Chapter 360: Seele: Confusion
"Milk tastes best when it's still warm, right?"
Long after Sigurd had left, Wendy set a cup of milk in Seele's hands. Her face carried a gentle, soft smile as she spoke in a quiet voice.
Seele blinked, pulled back from her daze, and turned toward Wendy's smile. Her own lips curved into a warm, healing smile in response.
"Thank you, Wendy onee-chan."
"You're welcome. Back then, when I was still limping around, you took care of me every single day. The kindness you gave me then… I'll spend the rest of my life repaying it."
"That's… way too exaggerated…" Seele muttered, embarrassed.
The two girls shared a look, then drank their milk together.
A short silence followed, broken only when Seele drew in a deep breath. She lifted her chin, her smile radiant.
"Sigurd-oniichan was right. Our world is under threat, and everyone is working so hard because of it… Right now, we shouldn't be adding to anyone's worries. Don't you agree, Wendy onee-chan?"
Her words carried both brightness and strength. The girl who was always thought of as fragile—a delicate flower needing to be sheltered—now shone with an unexpected firmness. (Of course, Veliona was in her consciousness, furiously screaming curses, venting her rage, but was being completely ignored.)
Wendy was quiet for a moment, then sighed. She reached out and gently tapped Seele on the forehead.
"You're just… too kind and too sensible. It's okay to be selfish sometimes. Especially for a girl as adorable as you, Seele—you should let others love and spoil you instead."
"But Wendy onee-chan never acts selfish either. When you're fighting day after day, when you're injured, or even when Sigurd-oniichan was cutting your hair… I've never once seen you complain. You're always so strong, and so gentle with everyone around you. I really hope that one day… I can be someone like you, Wendy onee-chan!"
"…You know, now's not really the time to start flattering me."
Wendy's cheeks flushed as she gave Seele a playful bump with her shoulder, smiling helplessly.
The two exchanged another smile.
Then Wendy stood, resting her hand atop Seele's head.
"You're right. As time goes on, the destruction the Honkai brings only grows worse, spreading farther and faster. As Herrschers, we feel that more keenly than anyone. With things the way they are, we really don't have the luxury of acting selfish… So let's make a promise. Let's not let anyone else worry about us, and let's not distract Sigurd. For now, we'll keep fighting for this world—and at the same time, think carefully about our own feelings. When the day comes and you reach a conclusion—whether you want to try again, or give up and smack that blockhead around—I'll support you, no matter what."
"Wendy onee-chan…"
Looking up at Wendy's gentle smile, Seele's eyes burned with warmth, her nose stinging as she fought the sudden rise of tears. Their feelings were the same, but Wendy's strength and kindness filled her with envy—and a sense of comfort, of safety.
So Seele stretched out her tiny pinky finger.
"Mm! It's a promise. And the same for you, Wendy onee-chan—no matter what decision you make, Seele will support you too. Pinky swear!"
"Alright. Pinky swear."
"Pinky swear, hang it tight, a hundred years, no breaking it~" ×2
Their clear, lovely voices rang out together in the moonlight, sweeping away the sadness and sorrow that had weighed on them.
…
Hand in hand, Seele and Wendy returned to their rooms.
In the inner city, the girls' bedrooms were set close together, built that way to make it easier for them to talk and spend time together.
The two parted ways at their doors. Seele pushed hers open, stepped inside—then stopped short.
The warm, pink-and-white room, cozy and cute, was brightly lit. On the soft white bed sat a small girl in a pale-yellow bunny-print pajama set, swinging her dainty legs while hugging a half-sized Herrscher plush.
When Seele entered, Bronya tilted her head slightly, her twin spiral curls bouncing with perfect elasticity. Her clear, gray eyes blinked once, and she gave Seele a faint, gentle smile.
"Good evening, Seele."
Bronya's voice was calm and expressionless as always, yet soft enough to carry a gentle warmth.
Seele froze for a moment, then fidgeted, nervously twisting her fingers together.
"Bronya onee-chan… you came here because you were worried about Seele, didn't you? Sorry… Seele's troubled you again."
Bronya hugged her Homu plushie a little tighter. She didn't offer any explanation—just spoke simply:
"Tonight, let's sleep together, Seele."
"Seele… Seele's really fine, Bronya onee-chan doesn't need to go out of her way to keep Seele company…"
"Bronya brought a pillow."
She lifted the white pillow in her hands and gave it a light pat, her lips curving into the faintest, cutest smile.
Seele hesitated for a moment, then let out a small, fragile laugh and nodded.
"…Alright then. Let's sleep together, Bronya onee-chan. Seele'll just… wash up first."
After bathing, Seele stepped out of the bathroom, hair damp, her face still touched with warmth from the steam—clean and utterly adorable.
Bronya got off the bed and, as always, took the dryer in hand to dry Seele's hair.
Sitting obediently before the vanity, Seele watched Bronya's reflection in the mirror—the quiet concentration, the patience, the delicate care in every motion.
After a long silence, just as her hair was nearly dry, Seele bit her lip.
"Bronya onee-chan… have Seele… made things difficult for you? Seele didn't know you were already with Sigurd-oniichan… Seele never wanted to trouble Bronya onee-chan. So… please don't be angry with Seele, alright?"
Her voice trembled with cautious hesitation.
Though her heart had secretly belonged to Sigurd for a long time, Seele treasured the friendship she made with Bronya. Learning the truth had left her heart aching—not only from heartbreak, but from the fear of ruining her bond with Bronya.
Bronya lifted a lock of Seele's hair, held it near her nose, and breathed in the faint scent of shampoo. A small smile tugged at her lips.
"Foolish girl. You're pure, kind, and fragile. Girls like you can't help but seek someone strong to lean on. Back in the orphanage, that person was Bronya. Later, when Sigurd appeared, he became your pillar instead. Sigurd is incredible—being with him feels safe. Having his attention, his care, it's… intoxicating. For you to fall for him, that's only natural. Bronya has known for a long time."
"Bronya onee-chan… already knew?" Seele's eyes widened.
"Of course. And Bronya was never angry. In fact, she thought… it might be a good thing. Bronya wouldn't trust just anyone with you. But Sigurd? He's the best choice. With him, we can always stay together—no need to be apart. Of course… only if you're certain of your own feelings. If that's the case, then Bronya can even… offer some help."
"Eh!?" Seele turned, staring in shock. Her mind spun, heart pounding.
Bronya only smiled faintly and gently took Seele's hand.
"It's late. Let's rest. Tomorrow, we'll wake up early again, keep good habits—" Her expression grew unusually serious. "—so we can grow taller."
Seele could only blink at her in stunned silence, then was pulled into bed. The blanket tucked over her, Bronya's warmth at her side, she slowly drifted into a hazy, comfortable sleep.
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