Kiana quickly brought Special Operations Na to the inn room that belonged to her.
She set the hangover soup on the nightstand, laid Special Operations Na flat on the bed, then turned to leave.
But… the hem of her clothes was gripped tight.
A trembling murmur sounded from behind.
"Don't go… Mommy…"
"…"
Kiana's steps faltered; she turned to look at the sleeping Special Operations Na.
Tears slid from the corners of Special Operations Na's eyes as she kept whispering for her mother.
And… Jacob Hawke.
When that name crossed her lips, it was through clenched teeth, as though endless hatred surged toward him.
Right then, Kiana's system prompt suddenly appeared.
[Number of Kianas in the group reached threshold—teleportation mode unlocked. One companion may accompany you to a group member's world; swap and synergy teleports cost zero points.]
[Additional method to obtain soul fragments: intimate contact with other Kianas will transfer the fragments they carry.]
[Note: the closer the interaction, the faster the gain; you may even acquire all fragments at once, plus bonus wheel spins.]
"Only that? What about a shop…?"
Afraid of waking Special Operations Na, Kiana asked the system in a whisper.
The system's answer made her cry stingy at once.
[This system has no shop; all items must be drawn from the wheel.]
"It's not for me—my sisters need a shop to get stronger, Little Sys."
Kiana spread her hands and sighed.
There wasn't much left she could improve on; the next step wouldn't be easy.
But the group members still had huge room to grow!
[Due to their uniqueness, group members are not weak and possess extremely high growth potential.]
[If the host wishes to boost them, some wheel items can be gifted.]
[Note: system energy is finite; a shop would waste too much—therefore, no shop function will be activated.]
"Fine, fine…"
Kiana pouted.
Then she glanced at Special Operations Na curled up on the bed, recalling the "cuddle for fragments" prompt.
"Gulp… is this really okay…?"
Looking at those black-stockinged long legs drawn up, that tear-stained yet rosy face, Kiana's mouth went dry.
"Give my mommy back… you jerk…"
Special Operations Na's brows knit tighter; her grip on Kiana's hem clenched.
Kiana gave a soft tug—too tight. Feigning resignation, she coughed once and lay down beside her.
Almost at once, Special Operations Na hugged her close.
"…"
Kiana caught a faint scent the alcohol couldn't mask, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling.
"One Mei… two Meis… three Meis… one Kiana…"
While Kiana distracted herself, Special Operations Na suddenly sat up.
Feeling hot, she peeled off her clothes until only underwear remained.
"No peeking!"
Kiana slapped both hands over her eyes—fingers splayed wide.
Special Operations Na pulled the quilt over them… pink bubbles filled the room in an instant.
(I dare not write—really dare not write)
Outside, Senju Na—fresh from washing up—passed the door, saw the peachy glow, and tilted her head.
"This inn even has special effects? How magical…"
Clicking her tongue in wonder, she left the inn and headed for the tavern.
She needed to unwind a bit.
Just finished a bounty—exhausted!
Her aunt, one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade, gambled so badly that both her and Shizune's allowances vanished.
No choice—she secretly took side jobs… After cashing in she still had to wash off the blood, or her aunt with hemophobia would freak.
Scaring her was minor; the real pain came from the beating afterward!
Her small frame couldn't withstand Tsunade's monstrous strength.
"You're here, Senju. Seen the Group Owner?"
Hearing footsteps, Gojo Na turned and asked.
"Nope. Someone's in Special Operations Na's room though—pink effects, kinda cute."
"They have effects like that?"
Little Moonlight leaned back, poking her head out, curious.
Senju Na merely shrugged: "Plenty of functions we don't know—maybe?"
"Makes sense."
Void Hunter Na nodded.
Sake Kiana, munching cake, watched Digi-Na's stream—entranced by the unreal scenery.
What captivated her more was the pink-haired girl about her age—so adorable!
She really wanted to befriend her.
That's what Sake Kiana wished in her heart.
Once Senju Na sat down, they chatted while watching the stream.
None of them thought anything odd.
After all, they were all Kianas—basically the same person—nothing could happen, right~
Impossible~ absolutely impossible~
…Soon a whole day slipped by; the Kianas waiting in the inn sensed something wrong.
"Say…"
Gojo Na, bags under her eyes, glanced at the coffee-sipping Void Hunting Na and the others.
"Did the Group Owner head back ages ago? And Special Operations Na too—already awake and gone?"
Otherwise why hadn't the pair shown up? Even a nap couldn't last this long.
Senju Na had left early; Sake Kiana, still a kid, couldn't stay up and went home.
Back home she crashed—she still had a full day of classes after coming straight from break!
So Sake Kiana dozed off drooling under Madoka Kaname and the others' odd stares.
Still holding out were drowsy Little Moonlight and the two stalwarts, Gojo Na and Void Hunting Na.
Meanwhile, inside Special Operations Na's room…
Kiana sat on the bed, gloomily nibbling a Chocolate stick; Special Operations Na huddled under the quilt as though the sky had fallen.
"Say…"
Kiana forced a twitching smile. "I swear I didn't do anything—believe me…?"
"You don't even spare yourself… you pervert…!"
Special Operations Na clutched the quilt, tears in her eyes, glaring through gritted teeth.
Her innocence was gone!
"Hey, I won't take that! You kept pulling me back and seducing me! And I didn't go too far!"
"You—!"
At Kiana's righteous tone, Special Operations Na was speechless.
A hazy memory seemed to confirm… she really had clung to her?!
"…"
Special Operations Na bit her lip, then sighed in defeat.
"Don't breathe a word of this to anyone—or I'll never forgive you!"
"Deal…"
Can't let Mei find out either, or something awful might happen… Kiana nodded.
After washing up, the two headed to the tavern together.
When they arrived, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, they found three utterly wilted figures…
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"