HI3: I Don't Want to Be a Valkyrie

"Wait, we're two people now. Will switching to the Valkyrie form cause any issues?"

Just as Liliya was about to change into the Gyakushinn Miko, Rozaliya suddenly stopped her.

"I don't think so?" Liliya hesitated, not entirely sure...

"Let Ai-chan explain it!"

"Yes, Ai-chan... Ai-chan, come here and clarify things for us," Rozaliya urgently called out for Ai-chan.

"Relax! Boss, it's just like switching Valkyries in the game. Nothing to worry about. In fact, if you switch to Valkyrie form while injured, you'll even recover some of your wounds when you change back.

In short, there won't be any problems at all." Ai-chan swiftly addressed their concerns with a reassuring explanation.

"That's great news!"

With this clarification, Rozaliya felt completely at ease and promptly tapped on Gyakushinn Miko to make the transformation.

-

A white light flashed, and in an instant, Liliya and Rozaliya, one pink and one blue, vanished. When they reappeared, it was as a young miko with... fox ears.

"Valkyrie Yae Sakura, at your service!"

Yae Sakura, holding her beautiful spiritual blade, casually performed a sword flourish before sheathing it in the scabbard at her waist.

Then, in a size reminiscent of an plushie, Higokumaru, complete with fox ears and a fox tail, materialized directly on Yae Sakura's head, perching atop her pink hair.

"Big Sister, we're out again at last! Where are we going to play today?"

Higokumaru, lying on Yae Sakura's head, immediately emitted that all-too-familiar nagging voice.

"..."

But instead of answering Higokumaru, Yae Sakura... literally tossed her onto a nearby bed and proceeded to bury herself under the blankets.

"Ah...ah..."

"Big Sister, what's wrong?" Higokumaru watched wide-eyed as Yae Sakura burrowed herself under the covers.

"Don't bother me; let me just die!" Yae exclaimed. "Why do Liliya and Rozaliya's body have such a huge impact on this vessel...?"

Recalling the actions she'd committed while transformed into Liliya and Rozaliya, Yae Sakura felt an overwhelming urge to dig a hole and bury herself.

This isn't me at all! I may have been a Valkyrie for years, but I was born male, you know!

Thinking back on her time as Rozaliya...

Vodka girl... making her dazzling debut...

Vodka energy... unleashed...

Ah...ah... I might as well just die.

So embarrassed, even my grandmother would be ashamed.

"Big Sister..." Higokumaru observed Yae Sakura's mortified expression, feeling utterly perplexed. Unsure how to comfort her, she hesitated before cautiously approaching.

"Higokumaru flew over to Yae Sakura's side, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you really alright, Big Sister?"

"I'm fine..." Yae Sakura rolled over dejectedly, her gaze fixed on the petite fox with its fluffy ears and tail.

"How can you say it's nothing when you're clearly upset? What happened?" The little fox's worry deepened at Yae Sakura's dismissive response.

"It's nothing. Don't trouble yourself with my problems..."

How could Yae Sakura reiterate the humiliating acts committed while possessed by Rozaliya to Higokumaru?

"Mm..." Seeing Yae Sakura's unwillingness to share, Higokumaru felt disheartened. Has Big Sister grown tired of me? Doesn't she trust me enough to share her burdens?

However, upon further thought, Higokumaru's lips curved into a smile once again. "Big Sister, do you want to pet a fox? I'll turn into one for you."

"Hm?" Yae Sakura, startled by this suggestion, felt her embarrassed expression soften slightly.

"Big Sister..." Seeing Yae Sakura's reaction, Higokumaru sensed an opportunity. She promptly transformed into a fox, about the size of a small dog, and approached Yae Sakura. Gently, she nuzzled against Yae Sakura's chest with her fox head.

"..."

Yae Sakura, captivated by the adorable little fox in her arms, instinctively picked her up and began stroking her fur...

Fox ears, fox tail, belly...

Everywhere was soft and fluffy, as if healing her very soul. Is this the power of something so plush?

Her embarrassment vanished, replaced by the comforting sensation of the fuzzy fur. Yae Sakura suddenly understood why some people yearned for such tactile softness.

For nearly fifteen minutes, Yae Sakura simply held the little fox Higokumaru, content and quiet.

"Ai-chan, why has the influence of Rozaliya and Liliya's bodies been so strong in this world?" Yae Sakura asked as she held Higokumaru.

At that moment, the System Girl had transformed into Ai-chan, which was actually quite good because before, when she used to ask questions of the System Girl, it would often ignore her.

But now, Ai-chan would generally answer her questions.

"It's quite simple, you see. Due to your mind having been split, only half of your consciousness... remains. So the Valkyrie's body has more than double the effect on you..."

"..."

Well, I suppose that's a reasonable explanation.

I just hope this world passes sooner rather than later. It's truly embarrassing...

Even when I first changed into Luna, it didn't feel as shameful as Rozaliya's actions.

-

"Miss Rozaliya, it's time to eat!"

Just as Yae Sakura was about to embark on another dungeon raid with little Higokumaru, the door to her room burst open.

"Who are you? Where are Miss Rozaliya and Miss Liliya?" Cellinia stood in the doorway, eyeing the unfamiliar girl in the room. The girl before her seemed to be a demihuman...

With ears resembling Amiya's, could she be another chimera?

No, they looked more like rabbit ears...

"Um..."

Seeing Cellinia's sudden appearance, Yae Sakura realized... she must have forgotten to close the door earlier.

"I'm the elder sister of Rozaliya and Liliya. The two of them went out for something but will be back tomorrow. You don't need to go looking for them."

"Also... I have some matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving now. I'll explain everything when Rozaliya and Liliya return tomorrow."

With that, Yae Sakura wasted no more breath on Cellinia. She scooped up little Higokumaru and dashed out of the room in a flash.

"Ah! Wait a minute..." Cellinia called out, feeling Yae Sakura's words were full of implications. An elder sister for Rozaliya and Liliya? They had never mentioned such a person before.

Seeing Yae Sakura about to bolt, Cellinia hastily tried to halt her. But how could her strength possibly impede an S-rank Valkyrie?

Yae Sakura's figure shimmered, passing through Cellinia as if she weren't there. In less than a second, she had vanished from sight entirely. (Inability to accept the supernatural of such a world- it was still a mystery to her)

Cellinia turned to stare at the trail of cherry blossom leaves, her face frozen in astonishment.