Bronya was a liar.
That much I'm sure of.
Of all the words that came out of her mouth, I'd assume that only a few portions were true.
Which parts she was lying about, I need to test her. I have no idea if the names she gave like Anti-Entropy or Schicksal were legit, but for my current hypothesis, I'd assume that was true for now.
Her story would be really easy to break apart in the future if even the names she gave were fake.
Did you actually think I wasn't listening to her lore dump two chapters ago? The simplified explanation was for Kiana.
Unfortunately, Kiana herself did not know about these two possible organisations. If she did, this whole mess would be a hundred times easier.
Damn it Siegfried. Why didn't you tell her more?
Oh wait...
I almost forgot about that guy.
I guess I could just ask him the next time he appeared whether he knew of these places.
Did he forget about his gun though honestly? It's been a while since he appeared.
While there was a chance that even he might be out to get the city, at least more info(even if most of it is misleading) could be important in the future.
As I sat in my jacuzzi, I let out a sigh as I looked at my phone.
[Bronya: Meeting later at 1?]
Man... this info gathering is kinda becoming a chore.
These past few days, Bronya had constantly been asking for us to go out together, citing teamwork building as the cause.
Kiana was happy to do so, considering she thought that she would be saving the city. Becoming a superhero in her own words.
On the other hand, I, who knew that the gray haired girl was just trying to extract more info from us through our behaviours and combat capabilities, did not enjoy having my free time taken up like this.
I still had enough time to do training, but still...
Ten episodes of Homumon were waiting for me!!!
The phone buzzed again.
[Bronya: Is that ok with you, Gojo?]
[Gojo: I'm feeling freaky]
[Bronya: ???]
[Gojo: Nothing. I'll be there.]
[Bronya: You have issues...]
[Gojo: My issue is my love for u. Ta ta. I'll meet you at 1~]
Ah, I think she blocked me.
I let out a laugh as I put down my phone.
Interestingly, Bronya's weird speaking habits didn't really translate into text... much. She still called herself the Bronya, but the way she referred to us was much more normal.
Looking at the time on a clock nearby, I saw that it was 11:30 already.
I guess I needed to get ready now.
But thinking about it again, why didn't I just check the time on my phone instead?
Huh...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
When I arrived, I was met with someone that I didn't expect to see here.
"Mei?"
"Gojo."
"Why are you here?" I asked in surprise.
This was very daring from Bronya wasn't it?
It was very clear that Bronya knew about Mei's hidden power stuff. That was why I asked Kiana to invite Mei that day in the first place.
Her reactions proved it that day as well, which was an extra win for me honestly.
Still, to straight up invite her?
Isn't she afraid of Ryoma?
Or... is Ryoma perhaps in murky waters as well...
Thousands of thoughts rushed through my mind, but Mei didn't notice as she answered. "Ah, I was just going shopping when I saw Kiana and Bronya here."
Oh...
Reality seems to be much weirder than fiction I guess?
Or maybe... this was just another layer of conspiracy?
"They're waiting over at there Gojo. Let's go." Mei said softly.
I followed wordlessly as we arrived where Bronya and Kiana were.
Bronya's figure was tense as her eyes silently moved between Mei and I. A hint of uncertainty showed itself from the slight twitches of her facial muscles, as if trying not to frown.
So it could be that Mei's arrival was unexpected...
But Bronya couldn't just refuse Mei due to her wanting to develop a good relationship as well?
That did make sense if I thought about it.
"What's the plan today Bronya?" Mei asked.
"Mei, why don't you ask me instead of that brat?" Kiana complained.
"Sorry Kiana." Mei said with a sweatdrop. "It just seemed like Bronya was the one leading you along just now."
"Mei's analysis would be correct."
"Hey, why do you call Mei normally but call me and Gojo, subject whatever."
"Errmmm Kiana, it's Gojo and I-" I interrupted with a finger pointed up.
"Buzz off grammar police."
"The Bronya calls Mei that because Mei deserves respect."
"We don't deserve respect then? You hurt me Bronya..." I said with faux pain as I grabbed my chest.
Kiana joined in the fun as she comforted me. "It's ok, Gojo. We don't need her!" That caused Mei to let out an entertained chuckle.
"Mei, we're going to just walk around the town for a bit." Bronya said monotonely.
"Do you mind if I join you guys then?" Mei asked. Bronya hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
As we set off, I moved next to Bronya, letting Kiana talk to Mei to distract both of them while I was doing so.
"What are we doing today?" I spoke under my voice.
"Reports have shown that there have been missing persons lately. The Bronya believes that Schicksal, with their experiments on Honkai, has caused this."
"You mean Schicksal is planting the Honkai devices around?" I asked. She was lying again.
"What do you think?"
My eyes narrowed slightly. "Is Schicksal even a real organisation? Sounds like something a kid like you made up to play with her friends."
"The Bronya is not so childish."
I wanted to click my tongue. She's not answering any of the questions properly.
Was she worried about me having a lie detection ability? Or is she just being sarcastic still.
"Why are you letting Mei get involved? She's a normal human." I believed that she knew about Mei's second persona, but I still had to keep up facades.
You don't confirm anything until you have no choice to.
"Threat assessment: Low. The Bronya believes that Mei is in no danger." Bronya whispered before she suddenly stopped. "We're here."
I looked into an alleyway. I could detect a hint of Honkai energy. So little that I wouldn't have noticed if I wasn't looking for it.
I called out to both Mei and Kiana. "Guys! I'm going to the washroom for a bit."
"The Bronya shall go as well."
The both of us understood wordlessly that it's be Kiana that would distract Mei for the moment.
"Hey, when did the two of you get so close?" Kiana said suspiciously.
"Kiana. We're literally just going to the toilet."
She squinted her eyes at both Bronya and I for a moment, before Mei pulled her off. "Kiana. Just let them be."
When Bronya and I had gone around the corner, it was then that we took another way to enter the alley.
It was silent in the alleyway.
Dead silent.
A metallic tang crept in the air, faint, but sharp enough that I wrinkled my nose.
Blood?
Bronya slowed, her steps slowing as she began to float.
As for me, I circulated the Honkai energy in body, ready to use it at any moment.
And then we saw it.
At the very end of the alleyway, there was a girl.
"Asakura... Miyuki?" I said with surprise in my tone.
"Subject Gojo knows of her?"
"She has lots of bad rumours about her at school..."
Asakura didn't seem to notice our arrival however, as she stood there, blood on her hands.
And below her, laid the body of another girl.
She wasn't dead yet, but I could feel that she was struggling.
Miyuki turned around slowly, looking at us. "Are... you trying to stop my love?"
"Your love involves... killing them?"
At that, all sides paused. Even Miyuki.
Miyuki quickly recovered. "She didn't accept my love!"
"Subject Gojo. Asakura Miyuki shows high levels of Honkai corruption. It appears that she needs to be put down." Bronya stated.
Did I hear a tremble in her tone?
Putting that aside for now, I asked, "Isn't she supposed to become a zombie? What's going on now?"
"High levels of Honkai resistance may allow her to keep remnants of her sanity. However, it appears that she is not in control anymore."
Miyuki's breathing became louder as she stared at us. "I'll kill anyone who gets in the way of my love!!"
I let out a sigh.
What a drag.
"We'll need to kill her right?"
"Does the Bronya need to say it a second time?"
I rolled my eyes at her sass this time as I did a few stretches.
We got some funky yandere in town now due to Honkai.
I guess we need to put her out of her misery.
It won't take long.
(A/N: How is the chapter? Please give powerstones and comment!!）