Honkai Impact 3rd: Catching the Herrscher of Sentience at the Start

...Thinking about it that way, Little Kite really had it rough. A simple ground chicken forced to become a 'phoenix.'

"Chirp!"

Ignoring Fu Shi, Little Kite gradually picked up speed, trying to shake off its unreliable master and enjoy its newfound freedom alone.

Fu Shi, noticing Little Kite's intention, grinned and stopped her chatter, slowly raising her fist the size of a sandbag.

"Gugu!!!"

-----------------------------

"Little one, do you really think I can't handle you? You're just a bit bigger now, yet you act so arrogant. In the end, you're still just weak."

"You forced me to take action and discipline you. Now you finally know to behave, huh?"

Fu Shi patted Little Kite, who lay beneath, looking as if it was about to cry from the beating. Then, Fu Shi slowly lay down, enjoying the softness of Little Kite's body with great satisfaction.

"Cluck, cluck, cluck~"

Little Kite's eyes welled with tears, letting out a cry with a face full of 'emotion.'

"Let's go. Our goal is to conquer this sea of stars!"

"Cluck?"

"Ahem, first, let's find Fu Lin. It's been so long, and he hasn't even looked for me. When I see him, I have to give him a good beating..."

...

Mei wiped the sweat from her forehead as she gazed at the evening sunset. Turning to Fu Hua, who had just returned, she asked, "Class monitor, still no sign of Fu Shi?"

"No, maybe she really went back." Fu Hua shook her head, looking calmly at Mei before heading toward St. Freya Academy's gate. "It's getting late. Let's regroup with everyone. You've all worked hard today."

Just as Fu Hua was about to leave, Mei grabbed the corner of her clothes. Seeing Mei's hesitant expression, she asked, "What is it, Mei...?"

"Uh... Class monitor..."

Before Mei could continue, Kiana came running out of the academy, waving her hands with a goofy smile. When she saw Mei and Fu Hua at the gate, she immediately shouted,

"Mei! Class monitor Fu Hua! Fu Shi is back!"

"And she brought food! Looks like enough for all of us!"

Little Kite, !!!

"She's back?! Class... monitor?"

Mei's eyes lit up upon hearing the news, but when she turned to look where Fu Hua had just been standing, there was no trace of her—only a few leaves drifting through the air.

Mei, "..."

Kiana, watching Fu Hua's disappearing figure in the wind, muttered, "...Did the class monitor really have to be that excited?"

Sitting on a chair, Fu Shi swung her little legs, watching Fu Hua rush back. Her earlier gloom from not finding Fu Lin vanished instantly—after all, at her core, she was still just a child.

Suppressing a smirk, Fu Shi reminded herself not to celebrate too soon. That old antique would definitely nag for a while. She had to think of a way to slip past it. So, turning the tables, she acted first and accused Fu Hua,

"Old antique, where have you been? Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?"

Fu Hua initially planned to lecture her, but when she saw Fu Shi's innocent eyes, her tone softened. "Fu Shi... it's good that you're back."

'...The old antique isn't lecturing me? This is unscientific. Is the sky about to fall?'

Fu Shi put her feet down and sat properly. She had already prepared herself for a scolding, but in the end, that was all Fu Hua said? She was completely caught off guard.

Scratching her head, Fu Shi's face turned slightly red. She averted her gaze, unable to look directly at Fu Hua. She suddenly felt guilty for trying to turn the tables earlier.

"Are you hungry? I'll make you some dumplings."

With that, Fu Hua rolled up her sleeves and headed toward the kitchen, looking more and more like a mother.

...Then she was stopped by Kiana, who had just returned. After some hints from Kiana, Fu Hua finally noticed the plump chicken crouching beside the chair leg.

"Cluck cluck?"

Little Kite, who had been resting, suddenly felt a chill down its spine. It tilted its head, its crimson eyes locking onto... Kiana behind Fu Hua.

"Class monitor Fu Hua, that chicken looks delicious! Why don't we cook it?"

Mei stroked her chin, looking at the plump chicken Kiana mentioned. It did seem strangely familiar. "...Kiana, don't you think it looks kind of familiar?"

Kiana wiped the drool from her mouth but still stared intently at Little Kite. "Really? Now that you mention it, it does look familiar. Where have I seen it before..."

Mei observed the chubby, goofy-looking bird. On instinct, she pulled out her phone. The moment she saw the black kite plush hanging from it, she suddenly realized—

"Ah! If you take off its feathers, it looks almost exactly like the black kite plushie Fu Lin gave us back then! Could it be...?"

"Cluck! Cluck cluck!"

Little Kite proudly puffed out its chest—well, as much as its round body allowed.

Hearing Mei mention Fu Lin, Fu Shi subconsciously turned to look. When she saw the black kite plush hanging from Mei's phone, she hesitated for a moment, then subtly tugged at her own collar.

Glancing down at the black kite plush around her neck, she scoffed, patting her chest.

'Hmph, Fu Lin gave me a much better one. Mine is one of a kind.'

Hearing this, Kiana also took out her plush and compared it to Little Kite. After careful consideration, she let out a sigh of relief and put her hands on her hips. "This dumb-looking chicken? No way it's the legendary divine bird."

Little Kite's gaze instantly darkened. It walked over to Kiana's feet and pecked between her toes. A sharp scream echoed throughout the apartment.

Fu Hua picked up Little Kite, watching as it tilted its head and acted cute. Unable to resist, she nuzzled her face into its soft, fluffy feathers. Then, she turned to Fu Shi and asked,

"Fu Shi, is this your companion?"

Fu Shi jumped down from her chair, walked over to Fu Hua, and reached out to take Little Kite back. Patting Little Kite's head, she introduced it,

"Yeah, just call it Little Kite. Don't be fooled by its goofy look—it understands human speech, has a big temper, and holds grudges."

"If someone bad-mouths it, it will take revenge immediately."

"Ow! Ow ow ow! Why didn't you say so earlier?!" Kiana clutched her aching toes, gritting her teeth as she glared at Little Kite. In her heart, she made a silent vow, If I don't turn this bird into soup, then I...

Before she could even finish the thought, Little Kite shot her a fierce look. Kiana instantly felt weak, swallowing her words back down.

'Why does it feel like it knows what I'm thinking...?'

Meanwhile, in the imaginary space, yandere Kiana sat beside an unconscious Fu Lin. Her gaze deepened as she turned to the cold, untouched spicy chicken on the table—then quietly dumped it into the trash.