Today marks the sixth day.
Kallen sat on the sofa, her mind drifting elsewhere as she played video gas with Theresa. On the TV screen, the characters were locked in a fierce battle, the buttons on their controllers clicking and clacking under their rapid taps.
To be honest, Kallen was starting to feel a bit sentintal.
Just yesterday, her relationships with Rita and Sakura had been on the verge of breaking past that final boundary. It was so close to reaching those "fan-favorite" monts—and Kallen wouldn't have minded at all, whether she ended up as the one on top or the one underneath.
Except...
Tomorrow, she'd have to transform into a new Valkyrie again.
The relationship progress would reset to zero, and she'd have to start everything from scratch!
At that thought, a wave of grief washed over Kallen. Her thumb slipped for just a fraction of a second.
"Yeah! I won!" Theresa let out an excited cheer.
"Ah... I lost..." Kallen held the controller, letting out a regretful sigh.
"Kallen."
Sakura walked over just then, carrying tea, and handed a cup to her.
"Thank you."
"Mhm." Sakura nodded, sitting down beside her and gently leaning her head against Kallen's shoulder. "You seed like you had sothing on your mind today?"
"Ah..." Kallen blinked, startled. "It's nothing. I just... I was thinking about how nice this life really is."
As her words trailed off, everyone else in the dorm—each busy with their own tasks—suddenly paused.
Today was the sixth day.
Once tonight passed, Kallen would be leaving.
All at once, the room grew heavy with complicated emotions. Sakura's brilliant blue eyes, in particular, couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"If you like it... then stay," Sakura said, her voice heavy with sincerity.
How am I supposed to stay?
For so reason, Kallen felt a sudden chill run down her spine. She vaguely recalled a certain tiline where a version of Kallen was turned into a doll just so Sakura could keep her by her side.
Thinking of that, Kallen couldn't help but swallow hard.
I can't let myself end up in a "School Days" style bad ending...
Kallen didn't say a word. She simply reached out, wrapped her arm around Sakura's waist, and sat with her in silence.
Nearby, the eyes of Theresa, Kiana, and Bronya dimd as well. They were all thinking about the characters Kallen had transford into previously. They just didn't realize that all those people were actually Kallen.
If they ever found out... Kallen felt like she'd truly be toast.
Knock, knock...
The sound of a gentle rap at the door broke the silence.
"I'll get it," i said, standing up and heading for the entrance.
Kallen looked toward the door with curiosity, only to see Rita...
"Pardon the intrusion." Rita stood at the threshold, giving a slight, graceful bow to everyone inside. "I have been ordered to deliver my greetings to you all."
Kallen's heart stiffened as she took in Rita's elegant posture. Her mind imdiately flashed back to yesterday's events.
"Co in and have a seat," Theresa offered. Rita stepped inside, standing in the center of the living room with a perfectly poised smile directed at Kallen.
"Lady Kallen, might we have a word in private? The Overseer has a few ssages he wishes for to convey to you."
"...Alright."
Kallen's brow furrowed as she shifted into a more serious headspace. What else did Otto want with her? Most likely, he was still trying to convince her to accept his plan and stop her from heading back to her death.
Kallen felt a pang of helplessness. If only she were like the Herrscher of Domination and could create clones of herself. Then, several of her could surround one Valkyrie at a ti...
Now that would be a thrill!
She stood up and followed Rita toward the hallway.
"Kallen." Sakura rose, watching Kallen with a hint of nervousness.
"It's okay, Sakura." Kallen turned back and flashed her a smile—confident and reassuring.
That look managed to lower Sakura's guard. Kallen then followed Rita into the bedroom she shared with Sakura.
This is where the spicy plot should happen! Kallen felt a strange surge of excitent. But she quickly suppressed those eccentric thoughts. She wasn't a total deviant! Well, okay, maybe a little, but still...
Once the door clicked shut, Rita turned to face her.
"Lady Kallen..."
"..."
Being alone in a room with Rita felt surprisingly high-pressure, especially with that faint, unreadable smile playing on Rita's lips.
"What did Otto want you to tell ?" Kallen asked, keeping her face stoic and serious.
"There is no rush..."
What do you an "no rush"?! Kallen nearly broke character.
"Before that, I have a few personal words I would like to share with you, Lady Kallen."
Rita took a step closer, standing face-to-face with her. Kallen could catch the faint, delicate scent of Rita's perfu.
"W-what words?" she asked softly. Kallen could sll a "fan-service" mont coming a mile away.
"Lady Kallen," Rita smiled elegantly, her hand rising to rest a finger against Kallen's collarbone before tracing it downward. "I find it... such a pity."
"A pity for what?"
"A pity that... I haven't had the chance to teach you many things yet..." Rita's fingers moved toward the buttons on Kallen's shirt.
"Rita... we shouldn't..." Kallen tried to maintain her last shred of resolve. She had already guessed Rita's objective.
"We shouldn't what?" Rita chuckled softly.
She pulled her hand back slightly and continued in a low voice, "Lady Kallen, please stay. If you stay here, you can live on. You can be with Lady Sakura... and with . With everyone."
As she spoke, she gently undid the first button.
"Could you really bear to leave Lady Sakura behind?"
Kallen fell silent. The stray thoughts in her head vanished. As expected, Rita was tempting her. And she was likely doing this for Otto's sake—probably without him even knowing.
If Kallen rembered correctly, in the main story, Rita stayed by Otto's side only to fulfill her own sense of justice and for Durandal's sake. Mostly for Durandal. By staying, Kallen might keep Otto from descending into total madness, making the world a safer place for Durandal.
She hadn't expected Rita to go this far for them. It was almost enviable.
A bit of a mischievous urge rose in Kallen's chest. She almost wanted to hit Rita with the classic "Rita, you wouldn't want..." line. But she couldn't.
"Lady Kallen..." Rita continued, her hand moving to the second button. "After you go back, what will happen to Lady Sakura? She will wait for you forever... waiting for soone who will never return."
She's right...
Rita's words cut deep into Kallen's heart. Her brow tightened as she realized that, in her quest for fun, she might have put everyone through too much emotional turmoil.
Maybe... things needed to change in the future?
But she couldn't bear to leave any of them behind. What was she supposed to do?
Kallen couldn't help but feel an ever-growing desire for the powers of the Herrscher of Domination.
-- --
User Comments
0 comments from readers