Chapter 124. Sirin: ?
Cecilia.exe is not responding.
The overload of information outright fried her CPU, and she stared blankly at Kiana for a long time without saying a word.
Only when Kiana called to her a few times in puzzlement did she finally reboot, and her smile instantly turned forced.
She looked at Kiana and wanted to confirm again: "Kiana, you're saying that your 'friend' has fallen for your other friend's lover?"
Having sorted through the relationships, Kiana nodded.
"..."
Isn't this just poaching someone else's partner?!!!
If it were anyone else, Cecilia would absolutely deliver a stern scolding, but the person in question was her favorite daughter.
That can't be called double standards—this is simply human nature.
After hesitating for a moment, Cecilia chose her words carefully: "So your friend is feeling conflicted and miserable right now, is that it?"
"I think so?" Kiana said, a little unsure.
What do you mean, "I think so"?
Casting Kiana a doubtful look, Cecilia spoke in a low, advising tone: "It's possible that during this period your friend just started taking an interest in romance, and the only couple around her happens to be her friend and that person."
"Maybe something happened in between, or some accidental reason made your friend think she likes that person, but this is very likely just her misconception."
"Misconception?"
Seeing Kiana fall into thought, Cecilia continued: "So in this situation, it's best for her to think more for herself, or try to get a little closer to that person and see."
"When she realizes she actually doesn't feel much for that person, I figure your friend will calm down quickly."
"Beauty arises from distance?"
"You could put it that way."
Smiling, Cecilia patted Kiana's little head and stopped talking, quietly watching Kiana mull things over.
After a while, Kiana climbed off Cecilia, spirits rising again: "Thanks, Mom, I know what to do now!"
"Mhm. It's good that you've thought it through, Kiana."
After she said that, Cecilia added, still a bit uneasy: "I'm quite curious about your friend's situation. When there's some progress, could you come tell me about it? Just the two of us, of course."
"No problem!"
Kiana patted her chest in a show of resolve, and only after chatting with her mom a bit longer did she turn and head back to her room.
Passing through the living room, a figure suddenly emerging from the shadows gave Kiana a fright.
"Waaah!!!!"
She let out a scared yelp, but when she noticed it was Sirin, Kiana clutched her thump-thumping heart and breathed a sigh of relief.
Very soon, she huffed in annoyance: "Sirin, why didn't you turn on the light in the living room? Popping up like that nearly scared me to death!"
"Mhm. Sorry."
The faint nightlight cast a dim glow, and Kiana didn't notice the complicated expression on Sirin's face.
"Huh? What's with you, being so easy to talk to?"
Kiana asked in confusion.
She'd been ready to bicker with Sirin for a few lines, but Sirin just apologized straightaway?
"N-nothing."
Biting her lip, Sirin looked as if she'd made up her mind and slowly spoke: "It's just… tomorrow, when I ask that guy out to hang out, Kiana, could you come along too?"
"Eh?"
Kiana blinked, then grinned.
Could this girl be chickening out?
All the better—that was exactly what she wanted anyway.
Even if Sirin hadn't asked, she'd have brought it up tomorrow herself.
With this kind of thing, she'd only feel at ease watching from right by Sirin's side!
"Sure. I'll stay by your side the whole time~"
"T-that… isn't really necessary…"
Muttering under her breath—without caring whether Kiana heard—she hurriedly said good night and dashed back to her own room.
"What was that even about? Totally baffling."
Scratching the back of her head in puzzlement, Kiana just took it as Sirin being shy and didn't think much of it.
She went back to her own room too.
Time to rest up—tomorrow would be busy.
...
Rewind to just now.
Sirin's heart was so buoyant she couldn't sleep.
Lying on the bed, she soon felt a little thirsty, so she hopped up and happily went to the living room to look for some juice.
As soon as she reached the living room, she noticed a sliver of light spilling from Mom Cecilia's room.
The door was ajar, and Kiana's voice was faintly drifting out from inside.
This girl—could she be sleepless in the middle of the night and went to Mom to act spoiled?
Dad wasn't home today.
Did she want to cuddle with Mom and sleep like when she was little?
Honestly, how old is she now… could she take me along, maybe?
She suddenly remembered she hadn't been hugged to sleep by Mom in a long time, and for a moment the idea tempted her.
Anyway, Kiana went over first.
She'd just sneak in alongside—no shame in that.
After draining her glass of juice, Sirin tiptoed to her parents' door.
Just as her hand closed over the doorknob, she clearly heard Kiana's voice inside.
"It's— it's not me, okay, it's that I have a friend!"
"..."
Pfft—
Sirin covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
What do you mean, you have a friend?
Isn't she obviously talking about herself!
Abandoning the idea of walking in, Sirin leaned against the doorframe and began eavesdropping with delight.
Since Kiana said that, there was bound to be something fun after, right?
As Kiana's bestie, how could she not listen properly~?
Soon, she heard Kiana say: "My friend has recently fallen for someone."
"!!!!"
Thud—
In her excitement, Sirin bumped the door.
In an instant, she slipped back and pressed herself against the wall, taking deep breaths to steady her pounding heart!
Only when she noticed the two inside weren't coming over did Sirin let out a breath.
But by then, her thoughts were already churning like a storm.
Kiana actually likes someone!!
As she kept processing the sudden news, her ears practically wanted to stick to the door, terrified of missing even a single word.
Who is it, who is it—who on earth did this dummy fall for?
Could it be Mei?
Her anticipation maxed out and she itched unbearably, urging Kiana in her heart to hurry up and say the name.
When she heard that the person was a bit special, Sirin's eyes widened.
It's Mei.
It's definitely Mei!!
Besides Mei, whose identity could be called "special," right?
But our parents are super open-minded.
Kiana's worry was totally unnece—
Before Sirin could finish the thought, Kiana's voice rang out again.
When she heard Kiana say that person already had a lover—and that lover was one of their good friends—Sirin's smile froze at the corners of her mouth, and she stood there, stunned.
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