A few hours ago, it had felt to Gao Sijin like watching a horror movie up close. The human trafficker, arrogant and domineering at first, eventually became food for the evil spirits, and everything about it felt utterly justified.
As time went on, Gao Sijin’s initial shock subsided back into calm, like a stone thrown into a lake that only stirred ripples at the very beginning.
“Are you tired, Gao-kun?”
Tsukiyuki Rio gently nuzzled her head against Gao Sijin’s chest, asking in a coquettish tone.
“Not particularly tired. I’m just working out a plot right now.”
“Then please keep at it, Gao-kun. When we get back, you absolutely must write an interesting story that can satisfy me. Otherwise, Gao-kun will have to satisfy me in other ways.”
“Mm, I got it. Don’t worry.”
Cuddled so close together, he could faintly catch Tsukiyuki Rio’s subtle body fragrance, light as a mist of flowers.
Actually, the first time he saw her photo, Gao Sijin had assumed Tsukiyuki Rio was the sedentary type. At least outwardly, she looked like a frail, sheltered young lady, her slender, delicate shoulders so fine that a finger’s poke might shatter them.
But appearances can be deceiving. Last night had almost completely rewritten his perception of her. Dressed in a black kimono with wooden geta on her feet, she moved like an ancient geisha dance as she used a still-sheathed tachi to knock out every person who dared approach.
At the same time, Gao Sijin realized that even if he were alone with Tsukiyuki Rio later, there was no way he could slip away from her. In strength or skill, Gao Sijin was no match.
Maybe Yu Qingxue was right after all; he really needed to try a different approach. Laozi once proposed an idea—teeth break because they are hard, the tongue survives because it is soft.
If he acted more obedient, Tsukiyuki Rio might relax her restraint on him and expose a opening.
Thinking this, Gao Sijin gently wrapped his arm around Tsukiyuki Rio’s waist, trying to seem intimate and bold. This was the first time he had ever actively put his arm around a girl’s waist—even with his first love in middle school, Gao Sijin had always been the passive one.
“Ah!”
Tsukiyuki Rio let out a sound like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and her pale, delicate face immediately turned rosy.
“Gao-kun actually took the initiative to hold me. I never expected that.”
“My body just moved on its own…”
Gao Sijin immediately released his arm from around her slim waist.
He couldn’t show that he was warming up to her too quickly. Otherwise, with her sharp mind, she would definitely realize he was overacting and see through a mere performance.
But judging by her expression, she didn’t seem to think that far.
“If Gao-kun likes it, please keep holding my waist. I especially love the feeling of being held in your arms. I’m Gao-kun’s own little kitty.” Tilting her head, Tsukiyuki Rio mimicked a cat’s meow in a voice that could turn bones to mush. “Meow~”
“I already said, I accidentally put my hand on your waist.”
Gao Sijin turned his face away.
Playing hard to get was also a strategy. Through unconscious micro-motions, he would show hints of affection toward her and make her develop the illusion that, even if she loosened her control, he would never run away.
“Could Gao-kun be a tsundere?”
“No, I just did it by accident just now. One day, I’m going to escape from you.”
“There you go again. Gao-kun loves to talk in his sleep.”
Winning Tsukiyuki Rio’s trust was a gradual process. One day would never be enough to make her fully relax her grip on him. But judging by her utterly delighted smile, his strategy seemed to be having some effect.
“It seems that although Gao-kun won’t accept me with his words, his body is already slowly succumbing. How cute. Once Gao-kun behaves a little more obediently, I might even take you on a trip outside. Though even if I take you out, Gao-kun still won’t slip from my grasp, because our fates have long been tied by a red thread, never to be parted.”
Once they went out on that trip, he would slip away at the right moment.
But knowing Tsukiyuki Rio as he did, she might deliberately leave a few openings to test him. When that happened, he must not show too much eagerness; he had to appear patient and submissive.
Ten minutes later, Yu Qingxue stepped on the gas, and the group finally returned to the high-rise in Kabukicho, Shinjuku Ward.
“Sorry as I feel about this, Gao-kun, your outing is over. Let’s go home.” Tsukiyuki Rio took Gao Sijin’s hand as they got out of the car. “You must be tired after being out all night. After breakfast, we’ll take a bath together and then go to sleep.”
Gao Sijin nodded, putting on an obedient, compliant air.
“By the way, Master.”
“What is it, Qingxue?”
“Your Volume 1 officially goes on sale in bookstores today.”
“I nearly forgot since you didn’t mention it.”
“A little later, I’ll buy a copy of the book for you.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“No trouble at all. Serving Master is my honor.”
In the past, Gao Sijin had always hoped to be recognized, to sell his copyrights and get an anime adaptation.
Now, without even realizing it, that dream had come true.
“Rest well for today. Tomorrow, you have an autograph session to attend.”
Tsukiyuki Rio suddenly whispered in his ear.
“Autograph session?”
“Yes, Gao-kun’s reception has been very positive, so you’ve been invited to an autograph session tomorrow.”
Gao Sijin felt as if his steps were floating, as if in a dream.
Not long ago, he had personally witnessed a scoundrel’s death, and now he was going to attend an autograph session tomorrow.
What a fulfilling life.
“There will probably be a lot of people then, so Gao-kun should mentally prepare. Editor Mishima and Katakura Hayabusa will also be participating, so you don’t need to be too nervous. And I’ll be right by your side the whole time.”
“Got it.”
If his past readers and the handful of author friends knew that his book had become a hit in J-Country, what sort of expressions would they have?
Gao Sijin was actually kind of looking forward to it.
Taking the elevator to the 30th floor, Morgana, the Deputy Head Maid from Paris, stood at the front of the maids as they all welcomed them home. Gao Sijin abruptly recalled how, back in his rented apartment in Bincheng, he had always longed for someone to say “Welcome home” to him. But all alone, he’d only been greeted by the cold, empty air.
“Rio…”
“What is it, Gao-kun?”
“I suddenly feel that being kidnapped by you isn’t entirely a bad thing.”
“Right?”
Tsukiyuki Rio took Gao Sijin’s hand and led him to the dining table.
Breakfast was comparable to a palace feast.
After breakfast, Gao Sijin returned to the bedroom with Tsukiyuki Rio to rest.
“Speaking of which, what new theme did Gao-kun think of?”
“Just an idea. If Katakura Hayabusa were a girl, that’d be quite a moe point.”
In Gao Sijin’s mind surfaced an image: a blonde delinquent girl riding a motorcycle, swinging a metal baseball bat as she wandered the streets of Tokyo—so badass.
