Chapter 58: Little Angel Drowning in Sweetness (4k)

Sirin likes delicious snacks, pretty dresses, and flowers. When she passed by the door of the adjacent house, she was indeed drawn to it.

This house used to be unoccupied, but Sirin's mother mentioned that a young boy had recently moved in, seemingly older than her, and had even helped her mother move things.

Sirin hadn't seen this older brother before and was curious. She could only quietly peek out of her window, carefully watching the neighboring house, trying to catch a glimpse of the brother's figure in this small world. But she had not succeeded, and the girl felt a bit sad, sensing an unexplainable concern that she couldn't pinpoint.

While pondering this, Sirin's mother asked her to buy some sauce. Following her mother's instructions, little Sirin, holding the money her mother gave her, stepped out with her delicate little feet.

The route to buy sauce seemed to be on the way to that house.

Unfortunately, Sirin didn't spot the white-haired brother her mother mentioned on her way there. Sirin had almost given up when, on her way back, she coincidentally encountered a white-haired youth wearing a gardener's hat, watering the flowers in the garden.

For a moment, Sirin forgot about going home and stood at the gate of the person's yard, staring at the youth's face.

Sirin was sure that it was the first time she had seen this brother, but it also felt like it wasn't the first time. What was this strange familiarity surging in her heart?

Busy as Chase was, he noticed Sirin standing at the gate, smiled warmly, and said, "Want to come in and take a look?"

Faced with Chase's invitation, Sirin nodded subconsciously, completely forgetting that she still had a bottle of sauce in her hand and her mother was waiting for it at home.

Chase walked to the yard's gate, opened the fence door, and gestured for the girl to come in.

Sirin walked on the cobblestone path, looking at the gentle brother in front of her, feeling a bit embarrassed. She finally asked her question, "Um... brother, have we met somewhere before?"

"Really? I feel the same way," Chase smiled and said, "I'm Chase, and I haven't asked for your name yet."

"I-I'm Sirin," the girl lowered her head.

Entering a stranger's house like this, was it a bit impolite...

Chase looked at the somewhat embarrassed Sirin and felt a mix of emotions—some joy, some nostalgia, and a bit of sadness.

Through the conversation with Welt, he had roughly understood the second Honkai Eruption that Welt experienced and knew the outcome of Sirin in his world.

So, he wanted to change it.

Change wasn't waiting for the wind to shift; it was adjusting one's own course.

In the previous simulation, even though Sirin had been adopted by Welt's mother from a young age, living with them for many years, it still didn't change the result of Sirin's mother dying from Honkai disease.

[One of the mission objectives: Find Sirin's turning point in life.]

Chase originally thought it was preventing Sirin from entering the Babylon Tower, but now he didn't think so. Sirin's turning point in life began with her mother's death.

Without her mother's death, Sirin wouldn't have entered the Babylon Lab, wouldn't have become a Herrscher due to persecution from Schicksal. This version of Sirin would lack hatred towards the world and dissatisfaction with humanity. Instead, she would have the innocence, loveliness, and a bit of girlish heart that a girl of her age should have.

Chase looked at Sirin in front of him, determined in his heart. Perhaps the talents drawn in this simulation weren't perfect, but he would do his best to protect this beauty.

He smiled and proudly showed Sirin his carefully maintained garden, "Sirin, want some candy?"

"Uh? No, it's okay." Sirin was momentarily stunned, subconsciously swallowed her saliva, but then suddenly woke up, quickly waving her hands to refuse. But this action, combined with her panicked expression, looked like a rabbit caught by the ears in mid-air.

Chase found it somewhat amusing. He had already learned about Sirin's preferences in the previous simulation.

After accompanying Sirin for so many years, could Chase not know whether she liked candies or not?

"Hahaha, Sirin, don't be polite~" Chase chuckled, peeled off the candy wrapper with his right hand, and then put the candy into Sirin's mouth.

"Um!" Sirin's hair, which couldn't be pressed down on either side of her head, seemed even more like cat ears and perked up a bit. It seemed to convey the restlessness of its owner.

So sweet! Sirin's golden eyes suddenly widened, blinked, and looked at Chase, seemingly not recovering from the shock. It was as if she was a little bear who hadn't dipped its head in honey yet. Sweetness enveloped her, making Sirin momentarily lose the ability to speak.

How long had the girl been immersed in the honey?

Until the birds soared to the horizon, the cats playing around catnip, the incense burning... no, it wasn't that long, perhaps only the time it took for a candy to melt.

When the sweetness in her mouth gradually faded, Sirin suddenly woke up, realizing she had to deliver the sauce to her mother!

She became a bit flustered, like a child caught doing something wrong by an adult, "Chase brother, thank you for the candy, and your garden is beautiful!"

"But I must give the sauce to my mom now."

"Sirin, wait." Chase stopped the girl, who was in a hurry to leave.

Sirin halted her steps, looked at Chase, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately didn't leave, waiting for Chase.

Soon after, Chase walked over, holding two bouquets of flowers.

"Sirin, this lily of the valley is for you!" Chase handed over a beautifully packaged bouquet. The bell-shaped flowers were pure white, bundled together in a cone shape, and tied tightly at the bottom with a rope, showing his care.

The lily of the valley symbolized purity, hope, and blessings. The flower arrangement's meaning was happiness, blessings, and a beautiful future.

Chase specifically chose this for Sirin, wishing her a beautiful future and truly realizing Sirin's magic of happiness.

Of course, there was also a bouquet of pink carnations, symbolizing maternal love, gratitude, and joy.

"I-I can't accept this, Sirin shook her head, "I suddenly visited, didn't bring any decent gifts, but brother not only gave Sirin candy, showed the garden, but also gave Sirin flowers..."

"Sirin can't accept it." The girl shook her head firmly.

"No, this is a welcome gift, so Sirin should accept it." Chase smiled and continued, "Sirin, are you going to find your mom?"

"Um." Sirin nodded.

"Then let's go together. I also need to visit your mom." Chase suggested.

"Uh?"

"I just moved here and wanted to visit your mom. Let's go together." Chase, with the bundle of pink carnations in his right hand, walked out of the yard on his own.

"Oh." Sirin nodded, silently following behind Chase, looking at the lily of the valley in her hand, then at Chase walking ahead.

Stray sunlight scattered on the broken hair of the youth, and the sudden wind rustled through the dense branches and leaves, making a shushing sound like the backstage music of a play. Sirin's mouth couldn't help but curve up, chasing after Chase in front of her, looking at him.

...

It was strange. Even though it was just a short distance, walking side by side, it felt like they had walked a long way.

When Sirin reached the door, she knocked and called out, "Mom, I'm back!"

Following that, the sound of footsteps came from behind the door. A woman opened it, saw Sirin, and couldn't help but complain, "Sirin, you're too slow."

But then she noticed the flowers in Sirin's hands, looking a bit puzzled, "Where did these flowers come from?"

Sirin's eyes dodged a bit, turned to look at Chase, her eyes pleading as if saying—

Help me, Chase brother!

Chase stepped forward and greeted the woman he had only met this morning, "Hello, Auntie, we meet again."

With that, Chase handed over the bundle of pink carnations in his hand.

"This is a gift for our second meeting."

"Hahaha, really, I'll accept it then." Sirin's mother happily accepted the flowers, brought them close to her nose, and sniffed in front of the blossoms, showing a blissful expression.

"Pink carnations, how thoughtful, Chase," she smiled, "Have you had lunch? If you don't mind, let's eat together."

Chase's eyes seemed to light up instantly, and he quickly nodded.

Coming over at noon is indeed lucky; Sirin is truly my lucky star!

Chase subtly gave a thumbs-up to Sirin beside him, and little Sirin, seeing this, was a bit puzzled. She raised her hand to touch her head, not understanding, feeling the midday sun was a bit hot and wanting to go inside.

...

Inside her home, Sirin sat on the chair by the dining table, her fair little hand supporting her chin, and her two little feet swinging in the air. She stared at the scenery outside the window, seemingly bored.

It was an ordinary afternoon, with singing birds on the treetops outside and the usual warm sun. Yet, it was also an extraordinary afternoon, as their little home, originally meant for two, had unexpectedly gained a new member.

Sighing, Sirin looked at the rye bread on the table, swallowed saliva, but both Chase and her mother were still busy in the kitchen, so she couldn't start eating. Unable to sit still, she ran to the kitchen, carefully watching the busy boy's figure.

Yes, after entering Sirin's home, Chase heard that the meal wasn't finished yet. He eagerly rushed out to buy ingredients and returned with them.

He also wanted to help with cooking. The talent of a [Culinarian] couldn't go to waste!

Sirin's mother initially resisted. After all, it wasn't common for guests to cook. But she couldn't resist Chase's insistence, so she reluctantly agreed. She didn't want to dampen his enthusiasm; at most, he could assist a bit.

However, the development seemed to defy Sirin's mother's expectations. She looked at herself, busy cutting vegetables and meat, then at Chase, cooking away, and for a moment, she couldn't comprehend.

Was I supposed to be the one cooking?

Chase, who was staring at the cooking pot, suddenly glimpsed a hint of purple at the kitchen door. He turned his head, coincidentally locking eyes with those golden orbs. Sirin suddenly looked like a startled kitten, quickly retracting her head. After a while, she peeked out again, continuing to gaze.

But as her eyes met Chase's, who was ready for it, Sirin blushed instantly. It was as if this little girl, whose thoughts had been exposed, felt a bit embarrassed. She wanted to escape but found Chase beckoning her over.

Was he calling her?

Sirin hesitated for a moment, then walked over to Chase. The golden pupils were full of curiosity and innocence untainted by worldly knowledge.

Chase picked up a piece of meat from the cooking pot, blew on it, and then asked Sirin to open her mouth, saying, "Ah—"

Sirin obediently followed, letting the meat enter her mouth. She was momentarily surprised, feeling a bit rushed to spit it out due to the heat. However, unwilling to waste it, she could only breathe heavily, waiting for the meat to cool in her mouth.

Chase laughed heartily, not knowing exactly what he was laughing about.

Sirin felt a bit embarrassed, clenched her pink fist, and gave him a few punches. Chase, at the right moment, made a pained expression, making the girl's internal storm quickly dissipate. She began worrying if she had hit him too hard.

Sirin's mother, standing by, watched this scene with some amusement and joy. Somehow, even though she had only met Chase twice, she felt confident that having Chase around Sirin was a good thing.

"Sirin, how is it? Delicious?" Chase asked when Sirin calmed down.

Sirin earnestly tidied her somewhat messy hair due to her previous loss of composure. The purple strands shone with a fairy-tale-like and dreamy hue. She looked out of the kitchen window, seeming to admire the scenery, and then turned to Chase, nodding:

"Very delicious."

"Great, let's eat~" Chase smiled, picked up the sauce on the side, and walked towards the dining table. "Auntie, I'll trouble you with this dish~"

Sirin looked at Chase's back and realized she had been used as a taste tester. She pouted, feeling a bit awkward.

Well, considering the food is delicious, I'll let you off this time~

At the dining table, three people enjoyed lunch harmoniously. The sunlight was just right, passing through the gaps in the leaves, casting the shadows of potted plants on the wooden floor against the wall.

In the summer of 1999, a girl who went out to buy sauce met a boy who had just moved in.

The boy greeted her warmly and invited her to visit his home together...

Little did they know, the gears of fate were turning at this moment. The girl's destiny was veering away from its preordained conclusion, heading down an unknown path.

In that year, the boy was 15, and the girl was 13.