Want to be human, but cube-like

"...No, you go first."

Even if Xiangzi said those words once, she would feel terrible. How could she possibly repeat them to Alex? She could only shake her head.

"Hmm... I've been spending a lot of time with Aine lately, and I feel like it might be because I've found a motherly feeling in her?"

Ignoring Xiangzi's change in tone, Alex looked up at the sky, pondering how to clearly express her feelings.

"Is it because Aine's voice, name, and personality are all very similar to my mother's?"

She didn't seem to think there was anything wrong with what she said; she spoke very directly.

"Moreover, I can also feel a strange sense of intimacy from Aine."

This left Xiangzi completely stunned.

"I feel like Aine is like a mother to me, which is why I like her so much...?"

As she finished speaking, Alex's tone became somewhat uncertain.

"Xiangzi, what kind of liking is this?"

…………

P.S. We're about to enter the final stage of Operation Aine's Annihilation; it should be finished by the end of this month, I think? I'm not sure.

I want to get to the part where Su Shi appears soon.

Volume 1: Chapter 177 Becoming Despicable Because of Emotion

Which one do you like...?

Stunned, Xiangzi paused for a long time before realizing what Alex was saying.

The complex emotions swirling within me were instantly extinguished, like a candle flame doused with cold water.

The jealousy that had been churning in his heart towards Aine instantly transformed into a very complex...sympathy?

Xiangzi wasn't quite sure; she didn't even know if she should continue to be sad, but she was definitely not as jealous anymore.

All that remained was a profound sense of powerlessness.

I don't know how to explain this to Alex.

"So, Alex, you're actually just using Aine as a substitute for your mother?"

Looking at Alex's bewildered expression, Xiangzi hesitated for a long time before finally asking the question.

Such remarks might cause Xiangzi to worry about whether they are too blunt, especially for anyone else.

But Alex was different. She felt that if she didn't explain herself clearly, the other person might not even be able to understand what she was trying to say.

"A substitute...?"

"My understanding of this term is clearly still at the most basic stage," Alex repeated, puzzled.

"You've always felt that Ai-yin looks a lot like your mother, haven't you?"

With a helpless lowering of his eyes, Xiangzi thought for a moment and decided that he should first guide Alex to express her true feelings.

"……Um."

Looking at Xiangzi's expression, Alex slowly realized that this seemed to be a wrong idea. The confusion in her eyes deepened, and her mood was no longer as relaxed as before.

"Just hearing Aine's voice reminds me of my mother... and Aine's name sounds the same as my mother's name."

As she spoke softly, Alex glanced cautiously at Xiangzi.

It's like a child who notices their parent's expression suddenly turn serious, but doesn't know if they've done something wrong.

"Because their voices and names are very similar...?"

Hearing her say that, Xiangzi finally remembered the little accident that happened when the two of them first met Aiyin.

At that moment, Alex suddenly called out "Mom" to Aine in public, leaving the two of them at a loss for words before they remembered to take her away from the scene.

Since Alex later said that apart from the voice and name, they didn't look very alike, Xiangzi quickly put the matter out of his mind.

Moreover, based solely on Alex's description, in Xiangzi's mind, her mother has always been a powerful, terrifying, and willful creator god.

Although there were doubts about whether Alex's mother was really that powerful, considering that Alex herself was an otherworldly being who could resurrect infinitely and possessed many special abilities, it wasn't hard to understand why her mother was slightly more powerful.

Moreover, Alex and Aine look completely different. Judging from appearance alone, if you said that Alex was Aine's mother, Shoko would probably be a little skeptical.

After all, the difference in their physiques is truly outrageous.

Thinking of this, Xiangzi subconsciously glanced at Alex's bulging chest.

“Lately, when I’m with Aine, I feel like my mother is by my side…”

Unaware of Xiangzi's gaze, Alex continued.

"I didn't understand why I felt that sense of security before, but now, maybe it's because when I hear Ai-yin's voice, I feel like my mother is still by my side?"

Biting her lip, Alex told Xiangzi everything she had felt during her time with Aine.

"Does Aine know?"

At this moment, Xiangzi didn't know how to face this matter. She was a little troubled and, to be on the safe side, asked a question first.

"I haven't told Aine yet..."

Alex shook her head and replied.

“I asked her similar questions before, and Aine acted strangely for the next few days, so I don’t know if I should bring it up with her again…”

With her lips pursed, Alex's mood gradually turned gloomy.

Upon hearing this, Xiangzi couldn't help but raise his hand to cover his forehead.

Who wouldn't be confused by what Alex just said...

My feelings for you are special, I feel safe when we're together, and I feel lonely when we're apart. I've also said I want to get closer to you, touch you, and hug you...

It would be strange if Aine didn't act odd after being told such things to her face.

Just imagining the scene of Alex saying these words to Aine made Xiangzi so upset that he wanted to grind his teeth.

And after that, the two of them... kissed... ugh!

Sure enough, she was still a little jealous...

“That’s not right, Alex.”

After calming himself down a bit, Xiangzi raised his head and looked at Alex seriously.

"No one would willingly become someone else's substitute. Even if someone might be willing, it would only be if the other party was fully aware of it."

This time, it was her turn to grab Alex's hand and say something to her.

Did I...do something wrong?

Slightly taken aback by these words, Alex met Xiangzi's gaze with a bewildered expression.

"You must explain things clearly to Aine and apologize before she realizes it herself."

To be honest, Xiangzi didn't know what would happen if he did this.

But she knew very well that if she continued to deceive Aine, she would be extremely hurt when Aine finally found out.

Therefore, while there's still time, communicate clearly as soon as possible.

"Continuing like this will only harm Aine."

As he spoke softly, Xiangzi's eyes gradually filled with worry as he looked at Alex.

"Then... what will happen if I keep quiet?"

For the first time ever, Alex hesitated, feeling anxious and wanting to avoid doing something.

"That would be too unfair to Aine. Even if we keep it from her, she will find out sooner or later, and then it will only hurt her more."

Xiangzi frowned, trying to dissuade Alex from her idea of ​​escaping.

"If things develop like that, Aine might really hate you..."

However, even if she were to explain things to Aine now, she might not necessarily be forgiven... Xiangzi wouldn't take it for granted that Aine is easy to bully just because of her friendly and approachable personality, and wouldn't get angry over something like this.

She could only try her best to prevent the two of them from letting the conflict escalate to an unmanageable point.

Just like I was back then.

"..."

Listening to Xiangzi's advice, Alex fell silent, pursed her lips, and looked dejected and pitiful.

She was afraid that if Aine found out, she would really hate her. What would she do then?

Just imagining it made Alex feel suffocated.

"This is something that Alex and Aine can only resolve on their own. I can't talk to Aine on your behalf, and I can't interfere with your decision."

Xiangzi closed his eyes, afraid that if he looked at Alex's expression, he would soften and make a decision for her. In the end, he had no right to participate in it at all.

"Think it through carefully, Alex. Don't do anything you'll regret."

Ultimately, they were just friends.

Xiangzi's sense of responsibility was the reason he said those words to Alex.

Let's end our conversation here for tonight.

Seeing Alex lost in deep thought, Xiangzi slowly exhaled, silently turned around, and prepared to leave.

Then she suddenly paused.

Then I remembered the main reason why I had just come out of the room.

He turned his head and glanced at it a few times. He saw an egg on the ground, his eyes flashed, and he immediately ran over.

Xiangzi picked up the eggs in one go, then looked at the chicken farm in the distance, aimed at it, and threw it out with all his might.

"Snapped!"

Her aim was pretty good; the egg landed precisely on the head of a chicken in the chicken farm and cracked open on the spot.

No chicks appeared.

"I'm not moving!"

Xiangzi breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but smile slightly, but remembering that Alex was still troubled and sad behind her back, she hid the smile on her face.

"What do you mean, 'not moving out'?"

Although still troubled, Alex noticed Shoko's strange behavior and asked him in confusion.

"No, there's nothing wrong with it!"

Xiangzi quickly shook his head, waved to Alex, and she strode away from the sky island.

"I'm going back now, Alex. You should get some rest too."

With a strange feeling that, for some reason, had become somewhat pleasant, Xiangzi closed the portal.

Gazing at the clear grain of the oak door that was tightly closed, another thought popped into her mind.

Xiangzi puffed out his cheeks and then raised his hand to rub his skin.

Suddenly, I felt somewhat despicable...

…………

PS: Humble girl Xiaoxiang is about to turn the tables on Aine.

Volume 1: Chapter 178 Would Alex Go to London With Me?

Let's go back to when Alex had just finished communicating with Aine on LINE.

At this moment, the pink-haired girl, who had just finished showering, was alone in her bedroom, lying on the sofa, holding her phone in both hands, her expression somewhat conflicted.