[The setting sun's afterglow fell upon the girl's resolute face, adding an extra layer of radiance to her already delicate features. You couldn't help but stare, utterly captivated.]
[It was both because of her words and her one-of-a-kind beauty.]
[Meteors streaked across the sky at an accelerated pace, the sun dipped below the horizon, and light and shadow shifted rapidly—as if time itself had sped up a hundredfold. You felt petrified, with only your heart racing uncontrollably.]
--+--
Kiana: 「Hmm... So is there some special meaning behind the true appearance of the Star Children? Bai Heng seems... really nervous」
Elysia: 「Hehe, could it be that even Star Children, blessed by the Aeon of Beauty, need a little makeup to enhance their charm? Did Bai Heng forget to do that today?」
Lumine: 「This sense of déjà vu is hitting a bit too hard...」
Silver Wolf: 「It's not as complicated as you all think. As mentioned before, when Star Children release the restraints of their Tear of Stars, their charm can captivate those around them, but the Children themselves dislike this aspect.」
Silver Wolf: 「In their view, their true appearance should only be revealed to the most important person in their life. This is widely understood across the cosmos, hence the saying.」
Silver Wolf: 「If you are absolutely certain you've fallen for a Star Child, you ask to see their true form—because from the moment you lay eyes on it, you'll truly fall for them」
Jing Yuan: 「In a way, making such a request is equivalent to confessing your love to a Star Child.」
Raiden Mei: 「So, if I understand correctly, is Miss Firefly... confessing to Mister Bai Heng right now」
Elysia: 「Wow!! That sounds like such a romantic tradition!」
Sparkle: 「Very romantic, isn't it?~ Well, don't forget the one being confessed to only has a month left to live~」
Stelle: 「Why would you say something like that at a time like this! Masked Fool! You deserve to die! A thousand deaths won't be enough for you」
--+--
For a Star Child, such a simple request was tantamount to a confession.
Under normal circumstances, everyone in the live stream should have been overjoyed.
With their god's-eye view, they could clearly see both parties' affection meters were already at a high 95.
They had even witnessed Bai Heng confess his feelings to Firefly earlier.
Yet, despite this, the two had neither defined their relationship nor acknowledged each other's feelings, leaving the audience feeling anxious.
It was like playing a dating sim where you diligently max out the heroine's affection, only to have your in-game avatar endlessly make out with her instead of moving things forward—just when you were eagerly anticipating the next stage.
Wouldn't that drive you up the wall?
Fortunately, this time, Firefly had mustered the courage to lay her feelings bare.
But just as joy began to bloom in everyone's hearts, Sparkle's reminder shattered it into pieces.
Right...
What did it matter if they confessed?
The boy named Bai Heng was at the end of his life, his journey nearing its close.
Even if they did get together, spending their last month walking hand-in-hand on vast beaches, stargazing from hilltops, and savoring every beautiful moment—
What would it change?
When the time came to part, all those beautiful memories would turn into a hundred, a thousand times the pain, etched deep into the girl's heart...
The mere thought of such an outcome filled the live stream viewers with anguish.
Yet, powerless as they were, mere spectators could do nothing to alter this ending.
All eyes turned to the screen as everyone awaited Bai Heng's response.
[Firefly's gaze was firm and intense—undoubtedly, this was a confession she had poured all her courage into. For someone as socially hesitant as her, saying these words must have taken hundreds, if not thousands, of mental rehearsals.]
[In response, your choices are:]
[A: Accept her request. The girl's feelings are pure and transparent—the most important part of her heart is already filled with you. This option will increase both parties' Affection by 5 points. At max Affection, the Vow of Bonding can be triggered.]
[B: Reject her request. Just as when you confessed your feelings, you hold admiration for the girl, but you will not seek her response. With your life at its end, you have no future. All you wish is to leave her with beautiful memories, not regrets.]
[C: Let me think about it. You are a hopeless coward, yearning for the girl's affection yet fearing the hurt it may bring. This system's evaluation: Ptooey! Scumbag, you deserve to die!]
[D: None of the above. You will improvise.]
Staring at the options before him, Bai Heng frowned, genuinely torn for the first time.
Honestly, from a rational standpoint, the choice should be straightforward.
Option C could be dismissed outright, no question.
That left A and B.
Option A would boost their Affection by 5 points, maxing it out and potentially triggering the so-called 'Vow of Bonding' later.
He wasn't entirely sure what that entailed yet.
But based on his experience with galgames, an event unlocked at max Affection could only mean one thing!!
Totally 'wakuwaku' material!
But this was exactly where his dilemma lay.
His ever-dominant 'little brother' was practically forcing his hand toward Option A.
Yet Bai Heng's rational side insisted that, given his role in this simulation, Option B was the choice he would make.
The Stellaron Hunter's love for the girl named Firefly was undoubtedly pure and untainted.
There might be desire, yes—but he would never let that desire override the fact that he had no future, lest he leave her with lasting pain.
"Sigh..."
With a heavy exhale, Bai Heng finally selected Option B.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.