[Stream Stealing System initializing...]
A blue window popped up in front of him, and soon a familiar blue cat appeared, floating in the air.
"Nyaa, can't even do a single thing without me," the cat said.
Star thought, 'Yes, Miss Kitten, I can't do anything without you. You're just great.'
Miss Kitten turned her head away, pretending she didn't hear his thoughts.
"You asked me before what type of goddess I am. I'm the Goddess of Streaming, nyaa."
Star spoke inwardly, 'So Miss Kitten admits she's a beautiful goddess, do—'
"Nyaa! I am NOT! Now listen and watch carefully. I'll explain only once," Miss Kitten cut him off sharply.
"This body was chosen randomly for you. Now you have to steal the stream to survive and get stronger," Miss Kitten said.
Star thought, 'Stream… are you telling me I'm being steamed?'
Miss Kitten floated closer and placed her paw gently on his head, as if praising him.
Then, without warning, she pulled her paw back and gave him a light slap. Locking eyes with him, she said—
"Nyaa, didn't I say clearly? It's the Stream Stealing System—it means you're going to steal the spotlight!"
Star nodded, though his face was still full of confusion.
Miss Kitten let out a long sigh. "Fine. I'll explain it more clearly, step by step."
He nodded again.
"MC—or more specifically, Summer, and the other two main characters of A&A—they're going to be live-streamed. Now, you need to act in ways that make you stand out more than them across the stream."
Star finally wore an expression that said he understood… probably.
Star thought, 'I think I get it… but Miss Kitten, are you saying there's a stream going on around the MC all the time?"
Miss Kitten floated in a slow circle before replying, "No, nyaa. More like he gets live-streamed whenever major events happen around him. Like now—the stream's about to start."
'Wait… streaming?' Star's eyes narrowed. 'Is this being streamed on Earth?'
"Nyaa, not just your Earth—it's broadcast across the whole universe," Miss Kitten said.
Star's eyes lit up as a thought hit him. 'Then… I can send a message to my family!'
The joy in his chest swelled—stronger than the thrill of any reward. Just the idea of having a way to connect with Earth again made his heart race.
But Miss Kitten's voice cut through his excitement. "I know what you're thinking. I'd advise against it. If the whole world learns you're reincarnated, your family could become targets, nyaa."
'Miss Kitten—you're reading my mind again. Don't even try to deny it!'
She didn't answer, but he was sure of it.
His thoughts shifted. He'd have to be careful about sending any message. There was no rush—better to be safe late than to bring danger early.
Star finally had answers to most of his questions. Then, in the quiet of his mind, he called out one last time, 'Miss Kitten… can you help me now? I can't move—you know I'm possessed.'
Her reply came without hesitation. "Nyaa, it's your responsibility to pass this. You have to break free on your own."
'That's so unfair!' Star's frustration boiled over. 'How can I win if I've already lost control of my own body?'
Miss Kitten's tone grew steady, almost solemn.
"The world is an unfair place, nyaa.
Many trees die before they ever grow.
Baby birds fall from the nest before they learn to fly.
Some animals are born with flaws they never asked for.
And yet… they keep going. They try until they pass.
So how can you say the world is unfair?
Didn't you already say your academy was unfair? Then why expect life to suddenly be fair now?"
Her voice softened, but there was steel beneath it.
"I know it's hard. I know your situation is truly dreadful. But remember this, Star—
The universe can close every door but one.
That one hidden door… it's up to you to find it and step through.
Do that once, and you'll go beyond mortal limits. That will be your first step toward supremacy."
Star heard Miss Kitten's words echo in his mind.
'She's right… how can I expect the world to suddenly be fair? It's up to me to find my own way out of this.'
'Besides… my situation isn't even hopeless. I just have to outsmart GOF somehow. Think, Star. Think!'
But the world didn't pause for his thoughts.
[Supreme Universe Stream has begun.]
His body moved on its own, stepping toward Ember.
He tried to fight it—willing his muscles to stop, to turn away—but the possession held him like iron chains. Inch by inch, his outstretched hand drew closer…
Until his fingers hovered right over Ember's chest, ready to grab them.