Chapter 15 : A corner for the wooden player Xiao Qianya
Qianya: “Iris, you’re the worst ”
Nighttime, Starlight Café.
They had only just gotten home and originally planned to discuss the café renovation together.
But the moment the topic turned to the café’s name, both Qianya and Iris instantly changed faces.
“The café name has to be 【Starlight Café】! It’s a name with huge meaning!”
That was Qianya’s firm stance.
The name came from the very first first-person shooter game she ever cleared in her life ( ).
So it was extremely important to her o(´^｀)o
“Your name has zero personality and zero meaning. Where’s the starlight? It’s nowhere… It can’t compare to ‘Elven Chalice.’ It fits me as the owner perfectly and sounds elegant and high-class. Once we renovate properly, nobles will see the sign and want to come in right away. The café will have a much brighter future.”
Iris sat on the sofa, arms crossed, rattling off her reasoning.
The two went back and forth, arguing fiercely.
As for Vivian, Zero, and Luko sitting nearby…
Though they had been called down to discuss, all three shareholders couldn’t be bothered with this boring debate =_=
Vivian was at the dining table, leisurely practicing latte art with a milk pitcher.
Zero was curled up on the sofa like a cat, already fast asleep.
Luko… was hugging her dragon plushie, sitting on a small chair in the corner, staring blankly into space, lost in thought.
But since they were here, they couldn’t completely stay out of it.
“Let’s vote. Minority obeys the majority. That’s the fairest way. How about it?” Iris suddenly suggested.
She looked at the three of them.
“Fine, I agree!” Qianya nodded, then turned to her “allies.”
“Hmm~?”
Noticing Qianya’s gaze, Vivian set down the coffee spoon and smiled.
“Of course I’m on cute little Yaya’s side~”
Vivian didn’t care what the name was. As long as Qianya stayed obedient and she could annoy Iris in the process, either choice was fine.
Qianya: “Two to one!”
“Tch…” Iris frowned. She reached over and poked Zero, who was sleeping on the armrest.
“Stop sleeping ”
“Nn=_=”
Zero groggily lifted her head, pale blue eyes full of confusion, clearly not knowing what was going on.
Iris: “Vote for Elven Chalice (ﾟﾍﾟ)”
Zero rubbed her eyes: “Elven Cha… nn…”
The cat fell asleep again (_ _) ..zzZZ
“Perfect, two to two.” The elf girl immediately straightened up straight.
Qianya: “Hey, that’s not fair! She obviously didn’t even hear what we were talking about!”
Iris: “Not listening, two to two ”
Qianya: “That’s too much X﹏X”
Fine. Then it all came down to the final, most crucial vote.
“Luko, it’s up to you. Which one do you pick?” Iris looked at Luko in the corner.
Qianya also hurriedly turned to Luko, eyes full of hope.
If Luko supported her, everything would be solved.
But Luko avoided Qianya’s gaze, hugging her dragon plushie tighter, and whispered,
“I… I don’t want to choose. I abstain.”
“…Eh?”
The hope on Qianya’s face vanished instantly.
She froze, wanting to ask why, but seeing how Luko looked… it felt like she was avoiding her. The words got stuck in her throat.
Qianya: Is she still mad?
About breaking their plans yesterday…
“Ugh, we were just one vote short.” Iris frowned too, clearly unhappy with Luko abstaining.
But she didn’t force her, only huffed coldly.
“Fine, fine. Since we can’t decide, let’s talk about it another day. You two are so boring.” Vivian stood up, stretched lazily, announced she was done, and headed upstairs.
Zero yawned, got up, shook her head, and shuffled back to her room.
Iris glanced at Qianya, said nothing, picked up the notebook from the sofa, and went upstairs too—she still had to revise the renovation plans.
Only Qianya and Luko were left in the living room.
Qianya hesitated, then walked over to Luko and softly said,
“Luko-chan…”
“Hmph…”
Luko pouted, suddenly stood up, hugged her dragon plushie, and marched toward the stairs without even looking at Qianya, not slowing down at all.
Qianya hurried after her, but by the time she reached Luko’s door, “Bang!” The door slammed shut and locked from the inside.
“How did it come to this ( ° △ °|||)︴”
Qianya stood outside, hand still raised in mid-air, completely dejected.
Luko really was still angry… What should she do now?
She had wanted to talk to Luko about removing the marks, but now it looked hopeless QAQ
Luko’s affection points have dropped (sad)
“Sigh, what do I do (◞‸◟ )”
Qianya sighed, turned to go back to her room, but the moment she turned around, she saw Vivian leaning against the hallway wall watching her.
“Yo, Yaya, locked out by little Luko~?”
Qianya’s face turned red. She huffed,
“You—mind your own business ≧﹏≦”
“Don’t be so prickly~” Vivian smiled and walked over, gently pinching Qianya’s cheek.
“This lady is actually here to invite you~”
Qianya: “In-invite?”
Vivian: “That’s right~ I brewed a new type of black tea in my room. The kind that guarantees perfect sleep~ Want to try it?”
Qianya: “Nn…?”
Black tea that guarantees perfect sleep?
Why did that sound so suspicious ( )
Qianya hesitated.
Vivian seemed to see through her but didn’t call her out.
“Come by later, okay~”
After all… the initiative was in her hands.
With that, Vivian didn’t wait for an answer and walked back to her room, even turning to wave cutely at Qianya.
Qianya: Whatever, I’ll think about it later…
Right now she just wanted to rest…
Qianya headed downstairs, but at the second-floor landing she bumped into Zero coming up.
Zero saw her and her eyes brightened.
“Qian.”
“Eh? Calling me (°ー°〃)?” Qianya pointed at herself.
Why does Zero always call just one syllable… Qianya didn’t get it.
“Hungry?” Zero asked out of nowhere.
“Eh…?” Qianya blinked and shook her head.
But Zero completely ignored that.
“Seafood tonight. Come if you want.”
Without waiting for a reply, she turned and went back to her room.
Leaving Qianya standing there dumbfounded.
Qianya: S-Seafood (º﹃º)?
Just hearing the word made her hungry. In this world seafood was expensive because of sea monsters, and she hadn’t eaten any in forever.
When did Zero get seafood, and why invite her…
“Nn… she hasn’t left the house, right 🤔”
Qianya pondered as she continued down.
The moment she reached the first-floor living room…
“Hey, dummy, come here.”
Iris’s voice rang out.
Iris had just come from the kitchen, putting away the renovation notes.
“What is it?” Qianya asked.
“Clean up a bit. You’re coming with me to the tavern later.”
“…Huh?” Qianya blinked, making sure she heard right.
“To the tavern? Tonight (*ﾟﾛﾟ)!!”
“Yep. There’s too much about the renovation we can’t discuss here, and didn’t you say you’d treat me to fruit wine? We can drink and talk at the tavern.” Iris finished untying her apron, hung it on the rack, and headed upstairs.
“Oh, and wear something pretty (ー`´ー)” she added before disappearing.
Qianya: (°口°๑)
What is happening X﹏X
Qianya was completely lost…
Vivian wanted her to come drink sleepy-time black tea.
Zero wanted her to come eat seafood.
Iris wanted to take her to the tavern…
Why were all three suddenly asking her out Σ(ŎдŎ|||)ﾉﾉ
“W-Which one do I choose ( ๑ŏ ﹏ ŏ๑ )”
Qianya trembled… It felt like no matter who she picked, the other two might zap her ( )
Just as she was agonizing over what to do, a familiar voice suddenly rang in her mind.
【My my, Qianya-chan, you’re pretty popular tonight~】
Qianya: Eh (°ー°〃)?
That voice… Flo?!
Qianya: Why are you here? I didn’t even whisper your name!
【I only said you can summon me by whispering my name. I never said I can’t come visit on my own (´▽｀)】
Qianya: …
【Ahem, jokes aside, I showed up at the perfect time!】
Qianya: Got any wise advice? (ー`´ー)
【This is a major life choice for Qianya-chan is facing right now. Let me list your options clearly. Pay attention~ („ಡωಡ„)】
The next second, choices appeared in front of Qianya.
【A. Go drinking at the tavern with Iris.】
【B. Go to Vivian’s room and drink the sleepy-time black tea~】
【C. Go to Zero’s room and eat seafood together.】
【D. Go find Luko and properly apologize…】
【E. I want them all (ﾉ｀⊿´)ﾉ】
Qianya: What kind of options are these Σ( ° △ °|||)︴
Is this some corner-store gacha or what (annoyed)
So… which one do I pick… (〃﹏〃)