'Is he moved by all this?'
Iroha snuck a glance at Rei Ao, only to see his usual calmness paired with a slight, unreadable smile.
'What's with that?'
Her thoughts went into turmoil. He wore the same expression, no matter what she did, and she couldn't glean any emotional reaction, let alone if he was moved by her charms!
~~~
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Chapter 542: Rei Ao got Luo Hao Attention
Snap!
A plush toy dropped out of the claw machine under Rei Ao's precise control.
"Wow! Rei Ao-kun, you're amazing!"
Even though she was troubled by her inability to read Rei Ao's emotions, Iroha Isshiki kept up her "adorable schoolgirl" persona in this moment.
"Haha, here you go. Where to next?"
He handed her the plush and directly asked about the next stop.
"Uh"
Iroha's expression froze briefly.
That phrasing sounded oddalmost like he'd seen through her plan. Impossible! She refused to believe her strategy was fully exposed.
Pressing a fingertip to her lips, she pretended to think. After a few seconds, she showed just the right amount of "Aha!" cuteness.
"I've got it, Rei Ao-kun! How about we get dinner and then catch a movie? There's a romance flick I'm super curious about today."
Heh. That was all part of her plan.
By the time dinner finished, it would be nighttime. Then seeing a movie would make it around 10 p.m. Then Rei Ao-kun would walk her home in the dark; they could hold hands, get closer, lead into a confession She refused to believe she couldn't get him that way!
Iroha's lips curved faintly, thinking it was a perfect plan.
"Oh? Sure, let's go," Rei Ao said, fully cooperative, as though not noticing her smug little smile.
He had known from the start that she was acting according to a plan. He just wanted to see what else she'd do. Admittedly, she had decent acting skills, though maybe slightly inferior to someone like Haruno.
"Yumiko, looks like they're off for dinner."
Yuigahama peered out, her stomach rumbling.
"Grr~"
She clutched her belly.
"You little so unprofessional!" Yumiko scolded her. But in the next moment
"Grr~" her own stomach growled, too.
Yuigahama blinked her big eyes innocently.
Yumiko's face reddened at being so flustered.
"Hmph, fine. Let's just sneak into that same restaurant and order something Make sure you keep your mask on, so they don't notice us!"
"Got it, got it!"
In the Campione World
Amid swirling clouds and mist in a mountain forest stood a simple housea place that hardly looked inhabited. Yet it was indeed home to someone.
"Master, I was wrong!!!"
A man's wail.
"You were wrong? Hmph."
A woman's snortthen a sudden surge of terrifying aura.
Boom!
A man's body shot out like a cannonball, slamming through a bare tree. The aura's owner was a woman in a cheongsam dress, exuding a fierce, overbearing presence. She went by Luo, named Cuilian, style name "Hao." Luo Cuilian, or Luo Haoeither name worked.
What mattered was her identity:
The one who reigned at the pinnacle of martial prowess: the Holy Cult Master of the Five Prisons. A Campione (God-slayer) known as the Martial Arts King, the sworn enemy of the oldest Campione, the Marquis Voban.
In the martial arts world, a third or so of the adepts belonged to her cult, swearing absolute obedience. Despite existing for over two centuries, she appeared a 17— or 18-year-old supreme beauty, dressed in a white Han Chinese qipao.
Her long black hair was braided in three sections. Luo Hao lived in a remote mountain monastery, rarely leaving. It was said anyone who saw her face would destroy their own eyes, and only her personal disciples could set eyes on her.
That unfortunate man who'd just been sent flying was one of her personal disciples, Lu Yinghua.
"May the wise and valiant Holy Cult Master's name endure as long as heaven and earth, never to fade!
Your fearless martial might, your insight and compassion shine upon the world!
Your disciple, Lu Yinghua, wishes Master ten thousand years of eternal splendor!"
Yes, from the distance came Lu Yinghua's voice, meaning he wasn't dead.
"Hmph, disturbing my cultivation, a fitting punishment," said Luo Hao, withdrawing her frosty gaze. She didn't spare him another glance, turning her attention elsewhere. Instead, she murmured:
"A seventh Campione has arisen, slaying two gods in an instant Interesting."
That was the news that had driven Lu Yinghua to interrupt her training. It piqued her interestbut only slightly.
She mused, "Perhaps it's time I left the mountain."
Her eyes were keen, though she wasn't aiming for that new Devil King specifically. Her gaze fell toward the distant region of Sakura Island.
In the Chat Group
Erica: "@Rei Ao, Your Majesty, there's something I have to tell you!"
Rei Ao: "Just say it."
Misaka Mikoto: "Some urgent matter?"
Erica: "It's about that Sword King, Doni. He's been bragging everywhere about you instantly killing two Heretic Gods."
Fubuki: "That's actually true. I can still vividly recall that scene."
Erica: "Sure it's true, but publicly announcing it like that does you no favor, My King. It only draws unwanted trouble."
Saeko Busujima: "You mean from other Campiones?"
Shiba Miyuki: "Right, those Campiones are arrogant and lawless. They won't stand someone overshadowing them."
Frieren: "Mm, from their viewpoint, Rei Ao-kun is just a newly emerged Campione."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "So that Doni guy is basically putting Rei Ao at odds with the others on purpose?"
Mabel: "Eek, that's devious."
Bibi Dong: "Hmph, no matter if it's on purpose or for fun, he deserves to die!"
Tohru: "Agreed, let's kill him!"
Megumi Kato: "So what do you plan to do, Rei Ao-kun?"
Rei Ao: "He's using me for entertainment, is he? Hopefully he's ready to lose his head."
Tohru: "Hehe, let me do it. I'll rip him apart."
Rei Ao: "I'll deal with it later. I'm busy now."
Sui: "Busy? Are you fighting some powerful enemy?"
Mai Sakurajima: "Huh, if only. He's on a date, flirting."
Hiiragi Shinoa: "Ah, so there's another girl who's caught his eye?"
Mai Sakurajima: "A kouhai from our school, remember? That Iroha Isshiki girl."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "? What are you all talking about?"
Hearing Isshiki Iroha's name, Yukino suddenly felt unsettled. She'd been so immersed in Rei Ao's sweet affection that she'd forgotten about that underclassman who was chasing after him.
Rei Ao: "Hey, it's not that I fancy her. That little kouhai wants to 'capture' me, so now we're on a date~"
~~~
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Chapter 543: Kicking the Peepers out... (Bonus Chapter)
At Rei Ao's house.
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang.
Futaba went to open it.
Standing there was Saki Kawasaki.
"Oh? It's you again. Here for the usual housekeeping job?"
"Yes."
Saki Kawasaki nodded. She hadn't forgotten her deal with Rei Aoshe came diligently every weekend.
"Come on in."
Futaba was already somewhat familiar with her. Upon entering, the living room was quieter than expected, so Futaba explained:
"Today, Fumino and the others have the day off from tutoring. Tohru took Sora and Ilia to hang out with her friend. Emilia is in her room handling some work stuff. Mai went to stay at her mom's place for a while."
"As for me, I'm basically free.
"Oh, rightRei Ao"
"Mm, I know about Rei Ao-kun from the chat group," Saki said a bit awkwardly.
From the group chat, she'd learned he was currently on a date with a certain underclassman.
"Oh, rightyou're in the chat group, too," Futaba nodded.
"Well then, let's get on with the housekeeping. I'll help you."
"Eh? N-no, it's my job. It's fine if I do it alone."
Seeing Futaba already rolling up her sleeves and going into Rei Ao's bedroom, Saki tried to stop her, but she returned with some clothes in hand.
"Don't worry. I'm idle anyway."
"All right then."
Saki couldn't say no further. The two got to work together.
Meanwhile, at a restaurant
Eating dinner alongside Rei Ao, Iroha Isshiki felt even more stiff and uneasy than she'd expected.
She sipped water, struggling for conversation, which ironically made her have to excuse herself:
"Uh, Rei Ao-kun, II need to run to the restroom."
She quickly stood and hurried off, face lowered.
"Haah Even though I planned all these topics"
Little did she know, it just ended in awkward silence.
Rei Ao watched her go, shaking his head with a wry smile.
"She prepared so many topics, or so I thought."
He picked up his chopsticks again but then put them down and stood up. Instead of following Iroha to the restroom, he walked toward a corner table in the dining area.
"Mmmso tasty!"
Having set aside her mask, Yuigahama devoured her meal eagerly, no trace of a refined image. Across from her, Yumiko sighed, exasperated.
Clearly, Yuigahama was starving and had forgotten all about the real reason they were tailing Iroha. But Yumiko herself was hungry too; they'd barely eaten anything all day. She resigned herself to focusing on the food first.
"Yo, who do we have heremy dear sweet Yui-baby and Yumiko-baby, hmm?"
"Pfft!!!"
Those words almost made them choke mid-bite. They barely swallowed the food, hearts still pounding, and turned in alarm.
"ReiRei Ao-kun?!"
He stood there smiling at them.
"You've been following me all day. Why so shocked to see me?"
"U-uh"
"Y-you knew?"
Yuigahama stared at the floor, embarrassed. Yumiko shot her a glare. Then she folded her arms with a snort:
"Hmph. If we hadn't been watching, who knows what you might've done to Iroha."
"Huh?"
Rei Ao slid into the seat beside her.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
Her cheeks flared red, sliding further in to keep distance. But he followed, so their bodies pressed side by side. It looked intimately couple-like, making Yuigahama feel a stab of envy.
Rei Ao lightly raised Yumiko's chin, looking at her with a teasing, predatory expression:
"Yumiko, with a pretty girlfriend like you around, why would I do anything beastly to someone else? If I said I wanted to kiss you, hold you, maybe go further for fun, you wouldn't refuse, right?"
"I"
So close, hearing him say that, her heart raced. In truth, she wanted to scream, "I'd love that!" But with Yuigahama and others all around, she forced herself to remain composed.
"Whowho wants to do such shameless things, you pervert!"
She slapped his hand away. Yet at the same time, Yumiko sent him a private message in the chat group, not wanting him to misunderstand.
Yumiko Miura (private): "Hey, don't get the wrong idea. I only said that because Yui is here and other people too!"
Rei Ao (private): "Heh, so you're saying you do want to do fun things with me, right?"
Yumiko: "P-pervert! Stop saying such weird stuff!"
Rei Ao: "If you're not interested, fine. I'll go look for Yui instead."
Yumiko: "No way!"
Rei Ao: "Oh? Why not?"
Yumiko: "Becausebecause"
She couldn't say "I'm jealous," so after a moment she typed, thoroughly embarrassed:
Yumiko: "Because I also want to do fun things with you!"
Rei Ao: "Could've said so from the start."
Rei Ao's grin turned mischievous.
"Rei Ao-kun, Yumiko, why are you two suddenly silent?" Yuigahama blinked. They'd gone quiet, but their expressions kept shifting.
"Oh, nothing."
Sensing that Iroha was returning from the restroom, Rei Ao got up.
"Don't follow me anymorego home. Don't make your families worry."
He patted Yuigahama's head. "Tell Auntie I said hi."
With that, he headed back to his table.
"Hehe"
Yuigahama beamed happily after the pat. After a moment, she asked Yumiko, "So should we go home?"
Yumiko shot a complicated look at Rei Ao's back.
"Since he's caught us, what's the point? Let's go. About Iroha, he won't do anything bad to her."
"Eh?"
She was sure. Because she'd read his final chat message:
Rei Ao: "Get a hotel room, and I'll come find you later."
~~~
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Chapter 544: Portal from Another World!
"Splish Splish"
The faucet's water flow gradually weakened to a trickle.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Iroha Isshiki muttered softly,
"Come on, Iroha, why are you so useless!"
She had clearly decided to "conquer" Rei Ao, yet she kept messing up.
"Iroha, you've got to step up your game for the next phase!"
And this next phase was the final part of her plan!
After finishing dinner, Yui and Yumiko truly stopped tailing them. As they left, Yumiko cast a menacing glare at Rei Aoprobably a warning not to do anything dubious, and not to forget about "booking a room."
He hadn't done anything "bad," but Iroha Isshiki seemed fired up, eagerly clinging to him.
They sat in a quiet spot of the theater to watch a classic romance film, and Iroha kept making subtle moves: brushing hands "accidentally" while grabbing popcorn, mixing up their drinks, letting her cheek rest on his shoulder. Rei Ao didn't mind. If anything, Iroha herself ended up flusteredher heart pounding from her own maneuvers.
In the middle of the film came an inevitable "bathroom break" scene. Though she hated giving up resting her head on that broad shoulder, the urge to pee was non-negotiable.
"Rei Ao-kun, I-I need to run to the restroom."
"Sure. I'll come along."
Rei Ao's eyes gleamed. He and Iroha both left the screening hall.
"Lucky, no line!"
Seeing no one waiting outside the ladies' room, Iroha felt relieved.
"I'll go in; please wait for me a bit, Rei Ao-kun."
"Alright."
She stuck out her little pink tongue and, after Rei Ao nodded, stepped inside.
But Rei Ao remained where he was.
He himself had no need for the restroom; he'd come out for another reason. After waiting a while, he made his way into the ladies' room.
Worried about making Rei Ao wait, Iroha Isshiki hurried. She didn't bother touching up her makeup. And most importantly, the restroom was strangely emptynobody else was around. It was a bit scary.
Right after turning on the faucet to wash her hands:
