Standing before the apartment door, Cecilia hesitated.
Her knuckles hovered mid-air, pausing just before the wood. The hallway behind her was quiet—too quiet. She glanced left, then right, eyes lingering on the corners as if expecting the world to flicker or fracture again. Nothing stirred. No glitches, no distant hum of collapsing space. Just a breeze rustling the curtain of ivy on the building wall.
Knock. Knock.
She exhaled slowly.
Cecilia was many things now—a mother, a survivor, a fragment of someone who once bore a different fate. But underneath it all, she was still just a normal human who had lived an ordinary life… before it all spiraled into the extraordinary.
The door opened with a soft creak.
Himeko stood on the threshold, her auburn hair tied back casually, a tired but steady gaze greeting her guest. The scent of roasted tea leaves and clean linen wafted faintly from within.
"Good afternoon, Madam Cecilia," Himeko said with polite calm.
Cecilia returned the nod. "Good afternoon, Miss Himeko. Sorry to drop by without warning."
"Not at all. Please—come in."
Inside the apartment, the atmosphere shifted. It was cozy and unassuming, yet something about the air felt strangely… suspended. As if the walls themselves were listening.
Cecilia settled onto a soft couch while Himeko placed two porcelain cups on the table between them. The tea steamed gently, releasing a calming aroma that did little to ease Cecilia's tense shoulders.
Himeko took the seat across from her, hands folded loosely in her lap. "So," she began, voice quieter now, "what brings you here?"
Cecilia's eyes dropped to her untouched cup. "It's about… the 'unusual things' you mentioned the other day."
Himeko's expression shifted, all warmth replaced by focus. She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "Then let's speak plainly."
Cecilia nodded, gathering herself. "Earlier today, Sirin and I were walking through the shopping mall. Nothing out of the ordinary, at first. But then… the world around us began to fall apart. The exit stretched farther and farther away. The space began to collapse in on itself—like a false reality crumbling."
Himeko's brow furrowed, though she didn't seem surprised.
"We ran. I carried her. We barely made it out." Cecilia paused, voice low. "I've seen horrors in my old life, but this was different. It wasn't real. It was like we were trapped inside something artificial—designed to fail."
"I believe you," Himeko said after a moment. "When I woke up in this world… it was the same. I had a name, a job, an apartment. But none of it belonged to me. The people around me… they feel like shadows wearing masks."
Cecilia's heart skipped.
"But when I met you and Sirin… something was different. You felt real. That's why I warned you—because I've been waiting for someone else like me."
Cecilia absorbed the words, then spoke cautiously. "Miss Himeko… may I ask a personal question?"
"Of course."
"Do you know me?"
There was no hesitation in Himeko's answer. "Yes."
Cecilia looked into her eyes—searching, weighing the truth.
"Then… How are Theresa?"
The color drained slightly from Himeko's face. Her voice faltered for the first time. "She was… fine, the last time I saw her. "
Cecilia leaned back, piecing it together. So this is the Himeko who died protecting Kiana…
"Thank you," she said softly.
Himeko looked puzzled by the sudden gratitude. "Madam Cecilia… may I ask something in return?"
Cecilia gave a small nod.
"Are you… that Cecilia?"
A long pause. For a moment, Cecilia considered denying it. Pretending she was just another version, just another shadow in this fractured world. But she couldn't.
"Yes," she whispered.
A light laugh broke the tension. "Then Kiana would be so happy to know that her mother is alive here."
Cecilia smiled gently. "She will."
The conversation had stretched on for over half an hour. The weight of truth exchanged between them still lingered in the air like a delicate mist.
Then Himeko asked quietly, "Madam Cecilia… do you want to leave this place?"
Cecilia looked up, her expression unreadable. "Leave… this world bubble?"
Himeko nodded slowly.
Cecilia parted her lips to respond—yes was the instinct—but the words caught in her throat. Her hand instinctively curled against her lap. Was she even real in this world? No... a version of Cecilia, perhaps, but not the Cecilia. Not the one who had once stood on battlefields as the bravest Valkyries. Not the one Siegfried had married.
And yet—
She closed her eyes and saw Sirin's face. That small, trembling child who clung to her not just out of fear… but trust. Love.
Cecilia forced away the spiraling doubts. Her sense of identity might be fractured, but her duty was whole.
"I'll follow your lead," she said at last.
Himeko offered a rare smile. "Good. It may take some time before we can actually escape, but I've made progress in studying how to craft a distress signal. With luck, someone in Anti-Entropy or Schicksal will pick it up."
Cecilia leaned forward. "How can I help?"
"I'll need to purchase a few components," Himeko said, pulling out a small list scribbled on paper. "Can you handle that while I continue assembling the transmitter?"
Cecilia nodded. "Of course."
A short while later, Cecilia stood and smoothed her jean.
"I'll take my leave, Miss Himeko."
Himeko rose with her. "Stay safe."
"I will."
They walked together to the doorway. Just before Cecilia stepped out, Himeko added softly, "See you later."
Cecilia glanced back, smiling. "See you later."
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Days passed.
Progress was steady. The signal was nearly complete—thanks mostly to Himeko's tireless effort and technical know-how. Cecilia had done her part, too: running errands, acquiring parts, lending a second set of hands when needed. It wasn't much, but it was something.
Yet amidst all of that, something unexpected began to happen.
Sirin became clingier.
Everywhere Cecilia went, Sirin followed always close. She nestled against her arm during meals. She held her hand tighter during walks. At night, she refused to sleep unless Cecilia stayed until she drifted off, murmuring soft words of comfort.
It melted something in Cecilia's chest.
My daughter… she's too cute.
More than once, she found herself overwhelmed by how precious Sirin looked curled up with her favorite plush toy, or how earnest her voice sounded when she asked, "Will you be here when I wake up?"
Cecilia caught herself staring, entranced.
If I listened to my instincts, she thought with a suppressed giggle, I'd take a bite out of those soft, squishy cheeks!
She quickly shook her head.
Ahem. Restraint. Dignity. You're her mother, not a cheek-hunting gremlin.
But still…
"My daughter can't possibly be this cute…"
Now that Cecilia had accepted the truth of this world that it was a mere bubble, a pocket of reality suspended between truths her sense of restraint had begun to blur.
She no longer worried about the balance in her bank account. Whether she spent a hundred or a hundred thousand credits, after all the numbers barely seemed to move.
So, she decided to go all out with the money
And today Cecilia decide to spend time more with Sirin.
They were going to Homu Amusement Park.
It wasn't just a popular place it was a cultural icon, an entire theme park dedicated to the ever beloved Homu, a staple even within the Honkai community itself. Every character from their world knew about it. And Sirin?
Sirin lit up like a Christmas tree when she heard the plan.
Cecilia had tried to invite Himeko as well surely even she needed a break but Himeko politely declined.
"I'd hate to intrude on your bonding time," she said with a faint smile.
So now, here they were.
Cecilia stood before the towering silhouette of the Homu Roller Coaster, her hand gently clasping Sirin's. In the girl's other arm, a fluffy Homu plushie was hugged tightly to her chest.
"Sirin, my dear daughter…" Cecilia's voice held a note of concern, though softened by affection. "Are you sure you want to ride this?"
Sirin gave a quick, confident nod. "Mhm."
Her grip on the plushie tightened with excitement rather than fear.
With hardly anyone in line, the two were ushered straight into the ride. As they buckled themselves into the car, Cecilia took a deep breath and steadied her nerves.
In her past life, she hadn't cared much for roller coasters. It wasn't the ride itself—she loved the thrill—but the heights always made her stomach churn.
But now? That version of her was gone.
She had faced down death. She had jumped into the void for her daughter's sake.
Surely a roller coaster wasn't going to beat her.
Right?
Moments later, the ride came to a shuddering stop, and the safety bar clicked open.
Sirin stepped off practically skipping, still clutching her Homu plush.
Cecilia… walked.
If Sirin was bursting with post-ride energy, Cecilia was still mentally processing how narrow the descent was when they dropped from the highest point.
"Mom! Mom!" Sirin tugged gently on her sleeve.
Cecilia blinked herself back into the present and looked down. "What is it, dear?"
"Let's take a picture together!" Sirin pointed excitedly at a large Homu mascot who was waving to passersby, surrounded by people snapping photos.
Cecilia followed her daughter's gaze and smiled. "Of course, sweetie."
The two of them walked hand-in-hand toward the mascot, sunlight glinting off the plushie's glossy eyes as laughter echoed around them.
Not far from the roller coaster, someone was watching.
Cecilia felt it—not danger, not hostility, but something quieter… heavier. She glanced over her shoulder, eyes scanning the thinning crowd. Nothing. No suspicious figure, no lurking presence. And yet… that gaze had been there. Not piercing, but aching. Not hostile, but yearning.
It wasn't imagination. Cecilia was certain of that.
She couldn't explain how she knew, only what she felt.
Hope. Sadness. A longing so deep it seemed to echo in her own chest. The kind of longing only a heart that once lost something precious could understand.
Her hand unconsciously reached for her chest, a protective gesture.
But whoever it was—if they were even real—they didn't show themselves. Perhaps it was just another strange ripple of this unstable world bubble. A glitch. A ghost.
"Mom!" Sirin's voice cut through her thoughts.
Cecilia turned back. Her daughter stood beside the Homu mascot, beaming as she waved her over. The shadows slipped from Cecilia's heart as she smiled and joined Sirin for the photo.
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Behind a decorative shrub not far from the ride, a girl with white hair clutched her chest, her breathing uneven.
Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.
Kiana.
Her bright pink irises, ringed with bluish violet, shimmered—not with the light of power, but with raw emotion. She had seen her. Her.
Cecilia.
The woman she called "mother."
When Cecilia had paused and turned, for a breathless second Kiana thought—feared—that their eyes would meet. She wasn't ready.
Why am I hesitating? she asked herself. Why can I fight the Herrscher, but I can't take a step toward her?
Before she could answer herself, a second presence joined her. A soft breeze carried the scent of sugar. Bianca walked up, her golden hair catching the light, two cotton candies in hand.
"Kiana," she said gently. "Want one?"
Kiana wiped her eyes quickly and shook her head. "You don't have to give me one, Sister…"
Bianca's smile was patient. "You look like you could use the sugar."
"I…" Kiana hesitated, then whispered, "I think I found Mom."
Bianca blinked, the bite of cotton candy she was about to take forgotten. "Mom? You mean… Cecilia Schariac?"
Kiana nodded and motioned to where Cecilia and Sirin were now walking away, hands still clasped tightly. The light was golden, the air thick with laughter and the scent of theme park sweets.
Bianca followed her gaze. She reached into her jacket, pulled out an old photo, and studied it. Then looked back at Cecilia.
There was no doubt.
It was her.
Their mother.
"She's really here," Bianca murmured, her voice unreadable.
Kiana shifted anxiously beside her.
Bianca turned. "Why didn't you go to her?"
"I…" Kiana's voice was small, her gaze lowered. "I'm scared, Sister Bianca."
"Scared?" Bianca tilted her head. "Of what?"
"What if she doesn't accept me? What if she looks at me and sees someone else? What if she resents me for taking your name? What if—"
Bianca pulled her into a firm hug, cutting off the spiral.
"None of that matters," she said, her voice calm, unwavering. "You met her in that simulation, remember? You know how she feels. She didn't resent you and I don't believe she would now."
Kiana's fingers curled against Bianca's back. "But what if—"
"Then I'll be there," Bianca said. "I'll back you up, no matter what. You're already my little sister. And you're the daughter of Siegfried Kaslana."
She pulled back and looked Kiana in the eye.
"You are Kiana Kaslana."
Kiana sniffed, blinking fast. Then, slowly, her posture straightened.
"…You're right."
She clenched her fists. "Kaslanas don't back down. If she won't acknowledge me—then I'll make her acknowledge me!"
Bianca raised a brow. "That's the spirit."
Kiana grinned, her usual energy returning. "Thanks, Sister."
"Take all the time you need," Bianca said as she handed her one of the cotton candies.
Kiana accepted it with a grin, then added sheepishly, "But maybe let me build up my courage first."
Bianca just nodded, her expression softening as they turned back toward the crowd—where a mother and daughter had just finished taking picture at a Homu photobooth, unaware of the eyes still watching from afar.
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(A/n: Mihoyo is happy and sweet company.... so do my fic.... hehe )