"Jyahnar, listen to me!"
Kiana released her hold on Jyahnar's waist, then abruptly turned her around. Gripping the girl's shoulders firmly, she locked eyes with her without leaving room for protest.
Her gaze was like the most potent remedy.
Jyahnar stilled.
Though she seemed somewhat wronged... she obediently looked back at Kiana.
"Kiana..." she even whispered softly.
Like a little kitten mewling.
Just as I thought!
Completely different from the Jyahnar I imagined!
If the Jyahnar from GGZ was what Kiana originally envisioned—that so-called future version appearing in the skies—the one she hoped to see...
Then now! This was practically the textbook definition of a catfishing reveal, wasn't it?
You expected a mature beauty, but in reality, she's like a child. Not only can she not take care of you, but you have to take care of her instead.
But...
It's fine!
Who told her she's Jyahnar?
Kiana couldn't help but indulge her.
Seeing her like this made Kiana's heart soften even more, and her voice gentled considerably.
"Listen to me, Jyahnar."
Kiana paused briefly.
"I think... I like you..."
"!!!" Jyahnar's eyes widened, clearly caught off guard.
"L-l-l-l-l-like... saying things like that..."
She felt happy, yet shy and flustered.
Honestly, now.
This version of Jyahnar was really quite adorable too.
Those large, dewy eyes just staring at you, as if you were her entire world! No one could possibly dislike a girl like that.
But!
Kiana clearly wasn't finished.
So she pressed her lips together slightly and continued bluntly.
"Similarly, I also like Elysia!"
"???" Jyahnar froze.
The joy was just a temporary trial.
Wait, what?
"Say that again?" she instinctively replied.
"I said!"
Kiana wasn't afraid of Jyahnar getting angry. Right now, she felt invincible, bold beyond measure—there was nothing left to fear.
"I also like Elysia!"
She didn't even wait for Jyahnar to respond.
Speeding up her words as if to bulldoze through objections, "Not just you, not just Ellie! Eden, Aponia, Mobius, Vill-V, Sakura, Rin... or Kiana, Raiden Mei, Bronya, Seele, and so on..."
"I. Like. All. Of. Them!"
Emphasizing each word.
Afraid Jyahnar might miss a single one.
Her eyes held no evasion, no flickering—just a direct, unambiguous stare that made it crystal clear: this was her resolve.
Her most genuine feelings!
She...
Wasn't lying!
But why did Kiana suddenly act like this?
Probably because she'd finally figured things out, right?
Running away won't solve your problems!
Sometimes, you can escape—sure, it's cowardly, but it works.
But other times?
Constantly avoiding things only makes them worse.
Because they value each other, they need to treat each other with even greater sincerity.
Think—what are your feelings toward her? Think—what are her feelings toward you?
What should you do? How should you act?
What kind of relationship would be best?
Or, within your mutual affections, how much is love? How much is gratitude? How much is simple possessiveness, or something else... It's worth pondering, right?
Just like Jyahnar's arrival.
It was like a catalyst.
Forcing girls like Elysia to step out of their comfort zones.
Be more positive. Take the initiative.
But wasn't this a wake-up call for Kiana herself, too?
The warmth of Elysia's kiss still lingered on her lips.
Kiana could still feel it.
If she could take such initiative, how could Kiana keep hesitating?
"I don't want to dismiss you, nor any girl I like—or who likes me..."
Kiana looked sincerely at Jyahnar.
Right here, at the edge of the solar system, amidst the cosmic expanse.
"Frankly, whether I like them or not is one thing—but if a girl likes me, confesses to me, and! She meets a basic standard, I won't refuse!"
"In fact, as long as you can accept that I have so many wives, that I might often flirt around... as long as you're willing to stay by my side, I won't mind either..."
"This is who I am, Kiana!"
It wasn't that she'd intentionally kept the girls on hook before.
It's just that everyone seemed to mutually maintain a delicate balance.
And she certainly enjoyed the ease of it.
Putting things off as long as possible.
But once the situation changed...
She couldn't possibly keep playing dumb.
"I like every one of you girls—there are many now, and there will be more later."
"I hope all of you can stay by my side... because I'm incredibly greedy."
"..." Jyahnar fell into silence.
Staring blankly at Kiana, her mind in turmoil.
Unusually quiet.
Yeah!
Kiana didn't want to be like those harem protagonists from light novels, becoming some herbivorous people-pleaser.
Nor would she let the girls who liked her fight over her, creating rivalry dramas, while she pretended to be troubled—acting all helpless yet secretly enjoying the attention they showered on her.
If we're being honest!
She might actually be a carnivore.
She took relationships seriously, but when it was time to act, she'd never play coy—she might even be more proactive than you.
That was entirely possible!
Kiana wouldn't deceive a girl's feelings.
She'd also figured it out clearly: she wouldn't give up an entire forest for just one tree.
Jyahnar's overly intense reaction earlier was a stark reminder to Kiana.
Not every girl could accept her promiscuity, and naturally, not every girl would be willing to compromise and stay by her side as she wished.
They were people—real, flesh-and-blood beings.
Not characters from some past-life game, anime, manga, or light novels... not those two-dimensional cutouts...
They!
Had their own joys and sorrows.
Precisely because of this.
Kiana was even less willing to hide the truth from them.
Instead, she honestly laid it bare—telling them, "This is me. This is who I am."
If you can accept it, let's be together.
If not, that's fine too—we can still be friends!
There's no reason a failed confession should ruin a friendship.
No need for any psychological burdens.
"I..." Jyahnar was still held by Kiana's grip on her shoulders. She didn't struggle, docile to the point of seeming almost fragile, gently biting her lower lip.
"What if I said..."
"I want you... to have only me. Could you do that?"
She looked up pitifully.
"I'll work hard, hard to become the version of me that Kiana likes."
"I won't lose to them."
"Anything they can do, I can do too. Anything they can give you, I can give you too."
"I'll learn."
"I'm a Honkai Beast, your companion Honkai Beast."
"Whatever version of me you like—anything! I can become it."
--+--
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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