Honkai, but Behind the Scenes

[Compatibility with Rita: 331%]

"Isn't that number a little off?"

Early in the morning, Tian Shi felt that something was wrong upon seeing this "attack" coming directly from behind. 

Rita's compatibility in the real world was 90%, and in the simulation, 161%, plus a 50% reward.

 This yielded a total compatibility of 301%. 

But for some reason, he kept hearing "+1%!" notifications all night, adding an additional 30%. 

This sparked a great deal of curiosity in Tian Shi about what Rita was thinking in her room.

"Good morning, Mr. Tian."

As usual, Rita opened the door and smiled elegantly at him.

"Good morning, Rita... are you alright?"

"What?" 

Rita replied with a teasing smile. 

"Does it look like something happened to me?"

"Mmmm..."

Rita didn't seem to have changed in the slightest, as if the heartfelt conversation and the simulation from the night before had never occurred. 

Observing the numbers on the panel and her calm expression, Tian Shi already suspected something was amiss. 

With such high compatibility, shouldn't her reaction be more timid? 

Why is she so formal?

Tian Shi still wanted to see Rita's embarrassed look... 

I mean, I hope everything is fine. Yes, I hope everything is fine. He awkwardly avoided the topic.

(Phew... I guess I wasn't exposed...)

Rita let out a long sigh of relief as she felt his gaze turn away from her face.

(I've recovered my memory, I can't, absolutely cannot let him know!)

It was so embarrassing. 

Although last night's dream had reawakened her memory, the situation itself was a mortifying performance for her.

(Yes, Rita, keep it up... Anyway, there's still plenty of time, so during this period, you can strategize how to establish your dominant position.)

Rita's mind calmed. 

This kind of thing couldn't be rushed. She had many enemies, like Mobius, whom she'd never even heard of, or Fu Hua, whom she knew and could barely be said to know inside and out. 

They're all enemies...

Rita felt she had a big advantage over Fu Hua, especially since Fu Hua was in trouble at the moment. 

Do you understand what a body advantage is? 

No matter how attractive you are, you can't change the fact that you have a flat chest!

As for Mobius, whom she'd never heard of, she wouldn't consider her for now. 

By the way, she must have other "enemies"... 

Why did Schrödinger know about Tian Shi's existence? 

Isn't "Alliance Leader" a respectful title for the Anti-Entropy commander? 

Who would be her "enemy" there? 

The current leader, Edison? 

Rita couldn't judge that, but recalling the 1955 rebellion with so many beautiful female scientists, she simply decided to classify all female Anti-Entropy scientists as "enemies." As she walked down the stairs, she considered herself an excellent strategist in this war of wills.

(However, these people... aren't a concern for now. The only problem is... Lady Bianka.)

For Bianka, Rita felt three points of respect and seven points of care, like a younger sister. 

She never thought Bianka would stab her in the back, and even if it wasn't on the battlefield, Rita felt this would be even worse.

"But now I'm lucky! The advantage is mine!"

The smile in Rita's eyes intensified. She believed it was very likely she could "monopolize" Tian Shi for a long time. 

Although a ghost couldn't "take it all," establishing her dominant position was enough.

"Vice-Captain Rita, you seem very happy?"

Raven came down the stairs and met her.

"Happy...? Haha, maybe so," Rita nodded and gave Raven a radiant smile.

"No one else can make such a bright smile look so creepy," Raven frowned. 

She felt it was better not to talk to Rita at that moment. 

For some reason, she seemed more dangerous today than yesterday.

"I'm going downstairs to eat." 

After saying that, Raven sped up, feeling uncomfortable.

Rita couldn't help but laugh. Raven's mission is to be Tian Shi's maid, right? 

Rita silently doubled the difficulty of Raven's future "maid training" in her mind. 

Obviously, anyone with the potential to deceive their master should be "tortured to death."

"What's wrong with Raven today?" 

Tian Shi murmured, confused.

Rita immediately controlled her expression. 

To establish a dominant position, one must be discreet and subtle, firmly winning the other person's heart without them realizing it. 

Only then will they feel they can't live without you. 

If you act too intentionally, the effect could be reduced, or worse, you could seem to have ulterior motives.

Don't worry... there's still plenty of time... for Durandal's arrival.

After a brief breakfast, Rita informed Otto about her mission. The "World Serpent" was not part of the capture mission.

"I see. Did she escape?... That coincidence is a little strange," Otto, in the communication, held his chin, thoughtful.

"Yes, Bishop, my subordinates feel the same," Rita continued with a smile. 

"So I hope to stay here for a while for a more in-depth investigation with the help of 'Shencheng Medical.' Furthermore, K-423 should stay here." 

Zero chance of returning to Schicksal Headquarters! 

After all, if she went back, Rita didn't know what expression to use when facing Bianka.

"Very well, Rita, that's what I think," Otto nodded. 

"However, at best, it's K-423's Herrscher ability in action. Otherwise, it could be a third party, like the 'Serpent,' secretly interfering." 

Otto thought for a moment. 

"It just so happens that headquarters has no missions for Durandal lately, so I'll transfer her. You two have always worked well together. That way, even with interference, you can escape unharmed."

"Eh?" 

Rita's formal smile froze.

"What's wrong, Rita? Do you have any questions?"

"No, no, Rita Rossweisse promises to complete the task," she replied, trying to maintain her smile.

"Very well. I will order Durandal to depart immediately at maximum speed. She'll arrive in Sky City in about three hours." 

Otto nodded, satisfied, and then hung up the call.

"..."

Still plenty of time... still plenty of time... three hours, right? 

Schicksal cannot remain here any longer!

"Oh, Bianka is coming too, that's good," Tian Shi nodded calmly.

"Yes, I think so."

Not good, absolutely not good. Despite what she felt inside, Rita maintained her smile.

Well, let's look on the bright side. Bianka's character... is very straightforward! 

My Lady Bianka is spontaneous and direct, she's not truly foolish! 

Only a fool could have carried out that operation back then? 

Although Bianka's naïveté and stubbornness have worsened in recent years.

The Apple of Discord "By the way, Mr. Tian."

"Hmm?" Tian Shi tilted his head slightly, ready to listen.

"If you were Paris in the myth, who would you give the golden apple to?"

"Huh?"

The question sounded familiar. 

Tian Shi felt it was a death sentence. 

Bianka's question was: "Who do you think Prince Paris should give the golden apple to?" 

Rita's was more direct: "If you were Paris, who would you give it to?"

"Um... have Bianka come and cut it into thirds?" 

Tian Shi replied tentatively.

"..."

That answer was beyond anything Rita imagined, but if she thought about it carefully... it made some sense.

"Mr. Tian Shi, you are very opportunistic and greedy," Rita's face reflected unusual helplessness. 

Although it wasn't the answer she expected, she couldn't get angry. 

She didn't know if she was incapable of being "angry" with Tian Shi or if she genuinely believed his answer made sense.

"Are you trying to win the favor of all three goddesses at the same time?"

"Uh..." Why do I feel like if I answer, I'll become a scoundrel?

"But if you think about it, this is undoubtedly the answer you would give... Can't you convince a girl with sweet words?" Rita looked at the air with resentment.

"I'm sorry for not being sweet enough," Tian Shi complained. 

"How about you teach me a couple of tricks, Rita?"

"It's rude of you to ask that of a lady who has never been in love," Rita said with a charming smile. 

"But if you don't mind, you can have a relationship with me. That way, I'll be a lady who has been in a relationship. Perhaps then I can teach you some tricks to woo girls."

"Eh...?" 

Tian Shi's brain momentarily froze.

"Just kidding," Rita's smile turned mocking. 

"Or do you truly wish for that?"

"From a joke's perspective, that's a pretty bad joke." 

Tian Shi had to admit that, for a moment, he thought Rita was confessing to him.

Rita's Shocking Confession The atmosphere was very comforting. 

Just as Tian Shi once joked about Rita killing Gray Serpent because "the atmosphere demanded it," at that moment, he realized what it meant to "have to agree because the atmosphere is right." 

If Rita had waited a second longer to say the last sentence, he might have agreed.

"Pfft... Mr. Tian, how confident you are. Do you really think I wanted to confess?" 

Rita covered her mouth and chuckled.

Tian Shi silently looked at the panel showing a compatibility level of 331%. 

Well... that's where her confidence comes from.

"I'll go change my clothes. Mr. Tian, please don't enter the ladies' room."

"Okay."

After returning to her room, Rita softly murmured, "I could just smash my head against a wall and die... Rita, where is your courage?" 

She pressed a hand to her forehead. 

Just now, without a doubt, I was one step away from success. 

Given the atmosphere at that moment, Rita felt there was a 90% chance Tian Shi would have accepted. 

Perhaps I just needed to wait a little longer. 

However, in that moment, she inexplicably and embarrassingly became a coward.

"No, it's too inefficient for a Valkyrie to die in a collision. I should choose to hang myself..."

I'm sorry, anyway, I'm very sorry.

"This feeling of love is too pure... Seriously, if others knew about this shyness, they'd laugh at me, wouldn't they?" 

Rita hugged her pillow with a complicated expression.

Rita had a very clear understanding of herself. In the eyes of others, shyness was probably the most incompatible expression for her. 

"I'm 22 now... I'm no longer the 16-year-old girl I was back then, nor the 13-year-old child Lady Ragna rescued." 

For some reason, when interacting with Tian Shi, Rita always felt that the shyness provoked by her girlish heart was particularly strong, as if the heart that Schicksal had suppressed suddenly burst forth.

Perhaps because their relationship doesn't involve interests or physical factors? 

Just like within Schicksal, she can get along with Bianka.

But then again, the way people of the same sex interact is completely different from how opposite sexes interact. 

So now, Rita felt no happiness at all from this "pure" love.

"It would be easier if Tian Shi had a body..."

First, capture his stomach with your culinary skills, then approach him from time to time to offer some benefits, and finally, seize the opportunity to get him into bed and seal the deal in one go. 

What's wrong with a physical relationship? 

It's not embarrassing for opposite sexes to think about it!

"No, I need to calm down... Ugh... At least this time I've proven that I still hold a significant position in Tian Shi's heart. Next time, if I get the chance, I will undoubtedly succeed."

Rita calmed herself.

Delicate?

Impossible.

I haven't even had the chance to eat the meat that's already half-cooked, and they want me to die? 

Rita felt that if she didn't succeed, she would regret it not only for Lady Ragna but also for herself.

"Uh... I'll go change my clothes... but it seems I don't have many clothes in my luggage. What a pity... I'd better wear the Dark Rose maid outfit."