Thanks to the Kaslana family's legendary physical strength, Kiana's punches were no joke.
Even though Nagami wasn't quite an ordinary person anymore, his current body was still that of a regular human.
So when Kiana hit him—albeit just a few shy, embarrassed punches—it still packed quite a sting.
Still, Nagami couldn't just take hit after hit.
Twisting his arms to reverse her grip and planting a foot behind her leg, he used the momentum to flip Kiana over and pin her to the ground.
Now the two were tangled up, rolling and wrestling on the grass like a pair of unruly kids.
"I didn't mean it like that! Let go already!"
"You totally meant it! And I'm gonna make you pay! And while I'm at it, we're settling the score for you calling me a tuna all the time!"
"I said I'm sorry, let go!"
"Not a chance—!"
"Damn it, stop yelling right into my ear! And did you seriously just bite me?! What are you, a dog?!"
Watching the two of them rolling around on the grass, locked in a chaotic scuffle, Mei's expression went from shocked to completely exasperated.
For a moment there, she'd actually believed what Nagami said.
She'd even felt a strange flicker of emotion—confused, unspoken. After all, Nagami was her first male friend her age.
And after her father, Raiden Ryoma, had been imprisoned, he'd basically appeared like a savior, telling her her dad was framed.
It wasn't like she had no feelings for him... but if she were honest, it was just a little something.
And now, watching him acting like a total clown, it was clear that his earlier comments were nothing but playful nonsense.
She glanced nervously at the pair, and once she confirmed they hadn't noticed her moment of vulnerability, she let out a quiet sigh of relief—then stood up with a sudden burst of energy.
Channeling the aura of a strict housewife, she marched over and shouted:
"Enough already, you two!"
"Mei! Help me! This stinkbug's possessed by a rabid dog!"
Nagami, now with a visible bite mark on his face, scrambled out of Kiana's grasp and quickly ducked behind Mei for protection, hands resting on her soft, round shoulders.
He looked as if he were dodging a berserk husky on a rampage—except this husky was way too strong for comfort.
That little bug actually bit him!
Meanwhile, in the chat group...
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[Shiraori]: Huh? A newcomer? Welcome to the group~
[Nagami]: Welcome~ If you're doubting the legitimacy of this place, check the group announcements and files. Every member's world info is uploaded there.
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C.C. set down her controller and lounged back on the sofa, arms folded across her chest.
Her waterfall-like green hair spilled behind her, smooth and luminous like a stream under moonlight.
The pale skin at her collarbone peeked out from under her loose neckline, giving her a lazy, ethereal look.
She narrowed her golden eyes, gaze locking onto the name Kiana Kaslana.
Through Nagami's reaction, it was clear—this wasn't the Kiana they knew.
So… could this be the real Kiana?
Aside from that bug, there was only one other person in this world named Kiana Kaslana.
Brushing her silky hair from her shoulder, C.C. tilted her head in thought.
A trace of doubt flickered in her golden eyes.
Something wasn't adding up.
According to the group's rules, the default nickname displayed was the name the user identified with most strongly.
But… would the real Kiana—that Kiana—actually go by Kiana Kaslana?
In the game's story, Kiana's true form—"Herrscher Kiana"—barely made an appearance.
She had almost no official screen time or development.
Despite being the heiress of both the Kaslana and Schariac bloodlines, she was little more than a whisper in the narrative.
Honestly, that alone was pretty ridiculous.
C.C. didn't know much about this "True Kiana's" personality. But knowing her tragic background, she couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.
If she ever became strong enough, C.C. wouldn't hesitate to help her out.
But… was the Kiana in the group really that Kiana?
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[Akemi Homura]: Welcome…..
[Itsuka Kotori]: Welcome to the group!
[Yuzuriha Inori]: Welcome.
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(Obviously, Accelerator wouldn't bother sending a welcome message.)
Whoever this Kiana was, she didn't speak immediately. It looked like she was carefully reading through the group info.
A few minutes passed before she finally sent her first message.
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[Kiana Kaslana]: Oh ho~ Looks like I've stumbled onto something amazing!
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That tone…
C.C.'s golden eyes narrowed even further.
Would True Kiana really talk like that?
She lost her mother as a child, was abandoned—or rather, sacrificed—by her father.
With her rare bloodline, she'd likely been locked away and used as a test subject by Otto.
Someone with that kind of trauma… would never act this chirpy.
What, did Otto suddenly grow a conscience and send her to live out her days in peace and happiness?
C.C. smirked at the absurdity. If Otto ever did something that noble, she'd eat an Old Eight Special Burger—raw.
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[Nagami]: That's right, this is a fateful connection transcending infinite dimensions~
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C.C. replied with measured politeness, not showing any particular excitement.
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[Kiana Kaslana]: This is seriously wild. I'm totally blown away!
[Kiana Kaslana]: So you're the group admin, huh? That means you already know who I am?
[Nagami]: I know about someone named Kiana Kaslana, actually more than one. If you want me to figure out which one you are, you'll need to introduce yourself first.
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"Is it really her…?" C.C. murmured, her expression tightening.
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[Kiana Kaslana]: Geez! Are there that many people named Kiana Kaslana across worlds? My name's more popular than I thought!
[Kiana Kaslana]: Alright, I'll introduce myself then. My mother is Cecilia Schariac, my father is Siegfried Kaslana. I'm 15 years old. How about that? Is that enough?
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Clearly, this Kiana was also curious about her own future.
But… that doesn't narrow down anything!
Every version of Kiana had Cecilia and Siegfried as parents!
Rolling her eyes and grumbling, C.C. couldn't help but feel like something was off. Then her smile suddenly froze.
Wait a minute.
Versions…?
Oh no.
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[Nagami]: Can you send a selfie? If not, don't worry about it…
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For the first time, a heavy seriousness weighed on C.C.'s usually casual demeanor. Deep inside, she was praying it wasn't that Kiana.
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[Kiana Kaslana]: A photo, huh…
[Kiana Kaslana]: Fine, since I'm this cute, I don't mind showing off a little~
[Kiana Kaslana]: [Photo]]
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The background was a cozy room.
Standing there was a radiant girl, as dazzling as a fairy.
Her porcelain doll-like face was framed by snow-white braided hair adorned with delicate butterfly clips.
Her bright, sky-blue eyes sparkled with confidence and charm.
She wore an elegant, cinched-waist dress that revealed smooth, fair shoulders and highlighted her curvy figure.
White lace thigh-highs hugged her long legs, completing the look.
But the biggest difference from the usual "Stinkbug Kiana"… was her aura.
Refined. Noble. Almost too perfect.
"WTF! Refund!"
"…No wait…"
"TF!!"
C.C.'s brain short-circuited. She let out a curse so vulgar it shattered her calm facade, and her thoughts exploded like thunder.
This was the Kiana from Honkai Gakuen 2—the real heiress!