T/N: Also, I'm translating this cause I've like ran out of gender bender/yuri novels, transitioned to generic system fanfics, and here I am, translating cause I'm bored as hell~
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Just as Kiana was about to seize the rare chance to press her advantage over a clearly defeated Bronya, she charged in again—relentlessly dealing a fresh wave of attacks.
Seeing Bronya all sulky and worn out, Kiana, ever the mischief-lover, couldn't resist the temptation to add insult to injury.
"Seriously, Kiana—do you have to feel accomplished every time you bully Bronya?"
Finally unable to watch the childish spectacle any longer, Mei stepped in and ended their antics with a swift tug on both girls' ears.
"Ahh! That hurts, Mei~ Don't pull my ears! I get it, I get it, I was wrong! QAQ"
The once-proud Kiana, puffed up from her little victory, instantly deflated like a scolded child—meek under the hands of the fearsome yet cool older-sister type cook.
Of course, Mei's intervention wasn't entirely about discipline. She had always been a bit uncertain about Bronya's actual age—after all, the girl looked to be the youngest among them.
But if one were to compare their actual ages, they'd find an unexpected twist: Kiana, who looked like a grown woman, was only sixteen.
Yes, Kiana—at just sixteen—had such a well-developed figure that no one would question her if she claimed to be in her twenties.
Bronya, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.
She currently looked like a kid barely twelve or thirteen... yet in reality, she was fifteen. Just a year younger than Kiana.
The reason for Bronya's halted growth was tied to the aftereffects of a failed experiment three years prior. Her body hadn't changed at all since she was twelve.
"Honestly… how do I even describe you two?" Mei sighed. "You've been active all day, and now you're bickering like it's the middle of recess. What if zombies hear the commotion and show up at our door in the dead of night?"
Even though Kiana tried to act remorseful with her overly-exaggerated "I was wrong" routine, Mei knew all too well that the girl probably hadn't taken her words to heart.
"Let's stop wasting time on pointless arguments," Mei said. "No one wants to sleep separately from Lunelle, right? So let's just stay together tonight."
After a long day of travel, Mei was feeling the fatigue settle deep into her bones. Though she phrased it as being considerate of everyone's feelings, truthfully, she was also giving herself a chance to enjoy a small, personal luxury.
Conservative as she usually was, Mei's bold suggestion to share a bed wasn't just for group bonding—it was a calculated attempt to snuggle up with Lunelle under the guise of practicality.
Lunelle's heart soared when she heard the proposal.
[Is this it…? The moment I've been dreaming about…?! All of us, sleeping together—like one big family!?]
Still tucked into Kiana's chest, Lunelle felt like she might actually ascend to heaven from sheer joy.
"Lunelle, is that okay with you?" Mei asked, gently pulling the adorable girl out from Kiana's embrace and meeting her eyes with genuine sincerity.
Unlike the others, Mei—despite being more than capable of commanding Lunelle—always chose to respect her feelings.
Truly, it was easy to see the contrast.
Lunelle felt it clearly—Mei, her Sixth Wife, treated her more considerately than Tuna Wife or Duck Wife ever did.
Deeply touched, Lunelle decided that, for tonight at least, Mei deserved to be promoted to her second-most important wife.
Seele's place as number one, of course, remained unshakable. As for Elysia, her Second Wife from the Previous Era… well, since she wasn't around in the real world, giving Mei the temporary title felt like the right call.
"W-Well… if everyone's okay with it… then I don't mind either…"
Naturally, Lunelle wasn't going to pass up a golden opportunity like this.
But no sooner had she given her shy approval than Mei, who had been holding back until now, let slip a faint, victorious smile.
Lunelle blinked. Huh? Did I imagine that just now?
She brushed the thought aside. Mei was the one who respected her the most—there was no way she'd suddenly get sneaky.
And then—
"Ehh?"
Lunelle let out a tiny squeak as her vision blurred. Mei had suddenly wrapped an arm around her waist and swept her up into the bed with unexpected swiftness.
W-What happened to trust!? Mei, I believed in you!
Who knew that the seemingly honest Mei would be the most ruthless in times like this?
Still… there was one small mercy: in the process of hugging Lunelle tightly, Mei had thoughtfully let her rest against something big and warm and... really soft.
Well, for the sake of the plushy comfort currently cradling her head, Lunelle decided to forgive her wife's sudden betrayal.
It's not that I gave up because I couldn't fight back! I swear!
"Eh? Sister Mei? What… what are you doing…?"
Mei coughed lightly. "Didn't we agree to rest together? The room's not that big, and the bed's even smaller, so, uh… this is just more efficient, right?"
Her guilty tone gave her away. Though she'd clearly taken the upper hand with Lunelle, Mei now felt the tiniest twinge of remorse.
Meanwhile, Kiana—who had confidently believed she'd have Lunelle all to herself tonight—was left in stunned silence, staring blankly at the scene.
So…
She'd been intercepted by Mei.
[? _ ?]