Not mind?
Was it the kind of 'not mind' she thought it was?
Ruan Mei, that genius?
The smile on Acheron's face vanished completely, replaced by silence, doubt, and confusion.
She couldn't believe Kiana would lie about something like this—after all, they still had to travel together later. This wasn't the kind of lie that could hold up for long.
Not mind? Not care? Or care too much?
Acheron ran through every possible reason Ruan Mei could give such an answer, but none of them satisfied her.
How could she be so simple, so easily accepting, without even thinking about trying to stop it?
"Um… Mei?"
Acheron remained silent, her gaze heavy as she looked at Kiana. The mask she had been forcing herself to wear fell away, piece by piece, revealing her most genuine reaction.
Everything that had happened so far had gone beyond her expectations. Was it because she had been dulled by Nihility's influence—or was Ruan Mei simply not a normal person?
A normal person wouldn't say something like that.
"She really said that?"
Of course, Mei couldn't accept it.
Kiana had expected that much. She hadn't been fooled by Acheron's earlier calm demeanor; she knew convincing Acheron would be even harder than convincing Ruan Mei.
That was only natural.
So she had only said that Ruan Mei wouldn't make a choice.
She didn't dare say more.
Before, she had thought she couldn't handle either side—so she chose not to think about it at all. Keeping things as they were had felt like victory enough.
But now, Ruan had agreed.
She could see hope.
She had already won half the battle. The only challenge left in front of her now was Mei.
"Ruan said she doesn't mind me liking Mei. She only cares that I don't leave her."
That woman, Ruan Mei…
Acheron lowered her eyes, concealing the emotion in them. She saw everything clearly, yet she didn't even try to do anything.
She just gave in like that.
Not mind... not mind...
What kind of answer was that? What kind of attitude? That woman was more nihilistic than she was.
"So... I'm sorry, Mei. I—I can't give up on Ruan, but I can't give up on you either. I know it's selfish, but…"
"You don't have to say it. I understand."
Kiana stiffened all over, her whole body tense. Looking at Acheron nervously, she asked, "Then... what's Mei's answer?"
"I said I don't accept it."
Kiana had expected that answer. She wasn't discouraged—she hadn't thought Acheron would accept it so easily anyway.
This was going to be a long process.
"What will you do, then?"
"I'll cling to Mei," Kiana said determinedly. "I'll keep begging until Mei agrees!"
"But you used to belong to me alone. Now you want me to share you with someone else…"
Acheron stood up and walked toward her, lowering her gaze to look at Kiana. Her eyes revealed nothing. "How am I supposed to accept that?"
Kiana bowed her head at once.
"I'm sorry... I really am. I wronged you. If you want to hit me or yell at me, that's fine—I'll take it. As long as you're not angry, you can do anything to me."
That wasn't the answer Acheron wanted.
Her expression darkened. "You know how I feel about you. No matter what, I could never hurt you."
"I'm sorry…"
"I don't want to hear 'sorry'!"
Acheron's tone grew sharper, her anger finally breaking through.
What did Mei want her to say?
Kiana replayed every word, every look, every reaction Acheron had given her from the start until now, running through them all again in her mind.
And then—her heart skipped a beat.
If I say I don't accept it—what will you do?
That line…
"I love you!"
Whether or not it was what Mei wanted to hear, she had to try!
"You're the most important person in my heart!"
"I'll never give up!"
She clenched her fists, meeting Acheron's piercing gaze head-on. "I want Ruan, and I want you too! No matter what—it's both of you or nothing!"
"I know I'm being selfish, and I've hurt you, Mei... but I really can't let go of either of you!"
"Whether Mei accepts it or not, my feelings for her won't change in the slightest! I'll make Mei see my sincerity, and I'll earn her forgiveness. If one year isn't enough, then ten years—and if ten years still isn't enough, then a lifetime! You're the most important person to me, and I'll never let go!"
Kiana's voice was firm and powerful, every suppressed thought in her heart spilling out all at once.
Acheron's expression didn't change.
"Are you trying to force me to accept reality?"
"No!"
That accusation startled Kiana so badly she almost jumped. She shook her head frantically. "I'd never do that! I—I really never thought of it that way! You have to believe me, Mei—I swear, I wasn't trying to force you to agree!"
She was so anxious that she began to sweat, her voice trembling with emotion.
"This is all my fault. So whatever decision you make, Mei, I'll understand. I just... I just wanted to tell you that I won't give up—that I'll work hard to earn your approval..."
"I really wasn't trying to force you!"
Acheron watched her flustered and panicked movements in silence for a few seconds before sighing softly. She raised a hand and gently patted Kiana's head, comforting the frightened girl.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
How could Kiana not understand what Acheron meant? Her lips pressed tightly together, eyes brimming with tears she tried desperately to hold back as she shook her head.
"I accept it."
Those words made Kiana's body go rigid. She buried her face in Acheron's chest, tears spilling freely. "I'm sorry... Mei, you cared so much about how I felt, and yet I... I still..."
Acheron's body stiffened as she awkwardly returned the embrace, her voice clumsy but soft as she tried to comfort her. "I'm not the one crying out of sadness—so why are you the one crying first?"
"I-I'm not crying because I'm sad!"
Only now did Kiana truly realize the weight of their feelings for her—just how deep and heavy they ran.
Why had Acheron agreed?
She hadn't said it aloud, but Kiana could guess. There was no doubt the reason was her—because Ruan Mei had already accepted it.
Acheron couldn't give her up.
So she could only accept it.
Kiana tightened her arms around her, guilt flooding through her chest. She silently swore that she would never disappoint them again.
After a long while, she finally loosened her embrace, rubbing her eyes and murmuring shyly, "I won't let you down again."
Hearing the answer she wanted, Acheron nodded slightly. Kiana and Ruan Mei—this was now a fact she couldn't change.
After all, when Kiana had left Izumo, she hadn't realized what was happening—and by the time she did, Ruan Mei had already taken her away.
At least it was Ruan Mei who had taken her.
If it had been anyone else, they might not have been able to bring Kiana fully back from that state.
"Don't overthink it. Get some rest."
"Um... Ruan asked me to stay with her tonight. I promised her."
Kiana said awkwardly, "Half a year ago, we got separated at the Herta Space Station and haven't seen each other since. And on the ship, I..."
Acheron fell silent again.
How should she even put it? Somehow, she suddenly had the feeling that she and Ruan Mei might never be able to coexist peacefully.
...
"Had a good talk?"
Though Acheron felt a pang of unwillingness, she didn't say much. She let Kiana stay with Ruan Mei. After all, since Kiana had already made her promise, Acheron didn't want to break the agreement so soon.
It wasn't as if she could really go have a talk with Ruan Mei.
What would they even talk about—some kind of three-way treaty?
That would just be too strange.
Kiana, of course, hadn't thought that far ahead. She still didn't realize what lay ahead for her future. When she returned, she was beaming with happiness.
Ruan Mei put away the model in her hand, her gaze briefly landing on Kiana's usual bright smile before she gave a nearly imperceptible nod.
"Mei accepted it!"
Kiana couldn't wait to share her joy with Ruan Mei.
"As expected."
Ruan Mei didn't think there was anything to be surprised about—because she knew that Raiden Mei could never give up on Kiana.
Even Nihility itself hadn't managed to take away her feelings for Kiana. Despite walking so far down the Path of Nihility, there was not a single trace of detachment in the way she treated her.
She was a peculiar one.
Or perhaps, a terrifying one.
Her will was terrifying.
Her love and obsession for Kiana—unyielding beyond mortal measure.
It seemed Ruan Mei didn't really want to talk about Mei.
Kiana, realizing that, swallowed back the words she had been about to say. Awkwardly scratching her head, she muttered, "It's getting late. Let's rest early. I'll go turn off the lights!"
Of course, there was no need to do it manually—but wanting to end the topic, Kiana still walked a few steps to switch off the lights, leaving only a small bedside lamp.
Ruan Mei had originally wanted to discuss something else, but seeing Kiana turn off the lights, she let go of the idea.
She gave a small hum of acknowledgment and lay down on the bed.
Once Ruan Mei was settled, Kiana turned off the last lamp too. In the complete darkness of night, she rolled over and snuggled closer to Ruan Mei's side.
Feeling the calm that Ruan Mei's presence brought, she carefully reached out and intertwined her fingers with hers.
Their fingers laced together.
She was elated.
She and Ruan Mei were holding hands!
"Does this have any particular meaning?"
Ruan Mei's voice broke the silence in the dark.
"This..."
"Is it like kissing?"
"Not exactly?" Kiana replied uncertainly.
"I see."
So it was just something she wanted to do.
Ruan Mei's fingers tightened slightly, clasping Kiana's hand a little more firmly. The sensation was... peculiar.
"Ruan, you don't like it?"
"It's not a matter of like or dislike."
Ruan Mei gave a small tug, pulling Kiana even closer. "Rest now."
Indeed, it felt more comforting this way.
That was what she thought.
Kiana answered softly and closed her eyes.
A lot had happened today, so even though she was lying down, she didn't feel sleepy at all. All kinds of thoughts kept looping through her mind.
In the end, Ruan Mei—tired of being disturbed by Kiana's restless heart—used a bit of her power to calm her down and lull her into deep sleep.
Ruan Mei hadn't planned to do anything. She had just wanted Kiana to stay by her side.
But Kiana's mind was too noisy.
Opening her eyes, Ruan Mei slowly loosened her grip on Kiana's hand. She turned slightly, facing the girl sleeping soundly beside her.
The night was thick, but the darkness meant little to her. She could still perceive everything clearly.
Her hand moved to Kiana's soft face.
Her cheek, her lips, her nose, her brows...
Ruan Mei's fingertips traced Kiana's features, committing every curve and contour to memory.
...
The next morning.
Kiana hadn't slept this well in a long time. When she finally woke, her energy was fully restored.
Though there was one small disappointment.
When she opened her eyes, Ruan Mei was already gone. She hadn't been able to see her sleeping face.
Still, despite that, her mood remained bright.
After tidying up the bed a little, she prepared to head back to her own room to find Acheron.
But as soon as she opened the door, she nearly jumped out of her skin.
Standing outside, leaning against the wall with her blade in hand, waiting for her—was Acheron.
"M-Mei?"
She glanced toward her own room not far away, a bit surprised. "Were you waiting for me?"
Acheron's sense of direction wasn't great—she tended to forget paths quickly—but she couldn't possibly have mistaken this short distance of a few dozen meters.
The closed-eyed Acheron opened them and, upon seeing Kiana, gave a light nod. "It's getting late. We should depart."
She hadn't slept well the night before.
Just thinking about Kiana's situation had left her restless—she couldn't even close her eyes without feeling suffocated. So she had simply sat awake the entire night.
And early in the morning, she had already run into Ruan Mei.
"Have you been waiting here long?"
Kiana walked up beside her and wrapped herself around Acheron's arm, looking up at her calm, hard-to-approach face. Her fingers itched, and she reached up to poke her cheek.
"Only for a little while."
Acheron didn't stop her fidgeting hand. Standing up straight, she started walking as she said, "Ruan Mei should have finished her preparations by now. We can go find her."
"You know where Ruan is right now?"
Kiana blinked, surprised by the certainty in her tone.
"In the laboratory where the Stigmata are stored."
Oh boy—so Mei hadn't slept a wink all night, had she? She must've been keeping an ear out for any movement from this side.
Kiana immediately realized the truth.
But she didn't call her out on it. "I don't have anything left to prepare either," she said instead. "Let's go find her together."
She didn't bring up anything about last night.
Together, she and Acheron made their way to the laboratory door—just as Ruan Mei was stepping out.
Seeing the two of them together, Ruan Mei's expression didn't change. She simply asked, "Are you ready? If so, let's depart now."
"We're all set," Kiana replied, glancing past her into the lab. For a moment, she hesitated, wondering if she should go say goodbye to Yae Sakura.
But then she remembered how she'd accidentally blurted everything out to Mei the day before, and her mood soured a little.
Forget it—it's not like they'll be gone for long.
She could say goodbye when they got back.
"Then let's go," Ruan Mei said briskly, wasting no time as she took the lead. "I've already plotted the flight path. We should reach Jarilo tomorrow."
"So soon?"
"There's been a lot of travel lately, which wasted quite a bit of time. I made a few upgrades to the ship yesterday."
Unfortunately, she'd never been to that planet herself—otherwise, it would've taken even less time. Not even a full day.
"Yeah, we have been traveling a lot lately," Kiana said thoughtfully.
Before heading to Euphorion, she and Ruan Mei had only gone on two outings together.
But since returning to Izumo, she had barely stopped moving—never staying in one place for more than a month.
Especially during the tour with Robin.
That was when her travel frequency had reached its peak.
"Speaking of which," Kiana said suddenly, "on Jarilo-VI, aside from the Antimatter Legion from centuries ago, there's also a Stellaron. Will that affect the flight path?"