Big Duck—Don’t Want to Call Me Sister? Then Call Me Mom!

"Everyone, I'm back!"

Elias had to summon a fair bit of courage to push open the door to House of the Hearth again—because he realized that nothing had changed since the day he left.

It was as if the girls had wanted to freeze time itself.

To preserve everything exactly as it was on the day he walked away.

He could already feel their longing for him, even before laying eyes on them. The overwhelming emotion moved him deeply—so much so that he just wanted to do something, anything.

But in the end, the only thing he could do was open that door as quickly as possible—to reunite with them one second sooner.

And at that moment, the fire in the hearth—which should have long since gone out—flared again into an eternal, undying flame.

"Papa Elias—!" xN

The moment his figure appeared, Sin Mal, Rozaliya, Liliya, and the others burst into tears.

Before he even stepped into the house, they had all rushed out and thrown themselves at him.

"Uuu, it really is Papa Elias!"

"Mm! There's no mistake!"

"Papa's finally home!"

"Everyone, hold on to Papa tight—we're never letting him go again!"

"That's right! Huh? Why does Father seem so much younger? Sniff sniff But he still smells the same~"

(S-So enthusiastic...)

Dozens of girls tackled Elias straight into the snow outside the door. Lying on the ground, he wore a soft smile and let them cling to every inch of him.

Honestly, if he hadn't relaxed his body just in time, with Rozaliya and the others charging at full speed, it would've been like slamming into a steel wall.

"I'm back, everyone—I'm finally home!"

"We knew it! No doubt about it, Papa Elias is back! We all missed you so, so, so much!"

"Mm, and I missed all of you too~"

Elias gently hugged each girl in turn. His memories hadn't faded one bit. He still remembered all their names, every moment of those past days.

Off to the side, Bronya and Seele couldn't help but tear up as well. In this moment, it felt like they were transported back to a year ago—the happiest time of their lives.

"Sin Mal, I'm amazed at how dependable you've become. I'm proud of you—you really are our family's child."

"Rozaliya—whoa, how'd you gain so much weight since I left? Still cute as ever, though."

"Liliya, you tickle when you snuggle me like that. Let me see your face properly... Mm, just as adorable as your sister."

Elias found himself filled with endless things he wanted to say to these girls. It had only been a year, but already he couldn't bear the thought of parting from them again.

"At last... it feels complete again."

Bronya wiped the glimmer from the corner of her eyes.

Watching Elias return to House of the Hearth felt like a puzzle finally receiving its center piece—the missing fragment that made the whole family whole again.

Surrounded by the girls, Elias stepped inside.

And took his seat at his rightful place.

He gazed at the hearth's flames with deep emotion.

Although the fire had already responded to his presence at the front door—resonating with his power as Herrscher of Fire, transforming once again into a Herrscher flame—

He could feel it clearly: the fire he thought had long been extinguished had never gone out.

Elias reached out and touched the flames in the hearth.

The memories stored in the fire flowed into him.

"You've all done such an incredible job. Even without me here... you still managed to protect the heart of this home."

Even without the support of Herrscher authority or unlimited Honkai energy as fuel, the girls had kept the fire alive through their own efforts.

Every night, two girls would take turns on fire-watch duty—adding wood, keeping the flames burning steadily. No one assigned them. No one forced them. They all volunteered.

This flame had taken the place of Elias' eyes.

It had watched over everything happening inside House of the Hearth.

And it had borne witness to the girls' longing and devotion.

Just as it reawakened into Herrscher flame earlier, Rozaliya had accidentally fallen into it.

But Elias hadn't intervened to control the flame. That meant—it had chosen, on its own, not to hurt her.

Flame: (Of course I didn't harm her. Once I regained my special form and could control my temperature again, why would I ever hurt the girls who fed me night after night? My whole purpose is to warm them.)

After that, Elias began sharing stories of where he'd been—after all, he owed it to the girls who had waited so long to know what they had waited for.

"As for what I've been doing this whole time... well, on the small scale, I saved a few girls. On the larger scale, I saved the world."

"Oh, right—everyone needs to change how you address me from now on. Start calling me 'Big Brother' instead of 'Papa'... At least when we're around other people."

Elias emphasized this matter of titles.

"Eh? Why's that?"

"Because I'm about the same age as you all now. If you keep calling me Papa in public, it could cause problems. You don't want the cops to haul me off, do you?"

"Nooo! We don't want that! It's weird, but we'll do it. Elias... Big Brother."

Several girls already couldn't stop the corners of their lips from lifting.

Looking at their once-father now appearing their age... the chance they'd dreamed of had finally come!

Elias continued talking about what he'd been up to—saving Nagazora from certain destruction, joining a school called St. Freya Academy, defeating a terrifying beast from 5,000 years ago called Chiyou, playing games of wits with a certain Fool...

The girls at House of the Hearth listened in awe. It was just like old times—when Elias would tell them bedtime stories to help them fall asleep.

"Really, I have Bronya to thank. If she hadn't found me, I probably still wouldn't have reunited with you all."

"Wow, then Bronya really saved the day. Uh... wait, you're Bronya? H-How'd you get so big?! Am I dreaming?!"

Their joy at reuniting with Elias had monopolized their attention—

They hadn't even looked at Bronya or Seele until now.

And when they did... everyone was dumbfounded.

What a majestic bust.

What refined elegance.

Holy moly! What happened to this Big Duck?!

"Hi~ everyone. Long time no see."

Seeing how these ungrateful brats had forgotten their dear sister the moment Papa showed up, Bronya immediately straightened her back and thrust her chest forward.

Seemingly nonchalant—but actually putting maximum effort—she struck a graceful pose and flicked her silver-gray turbine hair, radiating the ultimate mature Big Duck charm!

Big Duck: (Everyone's eyes on Bronya now! Prepare to be stunned by my beauty!)

"Y-You're really Bronya?"

"What in the world happened?!"

"Papa Elias got younger, Bronya grew up... Just how much plot did we miss?!"

"Bronya's so beautiful... I'm jealous."

The girls' eyes sparkled as they stared at her.

Though they couldn't understand what exactly had happened to this Big Duck, it didn't stop them from being stunned—and more than a little awestruck.

Only Sin Mal's face twitched violently. She stared at the dazzling, radiant Bronya, then looked down at her own utterly flat chest. Jealousy twisted her face into a bitter shade.

What the hell happened to this Flat Duck in a single year?! Bronya, you're totally cheating!

"This really shouldn't have happened. I was just so happy Father came home that I got careless... and let some stranger into our home."

"Stranger? Sin Mal, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying it's time for you to leave House of the Hearth. Strangers aren't welcome here."

"I may look different, but I really am Bronya Zay..."

"Silence! The Bronya I know had a chest flatter than mine—flat enough to use as a mousepad! If you want to impersonate her that badly, then let your boss cut off those annoying lumps for you!"

Sin Mal pulled out a cake knife and menacingly licked a dollop of frosting from the blade. Her eyes gleamed with icy intent.

Flat Duck or not, how dare you bloat up like this! Today, Boss Sin Mal's gonna carve you back to size!

"Tch~! So you're just jealous of Bronya."

Bronya put one hand on her hip, completely unfazed. Before Sin Mal could continue raging, the barrel of Project Bunny's cannon—thick as a human head—clicked into place against her forehead.

"..."

"What? Cat got your tongue? You were so mouthy a moment ago. Oh, and by the way—this power came from Elias too."

Bronya crossed her arms smugly.

Watching the normally foul-mouthed, arrogant Sin Mal make a face like she'd just swallowed a fly was deeply satisfying.

Sure, what she'd said about being flat was true—but that was the past. The current Bronya was the perfect Bronya!

"Damn it, Bronya! Don't get cocky! From now on, you better sleep with one eye open. I swear I'll cut those things off and feed them to Rozaliya!"

Never backing down, Boss Sin Mal still kept up her front.

But Bronya wasn't having it. Her expression darkened.

She raised her hands protectively over her proud, full chest.

This was her proof of victory—a miracle she achieved for her future! The definitive answer to the age-old question of whether 8 was greater than 50,000!

Even if they were all sisters of House of the Hearth, this was her pride—untouchable!

"Sin Mal, what exactly did Bronya do to make you treat me so disrespectfully? Don't forget—I'm the eldest sister of House of the Hearth. And you won't even call me 'Big Sister.'"

"Hah! You want me to call you sister? Bronya, did your time outside fry your brain? You dreaming about peaches now or something?"

"Fine then. If that's how you want it—Bronya won't hold back anymore."

"Oh no! Bronya's about to drop the nuke!"

Dark Seele's face turned pale. She immediately covered her ears and retreated into the mental space, letting White Seele take over—no way was she sticking around for this lethal one-liner!

Bronya threw herself into Elias' arms like a swallow returning to its nest, snuggling close with utter affection. With the air of an absolute victor, she smiled sweetly at the stunned Sin Mal.

"Since you won't call me sister, then why not just call me... Mom?"

"...Huh?!"

It wasn't just Sin Mal—every girl in House of the Hearth (except Rozaliya, of course) nearly dropped their jaws.

Seeing Big Duck's blissful, satisfied smile—and Elias' helpless but doting expression—everyone understood in an instant.

"Bronya, I swear I will %@#!$%&@ you!!"

"Say whatever you like. In the end, it's just a sore loser's howl. Bronya has already won."

"Damn you, Bronya! You actually stole Father?! Even killing you a thousand times wouldn't be enough!"

Sin Mal completely snapped. If not for Project Bunny's robotic arm holding her back, she would've lunged forward and bitten Big Duck to death with her shark-like teeth.

She never imagined Flat Duck would dare sneak off like this.

"Your boss stays behind to babysit while you're out there growing up and secretly nabbing Father?! Bronya, you're too damn bold! When the hell did this even happen?!"

"Last night."

"WHAT THE—?! Spill it! You found Father ages ago, didn't you? And instead of bringing him home, you finished the meal first?! You absolute traitor!"

"Uh... well..."

Now it was Bronya's turn to avert her eyes guiltily.

She suddenly realized she really was at fault here. Sure, she had worked hard this past year—but Sin Mal had done her share too, holding the fort at home.

And they'd agreed: once Elias was found, he'd be brought home immediately. And yet...

"Fine, Bronya admits she broke the agreement. But... Bronya doesn't regret it."

"You're proud of that?! You little—!"

"Sorry, Sin Mal. I was going to bring Elias home quickly. But... a lot of things happened along the way. And last night... I just couldn't resist."

Bronya scratched her head, then stuck out her tongue playfully.

"%~!$#%!*"

Boss Sin Mal turned into a human telegraph machine.

"Wait! If you already made your move, then what about Seele?! Don't tell me even Seele...?!"

"I-I-I didn't! I swear! I haven't!"

Sin Mal's demonic glare had Seele waving her hands in terror, frantically denying everything.

That at least brought Sin Mal some relief.

If even Seele—the one remaining voice of conscience in House of the Hearth—had snuck ahead, she'd have coughed up blood and gone back in time just to punch her past self for staying home.

"Anyway, Papa Elias now belongs to Bronya. Sin Mal, you've lost."

"Unacceptable! Bronya, I challenge you to a duel!"

"No problem. Project Bunny 19C—ready to fire."

"Hey! That's not fair, you cheater!"

Sitting on Elias' lap, Big Duck happily kicked her feet, thinking to herself that she had Mei-sis—wait, Mei-chan—to thank for teaching her the ways of war.

Love is war!

There is no such thing as first come, first served!

The winner gets the sweet moments, the loser eats the crumbs!

Bronya: (This is the blazing truth!)

Yet the world also holds another truth—don't get too cocky.

"Duck, this won't do."

Elias tugged gently at her cheek.

"Eh?"

"Long story short... your Big Duck trial period has expired."

Elias activated the Herrscher of Rebirth's power.

Before Bronya could react, her body shrank amid white blossoms of creation—transforming from Big Duck back into Flat Duck in the blink of an eye.

"W-Why...?"

She blankly touched her chest—only to find nothing but empty air. She was stunned.

Elias patted her head in comfort.

"Big Duck was great, but the current Bronya is the one I love just as much. So let's go back, alright?"

"But Bronya liked her grown-up self..."

"You'll get there in time. And when it's just the two of us, I'll let you transform again, okay, Duck?"

Honestly, Elias himself liked Big Duck a bit more too.

But that form would only draw rejection from the others in House of the Hearth. The rest were still growing—Bronya had effectively skipped all the levels.

Even in such a close-knit family, pulling something that over-the-top would definitely lead to resentment.

And seeing Bronya revert to her familiar, pint-sized self—

Sin Mal swooped in with a perfectly timed jab.

"Pfft—ahahaha! Yo, Bronya! What happened to your chest pillows, huh? Deflated overnight?"

"...Project Bunny! Fire!"

"Gaaah! You psycho!"

As Sin Mal ran for her life, chased by Project Bunny's cannon—

Elias could only sigh, muttering:

"Emmm... you two sure are full of energy."

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