"So!"
Jyahnar's voice rose almost shrill.
But then, catching herself, it softened into a murmur as she looked pleadingly at Kiana. "Just watch me... alright? Only me?"
It was plain to see.
Miss Jyahnar still wanted to struggle a bit more.
Yet the more she acted like this, the more resolute Kiana became. Even if Jyahnar had outright refused her without a second thought, Kiana wouldn't have budged. Right now... you could clearly hear it in her tone... she was already starting to waver. She was already giving ground.
Because this was Kiana's will.
Jyahnar just wanted to try one more time.
But it wasn't as if she truly couldn't accept it!
'Just think of me as despicable!'
Jyahnar.
Kiana sighed.
Steeling her heart, she said seriously, "If you insist on being like this, then I'll have no choice but to give up on you."
"Because Elysia and the others... they wouldn't mind this at all... Since they don't mind, I'd be happier too. Perhaps right now, the only one who really minds is you..."
"I can't give them up for your sake."
She spoke, her words a mix of truth and falsehood.
"After all, even though you are my Honkai beast companion, and we should be together by nature."
"But the Origin, that is, Elysia... and Eden, Mobius, Vill-V, Aponia... even Fuxi, Nuwa... every one of them is already by my side..."
"They formed bonds with me long before you did."
"You're the one who came later!"
The principle of first come, first served—Jyahnar didn't understand it.
Nor did she want to.
But she could sense Kiana's feelings.
Yes.
Since she was willing to change anything, adjust anything, learn anything for Kiana...
If it was truly Kiana asking this of her... she would agree.
It was just...!
There was still a tiny, stubborn knot of unwillingness in her heart.
Something felt tangled up.
As if she couldn't straighten it out all at once.
Jyahnar pressed her lips together, clenched her small fists briefly—seeming rather huffy—but soon relaxed her hands again.
She replied, sullen.
"I understand..."
After speaking, she pouted her lips adorably.
So frustrating!
So, so frustrating…
"Alright now, don't be angry~"
Kiana felt a wave of relief inwardly, while a smile spread across her face.
She released Jyahnar, then raised her right hand to gently stroke Jyahnar's cheek. Seeing Jyahnar lean her face slightly into the touch, as if craving more closeness, Kiana couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"I think of myself as not the kind of girl who loves the new and neglects the old... so whether it's you or them, I'll love you all dearly~"
"We have plenty of time ahead of us, and a long road into the future."
"We have enough time to accompany each other."
"So... cheer up, okay?"
"Mmm..." Jyahnar lifted her small hands and gently cupped Kiana's hand that was caressing her left cheek, seeming to truly feel Kiana's warmth, docile as a little kitten.
"I won't be worse than them!"
If it was Kiana's wish, she would fulfill it.
If Kiana wanted so many wives, even if she disliked it, she wouldn't say much.
But she still wanted to be number one in Kiana's heart.
So, she wanted to strive!
Seeing the determined little look on Jyahnar's face, Kiana couldn't hold back a laugh.
She smiled, nodded, and said, as if humoring a child, "Alright, alright, alright~ Well, I'll be looking forward to it then!"
Thinking about it carefully.
Indeed!
Even if they're all lovely girls, their personalities differ, their ways of doing things aren't the same, leading some to be quite competitive in matters of love, while others seem born to be... underdogs.
If the girls who love me start feeling a sense of crisis and begin competing amongst themselves...
When it came down to it!
The one who benefited would indeed be Kiana.
While she genuinely didn't like behaving like those passive male protagonists who kept a whole school of fish on the line.
Occasionally, girls getting jealous and vying for attention... sure, it was a bit troublesome, but it was also sweet, wasn't it?
It was a kind of flirtation between people who loved each other.
To be honest, she could never truly dislike it.
And so!
Do your best~
My dear Miss Jyahnar...
Because of your arrival, Elysia took the initiative, and it was good, really good!
I'll be counting on you from now on.
Go out-compete them all!
I've even started realizing I need to be more proactive myself, more positive, truly start needing girls to stay by my side, to walk together with me.
Those other girls who clearly like me but just watch from the sidelines, how is that any good! Quickly now, out-compete them, get the competition started, and I'll reward you!
Of course!
These were words Kiana would definitely not tell Jyahnar.
She wouldn't tell anyone.
She might continue pretending to be that harmless, innocent self, but then again, the most skilled hunters often appear as prey. When the other girls throw themselves at her, who ends up consuming whom in the end... that would be hard to say.
The corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
A smug smile.
But just then!
Kiana's vision blurred for a second, and a slight coolness touched her lips. Coming back to her senses, she saw Jyahnar's pretty face slightly flushed, looking off to the side as if nothing had happened. In an instant, she understood.
Had she just been sneak-kissed?
"C-Can't I?"
Under Kiana's teasing gaze, Jyahnar's face grew redder.
A bit tsundere, she lifted her chin.
"If the Origin can kiss you, why can't I?"
"You can. I don't mind at all."
Kiana was no pushover.
It was as if some switch inside her had already been flipped.
First time unfamiliar, second time accustomed.
Shy? A little.
But if you think you can freeze me in my tracks, that's absolutely impossible!
She'd even loosened up, become much more open.
"That one just now... I hardly felt it..."
"How about we have a proper do-over!"
"Mmph?!"
Jyahnar's eyes widened, and she instinctively stepped back, but she couldn't escape—or perhaps she didn't really want to.
She just saw Kiana rapidly closing the distance in her vision, and then she was right there.
However.
Kiana didn't bully Jyahnar too much.
Besides, her own heart was pounding wildly, and after a few moments, she started to feel a bit overwhelmed herself.
Her pretty face flushed bright red.
She fell silent.
Jyahnar was the same, as if overcome with shyness.
The depths of the cosmos seemed to grow utterly still.
Only they were there, the atmosphere tender, intimate, warm, and perfectly lovely—truly wonderful!
If, a long time from now, telescopes could capture this scene, the astronomical agencies of various nations and organizations might bear witness to it.
But that was a matter for the future.
And besides, there was no need to feel shy!
Can't I show off my utterly adorable wife a little?
Hmph~
Kiana held Jyahnar's hand. Jyahnar was soft, compliant, docile as a little lamb.
Kiana then said gently, "Come on, let's head back."
"Mmm."
"Mom prepared lots of delicious food for you, you can look forward to it."
"Mmm, mmm."
"Don't worry, everyone will like you very much."
"Mmm..."
"Alright, alright, smile for me~"
"Mmph... mmm."
Jyahnar was still a bit too quiet.
Always Kiana doing the talking, while she just listened silently.
But just like that, she was really adorable. The kind that makes you want to cherish and protect her, like a delicate, modest beauty.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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