While Mei was still agonizing over the relationship between the three of them, Kiana had already had her fill.
She used a small, black lace handkerchief to wipe the lingering scent from the corner of her mouth, but when she noticed what it was, her pupils shook violently, and she threw it at Ye Feng's chest in disgust.
"What is this thing you gave me!"
"Tsk, I grabbed the wrong one."
"?"
Kiana stared with wide eyes.
You're the one saying 'tsk'? What right do you have to say 'tsk'!
"This is a handkerchief completely saturated with Luna Kindred's body fragrance! And it was just tainted by Kiana like that."
"Are you a pervert? Carrying this kind of thing around in your pocket every day."
"Alright, next time I'll carry Mei's handkerchief."
"!!"
Kiana really wanted to say, "Count me in!" but she was currently standing on the moral high ground, pointing a finger at Ye Feng.
Kiana looked at the black lace handkerchief, still warm from Ye Feng's hand. "Let me just ask... this... Yuexia hasn't used it, right?"
Ye Feng grinned, "Heh heh."
"You dog!"
The back of the little bug's hand frantically rubbed her lips. She felt dirty.
If it were Mei's, it would have been fine—in fact, she'd beg for it—but another woman's truly made her uncomfortable.
This was probably the power of love.
"What if it were Bronya's?"
"Get lost!"
The little bug shot him a glare.
"Alright, let's get down to business."
"No, I don't want to talk to you right now."
"The matter with Mei can't wait."
Ye Feng said, "Don't think that time is the cure for all wounds. That's just the years washing away the flutters in your heart. Once some things fade, they're truly gone for good. Kiana, you don't want to meet Mei many years from now, only for the two of you to give a faint nod before brushing past each other, do you?"
"Why do you make it sound like Mei and I are about to be separated?"
"And why not? Her home isn't at St. Freya High School. Her father is in North America right now. If she decides it would be better for her to leave, where do you think she'll go?"
"...!"
Ye Feng's casual remark instantly gave Kiana a sense of urgency.
"Let's go find Mei quickly."
"I'm not in a hurry. Even if Mei goes to North America, she can still come here. I can still see her every day."
"You..."
Ye Feng remained perfectly composed. "Me what? Because Chong Chong's attitude toward me is poor, I'm very sad right now and need time to heal my heart."
Kiana's temper flared, and she was so angry she wanted to hit someone.
She clenched and unclenched her fists, over and over.
"Fine, fine, fine. What do you want me to do?"
"Call me 'darling' and let me hear it."
"Darling"
The word rolled off Kiana's tongue with surprising ease.
She even proactively wrapped her arms around Ye Feng's neck and lifted one of her beautiful legs to press against him.
"Chong Chong is getting quite skilled at this."
The reason she was so skilled was that she had already done it many times before.
"So, darling, can we go find Mei now?"
"Let's go."
The moment Ye Feng's voice fell, Kiana detached herself from him at the speed of light, her small face stern and her eyes filled with disgust, as if her alluring behavior just moments ago had been an illusion.
"You can already turn it on and off at will. As expected of my little Chong Chong."
"This young lady must reiterate once more: I am 'pretending' to be your girlfriend. It's fake! It's only so Mei won't be sad."
"I understand. I never said you liked me. Why do you always have to emphasize it?"
"Hmph, good. If you got the wrong idea, it would be very troublesome for me."
Ye Feng looked at Kiana with a smile. "However, it seems Chong Chong has learned to be cunning."
"...Wh-what cunning?"
"You see, you know that it's impossible between you and Mei now, so you've adopted a 'roundabout strategy'—a flanking maneuver—using me to deepen your relationship. For instance, the connection of 'both being Ye Feng's girlfriends' is obviously much more intimate than just 'best friends,' isn't it?"
"I-I'm not! Don't you dare slander a person's good name out of thin air!"
Kiana craned her neck to argue.
"Really? I don't believe you. Kiana has definitely thought through the entire scenario. For example, after successfully establishing the relationship between the three of us, you'll propose deepening your bond, trick Mei into bed, and have a 'frank and honest' discussion."
"Eh? slurp..." Kiana wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth. "I have not! Do you think everyone is a huge pervert like you!"
"You really haven't?"
"Of course! This young lady is a knight of the Kaslana family!"
"Then swear on it. Write it down."
"You dog! Don't push your luck! If you take another inch, we'll just go down together!"
"Oh my, you're so worked up you used three idioms in a row. It seems my guidance and education these past days have been quite effective."
Ye Feng gave Kiana a thumbs-up.
His teasing left Kiana feeling a little depressed.
Does he really think I'm a protozoan! This young lady can learn if she wants to, okay?
"This isn't teasing. It's a sincere compliment."
"How condescending of you," Kiana said, looking at him sideways.
"Let's go. Mei is on the roof of Senba High School right now."
"Wait, I need to rinse my mouth first."
It tastes like Ye Feng.
Kiana understood that Ye Feng wouldn't help her "cleanse" herself. In fact, he would be delighted to see her go talk to Mei with his taste still in her mouth.
On the way to Senba High School, Kiana grew anxious.
"What if the method you suggested doesn't work? Will Mei really agree?"
"Relax, she'll agree."
Kiana was still not reassured, wringing her hands nervously. "What if—and I'm just saying what if—what if Mei refuses? Then we can't even be friends anymore."
Ye Feng turned his head. "Aren't the knights of Kaslana supposed to be fearless and always press forward? Why are you being so hesitant?"
"I think it's too risky."
Kiana looked up at Senba High School in the distance. She was starting to get cold feet.
"Maybe we should try a different plan?"
Kiana feared neither heaven nor earth, but she was truly afraid of being disliked and avoided by Mei.
Thinking about it carefully, what kind of crappy solution had this dog Ye Feng provided?
This was probably what they called 'getting cold feet the closer you get to home.' The nearer she got, the more panicked Kiana became.
Ye Feng said, "Taking a massive step back, even if Mei really refuses, you just have to kneel down and beg her. Mei will definitely agree. She's just that kind of good kid. And since the one asking is Kiana, her best friend, there's a one hundred percent chance it'll be fine."
"Really? As long as I kneel and beg Mei, it'll work every time?"
"Definitely, certainly, absolutely!"
As they spoke, Ye Feng had already pulled Kiana onto the rooftop.
In the brilliant twilight, the purple-haired girl stood with her back to them, gazing at the city's sunset.
Kiana looked at Mei's back, and her mind went blank.
Screw it!
She rushed forward in a single bound, fell to her knees, and grabbed Mei's thigh.
"Please, I'm begging you! As long as you agree, Mei, I'll do anything!"
"?"
Ye Feng was also stunned.
Huh? Why'd she open with her ultimate?