Chapter 110: Mature Body, Childlike Heart (Monthly Votes Please! Follow Subscription Please!)

At the sound of that voice, Eri Himegami first blinked in surprise, then turned around to look at the black-clad youth standing less than a meter before her, her expression puzzled.

How strange—she had felt absolutely no awareness or sensation despite his proximity, something even her brother had never achieved.

And for some reason, she felt an inexplicably pleasant sensation emanating from him, as if something within him was drawing her in.

Meanwhile, the black-clad youth—Wu Xian—was also gazing at the red-haired girl before him, his dark eyes lively and clear, mirroring the gentle smile curving at his lips.

“Are you lost?”

He asked again.

His voice was soft, almost tentative, as if addressing a shy little animal that might flee at the slightest sound.

This time, Eri Himegami blinked twice, then suddenly stepped forward several paces, pressing her face nearly against his, staring intently into his eyes.

Such an abrupt and bold move left Wu Xian and the surrounding otaku sneaking glances at the girl utterly speechless.

The former was simply stunned; the latter began furiously ranting inside their heads.

Where’s the cool, aloof shrine maiden? How did she turn into a naive, adorable girl—and so willingly?

Damn it! If we’d known she was this kind of shrine maiden, we’d have moved in already—no way would some pretty boy get the chance!

Ignoring the otaku’s bitter sighs, Wu Xian stared at the delicate face so close to his, feeling a faint, sweet warmth brushing against him, making his breath quicken involuntarily.

Only when he realized what had happened did he feel both amused and exasperated, a thought rising unbidden in his mind—

Should he take one step forward now, or two?

Before he could decide, Eri Himegami had already stepped back to her original spot, pulled out a notepad and black pen from her small cloth bag, and swiftly wrote a line, holding it up for Wu Xian to see.

【Do you know me?】

Undoubtedly, Eri had written in Japanese. A month ago, Wu Xian wouldn’t have understood a word.

But thanks to attribute sharing, his intelligence had risen dramatically.

Other than that, mastering eight languages within a month? Easy.

“I know you. Your name is Eri Himegami, head of the Himegami Clan, one of the Shishido Eight Families. But I don’t truly know you—and until today, we’ve never met.”

Wu Xian smiled as he explained, speaking nothing but truth, seeing no need to hide it.

After hearing him, the girl’s expression remained calm. She tilted her head slightly, then turned the page of her notepad and wrote again.

【Are you a bad person?】

“...If I said yes, what would you do?”

Though he’d known of her condition, seeing such childish words on the notepad made him unable to resist teasing her.

【I don’t know. But I feel you’re a good person.】

Eri didn’t hesitate—she answered immediately.

“Why?”

Wu Xian, suddenly handed a “good person card,” grew curious. Had his aura as a sin-eradicator become this obvious?

【Intuition!】

A textbook answer. I’m left speechless.

Wu Xian chuckled helplessly, about to reply, when he saw Eri flip the notepad again and hold it up before him.

【So, can you take me with you to play?】

She turned another page.

【Please? (╥_╥)】

“...”

So when exactly did you write these two lines?

Looking at the words on the paper—and the vivid emoticon at the end—Wu Xian fell silent again, as if something had struck his heart, leaving him wordless.

Then, he unexpectedly noticed that the once-dull crimson eyes before him now sparkled brightly, glowing with expectation as they fixed on him.

This feeling was no different from that of a child.

Lowering his gaze, he stole a glance at the elegant curves beneath her shrine maiden robes—the six words “Mature body, childlike heart” instantly flashed in his mind.

Thinking of it, Wu Xian raised his hand, and amid the envious, resentful stares of the otaku, gently ruffled the girl’s hair before saying:

“Sure. But you have to be good—don’t wander off from my side, understood?”

At this, Eri’s eyes brightened further. She nodded vigorously and wrote: 【Yes yes! Eri will be good... By the way, what’s your name?】

Wu Xian was about to answer, but realized Japanese might not convey it clearly—he took her notepad and wrote his name on it.

【Wu Xian... Chinese?】

“Yes. I just arrived in Tokyo yesterday afternoon.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Xian extended his right hand, intending to take Eri’s and cross the intersection.

But the girl moved faster—she slipped her arm through his, then used her free hands to write again on the notepad, this time in Chinese characters.

Still elegant, though the script was slightly smaller than before.

【Where are we going to play?】

“I’ve never been to Tokyo before. I’ll just follow the tourist brochure. But since we’re in Akihabara, let’s walk around here first, then check out other places... By the way, have you been to the Skytree?”

Feeling the soft pressure against his arm, Wu Xian’s thoughts wandered slightly, yet his voice remained calm.

【Skytree?】

Eri blinked. She’d heard the name before, but clearly didn’t know what it meant.

“It’s the tallest building in all of Tokyo.”

Wu Xian pointed toward the distant, unmistakable tower and smiled as he looked into her eyes: “In other words, if you stand atop the Skytree, you can see all of Tokyo...”

He didn’t finish the sentence, for he saw—finally—a faint smile forming on Eri’s face, which had remained expressionless until now.

In an instant, everything around them dimmed, as if all color and light had been swallowed by that barely noticeable smile.

“Didn’t know our little bunny #2 was such a charmer. How long has it been? Already got her clinging to his arm?”

On the rooftop of a building hundreds of meters from Akihabara, Saki Kurogane, back in her black bodysuit, held an AS50 heavy sniper rifle, watching the boy and girl cross the intersection through her scope, a faint smile touching her lips.

Tonight, her duty was to snipe anyone attempting to approach Eri Himegami, ensuring completion of the second mission.

“Not surprising. Our little bunny #2 never dated before, but his recent personal life was quite lively—he knows how to charm women. Especially a naive little girl like this.”

A woman’s teasing voice crackled through the Bluetooth earpiece, sounding dismissive.

“Tsk tsk! Her first crush lands on a seasoned player—and worse, we’re the ones helping make it happen... What a sin!”

“Sigh...”

Hearing this, Saki Kurogane sighed too, then asked curiously: “By the way, what’s the situation with the Shishido Eight Families and Genji? Still no reaction?”

(End of Chapter)