### Chapter 17: Increasingly Anxious
The remaining time.
Night Star Lan finally calmed down.
The boiling bl**d returned to peace, and she was summing up today’s progress.
Frankly speaking, it was incredibly swift.
In such a short time, she managed to steal Luo Xi’s first kiss.
As expected of her!
Unfortunately, after stealing the first kiss, no further advancements were possible.
Who would’ve thought Luo Xi could also be shy?
Although still expressionless, her slightly flushed cheeks and racing heart were undeniable signs.
If only I had taken it slow from the start.
After kissing, we should have been quieter. Night Star and Night Lan pinched her from both sides, pretending to thoroughly enjoy soaking in the hot springs.
Then they would slowly get handsy. This level should not make Luo Xi reject us.
When Luo Xi starts feeling something, then voila! It’ll seem perfectly natural to push things forward!
But all that’s just wishful thinking.
There’s always time for that later.
We’ll topple Luo Xi another day.
She has to lose this round somehow!
Though, admittedly, it might be tricky.
Luo Xi possesses godlike powers, while Night Star Lan is just an ordinary human with no superpower.
Unless Luo Xi ignores the whole bottom-to-top dynamic, she will end up being on top in the end.
Without Wish Princess and the bond, it’s hard to provoke trouble.
“Luo Xi, I’ve calmed down now, let me go~”
No sooner had she spoken than Night Star Lan quickly realized she was no longer restrained.
The feeling of being trusted by Luo Xi was amazing—she didn’t even suspect.
“Haha, knew you’d always be the best.”
Night Star Lan swam back to Luo Xi in no time, positioned herself between them, and affectionately wrapped an arm around her without any other moves.
“Luo Xi, you freaked out during our kiss earlier; surely you sensed my passion? Isn’t that amazing?”
“No one else has ever,” Luo Xi nodded softly.
“See? You like it, right?”
“Not exactly disliking it…”
“Just ‘not disliking’? If you actually liked it, I’d do it more times! Only then would you truly feel my energy~”
“Thanks but no thanks.”
Looks like Luo Xi isn’t fully composed yet.
The cheek-to-cheek plan ended in failure.
With this pace, when will we eventually conquer Luo Xi?
As Luo Xi stood up, preparing to leave the hot spring…
“Okay, I’m done.”
Meaning their spa session is over.
They hadn’t even reached ten minutes.
Originally, Night Star Lan hoped for a longer soak too.
In the honesty-inducing atmosphere, cuddling felt even more delightful.
Even if she passed out, Luo Xi would catch her.
Seeing Luo Xi about to leave, Night Star Lan recalled something, calling after her.
“Luo Xi, what you did to me just now, don’t you want to return the favor?”
Following tradition.
Whatever Night Star Lan did to Luo Xi, Luo Xi would do the same to Night Star Lan.
Since Night Star Lan initiated the kiss,
Luo Xi ought to do the same.
Night Star Lan was eagerly looking forward to it, her eyes glowing brightly.
Yet Luo Xi glanced at her coolly.
“Not this time.”
“Huh—traditional skills can’t be lost! We can overcome shyness easily.”
Ignoring Night Star Lan’s whining, Luo Xi swiftly dried off, her hair instantly blown dry as usual clothes slipped onto her body, concealing any allure.
Night Star Lan left the hot spring and followed behind Luo Xi’s silhouette.
“Luo Xi, please help!”
Back in the wide tree hollow.
Night Star Lan lay in bed, with Luo Xi, who sat beside her reading a book.
“When should we sleep?”
Night Star Lan hugged Luo Xi’s thigh, feeling like a cute newbie asking for help from a big boss.
Luo Xi turned pages, responding to Night Star Lan’s increasingly clingy nature: “Anytime.”
“Haha, why wait? Luo Xi mentioned this morning wanting to try sleeping while holding me. Now or never.”
Luo Xi set aside the book, floating it back to the shelf with her mental powers, then sprawled out.
As soon as she laid down, Night Star burrowed into her arms, sticking close.
Now, Luo Xi lay sideways, with Night Lan hugging her from behind, equally snug.
It seemed more like Night Star Lan used Luo Xi as a pillow instead of the other way around.
“Good night.”
“Mmm.”
Luo Xi extinguished the light within the hollow, leaving them in dimness where only three lolis slept in bed.
Night Star Lan stopped talking and nestled into Luo Xi’s warm embrace until drowsiness crept in.
Tomorrow, more cuddles await.
Seeing Night Star Lan fall asleep, Luo Xi started sensing her warmth and heartbeat, recalling the hot spring kiss and feeling strange stirrings inside.
She couldn’t name it, but she found herself increasingly concerned about Night Star Lan. Her importance rivaled Kuro out adventuring.
Kuro rarely found appealing humans.
Luo Xi felt these days had already surpassed past experiences in interest.
This life wasn’t entirely unpleasant; perhaps she might grow fond of it.
“Night Star Lan… who are you really?”
Luo Xi couldn’t track Night Star Lan’s fate via any method.
Such a mysterious and unique soul, where did she come from?
Night Star Lan remained silent.
She was dreaming sweet dreams.
—
Days slipped away.
Night Star Lan indulged happily in building feelings with Luo Xi, disregarding outside events.
The story hadn’t begun yet.
Kuro hadn’t returned since last setting out.
Night Star Lan waited as she enjoyed cuddling, eager for the narrative to kick in.
Though she was okay with years of cuddling, she feared Kuro might’ve purposely confined her there.
A week passed.
Night Star lay exhausted on Luo Xi’s lap, sighing contentedly.
“Mmm…”
Meanwhile, Luo Xi calmly read a book, killing time with words.
Suddenly, Night Star spoke, “Luo Xi, do you know where Kuro went?”
“A human country.”
Luo Xi sensed Kuro’s location.
“When will Kuro return?”
“Whatever he feels like.”
“I see.”
Night Star Lan pondered.
Current Luo and Kuro likely weren’t fully formed.
They must be new, evolving forms.
As they gained strength, trouble looms.
The birth of first-generation Star Holders also matters.
Luo often stayed home lately.
Birth of first-generation stars might be linked to Kuro.
He frequently picks up people outside.
Could all nine be collected by Kuro?
Night Star Lan believed it very likely.
Even she was picked by Kuro.
Like finding stray animals.
