"Kiana, are you full?"
After spending some time at the girl's house, the Captain gently wiped the cream from the girl's lips and patted her head with a smile. Then she turned to Kiana, who had just emerged from the cake like a victorious warrior.
Kiana, now round and satisfied, patted her belly in sync with Sirin's mental cheer.
She waddled over and hugged the Captain tightly.
"Yup! I'm super full. Even if another big cake appeared right now, I couldn't eat it."
The Captain chuckled and lifted her up—only to realize that Kiana had gained a noticeable amount of weight. Her arms trembled slightly.
Kaslana genes… truly terrifying.
After saying goodbye to the girl and her father, the Captain prepared to take Kiana to check out the house the man had gifted them.
"Then Kiana and I will head out first. We'll tidy up and invite you over soon."
"Please be careful on the road. I'll handle the paperwork for the house—you'll just need to sign."
Watching the Captain care for Kiana so attentively, the man's admiration deepened. Whether or not his daughter had a chance with the Captain, he felt reassured.
If the Captain could bring light into his daughter's life, that was enough.
But just as the Captain turned to leave, the girl hesitated. She'd rarely interacted with others, and now that the Captain was leaving, her heart clenched.
She reached out and gently tugged the corner of the Captain's coat.
The Captain turned, confused. Kiana narrowed her eyes.
"Hmm? Did you forget something?"
The girl panicked. Her thoughts scattered. She'd never been looked at so directly before.
Then, with a face as red as a cherry blossom, she tiptoed forward, cupped the Captain's cheeks—and kissed her.
?!
?!!
GOOD!
The Captain blinked, stunned.
Kiana stared, mouth agape. Did she just kiss my wife?!
The girl's father, meanwhile, was practically cheering in his heart. That's my girl! Go get your happiness!
The girl, now burning with shyness, whispered:
"Daddy said… if you meet someone you like, and don't know how to say it… just kiss her."
Then she darted behind her father, hiding her face but unable to suppress the smile blooming on her lips.
The Captain raised a hand to touch her cheek—only to find Kiana clinging to her arm, eyes brimming with tears.
The Captain quickly patted her head, trying to soothe her.
But deep down, she couldn't deny the warmth in her heart.
It wasn't that the girl's feelings surpassed Kiana's. They were just… different. Pure. Unfiltered.
But I can't dwell on that. The little one in my arms is about to cry.
After a final farewell and an invitation to visit soon, the Captain carried Kiana away.
The girl watched them go, slowly releasing her father's pant leg. Her eyes shimmered with hope.
Tomorrow might be even better.
The man, watching his daughter smile for the first time in years, felt his heart swell.
Even if the Captain's a girl… if she can make my daughter smile like this, I'll be grateful for life.
On the way back, the Captain noticed Kiana hadn't spoken a word. Her silence was heavy—unlike her usual sulking.
"Kiana…"
The moment the Captain spoke, Kiana's tears burst forth.
The Captain's heart steadied. A strange clarity filled her mind.
Cause. Process. Result. Answer.
She understood.
Without hesitation, she leaned down and kissed Kiana's cheek.
Kiana froze.
She touched her cheek—warm, damp.
Her tears stopped. Her face turned crimson.
The Captain smiled, relieved.
Kiana buried her face in the Captain's chest, cheeks burning.
"Captain… you're so mean. You're a big bad guy… but I still like you. Hehehe."
The Captain chuckled. That strange feeling had worked wonders.
Sirin, meanwhile, was sulking in the corner of Kiana's mind.
Why does Kiana get kisses and I don't?! I'm sad too! I want one!
Just as Sirin prepared to hijack Kiana's body and demand a kiss—
A voice rang out from nearby.
"Oh~ isn't this our Miss Mei? How did she end up in such a sorry state now? Hahaha!"