Bronya Archive「♥♡♡♡♡」
Between the ages of twelve and fourteen, Bronya lived in a small place called Cocolia's Orphanage. For two years, she shared her days with five other children—and despite everything, those years held a strange kind of warmth.
There're the twins, Liliya and Rozaliya—always loud, always laughing, always turning everything upside down.
Then there's Sin Mal, the troublemaker who always kept getting on Bronya's way.
And Seele—quiet, kind Seele—Bronya's closest friend in that chaotic little world.
But there was one more child.
A boy whose presence was deeply important to the orphanage—both in what he gave, and what he meant.
That child wasn't one of us.
When the Bronya first met, he told me he had a family in Soukai City and that he was only here to assist a traveling nun. That alone made Bronya suspicious. And honestly? The Bronya disliked him from that moment on.
Because unlike the rest of us, he had something we didn't. A home. A family.
Maybe that's why we treated him coldly—sometimes even cruelly at first. But no matter how we acted, he kept coming back. Even when the nun wasn't around, he'd still show up at the orphanage, smiling like always.
He flaunted everything he had—while reminding us of everything we lacked—and dared us to believe we could have it too, starting now.
He made us believe that family wasn't just a person or a place. That love wasn't only warmth or sacrifice. He made it feel like… maybe, just maybe, we deserved those things too.
Back then, the Bronya was incredibly childish, and looking back on it now… it makes the Bronya—I mean, me—so embarrassed that I could bury my face in a hole.
If I could go back in time, I'd drag my younger self by the collar and give her the scolding of a lifetime. Tell her to stop sulking, stop hiding in her misery, and go to him. Hold on to him. Don't let him leave.
Because if I'd just gotten closer to him back then… maybe he wouldn't have been taken away from me.
...
....
.....
"You're here again."
That was the first thing I said when I saw his face at the door—again. I couldn't even pretend to hide the irritation in my voice.
As always, or precisely once in a week, he stood there with a backpack slung over one shoulder and a few cardboard boxes marked as "donations."
"...Small as always? You're looking down at Bronya?"
He stood taller than almost every kid at the orphanage—
Broad shoulders, an easy smile, and that quiet kind of presence that made people turn their heads. So, you can imagine my shock when I learned, during our very first meeting, that he was actually younger than me.
By two whole years.
He's a very BIZZARE boy.
Glancing at his belongings, I already knew—just like always—that those boxes were packed with food, rations, and toys. I had no idea where he got them from.
Maybe that nun gave them to him.
Maybe someone else did. Though I didn't see the nun with him today.
But like clockwork, he always showed up on the same day of the week, never missing a streak.
"It's been a few days," I said, stepping in front of the door like a guard on duty. "So, first things first—before you come in, we're doing a security check. Unload everything you're carrying. If anything looks suspicious…"
I narrowed my eyes.
"You deal with the consequences. Got it?"
As I stopped him with a firm palm, he quietly lowered his oversized backpack to the ground.
This was standard procedure—something I'd done more times than I could count.
He'd open the boxes one by one, and I'd go through every single item like a customs officer with too much time on her hands.
There was that one time, though.
He got caught trying to sneak in… a certain adult magazine. He swore it wasn't his, of course I knew about that—but in the end, Seele—sweet, innocent Seele—accidentally ended up reading it.
Traumatized her for a week.
That was exactly why I couldn't risk letting something like that happen again.
Before I came to this orphanage, I learned a simple rule from a street soldier: never trust anything that's given for free. So it became a habit—a routine. Every time I received something from someone, I checked.
Always.
But for the kids at the orphanage, I guess they never really cared much about it.
"Whoooa! A new picture book! It's Liliya's favorite! Can I keep it?!" Rozaliya practically bounced in excitement, snatching the book from the box before anyone else could react. "...But I'm sorry Big bro, she's still sleeping right now. She told me to say hi in case this happen!"
He just smiled and handed her the book anyway, then gently told Rozaliya to pick out another toy—whichever one she liked best—for herself.
"Is this... a pair of shoes?" Seele murmured, carefully lifting a pair of neatly wrapped footwear. She ran her fingers over the smooth surface, admiration in her voice. "They look beautiful... and compared to mine."
In response, he crouched down beside Seele and gently helped her put them on. The two of them exchanged soft smiles, like they were in their own little world.
"What a bunch of kids," Sin Mal scoffed, crossing her arms like she was above it all. But the moment her eyes landed on a smaller box, she leaned in and muttered, "Hey, loser. Did you bring candy this time?"
Without a word, he popped open a small tin.
Inside were candies that looked like colorful glass beads. Sin Mal tried to hide her grin.
But it failed when he poked her nose.
"You... what do you think you're doing?! Gnam!" Sin Mal immediately bit his finger.
That's Sin Mal for you—her tough act had its limits.
Then as usual, the moment he opened other boxes, they all got caught up in the excitement.
And just like that, they were already on his side.
It was always like this—no matter how many times he showed up with his so-called "donations," they welcomed him as if he were some kinds of hero no matter how suspicious he is.
But not me.
I wasn't about to fall for it, no matter what he brought. Even if—
"Huh? For me?"
…Wait?! Is that?! A Homu Mascot plushie?!
The round, yellow chubby figure sat innocently in one of the boxes, its signature goofy smile staring back at me. Furthermore, with the soft, fluffy fabric, and perfect stitching—this wasn't just any Homu doll.
It was a limited edition one! One created by that infamous Savior-Qshou!
I had only ever seen them from a distance, displayed in the windows of fancy toy stores.
And now, it was right there, just within my reach.
C-Can I...
My fingers twitched, itching to grab it, but before I could do anything, I felt a gaze on me.
"...What're you looking at?" I blurted, quickly crossing my arms and turning away, pretending I wasn't interested. "All clear, no threat found… at least, not with this one doll. Though, it might require a more... thorough inspection. For safety."
I cleared my throat. Tried to, anyway.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, but didn't say a word.
Instead, with that infuriatingly smug smirk of his, he tossed the plushie right at me.
I TOTALLY didn't leap to catch it like my entire existence depended on it.
Ugh! What if it was dirty or something?!
…But when I hugged it—it was just as soft as it looked.
"T-Thanks…" I muttered, burying my face a little deeper into the plush. "The Bronya will return this later."
He simply shrugged and replied that it was fine even if I didn't. Like it was no big deal. Like he didn't just hand me the softest piece of happiness I'd touched in years.
Hearing that, I had a feeling this was going to happen again.
Which is why I let out a small sigh before straightening my posture.
"...Just as expected, the Bronya saw this coming. At this moment, the Bronya does not have the funds to officially transfer ownership of this object. Follow the Bronya to receive alternative cash compensation."
"Payment? Again? Are you two going to do something in the room later?" Seele asked innocently.
That was a very dangerous thing to say—especially coming from Seele's sweet, clueless face. Furthermore, before I could even begin to correct her, she turned to him with a bright smile.
"Hey, Machi onii-chan! What should I do for my payment with these shoes?" (Seele)
"Hah! Hitting on other girls now, loser?" Sin Mal scoffed, throwing him a dirty look.
"You, shut it."
"...Fine."「Sin Mal」
I just shook my head.
There was no reason for Seele to act like that.
"No need. Besides, these are all donations. That means no payment should be necessary... right?"
I shot him a sharp look—part reminder, part threat—not to say anything stupid.
"This is simply the Bronya's decision. Seele and the others don't need to follow."
Seele blinked, uncertainty crossing her face. Her smile wavered, but then she straightened up and beamed again. "...Is that so…? But! If Bronya onee-chan can't do it alone, then Seele will definitely help!"
"Thank you. Seele really is kind."
I reached out and gently patted her head.
A small gesture, but one she always seemed to appreciate. And then, he did the same. He casually reached over and ruffled Seele's hair like it was the most natural thing in the world.
…I didn't like that.
A strange, uncomfortable feeling stirred in the parts within chest.
"...Let's go, we're not going to the usual place."
Still hugging the freshly acquired Homu plushie to my chest, I spun on my heel and gestured for him to follow. He did—but why in the world was Rozaliya clinging to his back like a hyperactive little monkey?
"Rozaliya..."
"Ack?! O-Okay, okay! Geez, I just wanted to play with him too…" she pouted, then hopped off with a soft thud beside us. "When you're done talking with Bronya, come play with us next—promise?"
We walked past the front yard, making our way to the large tree standing tall in the orphanage's backyard. It was far enough from the others still lingering by the entrance, making it the perfect spot for this session's "payment."
Especially since doing this inside a room might risk getting caught by Mama Cocolia.
"Hmm? Why are we here...?"
He asked me while glancing around as we stood beneath the big tree. "Payment, what else? Bronya will not resist for the next one minute. During that time, you may do whatever you want to Bronya."
He looked at me, confused.
"...This is today's payment method. For a certain period of time, Bronya will not do anything. No screaming, no resisting, no running away—none of that will Bronya do. Do... whatever you want within the given time. Bronya won't fight back."
Silence settled between us.
The distant hum of insects and the rustling leaves only made the atmosphere even more awkward, but I ignored it, keeping my focus on the ticking seconds in my mind.
"Tick tack...10 second passed."
My heart beats faster.
I didn't know what I expected him to do.
Laugh?
Walk away?
Hug me?
Pull a prank like usual?
But still… I stood there, frozen, ready to accept whatever happened next.
"Fifteen seconds… I almost reached that age, how about you?" I muttered, barely a whisper. "Think I'd have grown a few more centimeters by that time?"
And yet, he didn't move. Just stood there, looking at me.
Our previous "payment sessions" had been nothing more than him patting my head or me kissing his cheek. Just innocent, childish play—the kind of thing grade school kids did in a comfortable world.
So, his hesitation was understandable when faced with an offer like this.
He was much like a Мишка—a big, soft bear who'd long forgotten the taste of wild salmon. Domesticated. Gentle. Completely out of place in the world we grew up in.
And for months now, I'd been quietly digging into his connection to this orphanage.
His visits, his supplies, the timing… none of it felt random.
"Twenty… that's the age when people start getting busy with things like marriage, isn't it?"
I watched him carefully, eyes narrowed, lips twitching into the ghost of a smirk.
"You're not… planning anything, are you? But if you are… with who? That Theresa aunty? The traveling nun who's always tagging along? Or maybe… Liliya and Rozaliya—and Seele too?"
I chuckled, light and dangerous. "Kidding, Bronya doesn't mind if you built your own harem."
Then, dead serious, "But touch Seele and I'll kill you. Ah, I don't care if it's Sin Mal though."
From what I'd gathered, he wasn't directly tied to any major organization.
Sure, there were whispers of his connection to Schicksal's Overseer. But then again, I'd seen him sharing light jokes with a MOTH operative.
One day, he'd stroll past Monolith's restricted zone like it was his backyard. Another, he'd be darting through back alleys with Soukai City's security hot on his heels.
He wasn't part of the system. He moved through it. Around it. Beneath it.
He had a reputation—one that clung to him like a shadow. And when I recalled what I'd heard… something old stirred inside me.
An instinct.
A lesson from a past life where trust was dangerous. Those lesson had once taught me that anomalies like him weren't meant to be welcomed.
They were meant to be eliminated. Drawing too much attention was never a good thing. I'm sure there are plenty out there who want his head just as much as those who'd protect his neck.
Though if I do kill him… I'll have to deal with a bunch of crying girls later.
"Twenty-five... If you could have children by then, how would you prefer? A boy or a girl? Or maybe both?" I mused, my voice light, almost teasing. "...If it were me, maybe one boy and one girl."
He didn't answer.
Despite being bigger, taller, and stronger—more than capable of pushing me down and turning this situation to his advantage—he lacked the courage, just like a sheltered city boy who could barely bring himself to kiss someone.
In a way, it was pathetic. But another part of me... couldn't hate him for it.
It only highlighted how different our backgrounds were.
He came from a world where warmth wasn't earned through blood, where comfort wasn't a trap, and trust wasn't a lie.
And standing there, still clutching my Homu plushie like a child too afraid to let go, I was reminded again… just how unfair this world really was.
"...Thirty seconds have passed. By around thirty, I guess no one's going to marry me by then, huh? Maybe I'll end up like Mama Cocolia... adopting a kid, giving them a better future or something."
I tilted my head at him with a teasing smirk—but it vanished the moment I saw his face.
His eyes were glassy, unfocused.
His lips trembled like he was trying not to say something, or trying not to break.
"Hmm? What's... wrong? Why're you crying?"
Seriously, his voice dropped low and strained.
He talks as if the whole weight of the world had settled on his shoulders.
It was strange.
For a moment, it almost felt like he was blaming himself. For everything.
Like he was somehow responsible for all of it.
Like... he was the one who created this whole damn world.
And for a second, I thought—Is he really feeling guilty… because of a stupid joke I made?
"...The world isn't one to blame. The Bronya's fate is hers to choose, not yours nor this World. Moreover, that was nothing more than a joke."
But still... to think that even with that big, strong body of his, he could crumble from just a few words... maybe he wasn't that different from Seele and the others after all.
I sighed, then stood on my toes and reached up, fingers tangling into his hair as I gave him a gentle ruffle. He always did this to me. So why was I the one doing it now?
"Should this big sis pamper you down? You still have another thirty seconds left."
He nodded, as if agreeing to something only he could hear. His gaze wasn't on me however—it drifted somewhere far, lost in thoughts that had nothing to do with the girl standing in front of him.
It was as if he was dragging a weight too heavy to bear, one that clung to his every step like chains. His shoulders slumped under the invisible pressure, and his hands hung by his sides, unmoving.
And somehow, that quiet struggle—that unseen pain—made him look all the more pitiful.
What a mess, I thought. What a soft, awkward mess.
"Alright then... your turn to stay still for thirty seconds."
I tilted my head, eyes narrowing just a little.
And before he could even react, I leaned in and kissed him.
Not on the cheek. Not sweet like a cherry. Not gentle like a first kiss.
But right on his lips—deep, slow, and with my tongue slipping in.
"Shh... stay still."
My hand moved without thinking to the back of his neck, fingers curling into his hair like a hook before I tugged and pulled him down. His body gave way easily, dropping to his knees without resistance.
From this height, it was even easier to wrap my arms around him.
I pulled him in—too close—trapping him with the heat between us. My fingers tightened in his hair, the jolt from our kiss still sparking through me like static.
"Mhh..."
I never thought a kiss could feel this good—like warmth blooming from deep in my chest, surging all the way to my fingertips. Did he feel it too? Somehow… I wanted him to.
The Homu plushie slipped from my arms, landing with a soft thud on the ground. But I didn't stop. I kept pressing my lips against his, my fingers tangling deeper into his hair, gripping tight.
No room to breathe. No room to think.
"Shrlup..."
I didn't want to stop.
My hands slipped down to his shoulders, trembling slightly.
I found myself gently stroking them, tracing the width and strength of shoulders that felt unmistakably like a man's—so perfect, I thought, for me to lean on. Honestly, I was a little jealous of Rozaliya.
She always got to ride on them so easily.
"Hmnh..."
Slowly, my palm moved down to his chest.
I could feel the shape of it—broad and steady beneath the thin fabric of his shirt—something that felt entirely wrong for a boy I'd always thought of as being around my little brother's age.
Not like I have one though...
Wait—why did it feel like I was the one enjoying this the most?
"Uah?! H-Hauh?! N-No, it's nothing! Just—just stay still, okay?! There're still a few seconds left…"
Heat rushed to my cheeks as our lips finally parted, both of us gasping for air.
Then I noticed it, a thin thread of saliva, still connecting us.
"Hmmp... more..."
Despite the intensity of the moment, a wave of embarrassment crawled up my spine, making my eyes flutter halfway shut. His left arm twitched—hesitant at first—then slowly crept around my waist.
It felt like he was trying to take advantage of the moment with those sneaky fingers of his.
But no—this was Bronya's moment.
So, I slapped his hand away.
"... I told you to stop moving."
But I couldn't help wondering—what would've happened if he had gone further? If Bronya had let him reach beneath her skirt… would he realize just how easy it would be to slip her underwear down?
Would Bronya and him really… do that?
But before the thought could go any further—Time was up.
"Hmmh... thirty seconds up."
I pulled my tongue back, breaking the kiss.
A wave of disappointment washed over me. Meanwhile, he looked like he was trying to discreetly cover something... down there. There's something standing tall—but it wasn't talent.
Something big—but it wasn't determination. A swollen rooster, yet one that couldn't crow. A boy, halfway into manhood after all. His lust and desire betrayed him—if not in mind, then through his body.
"But maybe..."
As I bent down to pick up the fallen Homu plushie, the hem of my skirt lifted—just slightly. Just enough to tease. Just enough to provoke. I didn't look at him directly, but I could feel his gaze lingering from behind.
Would he take the hint?
Would he act on this silent invitation… if he still wanted more? Bronya thinks this is very, very naughty. But her body still remembers that kiss—too vividly. Bronya still craved the feeling of his tongue, tangled with hers.
Thinking she could take advantage of his current condition, Bronya thought—perhaps—this would mark the beginning of our sexual awakening. But unfortunately… no.
It looked like his brain had finally started working again—only to promptly shut down any higher function with whatever excuse it could find. He was back to being a proper, polite little city boy.
Pathetic.
Turning around and leaving him behind, I hugged my new doll close to my chest and walked ahead, my pace light and unbothered—even if he'd told me to wait. My heart was still racing from what just happened, but I pressed it down.
I had to wait.
"Bronya will look forward to the next visit."
Yes… the Bronya can wait until he becomes a man.
By then, we'll both be older—and able to do a lot more things we can't do right now. But for now, Bronya will focus on raising affinity. Farming, training, chatting… Bronya will make his heart reach all the way to six hearts.
That's why, for now...
"Next time you came by… maybe I'll give you more than a minute." |♥|
———————————
「Soukai City, secret base. 」
Within the complex web of Soukai City, multiple factions are engaged in a silent game of strategy.
Among them, two powerhouses stand above the rest: the Flame Chasers of MOTH and the Valkyries of Schicksal. These organizations hold immense influence over humanity's continued survival behind the Monolith.
—And under the looming threat of a mysterious force known as the Honkai.
Yet, not all players on the board are locked in direct rivalry.
A number of smaller groups also pursue their own agendas—quietly conducting research on the Honkai, the Monolith, and other unexplained phenomena within this World.
One such group was born from a shared belief. Formed by independent thinkers determined to make a difference beyond the shadows of giants, this organization came to be known as Anti-Entropy.
They're the same as MOTH and Schicksal, trying to fight the Honkai. However, they are far smaller in resources, mansource, and also the technology behind their background.
Even so, for the chess players in Soukai City, Anti Entropy is still a piece with influence. Especially because of the information they possess from the Angel Series.
The Angel Series itself is a reoccurring Catastrophe, which when it appears, can cause destruction and mass extinction. No one knows their purpose for coming to this planet, but most of their attacks are always directed toward Soukai City.
And so far, there have already been five Angels that descended and were handled by Anti Entropy.
One of them got captured and modified into their hidden card— a satellite floating above Soukai City.
It was the same satellite that Als and El Dust spotted earlier.
That satellite also has a name, and its name is Ramiel.
That's why Anti-Entropy matters. With both MOTH and Schicksal entangled in their own wars, someone has to stand against the Angels. And so far, only Anti-Entropy has answered that call.
"Mophead! What's the situation over there?!" Tesla's voice crackled through the comms, sharp and urgent. "We're getting emergency calls right now! What the heck are those EVAs doing?! Weren't they ready for deployment?!"
This world's Tesla was still unmistakably her—red twin tails bouncing as she paced, glasses slipping down her nose, and that signature tsundere fire lighting up her expression.
Despite everything, she remained part of the familiar trio: Tesla, Einstein, and Welt—holding the line under Anti-Entropy's banner.
She was currently stationed in the factory hangar, standing directly in front of two massive robots—each still undergoing urgent repairs.
A few engineers and researchers worked around her, though none were important enough to be named in this story.
While Einstein operated from the command room, after the last surprise assault from Thomas.
"Unfortunately," Einstein's voice came through calmly.
"WOTAN and Arahato Mk. V are still not ready for deployment. Damage from the battle with the fourth and fifth Angels is still affecting their core systems. And... Dr. Tesla, did you just eat another gummy bear?" she added dryly, catching the telltale rustling through the comms.
"...N-Now's not the time for that! Didn't you see what just happened?! One of those things knocked out an entire block in one hit! Have you launched the drones yet?! We need eyes on the sky!" 「Tesla」
"They'll be online in a few seconds," Einstein replied, fingers still moving across the console.
Previously— Anti-Entropy's headquarters had gone into full red alert after a blinding flash tore across the skies of Soukai City.
It wasn't ordinary light either. It was the light—the kind that doesn't just burn, but erases. A beam of destruction that left nothing behind but scorched shadows and cinders.
Tracking its origin was difficult, but not impossible. When the readings came in, the answer was clear.
The one who fired it… was none other than the main unit of Thomas, the Abomination Engine—A weapon Tesla and Einstein knew all too well.
They had played a small role in its creation, years ago, under the guise of cooperation with the MOTH Organization. At the time, both sides sought to unlock forbidden knowledge buried within the Angel Series.
Thomas was the result.
Moments later, Tesla stormed into the command room to meet with Einstein, her expression fuming with irritation. Einstein glanced up at her, arching a brow.
Judging by the outfit and accessories, it looked like Tesla had been on vacation just moments ago. Compared to her usual "lame" lab attire, this one actually had some… flair.
"You do realize we're in the middle of a Code Red, right?" Einstein muttered, barely hiding the amusement in her voice.
"Zip it!" 「Tesla」
Their attention was soon pulled back by the rapid clacking of keys echoing in the monitor-filled room. Einstein brought up a live feed on the central screen—real-time footage of the area surrounding Monolith No. 17.
"That is… Thomas did that?" Tesla stared, her voice low with disbelief. "To think a half-Angel could do this..."
The screen showed a wide, smoldering crater, where buildings had once stood. Entire city blocks were erased—melted into scorched nothingness.
"Seems like we'll need to update our data on Thomas's destructive output," Einstein said, momentarily stunned by the level of devastation. "We're lucky that beam didn't land in the middle of the city."
Tesla froze for a moment.
She hadn't expected that. The failed machine she once helped build… now capable of this level of destruction? More than that, she distinctly remembered Thomas being shut down.
Decommissioned. Forgotten.
And yet here it was, alive and obliterating cities.
But what truly caught her off guard was the group of people captured in the live feed.
"Bronya?!" Tesla's voice cracked slightly. "It's been… it's been a while since I last saw her."
"Indeed," Einstein replied, nodding slowly. "She's changed. Quite a lot."
Changed was an understatement.
—————————————————
"Indeed, I really liked her office lady outfit." (Cera)
Excuse me.
"Whoopsies!" (Cera)
—————————————————
The silver-haired girl now towered over both scientists in different aspect.
"I wasn't talking about that kind of change!" Tesla huffed, crossing her arms. "I just… I mean… dang, how big has she gotten?!" She cleared her throat, trying to regain composure.
"Anyway! What about the others? I think I recognize that redhead over there too." 「Tesla」
"Ah… birds of color I see. That is Miss Murata Himeko," Einstein noted, zooming in on the feed. "And her student, I believe? They appear to be unconscious." The drone feed showed Major Himeko and Private Hua lying motionless amidst the debris.
"There's also a spirit fox, and… a little girl from a hidden village? What an unusual combination," Einstein added, arching a brow.
The two scientists kept working—multitasking like only veteran engineers could—while carrying on their conversation. Einstein's drones swept across the Veil Sector, mapping the full extent of the destruction Thomas had caused.
They also found Moriarty over there.
"And that blonde… Moriarty, wasn't it?" Tesla said, her tone sharpening.
"Yes, she's there," Einstein replied, eyes narrowing slightly. "And that appearance... from what memory I still retain—I believe I've seen it before... was it from the first angel descend?"
Just for a moment, the screen caught a glimpse of a long-haired blonde girl—her silhouette standing still, staring into the distance.
It was the same girl Welt had described before.
The sight stirred something in Einstein's memory.
She began sifting through the classified data they had on the Angel Series, certain that somewhere within those records, a detail about Moriarty had once appeared.
But just as she was about to cross-reference the files—
"Hey, look at the screen! Now!" Tesla's voice cut in sharply.
Einstein's eyes snapped back to the main display. There—floating in midair, just above the smoldering ruins— Was him, the figure they both knew too well.
The one who had played a crucial role in their battles against the Fourth, the Fifth, and all the way to the Tenth Angel. An ace who had once been the pilot of Arahato Mk. V, a title he was forced to relinquish due to several personal reasons.
And, in many ways, he was a key figure in Soukai City.
It's him.
"So that's where he actually is... Things are going to get really messy. Not only are both MOTH and Schicksal involved in the same frame now, but casualties have already started stacking up..." Einstein muttered.
"Well, duh! Since when have things not gotten messy when it comes to that Machi-match guy?! At least we found him—just tell Siegfried or Welt already! And tell him to get in the robot!" Tesla snapped.
"I see you're still using that nickname." 「Einstein」
"And I see you're still doing nothing!" 「Tesla」
Unfortunately, just moments after they locked onto Sengoku's image, the drone feed began to glitch. Static crackled across the screen, and the visual cut out completely.
"What now...?" Einstein frowned.
The screen went black. Then something started to appear.
A strange logo began to spin slowly in the center of the display—glitchy, distorted, and unfamiliar.
The room fell silent. Slowly... ominously...
(Thomas the tank engine theme playing in the background)
Tesla blinked. "...You've got to be kidding me. Is that shit hacking us again?! That damn Haxxor-whatever really needs a lesson in manners! And what the hell is this cheesy, creepy music?!"
"A melody composed with several layered instruments," Einstein replied flatly. "However, the balance between major and minor notes is intentionally off. While the tempo is catchy enough to resemble a tune, it creates a tonal dissonance that only leaves listeners feeling... uneasy."
Tesla stared at her. "Oh really?"
A face appeared at the center of the black screen—a distorted, almost cartoonish visage that slowly faded in. Alongside it, an unfamiliar melody began to play. Eerie, mechanical, and unmistakable.
It was the same twisted theme Thomas had played since his first appearance.
Though... Tesla had misjudged it at first, assuming it came from one of her usual hacker enemies.
She immediately began trying to sever the signal—disconnecting the power, forcing shutdowns, even physically yanking cables.
But it only stopped for a few seconds... before the screen flickered back to life again, with that same grotesque face—Thomas the Abomination Engine—smiling back at them.
"...This... I don't think this belongs to that Haxxor," Tesla muttered, her voice unusually quiet.
"Me neither," Einstein agreed, expression grim.
They scrambled to record everything—scanning frequencies, running code decryptors, even pulling out old devices and modules they'd once used to try and neutralize Thomas.
Nothing worked.
But at the very least, they confirmed two things: Thomas was the one transmitting the audio—and worse, he was still channeling energy through the system, no matter how many times Tesla tried to cut the connection.
"...That's not normal, not only is it still active, but it's also evolved—to the point of resisting and even countering us. And our system has been upgraded well past the Thomas era. For now, we need to extract whatever data we can from it." 「Einstein」
"Didn't you say that AI was terminated? Why are you being so useless right now?!" Tesla snapped.
"I did see it," Einstein said calmly, "All the way to where it was buried. But this… this isn't a revival. It's not coming back—it's something new. Thomas has advanced, beyond what it used to be. It evolved after we destroyed it."
Tesla narrowed her eyes. "...So you're telling me, you don't know what this creepy-ass music actually means?"
Suddenly, the room went dark. Both Tesla and Einstein froze.
They scanned the shadows for the source of the blackout—but before they could act, every monitor in the room flickered back on, lighting up one by one as if nothing had happened.
And yet, the power cords were still unplugged. The electricity had been cut.
Thomas was overriding it all. Even without power, the AI had found a way to manipulate their systems—and now, it was digging into their database.
Then, the screens began displaying an image.
It wasn't random.
It was one of Anti Entropy's most closely guarded assets.
An "Angel Series"—their trump card.
Tesla's voice dropped. "...Ramiel."
Einstein's brow furrowed. "So that's what it's after."
(Thomas the tank engine theme playing in the background)
One motive had become clear to the two scientists. But just as they grasped it, another oddity tugged at their attention—something they hadn't fully registered until now.
That damned music.
"The theme song... Mophead, you noticed it yet?" 「Tesla」
"...Are you talking about your new lenses?" Einstein replied dryly.
"No! You stupid sandwich!" Tesla groaned, throwing her arms in the air. "You seriously didn't notice?!"
Einstein blinked, brow creasing as she replayed the sound in her head—until realization struck her like a flash of relativistic theory crashing through her thoughts.
"...The music?" 「Einstein」
"...There's no data showing anyone programmed music into Thomas's algorithm," Tesla muttered, her voice tight with unease. "And even if it somehow learned about it—why? What use would a Monolith sentry have for music?"
"Good observation, Dr. Tesla. Which means... this music is something Thomas recently learned. A new behavior." Einstein paused. "And the fact that it's letting us hear it—over and over—means it wants us to..."
"This music itself, is 'his' way to talk or tell."「Tesla」
(Thomas the tank engine theme playing in the background)
Ho◼️◼️v◼️◼️, w◼️◼️t ◼️h◼️◼️ ◼️◼️ard ◼️s th◼️◼️ m◼️◼️◼️c a◼️◼️ ◼️h◼️◼️a◼️ ◼️a◼️◼️s wh◼️ k◼️◼️p s◼️◼️nn◼️◼️◼️.
◼️h◼️◼️a◼️ h◼️d ◼️◼️v◼️r s◼️◼️n s◼️c◼️ ◼️u◼️◼️◼️◼️it ◼️ef◼️r◼️ w◼️e◼️ h◼️ ◼️t◼️r◼️d ◼️t ◼️h◼️ s◼️i◼️n◼️i◼️t ◼️h◼️ w◼️r◼️ t◼️y◼️n◼️ t◼️ d◼️c◼️p◼️e◼️ h◼️s ◼️t◼️e◼️p◼️s ◼️o ◼️o◼️m◼️n◼️c◼️t◼️ w◼️t◼️ R◼️m◼️e◼️ t◼️r◼️u◼️h ◼️h◼️ s◼️r◼️e◼️.
E◼️e◼️ t◼️o◼️g◼️ T◼️o◼️a◼️ w◼️s ◼️r◼️a◼️e◼️ f◼️o◼️ t◼️e ◼️a◼️a ◼️b◼️a◼️n◼️d ◼️r◼️m ◼️a◼️i◼️l, ◼️n ◼️h◼️ e◼️d ◼️e ◼️a◼️ u◼️a◼️l◼️ t◼️ h◼️c◼️ t◼️e ◼️n◼️e◼️. I◼️s◼️e◼️d, ◼️h◼️m◼️s ◼️a◼️ a◼️s◼️r◼️e◼️ i◼️t◼️ R◼️m◼️e◼️ a◼️ f◼️r◼️h◼️r ◼️a◼️a ◼️r◼️m ◼️n ◼️I.
————————————————
Meanwhile…
"Again?" Cera rubbed her eyes, trying to push back the fatigue.
"Hmm, Lia... can you give me a little help here? I think there's something in my eye," Cera further muttered, glancing over at the nearby technician and her little train conductor, Hylia and Fuwa.
"Okay! Fuwa, don't crash the train alright?" (Hylia)
"Fuwa!"
————————————————
While working their minds in tandem, both Einstein and Tesla sifted through all the data they had—connecting dots, threading theories, building conclusions. And at the center of their discussion was one particular Angel Series—
One they had been monitoring and storing under Anti Entropy's watch.
Angel Series, Ramiel—who're also the sixth angel.
"...Have you noticed anything unusual with Ramiel?" Einstein asked calmly.
Tesla cracked her knuckles, a mischievous smirk rising to her lips. "Want me to take a look?"
"Please, Dr. Tesla," Einstein replied without missing a beat.
(Thomas the Tank engine theme playing in the background).
———————————
「Veil Sector of Monolith No. 17」
Flying high above the sky, Sengoku stretched his arms wide open.
"Hhhaaahh... I can fight again!" he exhaled with a twisted grin.
Above the shattered remains of Monolith No. 17, the Persona had fully swapped places with Als—and had taken full control of Sakura Zeimachi's body.
The arrival of the Persona felt… strangely exaggerated—though Sengoku himself was completely unaware of it, more and more eyes were now watching the events at Monolith No. 17.
Groups like Anti Entropy is just one example.
But then again, Sengoku doesn't care about them. All he knew, all he wanted, was to spill blood—and make sure his enemies bled just as much.
That was how Sengoku found joy.
That was his idea of fun.
"Weapons... no. Mikage's too overrated here. It'd make things far too easy." 「Sengoku」
Sengoku's gaze shimmered with madness—like golden topaz, beautiful yet unsettling.
Those who laid eyes on the Persona's face could feel something twist inside them—an uneasy stirring, a flicker of agitation in their hearts.
This emotion wasn't just fear.
It was disturbance.
That was one of the consequences when the Persona known as Sengoku's emergence into the physical world.
He could infect both 2D and 3D beings with a sliver of his madness.
And the deeper their hatred for him... the stronger his effect became. As for those who doesn't, well... they would just feel the same as usual but with some strange little whispers lingering in their heart.
Unless Sengoku deliberately unleashed his madness aura, in which case it'd resemble the chaos at Azur Lane Academy all over again.
"...Onii-san... can fly?" Yae Rin tilted her head, awe glimmering in her eyes. "Moreover... he's still alive! Thankfully he's alive!"
"Don't ask me, Rin. I've got no idea what else that guy's hiding," Higokumaru grumbled, arms crossed with a frown scrunching her small face.
The little fox spirit then paused, "But... why do I feel this weird, uncontrollable urge to chomp his face?"
"Maybe you're hungry?" 「Yae Rin」
"No, it's... it's like a grudge. A very biteable grudge," Higokumaru muttered, her sharp little teeth almost clicking at the thought.
"You'd be surprised how many grudges he's collected over the years," from behind came a new voice—calm, composed, but laced with wary urgency.
Agent Bronya stepped into view, her eyes scanning the sky above and the ground around them.
Her hand hovered near her holster, and her other hand tapped a device at her ear. "Extraction teams are en route, but I need your confirmation—can you move? I can't guarantee your safety for the next few minutes."
In response, Higokumaru held up a special talisman, her expression hardening with resolve.
With a faint shimmer of light and a burst of energy, she transformed into her giant, multi-tailed fox form once again.
The display brought a flicker of relief to Agent Bronya—at the very least, it gave them a frontline defense while her shield system recharged. Still, one thing continued to trouble her.
Moriarty.
The blonde girl had been standing in the same spot the entire time like a statue.
Even when the Mega Lasers rained down with deadly precision, Agent Bronya remembered clearly: that thin clothed girl didn't do a thing. She acted like the annihilation beams were just… background noise.
She acted like she doesn't care about those annihilation beam.
Agent Bronya's jaw tightened.
Something wasn't right.
She narrowed her eyes, her finger twitching near the holster. A decision was made in that instant.
"I'm going to her, keep your eyes sharp. Something's off," she said through the comms, alerting the operators. And just when she's about to reach Moriarty, "Excuse me—please move behind—"
[You, don't get too close to him.]
Agent Bronya blinked, and Moriarty was gone.
Vanished. No trace.
Not even a footprint left behind.
But the voice lingered in her mind—sharp, cold, and sudden... she remembered it clearly.
The silver-haired woman was completely bewildered by what just happened—but not for long.
Her attention snapped when the man landed with a loud crash, right next to the unconscious red-haired soldier in armor and greatsword. Without hesitation, he grabbed the sword clad in vermilion color.
The Persona swung Surtr Muspellsverd with savage brutality, more like someone wielding a club or baton than a greatsword. Each swing sent tremors through the air, which somehow, satisfied his ears.
Then came the merciless hailstorm.
A barrage of Mega Laser: Concentrated Streams and Mega Laser: Explosive Photons rained down on the Veil Sector of Monolith No. 17, threatening to obliterate everything in its path.
In return...
After his roar of defiance, Sengoku tore through the storm of energy as if it were nothing but a fleeting annoyance. The lasers were no match for his power, vanished before his raw might like waves swallowed by a far greater surge.
"This should be enough to have fun..." 「Sengoku」
His voice was rough and unfriendly, like someone trying to call a cab on the side road.
But it doesn't change the fact Sengoku had obliterated every destructive beam with just one swing of his sword.
No aura, no blade intent, no fire from Surtr Muspellsverd—just pure, unrelenting brute force.
Just like when a monster finally learns how to wield a weapon—simple, yet deceptively lethal.
Unfortunately, according to the watching Personas, his raw power was just too much.
Especially for Als, Necro-phi/Vandango, and Loli man. The two mentioned Personas were particularly vocal, begging Sengoku not to destroy the world with his rampage.
"...Hah? Too strong? So what? You want me to just keep using counter? What the hell are you shitting on? Huh... Golden Fleece? What the hell are those?!" Sengoku's voice dripped with disbelief, a mix of irritation and mocking amusement.
For a moment, there was a brief exchange among the Personas.
Despite their agreement to never bother each other during moments of peace, they just couldn't help but intervene now. They agreed to let Sengoku destroy parts of this world, but Soukai City was definitely out of questions.
Before long, an object appeared out of thin air and attached itself to Sengoku's shoulder.
Als had decided to teach Sengoku how to manifest it using the feather in his hand.
The object took the form of a golden armlet, consisting of three pieces of armor designed to protect his shoulder, elbow, and forearm. Initially, Sengoku felt uncomfortable with it, but after a few moments...
"Heh... I changed my mind. Let's play along." 「Sengoku」
Sengoku smirked, feeling the armlet fit like a glove.
In one arm, he gripped the great sword tightly. In the other, he clenched his fist wrapped in the golden armlet. There were no more words exchanged with the other Personas—none were needed.
They had given their advice, and as promised, they fell silent—returning to their seats.
As Sengoku mulled over some ideas, considering which equipment would be most suitable for a counterattack, he was late to notice a drone speeding toward him.
It looked primed to self-destruct, and Sengoku was fully prepared to face the explosion head-on.
"Piece of garbag— " 「Sengoku」
He's ready to tank the blast and counter it with his new gear, but unfortunately... the explosion never came.
"0019, final shot!" Agent Bronya's voice cut through the air.
Sengoku caught the sharp ring of a feminine voice behind him—just when a thin line of blue laser carved through the air. In a blink, the kamikaze drone—Drone Thomas—was obliterated before it could reach him.
With a slow, irritated turn, the angry Persona looked back, eyes narrowed.
"Hah!?" 「Sengoku」
"I'll support you." 「Agent Bronya」
He turned, meeting her gaze—those familiar calm eyes.
It was her—the same woman who'd nearly gotten herself killed during his great first appearance. Now, she stood steady, wielding some kind of sleek cannon or firearm mounted on her back.
Tch. Ranged weapons.
The sight alone was enough to kill his mood.
Furthermore, something about her made him uneasy. As a Persona who hated everything by nature, this woman felt like a wound carved into Sengoku's very being.
"Long time no see, Machi. It's been a while since Portique." 「Agent Bronya」
"Who cares," Sengoku shot back without hesitation. "Stop sticking your nose in other people's business. What, you think you're important or something?!"
Her expression faltered.
A flicker of surprise crossed her face, and for a moment, she stood silent.
"What, cat got your tongue?" Sengoku pressed, voice dripping with venom. "Go back to your doting little parents. And tell them to buy you some glue—for that mouth of yours."
Once again, she said nothing.
Despite the tension, Agent Bronya continued to approach him with calm, deliberate steps. Her uniform—torn and dusted from battle—only served to highlight the effortless grace she carried in both mind and body.
Her silver hair caught in the wind and fluttered slightly. Unfortunately, the subtle charm didn't captivated him, but it did have an effect on both Yae Rin and Higokumaru though.
"I lost both of my parents," she said quietly. "And I can't even afford glue right now."
"Heh... what a parentless attitude," Sengoku scoffed. "Why didn't you say so?"
Without any ceremony, he chipped off a bit of the golden armlet—Golden Fleece—and held it out to her like a cheap trinket from a pawn shop. As if to say: Go sell this. Fix your life.
Up in their shared mindscape, the watching Personas collectively facepalmed in exasperation. What kind of interaction is this?! they said in unison.
"…Is this real gold?" Bronya asked, eyeing the shard with a strange mix of amusement and disbelief.
"The fuck I know. Looks gold enough," Sengoku shrugged.
At that, something in her snapped.
Her eye twitched.
"Did you just drop the F-word? Again? We agreed, remember? No using that unless we're actually at each other's throats," her voice rose—just a notch. "And are you seriously going to ignore my greeting forever? Where's the 'Nice to see you too,' huh?"
Something about her tone reminded Sengoku of a schoolteacher scolding a troublemaker... or perhaps of someone who used to do that a long, long time ago.
He scowled, glancing down at her unimpressed.
"Don't know. Don't care. Don't remember," he muttered, before adding with a smirk, "Besides, since when do short people get to talk back to me?"
Agent Bronya raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Alright, so you're still stuck in your grumpy era. You used to be so quiet and cute... to think you've turned into this ball of anger. Anyway, how've you been?"
"Not your problem." 「Sengoku」
Agent Bronya persisted, her gaze persisting on his face. "How are Auntie and Uncle? And what about Theresa... how's your relationship with her now?"
"None of your business. What are you, my short-stack big sister or something?!" 「Sengoku」
Unfortunately, all of her attempt to communicate with him fail miserably.
Despite it all, Agent Bronya didn't let it bother her. She had plenty of experience with this side of him—his stubbornness was nothing new. She knew, beneath all that prickly exterior, there was kindness, a side he often tried to hide.
Because she had spent many times with that side in the past.
So, with a determined resolve, she took a step closer to him. Slowly, she reached up and placed her hand on his cheek.
Naturally, Sengoku's guard went up immediately, ready to counter her move and send her flying back to oblivion.
But, as he touches her soft and delicate hand against his skin, he hesitated. They look pretty harmless to him.
Piiiinch
"…The huck you hoing?" Sengoku grunted, his face scrunching in annoyance.
"Can't you see? A punishment for a bad boy," Agent Bronya replied, her voice light with playful authority. "Ehehe, it's been a while for me to be doing this..."
The silver-haired woman used her nimble fingers to slip past his guard.
Before Sengoku could react, she pinched his cheeks, one on the left, the other on the right.
Her smaller frame was now in such close proximity to him that anyone watching would have caught the sudden closeness between them. There was an almost cute atmosphere surrounding the moment.
Though Sengoku clearly wasn't amused.
"Hmm... did you grow taller again? Boys grow quickly during their growth spurts," Agent Bronya mused, her tone casual but warm. "But it's good to see that, despite everything that's happened, you still have those eyes."
"Ruthless yet never heartless." 「Agent Bronya」
Her smooth hands kept pinching his cheeks and even squishing his nose. She resembled a little girl who had been separated for far too long from her favorite doll.
Her playful fondness for the young man's face continued for a few more seconds before he said something dangerously cold to her.
"You wanna die, Silver?" 「Sengoku」
Seizing both of her hands, his mind calculating how to snap them apart.
Now that he looked at her while still gripping hers, Sengoku realized just how short Agent Bronya really was. Her head barely reached his chest. Yet, she still had the audacity to act all buddy-buddy with him.
Sengoku found no thrill in making someone like her bleed. He had no interest in short people, especially those with overly large chests.
"It's Bronya-nee for you," Agent Bronya said, shaking her head.
"Didn't I tell you to call people by their names, not their nicknames?" She paused, then added with a teasing smile, "And my eyes are up here, Machi. I know boys like boobs, but you really shouldn't be ogling them... naughty perv."
"Hah! So you wanna die, Onya?!" 「Sengoku」
He'd had enough of her. Without hesitation, Sengoku grabbed her by the shoulder—gripping it as if ready to hurl her like a sack of rice.
"Then drop dead!!!" 「Sengoku」
But just as he was about to lift her, he paused.
Something shifted in his expression.
He remove his hand and clenched into a fist.
"...Huh? Machi! That was—!" Agent Bronya shouted. "Watch out!"
It was at that moment they realized—Thomas hadn't just been watching their little rom-com skit in silence. The AI had already deployed another wave of Thomas Engines.
This time, they came in forms far more terrifying than just car-sized drones.
One of them took the shape of a turret, and Agent Bronya, noticing it, immediately acted.
SNAP
Agent Bronya reacted instantly. A barrier flared to life around them, strengthened by her weapon. She braced herself as the turret fired—a devastating Mega Laser headed straight for them.
CRACK
But the barrier didn't last a second. It shattered the moment it was hit.
"Ugh! Eh? Machi?! What are you doing?!" 「Agent Bronya」
To her shock, it wasn't just the laser that shattered the barrier. Sengoku had ALSO punched through it from inside—his fist and the snipe striking the same spot, at the exact same moment.
And as his knuckles met the beam head-on, the Golden Fleece wrapped around his arm activated.
It didn't just block the blast—it absorbed it, charged it, and fired it back in a new form.The laser warped, twisted along his momentum like a mirrored javelin, then launched straight toward the lurking Abomination Engine.
Right in the face.
The mobile turret exploded on impact, engulfing the area in a wave of fire and shrapnel.
"Stop hiding like a sneaky Assassin—bring me your damn Berserker!" 「Sengoku」
Seeing the young man laugh like a maniac—after saving her yet again—didn't surprise Agent Bronya all that much. He had pulled off stunts far crazier than this before.
Still... the sight of him now stirred a familiar unease in her.
She glanced at the golden armlet wrapped around his arm, wondering once more where it came from. But that curiosity could wait. Her priority now was to bring him home.
That was why she came here in the first place.
"You saved me again. Thank... you? Huh?" Agent Bronya blinked and surprised.
Her eyes traced the casual outline of the man's figure—until she saw it.
His hand, the one gripping a massive crimson blade—Surtr Muspellverd—was melting. The skin sizzled. Steam curled from his fingers. Flesh cooked beneath the unholy heat of the sword.
Sengoku didn't flinch. To him, this was nothing new. But to Bronya—who carried her own memories of someone named Machi in this world—it was too much.
Her chest tightened with worry.
"Hahahaha! I know you can hear me, scrap! Send me a real challenge worthy of your 'Abomination' title—WHOA?! What the—" Sengoku was cut off mid-taunt.
"Drop that sword. Now," Agent Bronya's voice was sharp.
She also grabbed his wrist, inspecting the damage.
"Where's your ingenious staff? You're going to lose your arm at this rate!" 「Agent Bronya」
She didn't wait for his answer—only scolded him harder as her fingers tried to pry the weapon from his grip. But the heat—so intense it seared her fingertips—made her flinch. How could he keep holding it like this?
"I thought Siegfried didn't let you handle Shamash... no, wait... this isn't Shamash!" 「Agent Bronya」
"Huh? You still here, Silver. Didn't I blast you before?" 「Sengoku」
He looked down at her with disgust. Had she bothered him twice? Thrice? He'd stopped counting. His gaze turned sharp—cold, heavy, carrying a threat unspoken but obvious.
But Agent Bronya didn't back down.
Even as the skin of her hand reddened and stray strands of her hair singed from the blade's radiating heat, she didn't let go. This "Guts" of her, very commendable.
"Ck... fine. Let go, or I'll need a body bag for you. Why is everyone so damn stubborn..." Sengoku relented at last, loosening his grip. As soon as the greatsword slipped free, Agent Bronya secured it using her own gear.
Shielding herself from its hellish heat with a compact gravity suppressor.
"That sword isn't meant for you," she snapped back. "We need to treat your wounds. This level of burn trauma can still be healed with current methods. Are you dizzy? Bleeding anywhere else?"
Her hands moved to his shirt, tugging it open, eyes scanning for injuries with focus. Her face said it all—she knew he was hiding something.
Just like the old days, when she'd caught him red-handed during their "Payment" sessions.
"Oi! Oi! Get your damn hands off me!" Sengoku barked, shoving her on reflex. His palm landed square on her chest. He froze. Eyes wide—not just from what he touched, but from what he sensed.
"...We can do that later ♥♥♥♥♥," Agent Bronya muttered, cheeks flushing like a little girl and didn't realize something strange from behind. "...I'm sorry, I mean... what's wrong?"
Distortion cracked the air.
An unnatural shimmer twisted the space behind her.
Cloaking ripples. Soundless steps...
It's a stealth unit.
"Huh...? You roaches... another damn assassin!?" 「Sengoku」
He reached back—ignoring the protective field Agent Bronya had carefully deployed around the sword—and tore the vermilion blade free with a sharp, violent pull.
Sparks burst as the protection field cracked under his grip, light scattering like glass under his sheer amount of pressure.
"Not that sword again!" 「Agent Bronya」
"Oh yes I will!" he growled, spinning the blade into a brutal arc toward her—
Gasps filled the air. Time seemed to halt.
The crimson slash blazed forward.
All eyes locked on the crimson slash streaking toward the woman.
But instead of Bronya— the blade sliced through the space just behind her. It missed Bronya by inches, tearing through the optical veil just behind her shoulder.
Reality shimmered, and a Thomas Engine—cloaked in stealth armor—flickered into existence for a split second, its core already sliced in two. The machine collapsed with a metallic wheeze, hissing black smoke.
Had Sengoku hesitated even a second, Bronya would've been a donut on the ground.
Sengoku grinned. Not just in victory—but in mockery. "Tch. Still in my way, Silver?" But Bronya didn't move. Didn't glare. She just stared at his hand—the one now melting further from the sword's backlash.
"Thank you..." she said quietly.
Then she stepped forward.
Her round face, framed by a few frizzled gray strands. Her eyes—calm, soft but resolute—looked up at him.
She wasn't intimidating.
But this something Sengoku could feel from her, it utterly made the Persona hesitate.
She reached for him again, this time slower. Gentler without any intentions to play around.
"...But I don't want you to get hurt anymore. So put the sword down. Please." 「Agent Bronya」
This feeling—tight in his chest, unfamiliar, suffocating—gnawed at Sengoku from within. The grin on his face faltered, even if just a little. The weight of the blade in his hand suddenly felt heavier.
"Why thou?" 「Sengoku」
"Because seeing you like this... it hurts. It's not just me. I know there are others too. People who care about you, who still love you even if you don't believe it," she stepped forward again.
Just one step.
Close enough that their breath could mingle.
Close enough to kiss.
"Please, Machi. Drop the sword... and let's go home. Okay?" 「Agent Bronya」
There was silence.
And then— followed by anger.
"...Did you just say...love?" 「Sengoku」
It was like someone had struck a match in the dark. Right in that moment, something cracked.
Not in the ground and not in the sky.
Inside him, a flame roared from within, and rage began to rise.
Hot, unrelenting, and sharp like shattered glass in his lungs.
All it took was that single word.
And with it came memories—unwanted, unwelcome, unraveling him from the inside.The Persona stirred, and in that moment, it remembered why it had ever been born.
"Machi? Is something wrong? Come on—we have to go!" Agent Bronya called out, urgency rising in her voice. But it was too late, ground trembled and enemies approaching, "Fox beast! Protect the little girl!"
"O-Ou... thought we got forgotten for a while..." 「Higokumaru」
"H-Hmn... I'm counting on you, Higokumaru!" 「Yae Rin」
Then out of sudden, Yae Sakura appeared from their back, "Be at ease, I'm still here."
"Sakura-nee?!" 「Yae Rin and Higokumaru」
In the distance, new threats crawled into the scene—two massive machines with limbs like armored crabs, their steel frames glinting under the firelit sky. Each was the size of a truck, their clawed feet scraping violently against the ruined floor.
Agent Bronya tensed.
But Sengoku… he only laughed.
With a single, brutal swing of the vermillion great sword, the machines didn't stand a chance. They were cleaved in half—metal ripped apart, circuits torn, reduced to burning husks.
Smoke and flames twisted skyward, dancing like unbound wreckage set free.
In the end… the sword didn't leave his hand.
If anything, he gripped it tighter.
"Love... hah, hahahaha! Disgusting." 「Sengoku」
"Those flames... but I thought its not Shamash..." Agent Bronya's voice wavered just slightly.
"If you're hurt like this again, what will you get?! What will you have?! What's left here will be handled by the others—please, follow my instructions and meet with Aunt Cecilia and Uncle Sieg." 「Agent Bronya」
More engines appeared—this time even more than before.
Mechanical limbs skittered like armored crabs across the battlefield, their size monstrous.
Sengoku, however, only grew more furious. He didn't even try to hide it anymore. Her words had dug too deep. About Love and Family. The more she said them, the more revolting they sounded to him.
As if they were poison laced with memories he'd buried long ago.
"Family or whatever... I don't need those useless things," Sengoku muttered, his voice cold, distant.
"You... don't say that," Agent Bronya replied sharply. "You have a family—wasn't that why you were chasing this power in the first place? I'm sure things can still work out if you talk to them. Don't worry... if you're scared, I'll go with you."
Her voice softened, but her hands reached toward the sword once more.
"For now, just… let go of that blade." 「Agent Bronya」
But more Thomas Engines were already crawling from the shadows—newer, nastier models.
And more of them fell, shattered and scorched under Sengoku's wrath. He stood at the center of it all, surrounded by burning metal and thick smoke. It was never-ending.
The rage, the machines, the memories—they kept coming.
Sengoku's patience, already razor-thin, finally began to snap.
"I don't need parental consulting." 「Sengoku」
In that final moment of resolve, Sengoku continuously used the golden fleece.
He keeps using it to parry and absorb attacks after attacks. Despite many impacts were relentless damage that struck him from every direction—but he didn't care. His body, already battered and worn, was just a vessel now.
He let it all happen.
Even when the massive spawn of the Thomas Engines slammed into him, his only thought was to push forward. Each hit, each collision, fed the fury inside him.
Tank, hit and counter.
Tank, hit and counter.
Tank, hit and counter.
He channeled that energy, letting it build up until it reached a boiling point within the parry instrument. Then, with a savage grunt, he blasted the ground beneath him.
The shockwave erupted outward, tearing the air and sending everything around him flying—Thomas Engines, debris, and even Agent Bronya were flung backward by the force.
Sengoku stood there, breathing heavily, as smoke and dust swirled around him.
And the woman… she managed to recover. Using her Bunny-0019 assistment. She twisted in mid-air and landed with practiced grace despite the chaos around her.
But as her boots touched the ground, Agent Bronya flinched.
Right beneath her—just inches from her legs—was a small, round Thomas Engine. No larger than a bowling ball, humming with a faint red glow slowly deactivated. It had almost made contact with her.
And yet, something—someone—had stopped it.
She looked up.
"Thank you, despite everything… you still protected me. I really love that side of you." 「Agent Bronya」
Sengoku stood there, shrouded in smoke and fire.
"...Silence," he growled. "You know nothing about me. Nothing about us."
That stubbornness—still so fierce, still so unyielding—was exactly like the young man Agent Bronya remembered. Right now, he wasn't the same sweet little boy anymore...
But a young man with a temper sharp enough to burn the world around him.
She smiled faintly to herself as she approached once more, stepping through the smoke and flickering embers. His silhouette, cracked with light and heat, looked more like a broken statue than a man.
But she could still see him—beneath all the fury and pride.
Without a word, she tore a strip from the hem of her dress suit, the fabric fluttering briefly in the scorched air. Then, with slow, deliberate care, she wrapped her hand around his.
His hand still clinging tightly to the red-hot hilt of Surtr Muspellverd, but this time she didn't try to forcebly take it from him. Not this time.
She wants to let him know he wasn't holding it alone.
"Does it hurt... when I hold your hand like this?" 「Agent Bronya」
Sengoku scowled, looking away, "Shut up... get away, you fuck. Leave me fucking alone," but even as he cursed her, he didn't pull his hand back.
Only after she felt it was safe—after his grip loosened ever so slightly, she nods softly to herself. With a quiet command, one of her drones hovered in to lift the great sword away delicately.
"Ah... I almost forgot," Agent Bronya murmured.
With a soft sigh, she gave Bunny-0019 a light pat. The little drone beeped in acknowledgment, then opened one of its compartments to reveal a small, carefully stored drink container—slightly dented from the chaos, but still intact.
She crouched beside him and held it out, her expression warm despite the soot on her face and the heat lingering in the air. As for the man himself, he just standing there like a sulking elementary schooler staring at ants.
Barely moving.
"Here's your favorite. Sorry if I was a bit too harsh on you earlier." 「Agent Bronya」
"Shut up..." 「Sengoku」
Unfortunately, Sengoku being Sengoku, he didn't stop at just words.
With a sudden motion—rough and full of bitterness—he punches his hand toward her stomach, not just to push her away, but to hurt her. To wipe that calm expression off her face.
To see her curled up on the ground, wincing, and maybe even laugh at her pain like some sick prize.
Punch—!
But... he missed.
His fist struck something else—knocking Surtr Muspellverd away just as it slipped from Bunny-0019's grips, during the bot's multitasking with the Homu Dinner. The crimson blade nearly grazed her exposed side.
NEARLY.
Had it fallen a second later, it would have seared her white skin.
Agent Bronya froze, then slowly turned to look at the sword, now half-buried in the dirt, steaming and hissing. Her lips parted slightly—not in shock, but in growing warmth.
It didn't touch her.
Not because of luck.
But because he stopped it.
Whether he meant to or not… he saved her.
Again.
"You really are something..." she murmured, placing a hand over her heart. "Thank you again. I'll 'pay' you in full after this, alright?"
"Just... shut up..." 「Sengoku」