CRA Chapter 17


Into his arms


More than half a month later, the northern part of Gaia was still in the grip of winter and the temperature had only gotten lower. In some areas snow had even fallen and colored the ground white.

The Yunbao branch was slightly better off and had managed to escape the snow so far, however to Xie Luan, who was not used to the cold, the low temperature was enough to make him shudder.

[T/N: (╥﹏╥) …I feel so betrayed by this part. I’m from northern Sweden, snow is already covering the ground, so when he described the horrible cold in the past chapters, I thought that it must at least be -30 C and that the snow at the roadside was at minimum knee deep… ]

Compared to the other staff members in the club who were only wearing thin clothes, Xie Luan really stood out with his layered and thick clothing. After the temperature dropped further in the last few days, the layers had even increased, but no matter how many clothes Xie Luan put on, he was somehow still not able to retain heat.

When he went to sleep at night, he would even unconsciously hold the fluffy nox close to his body in order to feel his heat and warm himself.

“Ah Luan, do you really feel that cold?” Everyone else in the branch were not bothered by this temperature and certainly would not describe it as cold. So after observing the human youth’s behavior these past days as he wrapped himself up even more and occasionally shivered, Xia Qi could not help but curiously ask this.

Hearing her question, the few people who were busily working nearby paused their actions and looked over at Xie Luan, they had all been wondering the same thing.

Gaia was very far from the Earth Federation and although this was a trading planet, not many humans would visit it. The inhabitants therefore knew very little about the human race and most of their knowledge was very vague.

They only knew that after being separated from their weapons and equipment, human beings were generally very weak. However they were not sure as to which extent this vulnerability reached. But after seeing Xie Luan’s behavior…

Was it really true that he would freeze to death if he did not cocoon himself in clothes?

With their own and most others’ physiques being far better than humans’, they had a hard time comprehending this. The only time their races felt cold and needed protection from it was when they were still newborns or inside an egg.

Faced with everyone’s questioning eyes, Xie Luan could only helplessly nod.

All the thick clothes he was now wearing had been brought from his original world by using the rule. Since the other races seemed to not be affected by the cold, there was no demand for winter clothes. Because of this there was no market for it and not even a single shop on Gaia sold thick clothes.

Xie Luan had accepted that adults of other races were not afraid of the cold, but when it came to the cubs, he was still worried. He was especially concerned about the mermaid cub who, during the winter months, continued living outside in the pool.

“Won’t the water temperature be too cold?” Xie Luan squatted down and reached out to test the water’s temperature. As soon as he came in contact with it, he couldn’t help but frown.

Even though the buildings were poorly insulated, it was much colder outside, and by just touching the surface with his fingers, Xie Luan could feel that the water was ice cold.

When Xie Luan had walked closer, a small head with golden hair had emerged and swum closer. Although the small delicate face did not show any emotion, one could read his mood just by looking at the ice blue tail that was excitingly swaying in the water.

“Ah…” Hearing Xie Luan’s words, the little mermaid made a low-pitched sound and shook his head. Even though the cub knew that he could not speak, he still tried to answer him with sounds as well as gestures.

Xie Luan had read in the “Cub Encyclopedia” that the mermaid race preferred the water temperature to be 18 ° C. After learning this, he had directly gone onto the starnet and bought a device that could regulate the water temperature.

When he had gone onto the starnet, he had of course first looked at the different prices and taken the club’s economy into consideration. However, since the pool was not very big, they lucky only needed a small device which was not too expensive. He had therefore bought it without hesitation.

But the package had unfortunately somehow been delayed and not yet arrived. Under normal circumstances, he would not have been bothered by this, however with the temperature dropping even further this week, Xie Luan felt a bit frustrated.

He had read that even though the mermaid race preferred 18 ° C, lower temperatures would not harm them. But despite knowing that the mermaid race had extremely high tolerance for cold, he still felt uneasy.

Xie Luan reached out and gently touched the mermaid cub’s smooth hair. Feeling the touch, the little mermaid gave a faint sigh and leaned against the pools edge. There was no way to get closer, he could only look up and reach out to touch Xie Luan’s knee.

The cub’s hands were wet, but Xie Luan did not care about this and instead wondered about the meaning behind the cub’s actions.

“..ah..pa…” The mermaid cub looked up at Xie Luan and as their eyes met, he said this. If listening closely, one would be able to tell that the second syllable was slightly harder than the first one. However the difference was too small and Xie Luan, who was not prepared, was not able to detect it.

The cub did not remove his hand after touching Xie Luan’s knee and instead held on tighter as he continued to silently gaze up at him.

Xie Luan finally realized that the mermaid cub seemed to want to be closer. However the fact remained that the cub could not leave the water… Thinking about this, he decided to first try lifting the cub up. He did it very slowly and was prepared to put the cub back down if he showed any reluctance.

The cub wanted to be close to the youth, however he had once almost died from dehydration when he had been abandoned in that field, and the fear from that trauma was still strong. Against his will, he instinctively shook his tail when he was lifted up from the pool.

The tail did not move as wildly as it had when Xie Luan had first met the cub and lifted him out of the bucket in order to change the water. But Xie Luan had made up his mind that if the cub showed any sign of distress or resistance, he would stop and he therefore started lowering him back down. However, when the cub, that was already halfway up, realized this, he stretched out his arms and grabbed onto Xie Luan’s shirt. He didn’t want to be put down.

Seeing the cub’s action, Xie Luan first felt a bit helpless, but he then quickly thought it through and decided to do as the cub wished.

As he lifted him up, the fishtail’s ice-blue scales hit Xie Luan’s body and covered him with water. However, Xie Luan did not let go of him and instead continued to hold him as he repeatedly stroked his soft hair and comforted him. “Baby, don’t be afraid, everything’s okay, everything’s okay…”

Because of the fact that this cub had a physical defect and could not speak, the parents had abandoned him and let him experience such a horrible thing… Why would someone do something like that, how could they throw away the cub as if he was a thing?

Both Xie Luan and Xia Qi had been enraged by this, but at the same time they were also glad that the cub had found his way here and did not have to grow up with those awful parents.

“This is your home, no one can hurt you here. I won’t let them.” Xie Luan looked the cub in his eyes as he slowly said this, he then glanced at the pool next to them, he would soon make the living environment even better for the cub and not let him swim in ice cold water. Maybe they would later be able to buy an even bigger pool.

The tail’s movements gradually eased. Although he had been separated from the water, the sense of security and warmth coming from the youth made his fear decrease. The instinctive horror he always felt finally regressed, and as the cub relaxed and sunk into Xie Luan’s arms, the only sound that could be heard was his small breaths that were strained from his earlier struggle.

The small fishtail did no longer sway, the cub only moved slightly as he made himself more comfortable in his arms, he then looked up at Xie Luan and weakly called out to him. “Pa…”

Pa?

Xie Luan had for a while now felt that this sound had a certain meaning, but he still couldn’t figure out what it was. He could therefore only touch the cub’s hair and hug him close as he in a soft voice said. “Baby.”

Hearing him answer in a soft tone, the cub lightly swayed his tail in joy and leaned in closer to lay his head against Xie Luan’s chest. He then rubbed his head against him and tried harder to properly say the word. “Pa-”

But he did not manage to say the entire word, he could only make this one syllable a little clearer, it was currently the limit of what he could do…

Confirming that the pool’s temperature did not harm the mermaid cub, Xie Luan rejected the idea of temporarily bringing the cub back indoors. Being in the small bucket would probably be more harmful for the cub than the cold. Xie Luan looked down at the cub in his arms. He would certainly not force him back there just because of his own irrational worries.

Stroking back the little mermaid’s wet hair, he planted a kiss on his forehead and said goodbye as he put the cub back in the water. Xie Luan then went back to his room in order to change his wet coat and then walked to the building where the cubs lived.

As soon as he closed the door behind him and turned around, his arms were occupied by a white little fluffball with two small horns on his head.

The work that Xie Luan had arranged for Ya Yi this time was to tidy up the courtyard, however this had only taken a few minutes with his powers. When Zarad had gotten to know this, his expression had been a bit complicated.

The silver haired nox had shown himself to have very powerful abilities, and those powerful abilities had actually been used to organize a courtyard…

When the nox did not have anything left that he needed to do, he would change back into the cub form and run to Xie Luan in order warm his hands.

None of the cubs in their club were affected by the cold and even though Xie Luan was relieved by that, he could not help but also feel a bit envious.

His hands were cold from being outside and it made Xie Luan unconsciously want to touch the fluffy white nox in his arms.

“Meah.” Ya Yi looked up at Xie Luan who was stroking his back. He wanted to properly warm both of his hands. He therefore called out to him and moved to pushed Xie Luan’s other hand under him as well.

The nox’s belly was so fluffy and warm that Xie Luan felt a little unwilling to pull his hands out despite the fact that work was calling.

Several other caretakers in the room had already begun preparing food for the cubs and Xie Luan had planned to join in. However when he shifted his gaze to the side, he caught sight of the kuhti cub, who was practicing flying together with his two new best friends.

In addition to the previous half month, the kuhti cub had now independently been working hard to fly for half a month. He had managed to go from not being able to fly at all, to ground flying, to now being able to fly upward to a certain height.

However, he could still not fly very far and it didn’t take long before he landed after each takeoff. Xie Luan observed for a while and then concluded that the cub always flew about two meters before needing to land.

Each time was the same, two meters, no more, no less, and this made Xie Luan feel that something was wrong.

During those two meters, the cub’s flight posture was very good, but after the two meter mark it was as if the cub retreated and landed on his own.

Xie Luan temporarily put the warm fluffy nox down and approached the kuhti cub who was vigorously practicing flying. “Baby.”

Kneeling down, Xie Luan picked up the red fluffball and stood up.

Walking to the cabinet that they had used before, Xie Tap placed him on it and asked in a warm voice. “Do you remember how we did before?”

“Tiuh!” The kuhti cub moved his small wings and called out to him.

This time, he would fly.

He was sure of it, he would make it.

The cub had expected that the youth would do exactly like the last time. He therefore walked to the edge of the cabinet and waited for the youth to take two steps back and open his arms for him.

Xie Luan did indeed walk backwards, however this time it was not just two steps, but five meters away.

“Come baby, fly to me, you can do it.” Stopping, Xie Luan opened his arms and encouraged the cub.

The kuhti cub, who just now had burst with confidence, suddenly lost it all. However, he did not retreat. He had heard Xie Luan’s words of encouragement and knowing that he believed in him, he didn’t want to give up.

But it was not all about what others wanted, it was what he wanted. He wanted to be able to fly, he wanted to be able to fly into the youth’s arms instead of needing the youth to kneel down in order to hold him.

“Tiuh!”

I want to fly.

With courage, the kuhti cub turned towards Xie Luan’s direction and flapped his wings.

________________

Translator’s note:

Happy Halloween!

This chapter was so sweet, much sweeter than all the Halloween candy I have eaten. We both got to see Xie Luan interact with the mermaid cub, the nox, and the kuhti cub!!!

So much cuteness!!! (≧▽≦)

By the way, we haven’t seen much of the takila cub lately, right?

Well, with that in mind, I have made a little Halloween extra in order to not make the takila cub feel as left out. I hope you will enjoy it.


Takila cub’s day of Halloween

The caretakers had woken them up early despite it being a holiday, the takila cub was not happy about this.

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The other cubs were making a ruckus, so after drinking his coffee, he skipped breakfast and instead grabbed a pile of his favorite books and hid away in a corner.

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While reading he suddenly came to a realization.

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Time passed fast and he was soon disturbed by the rumbling of his stomach. He therefore closed his book and sneaked into the pantry to get some food.

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After eating and napping, he tried to get the other cubs to play with him, but failed.. However, he could still play quite happily by himself, none of the other cubs liked hopping as much as he did anyway.

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Of course he also needed to bake some Halloween cupcakes, cough, or at least that was what he called it. Halloween cupcakes with carrot frosting instead of pumpkin, they were both orange, so he didn’t understand why everyone was making a fuss over the change.

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No one wanted his cupcakes…

But it only meant he got to eat them all by himself!

After stuffing himself to the point that his belly became a table, he digested it by chilling in the rare autumn sun.

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But he couldn’t let himself get fat now could he?

The caretakers were always commenting on how chubby he was.. well they also called him cute, but he couldn’t let it continue this way!

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After training for ten minutes, he stopped and flexed his muscles, sunbathing in his own awesomeness.

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Because he had exercised, he felt that he had now worked off the cupcakes and carrots and he felt quite good about himself. As a reward, he allowed himself to indulge his cravings…

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So much energy!!!

He couldn’t sit still, he was a bunny hyped up on sugar and he needed to release that energy. Looking around he found his victim, an oblivious daydreaming nox cub.

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The takila cub attacked with lightning-fast speed. The daydreaming nox never saw it coming and only realized what was going on after it was already too late.

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Nox: “…”

Innocent looking takila: “Play with me.”

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Nox: “No.”

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Takila cub: ” I need a partner… Play. With. Me.”

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Nox: “……..”  ( ̄ー ̄ )

Ya Yi knew that he could still crush the little cub who was threatening him, but since Xie Luan might be upset with him if he did it, he decided to yield and play with him. Unexpectedly, he got really into it and actually had fun, however he would never admit this to the takila cub.

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They played until midnight and then stop as one of their opponents, the panda, fell asleep. Halloween was technically over, but the takila did not want it to end just yet and went to search for coffee in order to reload his energy-less body.

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He then dragged the nox cub with him to his corner and showed him his books.

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The nox was skeptic, he couldn’t understand what was so good about a few scribbles on a paper and he really wanted to go to Xie Luan’s room and just sleep in his embrace. However, the takila cub was persistent and demanded that he got to know the magic of books.

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After listening to the takila cub’s explanation, the nox got curious and flipped open a book. However, before he started reading he noticed one of Xie Luan’s scarves that had fallen off the rack and was laying on the floor. Walking over, he picked up the scarf and wrapped the soft fabric around himself. Inhaling Xie Luan’s scent, he relaxed and made himself comfortable as he began the story.

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The takila’s eyes soon started to get heavy, but he refused to sleep, he had just been given a new book by the caretakers and he needed to finish it! He needed to know what would happen! What was the limit of Juliette’s power?! Was she going to choose Warner or Adam?!!!

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The nox cub had gotten pretty into the new series that the takila cub showed him. He really sympathized with how Juliette had been shunned and mistreated because of her powers, something that she was born with and had not chosen.

However he really needed to get back to Xie Luan, he wanted to at least be there when he woke up in the morning.

But he was at a cliffhanger, the last he had read was that some people had stormed into her cell and violently knocked her unconscious! What was happening?! He needed to know…

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Hearing Ya Yi tiredly mumbling this sentence, the takila cub felt warm in his heart, he had finally gotten a friend that liked the same things as he did.

But he of course did not say this, no it would be too embarrassing…

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The nox, who had almost fallen asleep, lazily opened one eye and jokingly mumbled.

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Never knowing how true his words actually were or the impact they had.

The End


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42 Replies to “CRA Chapter 17

  1. Lovely lovely things!
    I didn’t get to go trick or treating, unfortunately… So I’ve no candy. QAQ
    Thanks for the translation!

  2. ? the cubs are all growing up! Perfect Halloween treat and I loved the wee fiction at the end ❤ I hope everyone’s Halloween went well

  3. Kuhty baby! You can do it! Flap your wings and fly to the sky!

    Thank you translator san for translating this warm hearted story

  4. Thanks for the chapter, and that story was grast so thanks for that too. I live in mexico and the coldest I get here is around -3 C so I can understand the protagonist

    1. Sensitive to cold +1! Live in AZ and is very sensitive towards the cold that I feel like I have the flu each time I get the shivers. Cold is for the bears.

  5. aaahh I melt at that smol spin-off ahahhahah that was super cute /w\ I wanna see the Kuhti cub fly~~ XD thank you for the chapter!

    //That I need more coffee picture is me everytime I’m at home… And one more chapter is also me, every night. XD

  6. Mermaid cub: Papa! “Pa.” ?

    That end theater with bun bun and meow meow working hard to stay awake long enough to finish the story: totally me right now. Zzzzzz… *klonk* ?

  7. Thank you for the update~
    This is really a heart warming chapter.
    Maybe the mermaid cub is gonna call him papa or something, it should be mama though. Xie Tao is like a protective and loving mother. xD

  8. Ey, a fellow Swedish person 😀 I’m more used to writing in english so I will go with that.

    A very cute story and pictures you put up!

    1. Wow, you are the second BL loving Swedish person that I have encountered online.

      The first person and I actually chatted in English for a while before we realized that we were both from Sweden and it only happened because the other person accidentally wrote an “ö” which I spotted.

      We felt a bit stupid for using another language when we both were from the same country. But the fun thing is that we still use English to talk to each other online. The reason is that we, like you, have grown so used to it that it now feels weird using Swedish.

      Engelskan håller på att ta över!

      (Cringing from forcing myself to find anything extra to write in Swedish…)

  9. Thanks for the chapter! This novel is so fluffy! Also, I’m a Canadian living in Asia in an area with a similar winter climate as in the book, and I have this reaction all the time… especially when people tell me how terribly cold it gets in winter and I realize they are talking about -5 C as if it’s -30…

  10. I did indeed pass out.

    And couldn’t comment! But oh my god!! This story is so good! I’m in love. The Mc is very interesting. He struck me as someone who doesn’t express himself well and is it bit cold. But seeing him so open and friendly is so amazing.

    And the ML. Oh my lord. And MC! Find some kind of security. He’s a grown man now and he’s all snuggley and sleeps with you. ANd licks and kisses you. That means something!
    Kinda!
    Maybe!
    Who knows!
    Maybe!
    It’s probs familial affection.
    But still!

    Anyway! This story is awesome. Thank you for the translations!

    And wow! That little story at the end! Awwwwew! Poor Takila. I wish the other cubs got some more focus. With the KNox introduction. They have all been pushed to the side a bit. I miss the Muka! So adorable.
    And I wish the novel went into more details about how the Knox interacted with the other cubs. He was always just with MC

  11. Wooo~ I’m so happy to see the babies again! Thank you for your hard work!

    Mermaid: Pa! Is it papa?! It is right? Aaaa //ahdjshsshja ?

    Kuhti: You can do it baby! Also why did the chapter ended like that? Cliffhanger to estimate how far the baby can go in next chapter ? Personally I hope the baby can fly into Xie Tao’s arms and give a slap to those who gave up on him.

    Extra: How in the world does a baby drink coffee as much as baby Takila did?! ? Late night gaming as well. Though I’m happy to see Takila and Knox babies are becoming good friends.

  12. Haha, what a cute chapter!????
    Are you reading the Shatter Me series now? Juliette, Warner, Adam – they’re from this series, right????
    P.S I love both your Halloween special and the reference!????
    P.P.S If you want to someone to discuss the book with you, I’d be happy to do so!???

    1. Yes! It’s the Shatter Me series!

      I really love the series and wanted to see if someone would get it, and finally someone did!!(≧∇≦)

      I read it a year ago and realizing that the fourth book had come out, I recently brought it and planned to reread the other three books before reading it.

      But since I have been focusing on translating and school, it’s sadly still on my todo list, however I’m planning on doing it during the Christmas break. (๑>◡<๑)

      1. Wow, I’m a fan of the ‘Shatter Me’ series too! Nice to meet you, fellow fan!??
        I bought the 4th book ‘Restore Me’ too, but just like you, due to school and other real life matters, I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet!???????
        But I’m also scared of reading it…

        ??SPOILER ALERT!!!!??

        …because people say Juliette and Adam break up in this book or something and apparently it’s for examining their relationship or whatever… But they’re my OTP, I don’t want them to break up!

        ??SPOILER OVER!!??

        But anyway, I so glad to find someone else who like this series because most people think it’s weird and the writing style is hard to read, etc. But that’s just the way I like it!????

        P.S. I’m still open to discussions on this book!??
        P.P.S Who is your favourite character in this series???

        1. Oh, no! I didn’t know that!

          I shouldn’t have read the spoiler, now I’m also a bit afraid…

          They are my OTP too, I was so shocked and happy when they got together, my OTPs generally never come true. So I really hope that if that happens, it will only be temporary and be solved quickly. (>_<)

          My favorite character is probably Warner, his past makes him complicated and deep, but I also like Kenji, because he is just so cute and funny!

          One of my favorite Kenji parts:

          I’m a wandering disaster.
          “I need to cool down.”, I say and try to control my voice. “I will come back and shave off your hair when you are asleep.”
          For the first time, Kenji looks utterly terrified.
          “You wouldn’t dare.”
          I walk towards the elevator. Push the button. “You are a heavy sleeper, right?”
          “That is not fun, J- that is not funny at all…”
          The elevator doors open. I walk in. “Sleep tight, Kenji.”
          I hear how he continues to call out to me, even after the doors have closed.

          (I only had the book in my language so I hastily translated this part)

          Anyway, I’m also happy to have found another fan!

          Surprisingly many don’t like the writing style, but it was that and the fantastic description of the “darkness” that drew me in. I just love it.

          I would also really like to discuss it with you. To do that, the easiest way might be if you go to the contact page and send me an email. I would really like to know which one of them is your favorite character. (>^ω^<)

          1. Yes, that’s one of the reasons why I love the Shatter Me series.???
            In the beginning there was an ok male lead(Adam) and then later Juliette got together with Aaron and that was absolutely perfect!???
            And that development totally came out of the left field – I was so surprised! Warner seemed to show all signs of a second male lead – and then BAM, he’s the male lead!???
            Also, don’t put much weight in my spoiler – I could have remembered incorrectly!???

    1. I actually found them online by accident, but they were so cute and fit so perfectly to the novel that I wanted to use them, so I made the extra based on them.

      Unfortunately I couldn’t track down the artist’s name, they really deserve credit for the awesomely cute pictures. (⌒▽⌒)

      1. Oh, I see… but good job in finding those pictures!???
        I can’t believe how well they match this novel!???

  13. So he is still going back to our world and bringing things back? Why not more plants?

    What is going on in the other world?

    BTW, that was cute. Where you find all those memes?

    1. I don’t have answers to the first three, but the last one I can answer ->

      I use Pinterest to find pictures for this novel and the memes just started appearing in my feed. (Probably since I pinned a lot of bunny and cat pictures^^)

  14. Lol. So cute. But what about the Muka.

    Sits in the corner drawing ⭕️ ⭕️ ⭕️ “No one loves you when you aren’t cute…”

  15. I read the first two books of the Shatter me series (I think I did read two anyway) a looong time ago.

    I really really liked the first one, but then I think (I have the worst memory) that I wasn’t as much into the second book because I remember lossing interest in the story, mostly because I felt like I was reading X-Men.

    I mean all the superpowers and stuff, and Juliette having similarities to Rogue, maybe it was just me (probably).

    Though it hasn’t entirely left my mind and I’m still curious about how it ends, but I’m too lazy to finish it~

  16. Lol, joke’s on you here in northwest USA, we got a whole 2 inches of snow and it was even 20 degree fahreinheit (google says that’s -6 degrees C.) Why doesn’t US use the metric system? So stupid…ANYWAY thank you! Rereading and commenting now!

  17. Hi, thanks for translating this novel. It’s super cute and just what I needed these days. Could I save these pics and use them on stuff? Please? They’re too adorable and a total mood lol 😆

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