HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

"Big Sis Kallen, it's time to eat."

As Kallen practiced the Kaslana gunkata, Yae Rin, a frail, young girl, approached. Her eyes glistened with envy as she watched Kallen's fluid movements.

Born with a weak constitution, Yae Rin couldn't even participate in ordinary activities. Most of her time was spent lying on her bed, sipping bitter medication.

She gazed at Kallen with boundless envy...

But... forget about being like Kallen, even the dream of leading a normal life seemed unattainable.

Although... Yae Sakura had always said she would find the best doctors for Yae Rin, promising to make her better someday.

Yae Rin knew all too well that her illness was congenital, incurable. Her current state was already the best she could hope for; any lingering hopes had long since faded.

Even... when her sister Kallen, whom she believed to be godlike, assured her that she'd make her better, it remained just that—assurance without reality.

-

"Rin, why did you come over here...?"

Hearing Yae Rin's voice, Kallen immediately stopped what she was doing, quickly rushed to Yae Rin's side, and looked at the frail little girl before her with concern.

Coming here alone is very worrying.

"Sakura didn't come with you?" Kallen glanced around but saw no sign of Yae Sakura, which was slightly unexpected.

With a body like this, even a gentle breeze could make her stumble. How could they let her leave the shrine by herself?

Honestly... what is Sakura doing, trusting that she would be okay alone?

"It's fine... Kallen-nee, it's because I told my sister not to follow me. After taking the medication Kallen-nee gave me, I feel much better than before," Yae Rin said with a smile, looking as if she could take care of herself while trying to reassure Kallen.

"...Well, I suppose so!"

Kallen, with no other choice, mussed Yae Rin's hair affectionately.

"Your sister has already prepared dinner, you know... Shall we go back and eat?" Yae Rin let Kallen tousle her hair, then took hold of Kallen's other hand with her own.

For some reason... this Kallen seemed just as caring and attentive as her own sister towards her, despite not knowing why... Yae Rin felt deeply grateful.

Anyone who treats Rin well will always be appreciated.

"Are we having rice balls again?"

Kallen released her hand, and with their fingers entwined, she began walking back to the shrine with Yae Rin.

"Nope, today sis made... sushi..." Yae Rin gently corrected Kallen's assumption.

"Sushi? Sakura knows how to make sushi now?" Kallen was taken aback... she had never tasted sushi made by Yae Sakura before.

"Yep, she recently learned..."

"Recently learned, huh..."

Kallen suddenly felt like skipping dinner today might be the best choice.

Please don't let it be another disaster in the making!

However... once they arrived at the shrine and Kallen tried Yae Sakura's homemade sushi, she was somewhat surprised.

Yae's culinary skills were indeed impressive. While the flavors couldn't be described as extraordinary, they were certainly not unpleasant, falling within the realm of average family cooking.

Moreover... she was only 11 years old—just 11—with such remarkable skills.

This realization made Kallen feel suddenly awkward. Here she was, admittedly quite capable, yet being taken care of by Yae Sakura, who was merely 11 in age.

How embarrassing!

But... there was no need to be embarrassed, really. Cooking was just not appealing...

Unless it was something simple like grilling.

-

As she munched on sushi, Kallen gazed at the two little girls before her, contemplating her main quest. It was time to start training them.

"Sakura, Rin..."

Kallen swallowed her sushi and looked at the Yae sisters with a serious expression.

"Kallen..." The Yae sisters, noticing Kallen's sudden seriousness, also adopted solemn expressions, unsure of what had occurred.

"Do you want to become stronger?"

"Stronger!?" Yae Sakura and Yae Rin's eyes widened immediately.

"Yes, possessing great power allows you to protect yourself and those you care about. Although I can protect you now, there will come a day when I leave. At that time...you'll only be able to rely on yourselves." Kallen had already completely altered Yae Sakura and Yae Rin's destinies; Yae Rin was alive, and the plot's progression would no longer follow the original storyline.

If Kallen were to leave one day and they lacked the means to protect themselves, tragedies might still occur as before.

Only by possessing strength themselves could they truly safeguard their lives and the lives of those they loved.

"Leave...you're leaving, Kallen-nee?"

"Kallen-nee, can you please not leave?"

The Yae sisters, hearing Kallen's words, immediately stood up. They had become very dependent on Kallen. If she were to leave... the mere thought filled them with a deep sense of unease.

They didn't want Kallen to depart from their side.

"Of course, I won't leave you now. But the future is uncertain; there may come a day when I must depart. When that time comes... you'll need the strength to protect yourselves." Kallen wasn't entirely sure herself, but... this time... she no longer felt as compelled to rush away as she had before.

Rushing off would leave Yae and Yae Rin vulnerable, and Kallen couldn't bear that.

She could only depart once they had enough strength to protect themselves. Achieving that wouldn't be a quick process.

"But..."

Yae Rin looked at Kallen, as if wanting to say something. However, Yae Sakura swiftly grabbed Yae Rin's hand. "Kallen isn't leaving right now," she said gently. "Rin, let's not dwell on such thoughts for the time being."

"..." Yae Rin looked at her elder sister, hesitated for a moment, and closed her mouth.

"Yes, don't worry! I won't leave easily, but... even so, you need to have the strength to protect yourselves. That way I can feel at ease," Kallen nodded towards Yae Sakura's words.

"So... what should we do?" Yae Sakura looked up at Kallen.

Although Yae Sakura's swordsmanship was decent compared to ordinary people, she was still just an ordinary person. Against an opponent with Honkai energy, she stood no chance.

It was simply beyond the realm of what a normal person could handle.

"I'll teach you... swordsmanship... as well as gun techniques and... miko exorcist arts, and barrier spells." Looking at the two before her, Kallen had no intention of holding back. She was prepared to impart all the knowledge she possessed onto them.

Kallen harbored no reservations when it came to the Yae sisters. They were her preferred students, and as such, they deserved her undivided attention and the full extent of her knowledge.