Honkai Diary: Start With Picking Up A White-Haired Treasure

The steel beast, predominantly gray with thick armor, armed and ready, charged down the hillside aggressively, resembling a descending tiger—a Type 59, cough, pardon me.

Finally, it came to a steady halt before the orphanage gates.

Cocolia jumped out of the driver's seat and personally opened the passenger door, gesturing with her hand, her smile warm and inviting.

"Sir Zeke, please this way—we've arrived," she said, rubbing her hands together cheerfully.

Though it might undermine the Enforcer's authority, there were no outsiders nearby—after all, making money isn't embarrassing!

Zeke glanced briefly at the massive headlights just inches away but didn't bother pondering whether Cocolia's positioning was intentional or not. With a soft acknowledgement, he stepped out of the vehicle.

At the entrance to the orphanage, a group of girls dressed adorably awaited him, their diverse yet charming smiles greeting Zeke as he emerged from the car.

Standing before them was Welt, his demeanor gentle and refined, wearing a warm smile.

"Zeke!"

"Zeke!!"

Sin and Kiana eagerly sprinted forward, playfully bumping each other's shoulders along the way, trying to be the first one to embrace Zeke.

As Zeke took in the familiar faces before him and watched two small bundles—one pink, one white—hurrying towards him, his vision suddenly felt brighter, and the corners of his lips curved upwards slightly.

He slowly extended both arms.

"Step aside."

With a tone of mild annoyance, Zeke grabbed each girl by the face and unceremoniously pushed them back.

Caught off guard, both stumbled and fell to the ground.

Kiana's expression turned bewildered: "(╯°A°)╯??"

Who am I? Where am I? What just happened? Kiana's mind was filled with confusion.

Sin's thoughts echoed similarly: " (?o . o?)...(?o?o?)!"

Receiving the same treatment as Kia meant that Zeke's progress with Sin had caught up to his relationship with Kiana, indicating... I'm about to become Zeke's favorite girl! Sin thought gleefully.

Zeke stepped over the two girls on the floor, approaching the astonished Welt. He circled around him, then nodded thoughtfully.

Soulium, Herrscher materials, Welt—these words flashed through Zeke's mind. With a courteous smile, he asked:

"Lord Leader, um... would you mind if I took a small piece of flesh from you?"

A worker bee materialized in Zeke's hand, emitting a laser blade only a few inches long, while his grin remained friendly.

Welt silently retreated one step.

No way! Just days ago, you were fixated on my Core, and now you're eyeing even my flesh? Am I some kind of sacred artifact?!

Welt tried to maintain his amiable, courteous smile but couldn't help feeling it stiffen.

"I must decline."

"The price is negotiable."

"It's not about money."

"Huh? Did Dr. Ein discover new sources of income?" Zeke appeared somewhat surprised.

Finally, Welt's smile vanished entirely.

"Why does everyone think Anti-Entropy is so broke?"

"Isn't that the truth?"

"...It can't be dire enough that we need to sell pieces of me, surely?"

"What do you desire then? Let's discuss options." Zeke blinked, and the laser blade in his hand extended slightly more, hinting at his readiness to act if negotiations failed.

Faced with Zeke's inexplicable persistence, Welt's lip twitched. He suddenly wondered whether escorting this crucial figure out of duty had been the right decision after all.

Just then, a delicate hand reached over from beside them, forming a chop-like gesture, and gently struck Zeke on the head.

"Behave yourself; can't you see Uncle Welt is troubled?"

"It's Bronya, long time no see."

Zeke discarded the worker bee and turned to the girl beside him—a red beret atop her head, her signature spiral curls unchanged, a delicate face with charming features, and clear eyes that sparkled with warmth. He smiled genuinely, his expression softening.

"The hat looks lovely on you."

"Thank you."

Their gazes met without further words, but an unspoken understanding flowed between them amidst the silence.

Bronya gestured towards three excited girls standing nearby.

The corners of Zeke's mouth curved slightly as he walked over, reaching out to gently pat each of their little heads one by one.

"I'm back, Seele."

"Yes, Big Bro Zeke, welcome home."

Seele's sweet, modest smile invariably brought smiles to others' faces.

"It's been a while, Rozaliya."

"Heh-heh, listen up, Zeke! I've written some new songs—trust me, they're going to be hits! I'm almost becoming a big star!"

With a vibrant grin, the pink-haired girl confidently patted her chest—her enthusiasm bordered on silly yet undeniably endearing.

Zeke approached Liliya and rubbed his chin as he measured her height with his hand.

"Liliya here seems to have grown just a tad taller."

"Mm-hmm, Liliya checked last night. She's already one centimeter taller than Rozaliya now." The girl tilted her head back, attempting to maintain a cool and mature demeanor. However, the slight upward curl of her lips betrayed her proud satisfaction.

The three girls then gathered around Zeke, chattering excitedly about various topics. Zeke calmly engaged with them, occasionally responding in ways that spurred even more animated conversation. Bronya stood nearby, observing the scene with a faint smile on her face.

"Zeke!"

A certain white-haired bundle, previously ignored amidst the commotion, suddenly leaped onto Zeke's back.

Sin arrived a step too late, only to be mercilessly kicked aside by Kiana, who had already claimed her perch. Bronya swiftly reached out to steady Sin as she stumbled.

Kiana turned her head, sticking out her tongue playfully: "First come, first served! Nyah~"

"You infuriating paramecium!"

Sin clenched her teeth furiously, about to pounce and wrench Kiana off, but Bronya's gentle embrace and soothing head pat calmed her down—alright, Bronya's arms were acceptable too. For now, I'll tolerate this paramecium; there will be ample opportunities for revenge later!

Zeke patted the tender white arms wrapped around him, his eyes turning vacant after a long absence.

"Get down. How old are you? Don't you know embarrassment?"

"No way! We haven't seen each other for twenty-nine days and eight hours! You've never left me alone that long before!" Pouting, Kiana rested her chin on Zeke's shoulder, turned her head slightly, and complained with a tone of hurt, hugging him even tighter.

Zeke initially considered executing an over-the-shoulder throw but hesitated at her plaintive words.

To be precise, it was exactly twenty-nine days, eight hours, and seventeen minutes they had been apart.

It did seem quite a while indeed.

Though he wouldn't admit it verbally, carrying Kiana's soft, warm, petite body brought him immense tranquility. The lingering restlessness within him vanished completely at that moment.

Kiana took a deep breath, savoring the familiar scent, warmth, and the steady heartbeat she felt against her body as they embraced tightly. Closing her eyes, she wore a contented smile like a satisfied kitten.

"Welcome back, Zeke."

"Hmm. Have you been good and listened well while I was gone?"

"Oh, absolutely! Early to bed, early to rise; diligent studies, striving for progress—I've done great, right, Bronya?" Kiana glanced at Bronya, subtly pleading with her behind Zeke's back.

Please don't expose me now! she silently begged.

Bronya shook her head—not as a refusal but because there was no need for her help.

"That's excellent. Tonight, I'll make something extra special for dinner," Zeke replied, gently stroking Kiana's soft hair, showing no intention of probing further.

In truth, it didn't matter whether she was truthful or not. Simply seeing her healthy, vibrant, and full of life was enough to satisfy Zeke. As for other aspects, those could be addressed another time.

"Kiana, you're so sneaky! Rozaliya wants attention too!" And then, Rozaliya leaped onto him.

Next came Sin, who had been patiently waiting on the sidelines.

Followed by Liliya pulling Seele along.

Zeke stared blankly, caught off guard... (ー_ー)

A horde of girls pounced on him, clinging to his arms, neck, and waist—everywhere they could wrap their embrace around him. Feeling like he was carrying a pile of luggage, Zeke barely managed to stay upright due to his considerable strength; otherwise, he would have been overwhelmed and toppled to the ground.

Bronya shifted her foot slightly but quickly glanced around before retracting it, remaining stationary. Uncle Welt and Mother Cocolia were still present—it'd be too embarrassing!

However, this subtle movement did not escape Cocolia's keen eyes.

"Oh dear!"

She placed her hand on her forehead, deeply concerned about her children's future.

If it involved just one girl, she would wholeheartedly bless them. Even two might be manageable with some effort. But all of them together... Heavens, may there never be a script involving sisterly rivalry! As their mother, she couldn't bear such heartache!