Bizarre Honkai, a Wife-Chasing Crematorium

The lingering essence of Elysia in Li Mo's room, akin to the protective aura of St. Freya's auditorium, both masked his presence from Bizarre Entity and suppressed their power.

"Bloodstains. On the sheets, on my clothes… A ghost was here last night, and I didn't even notice. It attacked me."

"But I didn't reset. Meaning it just… took some blood and left? Are there such benevolent Bizarre Entity?"

"No. Triggering a rule is always fatal. There's no 'taking a little blood' and calling it a day. The key is, I did nothing last night."

"It's the dream, isn't it?" He'd stopped recalling the dream because something about it felt wrong.

It was unusually vivid. Normally, dreams faded upon waking, leaving only fragmented impressions. But this dream… every detail, every word, every gesture, was etched into his memory, as clear as if he'd lived it.

Kiana's radiant smile, her infectious laughter, her self-conscious apologies, their romantic walks hand-in-hand… he remembered it all. This was no ordinary dream.

"A ghost in my dream? But why Kiana?" If an Bizarre entity had invaded his dream, it should have pulled him into its memories, not Bizarre Kiana's. That was how Bizarre Entity worked.

In the broadcasting room, it was through entanglement with the Bizarre consciousness that Ekri had glimpsed its memories, leaving the clues for Li Mo. When an Bizarre entity invaded a person's mind, their consciousnesses collided, granting each access to the other's memories.

That's what made this so strange. Why Kiana? Why not some unknown entity?

"Is there still a trace of Kiana on me?" he wondered. But he dismissed the idea. If that were true, Bizarre Kiana would have crossed spacetime to devour him instantly. Elysia's essence might deter lesser Bizarre entity, but it wouldn't stop Bizarre Kiana. He'd experienced her power firsthand. Absolute control over spacetime. She could reach him anywhere, anytime, in any dimension.

The only thing stopping her was the lack of a precise location. Without coordinates, finding a specific point in spacetime was impossible.

"Kiana…" he murmured. "I… love her?" A strange longing filled him, a desire to be with her, to protect her, to cherish her… The dream's memories were affecting him.

"The most peculiar detail is the snowfields. I kept trying to leave, but I couldn't. I just kept returning to the cabin. Dozens of times. Not enough information. For now, I'll assume it's some kind of inescapable Bizarre phenomenon."

"But that experience is why I knew the way out, even with a paralyzed Kiana on my back."

"For a child, that's some impressive willpower."

"Knowing I was trapped, the despair, the endless loneliness… it would have driven most people mad. And yet, I found a companion, a respite from the solitude, and I risked my life to save her… No, I can't apply my current mindset to the child I was in the dream."

He looked down at his hands, lost in thought. Back then, Kiana's survival depended entirely on him. She had no choice.

A bitter smile touched his lips. "I suppose I'd do the same now. If I couldn't escape, I'd at least make sure someone else could."

"I wouldn't clip someone's wings just because I couldn't fly."

He considered the hypothetical. If he encountered such an inescapable Bizarre entity now, what would he do? He wouldn't hesitate to protect Mei and his companions. And he wouldn't abandon innocent bystanders either. He wasn't that selfish.

"A few more details bother me. The day Kiana's aunt invited her home…"

"I returned to our apartment to find it empty. The shoes were neatly arranged. I assumed Kiana had tidied up before leaving, even though she was right behind me the whole time."

"But the important detail isn't Kiana. It's the neatness of the shoes."

He'd dealt with many Dead Man's Shoes Bizarre entity. Most weren't perfectly neat, always slightly off. But the strange thing was, every instance of the Dead Man's Shoes arranged shoes with the exact same degree of neatness. He'd confirmed this with his Herrscher of the Void spatial awareness.

And that neatness matched the shoes in his dream.

"The diary page I found in the infirmary… it described the dream, but the dream was more complete, more detailed."

"I'll set up a camera tonight. Mei can monitor me while I sleep."

"Maybe I can find out how Kiana was contaminated. Maybe even find the source."

"The risk is worth it."

He wanted to go back to sleep, but he knew better than to disrupt the pattern. He had to follow the established routine to re-enter the dream. Changing even the smallest detail might trigger unforeseen consequences.

"I'll make breakfast. Think while I cook."

He opened the door, his good mood evaporating instantly as he saw Mei standing there, arms crossed, her expression a mixture of disdain and disgust.

"Good… good morning, MEI."

Her disapproval was palpable. What had he done? Had he sleepwalked and mistaken MEI for Kiana? It was possible. He did remember holding someone last night.

"Good morning," MEI said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "to the blissfully unaware man who spent the night cuddling two gorgeous ghosts, then proceeded to pathetically defend his fragile male ego by promising every pretty girl he knows a home, a lifetime of care, and the fulfillment of all their dreams. Such selfless generosity, Mr. Li Mo." She delivered the entire sentence in one breath, a monotone drone devoid of inflection.

"You heard all that? Since when?" Li Mo asked, flustered.

Mei scoffed. "I didn't hear a thing. Nothing about 'I love Kiana,' or 'our home,' or 'I won't clip anyone's wings.' Nothing at all."

"..." She'd just recited everything he'd said.

He covered his face. "It was just objective analysis!"

"Objective analysis? Then tell me honestly, Li Mo. How do you feel about this 'Kiana' girl? Tell me the truth. You can't lie to me. You know I can see right through you." Mei's gaze was piercing, pinning him in place.

He was trapped. Lying was pointless.

"I… I like her. A lot. Too much, maybe. But it's the Bizarre entity's influence! It's not real!"

His explanation fell flat.

Mei picked up the fluffy cat, holding it close. "Pardofelis, what happened in Li Mo's room last night? Tell me the truth, and you get extra tuna for lunch."

Pardofelis's eyes widened. "!!!"

"Meow meow meow! Meow meow! Meow!"

Mei's face darkened. "Pardofelis says there were two naked women in your room. One climbed into your bed, and the other stood by the side, then later joined you."

"No! You're believing a cat over me? And how do you even know what she's saying? It's just meows!" He suddenly missed Shigure Kira, who would have trusted him implicitly.

Mei pointed to her ear. "I have a Bluetooth headset. Pardofelis can understand her, and she can understand Pardofelis. Pardofelis, say something."

A loud voice echoed from Elysia's room. "Mo-bro! Dr. Mei is telling the truth!"

Li Mo: "..."

"Anything you want to say? I'll allow you to formulate an excuse, but you will face judgment."

An hour later, Li Mo sat on the sofa, stiff and silent. A cheesy rom-com played on the TV. Mei leaned against him, munching on breakfast, her expression smug.