Chapter 139: My Lifelong Happiness
Rekka's eyes were sparkling. As he stared at March 7th, they shone with a sincerity so pure it left no room for doubt. Had this been any other day, she would have immediately assumed he was teasing her again, but today was different. Today, Rekka walked the Path of Beauty, and every word of praise that left his lips was an unfiltered truth from his heart.
Oh, who could possibly withstand this?
March 7th's heart felt like it was doing frantic somersaults inside her chest.
"Keep praising me," she whispered, tugging on Rekka's sleeve. Her voice was soft and sweet, like a spoiled kitten demanding affection. "Don't stop."
Her eyes, one a familiar pink and the other a startling crimson, both drank in his words. Two March 7ths were listening to Rekka's praise together, and he, sensing the presence of her other self, was not stingy with his admiration.
'The other me... ehehehe... He's praising me~''I heard it too,' a melodic voice echoed in her mind, the note of its laughter like a soft chime.
Now, not only was March 7th coaxed into a state of pure bliss, but Long Night Moon was also elated by Rekka's flattery.
[Affection Level UP↑ UP↑ UP↑...]
March 7th bit her lower lip as a slightly selfish thought wormed its way into her mind. Everyone else on the Express considered Rekka's constant compliments a form of torture, but to her, they were the ultimate reward. So... could she, perhaps, pull Rekka into her room and have him praise her all to herself?
The moment the idea surfaced, the tips of her ears flushed a brilliant red.
"Um, Rekka," March 7th cleared her throat, fighting to suppress the grin that threatened to split her face. She forced a reluctant expression. "I see you're praising people everywhere, and everyone seems... quite troubled. To avoid affecting the normal operations of the Express, how about... you come to my room with me? I have a lot of photos in there; you can take your time and praise them as much as you want."
Rekka nodded, his gaze as earnest and loyal as a large, well-behaved dog.
"Happy to be of service. Where are we going?"
March 7th's heart skipped a beat. She quickly scanned their surroundings before lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"To... to my room. I've taken some new photos recently and I want you to see them. And... and praise me some more while you're at it." She shot out a hand, grabbing Rekka's arm and looking around guiltily like a thief making off with her prize. She began dragging him toward her room. "Keep your voice down."
Once inside, March 7th locked the door behind them. Only after confirming they were secure did she let out a long sigh of relief, turning to lean against the cool metal and look at Rekka, who stood patiently in the middle of her room.
'Other me, what do you think...'she thought, her mind racing.'Should I take advantage of how he is today and... develop our relationship, or something? It's so rare for him to be this sincere.''I certainly have no objections~' Long Night Moon's voice was a purr of gratification in her mind.'As long as we take his head off and hold it in our arms every day...'
"Hey, hey, hey! Wait a second! Other me, what kind of horrifying idea is that!"
March 7th's face instantly turned pale with fright.
'Just kidding~'Long Night Moon's voice rippled with mischievous laughter.'You look so cute when you're nervous.'"You—you scared me to death!" March 7th snapped back fiercely in her mind, then glanced guiltily at Rekka. He was standing by the wall, seriously admiring the photos she had pinned up, seemingly oblivious to the intense, silent argument that had just taken place.'However, if you really want to keep Rekka here to hear more praise, I'm all for it,'Long Night Moon's tone sounded somewhat relieved.'It's rare for him to be so candid, saying whatever is on his mind. After today, we won't get such a good opportunity again.'The young girl slapped her cheeks, trying to drive the messy thoughts from her head as she put on a nonchalant expression.'Admit it,'Long Night Moon teased.'You're overjoyed right now, aren't you?''Don't say it...'
The shy girl looked up, meeting Rekka's clear, unwavering eyes. She summoned the courage to ask the question she had always wanted to ask.
"Then... do you think I'm a very good girl?"
"Of course you are," Rekka answered without a moment's hesitation. "You are brave, kind, and full of vitality. You protect your companions in the face of danger and go to great lengths to bring joy to everyone. You are unique in my heart."
March 7th's heart throbbed, a heavy, hopeful beat against her ribs.
She leaned in half a step, the distance between them shrinking until they could feel the warmth of each other's breath.
"Then do you..." March 7th bit her lower lip, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum. "Do you like..."
BANG! BANG! BANG!
A violent knocking shattered the moment, accompanied by Stelle's megaphone-like voice.
"MARCH! ARE YOU IN THERE? I SAW YOU DRAG REKKA INSIDE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHY IS THE DOOR LOCKED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!"
March 7th jumped in fright, stumbling back a large step and hitting her back heavily against her wardrobe with a dull thud.
No, Sister... I finally managed to get to the point of confessing to him!
"Sister Himeko! Let's break down the door!"
"Well, as you said... we at least need to confirm the situation."
A high-pitched whine sliced through the air. Through the door, they could hear Himeko's serious tone as she deployed a monomolecular saw. The reinforced metal lock didn't last a second against its precise, shimmering blade.
The now-unlocked door was kicked open by Stelle. She held her baseball bat high over her head, rushing in like a pint-sized god of war as she scanned the room with aggressive intent.
"MARCH! I'M HERE TO SAVE YOU!" she shouted, then froze. She saw March 7th standing neatly in front of the wardrobe and Rekka standing by the wall, still holding one of her photos.
Stelle's baseball bat slowly lowered.
"What... are you two doing?"
"Looking at photos," March 7th bit out, her face completely flushed. The way she looked at Stelle was so intense it was as if she wanted to eat her alive.
"You guys..." March 7th's voice trembled with rage as she pointed a shaking finger at the ruined door, then at Stelle. "What are you doing!"
"You can actually fix a door just by praising it?"
March 7th watched, dumbfounded, as Rekka continuously and frantically praised the door Himeko had sawed through. In response, the sliced metal began to flow and knit itself back together, the lock re-forming as if it were being willed into existence by a Greenskin's belief.
"Of course," Rekka said modestly. "Unfortunately, I haven't traveled very far on the Path of Beauty. A more powerful Pathstrider of Beauty could accomplish things far more incredible than this."
A short while ago, March 7th had confessed her little plan to Stelle and Himeko. She explained that she wasn't afraid of Rekka's praise—in fact, she liked it. So, she planned to let him stay in her room all day to help him pass the time. She also added that although Rekka was full of compliments, he was a perfect, perfect, perfect gentleman.
Therefore, she asked them not to disturb the two of them for the rest of the day to avoid any further trouble.
It sounded reasonable enough, and Himeko, who saw right through the flimsy excuse, simply smiled without saying a word.
When Rozaliya and Liliya learned about this, they both gasped in astonishment.
To think she would say such things just to keep him all to herself
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