The Bold Big Sister?
When Acheron's generous and warm embrace pressed against Stelle's face, the latter gradually snapped back to reality. This was already the umpteenth time she'd been caught off guard by an unexpected situation. Based on Acheron's calm demeanor earlier, Stelle had assumed this woman was cut from the same cloth as Jade!
But who could've predicted that "Jade" would suddenly transform into "Feixiao"?
No… she was too close—way too close! Stelle could barely breathe!
Stelle's face flushed bright red, her breathing labored as she struggled to escape Acheron's embrace.
At that very moment, Firefly's heart was undergoing an unprecedented storm:
AAAAAAAAH! (Her pupils shook like an earthquake.) Stelle is being hugged so closely by another woman! I'm going to die!
Another woman is that close to Stelle! I'm going to die!!
I'm going to—I'm going to set the seas ablaze! Burn down Penacony!
"Hm? Oh, oh… sorry about that. I can be a bit too enthusiastic sometimes, haha…"
Acheron quickly noticed Stelle's discomfort and, somewhat embarrassed, let go of her, chuckling, "Anyway, thank you both."
Firefly hurriedly pulled Stelle to her side, puffing out her cheeks indignantly. "Don't get so close to someone you just met!"
She had been this close to transforming. This woman had no sense of boundaries whatsoever—how annoying!
Acheron scratched her head. "Sorry about that. I'll leave you two to your date, then."
Firefly: Maybe she's not that annoying.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
"Hmm~" (A cheerful little tune)
In Penacony's bustling commercial district, March 7th flitted from one gift shop to another. The packages in her hands were piling up into a small mountain, yet she still felt it wasn't enough. She continued to meticulously select gifts for her grand gesture.
The thought of Stelle shyly nodding under her earnest gaze in just a few system hours made March 7th's lips curl into a smile, her mood soaring.
It was at that moment that a figure identical to the one March 7th had been thinking about appeared. Sparkle stood outside the gift shop, exuding an air of calculated confidence.
Sparkle had it all planned out. She would pretend to casually pass by as the little gray-haired girl, then act surprised and say, "What a coincidence! Let's grab a spot to bond and deepen our friendship!" She'd use the opportunity to get closer, lower March 7th's guard, and test her.
If March 7th's performance satisfied her, Sparkle would reveal her true identity and intentions.
"…Heh, I hope this little pink-haired girl doesn't disappoint me."
Sparkle glanced at the figure inside the shop, brimming with confidence.
Her acting skills were top-notch, even at the tavern, so she wasn't the least bit worried about slipping up. Besides, before arriving here, she was confident she'd already grasped the general personality of this world's little gray-haired girl.
The reversed version of the little gray-haired girl should be wise, composed, and dependable—much like Dan Heng from the Astral Express.
This type of character? Hah… too easy.
Ten minutes later.
March 7th stepped out of the gift shop, carrying bags of all sizes. She glanced around, ready to head to the next store, when her beautiful eyes froze, and a delighted smile spread across her face.
"Stelle!"
Not far ahead, a familiar figure turned around "in confusion." She paused slightly, seemingly surprised to run into March 7th here, and gave a polite nod. "March."
March 7th ran over with a beaming smile. "We're really fated to meet, aren't we? To think we'd bump into each other here! How's your time in Penacony going? Having fun?"
Sparkle let out a soft "hm." "Penacony lives up to its reputation as the famed land of dreams. It's truly spectacular. How about you? How's it going?"
March 7th proudly showed off her gift bags. "I've got quite the haul! Guess how many of these are for you?"
Sparkle gave a helpless smile and naturally patted March 7th's head. "Thank you. No matter how many, I'll be thrilled."
"Oh, right, let me carry those for you."
Sparkle took the bags from March 7th's hands, her face radiating warmth and affection. "I was just passing by. Anywhere you want to go next? Shall we go together?"
March 7th blinked, taken aback. "Stelle… are you okay?"
Sparkle tilted her head. "What's wrong?"
"…Nothing. Oh, by the way, have you eaten? There's a couples' restaurant up ahead… Oh, no, I don't mean anything by it! I just want to grab something to eat."
"Haha, what a coincidence. Let's go together, then. Though, it'd be awkward if someone mistook us for a couple… Just kidding."
Sparkle winked and laughed. "With our relationship, it wouldn't matter if people got the wrong idea, right? Heehee."
Flirt! That was Sparkle's tactic!
Based on the original March 7th's traits—lively, carefree, a bit silly, and thick-skinned—the reversed March 7th's traits were obvious: a reserved, cool-headed older sister type, meticulous, clever, and thin-skinned.
To deal with this type, you had to get close and be direct, turning the passive into the active.
A few suggestive lines like that, and she'd be blushing in no time. In that flustered state, her intelligence would drop, giving Sparkle the perfect chance to probe further.
As expected, the moment Sparkle said those words, a rare flush of pink appeared on March 7th's face. "Stelle… you said it."
"Hm, shall we go, my dear March?"
Ten minutes later.
The couples' restaurant was dimly lit, the atmosphere intimate and romantic. The two sat on the same side of the table, occasionally stealing glances at each other.
March 7th's thoughts: Hah… after waiting so long, it's finally happening! This tough time is almost over. After this meal, I'll trim my nails. As for Mikhail's banquet? To heck with it!
Sparkle's thoughts: Tch… what's up with this pink-haired girl? She doesn't seem as clever as I thought. And her gaze feels a bit… weird. Ugh, has she gone silly like Black Swan?
No, that doesn't make sense. The original pink-haired girl wasn't that bright to begin with, so why is she still the same here?
Can't figure it out. Whatever, I'll probe a bit more. No need to rush—she hasn't noticed me yet.
Just then, March 7th's hand got a little "careless" and "accidentally" brushed against Sparkle's.
Sparkle: ? What's that supposed to mean? Does she want to hold hands?
Sparkle: Ugh, we're both girls. Why's she so hesitant about holding hands? So weird… Fine, I'll play along.
With that, Sparkle took the initiative to hold March 7th's hand, giving her a carefree smile.
March 7th froze for a moment, her heart suddenly racing with excitement: Does this mean she's okay with it?
She quietly tightened her grip on Sparkle's hand. After a long mental preparation, she suddenly spoke up. "Stelle, there's something I've been wanting to tell you."
"Since we've come this far, I'll just be straightforward."