Having thoroughly read the three hundred volumes of books recommended by March 7th, Stelle was now putting her thoughts to work.
She began reviewing the knowledge she had gathered on handling dozens of different tsundere types.
The key to dealing with a tsundere was moderation in all things. While non-stop love confessions were definitely a plus, pushing a tsundere to a complete meltdown would achieve the exact opposite effect.
She needed to play hard to get.
Calling her "wifey" was non-negotiable, but being completely disobedient wouldn't work either. Since Sylvia had been kind enough to buy those clothes for her, she absolutely had to wear them.
Not only did she have to wear them, but she also had to tell Sylvia that she was wearing them!
When the time came, Sylvia would surely get angry and claim Stelle was talking nonsense, but deep down, she would definitely think Stelle was being sweet and obedient.
This!
This was the art of the push-and-pull!
Stelle narrowed her eyes, letting Sylvia rub her forehead.
She thought to herself, I'm practically a genius! Wifey Sylvia would be wrapped right around her little finger!
Subconsciously, she didn't just cross her arms, she even puffed out her chest and tilted her nose high in the air.
She was the absolute picture of smugness.
Sylvia stared with a subtle expression at Stelle, who had suddenly become smug for reasons unknown.
A wave of panic hit her.
Oh no. Did she actually break this silly kid's brain just now?
That shouldn't be possible. She hadn't used much strength, and Stelle was a Stellaron host, after all. She had been blasted by Doomsday Beasts and stabbed by lances without flinching.
Surely a simple forehead flick hadn't turned her brain to mush, right??
Sylvia hadn't even used a fraction of her physical strength!
She carefully retraced her actions.
Once she was absolutely certain that her flick hadn't been forceful enough to cause brain damage, and that the Abundance power she injected right after should have repaired any minor hurt anyway...
Looking at Stelle's current state, she still decided it was best to take her to the infirmary for a check-up.
Better safe than sorry.
Setting down the tablet in her hands, Sylvia spoke with a gentle expression: "...How about we go to the infirmary for a quick check-up?"
"!!"
The "dere" has arrived!
Seeing Sylvia like this, Stelle couldn't help but raise her hands in celebration within her mind.
Sylvia is totally, secretly in love with me!
Otherwise, who would insist on an infirmary visit over a tiny forehead flick? That was just way too dramatic.
At a time like this, she couldn't refuse.
While the "tsun" side was adorable, she couldn't miss out on the "dere" side either!
Otherwise, she'd just be left with the prickly parts.
A tsundere like that would be incomplete!
"Let's go, let's go, let's go!"
Stelle bounced up from the bed, happily ready to march out the door, but then Sylvia grabbed her by the collar:
"Put on your coat before you go!"
And so, they made a round trip to the infirmary.
By the time Stelle's examination was over, she was so exhausted she was practically drooping over Sylvia's shoulder, half-asleep.
Sylvia ended up carrying Stelle back almost entirely on her back.
Once they returned to the room, Stelle fuzzily shed her coat, shoes, and socks, then she threw her arms tightly around Sylvia, refusing to let go.
"Ehehe... Bro, you smell so good~"
Stelle dragged and pulled at Sylvia until they both tumbled onto the mattress. Before Sylvia could even speak, Stelle nimbly burrowed straight into her arms.
Her hands wrapped tightly around Sylvia's waist, burying her small face right against Sylvia's chest.
"Mmh... Last time you secretly slept with March 7th and didn't sleep with me."
"..."
You're making it sound like I'm some kind of unfaithful, toxic ex, Sylvia thought, unable to resist rolling her eyes at the empty air.
Then she raised a hand and patted Stelle's head:
"Alright, let go now."
"Stay with me, stay with me, stay with me—"
"..."
Where did this spoiled brat come from?
Sylvia felt helpless. She reached out and gently pinched Stelle's cheek: "How are you going to sleep with all your outdoor clothes on? Hurry up, get up and change."
"Yay!"
The moment the words left Sylvia's mouth, Stelle bolted upright from the bed. It was as if her previous drowsiness had been entirely an act.
Sylvia raised an eyebrow, letting slip a dangerously 'amiable' smile: "So you weren't actually tired, huh, Stelle?"
"Hehehe~"
Stelle giggled, choosing to play dumb.
Taking advantage of the moment, she turned her back and started changing.
In a matter of seconds, she stripped down and dove under the covers.
She intentionally poked just her head out, hands gripping the edge of the blanket, staring expectantly at Sylvia.
Her meaning couldn't be any clearer.
Sylvia let out a sigh.
Well, since she was already here.
Whatever. Kids will be mischievous.
Fortunately, when she and March 7th had come over earlier that evening, she had already been wearing loose, comfortable clothing.
Taking off her outer coat and trousers now meant she was perfectly ready for bed.
Seeing that Sylvia had silently conceded to her plea, Stelle enthusiastically lifted the edge of the blanket for her, patting the space beside her with a series of quick slaps.
She struck a classic, inviting pose to welcome her into the covers.
It was honestly a little ridiculous.
Sylvia compliantly slid inside.
Immediately, Stelle burrowed back into her arms.
The scent on Stelle was very faint. She probably rarely used anything heavily scented. Aside from the clean fragrance of shampoo in her hair, there was only a light, crisp scent, like clothes freshly taken from a wardrobe.
By contrast, March 7th always carried an unnamed fragrance that instantly made you think of a bright, vibrant girl.
After a long, exhausting day, Sylvia was drained. Now that her head was hitting the pillow, and with a self-proclaimed body pillow willingly cuddling up to her, she closed her eyes and drifted into a deep sleep within moments.
On the flip side, Stelle, who had been completely drowsy a moment ago, now found herself wide awake, breathing in Sylvia's scent.
Pressed flush against Sylvia's body, feeling the warmth radiating from her, an indefinable urge surged within Stelle.
It made her subconsciously wiggle closer, pressing herself tighter against Sylvia.
The arm wrapped around Sylvia's waist squeezed a bit harder, as if she wanted to melt herself right into Sylvia's embrace.
Today's health and anatomy lecture had only just covered the very basics, focusing merely on things Stelle should watch out for in her daily life.
As such, Stelle had no idea what this restless urge meant.
She only knew that Sylvia smelled wonderful, incredibly soothing and instinctively, she wanted more of it.
Her heart felt a little restless.
Yet, being held so close to Sylvia brought a strange sense of profound peace.
The conflicting emotions swirled around in her head, successfully driving away any lingering sleepiness.
"Mmh..."
Stelle tilted her head up to look at Sylvia's sleeping face.
She swore to the heavens that the only reason she wanted to pull Sylvia into bed with her was because she heard Sylvia had stayed over on the Express last time and slept in the same bed as March 7th.
So, out of a basic principle of fairness and justice, Stelle wanted her turn to sleep with Sylvia for a night too.
But now that Sylvia was actually lying here, held fast in her arms, Stelle felt a sudden yearning to do something—even though she had absolutely no idea what that 'something' should be.
Would a kiss make it better? Subconsciously, Stelle's mind drifted back to those romantic dramas March 7th had recommended.
According to those plots, when two characters were already sharing a bed, it was exactly the right time for someone to blush furiously and agonize over whether to steal a kiss.
Stelle stared at Sylvia's lips, letting her imagination run wild.
In the dim room, only a faint silhouette was visible.
Even so, Stelle could easily picture how soft and lovely those lips would be.
Just a little kiss.
Just one.
Stelle squirmed beneath the blanket like a little caterpillar. Closing her eyes, her heart pounding with nervousness, she puckered her lips high into the air.
Then, she carefully leaned in...
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL