Stelle: 「Aaaahhh!! So sweet, so sweet, so sweet! Candy made of knives! Delicious, I love it!」
Pela: 「Sniff... The way these two are rushing toward each other is just too heart-fluttering. I'm officially raising the Firefly x Bai Heng flag high」
Elysia: 「Hehe, up until now, Bai Heng has always taken the lead when it comes to matters of the heart. But this time, it was Miss Firefly who made the move! How surprising!」
Kiana: 「But it worked out great, didn't it? Did you see Bai Heng's expression just now? Even he didn't see that coming!」
Silver Wolf: 「@Firefly, Well, well, never thought you had it in you~ Not only are you smooth with your words, but you're quick to act too. Can't help but wonder what you've been reading in your spare time」
Firefly: 「They're just... some ordinary books... Besides, whatever happened in that scene shouldn't have anything to do with me, right」
--+--
"Shouldn't have anything to do with me, right?"
Even Firefly herself wasn't so sure after sending that message.
Just moments ago, when Bai Heng uttered those words of rejection and the entire chat group sank into helpless despair, a voice had inexplicably echoed in her heart.
"I knew it. If it were Bai Heng, he would definitely say something like that."
Like a reel of sealed memories rewinding, those words had abruptly surfaced in Firefly's mind without any reason.
And in the very next second, the "her" on the screen had spoken those exact same words.
This left Firefly both startled and doubtful.
And it wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
Like that heartfelt confession between them on the rooftop earlier, or the scenery as they wandered through every attraction.
Whenever the scene reached a moment of deep emotion, she would experience a sense of déjà vu—a kind of hippocampus effect.
It was as if she had lived through all of this before, only to forget it for some reason.
But... why?
If she had truly experienced these things, how could she have possibly forgotten?
Firefly couldn't find an answer—at least, not yet.
--+--
Meanwhile, on the other side.
[Firefly has rejected your rejection and has initiated an attack on you.]
[Firefly's Affection +5. Your Affection for Firefly +5.]
[Affection with Firefly has reached: 100 (Bound as One)]
[Bound as One: Your eyes reflect only each other—now, and forevermore.]
Watching the system notifications pop up one after another, Bai Heng's expression turned somewhat complex.
What was this? Try to charm someone and end up getting charmed instead? Here I was, wondering where to grind the remaining Affection points, and you go and grind me instead?
Buddy, my character arc these past few episodes has plummeted from smooth operator to the little sweetheart of a Stellaron Hunter?
And seriously!
Firefly, oh Firefly, you've been hiding some depths!
This move of turning the tables and going all forceful—I never saw it coming.
They say the best hunters often appear as prey—well, now I get it. You're the hunter, and I'm the prey!
So it's silver hair, mecha, white thigh-highs, and the name's Firefly—better remember it~
But jokes aside, honestly, this feeling...
It's actually not half bad.
It's like when you're tirelessly working to win over the aloof school beauty and never get much response, until one day you can't go see her for some reason.
Then the next day after class, she corners you at the doorway. Under the gaze of the whole class and even a passing dog, she pins you against the wall and asks in a cool yet wounded tone:
"Why didn't you come find me yesterday?"
It's like one of those wish-fulfillment novels coming to life.
Sure, the analogy isn't perfect, but it's close enough—and Bai Heng didn't mind it one bit~
Getting back on track, aside from maxing out Affection, Bai Heng had gained something else.
[Vow of Bond achieved. You have obtained: 'Beneath the Afterglow']
[Beneath the Afterglow: As the afterglow faded, a tear of the stars was plucked. The maiden rose on her toes for a kiss, pouring all her love into that moment. She fears neither the dark future you speak of nor the heartache you describe—she only wishes to know every part of you.]
[You and Firefly have unlocked the duo entry: Starlight and Firefly (4-Star)]
[Starlight and Firefly: Both of you understand each other deeply. You've promised to accept one another completely, and in the days to come, you will share a beautiful life together. (When in the same location as Firefly, your abilities are boosted by 100%, and Firefly gains 50% of your stats.)]
Reading the text on the screen, Bai Heng felt a twinge of frustration.
Although the bonus from this entry was substantial, the problem was...
So far, this simulation hadn't featured any combat scenarios whatsoever.
It was purely a romance route! Knives wrapped in candy, or candy made into knives.
But Bai Heng didn't dwell on it. Having it was better than not—who knows, it might come in handy later.
--+--
Shaking off his thoughts, Bai Heng refocused on the simulation.
Meanwhile, on the other side, everyone in the livestream was completely absorbed, their attention fixed on the screen before them.
The seals of the Tear of Stars had been undone by Firefly, and Bai Heng's true form as one of the Star Children was about to be revealed to them.
[The maiden's kiss was like a spell from a fairy tale. The moment it brushed your lips, a silvery light, like scattered starlight, enveloped you completely.]
[And when the starlight faded, the maiden saw your true form.]
Silver-white medium-length hair, dual-colored pupils of gold and white, and a warm, familiar smile gracing your features. Merely standing there, you exuded a sense of tranquil beauty.
If "handsome" describes a man of exceptional looks and "beautiful" a woman, then your true form as one of the Star Children could only be described as "ethereal."
For your beauty transcended gender, resembling more a work of art.
If one had to capture you in words, it would be:
"Whether flowers or stars, all the beauty in the world exists only as metaphors for you."
--+--
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.