Happy New Year, Everyone! So Give Me Your Monthly Votes~!

(Ceruno)

Bedroom.

Mono, Miluno, and Barbara sat on a bed;

I, Heat Haze, and Falcon sat on another bed.

Everyone else was in the living room and wasn't let in...

Due to an unexpected situation involving Barbara after their separation, we have some questions for the Phoenix duo, who are used to being together.

"Ha~~"

Heat Haze, seemingly very tired, yawned, rubbed her eyes, then rubbed my stomach, and then hugged me and complained:

"It's already 11 o'clock! You called us here so late again. If you don't have a reasonable explanation, I'm going to take Ceruno home to sleep! You two can skip work and class, but I have class tomorrow!"

Don't just take me away like that!

Although the City School hovers over the Pacific Ocean, it can simulate night by adjusting the light transmittance of the dome. Therefore, the entire "Zodiacal" uses a fixed time zone and has its own 24-hour system.

So it really is time to sleep now.

"Here's what happened..."

Because the situation was so perplexing, Miluno rubbed her temples for a long time before finally offering an explanation.

"In order to help Barbara master the method of speaking, Ceruno merged with her for a period of time."

"Oh? Ceruno's adaptability has already allowed her to master fusion?"

Heat Haze looked at me in surprise, and I nodded.

"Hmm, barely acceptable."

"How about trying to merge with me next time?"

"Cough cough!"

Before I could answer, Miluno interrupted with a dry cough, saying, "During the fusion, I had some intimate contact with Ceruno, so her... affection for me also infected Barbara."

Hmm, her saying that made me a little embarrassed.

"Hahaha!"

But Falcon laughed wildly, even wiping away tears.

"Simply put, you want to know if feelings are contagious, right?"

"Um..."

I nodded gently, and holding my Heat Haze, I said:

"The answer is definitely yes. All your feelings, memories, emotions, and even thoughts after you merge will be combined. Even if Barbara didn't have any romantic feelings for Miluno before, it's inevitable that she will develop feelings of affection for him after your inspiration."

Falcon also added:

"For example, Yoko likes Ceruno, and after merging with her many times, I've also started to like Ceruno too, you know?"

"Huh?!"

Heat Haze's Hasty Interface:

"But... but this kind of feeling is a castle in the air without any support! Theoretically, it will naturally dissipate as long as they are separated for a period of time!"

Falcon added, "Who said that? I like Ceruno a lot now too!"

"Eh!!"

As if enjoying my surprise, she rubbed my cheek again.

"Ha, actually it has nothing to do with Heat Haze's mood. I don't think anyone would dislike you!"

While I was being tormented like a rag doll by Heat Haze and Falcon, Barbara rubbed against Miluno like a kitten. As an Ancient Tree, she clearly had no experience of liking someone, so she quickly fell into this new affection.

Perhaps it's because they're not human?

Barbara could say things like "I like you" without any hesitation; honestly, this kind of straightforward expression...

So enviable!

How many budding feelings in this world have missed their chance to be expressed because of shyness and difficulty in speaking up?

If Yezi hadn't dragged her feet and had told me the truth before being disarmed by Crystal, maybe we'd be celebrating our child's one-month birthday this time next year!

Miluno asked:

"Does that mean Barbara will return to normal after a while?"

Heat Haze shrugged and replied, "Well, what I just said was only 'theoretical.' The existence of 'Dual-Core Magical Girl' is itself a new thing. Although there are successful cases all over the world, the related research is still very backward... Besides, Ceruno- chan must have very deep feelings for you, right? Barbara will need some time to process this."

Falcon added in further agreement:

"Of course, it's not impossible for her to actually fall in love with him, you know? After all, Miluno is quite charming!"

I don't want that kind of thing!

Barbara nodded in agreement. I don't want any rivals in love.

"Hehe, Ceruno- chan is a little panicked?"

Mono, however, chuckled maliciously.

"It's okay! Just give Miluno to Barbara, you still have me~ I'm also part of Miluno's —ga-oh!"

Before she could finish speaking, Miluno knocked her unconscious on the bed with a chop to the neck.

It looks like he won't wake up anytime soon.

"Then you might as well give it to me! Come downstairs and sleep with me tonight~ Let Barbara and Miluno get to know each other better..."

As if trying to merge me into her body, Heat Haze tightened her grip on my arm even more.

I whispered, "My Crystal has been purified, and I can turn back into a boy now, okay?"

"So what? You don't want to turn back, do you?"

"... But didn't you hate me?"

"What I hate is your cowardly and irresponsible personality, but haven't you changed a bit? And I'm not kidding, if you and Miluno break up someday, you can come find me anytime--hey?"

"Alright, alright, how can you say something like that in front of a young couple?"

Before Heat Haze could finish speaking, Falcon grabbed her from behind and flew up.

He added, "They should be fine now, so let Ceruno- chan go, okay?"

"Jila! We've been best friends since childhood, are you really that against me pursuing happiness?"

"Pursuing happiness shouldn't mean undermining someone else's partner! Let's go!"

Heat Haze then released me, and Falcon hoisted me off the balcony.

Mono was still unconscious, and Miluno, Barbara, and I were left in the bedroom.

The atmosphere was subtly awkward, and Miluno scratched her cheek.

"Ceruno, let Barbara cling to me for a while before her feelings for me disappear?"

But the seat next to her was clearly mine...

"You seem quite happy being clung to by girls, don't you?"

Although I know I shouldn't be so petty, I still couldn't help saying hurtful things.

"If that's the case, wouldn't you be happy if people used you as a body pillow every day?"

"How can these be the same? And then there's Azura..."

"She was created by Ceruno from Black Mud."

"I know, but she really does call you 'Mom'! Don't you think there's a bit too much of a distance between us?"

Leaving aside Azura and Barbara, there's also Mono standing between Miluno and me. This girl is especially in the way. Lately, I've had to consider her presence even if I want to be a little intimate. She shares all of Miluno's feelings, so even a simple hug has to be done with her in mind, let alone a kiss or anything more...

In short, I don't want to give her the benefit of the doubt.

Mono, who sat up in bed, said, "In that case, why don't you take Miluno's place?"

"How can you replace her? Azura won't call me 'Mom,' and Barbara likes Miluno..."

A beam of darkness emerged from Miluno's body and then merged into Mono's Base Body, transforming her into a witch with exaggeratedly long hair.

"Hmph, do you still remember what my magic is?"

Happy New Year everyone!!

Regular updates will resume this month!