66 Fried Tofu
Seeing that Ayame seemed to have fainted after returning to normal in his arms, Kouro gained a relieved expression, the golden chains the bound him with Ayame also receded and disappeared with a glow.
['Main Quest' has been completed. Rewards will now be distributed.]
He could feel Ayame's breath against his ear, she's fast asleep comfortably lying on his arms.
Kouro glanced at Higokumaru at the side and spoke softly because he didn't want to wake Ayame up, "Thank you, Higokumaru. I really, really thank you."
Higokumaru could feel Kouro's genuine gratitude towards her so earnestly which made her feel very embarrassed.
"No, no, compared to you, I didn't do anything too extraordinary!"
Higokumaru couldn't help but recall the plan Kouro made earlier.
__
An hour ago before they fought against Herrscher Ayame.
"I'll go over the plan one more time. I'll be the bait and would distract her, then Theresa-san would wait for my signal, and once Herrscher Ayame put her attention solely on me, you'll use the chains from [Oath of Judah] to restrain her."
Kouro the added, "Sakura will focus on protecting Theresa and Higokumaru from Herrscher Ayame's attacks, and after Herrscher Ayame is successfully bound by the chain blades, Higokumaru would then absorb the Honkai Energy in her body."
"How are you going to distract the Herrscher?" Sakura asked Kouro after listenin
"That's easy, because as you guys may presume, I'm probably the biggest factor in why Ayame was turned into a Pseudo-Herrscher, even if it wasn't, I still have other means of distracting her."
"Anyway, next let's talk about the information we have gathered regarding Herrscher Ayame's abilities." Kouro moved on to the next topic.
"Isn't her ability to control plant life?" Theresa said confused.
"Well, you're right, but her abilities aren't just that. If I guessed from the pattern of her attacks, it's likely that her true ability is related to poison, and her poison would presumably spread through the air." Kouro explained.
"Hmm... then how should we deal with it?" Theresa asked.
Sakura and Higokumaru stayed silent because Herrscher poison is not lethal to them, if they were hit they would, at most, only feel weak for a while.
"You remember the mask I gave you? It can actually be used to defend against poison." Kouro replied and took out two more mask to give to Sakura and Higokumaru.
"Kouro, a Herrscher possess formidable abilities, even if she isn't a True Herrscher, she is still a Herrscher, is this alone enough to defend against her poison attack?" Sakura asked doubtfully.
"Relax, she is likely only able to spread her poison through the air as a trump card, so we have a chance to counter her attacks."
Higokumaru stared at Kouro with glistening eyes and said, "Kouro-nii, you're really amazing for being able to thought out such a strategic plan of that extent!"
(E/D: Higokumaru so cute... Alright, I'm die, thank you forevah. *dead*.)
"Of course! And if we win, I will give Higokumaru ten fried tofu as a reward."
"Hountou ni!? Yatta! Yoshi! I'll work hard." Higokumaru exclaimed happily.
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Sakura along with Theresa approached Kouro and nodded in agreement with Higokumaru's words, "That's right, Kouro. You're really amazing."
"No, no. It's because everyone worked together that we succeeded."
"Hehehe, I hope Kouro-nii won't forget his promise." Higokumaru reminded while placing both of her hand on her hips.
"Of course I didn't forget, but first, let's go somewhere we can rest." Saying so, Kouro proceeded to carry Ayame in a princess carry.
"By the way Kouro, how about that large sword of yours?" asked Theresa while pointing at a bunch of debris that was the building destroyed by the impact of his sword throw.
(E/D: This could be a new move, as Honkai players know that only Lances could be thrown, although Bianka is the only Lance user, this sword throw is very original. Maybe add some style of attack like Bianka/Durandal do, except for a sword, Author.)
"...Can you help me retrieve it?"
"Sure." Theresa strode towards the building and searched for a while before spotting it near a rubble of the building. She pulled it out and confirmed that it was the Nitro Crystal Greatsword, only it had become dented, scuffed and there are even a few cracks on the tip of the blade.
"Hahh... Kouro! Looks like you need a new, more durable weapon." Theresa suggested as she walked back to Kouro and the others.
"Well... It's okay, I still have another weapon too." Kouro actually didn't mind his weapon being badly damaged because St. Freya Academy will definitely replace it with a better one.
"Come on. Let's go."
The morning sun shone on the backs of Kouro and the others.
(E/D: I kinda feel bad that we're referring to Sakura, Theresa and Higokumaru as 'others', but there is nothing we can do.)
..
15 minutes later.
Inside the dormitory building of the resting place, Kouro could be seen laying Ayame on a bed, combing her soft green hair to the side, "I'm going Ayame."
Kouro left and didn't notice that Ayame's cheeks were blushing.
(E/D: I want to say 'Riajuu, explode!', but I'm semi-apathetic and couldn't relate to people saying that, I just know that singles say that to couples flirting.)
He then walked outside the dorm room and went to join Theresa and the others in another room.
Noticing that Higokumaru is staring at him with starry eyes as soon as he entered the room, Kouro just smiled and put his hands inside his shirt pocket and took out hot, steaming fried tofu one by one and gave it to Higokumaru.
Sakura raised an eyebrow seeing this, but didn't ask.
Theresa wasn't too surprised, after all, there was already a technology that is similar to an item box, so she just thought that Kouro has one.
This Fried Tofu came from a random gift box that Kouro had collected.
"Woah!" Staring at the steaming fried tofu, Higokumaru fixed her gaze at Kouro's shirt pocket with a glint in her eyes, he thought were simple, 'is there still fried tofu in there?'
As if sensing Higokumaru's intention, Kouro spread out his arms, "I don't have any more fried tofu, so don't try and enter my shirt pocket."
"Ehe." Higokumaru scratched her neck in embarrassment, her thought were perceived.
"You can eat it."
"Jaa... Itadakimasu! Uwooh! Ummaii! (Tasty)." Higokumaru ate the fried tofu quickly.
(E/D: It looks like the author fancied the Japanese voice lines of Higokumaru.)
Kouro just smiled, while waiting for Higokumaru to finish her food.
"This is the most delicious fried tofu I've ever eaten!" Higokumaru happil
They chatted for a while about various things, until Theresa decides to ask.
"Sakura-sa-"
"Sakura. You can just call me that without honorifics." Sakura cut in.
"Then, Sakura, Higokumaru-chan, I would like to recruit you to enter St. Freya Academy."
Theresa the began to narrate about the organization of St. Freya Academy to both of them.
Sakura looked at Theresa with a deep daze, since the first time she met her, she could feel a familiar aura from her, coupled with their cross weapons she uses, Theresa probably has a special relationship with 'her' (Kallen Kaslana).
(E/D: For those who don't know, the [Oath of Judah] was once equipped by Kallen. Sakura is from some sort of imaginary space, I'm not sure what it's called Samsara or something, and Kallen got transported in that space where she met with Sakura. For further informations, fellow Honkai Players, I require assistance.)
Sakura had also witnessed Theresa personality, apart from being a bit childish, she also has the same kindness as Kallen.
If it was her old self, she would have definitely accepted Theresa's proposal, it's just—
Sakura looked at Higokumaru and feeling her gaze, Higokumaru just smile sweetly.
Seeing this, Sakura looked back at Theresa and answered, "Sorry, Theresa. I can only reject your proposal, Higokumaru and I have a goal to achieve."
Theresa isn't angry at being rejected and simply smiled, "I see... It's fine even if you refuse, St. Freya Academy is always open for both of you."
"When are you guys leaving?" Kouro asked.
"We will leave after 2 hours if rest." Sakura answered.
Hearing that, Kouro only nodded before speaking, "I'll go first to check on Ayame's condition."
Kouro then stood up and went into the dorm room where Ayame was sleeping.
In the dorm room, Kouro can be seen shaking Ayame on the bed, he looked at Ayame's sleeping face.
(E/D: My mind went from serious to erotic, read the paragraph again carefully and you'll notice.)
"Ayame... I know you're awake and is just pretending to be asleep, you better get up now."
"..."
Seeing that Ayame is not reacting, Kouro thought of a 'brilliant' idea, he slowly brought his face closer to Ayame's face.
"Ayame... If you... No... Wake up now or I might do something bad to you."
"..."
Kouro's face kept getting closer until it was only a few inches away from Ayame's face, he could smell jasmine from Ayame's breath and her pink lips let out a small breath, unfortunately, even after Kouro get that close, Ayame still didn't show any reaction other than her cheeks turning pink, which Kouro was not aware of.
"Ayame... I... Will really do it."
Kouro brought his face closer, Ayame's eyelids were shaking slightly and her face was starting to turn red as an apple, if Ayame were to lift her head, her lips would definitely contact Kouro's.
Noticing that, and as if on cue, Kouro shifted his path horizontally towards Ayame's right ear and said softly, "Your blushing face is so cute Ayame."
"Huh!?" Ayame opened her eyes abruptly.
Kouro then blew on Ayame's ear, "Fuuh!"
"KYAA!"
*SLAP!* *SLAP!*
A shriek-moan of some sort, coupled with loud slap, echoed throughout the room.
Just a normal day in the world of Honkai Impact.
