Chapter 16 - Reina and Mei

From that point on, time seemed to melt away for Reina and Mei as they ventured deeper into the glowing heart of the carnival.

The sky overhead was painted in deep hues of violet and gold, the city lights mixing with the colorful glow of booths and rides. Reina led the way, gently pulling Mei along, her excitement shining through her every step.

They started with the carousel. It was childish, yes-but seeing Mei awkwardly hold on to the golden pole of her horse while Reina laughed beside her made it worth it. Even Mei cracked a smile clearly having fun with it too.

Next came the bumper cars. Mei, competitive streak rising, tried to chase Reina around the floor, only to get blindsided by her again and again. Reina's smug grin and laughter echoed in her ears long after the ride ended, and Mei found herself laughing too, breathless and flustered.

They stopped at a shooting game next. Reina picked up the toy rifle with practiced ease while Mei watched curiously. With just a few steady shots, Reina knocked down all the targets, earning cheers from the nearby crowd. Without missing a beat, she turned to the vendor and pointed at a large plush Homu doll.

"For you," Reina said with a soft smile, handing it over to Mei.

Mei blinked. "You didn't have to..."

"But I wanted to," Reina replied. "I figured you'd like it."

Mei clutched the plush close, the tips of her ears turning red.

As the night wore on, they shared cotton candy under the flickering lights of the fair booths, tried out silly hats at a photo stall, and even danced a little to the music being played from a nearby stage. Each moment brought them closer, layers slowly peeling away, their laughter blending naturally.

Eventually, Reina pointed up toward the towering spinning wheel in the distance.

"Wanna try that next?"

Mei looked up. The ride rotated slowly, towering above the entire carnival, offering a stunning view of the whole city.

"...Sure," she said quietly.

"Alright but make sure to hold my hand tightly so we don't get separated later~" Reina replied while squeezing her hand gently.

They made their way over, joining the line for the Ferris wheel. With the night breeze brushing past and the carnival lights twinkling all around them, it already felt like something out of a dream. And it wasn't even over yet.

After waiting in line longer than they expected, Reina and Mei finally stepped into the ferris wheel cabin. The door closed behind them with a gentle click, and soon the wheel began its slow, creaking ascent into the night sky. Inside the softly lit cabin, Reina and Mei sat across from each other.

"Did you like that Homu doll?" Reina broke the silence with a small smile. "I've noticed almost everyone seems to love Homu for some reason, so I figured you might like it too. That's why I picked it earlier."

Mei looked down at her lap where the large plush doll rested comfortably. It was the pink variation, named *Homei*, soft and round, perfect for hugging. Ever since Reina had won it for her, she hadn't let go of it even once.

"I love Homu too," Mei replied, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "I never told you before, but Mr. Homu used to train me in kendo when I was little."

Reina's curiosity immediately piqued after hearing that.

Mei's eyes softened, her gaze drifting toward the window as she recalled the memory. "Back when I was a kid, I started learning kendo because I felt... lonely. My father was always busy with work. But then one day, someone showed up wearing a full Mr. Homu costume and started training me in the Raiden Hokushin Ittou-ryuu style."

She smiled fondly, the memory warm and bright. "He didn't come every day, but whenever he did, it was always the most fun I'd had. It became one of my most precious memories."

"Mr. Homu trained you?" Reina laughed, resting her cheek on her palm. "That's so cute. Now I really want to meet him too."

"Fufufu, unfortunately... Mr. Homu rarely appears nowadays," Mei said with a soft smile. "Even now, I can count on one hand how many times he's shown up in a month."

"Ahhh, that's too bad," Reina replied, pouting a little before turning her gaze out the window. The lights of the carnival sparkled below, but noticing that they were only halfway to the top, she looked back at Mei with a playful glint in her eyes.

"What about this-let's ask each other questions?" she suggested. "If you're curious about me, you can ask anything, and then I'll ask you something back."

She paused, grinning. "We can skip the question if it's too personal, of course."

Mei tilted her head slightly, thinking it over. After a moment, she gave a small nod. "Sure, that sounds fun."

"Alright! You get to go first, Mei. Ask me anything," Reina declared proudly, resting her chin on her hand like a queen awaiting an audience.

"[Now's your chance. Ask her if she's human or not.]" her other self suddenly chimed in again, trying to take control.

But Mei promptly ignored her. Instead, her eyes wandered to Reina's right wrist. "Then... do you mind if I ask about the bracelet that you and Kiana always wear?"

She pointed gently at the sleek accessory wrapped around Reina's thin, smooth wrist. She'd noticed it before-its design was elegant, unique, and unlike anything she'd seen in stores. Something about it felt important, like it wasn't just for decoration.

"I've always wondered where you got it," Mei added. "It looks cute... but also really special."

"Ah, this?" Reina lifted her right arm and glanced down at the bracelet wrapped neatly around her wrist.

"This is a gift from someone," she said softly, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "An aunty that Kiana and I knew before we moved away. She said this bracelet brought her and her partner together, so when she gave one to each of us, she hoped we'd find that kind of bond too."

Reina smiled gently as she ran her fingers over the bracelet, her touch light and affectionate.

"I see... it really is important to you, huh?" Mei said, watching her.

Reina nodded. "Yes. It's also a symbol of Kiana's effort."

Her expression dimmed slightly as she said that, her eyes reflecting something deeper-something Mei couldn't quite grasp.

Back then, Kiana had risked her life during a Honkai eruption to save countless people. And even more than that, she'd rescued a single little girl and reunited her with her parents, refusing to leave her behind.

But Mei didn't know that part of the story. She could only watch Reina, quietly wondering what exactly she meant.

"If you like it," Reina said, her voice light, "I can make a bracelet similar to the one Kiana and I have."

"Really?" Mei blinked in surprise, her fingers lightly fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "Wouldn't that… be a bother? I mean… instead of just two special bracelets, it'd become three…"

She looked down, her voice trailing off with uncertainty. She knew what that bracelet represented—it felt like a couple's token, something meant to connect only the two of them. Mei didn't want to intrude on that. And yet… for some reason, she couldn't stop wanting it. Wanting that bracelet. The same one Reina wore.

The moment Reina called it special, something inside her had stirred.

A quiet jealousy, maybe.

She realized it then—how lucky Kiana was. How Reina always stayed by her side, how both of them cherished each other like something irreplaceable.

And her? She had no one like that.

The only ones who ever cared for her were the maid and the chauffeur. Her father was barely home, too wrapped up in work, and her mother had passed away long ago.

But today was different.

Just these past two hours spent with Reina—just the two of them, away from the crowd—it had been the most fun Mei had felt in a long time.

Don't get her wrong, it was also fun when they were with Kiana and Yuna earlier.

But this… this was something else entirely.

For once, she felt like she was in Kiana's shoes.

Having all of Reina's attention focused entirely on her.

"No, no, I don't mind at all. I'm sure Kiana would be happy too if we all wore similar bracelets," Reina said cheerfully. She tapped her chin with a thoughtful look. "But I'll have to ask Yuna if she wants one as well."

"Oh… right, I forgot about Yuna," Mei mumbled, her voice quieting as she looked down again.

Of course. If she were to receive one, it only made sense that Yuna would, too. They were all friends, after all.

But still… deep inside, Mei couldn't help but wish for something different—something just between her and Reina. Something special, like the bond Reina and Kiana shared.

Before the silence could stretch on too long, Reina quickly continued with a bright tone. "Anyway! Now it's my turn to ask a question, right? Do you have any hobbies, Mei?"

Mei perked her head up slightly, trying to hide the flicker of disappointment in her expression. "Hobbies? Hmm…"

She fell into thought for a moment. Then, with a soft sigh, she gave a helpless smile. "I don't think I have one… I do kendo, but that's more like something I do for my body. There's nothing else I really do at home."

"Really?" Reina tilted her head, curious. "What about riding a bicycle? Or running? Cooking?"

"I don't have a bicycle. I prefer walking," Mei replied. "As for running… sometimes I go for a light jog, but that's it. And cooking… I don't know how to cook."

"Wait, what? You don't know how to cook?" Reina blinked in surprise, her tone filled with disbeliefdisbelief

After all in the game Mei is always known for her ability to cook really delicious food, even the players sometimes calling her goddess of cooking.

"No, no, that's not good at all!" Reina suddenly stood up from her seat and knelt down in front of Mei.

She reached out and gently took one of Mei's hands, her expression unusually serious. "Listen to me, Mei."

"Wha—what are you doing?!" Mei stammered, her face instantly turning red from embarrassment. This side of Reina caught her completely off guard—it was so unlike her usual calm demeanor.

Yet as Reina looked up at her, those ruby-red eyes shining with intensity, Mei felt her heart skip a beat. Her chest tightened.

A strange urge welled up inside her—she wanted to reach out and touch the corner of Reina's eye. It was just… so beautiful.

"Next week, I want you to set aside some free time," Reina said firmly, not breaking eye contact. "Come to our apartment. I'm going to teach you how to cook."

"Why…?" Mei asked softly, her voice trembling. She couldn't look away. This version of Reina—so passionate and determined—it reminded her of how Kiana often teased and complimented her without hesitation.

But seeing Reina that doing it for some reason makes her heart racing is it because their atmosphere is different or something else.

"Because I have a feeling you have a knack for cooking," Reina said with a smile, her face inching a little closer. "So come over next week, alright?"

Mei's heart pounded harder.

Mei could hardly think. Reina's face was now just inches from hers, her eyes unwavering, her smile gentle yet confident.

She could feel Reina's breath—warm and soft—brushing against her skin. Her heartbeat grew louder, pounding in her chest like a drum. Her whole body tensed.

Why was she acting like this? Why did Reina being this close make her feel so flustered?

Mei's cheeks burned bright red. Her hand was still being held, her other hand clenched the homu doll tightly in her lap as if to anchor herself.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Y-YES!!" she blurted out, louder than she intended.

The moment the word left her mouth, she felt her entire face grow even hotter. She kept her eyes shut, too embarrassed to look.

Reina blinked at the sudden volume—then burst into laughter.

"Haha! You're so cute, Mei~" she said, gently squeezing Mei's hand before letting go and returning to her seat. "I'll be looking forward to our cooking day, alright?"

Mei, still flustered, slowly opened her eyes and peeked at Reina. That smile on Reina's face only made her want to hide behind her homu doll.

But deep down, she couldn't help but smile too.

As they continued chatting, Reina noticed that the Ferris wheel had nearly reached its highest point. She pulled out her phone and quickly sent a message to Kiana. It didn't take long—within moments, a reply popped up on her screen. With a small smile, she locked her phone and looked up.

"Look outside," Reina said, pointing toward the back of the carnival where the festive lights faded into a dark stretch of trees.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Mei asked, curiosity sparking in her voice as she followed the direction Reina was pointing.

Mei leaned closer to the window, following Reina's finger as she tried to see what she was talking about.

All she could see at first was the dark outline of trees swaying gently in the night breeze, illuminated only by the distant lights of the carnival. But then, just as she was about to ask again, a sudden burst of light lit up the sky from behind the treetops.

"Fireworks…?" Mei whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Bright, colorful lights bloomed across the sky, painting it with vibrant shades of red, gold, and blue. The explosions weren't too loud from this distance—soft enough not to overwhelm the moment. Mei's eyes widened as the sparks rained down like stardust, reflecting in the glass of the Ferris wheel and dancing in her eyes.

Reina rested her cheek on her palm, quietly watching Mei's expression light up with the fireworks. "At first, I wanted to surprise everyone after we finished enjoying the carnival," she said softly. "But since we got separated, I thought it was fine to use it now. Kiana doesn't mind either—she's going to enjoy the fireworks while eating."

Mei turned to Reina with slightly parted lips, surprised. "You… waited until we reached the top just to show me?"

"Of course. I thought you might like the view from up here more," Reina replied with a gentle smile.

Mei clutched Homei a little tighter in her arms, heart quietly pounding. "…You're unfair," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

"Hm? Did you say something?"

"Nothing," Mei said quickly, turning her gaze back to the window. She watched as the sky continued to bloom with light, each burst of color more brilliant than the last.

But in her heart, she knew—this memory would become one of her most special.