Honkai: Strijder
Chapter 416: When One Should Cry
Whoosh!
Beneath the bright, pristine moon, a nimble black-clad figure with long ears darted between skyscrapers.
After finishing her inspection of the city's layout, public security, and civilian conditions, Yae Sakura finally came to a halt atop a towering high-rise. With one hand hooked over the edge of the rooftop, she hung suspended beneath the night sky, gazing down at the orderly, brilliantly lit metropolis below.
"Officer Izayoi, city patrol complete. Your department has done an excellent job. I will report truthfully to Lord Sigurd—ah, His Majesty. Also, as a side note, I've already cleared out the anomalous forest in the west. It won't pose a threat to you anymore."
"Thank you for your hard work, Miss Sakura. Would you like to come to my place for dinner? I made beef burgers today!"
"No, I'll pass. I've already imposed on you for several days, and I'd like to head home and rest as soon as possible. Let's get together another time."
"What, really? It's rare to meet a compatriot from the Far East! I was hoping to have a pajama party with you, Miss Sakura—stay up all night chatting!"
"Haha! There'll be a chance. Next time, I'll definitely keep you company to the very end."
Her soft, heart-stirring laughter drifted away on the wind as Yae Sakura smiled and cut the connection.
Afterwards, she pulled herself up with a bit of force, swinging lightly before landing on the rooftop.
Suddenly, the exquisitely crafted black blade at her waist trembled lightly.
"Onee-chan! Are we going home? I want fried tofu!"
"Hm? Didn't I already store plenty inside the sword? You said you'd save it carefully and savor it slowly. Don't tell me you finished it all already?"
"Onee-chan, don't even remind me! That annoying deadpan guy has such a petty mind. Last time we met, he tried to force the Core of Erosion into my body. I resisted with all my might and he failed—then he sneakily stole all the fried tofu I had sealed in the room! I only realized it later, and I've been out of food for days now!"
"Ah… well…"
Although Higokumaru's aggrieved voice sounded pitiful, the moment Yae Sakura imagined Sigurd sitting alone in the darkness, expressionless, calmly chewing and savoring the stolen fried tofu, she completely lost it.
"Pfft! Mr. Sigurd really is—"
"Onee-chan, you're laughing!?"
"Sorry, sorry. I'll go back and make some for you right away."
Yae Sakura stroked the scabbard to soothe Higokumaru, smiling helplessly as she shook her head.
A cool night breeze swept past. In the next instant, the fairy-like figure beneath the moon vanished without a trace.
…
Yae Sakura had made her home deep in the mountains of the Far East.
In truth, there had once been a bustling city not far away, where she could have gone to purchase daily necessities. But after the Great Collapse of the Far East more than half a year ago, this island nation no longer had much human habitation. What remained were Entropy facilities scattered across mountains and rivers—
The entire country had become a weapon of Anti-Entropy.
As a result, Yae Sakura's home was now very quiet. Aside from herself, there was no trace of human presence or sound.
Szzzz—!
The oil bubbled violently as the tofu rolled and bobbed within the pan. The intense heat released a rich, fragrant aroma that instantly whetted the appetite.
"Onee-chan, is it ready? Can we eat yet?"
Higokumaru usually didn't like showing herself in front of others, but since it was just her and Yae Sakura here, she stood openly on Sakura's shoulder. Her fluffy fox tail swayed restlessly behind her as she wiped away drool in anticipation.
"You really are impatient. Haven't you heard that you can't rush hot tofu?"
Yae Sakura sighed and tapped Higokumaru lightly on the head, her smile full of indulgence.
"I'm not afraid of the heat! I'm Higokumaru!"
"Is that something to be proud of?"
"Hmph! Of course it is!"
Higokumaru planted her hands on her hips and lifted her chin smugly.
Knock. Knock
Just then, a soft knocking sound came from outside the door—where no visitors should have been possible.
"Hm?" ×2
Yae Sakura and Higokumaru exchanged glances, both seeing a string of question marks in the other's eyes.
In the next moment, Higokumaru vanished with a whoosh, retreating into the Jizo Mitama resting on the nearby table.
Yae Sakura tilted her head slightly. The long chopsticks in her hands moved like a gust of wind over the oil pan, and in the blink of an eye, a plate of golden fried tofu was neatly prepared and set on the table.
Then, still wearing her pink cooking apron, she walked over and opened the door.
"May I ask who—oh, it's Miss Mei. Are you here to convey Mr. Sigurd's latest orders?"
Yae Sakura had almost addressed her as Your Majesty, but the words still felt awkward on her tongue. In the end, she stuck with the old form of address—surely Mr. Sigurd wouldn't mind such a trivial detail.
Raiden Mei stood at the doorway, her gaze slipping past Yae Sakura and into the living room behind her, where the Jizo Mitama rested quietly on the table.
"…Sigh…."
Raiden Mei let out a faint, lingering sigh.
"Sorry for the intrusion. Mr. Sigurd doesn't have any orders. I'm actually here to see Miss Higokumaru."
"Hm? You're looking for Higokumaru?"
Yae Sakura froze.
Higokumaru had never been particularly fond of humans. The only two exceptions were Yae Sakura herself—and Sigurd, against whom she was utterly helpless.
Aside from those two, Higokumaru had almost no ties to this era, and she had even less connection to Raiden Mei.
So why would Mei be looking for Higokumaru?
Yae Sakura couldn't make sense of it. She hesitated for a moment, but in the end, etiquette mattered far less than Higokumaru's own will.
"Is there something you could tell me directly? Higokumaru may not want to see anyone right now. I'm very sorry."
"I understand. Then please give this sword and this recording to Miss Higokumaru. I'll come back later to retrieve the sword. Once again, I apologize for disturbing you. I'll take my leave now."
Raiden Mei bowed deeply. In the next instant, she transformed into a bolt of lightning, vanishing toward the distant horizon amid a sharp, piercing crack of thunder.
Yae Sakura stood there, holding in both hands the translucent blue-violet blade Mei had left behind. She stared at the flawless, art-like edge, tilting her head in confusion.
"…Huh???"
One puzzling event followed another, leaving Yae Sakura at a loss.
Moments later, when she came back to her senses, she found Higokumaru floating before her at some point unknown. The little fox spirit reached out with a trembling hand, slowly touching the blade—cold as ice.
"Higokumaru…"
Yae Sakura whispered her name. Though she still didn't understand what was happening, she could feel the overwhelming sorrow and agony pouring from Higokumaru—as if she had been abandoned by the world itself, a despair so heavy it was suffocating.
"Y-you…"
Before Yae Sakura could ask anything or offer comfort, the elegant blade in her hands—and the recording orb Raiden Mei had left—vanished in an instant.
They were taken by Higokumaru, who disappeared along with them into the inner space of the Jizo Mitama.
Yae Sakura hurried into the living room, reaching out toward the Jizo Mitama on the table, wanting to confirm Higokumaru's condition.
Buzz—!
Bang!
Before her fingers could touch the hilt, a powerful repelling force flung her hand away, sending a sharp pain through her fingers.
The Jizo Mitama—more precisely, Higokumaru herself—was rejecting Yae Sakura.
It was a sight Yae Sakura had never imagined.
She knelt before the low table in the Far Eastern style, gently rubbing her aching fingers, her mind gone blank.
"Was it that sword…?"
"What in the world was that…?"
"…Frozen Naraka?!"
Yae Sakura drew in a deep breath.
She and Higokumaru had been sealed together inside the black box that bound the Jizo Mitama for five hundred years. From initial hostility, to the intermingling of their souls, to gradual understanding and reconciliation—they knew each other better than anyone.
And now she remembered.
Within Higokumaru's fragmented memories, she had once caught a fleeting glimpse of that blade.
Setsuna · Frozen Naraka—the weapon of Sakura, one of the Thirteen Heroes of a bygone age.
And that woman… was the origin of Higokumaru herself.
The elder sister most dearly loved by the girl Rin.
"Higokumaru…"
Yae Sakura murmured the name of the soul within the blade, her voice filled with worry and helplessness.
Yet at this moment, there was nothing she could do.
Just as Rin's death had been an unsolvable calamity for Yae Sakura herself, this too was a bitter trial that no one could untangle.
With a pained whisper, Yae Sakura sat there in silence, left with no choice but to wait.
She didn't know how much time passed, only that the sky outside had shifted from light to deep darkness.
She prepared a large plate of fried tofu, stacking it high, and set it on the table, watching it cool from piping hot to cold.
Then she stood and lit an oil lamp.
As the flickering light illuminated the tabletop, Jizo Mitama trembled slightly.
"Ah—!"
A sob, tightly suppressed, broke free—gradually turning into unrestrained, heart-rending wails that echoed from within the blade.
Yae Sakura sat down beside Jizo Mitama and reached out, slowly grasping the blade.
The repelling force was still strong, but this time she did not retreat. Enduring the resistance, she pulled Jizo Mitama into her embrace.
"It's alright… it's alright. I'll stay with you. Always, Higokumaru."
She gently stroked the blade in her arms. The force of rejection gradually faded away, and as she continued to caress the blade, the firelight reflected in her eyes—eyes filled entirely with tenderness.
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