"...?"
Hearing Fu Hua's words, Little Senti felt her heart jolt violently in her chest.
Even her barely-there chest shook slightly from her suddenly ragged breathing.
"Old Timer, what did you just say?"
"Hm? Was my phrasing unclear?" Fu Hua tilted her head slightly, looking puzzled.
"What I mean is, in my view, it doesn't matter at all which of us is truly Fu Hua, or what the other one's identity might be."
"So, since you believe you are Fu Hua, and you've gained the recognition of Lynelle, Lixue, Kiana, and the others... well then... you should be the one to become Fu Hua."
"Hey, hey!" Little Senti was so startled she nearly jumped.
Forgetting all about the 'who's Fu Hua' debate, she frantically channeled a massive surge of Honkai energy through the Fenghuang Down's circuits and into Fu Hua's body.
"No, no, Old Timer, don't you dare do anything stupid! Lynelle just said she wouldn't pry into the other person's identity no matter who was Fu Hua, so how could you—"
"Mmph, ghh... Stop, stop! It's too much, it's full..."
Instantly flooded with that torrent of Honkai energy, Fu Hua's voice took on a strange quality.
After all, the Fenghuang Down was essentially her body right now, and what Little Senti had just done... well, the sensation for Fu Hua could best be described as being 'force-fed past capacity.'
"Ah, sorry, sorry..." Little Senti finally realized she'd almost literally overfilled Fu Hua and quickly cut off the energy flow.
"What strange place did your mind go to? I wasn't planning to end myself..."
Fu Hua, having suffered this calamity for no reason, took a few steadying breaths before continuing with a hint of exasperation.
"I was just trying to tell you that a name doesn't hold that much meaning for me. I can be Fu Hua, I can be Hua, I can be Chi Yuan, even Watson... Just like the name of my Stigmata, no matter what I'm called, my essence remains unchanged."
"So, since you want so badly to be Fu Hua, and since you have the ability to become someone Lixue and the others care for..."
Here, Fu Hua took a step forward and proactively grasped Little Senti's hand.
"Then, I will also recognize you and regard you as my most important companion."
"You... you... you..."
Little Senti froze completely. The temperature in her cheeks began rising at an alarming rate.
After a moment, she yanked her hand back from Fu Hua's grip, her face flushed.
"W-why are you suddenly saying such embarrassing things... you scared me..."
"B-besides, I am Fu Hua to begin with, it's not like I need you to give me the name…"
"If you don't care about the name Fu Hua, do you think I do? I... I was just trying to make sure you wouldn't do anything to harm Lixue and the others..."
Though Little Senti was desperately trying to control her emotions, her stammering tone, the unconscious fidgeting, the blush on her cheeks, and the corners of her mouth that stubbornly refused to stay down—all of it screamed of the joy bubbling inside her.
She was like a child with all her thoughts written plainly on her face.
"Is that so?"
Fu Hua took another step closer.
Little Senti, her brain still overheating, immediately retreated half a step before stubbornly shuffling back into place once she realized what she'd done.
"O-of course it's true! If anything, it's you—I can't believe you thought I cared so much about the name…"
"Since you, Old Timer, seem so attached to it, fine, you can keep being Fu Hua! In fact, I was thinking of giving myself a new name anyway, starting a whole new life..."
It was plain to see. Despite her claim about wanting a new name, Little Senti clearly hadn't given it any real thought, mumbling incoherently for a while.
"How about this, then? Until you find your [true self] and think of a new name you like... why not continue to call yourself Fu Hua?"
Fu Hua took Little Senti's hand again and pressed it against her own chest. "Well then, Fu Hua, pleased to meet you?"
"I... I'll think of a new name as soon as I can..."
Perhaps because Fu Hua's 'assertiveness' had suddenly become surprisingly potent, Little Senti—currently completely bewildered by this series of moves—felt her head spinning.
She allowed Fu Hua to lead her to sit down nearby as they continued their... bonding session.
As for Fu Hua herself... the scene in her mind was quite different.
'Elysia, truly the most authoritative figure in my memories when it comes to social interaction…'
'Even without having met the Herrscher of Sentience, just based on Lynelle's descriptions, she could write such a detailed... uh... childcare manual.'
Flipping through the pink-covered manual Lynelle had left for her deep within the Fenghuang Down, Fu Hua conversed with Little Senti while also intensely studying each and every strategy Elysia had provided.
[When dealing with a child who seeks validation from others, during conversation, appropriately reduce the physical distance between you.]
[Look into her eyes with sincere warmth, and at the right moment, take her hand, initiating physical contact.]
[If she shyly pulls away, it indicates this tactic can be used a second time, continuing until the Herrscher of Sentience no longer rejects your touch.]
[Whenever the Herrscher of Sentience displays any signs of being tsundere or changing the subject, promptly express your recognition and regard for her—there's no fixed formula for this.]
[But, Hua, I believe as long as you can candidly express what's in your heart, you will undoubtedly achieve the desired effect.]
[Caution: In your speech, be sure to avoid any behavior or phrasing that positions you as a senior. Treat the Herrscher of Sentience as a peer... well, a normal young girl.]
[Your tone should also be appropriately more lively to avoid accidentally dead-ending the conversation or creating a gloomy atmosphere unintentionally.]
Looking at the notes Elysia had left for her in the book, an expression of deep satisfaction spread across Fu Hua's face.
"I see... As expected of Elysia. Simple. I have mastered it completely."
A little over ten minutes later, Kiana—who had been afraid the two Fu Huas might come to blows—hurried back with Lynelle and Lixue in tow.
However, the sight before them made Kiana's eyes nearly pop out of her head.
"Class Monitor, you two..."
Looking at the two chatting happily together, Kiana's expression was the very picture of astonishment. "Since when did your relationship get so good?"
"Ehehe, seeing both Masters being close like this is so nice too..." This was Lixue, still steadfastly supporting Fu Hua (singular, in her mind).
"What do you mean? Our relationship was never that bad to begin with!" Little Senti touched her nose guiltily, then immediately added, "Except about the pickled mustard greens!"
"Hehe, that's the magic of a fairy for you~" Lynelle giggled, poking Kiana's slender waist.
"See? I told you they'd definitely get along harmoniously. Lost the bet, didn't you?"
"Y-yeah, I know..." Kiana averted her gaze uncomfortably. "It's not like you can keep this up forever, Lynelle..."
"But, if we're staying the night here, does Mount Taixuan even have enough rooms?"
"Though I don't like bringing up those old days, at its peak, Mount Taixuan housed eight people." Little Senti patted her chest confidently.
"Anyway, there's definitely enough space for all of you to rest!"
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.