With the scars healed and the makeshift hot spring left behind, the group resumed their trek through the ruined city. The support robots floated in formation, scanning the area ahead. Kouga, true to his word, had made up for throwing Bronya into the water by borrowing Kamen Rider Build's analytical genius. Within hours, Project Bunny's damaged systems were recalibrated, its armor plates reforged, and its movement functions restored.
Now the mech whirred smoothly at Bronya's side, almost as if it had never been broken at all.
Mei sat comfortably atop Project Bunny's shoulder, legs swinging as she enjoyed the elevated view. The mech's steps were steady, almost gentle, like a loyal mount.
"Must be nice up there," Kiana muttered, eyeing Mei's seat with envy. She turned to Bronya. "Hey, bratya, let me ride too!"
Bronya's expression remained as flat as ever. "Negative. Weight capacity optimal with one passenger. Subject Idiotka's mass would compromise balance."
"WHAT'D YOU CALL ME?!" Kiana's hands shot up in outrage.
"You heard correctly." Bronya's monotone reply hit harder than any bullet.
The air was crackling with the start of another argument when Kouga stepped in . "If it's about fairness, then I'll carry you, Kiana."
Before she could protest, Kouga bent down and scooped her up in a bridal carry as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Kiana froze. Completely.
Her brain short-circuited, and the only response she could manage was her face flushing beet red. "W-wha—HEY! PUT ME DOWN, YOU IDIOT!"
Kouga adjusted his grip like she weighed nothing at all. "You were complaining, so problem solved."
"THIS ISN'T WHAT I MEANT!" Kiana covered her face with her hands, trying to hide her blush.
Bronya raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. She simply gave a faint, "Hmph. Subject Idiotka subdued."
Mei, meanwhile, watched from her perch on Project Bunny. Her lips pressed into a small, tight smile, though her eyes betrayed the flicker of something else—something warmer, and maybe just a little jealous.
She shook her head to dismiss the thought, but her gaze lingered on Kouga carrying Kiana far longer than she wanted it to.
The ground trembled beneath their feet, dust raining from the ceiling.
Kouga's instincts flared. "Everyone, watch out!" he barked just as the roof split open.
A massive shadow loomed overhead—then came the deafening crash of a giant blade tearing through the building. Kouga's body moved before his mind; in one swift motion, he scooped Mei into his arms bridal-style, her cheeks flaring red even in the chaos. Bronya reacted just as quickly, grabbing Kiana and leaping clear of the collapsing floor.
When the dust cleared, the monster revealed itself: a colossal Honkai beast, towering as tall as the buildings around them. Its armored form resembled the one Kouga had slain before, but this time it carried not only a massive lance but also a brutal double-edged sword.
Kouga's eyes narrowed. "...It's that thing again."
The creature roared, its voice shaking the night.
The four scattered, drawing its attention in every direction. With a thunderous charge, the beast lunged forward, lance aimed to skewer. Bronya's Project Bunny intercepted, matching the beast's strike with its own spear. Sparks exploded from the clash—but the monster's blade followed a heartbeat later, slamming against Project Bunny with bone-shaking force.
The impact sent Bronya and her mech hurtling through several buildings, the sound of collapsing concrete echoing across the street.
"BRONYA!!" Mei screamed, voice cracking with horror.
Kouga prepare to transform but his eyes caught the glint of the beast's sword swinging down, straight at Mei. There was no time. No armor. No hesitation.
He sprinted forward untransformed.
Kiana's POV
Kiana's heart stopped as she saw the massive blade descending. Mei stood frozen, too fixated on Bronya's plight to react.
Without thinking, Kiana lunged, shoving Mei out of the weapon's path. She forced a grin through the panic. "If you keep worrying about Bronya, Mei, Kiana might get jealous, you know?"
She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the sharp agony she knew was coming.
But no pain came.
Instead, she heard Mei's trembling voice whispering behind her. "K-K-Kouga…"
Confused, Kiana opened her eyes. Mei's face was pale, her eyes wide with terror. Slowly, Kiana turned—
And her heart dropped.
There stood Kouga, untransformed, holding the Honkai beast's massive blade back with his bare hands. Blood poured from his shoulder where the weapon had pierced him, dripping down his arm in crimson streams.