However, before Kiana could seize this rare moment of Bronya being at a loss to continue gloating and rubbing it in...
Seeing that Bronya had already been reduced to such a dejected state, Kiana—never one to miss a chance to stir the pot—still thought about kicking her while she was down.
"Alright now! Kiana, does picking on Bronya make you feel accomplished?"
Unable to stand it any longer, Mei stepped forward right then and there, using a simple yet direct method—pinching Kiana's ear—to immediately put a stop to this childish, overly-serious squabble between Kiana and Bronya.
"Hey! Ouch, ouch, ouch! Mei~"
"Don't pinch my ear, I know I was wrong, okay?!"
Just moments ago, Kiana had been riding high after getting the better of Bronya, but now she was like a smug brat suddenly meeting her match—a truly tough uncle with a solid thwack of discipline.
She was instantly subdued by the "cooking wife" who had her completely outmatched.
But the main reason Mei felt this way was because she had no idea about Bronya's true age, despite Bronya looking like the youngest of the group.
If you actually laid out everyone's ages side by side, you'd realize that Kiana, who on the outside could pass for an adult, was actually only sixteen years old this year, at most.
Yes, just sixteen—yet Kiana's physical development was so remarkably advanced that even if she went out and claimed to be a woman in her twenties, no one would doubt it.
Bronya, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
Though Bronya's appearance suggested she was a kid of twelve or thirteen at most...
Her actual age was already fifteen, just one year younger than Kiana.
As for why little "Duckie" was still physically unchanged from when she was twelve, despite being fifteen now—
Naturally, it was due to the aftereffects of a certain failed experiment three years ago that had left its mark on her body.
"Sigh... Sometimes I really don't know what to do with you!"
"You've been goofing off all day, and yet even this late you still have so much energy to mess around. Aren't you afraid all this noise will attract zombies knocking on our door in the middle of the night?"
Seeing Kiana put on that "I know I was wrong" sly look the moment she was scolded, Mei knew full well that her words had probably gone in one ear and out the other yet again.
"Let's put an end to all this meaningless bickering and fooling around. But since none of us want to sleep separately from Lunelle, why don't we just all rest together in the same room?"
Having been on the road all day, Mei couldn't help but feel a bit tired, both mentally and physically.
So while on the surface, Mei was trying to accommodate everyone's feelings, deep down she also wanted to fulfill a little personal wish of her own.
Usually quite reserved, Mei now boldly proposed the surprising idea of everyone sleeping together—all for the sake of a reasonable chance to cuddle with Lunelle.
Hearing the "cooking wife" come up with such a thoughtful, super-good proposal...
'Could it be... Could it be the long-awaited, all-under-one-blanket sleepover I've been dreaming about!?!'
Currently with her little face buried in Kiana-chan's soft "buns," Lunelle's heart was already soaring with delight, almost spiraling into the sky!
"Lunelle, is this okay with you?"
Eager to rest as soon as possible, Mei gently pulled the adorable Lunelle out from where she was pressed against Kiana's "buns" and turned a questioning gaze toward her.
Clearly, compared to the slight bossiness of her other "wives," Mei—even though she had just as much ability to handle Lunelle however she pleased—still showed great respect for Lunelle's own opinion.
It was true—without comparison, you wouldn't realize the difference.
Feeling that Sixth Wife Mei was clearly more considerate and respectful of her opinions than Duckie Wife or Paramecium Wife...
Deeply moved, Lunelle decided that, at least for tonight, Mei Wife would hold the status of Second Most Important Wife.
After all, the position of Most Important Wife—belonging to Seele—absolutely could not be shaken. Plus, Lunelle's Second Wife, Elysia, was a figure from the Previous Era of Honkai.
During simulations set in the Previous Era, Lunelle might see if she could find a chance to meet or even lightly pursue her Second Wife Elysia.
But in the real Honkai world, since Second Wife Elysia wasn't even a shadow right now, placing Mei Wife temporarily in the vacant Second Wife position was clearly perfectly reasonable, right?
"Um... well, if no one minds... I-I don't have any objections..."
When presented with such a golden opportunity to get close with all her wives, Lunelle naturally agreed quickly.
But as soon as Lunelle finished speaking, Mei—who had been quite restrained in her behavior until now—suddenly showed a strange smile that looked oddly like the smirk of someone whose plan had succeeded.
Noticing this odd detail, Lunelle felt she must have imagined it.
After all, Mei was the wife among the three around her who respected her opinions the most. At least for now, Lunelle's trust in Mei far outweighed any suspicion.
And then...
And then, completely unsuspecting of Mei, Lunelle suddenly felt a tight grip around her waist!
…Huh?
Lunelle's vision blurred briefly, and the next thing she knew, she had already been tightly embraced around her slender waist by her most trusted Mei and swiftly carried right onto the bed!
Oh come on... What about basic trust between people?
Darn it! Mei, after all my faith in you!
Who would've thought that you, who seemed so proper, would be the one to act without the slightest hesitation!
Though perhaps the only consolation for Lunelle was that Mei, for the sake of holding her more comfortably, also gifted her a rather enjoyable "brain pillow" perk.
Well, considering the ample softness currently cushioning her head, she'd reluctantly forgive her wife's rebellious act.
It definitely wasn't because she couldn't fight back or struggle that she was giving in!
Absolutely not!
"Huh? Mei... oneechan? What... what are you..."
"Lunelle, didn't we say we'd all rest together? The bed in this temporary room doesn't seem big enough for four people, so... so… Ahem... Anyway, let's settle down like this for tonight."
Since Mei's move had indeed allowed her to gain quite an advantage with Lunelle...
She felt somewhat guilty facing the utterly pure and adorable little Lunelle's confusion.
But now that Mei had already claimed the most intimate, cuddle-worthy spot with Lunelle, Kiana—who had been gleefully thinking she'd have Lunelle all to herself tonight—was suddenly dumbfounded.
So...
Did this mean... Mei had snagged her prize right from under her nose?
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.