Chapter 160: Humble Beginnings

Kiana woke up and she couldn't get out of the bed. Ein's special bed was sucking her in and she groaned heavily. "Ugh... What in the world is this bed made of? I feel like I'm reborn, it feels very niceeee~" She was about to lose consciousness again from how soft and good it was. But she shook her head, gaining her wits.

"No! I can't lose to the bed!" She sat up and looked at the pillows longingly. As a runaway, she didn't have good sleep. The soft mattress beckoning to her like the devil. "I... I can sleep in for five more minutes right?" She hesitated and once she did, the battle was already lost. Kiana then laid her head down again on the pillow with a satisfied sigh, sleep claiming her again.

After a few hours, the curtains automatically opened and she got sniped by the morning sun right on the eyes. "Ngh. I wanna sleep more mommm." She mumbled, but she felt that something was wrong and immediately sat up. Looking at the clock, it was already 7 o'clock.

Kiana gasped and cursed the bed in her mind. Immediately running for her uniform as Ein informed her that she is already enrolled in Chiba high.

"Damn! Got to go fast! Why did I have to lie down again? Ugh, as expected. Even Ein-nii's bed is formidable." She quickly put on her uniform and went to school. Her B-rank Valkyrie status giving her the edge as she ran like the wind, doing parkour all over the place as she thought that commuting will take more time than just running.

Eventually, she made it to the school. But the gates were already closed. "Kukuku~ as if a measly gate can stop me!" She poised for a jump and easily went over it. Kiana then rushed to her designated room as she panted for air.

Without any hesitation, she opened up the sliding door for her class and saw that classes were just about to start. "One Kiana Kaslana, reporting for duty! I just got stuck in traffic, I promise." Kiana saluted and the teacher looked at her funny. "Yeah, yeah, we all know that's what happens. Take a seat Ms. Kaslana, but I hope this doesn't happen again." The teacher gave her the stink eye and scoffed.

Kiana gave a wry smile and surveyed the classroom. She then saw someone that was kind of isolated. Raiden Mei. Kiana shrugged and went near her, she then sat down at the seat next to Mei and beamed at her. "Hey, what's your name? I'm Kiana Kaslana ya know?"

Mei, after months of bullying and isolation didn't really knew what to do. So she just stared at the whitehead. "You deaf or something? Hello~" Kiana waved at her face and Mei's vein almost popped. "I am completely fine Kaslana-san." She replied with a little snark, but she thought that her surname was kind of familiar.

"Hehe, so what's your name?" Kiana whispered as the teacher shushed them. Not really happy that a VVIP like Kiana was talking to the disgraced Mei. As their principal branded Kiana as a super important person.

"Raiden Mei. That's all, don't talk to me. Classes are starting." Mei replied succinctly, still burdened by the mess her family was in and was not in the mood to make friends.

Kiana then remembered that Ein would most likely ask her something about classes so she gained her wits and started listening.

After a few classes, Kiana was exhausted and slumped down on her desk like a zombie. While Mei just went off immediately as she didn't want to eat her food in a class where everyone gives her hate.

Kiana noticed it and followed her around sneakily. Thanks to her training and enhanced physical attributes, she easily followed Mei without her knowing. Mei arrived at the rooftop and she sat down at the bench, opening a bento with her hands that were full of band aids from her practicing.

Kiana crept up to her. "Hey, what cha doing? Eating up here on the roof." She surprised Mei that gave a squeak and Kiana had a cheeky smile on her face.

"W-wh... Kaslana-san..." Mei glared at her, clearly not entertained by her antics as she almost dropped her lunch that she even woke up early for to make.

And Kiana being a dense Kaslana, didn't really care about that. "Woah! Did you make those by yourself? Looks nice, but it could be better." Kiana commented as she thought it looked really plain compared to what Ein can make. And her unsavory comments made Mei mad.

"Shut up! Leave me alone, god." Mei had an outburst and Kiana was surprised. She then observed her more and saw the band aids on her hands. She felt bad, thinking that she had to do something to make it up to her.

"Sorry Mei-chan. I know! You've been practicing how to make food right? I know it when I see some effort hehe~ My aniki can make some sick food you know? Let's go to my place after school, he'll be happy that I made a friend too! Here, if you don't believe me, then try one of these." Kiana took out a cookie from her pouch and shoved it into Mei's hands.

She was speechless, Kiana's overbearing energy didn't let her do anything. "Ohh! I forgot, I haven't spoken to the management yet. I need to pass some papers, later then. You'll be the best cook ever if you learn from him so don't leave after classes okay?" Kiana then left like a storm and Mei was still dumbfounded.

"W-what's up with her?" Mei then looked at the treat she had on her hands. "Where in the world was she hiding this? I saw her took it out from a pouch, why is it still warm? Does it have a warmer?" She was confused and had many questions. But after some thinking, she just shrugged and went for it. immediately, Mei's eyes rolled and almost went unconscious as she held on to the bench.

"Oh my god... What the hell is this? It feels familiar." She felt nostalgic, but didn't remember when and where she ate something like it. Mei then got insanely curious on how it was made and reconsidered going to Kiana's place to learn. As her mother gave her a wry smile while eating her obviously sub par meal.

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After classes, Mei was silently sitting on her chair while thinking. 'Am I really going with her? Is this a kidnapping scheme? But we don't have tons of money anymore. Might as well see.' She concluded and Kiana immediately went up to her when the bell rung.

"Mei-chan, Mei-chan! Let's go! He'll be cooking dinner tonight, you'll have the best meal of your life!" Kiana drooled as she pulled Mei with her. Dragging her through the halls as Kiana was in a trance, hunger muddling her mind. Thinking of the delicious food that will be served at the table when she gets home.

"Kaslana-san! Calm down!" Mei tried to give some reason to Kiana who looks like she was in a warpath. But the hungry Kaslana didn't listen.

They then arrived at one of Ein's residence in Nagazora that he modeled after his childhood home back in Changkong at the previous era.

"Ahem, pretty impressive right? Don't worry, I'm not a snob or something. Well, I don't own the place anyway." Kiana gave a wry smile, proud that she was in a nice place. But embarrassed that she mooched off of Ein.

Mei wasn't really surprised as she was filthy rich too. The gates then opened automatically, shocking her. As it didn't have electronics, being completely analog and made out of pure metal.

"I-isn't this place haunted or something?" Mei asked meekly as the mansion was too quiet. "It's okay, he probably just likes it to be nice and calm. Let's go! I didn't eat breakfast earlier, I'm excited!" Kiana went in with Mei and the heavyset doors opened automatically too. Making Mei think the place really was haunted.

The lights opened up and Kiana hummed as she had a whiff of dinner. "Ohhhh! I can already imagine it!" She ran off with Mei to the dining room and almost crashed on to the door. The two of them then saw Ein with his back turned on them as he set the dishes.

"Ohh, Kiana. You're already back, have some dinner first. I know you're hungry. And you brought a friend huh? I have a surprise for you." Ein then turned and Mei's eyes dilated when she saw him.

"Ein nii-sama..." She uttered and Kiana raised a brow. "Hmm? How do you know him Mei-chan?" She asked, but didn't get a reply as Mei froze on the spot.

"Long time no see Mei. Not doing too hot are you? How about you have a nice meal for now, yeah?" He smiled and thought it must have been hard for the girl. But helping them won't do her a favor and would spit on her dreams.

"How's Yuna? She must be stronger than she used to be no?" He basically gave her honkai adaptability and Mei's mother was an untrained Valkyrie.

"Ummm. Yes, she works really hard. But she barely feels fatigue, just mentally tired at times." Mei said softly, pinching herself. Thinking it was all an elaborate dream.

"Hey, I'm confused over here. You two know each other?" Kiana felt left out. "Well, I think you should watch this." Ein showed them Mei's video when she was a kid while wearing a dinosaur onesie and Mei started sputtering as Kiana watched it intently.

"W-what is that? She's so cute! Kyaa!" Kiana snatched the phone and replayed the video. "Ein nii-sama! Y-you filmed that!?" Mei just remembered a core memory and blushed like a tomato.

He chuckled and patted her head. "Well, you were all fired up. Saying you'll do anything, pretty nice video if you ask me." He shrugged and gestured for them to sit down.

And when Kiana was about to dig in. Drooling at the table. "Stop, I told you that I have a little surprise Kiana." He snapped his fingers and after some time, somebody entered the dining room.

"Ein-nii, is it time for dinner? Da Bronya always love your cooking, mom's good too. But she just can't beat yours." Bronya said with a yawn as she stayed up late while playing games. (pic)

"Ahhh, Kiana idiotka. Long time no see, you really are an idiotka, not contacting us for so long." Bronya looked at Kiana and smiled at her.

"Bronya... Long time no see. You didn't grow up much did you?" Kiana gave an offhand comment as a retort and Bronya glared at her. "Shut up Kiana idiotka, da Bronya isn't done growing up." Bronya stared menacingly at Kiana who has developed wonderfully and looked at her chest that was still flat as a board.

"Hi Kiana-chan, we missed you." Seele said with a smile and the Russians entered the premises as Kiana smiled tenderly at her friends.

"What? You got a problem with petite girls huh Kiana? You must've forgot that we could kick your ass!" Sin huffed at her and Ein laughed at them.

"Hmmm, daddy. Food's ready? Oh, that's a surprise. It's Kiana, well. Whatever, Bella! Let's eat already." Sirin was in college now and college students don't give a damn. She was also tired, working as a streamer, so she yawned heavily, streaming with Bronya and Bella the whole night.

"Wow, she changed alright." Kiana gave a cramped smile and Bella pinched Sirin on her side. "Sirin, Kiana has not contacted us for a long time. That's not how you greet an old friend." Bella chided her and Sirin sighed.

"I know, I know, I'm just tired. Daddy, how did she even end up here? I bet she was hungry or something and broke in. She's just like Bianka after all." Sirin shrugged and guessed as Bianka was a glutton that would break down skyscrapers for a good meal. Remembering that one time that she brought one down by being overzealous in her mission as Ein promised a feast after they got the 2nd key.

"H-how did you know that? And I did not break in because I was hungry! I was just tired was all." Kiana said with embarrassment and her body betrayed her by letting out a loud growl.

"Kiana hasn't changed one bit Rozaliya. It's amazing, she's like a single celled organism." Lilia thought it was fascinating. "Umu, don't change Kiana." Rozaliya gave her a thumbs up.

"Hey! I don't know what that means, but they just called me an idiot indirectly, right?" Kiana huffed and glared at Rozaliya, as she thought she was her comrade in arms. But she has gotten smarter over the years because of St. Freya's intense curriculum and educators.

Mei then started to feel awkward as she thought that she didn't belong there. Ein noticed it and introduced her to everyone. "Ahh, I know you guys are curious, this here is Mei. She looks just like grandma MEI doesn't she?"

Everybody nodded, they've also adopted Kallen's way of calling MEI. As she was like an insanely strict grandma anyway from her experience of being a leader temporarily in MOTH.

"H-hello everyone, I'm Raiden Mei. Kaslana-san brought me here and I know Ein nii-sama from way back." Mei fidgeted as all eyes are on her and they were obviously close to him.

"What? Just call me Kiana, Mei-chan." Kiana smiled at her and everybody did too. "Yeah, you can just call everyone here with their names. Nobody's Japanese here anyway, they'll just call your name too." Ein reasoned and Mei nodded softly.

"Anone, Mei-chan's been trying to cook Ein-nii. Can you perhaps teach her a thing or two? Her cooking looks decent, but it's nowhere near yours." Kiana outed Mei and she squinted her eyes at Kiana.

"S-shut up! How can I let Ein nii-sama teach me how to cook." But she imagined it and thought it would be wonderful.

"Hmm, okay. That's fine, she's been working hard too eh? I guess I'll teach you some tricks." He smiled and Mei beamed, her eyes shining with excitement. But she quickly reigned it in and coughed, making everybody laugh at her shyness.

"Alright, let's dig in everybody. For Kiana's sudden appearance!" Ein raised a glass of wine and Sirin followed suit with Bella. But everybody else raised their glasses of juice.

'T-this feels nice. I wonder if this is how real friends are?' Mei smiled softly and looked at their interactions. "Well, you're a friend of theirs now too Mei. Go on, join in on their conversations." Ein patted her head and gave a warm smile. She looked at him for a second and nodded. Having a good time that she did not feel for a long time.

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Thanks for reading everyone. Just a little bit of slice of life for now. But of course this is depression impact, shit will hit the fan once Ein boards Hyperion, leaving Kiana and Mei to their own devices.