Author's Note: I apologise if my replies are slower than usual, my notifications are being constantly flooded, hahaha.

On a side note, SLS is almost at 900k reads, omg! It only hit 800k not too long ago. 1 million reads doesn't seem to be a dream now, wow 😂.

Anyway, enough rambling, onto the chapter. It's a pretty cute chapter, hope you guys will have your fair share of creepy giggling and multiple facepalm of going "omg".

***

[ Congratulations! You have unlocked the rarest achievement “Steal the Role of the Female Lead”! Celebrate and rejoice, Cecil Lan! ]

[ You have twenty-one achievements left! ] 

Cecil was still processing the notification from the system, unable to say a word. 

It took a long moment for her to recover from the shock, she could only sigh heavily and bury her face into her hands. 

"..."

"...that's not how it was supposed to work! What about...what about the original OTP of this novel?!"

Cecil wanted to kowtow a million times to the readers of the novel back in her own world. Her presence had changed the storyline of the entire novel completely, to the point where the romance was beyond recognition from the original storyline. 

However, AI500 took this opportunity to rub more salt into her wound. 

[ Congratulations! You and the protagonist are the OTP of the novel now! Celebrate and rejoice, Cecil Lan! ]

"......"

Cecil still had her head buried in her hands, though, she was completely dead on the inside. 

"You are the worst, AI500."

"Isn't it normal to warn me if I am completely changing the storyline of the novel?"

[ Yes. ]

"Bu-but you never warned me! Not even once!"

[ Your actions will have repercussions on the storyline. ]

[ That has been stated on numerous occasions. ]

"...you mean inferred!"

"You never once stated it clearly!" 

[ Fortunately, there are no consequences in changing the storyline of this novel. After all, one of your main objectives is to prevent the original ending of the novel from happening. ]

"Th-that's …true."

"But you still could have given me a clear warning!"

[ You did not ask me to~ ]

"..."

Cecil could have puked out blood right there and then, before bursting into flames. 

...followed by throwing herself off the ship. 

Currently, she was hiding her face in her hands to maintain her composure. She was trembling slightly, and to anyone, it would seem that she was crying. 

All of a sudden, Cecil felt a hand on her shoulder, making her turn around. Startled, Cecil gasped and she lifted her head up. 

A pair of fretful grey eyes greeted her. 

"What's wrong? Are you hurt? What happened?"

Cecil blinked rapidly. "I'm...fine…"

Xue sighed in relief. 

"You looked like you were crying, you had me worried for a second there," his voice was gentle and concerned. "Are you sure everything is fine?"

Seeing the apparent concern for her, Cecil couldn't help but smile softly, nodding. 

How cute.

"Yes, definitely."

Observing the small smile that adorned her lips, Xue could feel his heart swelling.

Meanwhile, Cecil gazed at the man before her, silent, and she started to contemplate. 

There is no use crying over spilt milk. 

What has happened…has happened. 

Cecil knew she had to accept the fact that now, everything was changing, along with the fact that this man in front of her...now likes her. 

Even though it should not have been her.

Hence, the only choice Cecil had left was to ask herself. 

Do I like this man in front of me?

Do I...like Xue?

Noticing her staring intently at him, Xue began to feel awkward. 

"Is there...something on my face?" Xue furrowed his eyebrows, his smile faltering. 

"What?"

"You have been looking at me...this entire time."

"Oh, no, no no! I...I was just thinking!"

"Thinking?"

Just thinking whether I do like you or not…

Cecil would never allow herself to admit that. She decided to switch topics, her eyes wandering around until she noticed the other hand of Xue hidden behind his back. 

"What are you hiding behind your back?" 

Xue stiffened. 

Those were the books Hana had loaned to him, and the books that Cecil supposedly love. 

Just like Cecil, Xue would not dare to admit what he was hiding behind his back.

...or his purpose for loaning them from Hana.

"It's nothing." Xue answered, indifferent. 

Cecil peeked her head out, her fingers tapping on her chin. 

"Then why are you hiding it?"

"I'm not."

"Hmmm, doesn't feel like it."

"I'm not hiding it."

"Then let me take a look at it."

"I can't do that."

Cecil tried to steal a glance at the item behind his back. However, Xue moved out of her line of sight every single time she tried to do it. 

The crew members watched Xue and Cecil playing a silly game of hide and seek, shaking their heads. 

Some of them even rolled their eyes at their blatant flirting. 

Leonaut: "Hey, Xue."

Leonaut: "Just put it high up in the air, and make Cecil jump for it."

The soul fragments saw the wolfish smirk curving at Leonaut's lips. 

Zasiok: "Sly."

Kai: "So sly."

Alric: "What is it?"

Sid: "...food?"

Everyone looked at Sid with a bewildered stare. 

Isleif: "Childish. Who would do this?"

Leonaut shrugged. 

Leonaut: "He'll do it anyway, trust me."

To their surprise, Xue actually followed Leonaut's words. He lifted the book up into the air.

Leonaut: "See?"

Isleif: "..."

Cecil squinted her eyes at the books high up in the air, but she was unable to catch a clear glimpse of the books. 

"Now, that's not fair. I can't reach for those."

"You can try."

Cecil made a face. 

Now, all around them was water and she wasn't of the water element, but earth. With no trees or land in sight, she could not conjure vines to help her.

Cecil drew out her dagger, preparing to transform them into vines, to help increase her reach. 

Xue raised his eyebrows at her.

Alas, she was nowhere near trees or land, thus, the vines only grew slightly before it deflated. 

[ Without being near the land or trees, your elemental powers have decreased significantly. ]

"How I wish I was a water element now."

With no other choice left, Cecil started jumping to catch the books. 

Her curiosity got the better of her. 

Of course, Xue would not allow her to snatch away the books so easily, pulling it out of her reach. 

At one point, Cecil jumped too high and stumbled forward. Xue had already prepared himself to catch her, predicting that this would happen. 

Cecil widened her eyes, looking up at Xue. His grey eyes softened considerably, meeting hers in return. 

Once again, the same question from before ran through her mind. 

Do I like him?

Cecil remained silent, before she finally opened her mouth to speak. 

"You...you are doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

A cheeky smirk curved at Xue's lips. "Maybe?" 

Cecil felt the heat crawling up her cheeks, her heart skipping a beat. 

In that instant, Cecil had answered the question partially in her mind. 

If she had to choose between placing Xue as a friend or a lover…

He would be neither. 

If she were to choose between both with no other choice...

He would definitely be leaning closer to a lover. 

"Alright, unfurl the sails! And let's set sail!" Haru exclaimed, his loud voice was heard across the ship. "And you two lovebirds below hugging one another! You're in the way!" 

Cecil instantly knew Haru was speaking about the two of them. Since after he spoke those words, the crew members started looking at them too. 

Cecil quickly escaped from the area. 

***

Reaching the next area in this continent would take two days. 

Hana was already dreading the journey. Hence, Cecil could only suggest mediating to push through more gates was the only thing Hana could do to pass time. 

...without thinking of the boat swaying. 

Cooking was definitely out of Hana's mind due to her seasickness. 

Thus, Hana reluctantly agreed to Cecil, only if Cecil accompanied her in meditating as well. Thus, for the next two days, the ladies spent most of their time meditating. 

If they were tired of meditating, they would switch to training. Cecil would train with different weapons, and Hana would practice her archery.

Whereas, the two men spent their time observing the ladies, training with one another. 

Kiyae and Haru eventually joined in their training, since there was nothing much they could do on the ship anyway. 

Ryo would join them on occasions, when he wasn't asleep. Alas, he wasn't even a step close to defeating K'xug. 

"Ow, ow ow ow."

"Yikes."

"That really looks like it hurt."

Ryo dragged his battered body away, whimpering like a sad puppy. 

Among them, Yun trained the least, only standing aside and watching them as they trained. 

In addition to that, Xue would spare some time "exploring" the books that Hana loaned to him. 

On one occasion, K'xug was curious enough to join in, to which Xue kicked him away. 

"Go ask Hana if you want to know."

K'xug gave Xue a deadpan. 

Even if I wanted to…

I can't read. 

Xue only gestured for him to go away. 

K'xug scoffed. 

***

Cecil had no difficulties in passing her gates this time. She opened her eyes, feeling slightly fatigued after passing one gate, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. 

She wasn't eager to pass through another gate, unless she wanted to make herself pass out.

With nothing left to do, Cecil looked at Hana sitting cross-legged beside her, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. 

Now that Hana was not considered the heroine of this world anymore, Cecil began to wonder. 

"AI500, if Hana isn't the heroine anymore, and neither is she the same Hana from the original novel. What's...going to happen now?"

[ Hana Katae is still an important character in the novel, thus, she is still considered a heroine, like you. ]

[ Her storyline will still follow the original novel. ]

[ However, she is just not considered as the main heroine. ]

"Not the main...don't tell me, a second female heroine?"

[ Yes. ]

Cecil perked up. 

"Does this mean, Hana will still have her own romance as well?!"

AI500 could not understand why Cecil was excited for something like that. 

[ ...yes, it is possible. ]

Cecil felt as if she saw a light at the end of a dark tunnel. 

All hope is not lost! 

I have not completely shattered the romance storyline for Hana!

A wide smile adorned her face, doing a little happy dance on the inside. 

Xue was training with K'xug, his eyes widened as he saw the huge smile on Cecil's face. He paused, and K'xug halted as well, noticing how distracted he was. 

Kiyae and Haru were training amongst themselves, and Ryo was snoring away at the side. 

Yun only adjusted his glasses, shaking his head at Kiyae and Haru. 

Instead of training, it seemed like Haru had said something to irritate Kiyae, making her chase him down with her nunchucks. 

"Haru, you bastard! Get back here!"

"As if I would!"

"Argh!"

"What the hell, woman! Are you crazy?! You just threw your nunchucks at me!"

K'xug approached Xue, tapping him on the shoulder. 

Xue gave K'xug a quick glance before looking back at Cecil. 

"Cecil...she…"

K'xug leaned in, noting the glum mood around Xue. 

He assumed it was something serious about Cecil.

"She has never smiled like this in front of me."

"..."

"Not even once."

"..."

"And all it takes for her to smile like this...is for Hana to just sit quietly beside her."

K'xug was flabbergasted. 

Are you...are you getting jealous of Hana too?

Xue straightened himself, becoming more gloomy as he glanced at Hana. 

"I am envious of Hana."

K'xug smacked himself on the forehead with his palm. 

Xue continued glancing between Cecil and Hana, making K'xug sigh and shake his head. 

Hana opened her eyes at that moment, panting heavily. 

"Hana? Did you breakthrough?" Cecil questioned, still maintaining her smile. 

"Oh Cecil," Hana turned, her face pale as she smiled in exhaustion. "Yes, I did…"

Hana trailed off, her eyes closing and she collapsed onto the ground. 

Cecil gasped, hurriedly checking on Hana, her fingers on Hana's wrist.

The two men noticed Hana collapsing to the ground as Cecil hurried to her side, checking on her. 

Xue took a step forward, only to realise that K'xug was already ten steps ahead of him. 

Xue blinked in confusion. 

How...surprising. 

I never expected K'xug to be this concerned for Hana. 

Xue shrugged, jogging up to Cecil and Hana. 

Cecil sighed in relief after doing a quick check on Hana. 

"So she just fainted from fatigue," Cecil smiled helplessly. "I keep forgetting how common it is when trying to breakthrough."

Cecil then sighed to herself, feeling somewhat saddened. 

If only Hana had her own exclusive prince charming to carry her. 

How good that would be.

K'xug appeared right at that moment, cradling the exhausted Hana in his arms. 

His sudden presence startled Cecil. 

K'xug only looked at Cecil, asking her to explain the situation. 

Cecil was even more startled by the overwhelming concern he held for Hana in his different coloured eyes. 

"Sh-she fainted from exhaustion," she explained, her hand on her chest. "She will be fine as long as she gets ample rest."

K'xug nodded in understanding. 

He carried Hana into his arms, his actions gentle and walking away briskly. 

***

Hana could feel herself being carried in a pair of strong arms. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she was greeted by the sight of a copper brown-haired man with different coloured eyes. 

This feels so...familiar. 

As if...it has happened a dozen times. 

"K'xug, I must feel so heavy."

K'xug glanced down, his greyish-black and crimson red eyes still held a tinge of concern. 

He shook his head at Hana, frowning at her and using his body to push the door open to the bedroom she shared with Cecil. 

You are not heavy. 

Hana giggled tiredly. 

"I eat too much food, I look thin but I know I am heavy."

K'xug only let out a short, breathy chuckle. He walked towards the bed, slowly lowering Hana down to the bed. 

"You know...this feels so familiar," Hana muttered out, her voice soft. "Did you help me out like that in the past?" 

K'xug only gave her a simple nod. 

In the past, to put it in simple words, K'xug was as good as her personal bodyguard. Xue was capable of protecting himself, and he knew Hana would be a constant target since she was close with him, the Supreme God.

Moreover, there was great tension between the angels and demons.

Unable to balance between his duties and protecting Hana, Xue could only leave the job to K'xug. 

Despite that, Hana could still smile so positively no matter what or who she encountered. 

Hana sat up on the bed, smiling. "Thank you, K'xug."

K'xug couldn't help but smile lightly back at her. He reached out, ruffling her hair and leaving the room quietly. 

Hana reached up to her messy hair, touching her head before she giggled to herself, having the urge to snuggle under the blanket. 

"Ah!" Hana shot up, before she sighed tiredly, pouting. "I still need to shower…"

She sniffed at herself, grimacing at the stench of her own sweat. 

At that moment, it occurred to her that K'xug had carried her while she was covered in sweat. 

She could do nothing but cringe. 

"I must have...I must stink so bad!" Hana whined. "Why did I have to faint?" 

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

You never smile like that to me. 

Not even once. 

Is this a smile exclusively for Hana? 

…

...how do I become Hana?

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

Your smile is always so bright. 

I hope it will continue to remain that bright. 

For a long, long time. 

《 stop 》