Hmm...
How should he choose?
Kael hesitated.
Clearly, Beidou wasn't interested in him in this simulation. If he couldn't build a meaningful romantic connection with a Genshin character, he might not get a good rating at the end of this simulation, meaning he'd miss out on valuable talents and rewards.
Right now, in this entire simulation, he only really knew Beidou and Yanfei.
Yanfei didn't even mind his appearance at all.
Accepting Yanfei now was probably the best choice he could make.
"I'll accept her."
[Yanfei's emerald eyes gaze unblinkingly at you, and after a moment of hesitation, you finally nod.]
["That's wonderful!" Yanfei beams joyfully. "Don't worry, I'll definitely help you forget Beidou."]
["Since you've agreed, consider this a contract sealed between the two of us."]
[You're infected by Yanfei's bright, cheerful expression and smile in return.]
[She's the first girl you've ever met who knows your true appearance and still accepts you wholeheartedly.]
[Maybe, she really can help you move past your hopeless feelings.]
[You soon find that after making this decision, interacting with Beidou becomes much easier.]
[You no longer have to carefully watch your every move, terrified of doing something she might dislike.]
[Since you've promised Yanfei you'd try to fall for her, you no longer cater to Beidou's every need, both at work and in daily life.]
[You've placed yourself back in the role of a younger brother.]
[Strangely enough, now that you've stopped actively seeking Beidou's presence, she actually shows up around you more frequently.]
[Sometimes, when Yanfei visits you aboard the Alcor, Beidou even deliberately joins your conversations.]
["Hmm…" Yanfei strokes her chin thoughtfully, finally arriving at a conclusion.]
["Could this be the 'possessiveness' I've read about in books?"]
[You sigh at Yanfei's serious expression. "She just sees me as a younger brother. What possessiveness could there possibly be?"]
["You'll realize eventually that I'm right. My intelligence is beyond your imagination."]
["Alright, Miss Genius Yanfei," you tease her gently, "didn't you say we're fishing aboard the Alcor today? Are we going or not?"]
["Let's go, let's go! I'll show you just how amazing I am."]
[Age 18: At first, you simply treated Yanfei as a rare friend your own age.]
[But ever since making that "contract," you've spent more and more time together.]
[Yanfei's clever wit, cheerful personality, and vibrant optimism make every day relaxing and enjoyable.]
[Gradually, you begin to develop genuine feelings for Yanfei.]
[Slowly, thoughts of Beidou enter your mind less and less frequently.]
[One day, just before you're about to embark on another voyage from Liyue, Yanfei comes aboard the Alcor with a document in hand.]
[You glance curiously at the densely written paper. "What's this?"]
["It's our contract, of course," Yanfei says matter-of-factly. "I feel our relationship has progressed to the next stage, and the earlier verbal agreement is no longer sufficient. We should formalize it in writing."]
["Truly worthy of being Liyue's renowned legal advisor," you chuckle, picking up the paper and carefully scanning through it. You notice several strange clauses.]
[Things like "You may not spend more than 30 minutes alone with Beidou," "You must not speak more than ten sentences per day with Beidou, unless it's work-related," and "You cannot think about Beidou more than five times in ten days"…]
[Nearly a dozen clauses, all related to Beidou.]
[You teasingly echo her earlier words, "Could this be the 'possessiveness' I've read about in books?"]
[Yanfei, usually confident and composed, suddenly turns bright red with embarrassment.]
[Yet, she bravely meets your gaze with her clear emerald eyes.]
["This isn't the possessiveness mentioned in books," she says softly. "This is my own possessiveness."]
[After signing the contract, Yanfei happily leaves the Alcor.]
[The sails of the Alcor rise once more.]
[This time, your destination is Mondstadt.]
[You carefully keep your promise to Yanfei, maintaining an appropriate distance from Beidou aboard the ship.]
[The trade in Mondstadt is highly successful, and the crew holds a celebratory banquet aboard the Alcor as usual.]
[For the first time, you no longer need to worry about controlling your alcohol intake to keep an eye on Beidou.]
[You can finally fully enjoy yourself at the celebration.]
[That night, you drink freely, becoming slightly intoxicated.]
[Feeling dizzy, you walk to the railing to let the sea breeze clear your head.]
[Suddenly, someone approaches you from behind.]
[Turning around, you see Beidou standing quietly beside you.]
[It's been a long time since you've been this close to her.]
[You suddenly realize she's now almost half a head shorter than you.]
[You can't help but recall when you first boarded the Alcor, when you barely reached her chest height, and you sigh emotionally.]
[Have you really been on this ship for so long already?]
[You and Beidou stand silently together, neither of you speaking.]
[Remembering your promise to Yanfei, you turn to leave.]
["Captain, I'll head back first…"]
["Beidou."]
[Beidou gazes quietly at the calm sea.]
["What?" You're momentarily confused.]
["Didn't you always call me Beidou before? Why did you start calling me Captain all of a sudden?"]
[Remembering your past feelings for her, you awkwardly reply, "I was immature back then. Everyone else aboard the ship calls you Captain; it's only right that I show you proper respect now."]
[Beidou turns toward you, tilting her head slightly upward to meet your eyes directly.]
[The sea breeze lifts her long hair, gently dancing around her face.]
["I don't want your respect," she says softly. "I want the Kael I used to know."]
["Huh?" You sense something isn't right. "Captain…?"]
["I want the Kael whose eyes always followed me, no matter where I went."]