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

"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.

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

In a corner of the city, sunlight spilled over the streets and alleys, reflecting off towering buildings and creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

But this beautiful scene was quickly shattered by a sharp, sorrowful cat's cry. Curious pedestrians turned toward the dim alleyway, trying to see what was happening.

Before they could make out the fleeting black shadow, a few ferocious-looking stray dogs burst out from inside, baring their teeth, saliva flying everywhere.

The passersby were terrified by the scene before them, momentarily frozen in fear. But the next second, the vicious dogs came to a sudden stop, snapping the pedestrians out of their daze, and they scrambled to flee the scene in a panic.

The dogs, however, paid no attention to the people. Instead, they scanned their surroundings, sniffing the air as if searching for something.

After confirming that their target had vanished, the dogs shook their heads and howled a few times, seemingly unwilling to give up.

At that moment, from a distant corner, Fu Lin clung to a wall, peeking out his round little head like a thief, staring intently at the stray dogs as they left. His sapphire-blue eyes flickered slightly.

"Phew, finally shook them off. Once you get used to four legs, running really is fast..."

"A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. When I turn back, just wait and see how my Dog-Beating Staff Technique teaches you all a lesson... But why did I turn into a cat?!"

Watching the stray dogs leave, Fu Lin patted his chest and let out a sigh of relief before making a fierce declaration. But then, looking down at his two soft, pink little paws, he slumped against the wall, clutching his head in despair.

These actions would have been completely unremarkable as a human, but now, as a blue kitten cub, they were utterly absurd.

And this human-like behavior successfully caught the attention of a little girl with purple hair. She broke free from the adult holding her hand and crouched in front of Fu Lin.

Sensing the sudden darkness in his vision, Fu Lin lifted his fluffy head and saw the little girl leaning in close. He waved a tiny paw.

"What are you looking at? Never seen a cat before?" The next second, the little girl reached out her chubby hands, scooped Fu Lin into her arms, and turned to the adult beside her.

"Daddy... this little kitten just now seemed like a person. Can we keep it?"

Hearing this, Fu Lin flailed his limbs and shouted in protest, "Let me go! Don't touch me! I don't need your pity!"

But to the little girl, his complaints were nothing more than a series of soft, mewling sounds, making her think he was acting cute.

The young man she called "Daddy" rubbed her head and looked at the struggling Fu Lin with a serious expression.

"Mei, I can get you anything you want, but this cat is too fierce… How about we go pick one from a pet store?"

"Mei..." Hearing the man's words, Fu Lin's round eyes carefully examined the little girl. She really did resemble Mei—just younger, around twelve years old...

Then, that would make this man Raiden Ryoma... Not bad-looking at all. No wonder he had such a gentle and beautiful daughter. But still, he's a bit worse compared to me.

Then, remembering that farewell kiss in the Elysium, he turned his head slightly, his whole body drooping as he stopped struggling.

Mei's eyes filled with tears at Ryoma's words, and she hugged Fu Lin tightly in her arms.

"But I only want this one! Look, it's so obedient now, not fierce at all."

Fu Lin's eyes rolled back. "I... can't breathe!"

Ryoma was silent for a moment before finally sighing helplessly.

"...If you like it that much, then we can keep it."

"Dad, you're the best!" Mei cheered as she lifted Fu Lin high, rejoicing over her suddenly well-behaved new pet.

Ryoma, watching his daughter's childlike excitement, smiled faintly and took her hand as they stopped in front of a luxurious pet store.

"Mei, I'll go buy some food for the kitten. Stay here and look around, but don't wander off."

Accompanied by her father, Mei happily stepped into the pet store, marveling at the dazzling array of pet supplies. Then, her eyes landed on a soft, pink dress hanging in the distance.

"A person can't... At least they shouldn't... Even if I've turned into a cat, I'm still male! Wearing a pink dress is just humiliating..."

"I'd rather jump off from here and die than wear that!"

Fu Lin, still in Mei's arms, turned pale with horror as he saw her pick up the dress, seemingly intending to put it on him. His tiny, chubby paws pushed against it in resistance.

Seeing his obvious rejection and hearing his frantic meows, Mei had no choice but to give up on dressing him in the frilly outfit.

Fu Lin lay sprawled on the table, watching as Mei put the dress back. His face showed a look of relief.

"Saved... That was close. Almost lost my dignity."