Chapter 3: Joining the Party
“Mmph…”
Night Star Lan glared fiercely at the Group Leader being dominated by Kuro.
The sight of the two little lolis glaring looked incredibly adorable.
Kuro remained unfazed, maintaining his enthusiastic smile, unbreakable no matter how angrily Night Star Lan glared.
“Huff.”
Night Star Lan exhaled.
“I don’t want to waste time; just give back the Group Leader to me quickly.”
“I remember you have this incredible wish-granting power. You should know about the principle of equivalent exchange. My power isn’t something you can borrow freely. Since the Group Leader once used my power, they must pay the price, and what I want isn’t too unreasonable—it’s just a bit of body domination. Once the time’s up, I’ll return them.”
“So what’s the specific time frame?”
If she were to follow Kuro’s logic, Night Star Lan could very well go back to her original timeline and live her slacking life until it was time to get the Group Leader back.
After all, Kuro was just a bit eccentric and wouldn’t cause a human crisis.
Future-time Night Star Lan should be able to handle such situations.
So ignoring Kuro and leaving him here wasn’t an issue.
Without the ability to break through time and space, he couldn’t find Luo Xi.
As long as he didn’t do anything earth-shattering in this time, everything would be fine.
Luo Xi had always been awake and perfectly adapted to this world since ancient times.
Kuro would presumably manage as well.
But there’s a problem…
“There’s no set time; it depends on my mood.”
“So saying that, you’re basically reneging!”
Night Star Lan was furious.
Kuro’s view of time might differ from a typical person.
Being immortal, a century could seem like mere seconds to him.
If he borrowed the Group Leader’s body for decades or even centuries, then what’s the point of even playing!
The Rising Sun Theater Group couldn’t do without any members.
Losing the Group Leader regularly would be outrageous during performances.
She had to get the Group Leader back ASAP.
Only then could she return to normal life!
“Exchange the costs, the use of powers could be paid by me.”
The Group Leader fused with Kuro due to her.
Night Star Lan had to take responsibility.
Kuro laughed.
“How about I go to Bai’s side? It’s been a while—right now, I really want to see her.”
No longer mastering time, only Night Star Lan could help him navigate time.
“No way.”
Night Star Lan shook her head decisively and refused.
She could actually fulsome this wish and forcibly separate Kuro from the Group Leader.
However, Kuro’s wish was to reach Luo Xi’s side, which was terrible news.
When Night Star Lan refused, Kuro wasn’t surprised.
“Do not worry. As your guest, coming all this way for me, I feel obliged to entertain you. Also, I’m quite interested in you. How about joining me and the others at our reunion with the first generation Star Eclipses? A nice chat would probably be lovely. Believe me, you’d enjoy it!”
“What… No need, right?”
Night Star Lan felt slightly awkward.
What kind of joke is this?
A reunion with the first generation Star Eclipses?
Meaning there are five former first-generation Star Eclipses besides Kuro?
It was like walking into a lion’s den!
Although she has met them before, none of them were close friends.
Uncrowned Wanderer, Oya, Hilo aside—Night Star Lan didn’t like these three who used to bully her back in the day.
Dream Narrator and she were merely transactional, nothing close to friendship.
Regarding Loti Shana, their relationship was the best.
Though Night Star Lan had stripped Loti Shana of her powers, it didn’t stop them from being intimate.
This era’s Loti Shana already took after her form!
Of course, make Loti Shana choose between Kuro and her…
Who knows?
It was unclear how important the Origin of Star Eclipses, Kuro, was to the first-generation Star Eclipses.
But everyone seemed to respect and admire Kuro.
Of course, except Ballad Conductor.
Night Star Lan also didn’t want the cute but tough Loti Shana to get involved in any hassle.
Primarily, if Loti Shana sided with Kuro, it would hurt deeply.
Better not risk it.
Kuro quickly changed topics upon sensing Night Star Lan’s reluctance.
“On another note, someone seems to have done something quite rude to me while I was sleeping. I am a bit bothered by this. But with an open heart, I could forgive them, depending on their sincerity.”
Hearing this, Night Star Lan felt more embarrassed and screamed internally.
[What!? How does he know about what happened while I was asleep!? Isn’t sleep supposed to block external awareness!?!]
Night Star Lan felt extremely frustrated.
It introduced a newfound conflict.
If Kuro harbored any ill-will, returning the Group Leader’s chance would plummet, and nothing even Oya’s Star Eclipses Power could save them.
Ultimately, she could only resign herself to whatever fate came her way.
Night Star Lan didn’t want to end up in some tragic scenario.
“Hmm… Then I’ll join your party…”
Kuro immediately grinned triumphantly.
“Excellent! Welcome aboard! I’m confident that through this exchange, we’ll clear any misunderstandings and establish a true friendship. I’m looking forward to what will happen next!”
Finally, Night Star Lan felt Kuro’s warmth.
And she hated strangers’ affability the most.
For a socially awkward little loli, overly enthusiastic people were akin to demons!
Kuro’s warmth had no reason or logic, it was simply part of his personality—which was just plain weird.
She had no idea what consequences accepting Kuro’s invitation would bring.
Waaaah, she just wanted to go back to Luo Xi’s arms and whine!
Night Star Lan wanted to retreat.
If Kuro developed hostility towards her, it would be simpler at least for both to identify their positions and quickly make decisions.
But Kuro’s bizarre personality meant he didn’t seem to be an enemy.
Facing this inexplicable goodwill, Night Star Lan was extremely vexed. Everything seemed undecided and uncertain.
Damnit!
Alright, here goes nothing!
All pain for gain?
“Let’s go, let me see how you’ll play this.”
Alone though it made her, it didn’t mean she lacked confidence.
So what if Kuro was stronger?
At the very least, she wasn’t going down without a fight.
Preparing for the worst was enough.
She certainly wouldn’t let appearances fool her.
“Heh~”
Kuro chuckled.
“My friend, accompany us.”
In an instant, Night Star Lan sensed a fluctuation in the Flare power.
The next second.
Both Night Star Lan and Kuro vanished, appearing in an unknown region.
This was a luxurious karaoke lounge, suitable for gatherings.
Usually, it would be bustling, yet it was eerily quiet.
Night Star Lan surveyed the area swiftly, spotting five familiar figures, all former first-generation Star Eclipses!
“Greetings…”
“Uh… Hello?”
