In Hua Yi's memory, most harem protagonists in anime and gal games were the type who were never proactive, never rejected, and never took responsibility.
They were like emotional eunuchs or saints without desire, completely unresponsive to a girl's hints or seductions. Yet, somehow, all sorts of girls would still throw themselves into their arms, allowing them to achieve the great feat of a harem.
Though some protagonists had much more normal personalities there was even that one guy, Makoto-kun, who was extremely decisive Makoto-kun was long dead. The dire consequences brought about by his wrong approach to a harem served as a wake-up call for countless people.
In this Honkai world, where the ratio of men to women was extremely imbalanced, perhaps following the "Three-No Principle" was an easier way to open a harem. At the very least, it was much less dangerous than being decisive. After all, the combat power of the girls here was truly extraordinary.
However, if he gave a negative answer to Kiana's question right now, Hua Yi felt that the girl might develop some improper thoughts about Mei. He had to nip all potential risks in the bud. So, without any hesitation, Hua Yi nodded and spoke with a booming voice.
"That's right!"
"Huh? No, it's not."
Hua Yi and Mei responded almost simultaneously, their answers completely opposite.
Having heard Hua Yi's words just as her own left her lips, Mei's face flushed red, while Hua Yi put on an expression of deep grief.
"Does Mei not think we're boyfriend and girlfriend yet? We've met in the middle of the night, chatted, and explored our shared hobbies together. I've tasted the delicious snacks you made more than once, and you've accepted my gifts. Even after all that, we're still not a couple?"
Having grown familiar with Hua Yi's personality during their time together, Mei wasn't intimidated by his performance. Instead, she looked troubled or perhaps a bit resentful as she spoke.
"But there hasn't been a real confession, has there?"
"Ahem, well, then right now..."
"No, you can't," Mei interrupted him with a graceful smile, her eyes sparkling with a trace of mischief that left Hua Yi momentarily speechless.
Since when had Mei become so playful?
"So it was just unrequited love all along?"
Kiana was truly herself. She completely failed to see the special attitude Mei showed toward Hua Yi, nor did she pick up on the deeper meaning of their conversation. She simply took the words at face value and came to the wrong conclusion.
Hua Yi couldn't be bothered to explain anymore and took the lead into the restaurant.
"Let's eat first."
Hua Yi had brought Mei here many times in the past, and not long ago, he had brought Kiana as well. Back then, the proprietress had suspected Hua Yi was secretly two-timing.
Now, as Hua Yi brought both Mei and Kiana together, her suspicions were proven wrong. Hua Yi wasn't doing it secretly he was two-timing in broad daylight.
Compared to the boisterous Kiana who appeared later, the proprietress naturally preferred the gentle and virtuous Mei. But since Mei herself already knew about these matters,
the proprietress had no place to say anything. She glanced at Hua Yi and the two girls, sighing inwardly at how bold young people were these days.
As for Hua Yi, he paid close attention to a small detail. He was currently walking in front, with Kiana and Mei following behind. If they maintained this formation when they sat down, Kiana would likely end up sitting between him and Mei.
Even though Kiana was a beautiful girl herself, Hua Yi felt it necessary to act as a shield to protect Mei from this person who could openly say she wanted to eat "beautiful girl-flavored instant noodles."
Thus, after Hua Yi quietly slowed his pace, the expected happened. Kiana, who had been staring at the wooden menu boards on the wall since entering, walked right past him and found a random empty seat. Hua Yi naturally sat down beside her.
Logically, Mei should have sat on the other side of Hua Yi. However, the girl seemed to have noticed his little maneuver. She intentionally took a few extra steps and sat down next to Kiana instead.
As a result, Kiana was the one sitting with a beauty on each side.
Hua Yi gave Mei a helpless look, while she returned a mischievous smile.
Perhaps this was a good thing.
It wasn't about the seating arrangement itself, but the change in Mei. Her willingness to joke with Hua Yi and show such a playful side proved that her heart had relaxed significantly.
If it were the Mei he first met the girl weighed down by the sadness of her father's imprisonment and the isolation from her classmates she would never have been able to act like this.
During this time, the time spent with Hua Yi had brought not only a change in their relationship but a transformation in Mei's state of mind.
As for the currently "embraced" Kiana, she paid no attention to these details at all. The girl, who had been staring at the menu boards the entire time, finally looked around. Seeing Hua Yi sitting to her right, she shook his arm and pointed a fair finger at a board.
"I want to eat that the eel rice."
"Sure."
Hua Yi naturally wouldn't refuse. He then turned to Mei.
"And you? The same set meal as before?"
"Yes."
Mei nodded with a smile. This revealed yet another layer of tacit understanding. If Kiana, Mei, and Hua Yi weren't so close in age, this scene might have looked like parents taking their child out to play in the eyes of a passerby.
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