Chapter 55: Ihobe Bananae's Challenge!

(Please everyone, have a little bit of "public display of affection.")

"Zero~ that's not okay~"

"I'm not ready yet~"

"Dame dame~ hehe~"

Mao Jin carried a basin of warm water into the room, only to see Xiao Xiao Mili lying on the bed like an octopus, clinging to the still-unconscious Zero, occasionally mumbling some strange sleep-talk.

She sighed helplessly.

As for why…

Uhh…

That story has to start a few hours earlier.

When Zero was about to head to the bathroom for another shower, he opened the bathroom door and found Mao Jin and Xiao Xiao Mili inside, scrubbing each other's backs.

By sheer coincidence, he walked in on this scene again, and immediately a great spray of red liquid burst from his nose; his eyes rolled back and he dropped to the floor stiff as a board.

Last time it was Mao Jin.

The time before that, it was also Mao Jin.

This time, it was Mao Jin and Xiao Xiao Mili.

And so, his two girlfriends, wrapped in towels, propped up the fainted Zero, carried him to the second-floor room, and laid him on the bed.

After that, the two girls hurriedly changed their clothes and took turns looking after the unconscious Zero.

As for Xiao Bai Yue, she quietly noted down everything that happened, planning to tell Sister Luo Li once they were back among the stars.

When it was Xiao Xiao Mili's turn to look after Zero, the fragrance in the room made her feel very relaxed.

Combined with the long-awaited relaxation of the body after a bath, she grew drowsy.

She thought she'd only nap for a little while, but before she knew it, she had fallen fast asleep.

She pressed Zero's head against her chest, her arms and legs wrapped around his body like an octopus.

Hence the scene before us.

"Xiao Mili-chan? Xiao Mili-chan? Wake up!" Mao Jin patted Xiao Xiao Mili's shoulder.

At this rate, if things kept going, the unconscious Zero would soon be smothered by Xiao Xiao Mili and unable to breathe.

Seeing that Xiao Xiao Mili still hadn't woken up, Mao Jin had no choice but to play her trump card.

"Xiao Mili-chan, time to get up and eat~ if you don't get up now, there won't be any left~"

But Xiao Xiao Mili still remained unmoved.

"Xiao Mili-chan, Zero made lots of delicious snacks for you, hurry and get up~"

"Really?! Where?! Where?!"

The moment she heard that Zero had made snacks for her, she jolted awake from her dream, looking around wildly—only then noticing Mao Jin beside her. She scratched her head a little sheepishly.

"Sorry, I accidentally fell asleep~"

"Oh you, if you keep hugging him like that, Zero's going to get smothered to death by those two of yours."

"Aiya~ I'm really sorry, Mao Jin, I accidentally fell asleep! I'll definitely be careful next time!"

"Aunt Kui Zhi has already prepared dinner. Why don't you get up first and go eat something? I'll look after him."

"Okay~"

After Xiao Xiao Mili left the room, Mao Jin set the basin on the table, wrung out the towel, folded it neatly, and laid it across Zero's forehead.

She changed and rinsed the towel every few minutes.

After all that was done, more than half an hour had already passed.

And she herself knelt quietly by the bedside, keeping watch over him.

She looked just like a gentle, virtuous wife.

Gazing at Zero's exquisite sleeping face, she couldn't resist giving his cheek a light poke with her finger.

"Come to think of it… Zero couldn't possibly still not have… experienced that sort of thing, could he? Otherwise why would he always faint at a sight like this?!" Mao Jin thought.

"If that's really the case, then doesn't that mean he…"

At the mere thought of such a possibility, Mao Jin's face flushed red of its own accord, and she didn't dare keep looking at Zero.

Even though he was still unconscious.

She turned her head back to look at the sleeping Zero, leaned down gently until they were face to face, and felt his breath.

A bold idea sprouted in her heart.

Taking advantage of Zero still being asleep, she tucked back the hair by her temple and gently pressed a kiss to his lips.

But just a few minutes later, she suddenly heard movement on the other side of the bed. She looked up to see a small head resting atop another pink-haired head.

Two pairs of eyes were watching Mao Jin's actions with the indulgent smiles of doting aunties.

"Hehe~ I saw that~ when Master wakes up, I'll tell him that little Mao Jin attacked him~"

"Mao Jin-chan, you're so mean~ I haven't even kissed him yet~"

The arrivals were none other than Xiao Xiao Mili, fresh from dinner, and Xiao Bai Yue.

Mao Jin's cheeks instantly turned rosy red, and the tips of her ears flushed a deep crimson.

"N-no… it's not like that… let me explain… I was just… just…"

Flustered and unable to string her words together, Mao Jin tried to explain, but she was so nervous now that she couldn't even organize her speech.

She tried to get up, but lost her balance and tumbled headfirst onto Zero's chest.

That thump jolted the unconscious Zero awake on the spot.

It nearly sent him to his grave right then and there.

Otherwise, the funeral from a few days ago might well have become real.

"Pfft~…… cough, cough……" The moment Zero woke up, he saw Xiang Nai Hui lying on his chest.

"Cough, cough…… Xiang Nai Hui, your way of waking me up is a bit unconventional, you know~"

Zero said in a somewhat joking tone.

"R-right… s-sorry… I-I… I didn't do it on purpose…"

"Alright, alright~ I'm not blaming you, I just hope you'll be gentler next time."

"Oh~" Xiang Nai Hui felt a little embarrassed, after all it really was her own fault just now.

Seeing this, Zero was a bit caught between laughter and tears, not blaming her at all, but when he looked toward the edge of the bed, he asked curiously: "Xiao Xiao Mili, Xiao Bai Yue, what are you two doing?"

"Master, just now while you were unconscious, little Xiang Nai Hui…… mmph……" Before Xiao Bai Yue could finish speaking, Xiang Nai Hui grabbed her with one hand and covered her mouth with her fingers.

This matter was really too embarrassing. Although the two of them had kissed before sometimes, this time she had taken the initiative, and it was while he was unconscious…

"Unconscious? Speaking of which, why did I pass out?" Zero was a little puzzled. He seemed to vaguely remember he was going to take another bath, opened the bathroom door, and then…

It seemed he saw Xiao Xiao Mili and Xiang Nai Hui there rubbing against each other…

"Uh…" He seemed to understand why he had passed out.

"Um… sorry, Xiang Nai Hui, Xiao Xiao Mili, I'm sorry to you two… but I really didn't do it on purpose… please… don't take it to heart…"

"It's fine, Zero, I don't mind." Xiao Xiao Mili was still her usual optimistic and cheerful self, not minding at all.

"It's fine, anyway… anyway you'll see it sooner or later anyway…" Toward the end, Xiang Nai Hui's voice was as thin as a mosquito's; you couldn't hear it clearly unless you listened carefully.

The air was filled with the romantic atmosphere of pink bubbles.

Only Xiao Bai Yue was held in Xiang Nai Hui's palm, like a thousand-watt light bulb shining brightly…

Xiao Bai Yue only felt that she had come at the wrong time. If she'd known, she would have honestly stayed downstairs and continued eating to replenish her energy.

Have to say, Aunt Kui Zhi's cooking really is quite good!

Now look at her, she's become a light bulb!

That said, Xiao Bai Yue could also clearly feel the change in her master, at least much better than before.

Perhaps the next time she meets Sister Luo Li, it will be a brand new beginning!

Naturally, she also felt happy for Zero.

It's just that…

There's a bit too much dog food around, and this light bulb of hers is shining a bit too brightly…

The night passed without a word.

By the next day, Zero woke up early.

The situation beside him was still the same as before.

Xiao Xiao Mili was clinging to him like an octopus, giving him another double face wash.

Xiang Nai Hui, meanwhile, was lying on his chest, showing a sweet sleeping face.

As for Xiao Bai Yue…

She was lying on the other side of his head, hugging his neck as she slept.

"Another day where pain and joy coexist…" Zero smiled helplessly, gently breaking free from Xiao Xiao Mili and Xiang Nai Hui's embrace, arranging their sleeping postures, and tucking them in with the blanket.

He gently lifted Xiao Bai Yue off his neck and placed her on Xiao Xiao Mili's chest.

Coming downstairs, preparing to wash up, Aunt Kui Zhi walked out from the kitchen and informed Zero that someone had come looking for him.

He had already been standing in the courtyard for quite a while.

"Someone's looking for me?"

"Mm, he came looking for you early this morning. Seeing you were still resting, he stood in the courtyard waiting for you."

"Mm, I understand, thank you, Aunt Kui Zhi."

He came to the courtyard, wanting to know who had come to find him.

Seeing that familiar figure, he already knew who it was?

Serpent Hashira — Iguro Obanai.

"Obanai?! Aunt Kui Zhi just said you were looking for me, is there something the matter?"

Iguro Obanai simply nodded and said: "Come with me."

After saying that, he turned and left the courtyard, not caring whether Zero behind him would follow.

Not knowing exactly what had happened with Iguro Obanai, he still followed along to find out.

Arriving at a relatively spacious training ground, two wooden swords were placed not far away.

Iguro Obanai stopped walking, turned around, and asked: "Xiao Xiao Mili… is she with you?"

His words revealed sadness and a trace of sorrow.

"Yes." Zero answered honestly as well.

Yesterday, Iguro Obanai had gone looking for Xiao Xiao Mili, but found no trace of her.

After some inquiries, he learned that Xiao Xiao Mili was at Zero's residence, together with Zero.

At first he didn't quite believe it, but now seeing Zero admit it, he naturally felt a bit uncomfortable, and more than that, annoyed!

He turned around, took down those two wooden swords, tossed one to Zero — the meaning was also very clear.

A duel!

Zero sighed helplessly, and also understood why Iguro Obanai wanted to do this!

Last time, Rengoku Kyojuro was the same!

But things had already come to this, he could only accept.

For no other reason than to prove that, no matter what happens in the future, since Xiao Xiao Mili, like Xiang Nai Hui, had chosen him, he must love her well, cherish her, and protect her!

And accept every challenge.

Sword pointed forward, battle stance set, ready to meet Iguro Obanai's challenge!

And also to test out that ability: Transparent World.

Serpent Breathing, Second Form: Venomous Fang of the Narrow Head!

Iguro Obanai instantly darted behind Zero, the wooden sword in his hand striking like a snake at the back of his neck.

The angle was cunning and vicious, and the attack was biting cold!

Clearly, Iguro Obanai had put his full strength into this strike.

Yet, in Zero's eyes, the structure of Iguro Obanai's body was completely exposed — the flow of blood, the movement of bones, everything laid bare.

The movements seemed as if slowed down, and the direction of attack was predicted with pinpoint accuracy!

*Slap! *

Zero raised the wooden sword in his hand and swept it backward, clashing with Iguro Obanai's wooden sword.

Immediately, a top-down slash came crashing down on Iguro Obanai — one fluid, seamless motion.

Serpent Breathing, First Form: Winding Slash!

The instant Zero's attack came down, Iguro Obanai rotated his wooden sword counterclockwise, unleashing a curved slash.

This move seemed to fall within Zero's prediction — he swung his wooden sword to strike Iguro Obanai's, twisted the blade in his hand, and used the opponent's force against him to defuse its power!

Then he slashed upward, sending Iguro Obanai stumbling back! Then, pushing off with his legs, he swung the wooden sword and pressed the attack forward!

Serpent Breathing, Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent!

While being pushed back, Iguro Obanai once again unleashed a combat technique, rapidly charging forward!

The wooden sword in his hand moved like a nimble venomous snake, carving out a winding slash!

Zero immediately changed his attack, bending his body backward at a 90° angle to dodge the strike.

Then he twisted his body again, planted one hand on the ground, and kicked the wooden sword right out of Iguro Obanai's hands.

His other foot shot straight at his chest.

Seeing this, Iguro Obanai crossed his arms in front of his chest to block — the force was so great he was forced back once more!

The pet companion coiled around his neck — Kaburamaru — rose up, and in that instant Iguro Obanai was forced back, bit down on the wooden sword.

The coordination between man and snake could truly be called seamless.

Serpent Breathing, Third Form: Coil of the Nest!

The retreating Iguro Obanai smoothly caught the wooden sword held in Kaburamaru's bite, then charged forward once more, using Zero as the center to unleash a serpentine, curving slash trajectory!

The multiple slash trajectories coiled like a great python, as if to strangle Zero right at the center.

Unfortunately, all of this seemed to be slowed several times over in Zero's eyes.

He struck out just as fast, meeting the attack head-on!

He swung the wooden sword, striking each slash trajectory with flawless precision!

While defusing Iguro Obanai's slashes, his figure flashed and appeared right in front of him, swinging the wooden sword at blistering speed to strike Iguro Obanai's wrist.

Then, just like last time against Rengoku Kyojurou — wait, no, against Shinazugawa Sanemi — he used the tip of the wooden sword to deliver three heavy strikes to his shoulder blade, elbow, and knee!

Leaving half of Iguro Obanai's body paralyzed, unable to move!

Even with half his body paralyzed, Iguro Obanai still tried to raise the wooden sword in his hand to keep fighting back.

But Zero's figure had already vanished from in front of him, appearing behind him at some unknown moment.

The wooden sword in his hand rested against his neck, as if declaring that in this sparring match, he had already lost!

"You lost."

Though unwilling to accept it, Iguro Obanai clearly felt just how strong Zero truly was! Even stronger than when he had first met him!

Moreover, every single one of his attacks had been predicted by him — yet Zero had not called it out, choosing instead to keep fighting him!

During the battle just now, Iguro Obanai also realized another thing — Zero had been holding back……

But even with Zero holding back, he still lost!

Zero walked up to Iguro Obanai and extended his hand.

Iguro Obanai didn't refuse either, reaching out his own hand to take it and pull himself up.

His paralyzed body had already recovered by this point.

"Treat Xiao Xiao Mili well. Don't think that just because you're with her you can do whatever you want! If I ever see her crying, I will absolutely kill you!"

Even at this point, Iguro Obanai still didn't forget to deliver a venomous-tongued warning.

"You don't need to tell me — I would do that anyway. Even if it costs me my life, I will love and protect her well!"

"Hmph! Get lost already, you trash! Don't talk to me like we're familiar!"

Despite his words, Zero remained completely unmoved.

"What? You're still not leaving?! Get the hell out of here!"

"Obanai, I want to ask you — why do you consider yourself a sinner?!"

"……"