Her Name

It's been a few days since the accusation of Raiden Ryoma. Christmas is near but for others? It won't be merry.

Raiden Mei for example.

"Yeah kid. Not gonna lie. This is pretty messed up." The guard replied while taking a sip of his coffee.

It's currently snowing so he's having a hot drink.

"I'm still surprised you don't believe those charges." Daniel said while drinking his coffee.

"Why would I? Compared to those kids, I've been living in Nagazora the longest. Crimes or not, I witnessed the city's progress under Raiden Ryoma's rule." The guard shrugged.

"That's true.." Daniel blew his coffee. They are currently sitting on a bench inside the campus.

It's Christmas break so no classes.

"Still, you won't be enjoying the break with anyone? What about that girlfriend of yours? I even saw you hanging out with the ME heiress." The guard sighed. 

"No? They also have their own things to do," Daniel frowned, "Also she's not my girlfriend."

"So you and the heiress have a thing?" 

"Ugh…."

The guard laughed after seeing his tired expression.

"Whatever, I'm going to clean the campus first." Daniel finished his coffee and stood up. Although it's Christmas break, money is still money.

And it's not like he'll do anything important.

Picking up his equipment, he started sweeping at the front of the gate.

As he was doing so, he bumped once again to a familiar feeling.

"What..?" He didn't fall down this time and saw the same girl he bumped a few days ago.

"We met again." The purple haired said with a smile.

"Hahaha, a coincidence…." Daniel forced a laugh. He would believe it was a coincidence if this girl isn't strong enough to make him fall down.

He did find it weird how a small looking girl made him fall down by a bump? It's unrealistic, ignoring her size, he's also far stronger than before, so how?

Well, he came to the conclusion that this girl must be supernatural. He isn't dumb enough to disregard those little clues.

The question is, what is she doing here? He doesn't remember her at all.

"Uhh… can I know your name?" Daniel scratched his head. That should be fine right.

"Hehehe, of course it's fine Daniel." The girl giggled which gave Daniel goosebumps.

"Wait, how did you know my name?" He asked in suspicion. 

She pointed at the name tag on his uniform which made Daniel facepalm.

"As for what my name is…. Hmmm, I guess you can call me Jyanhar." The girl named Jyanhar introduced herself.

"Jyanhar.." Daniel pondered. Nope, never heard that before.

"So… how may I help you?" Daniel almost cursed himself. It was so awkward.

"Nothing. In fact, you may even be the one who'll need my help in the future." After saying that, a gust of wind blew, making Daniel cover his eyes.

"Yep, definitely weird." Removing his hand, he saw that the girl named Jyanhar is gone.

"Nothing I can do about it." Honestly, this sounds like the romance in his previous world. He doesn't think it'll be good to pry about it.

Continuing his work, he decided to just think about it later on and focused on the money he'll earn after this.

—

"Are you sure Daniel won't be angry that we left him?" Raiden Mei asked while fidgeting. The news about her father is still fresh so she's been receiving looks from other people.

"Huh? Yeah, he doesn't dare to be angry." Kiana didn't care whether they were being looked at or not and waved her fist.

They went to the mall and left Daniel at the campus.

He didn't mind and even said "Shopping? Yep, have fun." 

He doesn't want to carry whatever things they are gonna buy.

Raiden Mei sighed, 'Isn't this spoiling Kiana?' She's not really aware about man and woman relationships but one thing's for sure.

Kiana and Daniel have a strange bond.

"Kiana-chan.. your hair, what happened to it?" Unlike her drill hairstyle, it was her previous braided hairstyle instead.

Raiden Mei noticed the difference compared to their first meeting but didn't ask about it since it's probably just Kiana's preference.

Looking closely now, this braided hair of hers seemed… longer?

"Uh this? It grew so I changed it back." Kiana shook her head, emphasizing hair.

"So you cut it? I didn't know Kiana-chan could do that." Raiden Mei muttered in surprise. From her understanding, Kiana's intelligence is not the best.

She didn't think she's capable of cutting her own hair without messing it up.

"Uhh…." Kiana stopped walking after hearing that.

"What's wrong?" Raiden Mei saw this and asked.

"... Hmph, I didn't cut it. Someone else did." She replied while holding one of her braids.

"Is that so?" Looking at Kiana's annoyed expression. She didn't ask further details.

It must be a sensitive topic.

Stopping in front of the mall, Kiana didn't hesitate further and pushed the door open.

"What are you planning on buying?" Raiden Mei asked. She didn't need to buy anything so far.

And judging by how these people are looking at her, she doubts that they would even sell her anything.

"Hmm…" In truth, Kiana didn't really want to buy anything. She just wants to spend some time with Mei.

"I'll take a look. Let's go, Mei-senpai." Kiana grabbed her hand and went their way inside the mall.

—

"Nothing." Siegfried said while looking at Kiana through his binoculars.

After entering Nagazora, he immediately looked for his daughter but to his surprise, she wasn't with that boy Daniel.

She was with Raiden Ryoma's daughter instead.

"She seems happy." Siegfried sighed. He knows what happened to Raiden Ryoma so he thought that people would bother her daughter after seeing her with Raiden Mei.

Guess he was thinking too much.

"Should I meet that boy Daniel?" He muttered. If he likes his daughter then he should get his permission first.

Bringing his binoculars again, Siegfried continued observing the two.

—

"How is K-423?" A blonde elegant man asked while sipping his wine.

"She's fine, Lord Overseer. According to the reports, she didn't suffer anything that would put her in grave danger." A white haired woman wearing goggles replied.

"What about her companion…hmm Daniel was it?" The blonde man continued asking.

"Yes, that's the name we got from him." She nodded, "He's also out of danger and surprisingly, there is no sign of Honkai corrosion from him." She finished with a frown.

"A man suddenly appeared. No identity, not even a picture. It's as if a ghost appeared out of nowhere." The man rubbed his chin, "Amber, what do you think about that man being useful for my plan?" 

".... Judging from his interaction with the subject, Mr. Daniel could be helpful about your plan." Amber hesitated before replying.

"Excellent. Although it's a pity that we didn't get all the information, the ones we got are still useful." The blonde man smiled.

He's Otto Apocalypse, the Overseer of Shicksal and is someone that can be considered the leader of humanity.

After the incident with the Pseudo Herrscher, Otto got anxious and immediately tried to find a way to prevent it.

And no, it's not because of the awakening of the Pseudo Herrscher but rather, K-424 or as others call her, Kiana Kaslana.

If the energy coming from that Pseudo Herrscher managed to get absorbed by her, it'll be a disaster.

K-423 hasn't built any bonds yet so awakening her will might result in her not waking up for a long time… probably never.

Although things have changed now. Her bond with that man named Daniel and now, the daughter of Raiden Ryoma, Raiden Mei, his plan could really start.

"But Daniel huh? Very interesting." Aside from the fact that he just suddenly appeared in this world, there's also that information they got about how he defeated a Pseudo Herrscher.

It might sound unbelievable, but for him who lived for five hundred years, it was not.

His long life has given him insight on some things. Just because it's hard to believe doesn't mean he won't consider it.

"How is Rita currently?" Otto asked his subordinate.

"She's still on a mission sir. Should I call her?" 

"No need. Just tell her to meet me after her mission is done." Otto shook his head with a smile.

They need to find out what's special about that kid and among their Valkyries, Rita is the perfect candidate to do it.

Her specialty in espionage and assassination are useful in situations like this.

"Daniel…" Where did this person come from?

At first, he thought it's a hidden agent from Anti-Entropy but after knowing the inside story, he figured that it's not.

Could it be related to the mysterious World Serpent? He didn't know what kind of people were in that organization.

It's also been a long time since they are active to the point that he almost forgot they exist.

"Lord Overseer, we hacked the Anti-Entropy database. We also found out something related to the man K-423 is with." Amber informed her leader.

"Oh? Tesla is reckless as usual it seems," Otto shook his head with disappointment, "Then again, it is strange that someone is leading Anti-Entropy other than Joyce." 

What is her name again? 

"I don't think they are being reckless sir…." Amber's mouth twitched hearing that. They spent hours cracking the security system of Anti-Entropy but their leader was too curious and immediately opened it himself.

In his own words, "I left a backdoor there." 

That's the difference compared to their leader, the two scientists of Anti-Entropy are still kids.

It's not that they are bad, but he's just too good.

"Open it Amber, I want to see what happened in Chiba Academy that time." 

Nodding, she opened the file and a video started playing.

Otto tapped the table while looking at the Pseudo Herrscher ragdolling Daniel.

"He's still alive? That's impressive for someone with no proper training." Otto commented.

Amber didn't say anything and continued watching.

The video reaches the point where Daniel was stabbed which surprised them both.

However…

"Lord Overseer…?" Amber's usual emotionless voice broke down for a moment.

Meanwhile, Otto's smiling expression was gone but was replaced by solemnity.

He ignored Amber's call and watched the video until Daniel was taken away by Kiana.

"That's… a bit dangerous." Otto returned to his usual expression and wiped the non existent sweat on his forehead.

"Amber, contact Durandal too. I have a feeling that Rita won't be enough."

"...Understood." Amber bowed and left the room.

After she left, Otto laid down on his chair and sighed. Remembering the video, he started recalling the feeling that happened in the past.

It was like when he saw Siegfried transformed into 'that' thing.

No, it's different. There were no physical changes so what was it? After watching the video, he now doubts that Daniel is from the World Serpent.

Call it his intuition, but he didn't think that someone would let that kind of person roam around free, especially near K-423. 

"Maybe I'm wrong?" Otto shook his head. No matter, judging by how things are going. He's developing a special bond with K-423. As long as there's no outside interference, it would still go the way he wants to.

But just in case, he'll send his two Valkyries to watch the situation.

—

"You two just returned?" Daniel asked in surprise while looking at Mei and Kiana who are carrying bags.

Lots of bags.

They've gone to the mall in the morning and now it's afternoon….

Seriously, what do girls do in the mall?

"Hmm let's see. Mei-senpai and I…" Kiana listed what they did in the mall.

Daniel listened to it with a blank expression and after it ended, he sighed.

Apparently, Mei wasn't going to buy anything but still ended up doing so.

Raiden Mei looked away with an embarrassed expression after Kiana finished the story.

"Anyways, what are you two doing here?" He asked with confusion. There are no classes so there's no need for them to be here.

"Huh? To pick you up of course." Kiana said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"For what?"

"Dinner."

"Oh." Daniel looked at them and agreed.

 After finishing his job, they walked together while chatting about Christmas.

It's been a long time since he planned to celebrate Christmas.

Looking at the two of them he muttered in his heart,

'This isn't so hard.'