Chapter 44: Clearly, I came first!

"Of course I understand. Don't worry! This particular Herrscher is one I'm very familiar with. Just hand her over to me!"

Serenade once again placed the black box carefully, then turned to Kallen with a face full of unwavering confidence.

However... the current Black Box was too dangerous; it only needed a single "straw" to emerge.

Instead of cautiously guarding her, it would be better to proactively release her. This way... at least we could turn the tables and take control.

Of course, although Serenade entertained this idea, she wouldn't rush into it.

"I just can't feel easy about this... No! This won't do. I must return to Schicksal."

Kallen had only ever read about Herrschers in Schicksal's records; she wasn't truly familiar with their nature. However, they were undoubtedly immensely powerful beings.

As agents of Honkai - the god of destruction - and bringers of civilizations' demise, humans stood little chance against a Herrscher. The only hope lay in... wielding the Holy Weapon.

In possession of one such weapon, The Oath of Judah.

However, when trying to escape Schicksal, Kallen hadn't taken the Oath of Judah either... but I can ask Otto to help me retrieve it.

"Don't worry about anything; just stay here and heal. Don't go anywhere. Leave it all to me. I've said it before... I'll protect you."

Seeing Kallen's attempt to move, Serenade swiftly grabbed her hand as she tried to get up, and with a firm pull, brought Kallen back onto the bed, pressing her own body against Kallen's...

"Be good now! Little piggy... Kallen."

Serenade, pinned on top of Kallen, gazed at her with eyes mirror images of each other.

"You're the one... who's a little piggy... mhhh..."

Kallen, upon hearing this, couldn't help but retort.

But suddenly... she found herself unable to speak...

Because once again, Serenade had silenced Kallen...

"You... you two..."

Just as the two identical Kalens found themselves in a forbidden position, the door to Serenade's room suddenly swung open, and an incredulous voice rang out from the doorway.

Yae Sakura could never have imagined that her routine check on Serenade and Kallen would lead to such a sight upon opening the door. The smile that had graced her face froze instantly.

Her beloved Kallen-nee, along with her exact twin sister, were...

were engaging in that kind of act... Sakura had never even experienced such intimacy with Kallen-nee herself...

She had arrived first, hadn't she...?

"Uh... Sak...Sakura..."

Serenade, who had been completely absorbed in the moment, suddenly heard Yae Sakura's voice. She immediately released Kallen, turning to look...

And there stood Yae Sakura, incredulous, in the doorway.

The situation instantly turned awkward... How could Sakura have witnessed such a thing?

"Sakura, what brings you here?"

Despite the embarrassment, Serenade composed herself, regaining her usual calm as she stood aside to observe Yae Sakura.

"Ka...Kalleen, what were you doing with her? Aren't you sisters? How could you...do such a thing?" The beautiful shrine maiden entered Serenade's room, her expression a mix of disbelief and confusion as she gazed at the familiar figure before her.

Although the idea of two Kallens engaging in such acts wasn't entirely unacceptable to Sakura, she felt a pang of jealousy. After all, despite spending so much time together, she had never shared intimacy with Kallen.

Why?

Why should she be allowed to do such things with Kallen upon her arrival?

"What did I do? I didn't do anything... isn't this just a normal affectionate gesture between sisters?" Serenade blinked her big eyes innocently at Yae Sakura, as if to say, What have I done that's so wrong?

"K-K... Kallen-san..."

Hearing Serenade's words, Yae Sakura was utterly speechless...

Even ghosts don't engage in such ordinary affectionate behavior. I've never seen anyone act like this with you...

"..."

Meanwhile, on the tatami mat... the real Kallen found herself equally bewildered.

Where am I? What am I supposed to be doing?

She had been suddenly attacked by another version of herself, leaving no time to react. Then, before she knew it, someone had walked in on her.

Now... this shrine maiden who'd burst in was calling out "Kallen" over and over. But why wasn't she talking to the girl beside Kallen?

Kallen felt utterly disoriented, her mind struggling to catch up.

"Um... which Kallen are you calling for?"

Miss Kallen, the real one, finally couldn't resist... She turned to question this beautiful miko she had never met before.

"Huh? Is there another Kallen here?"

Yae Sakura, who had been staring into Serenade's eyes, suddenly heard Kallen's voice. She immediately looked at her with great confusion.

Although both Kallens looked identical, their overall aura and certain mannerisms made them distinguishable.

Currently, Serenade was in good health, while Kallen... due to her frail body... exuded a sickly maiden's appearance.

Kallen fell silent upon hearing Yae Sakura's words...

Are there really two Kallens here? she wondered. Or is this 'real' Kallen being completely ignored?

Her heart ached deeply.

After a round of introductions, Yae Sakura and Kallen could finally be considered acquaintances.

Yae Sakura was mildly surprised that this girl also shared her name, Kallen, but only slightly so.

To avoid confusion between the two, Serenade decided to relinquish the name "Kallen" and leave it solely for the original girl. As for her own title, it was sufficient to have Yae Sakura refer to her simply as Serenade.

Although not entirely accustomed to this change, Yae Sakura wasn't one to be difficult. She decided to give it a try.

Naturally... the most compelling reason was that Kallen and Serenade looked identical. Had it been anyone else, Yae Sakura wouldn't have spared them a second glance.

"Um, Kallen... have you been feeling better?" Yae Sakura glanced at Kallen lying on the tatami mats, cautiously asking.

Despite meeting Yae Sakura for the first time, Kallen understood... over these past few days... Yae Sakura had been diligently caring for her alongside Serenade.

Since Kallen and Serenade looked identical, Yae Sakura was quite familiar with Kallen and didn't find her strange at all.

"Indeed, I should be fully recovered in just a couple of days. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days," Kallen responded, smiling warmly at Yae Sakura.

"...No...no need to thank me. It's only natural...you're K...Serenade's sister, which makes you my family too."

Yae Sakura gazed at Kallen's smile, momentarily lost in thought. Kallen's smile was identical to Serenade's; it was all too easy to mistake one for the other.

After all, they were never very different to begin with.

But... Yae Sakura didn't find this confusing at all. Rather...she felt a subtle hint of anticipation.

Two Kallens, both Kallen-nee. That wouldn't be so bad.

One would be Kallen, who had always cared for her and her little sister. The other... Sakura could take care of her instead.

(Author(Not TL) Note: This chapter might seem a bit confusing. Apologies! Even I got a little muddled writing it. From now on... let's just keep "Serenade" and "Kallen"'s names straight, shall we?)