Little Jean approached the kid around his age. He was standing behind the kid, and he patted the kid's shoulder, "Um… excuse me."

The kid turned around, and suddenly…

A red chain appeared out of thin air and connected their heart. 

Jean was dazed for a moment, he stared at the kid in front of him, But it seemed the kid, who was supposed to be Madeline, was just as oblivious as he was.

Their eyes met, the beautiful clear blue from Jean and the dark raven eyes from 'Madeline.'

And finally, the same spark that always came whenever they met in each world. The sparks that connected their understanding, and the red chain that connected their hearts. 

They stared at each other for a good while until Madeline snapped out of his daze, his cheeks turned red for some reason, and he asked, "D—Do you need anything?"

[Okay, hold on, wait a moment, Chotto Matte kudasai… Pupa, what the fuck?]

[Pupa: I know, right… what the fuck?]

[I thought this is an Otome harem game, not a BL harem visual novel.]

[Pupa: It is an Otome game, and the main character is Madeline. Even the setting is correct, her mom is a florist, and her dad is an artist that opens art supplies.]

[Then what is this? Did Madeline magically turn into a boy? I bet he has a cock under that pants—]

[Pupa: Okay, stop. Don't say cock so easily. You're still five years old!]

[Then what is this?! Explain! This Madeline is literally Xu Jiansheng when he is just four years old, with western facial features, but still… that gaze, that thin lips, that hair, it's literally Xu Jiansheng!]

[Pupa: I'm not sure either. Let's just wing it since it's Xu Jiansheng. I doubt he has any significance in the world plot other than being a nuisance. Besides, it doesn't seem that he can see the red chain connecting your heart with his.]

"H—Hello?" Madeline asked. "Do you need anything, u—um… fairy guest…"

Little Jean snapped out of his daze. He stared at 'Madeline' and introduced himself, "Hello! My name is Jean! What's your name?"

"Un… Matthew… Matthew Moulin."

[Okay, now it's Matthew Moulin instead of Madeline Moulin. To be honest, at this point, I'm not surprised with Jiansheng/Aaron's presence anymore. He can literally be anything. What is he? Han Ye's prominent soul? Half of Han Ye's body? Aish…]

Matthew looked shy in front of Little Jean, even though his character preset as 'Madeline' was supposed to be a feisty little girl. Maybe he only acted like this in front of Little Jean or Yunyu. 

"Nice to meet you, Matthew! Jean is searching for paint! Can you help Jean?" Little Jean asked. 

"I—I can. I work here with my dad…." Matthew replied. 

[Okay, he is totally 100% Madeline, male version. He just doesn't know when to stop, does he?]

[Pupa: Well, that's what we call persistence. You have to admit that he has amazing persistence.]

"Great! I want the best one, so my flower will be colorful!" Little Jean held Matthew's hand, and the latter jolted slightly. His face turned beet red out of embarrassment. Matthew tightened his grip to hold Jean's hand tightly, so they were holding hands together, and Matthew led Little Jean to the paint section.

Matthew picked one box of watercolor paint and said, "This one is our best. It's really good, and if you just started painting, this one can last for a while…."

Little Jean nodded and picked the box. It was surprisingly heavy, so Matthew helped Jean by holding it for him with one hand. 

"Uwaa, Matthew is strong!" Little Jean complimented.

"I—It's nothing…." Matthew lowered his gaze again, unable to look at Little Jean's beautiful face. 

"Un… now Jean needs brush!" 

Matthew led Little Jean to the section full of brushes. He specifically picked the best ones and held it for Jean, "This one is good for soft stroke, and I will also give you the other one if you want a bold stroke…."

"Um… what are soft stroke and bold stroke?" Little Jean asked obliviously. 

"It's a technique in painting—it's hard to explain," Matthew said. He was a bit embarrassed because he also didn't know how to explain it. All he learned was from his father, an artist who got commissioned by the nobles or merchants to paint.

Little Jean nodded obediently, then he said, "Jean needs canvas now!"

"Ah, for Canvas, we need my father to take it. It's hanging up there..." Matthew looked up and pointed at a few canvases hanging in the air. 

"Okay, let's call your dad!" Little Jean said. 

Thus, Matthew called his dad, and he picked some canvas and gave it to the guard outside because Jean couldn't hold it. 

The clerk crouched to be at the same level as Jean and Matthew. He smiled full of mirth when he saw that Matthew was holding Little Jean's hand. The clerk then patted Matthew's head.

"Young Master Jean, this is my son, Matthew Moulin. He is an energetic, brave boy. I hope he doesn't annoy you."

"Matthew doesn't annoy Jean at all! He helps Jean!" Little Jean shook his head. "But Matthew's face is red. Would you mind checking if Matthew is alright?"

"Ah, really?" the clerk, Matthew's dad, had just realized that his son's face and ears did turn bright red, as if he was so embarrassed and shy, unlike his usual self.

The clerk smiled when he saw Matthew's behavior. It was the first time for him to look shy in front of other kids. He was so feisty, brave, and courageous in front of everyone usually. 

"Young Master Jean, Matthew seems to be your friend. If you're willing, would you mind being his friend?" 

"Oh, yes! Jean never has a friend before!" Little Jean looked excited. He only had his Big brother and Prince Raphael, who visited from time to time, so he didn't know what having a friend felt like.

"Then you two should be good friends—"

Clink. Clink.

The moment Matthew's dad wanted to pronounce them as good friends, the bell on the door rang, and the Archduke, Duke Maximillien Eau Saumont, appeared with his cold gaze, looking around intimidatingly. 

His eyes darted at Little Jean, who was holding the hand of another boy at his age. Maximillien frowned and asked his Little brother, "Jean, are you done buying your art supplies? We will leave after you've bought everything."

Little Jean released his hand from Matthew and rushed towards his Big brother. He raised his hands, wanting to be picked up by his Big brother.

Thus, Maximillien picked him up and carried Jean on his arm. He asked again, "Are you done with your art supplies?"

"Un! Jean has bought paint, brushes, and canvas! Jean will paint Big brother first in the Palace!" Little Jean said. 

Maximillien grinned. He glanced at the clerk, "So, how much do I need to pay for my little brother's art supplies?"

The clerk got up and then walked to the cashier, he didn't mention the money yet, but he asked, "Your Highness, Young Master Jean seems to be fond of my son, would you mind allowing them to be friends?"