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Chapter 134 - Don't Know, or Don't Want to Say?

Acheron did not want to speak of what ifs.

Doubt held no meaning.

She simply kept her uncertainty buried in her heart and turned to Kiana for an answer.

"We'll always be together, right?"

"I finally found you again, Mei. There's no way I could bear the pain of being separated from you a second time."

Kiana understood the reason behind Acheron's question. She took her hand and said, "Even if you push me away, I still won't leave. Because I love you, Mei. I'm going to cling to you for the rest of my life!"

She hoped her words would give Mei a sense of security, easing her heart.

"...That's enough."

Regardless of how Kiana treated that woman, Ruan Mei, she herself was Kiana's lover—that fact would never change.

There was no need to ask more about how Kiana viewed Ruan Mei.

Knowing her place in Kiana's heart would never change was enough to let her set her worries aside.

"Enough? What do you mean?"

Kiana winked at her, gently kissing the back of her hand. "Mei has to think the same way about me too. That's only fair."

Where Kiana kissed, a tingling sensation spread—like an electric current striking straight through her heart.

Their feelings had already been spoken aloud.

They had known them long ago.

But until now, their intimacy had remained at holding hands, hugging—simple expressions of affection.

Looking into Kiana's eyes, Acheron felt a flicker of surprise. The soft kiss Kiana left stirred ripples in her heart.

That simple touch seemed to awaken something within her. As she looked at the person she loved before her, Acheron felt an unfamiliar heat rise from deep inside.

Her gaze unconsciously drifted to Kiana's lips—the ones that had just brushed against her hand.

Noticing her look, Kiana's heart skipped a beat, though excitement outweighed her nervousness.

"Want to try it?"

She met Acheron's gaze, her eyes alight with invitation.

She had wanted this for so long.

But the chance had never come.

Back when her feelings had yet to deepen, just to grow closer to Mei—to have the excuse to stay near her—she'd shamelessly asked Mei to teach her swordsmanship, rain or shine.

Acheron slipped her hand from Kiana's grasp, her fingers lightly tracing along Kiana's cheek.

They loved each other. Wanting this... was only natural, wasn't it?

The thought flashed through her mind. Guided by the desire within, she lowered her head in response to Kiana's hopeful eyes.

Slowly, she leaned in.

Their breaths mingled, and for the first time in a long while, she felt the tension and the whirlwind of emotions that came with it.

Even she, calm and composed as she usually was, could feel her palms growing damp with nervousness.

Kiana...

She closed her eyes and pressed her cherry lips to Kiana's. The emotions long restrained within her burst forth like fireworks.

There was no room left for thought.

All she felt was the warmth and sweetness that made her melt into the moment.

She wanted more.

After a long while, Acheron reluctantly pulled away. Though the urge to go further lingered, now was not the time.

This wasn't their place.

If only...

Acheron pushed away that fleeting thought and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind Kiana's ear.

Kiana's cheeks were faintly flushed. The lingering touch of that kiss still burned in her heart.

If she tried a little harder, maybe—just maybe—she could find the right moment to pin Mei down next time.

Finally, she'd waited long enough for this day.

Kiana took a deep breath, rubbing her heated face as she met Acheron's warm gaze, wondering what she should do next.

She didn't have any experience in this sort of thing.

Maybe... one more time?

Ahem. No, better take it slow. They had all the time in the world.

"Um... how about I take you to meet Sakura?" Kiana suggested, quickly changing the subject.

Because of their kiss, her voice carried a shy, alluring tone.

It was hard to ignore.

Mei's expression remained composed. "Yae Sakura, right? I remember you mentioned her. She's a Stigmata consciousness now, isn't she?"

Kiana nodded, clearing her throat and steadying herself. "The Stigmata is still in the lab. Ruan's been keeping it stored inside a Memoria."

"Then let's go take a look."

Acheron gently rubbed her head, her gaze soft. "After all, it's been a long time since we last saw that old friend."

"Alright, I'll take you!"

Kiana immediately turned and led the way back. She still felt a twinge of guilt for leaving Yae Sakura waiting in there for more than half a year.

But the Stigmata world had everything it needed.

With Sakura's sister there to keep her company, even after so many months apart, she shouldn't have felt too lonely.

Clinging to that small comfort, Kiana brought Acheron to the laboratory where the Stigmata was kept.

She had worried they might disturb Ruan Mei, but upon entering, she found Ruan wasn't there at all.

The Stigmata, suspended within the Memoria fluid, floated just as it had when she left—but its color seemed even more vivid now.

Likely thanks to the Memoria's properties.

It seemed the Memoria truly did bring benefits to the Stigmata world. There had been no obvious changes at first, but now, after half a year, the difference was plain.

Standing before it, Acheron's gaze softened as memories of Izumo resurfaced—not of Yae Sakura, but of the day Kiana had given her a Stigmata.

—The Thunder Soul Engraving.

That Stigmata still rested upon her body, carrying every trace of emotion and memory she shared with Kiana.

Looking at Sakura's Stigmata now, Acheron recalled when Takemikazuchi was about to break free, when Yae Sakura had gone to the shrine to retrieve Narukami.

That moment had opened her heart to Kiana completely. From that day on, their paths had crossed with the Kami, leading them both to the road of the godslaying.

"Mei?"

Kiana gave her a light shake, pulling her back from her memories.

"Sorry. I was just remembering some things from the past."

"It's fine. Do you want to go see Sakura?"

Kiana tilted her head. "We've known each other for so long—and been through so much together."

"Then let's go see her."

They had fought side by side through countless trials. Of course, Acheron couldn't bring herself to say there was no need.

And as for that day...

She still wanted to hear the details firsthand.

"I'll talk with her first," Acheron said. She wanted to ask Yae Sakura about the exact circumstances of the Final Eruption that day.

"Kiana, why don't you go check on Miss Ruan Mei? She probably has a few things she wants to say to you privately, just like I do."

"...Does she?"

Kiana blinked, thinking back on Ruan Mei's expression. She hadn't noticed any sign that Ruan wanted a private talk.

Still...

Mei was clearly still dwelling on the Final Eruption.

That was fine. After all, she had already explained everything to her. Hearing the same story once more from Sakura's perspective should finally put Mei's heart at ease.

Whether or not it was true, she decided to treat it as such.

"Alright, then you go talk with Sakura first. I'll go see what Ruan wants."

Acheron answered softly, moving closer to the containment device that held the Stigmata, her eyes fixed on its intricate markings.

And Izumo's current state...

All of that—she might be able to learn from Yae Sakura, now a Stigmata consciousness.

Kiana turned to leave. But before seeking out Ruan Mei, she first stopped by one of the little helper robots to prepare some pastries.

Whether Ruan had something important to say or not, bringing snacks along to sweeten the conversation could never go wrong.

Using the clearance Ruan had given her, Kiana confirmed her location. With the freshly made pastries in hand, she made her way toward where Ruan was currently staying.

Strange...

She wasn't in the lab.

When they had separated earlier, Kiana was sure she saw Ruan heading that way. But now, checking her location, she realized Ruan wasn't in the lab at all—she was in one of the other rest areas.

That rest area was much larger than the one attached to the lab. It doubled as both a library and a collection room, filled with carefully curated items.

When Kiana arrived, Ruan Mei was standing by the window, gazing out at the vibrant scenery beyond the glass.

"Ruan?"

Kiana called softly, quickly walking over and setting down the tray of pastries. She smiled brightly. "I brought you something to eat."

"Finished talking already?"

Ruan turned around, her eyes briefly scanning Kiana from head to toe. As always, her expression showed no clear trace of emotion—no joy, no anger, no sadness. It was impossible to read her thoughts.

Being silently scrutinized made Kiana's shoulders tense. And Ruan's words seemed to confirm what Acheron had just said.

So she had been hinting at wanting to talk?

Kiana felt a pang of embarrassment. She hadn't picked up on Ruan's subtle cue at all. If Mei hadn't reminded her, she wouldn't have realized Ruan had been waiting for her.

"Pretty much," Kiana admitted honestly. "I asked Mei to meet Sakura and catch up."

Ruan didn't reply. She simply moved to the seat across from her and sat down.

She didn't even glance at the pastries Kiana had brought. Her gaze remained fixed on Kiana alone.

"So, um... what did you want to talk about, Ruan?"

Normally, she wouldn't have felt awkward. But missing Ruan's earlier signal left her off-balance, unsure how to read her mood now.

Under that quiet, unreadable gaze, Kiana shifted uneasily in her chair.

"Do you have something you want to tell me?"

Instead of answering, Ruan returned the question to her.

"Me?"

The question caught her off guard.

Kiana thought for a moment before saying, "About the Herrscher transformation process... I should've told you about it sooner."

"I know why you didn't," Ruan said calmly. "And I understand your reason."

Kiana studied her reaction carefully, confirming that Ruan was still being her usual, straightforward self. She quietly exhaled in relief.

Back in Kasbelina-VIII, when she had just regained her memories, she hadn't been thinking about any of that. Then she'd stumbled into a battlefield and nearly lost control using the Honkai's power. After returning, she'd been even less willing to talk about it.

By the time she'd finally worked up the nerve to mention it, so much time had passed.

"Then... Ruan, are you asking about the compatibility issue?"

Kiana continued thoughtfully, "I did mention it before, but I'm not totally sure. Once I get to Jarilo-VI, I'll be able to confirm it for real."

"What's the basis of your guess?"

"...I don't really know how to explain it. Once we're there, I'll tell you then, okay?"

She couldn't explain it? So it was something abstract.

Ruan's gaze, which had been calmly fixed on her, suddenly shifted—downward, to Kiana's lips.

More precisely, the lips she was now pressing together.

Ruan recalled the image of Kiana kissing Raiden Mei.

This was her domain.

If she wished, nothing that happened here could escape her perception.

Naturally...

What had just taken place had not gone unnoticed. She hadn't intervened—only observed silently, a detached onlooker.

The lips were, after all, the most sensitive of all places.

What was the difference between feeling something with one's hands and sensing it with one's lips and teeth?

As a bystander, watching what had just happened, Ruan Mei couldn't help but wonder about that.

She recalled the last time she had awakened—how she had unconsciously reached out and touched Kiana's face. The warmth, the softness beneath her palm... those sensations lingered in her mind.

"...Ruan, do you really have to ask that?"

"Sit beside me."

Since Kiana had said she would explain once they reached Jarilo-VI, Ruan didn't press the matter further.

She could wait a few days.

For now, her curiosity was drawn elsewhere.

Kiana, confused but compliant, rose and took a seat beside her.

Once she sat down, Ruan no longer bothered to conceal her gaze. She studied Kiana openly, so intently that it made Kiana's skin prickle.

Resisting the urge to avert her eyes, Kiana forced an awkward smile. "Ruan, if you have something to say, just say it already."

Don't just stare like that.

It's... really uncomfortable.

Hearing her prompt, Ruan lifted her right hand, pressing her fingertip lightly against Kiana's lips. The motion was slow, ambiguous, almost teasing.

Under normal circumstances, Kiana wouldn't have thought much of it.

But now—now was different.

The memory of her contact with Acheron still lingered, and at that touch, her heart began to race.

Ruan... why was she suddenly doing this?

All her senses seemed to converge on that single point where Ruan's fingertip brushed her lips. Nervous, Kiana swallowed reflexively.

"Ruan?"

Ruan ignored her question. Her eyes were fixed on Kiana's lips, her thoughts drifting.

Then, in a calm and level tone, she spoke—words that struck Kiana like a bolt of lightning.

"What does a kiss feel like?"

Kiana's eyes widened. She stared at Ruan in disbelief, her heart skipping more than one beat.

"Ruan, you—you're seriously asking that right now?"

She had never imagined Ruan Mei would ask something like this. Her voice trembled as she spoke.

If it had been about Herrscher transformation, that would've made sense.

But this—this was completely out of nowhere!

Unless...!

"I saw it."

"!!!"

Kiana's face flushed crimson. She wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl into, her cheeks burning hot enough to smoke.

"The feeling between touch and lips—how are they different?" Ruan asked again.

"I—I..." Kiana's throat tightened. She couldn't bring herself to meet Ruan's eyes. "I don't know."

Was that even a question she could answer?

Was Ruan really not doing this on purpose?

Kiana was mortified beyond words.

And yet, Ruan's gaze held no malice—only curiosity. That made it even harder to bear.

"Don't know?"

Ruan frowned slightly. Withdrawing her hand, she looked directly into Kiana's eyes. Her tone remained calm, but the quiet pressure in her voice was unmistakable.

"Is it that you don't know... or that you don't want to say?"

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