Chapter 577

This villa arranged by the Imperial Household Agency has spacious and layered interior spaces. The living room, open-plan dining area, and kitchen they are currently in are connected, with high ceilings hanging minimalist-design chandeliers that cast warm, soft light. The walls are a soft off-white, adorned with a few Japanese painting reproductions of distant ambiance. Outside the large floor-to-ceiling windows lies a meticulously maintained Japanese garden; in the night, stone lanterns emit a hazy glow, forming a serene scene with the distant mountain forest silhouettes.

Thick light-gray carpet covers the living room center, furnished with wide, comfortable fabric sofas and armchairs. The wooden coffee and side tables have smooth lines, displaying delicate ceramic ware and art ornaments.

The entire space exudes understated luxury and controlled tranquility, every detail revealing exceptional taste and systemic order, as if even air currents follow some invisible rule.

The living room atmosphere has relaxed considerably.

Uesugi Muneyuki is busy in the open-plan Western kitchen area, skillfully searing steak, the tempting fat aroma gradually drifting out. He wears a plain-colored apron, looking like a thoughtful homemaker, subtly overlapping with his previous image of a warm, jade-like noble gentleman.

Perhaps infected by this homely vibe, or perhaps by an unintentional glance from Uesugi, Watanabe Minami Ojou-sama suddenly clapped her hands, smilingly proposing: "Muneyuki-kun is still preparing dinner; let's play a game instead? Waiting idly is so boring."

"A game? What game?" Saito Asuka raised her eyes, somewhat curious. Her lingering doubt remained, but seeing others seem quite interested, she too felt a spark of playfulness.

"How about playing UNO? Simple rules, fun with many people." Watanabe Minami Ojou-sama pulled out a vibrant deck of cards from the living room cabinet, shaking it.

This is indeed a suitable choice for the current setting—no complex strategy needed, mainly relying on luck and a bit of reaction, able to quickly liven the atmosphere.

Ishihara Mikoto elegantly lifted her teacup, took a sip, and smiled: "Sounds nice; I haven't played in a long time."

Ikeda Erena shrugged, giving off an air of indifference but willingness to play along: "Sure, let's add some stakes to make it fun."

Watanabe Minami seemed prepared, or perhaps had received some tacit understanding, her eyes darting as she smiled: "The stakes—let's just tie them to Muneyuki's hobby!"

"Winner gets a reward, loser gets a punishment!"

Saito Asuka's cheeks flushed slightly; she found this reward-punishment idea a bit odd, but seeing her nominal mother Ishihara Mikoto and the ultimate oppai oddball completely unfazed—even a bit eager—she couldn't dampen the mood, only murmuring: "—Alright then."

The game began. UNO's simple rules quickly livened the atmosphere. Several people sat around the coffee table, cards falling amid exclamations and laughter.

"Reverse! Your turn, Inspector Ikeda!"

"Draw Four! Asuka Sauce, sorry!"

"UNO! I only have one card left!"

For a moment, the room filled with voices and laughter, while Uesugi Muneyuki merely smiled, watching their game, his eyes flashing with another meaning.

Bad Minami, good Minami.

While playing, they also chatted about various current gossips.

Mikoto shared some embarrassing childhood stories with Uesugi, plus amusing incidents from her forensic work; Ikeda talked about fashion circle anecdotes and her mother's affairs in Spain—Barça, Real Madrid, etc. —while Minami and Asuka chatted about interesting behind-the-scenes moments in recent life.

For a time, the living room filled with girls' clear laughter; the previous subtle estrangement and competitive feeling seemed to fade considerably through games and chat, relations becoming much closer.

Asuka occasionally glanced at the busy Uesugi Muneyuki in the kitchen.

Pushed by Minami to take charge, he focused on searing steak, occasionally adjusting oven temperature or refilling everyone's cups with juice, like a perfect logistics supervisor.

He rarely interjected, only occasionally offering a gentle smile when hearing something amusing.

But Asuka always felt something was off.

This harmonious atmosphere felt so natural, yet as if meticulously arranged.

There's a conspiracy!

Asuka, best at reading the air, always felt something off: the game was Minami's suggestion, but rewards and punishments were never clearly defined, while Uesugi Muneyuki, though seemingly detached, was omnipresent—like the backdrop of this girls' gathering.

However, she had only recently awakened her Inner World ability, so this feeling was fleeting.

When Asuka immersed herself in the game's wins and losses, seniors' amusing gossip, and gradually familiar interactions, that doubt was washed away.

The steak aroma grew richer, everyone's laughter more relaxed, she herself gradually let go, even began actively "attacking," enjoying the game's simple fun.

"Draw Two! Assistant-san, your turn!" Asuka played the card with slight pride, temporarily tossing that indescribable odd feeling to the back of her mind.

The game proceeded toward its end in seemingly lighthearted cheer.

However, Saito Asuka gradually realized she seemed trapped in an invisible net. Ishihara Mikoto's seemingly casual card guidance, Ikeda Erena's timely "assist" at crucial moments, and Watanabe Minami's perfectly timed "mistake" all subtly pushed her toward desperation. When her last card was blocked by Minami's precise "Draw Four," she suddenly realized this was fundamentally a three-person tacit collusion.

"Oh my, Asuka Sauce, looks like you lost completely." Ishihara Mikoto laid down her cards, tone gentle, eyes carrying a barely perceptible depth.

Ikeda Erena leaned lazily on the sofa, corner of her mouth curling into a teasing smile: "So, per the rules, the final punishment is coming."

"Alright, let's eat first."

Uesugi Muneyuki placed the cooked steak on the table, paired with roasted vegetables and refined sauce, aroma filling the air.

Everyone sat around the long solid wood dining table; the previous game's "punishment"-induced subtle atmosphere seemed temporarily washed away by the food.

"Let's eat." Everyone said in unison, palms together.

Asuka cut into the tender, juicy steak; her taste buds conquered by deliciousness, yet she still cared about her earlier loss, secretly glancing at others.

Ishihara Mikoto ate with extreme elegance, small bites, occasionally exchanging a few low words with Uesugi Muneyuki beside her—content unrelated to romance, just ordinary forensic talk—but when their eyes met, her gaze always revealed a trace of complex emotion, intertwining dependence and resentment, hard to fully conceal.

Ikeda Erena ate heartily, seemingly unaffected, even pleased by her earlier game "victory"; her mixed-race face under the light showed striking dimensionality, exuding wild vitality.

When Uesugi Muneyuki poured her red wine, she would lift her eyes, giving him a look of teasing and familiarity; her pair of long beautiful legs' bare feet even secretly rubbed his calf under the table again and again.

Watanabe Minami Ojou-sama played the sweet fiancée role, occasionally joking with Uesugi Muneyuki, softly praising his cooking, sweet smile, eyes full of possessiveness; Uesugi Muneyuki responded with a gentle smile, occasionally lightly patting her hand back, gestures intimate and natural.

Uesugi Muneyuki himself remained the warm, jade-like master image. He attentively poured wine for each lady,

handed napkins, discussed Karuizawa historical anecdotes or forensic fun facts, knowledgeable and witty, well controlling the dinner atmosphere. He seemed completely detached from those earlier secret games and punishments, merely an enthusiastic host, superb cook.

Asuka watched this seemingly harmonious scene, yet her inner strangeness would not fade.

Off, this is very off!

After enjoying the lavish dinner, satisfaction and laziness spread; everyone washed and changed, and before resting, Watanabe Minami once again enthusiastically produced a large, washi-paper-folded lottery box, filled with many slips.

Erena and Mikoto then fetched four futons, placing them in the living room center.

"Final pre-sleep mini-game! Whatever number you draw is your number!" Minami's eyes sparkled, but Asuka noticed Mikoto and Ikeda exchange a tacit glance—no surprise, only a silent "finally here" consent.

Smiling, she handed the box to Ikeda Erena: "You draw first! Number 2!"

Ikeda raised her eyebrows, extended her slender fingers, and clipped out a folded paper slip from the box. She inhaled deeply, seeming somewhat nervous, then slowly unfolded it.

Upon seeing the words, she visibly exhaled in relief, even her mouth corner curling into a satisfied arc.

"I drew black ultra-thin oiled silk stockings, paired with YSL black slim-heel high heels." Ikeda's tone carried a hint of languid anticipation.

She immediately acted, changing into the specified gear before everyone—no hesitation. Those black stockings were extremely thin, with a lustrous oily sheen, wrapping her already straight, long legs even tighter and more alluring; every inch of curve was outlined vividly beneath that shimmering black film, full of mature sensual tension, then slipping into those classic-design YSL black patent leather slim-heel high heels, the slender heels accentuating her ankles' delicacy, her entire presence instantly radiating, like a bewitching rose blooming in the dark night.

"Wow! Erena-chan's BLACK stockings! So perfect for you!" Minami exclaimed exaggeratedly, then like a puppy seeing its favorite toy, she excitedly pounced, actually hugging Ikeda's oiled-black-stockinged legs, pressing her soft cheek against the stockings, rubbing back and forth contentedly, murmuring indistinct praise: "Ah~ so smooth, so comfortable!"

Ikeda was first stunned, then made to laugh by her. The tall beauty reached out and ruffled Minami's hair, with a touch of indulgent fondness and helpless amusement: "Hey hey, you're being too exaggerated, Minami."

How come this engaged couple is getting more and more alike?

"I don't care, Eirina-chan's black silk is the best! Muneyuki likes it, and I like it too!" Minami said, "Alright, it's my turn to draw." Ishihara Mikoto covered her mouth and gave a light laugh, her eyes carrying the air of watching a show: "I'm number 3."

"Wait! Wait!" Asuka watched this seemingly absurd yet joyful scene—Minami's obsession with Ikeda's black silk beautiful legs, Ikeda's seductive posture that made one unable to look away, and Ishihara's unsurprised smile—finally unable to hold back: "What on earth is going on? What exactly are you guys trying to play?"

"What to play? Very simple!" Minami rubbed against Eirina's black silk while pointing to the four futons lined up on the ground: "Numbers 1234 correspond to these four futons, then we draw lots, and whatever we draw, we must dress according to what's written on the slip, then start taking turns—2 finishes, then 3, 3 finishes then 4, 4 finishes and we start over, each person once, cycling repeatedly~ Eirina-chan is 2, Ishihara is 3, and I am 4!"

"Eh eh eh eh eh?" Little Asuka felt a vague sense of foreboding, she trembled as she asked: "Then me, I am number 1?"

"It's me, I am number 1." Uesugi Muneyuki, lying on the futon nearby, finally couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

"Sorry, Asuka, this is an adult game, kids don't get a turn!"

"Now it's time for kids to sleep, Asuka, your room is the second room on the second floor corner!"

At this moment, Ishihara Mikoto also drew her slip: "ANA flight attendant uniform, gray 40D sheer silk stockings, paired with silver low-cut brown-soled shiny high heels—"

"My turn, my turn!" Minami also immediately drew quickly, the young lady seeing the words on the slip, her face instantly turned crimson: "It's actually JK? I haven't worn that in years—"

After the first round of drawing, Uesugi Muneyuki then took a deep breath, preparing himself.

Minami Ojou-sama said, before number 1 begs for mercy, the game won't end.

Can't back down, fight until dawn!

>