"I'm back."
Facing these familiar girls, Zeke spoke once more, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Quickly, Bronya took a seat beside Zeke, wrapped her arms around his arm, and pressed her face against it, wearing a gentle smile. At this moment, their silent closeness conveyed more than any words could.
Witnessing this scene, Seele stood nearby, twisting her fingers nervously. Her eyes reddened, reflecting a look of bewilderment and distress on her face.
Raiden Mei gently patted Seele's shoulder, sighed, and then smiled warmly:
"Seele and I will go prepare some food. Let's all have a reunion dinner tonight!"
With that, Raiden Mei took Seele's hand and led her away from the emotionally charged atmosphere.
"Bang!"
After Seele left, Wendy slammed her hand on the table.
"Hey! Explain what's going on right now!"
Seeing Sin and Bronya so intimately close to Zeke, combined with Seele's reaction—self-explanatory as it was—left Wendy feeling deeply conflicted.
Zeke gently placed Sin down from his embrace and withdrew his hand from Bronya's grasp. Looking straight at Wendy, he said calmly:
"It is as you see. Kiana, Bronya, and Sin have already established their relationship with me."
"You... You cheating scoundrel!" Wendy yelled, turning abruptly to storm out of the living room.
Once she reached the corridor, away from prying eyes, she wiped her tears before sprinting back to her room.
Zeke closed his eyes for a moment, then spoke softly:
"Fu Hua, your old friends have arrived. Please arrange accommodations for them."
"I understand, right away." Smiling slightly, Fu Hua left the living room, giving Zeke some private time to handle personal matters.
Seeing that they wouldn't disturb him now, Sin climbed onto Zeke again, nestling close to hear his heartbeat, and giggled dreamily.
"Zeke... Zeke... Zeke, Sin missed you so much!"
"Hmm, speaking of which, you've grown taller."
Zeke gently patted Sin's head, looking down with warmth in his eyes.
Sin nodded with a smile.
Next, Zeke turned to Bronya on his other side and gently pressed down on her head as well.
"You've grown too, by 1.31 centimeters."
"Really?!" Bronya's eyes lit up.
Whether due to childhood trauma or inherent genetic issues, Bronya's growth was significantly delayed. While her youthful appearance certainly had its charm, as a girl, she still yearned for development—especially in a certain area where lack of curves deeply saddened her. If only it could mature more, perhaps it would enhance her allure and make Zeke even more infatuated with her?
Zeke's lips curved upward as he replied, "Indeed, you're taller now... That's good; otherwise, interacting like this might start feeling uncomfortably close to child abuse."
"So, Zeke, do you prefer me smaller or hope that I grow up?"
"All is fine, as long as it's you."
"Yes! Bronya loves Zeke the most!"
After boldly confessing her feelings, Bronya stood up and kissed Zeke on the cheek.
"I want a kiss too!" Sin mimicked Bronya, giving Zeke a peck on the other cheek before beaming at him with an incredibly sweet smile.
Zeke's icy demeanor completely melted away as he gently caressed both girls' faces, his expression warm and tender.
After a moment of contemplation, Zeke softly pinched Bronya's cheeks, hesitating before seeking confirmation from her: "Wendy and Seele... You can't be serious?"
Bronya rolled her eyes helplessly, her voice still childlike as she retorted, "What do you think, Zeke?"
"I... Maybe it's just because they're young now; once they grow up, things might change... Probably?" As Zeke spoke, his voice trailed off, glancing at Sin with her radiant smile—here was a prime example where age wouldn't likely alter feelings. Moreover, even Kiana and Bronya had developed their current sentiments over time as they grew older.
Why does everything feel so much more complicated right after returning home?
"Actually, Bronya doesn't mind since I've already prepared myself for this possibility. Sin won't have any issues either. However, that other one probably won't tolerate sharing affection repeatedly. If Zeke wants a harem, convincing Kiana should be your first step!"
"Snap!"
Zeke flicked Bronya's forehead.
"Don't talk nonsense; I'm not some universal people-pleaser capable of attending to so many."
"Does Zeke think they have any other choice? Remember, as Herrschers, their destinies create an insurmountable divide from ordinary individuals, in every conceivable sense... Aside from staying by Your Majesty's side, there truly is nowhere else for them."
"...Are you trying to involve Mei and Ana too?"
"No, being single is one thing. But when it comes to romantic relationships, even from a pragmatic standpoint, Herrscher powers should not be influenced or controlled by anyone other than Zeke. Thus, they cannot be with average people."
Bronya rubbed her forehead, speaking earnestly.
Zeke shook his head and replied:
"You're right to consider that, but it's not absolute. As long as the Herrscher powers serve my purpose, exceptions can be made. Besides, this constraint only matters until the final battle concludes. Once everything is resolved, these limitations won't hold much significance anymore."
"Zeke..."
"Yes?"
"I don't care about others, but please, do not hurt Seele." Bronya embraced Zeke tightly, her muffled voice carrying deep concern.
Sharing affection for the same person with her closest sister, Bronya too had grappled with this dilemma. However, her unique experiences and exceptional intellect during her unconventional childhood fostered a more open-minded perspective.
With three already involved, whether it became four, five, or even more, as long as she deemed them worthy, Bronya wouldn't be overly concerned.
Zeke remained silent for a while before finally saying:
"They're still young; let's revisit this later."
What else could he do but take things as they come? He couldn't possibly approach two thirteen- or fourteen-year-old girls and bluntly ask them to join his harem, right? That would be downright monstrous!
Never did Zeke expect that upon returning, his first major challenge wouldn't involve Honkai, but rather emotional entanglements.
Sighing deeply, Zeke suddenly noticed something amiss and remarked:
"Speaking of, what's up with that little goofball? How is she managing to hold out for so long? Did her brain malfunction again?"
"I'm not a goofball, you stinky Zeke!!!"
A black hole opened above them, and Kiana jumped down, perching on Zeke's shoulder. Her round, fair legs wrapped around his neck as she angrily pounded on his head.
Zeke looked upward, meeting Kiana's indignant expression, devoid of any real anger. Gently patting her thighs, he simply said:
"Get down."
"No way! Stupid Zeke! Rotten Zeke! It's one thing to be gone for so long, but now this happens as soon as you return! How dare you betray my unwavering affection?! Take that, take that, I'll beat you dead!"
Kiana's little fists repeatedly pounded on Zeke's head with enough force to vent her frustration without causing harm—annoying him nonetheless.
Zeke silently endured it for a moment before saying,
"I heard while I was away, you indulged in junk food every day?"
The gentle yet probing tone made Kiana pause her pummeling.
Then, feeling guilty, she looked up at the ceiling.
Deep down, Kiana understood that Zeke couldn't be entirely blamed for his romantic entanglements. He wasn't someone intentionally promiscuous; rather, his immense charm led to these situations, not any active wrongdoing. Besides, things hadn't escalated to the point of betrayal, and she couldn't resent her own friends either.
However, consuming junk food was strictly prohibited.
In comparison, she felt that facing Zeke's potential reprimand seemed more troublesome.
"How...how...how could I? Health is my top priority—I would never indulge recklessly, right?"
"Shh-shh-shhh..." Beads of sweat formed on Kiana's forehead as she stammered and ended up whistling.
This guilty reaction hadn't changed since her childhood.
Zeke looked at her with a mix of exasperation and resignation. "Now that you're fully recovered, I won't forbid you from indulging completely, but there should still be limits."
His words implied he wouldn't pursue the matter further. Kiana's tense expression relaxed, and she quickly nodded.
"Mm-hmm! Got it!"
"Then come down."
"All righty!"
Kiana slid off Zeke's shoulder and stood before him, wearing a bashful smile tinged with embarrassment. Partly because she had gone too far with her antics earlier, and partly due to being caught in a lie.
"Squat down."
"Oh."
Kiana complied, squatting with her head tilted upward. Her bright, sparkling eyes blinked once, gazing attentively and joyfully at Zeke.
Zeke raised his hand and gently ruffled her silvery-white hair.
The soft, fuzzy sensation finally filled the long-standing void within him completely.
A warm smile graced Zeke's face.
Unable to contain herself any longer, Kiana leaped up and threw herself into those longed-for arms.
Whether it was her romantic entanglements, junk food cravings, or Honkai itself—all these concerns faded from her mind. In this moment, for the beaming girl, nothing mattered more than this warm embrace.
"Zeke, I missed you so much."
"I...missed you too."
"Don't leave me again. It hurts without you, Zeke."
"Okay."
Smiling tenderly, Zeke held on tightly to this most precious warmth.