E.A.R.O: Hmm?...

You wake up and see yourself in a different room, lying down on a bed... The open curtains let the brightness of the moon and the darkness of the night penetrate your room... You look at your hands and you are the Captain of Hyperion... You analyze the room and see a suit hanging over a chair... The classic white uniform with the Captain's medal...

E.A.R.O: *Soft Laugh*... Everything is here...

You thought to yourself... You get up, turn on the lights, and look at yourself in the mirror... A somewhat muscular body looks back at you...

E.A.R.O: Heheh >:3... Now I'm more fit, huh?...

You look at your reflection in the mirror, proud of your new body... When suddenly, a girl opens your room door to tell you something... That the dinner was ready... And she sees you half-naked doing bodybuilder poses...

E.A.R.O: Huh?

You turn to see who it was and that it was Bronya Zaychik...

Bronya: Uhm... Captain... 

She looks up and down at you with a somewhat strange look... A bit surprised that you are doing this...

Bronya: What are you doing?...

E.A.R.O: Bronya...

You freeze, Bronya's look makes you nervous and you start stuttering...

E.A.R.O: I... A-Uhm...

Bronya: Dinner's about to be ready, Captain...

The Valkyrie's quick response makes you react from your nervousness, returning to your senses...

E.A.R.O: Ah, thanks Bronya...

Bronya: . . .

Bronya now nods softly and turns around to leave... Closing the door behind her and returning to where the rest of the girls were... And you stand there for a while and think...

E.A.R.O: Hm... So this is what it feels like to enter an anime game... Hehe, well... Let's just keep going and see what's to come...

You smile and put on your Captain outfit, getting ready to go out for dinner... And meet the girls for the first time in a real interaction... In contrast to the previous one over a mobile screen...

You exit your room and go to the kitchen to see that Mei's cooking, Bronya's sitting on the sofa playing on her portable console, and on the table, you see a beautiful girl, sitting and eagerly waiting for her food...

Her hair was pure white as snow and her pretty blue eyes turned to give you a tender look... "Captain!" was the only thing she had to say to melt your heart and fill it with love and wholesomeness... You want to melt right there, but your human form doesn't allow it... So you swallow this sensation and with a soft sigh and smile, you try to walk more calmly... Approaching the table and pretending to just live your daily life with the valkyries...

Kiana: Hm... Captain, are you okay?

E.A.R.O: No Kiana-chan... You'll make me die of diabetes...

You said to your mind as you sat down slowly beside her and your heart kept beating a bit fast...

E.A.R.O: Hm... Well...

Your mind is a bit clouded and you don't know what to say exactly... Be it because of the emotions you're feeling right now, or be it because of the love you feel for Kiana... The only thing you could do is sit in silence and sigh softly with satisfaction...

Kiana: Captain...

Kiana calls your name as she looks at you... A bit surprised to see you like this... And at this precise moment where the environment softened for her look and your smile, Bronya spoke up... And made Kiana come back from that cloud where she was...

Bronya: The captain is acting weird today, Baka Kiana...

That was enough to bring you back to your senses as well...

E.A.R.O: Huh?...

Kiana: Huh??... Hey! Bratnya! Stop calling me like that!...

Bronya: Then leave the Captain alone, Kiana... He needs some rest for now, after working non-stop all this week...

Kiana: Hmph... *Pout*

Kiana pouted cutely and made you chuckle softly at how lovely she looked... And what Bronya said was also true... Though, you had a feeling that this clever girl already knew that you weren't exactly their "Captain"... Or at least, not the same one they met at the beginning of their journey...

So you stay in silence for a bit, thinking about what Bronya said to Kiana, and at this moment, a hand begins to wave in front of your eyes and you notice it... Taking you out of your trance and making you look back at Kiana, who was doing this to get your attention...

Kiana: Ehehe... Captain *Smile*...

She closes her eyes and smiles sweetly, glad that she caught your attention... She looked so lovely and pure, like a true maiden... While the image melts your heart away for her and makes you smile in a soft chuckle... Looking at her more softly now...

E.A.R.O: *Soft Laugh*... What is it, Kiana?...

Kiana: Hm... Well, you seemed to be spacing out... So I was wondering if you could tell me what's on your mind... You know you can tell me about it...

She said softly, with a kind and sweet voice, gently brushing her hair to the back of her ear and having her hair down... She looked beautiful if you looked at her closely in her Void Drifter outfit... Her personality had even changed from those past times when she was quite carefree and even though she was strong in battle, she usually wasn't very clever for the missions...

Then, the Herrscher spirit woke up in her and consumed her body by possessing her... While destroying everything in her path, executing the rule of a true tyrant and absolute Queen... Until you... Or well, the previous Captain, helped Kiana grow and suppress this energy to control her power and nucleus... Then, with time and being together in Arc City, your bond with her had grown quite a lot since then...

So now, after saving her from Sirin's claws, she was sitting beside you and looking this pretty... Precious to be honest... And the whole situation made you smile in satisfaction... Sitting back on your chair and looking at her...

E.A.R.O: *Soft Laugh*...  Don't worry, Kiana... I'm fine...

Kiana: Captain...

She called out your name with a bit of surprise in her expression, seeing your change of mood now...

E.A.R.O: It's just that... Now I remember everything...

Kiana: Huh?...

Kiana hears your words, but she apparently can't quite understand what you meant by that...

Kiana: Ahm... What do you mean, Captain?...

Pook!...

A pot with a delicious smell of freshly made stew rests on the table...

Mei: Kiana-chan... Bronya-chan... Captain... Dinner is ready...

E.A.R.O: Thank you, Mei...

Mei: *Smile*...

Mei gives you a beautiful smile and serves you your plate... You eat your stew with delight and no longer know which food is more delicious... With each passing day, Mei cooks better than the day before... And you can only keep enjoying the food while talking with the girls and laughing with them, remembering some anecdotes and stories...

And like this, the time passes and you've finished without realizing... Satisfied with Mei's food and glad to eat this now and then... So you nod in thanks to them and stand up slowly from your chair... Ready to go back to your room and analyze the next mission details...

E.A.R.O: Thanks for dinner, girls... I really appreciate it...

Kiana: Captain... *Soft Smile*

Mei: It's a pleasure to cook for you, Captain... *Smile*

Bronya: There's no need to thank us for that, Captain... After all, it's what we do and we'll always be here with you...

E.A.R.O: *Soft Sigh*... Thanks, girls... Rest well...

Mei: Thank you, Captain...

Bronya: Sleep well, Captain...

Kiana: Rest well too, Captain...

You smile softly at this and walk back towards your room, entering it and closing the door behind you, sighing softly as you get back to work...  The girls prepare themselves now to do their own things and you sit at your desk to take a piece of paper in your hand... It was a document that had the Schicksal stamp in the top right corner and the title said "Rank A Mission"

E.A.R.O: . . .

You read the document and see that you must defeat some Honkai beasts in a certain city... Easy task... But the thing was, that Otto gave you an explicit order for this mission, written on the document... To take 2 companions with you... But, why would he want that?

E.A.R.O: What are you up to, Otto?...

You almost whispered this to yourself and got up from your seat... Deciding to leave your room in the middle of your reading to get some fresh air... And when you got out of your room, you saw Mei washing the dinner dishes, alone... You approach her and ask her to give you some dishes...

Mei: Huh?... Captain...

E.A.R.O: I'll help you...

Mei: Oh... It's okay, Captain... I can do it alone...

She says this, trying to tell you that she can handle this, and when you take her wrist and make her look at you, she can see the slight firmness in your eyes and tone, telling her that you wanted to help her...

E.A.R.O: Please, Mei... Let me...

She looks at you with a bit of surprise and giggles slightly, feeling pleased to have your help now...

Mei: *Soft Giggle*... Well, Captain... If you want to help me so much, you can rinse the dishes on the left...

E.A.R.O: Ok...

You get to your job with a concentrated look, almost like a small boy with a new task who wants to do his best... Mei looks at you from the corner of her eye, seeing you like this... As she smiles with delight and keeps doing the dishes with you...

Mei: What brings you to help me, Captain?...

E.A.R.O: Hm?... Ah... Uhm... Hehe... I think I just wanted to distract myself for a bit...

Mei: *Soft Laugh*... And what are you running from, Captain?...

E.A.R.O: Hmm... The report of the new mission...

Mei: Huh?...

Mei then looks at you with a somewhat confused expression... Not expecting this answer from you...

Mei: B... But why, Captain?...

E.A.R.O: I just don't understand... Otto gave me this strange mission that ordered to eliminate Honkai targets and bring 2 companions with me to fulfill the task... Why would he do that?...

Mei now realized that you were worried about this and smiled a bit nervously... Answering you in a soft tone...

Mei: Ah... *Soft Laugh*... I don't think it's that, Captain... Maybe it's because he wants to teach you "teamwork"...

E.A.R.O: . . .

You turn to look at Mei in silence, waiting for her to explain a bit more about what she just said... And by the way, falling into your plan to induce her to speak more about your "past" in this World...

Mei: Everyone knows that you are a very powerful warrior, to the point of being above Durandal in battle... But you always do your missions alone...

E.A.R.O: . . . Could it be that she means I use my Herrscher skills in the missions?...

Mei: You always come back from the most dangerous missions and lock yourself in your room, without saying a word to us... Seeing you like this worries me, Captain... And I don't want to sound nosy, but I would like to know more about what happens on those missions...

E.A.R.O: . . .

Hearing her tell you all this, you sigh softly and chuckle gently... Telling her not to worry...

E.A.R.O: *Soft Laugh*... I'm fine, Mei... Really... You don't need to worry...

With each word Mei said to you, it was as if you were unlocking a new terrain on a map... Each word gives you memories of these so-called past "missions"...

E.A.R.O: Although you can come with me to this new mission they assigned me... Well, if you can and want, that is...

You said this to her, giving her the possibility to solve this mystery she felt about you, and by the way, get rid of one of the conditions of this mission... About taking two companions... If she agreed, you now only had to bring one more...

Mei: Really, Captain?...

E.A.R.O: Yes, Mei... And let's go with Kiana too, ok?...

Mei: *Smile* Thank you, Captain...

*Hug*...

Mei gives you a warm tight hug and smiles sweetly at you, taking you by surprise due to her sudden action... But seeing her acting so sweetly, you smile without being able to contain this feeling of tenderness... You caress her head and hug her back...

E.A.R.O: *Soft Laugh*... Now, now... Let's get this over with and go back to sleep, okay?... So that tomorrow we can go to the mission, Mei...

You speak to her in a soft and gentle tone, with a loving smile on your face as you look at her and she nods happily... Looking at you with admiration...

Mei: Yes...

You both continue washing the dishes and after a few minutes, you finish... And Mei now goes back up to her room, happy for tomorrow's mission...

You see how Mei goes up the stairs, excited and happy... It truly generates a pleasant feeling in your heart... And some thoughts come to your mind...

E.A.R.O: Hm... To think that Mei would agree so easily... But now, I only have to convince Kiana before tomorrow so that Mei doesn't suspect anything... As I told her we were going with Kiana... Hm, unless...

Mei: Captain?...

E.A.R.O: !...

You are taken by surprise, hearing her voice again and seeing that you're still standing in the same place where you left Mei...

Mei: Are you going to sleep?...

E.A.R.O: Ah, yes Mei haha... Ehm... Good night...

Mei: Good night, Captain...

She now smiles at you and goes back to her room... Closing the door behind her after entering... Leaving you there, downstairs, and alone in the house now...

E.A.R.O: . . . *Sigh*...

You sigh softly and turn around to go back to your room... And you sit down again at your desk upon entering, to rethink the strategy of tomorrow's mission... Why did it say "Rank A" mission?... Was it because the mission itself was easy for you? Or was it because you were an A-rank "warrior" in this "World"?... Several questions crossed your mind and suddenly, two soft smooth hands covered your eyes from behind...

E.A.R.O: Huh?!

Kiana: Guess who I am~...

Kiana covers your eyes so you can guess it's her... The classic game of the girl covering the boy's eyes so that he recognizes her... The voice was obvious, even though she tried to make another voice, it was her... The thing is, feeling it was her, your heart began to beat more rapidly... As Kiana starts to feel your heartbeat under her hands slightly...

Kiana: Hm?...

Kiana feels that your heart is beating a bit faster, and looks down at you... Not knowing what to do exactly...

E.A.R.O: Ahm... Kiana...

Kiana: Yes?...

She says softly, almost in a cheeky teasing tone... But your tone turned serious and more firm, speaking back to her...

E.A.R.O: Could you... Take your hands off my eyes?... You interrupted my mission analysis...

Kiana: Ah-Ehm... Oh no... I-I'm sorry, Captain...

She says to you a bit nervously, now turning slightly more shy... As you sigh softly and look back at her...

E.A.R.O: Well, you almost scared me... You could've knocked, you know?...

She hears you and fidgets her fingers with her hair, looking to the side and pouting softly...

Kiana: I wanted to surprise you... *Pout and Blush*

You hear her say this and sigh deeply... Looking at her more calmly now...

E.A.R.O: Well, you did, Kiana... And now, what brings you here?... At this hour...

You softly tell her this, trying to ease the tension while smiling gently at her... A bit more confident as you see her react like this...

Kiana: I came to see how you were doing, Captain...

E.A.R.O: Mhm?...

You raise an eyebrow and look at her, a bit confused and hoping she would explain further...

Kiana: Ahm, well... It's because you're acting a little weird, you know... You're not usually like this... I know you do dangerous missions and come back to lock yourself up in your room without telling us anything... But I want to see the Captain from before...

E.A.R.O: !!... "from before"?...

Now, that took you by surprise... "From before"?... Could it mean she already knows you're not the same one she met in Arc City and helped her?... The one she met at the beginning of this whole Hyperion journey?... How could she already get the grasp of it so easily?... No, it couldn't be...

E.A.R.O: From before?...

You ask... Hoping for her to explain further and not suspect you... As well as trying to extract more information about this "previous Captain"... As Void Archives had almost "reincarnated" you in this body, taking the form of the original Captain... But then, you no longer mind if they suspect you with the question you asked, you're determined to find out what happened in this "past"...

Kiana: You know...

You listened to her and hoped she would continue, but she didn't and stopped there... A brief silence fills the room...

E.A.R.O: . . . Dammit!

Your plan fails, as she said while fidgeting her hair with her finger... But you try another approach to the same question...

E.A.R.O: Then please, remind me, Kiana...

Kiana: . . .

She then looks at you a bit nervously and starts to speak again... Telling you about the story she and Captain lived, and how he helped her overcome and suppress her inner demons... She then starts crying while telling you all this, remembering the moments you two spent together... And seeing her cry, made your heart ache and your body wanting to go and hug her... But, could you?...

E.A.R.O: Kiana...

You say softly, not knowing exactly what to do... If to hug her and comfort her or just keep your arms to yourself... But seeing her like this, and how she told you in between tears...

Kiana: I'm sorry, Captain... I know I shouldn't be crying now... But it's just... *Sob*...

You can no longer resist the urge to hold her close to your chest... Holding her delicate body close to you and sighing gently as you fell her close... And clinging onto your chest, she continues to cry for a bit while you try and comfort her with caresses and soft pats...

Kiana: *Sob*... Captain... *Sob*...

E.A.R.O: Kiana...*Pat* *Pat* *Pat*...

You hug her closely as you pat her head and back soothingly, trying to comfort her and not wanting to let her go... And as you two stay like this for a while, hugging each other without being able to let go... Kiana then calms down after a few minutes and stops crying... Sitting beside you over your bed, as you two were still in your room... And being like this, you decided to speak again...

E.A.R.O: Kiana...

Kiana: Yes, Captain?...

E.A.R.O: I'm sorry, I... *Sigh*... I shouldn't have made you remember those times... I'm an idiot...

Kiana: Captain...

E.A.R.O: And you know, I'll just... Be completely honest with you now... You see, I...

Kiana looks at you curiously and you can't seem to finish expressing your feelings towards her... You get stuck in the middle of the sentence... You try to force it out, but you can't... Even though it seems that you both went through a lot together and maybe, you'll get the chance of the much-desired "Yes!" from her... But even with all that, you can't tell her that you love her...

E.A.R.O: I-... Uhm...

Kiana: Hm?...

Kiana just looks at you in silence and she waits for what you have to tell her... You can't "read" her expression now and you don't know if she's waiting for you to tell her what you really have to say or not...

E.A.R.O: I, ahm... Wanted to say... You know, that there's this mission tomorrow... And I wanted you to come with me...

Kiana: Huh?...

Kiana is a bit surprised now by your rather sudden proposal... And you know, deep down, that this is not what she expected... That you ruined it for now...

E.A.R.O: What have I done?...

Kiana: Ah... Ok, Captain... I'll accompany you on the mission tomorrow...

E.A.R.O: Thank you, Kiana...

Kiana gets up from your side and goes to the door, ready to leave... She turns around and with a slight smile, she tells you...

Kiana: Good night, Captain...

E.A.R.O: Good night, Kiana...

Kiana leaves the room and closes the door behind her...

E.A.R.O: Dammit!... I ruined it!...

You lay down on your bed and look disappointed at the ceiling...

E.A.R.O: There will be a time that I can tell her what I feel... Yes... I can do it...

You get back up and ready yourself to sleep... Despite all that's happened today... Tomorrow would be a long day because of the mission...

And with that, your new life began... Full of "happiness" and without apparent problems... Or that's what everyone believed until that moment...

Sigh...

To think that it all started that night...

. . .