truly is your dearest friend."

The door burst open, and Lyon rushed into the training room, spotting Mei on the floor.

"Mei! Crap, Bronya, help me out here!" he called urgently.

Mei looked up at Lyon as he knelt beside her, his hands gently gripping her shoulders, his eyes scanning her face with deep concern.

"Damn it, Mei. I'm taking you to my place. Hang in there, please."

While her expression remained blank, a spark of life returned to her eyes as she felt his palpable worry for her. It comforted her, warmed her.

The shadowy figure released her, fading away with a parting whisper.

"Remember my offer. Embrace it, and you can have him—both for you and for him."

As Mei's awareness dimmed, slipping towards unconsciousness, she felt an unfamiliar sense of contentment wash over her.

Happiness—a feeling she hadn't known in far too long.

"...For me."

---

Shortly after arriving at his studio, Lyon and Bronya had settled Mei into his bed.

Observing her, Lyon saw the sadness etched across her face, a reflection of his own melancholy.

He sat perched on a stool at the edge of the bed, his chin resting on his hand, elbow propped on his knee. His voice was a soft murmur, careful not to disturb her slumber. "I should've been by your side from the moment this nightmare began."

Lyon had always prided himself on his logical, critical thinking. Patience, he believed, was crucial for successful outcomes and maintaining happiness.

But now, patience seemed irrelevant, his meticulously laid plans feeling as though they had crumbled before they even began.

Watching Mei's motionless form on the bed, her body appeared limp, yet her breathing was steady and normal.

"It's odd how quickly she's recovering."

When they had first brought Mei over, she had seemed so delicate that a mere bump against a wall might bruise her skin. Now, her complexion was regaining its natural tone, and even her hair seemed healthier.

Noticing her tattered clothes, Lyon had asked Bronya to help change her into something more comfortable.

Bronya, meanwhile, was busy monitoring Mei's vitals with her device, Project Bunny—an advanced piece of technology that Lyon regarded as bordering on revolutionary. The machine's arms, equipped with hospital-grade tools, performed checks that seemed otherworldly.

"How's she doing?" Lyon asked.

Bronya consulted the holographic display before replying, "Subject Mei's vitals are stable. She should be fully recovered by tomorrow."

Lyon rubbed his arms, skeptical. "Tomorrow? That seems almost too good to be true, given her condition earlier."

Bronya's expression was pensive as she studied the data. "Subject Lyon's concern is valid, but the data is unequivocal. The Bronya cannot explain the rapid recovery."

Lyon exhaled, a mixture of relief and fatigue coloring his tone. "Well, at least she's going to be okay..."

The room fell silent, save for the occasional beep from Project Bunny and Bronya's soft tapping.

Suddenly, Mei's eyes fluttered open, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Lyon's attention snapped to her, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. He looked to Bronya for some clue, but she could only offer a shrug.

"Lyon...?" Mei's voice was faint, her eyes slowly focusing on him.

"It's me, Mei. I'm here," Lyon reassured her, gently taking her hands in his.

Mei's response was sluggish, her movements still stiff. "Where... where am I?"

"You're in my studio, my home," Lyon explained, following her gaze as it wandered around the room. "I thought it best to bring you here instead of a hospital, to keep you safe. Bronya helped me get you here."

Mei's eyes shifted curiously. "Bronya...?"

Lyon gestured broadly towards Bronya. "Here she is, my little musketeer—"

"The Bronya is not a musketeer," Bronya interjected.

Unperturbed, Lyon continued with a grin, "—my unexpected roommate and now, a steadfast friend, Bronya!"

Mei's face softened into a gentle smile as she turned towards Bronya, "Ah... I remember now, you're the one Lyon mentioned. Thank you for your help; it truly means a lot to both of us."

Bronya felt a warmth spread through her, touched by Mei's words as if a big sister had offered praise.

Then, introducing herself more formally, she said, "Sub—No... Sister Mei. The Bronya's name is Bronya Zaychik. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Mei hummed in response, finding the title of 'sister' surprisingly heartwarming.

Lyon, observing this exchange, narrowed his eyes at Bronya, "Bratnya, you call Mei 'sister' and all I get is 'subject'? How about something nicer for me?"

Bronya responded with a playful huff, "Meanie Lyon."

"You little rascal!" Lyon retorted.

Mei chuckled weakly at their banter. Was this what it felt like to be in Lyon's world?

She took in the sight of Lyon playfully scolding Bronya, who seemed unfazed and slightly distracted.

This place felt right to her; she liked it here.

"Hey, Mei."

As Mei turned toward Lyon, the sun set behind him, outlining him in a halo of light.

"Lyon... I'm so tired," she confessed, her voice heavy with exhaustion and emotion.

Lyon's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he nodded in understanding.

"Don't worry, Mei. Remember, I made you a promise a few months back."

He had vowed to be there for her, to protect her in times of need.

Mei nodded, her own eyes glistening with tears. "Mmh... I remember."

That promise had been a beacon for her, recalled even in her darkest moments, thanks to the mysterious voice that had guided her thoughts.

With a mix of hope and hesitance, she asked the question that had been weighing on her heart.

"Can... Can I stay here, with you?"

She felt adrift, longing for a place to belong, someone to be with.

Lyon's response came with a warm, reassuring smile. "Why even ask? The moment I brought you here, you became my housemate."

Relief washed over Mei, and her eyes began to droop with fatigue.

But she gathered enough strength to whisper one more thing before drifting to sleep.

"Thank you... Lyon."

Lyon gently patted her hand. "Anytime, Mei. I'm here to stay."

Bronya observed the tender exchange, finding herself unexpectedly emotional.

Lyon caught her reaction and teased, "Heh, never thought I'd see you cry."

"Idiot Lyon," Bronya muttered, but her tone was affectionate.

Their lighthearted banter continued softly as Mei rested, the silhouette of her guardian spirit lingering watchfully.

"A rest, a dream that feels eternal. May you soar high in search of your bliss," the voice whispered, unseen but ever-present.

Above Nagazora City, the clouds thickened and the sun's light dimmed.

"For the Honkai shows no mercy."

End of Chapter

---

A/N: Back to back uploads. Reminds me of the days when I was very active in updating my Jingliu book. Feels good. Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter. If you have any questions, don't be shy to ask, though my answers might seem evasive as I don't want to give away spoilers... That's all for now. See you when I see you!