LRAB Page 125
Page 125
Chapter 150 Room
Outside the CLOVER convenience store.
Because of his contract with Airi, Qiu Bai can see everything that happens to Marina through Airi's eyes.
"You refused, that's great, Marina~"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
What followed, of course, was the familiar mission notification sound.
【Ding--! 】
[Thanks to the host's guidance, Marina rejected Masato Ohno's date—mission complete!]
[Congratulations, host, you have received a reward: Magic Power +1000]
Qiu Bai felt the magical power surging within him and clenched his fist in excitement.
The current missions directly increase magic power by 1000!
That was so satisfying!
Qiu Bai's fingertips unconsciously stroked her chin, her gaze piercing through the warm yellow light of the convenience store, landing on the faded neon sign of "CLOVER".
On the sign.
The glass display case was plastered with crooked promotional posters; the narrow aisles between the shelves were barely wide enough for two people to pass sideways; even the refrigerated display cases emitted the hum of an old compressor.
This scene made him frown slightly, and his muttered words dissipated into wisps of smoke in the twilight:
"I feel like the shop is a bit too small... It's time to improve it and find an opportunity to renovate it."
This is a place I frequent, so it can't be this shabby.
Just as he was brainstorming renovation ideas for the exposed pipes on the ceiling, the glass door rang softly.
Marina walked out carrying a plastic bag printed with cartoon patterns. The heat wafted through the semi-transparent packaging onto her glasses, and the aroma of oden mixed with the sweet and caramelized takoyaki wafted towards her.
Ellie followed behind, carrying a shopping bag full of snacks. The crisp sound of the potato chip bag and the sloshing of the sparkling water sounded like a cheerful march.
"Brother Qiu Bai~ We're here~"
Ellie swung the bag in her hand, a smile playing on her lips.
Qiu Bai was in a good mood after completing his mission.
"Let's go back."
She spoke to the two women.
In this world, it's indeed not very safe for a girl as beautiful as her to be out in the open.
"Hey, Qiu Bai, aren't you going to buy anything?"
Ai Li looked at Qiu Bai, leaned forward slightly, and her breasts swayed gently.
Qiu Bai turned her head to look at Ai Li, stretching her arms lazily. "No need, I don't lack anything. Besides, my family's food... is all taken care of by Mei Gan, as you all know."
“That makes sense.” Ellie naturally understood and nodded her little head gently.
She had eaten at Qiu Bai's house a few times before, so she was quite familiar with the place.
"Hey, Qiu Bai~ Speaking of which, Mom's not home today either, how about you stay at our house for the night?"
Aili smiled, her blue eyes looking at Qiu Bai with anticipation in them.
Marina: (11)
"Brother Qiu Bai...coming to our house? Staying for one night?"
Marina was momentarily stunned, then looked at Akihachi, before quickly turning to Airi beside her, and hurriedly asked, "Airi... are you alright? Mom locked the room before she left, so there aren't any extra rooms, right?"
Just two days ago, Hanako came back, but she locked the room before leaving, and neither Airi nor Marina had the key.
"What does it matter? My room is fine... or your room, sister~"
Ellie squinted, her tone carrying a hidden meaning.
Marina never expected her younger sister to say something like that...
This is just too much...
After all, Qiu Bai is a boy, and they are girls.
However, Marina didn't seem to be particularly resistant to it.
"Hmm... then come to my room." Marina still tried to remain calm, and then gave a reason, "I don't know what strange things you might do, Airi."
She sensed something was wrong with Ai Li and was certain that Ai Li liked Qiu Bai. If Ai Li and Qiu Bai were to stay together, who knew what might happen?
"Huh? That's too much~" Ellie pouted and muttered, "No way, I want to go to your room too, I can't have Qiu Bai all to myself!"
Her voice still carried a hint of reluctance, clearly indicating that she didn't want Marina to be alone with Akihachi.
"Well...I have no objection."
Marina had no objections as long as she kept an eye on Airi.
Qiu Bai's face darkened, and he silently opened his mouth: "Didn't you guys ask for my opinion?"
Ellie moved closer to Qiu Bai and grinned.
"Hehe~ Brother Qiubai, you're so nice~ You won't have any objections, right?"
As she spoke, she took Qiu Bai's hand, and the soft touch traveled from Qiu Bai's arm to her brain.
Qiu Bai looked at Ai Li's adorable face, sighed softly, and smiled indulgently.
"There's really nothing I can do about you."
He himself didn't have any objections.
However, if both of them were here, they wouldn't know when they planned to go home today.
Marina felt a pang of envy upon seeing this, but she knew she had a boyfriend...
As a conservative person, how could she possibly do anything reckless?
Qiu Bai could also tell that Marina was in a dilemma at this time.
However, it was thanks to her own charm that Marina might have rejected her and gone off to be with Masato Ohno.
"I can stay with you guys a little later at most, but I still have to go back eventually."
The night wind rustled the leaves of the plane trees lining the street, but he remembered the unread messages from Qiong on his phone.
Unconsciously, her fingertips caressed the sleeve that Airi had rolled up, the warm touch mixed with the sweet scent unique to young girls:
"Hmm... I can only stay until midnight."
Qiu Bai deliberately put on a stern face, which earned him Ai Li's coquettish reproach and Marina's relieved sigh.
The faded sign of the convenience store cast the shadows of the three people in the dim light.
……
As dusk settled, Qiu Bai's shadow was stretched crooked by the streetlights, overlapping with Marina and Airi's silhouettes on the damp cobblestone path, creating a swaying silhouette.
As the three of them turned the corner, their steps cast by the shadows of the sycamore trees, he subconsciously glanced at his own balcony next door—
Warm yellow light seeped through the gaps in the sheer curtains, casting swaying shadows on the glass, as if waiting for something.
Stepping into Marina's home, the teak flooring still retains the warmth of the day.
Marina skillfully kicked off her white shoes, and the fluffy bunny slippers landed on the ground with a "thud." Airi tiptoed and hung her schoolbag on the hook, the clanging of the metal chain echoing in the empty corridor.
Akihachi followed behind them, the wooden staircase creaking slightly, and the strawberry sticker on Marina's door gleamed in the moonlight.
The moment the door was opened, the girl's unique scent wafted out.
The pale purple wallpaper was covered with anime posters, and the wind chimes on the windowsill swayed gently in the night breeze, their tinkling sounds mingling with the scent of mint incense.
Ellie plopped down on the bed with cloud-patterned sheets, as if it were her own room.
"Ah~ That feels so good~"
Marina was outside arranging the ingredients she had just bought.
Qiu Bai leaned against the door frame, watching two different figures: one busy in the kitchen outside, and the other lying on the bed.
Chapter 151 Poker
"Brother Qiubai, I'm going to take a shower first! How about we play cards later? I'll bring the deck from my room later."
Ellie sat up in bed, turned her head to look at Qiu Bai beside her, her eyes still filled with anticipation.
Qiu Bai had no problem with it and nodded gently, saying, "Okay, then hurry up and wash up."
"Hehe~" Ellie smiled cutely, then stood up and walked outside.
Just then, Marina came in after she had finished tidying up the food she had bought.
Looking at Ellie who had just left, he was somewhat puzzled, but seeing that Ellie had something to do, he didn't stop her.
Marina turned her gaze to Akihachi, who was sitting on her bed, and asked, "Um... what's wrong with Airi?"
"She went to take a shower," Qiu Bai replied, but his gaze was fixed on Marina, his eyes revealing a hint of something deeper, as he asked her, "Speaking of which... Marina, have you been getting particularly close to other boys lately?"
Upon hearing Qiu Bai's words, Marina couldn't help but shudder.
"Ugh?"
She clenched her little hands tightly.
Marina realized that Akihaku clearly had suspicions about her, but what exactly was going on?
Why do I doubt myself?
Could it be Ellie?
She sensed that Ai Li and Qiu Bai were getting close, and she also felt that Ai Li might have told Qiu Bai about her situation.
Marina's mind is currently in a very complicated state.
Has my secret been discovered recently?
If I keep lying, Qiu Bai will look down on me, won't he?
"call……"
She let out a soft breath, placed her hand on her chest, walked up to Qiu Bai, and lowered her head. "Well, actually... Brother Qiu Bai, I have a boyfriend."
She answered truthfully, explaining that if she continued to deceive Qiu Bai even knowing his true intentions...
Qiu Bai must look down on him even more, right?
Mari didn't dare to gamble, nor was she willing to gamble.
Qiu Bai stood up, looked at Marina in front of him, and gently stroked her cheek.
"You're not going to keep it from me anymore? In other words... are you prepared to accept the consequences?"
He looked at Marina in front of him.
Marina's eyes showed a hint of hesitation, and she was certain that Akihaku already knew about this, but he was just worried about her. Although she hesitated, she finally nodded.
"Well, as for dropping out of school..." Marina paused slightly before continuing, "Anyway, it's all up to you, Akihachi-nii."
Qiu Bai was in a good mood when he saw the well-behaved Marina.
"So good, so good~"
He gently rubbed Marina's little face; it was warm and soft, and had a faint fragrance.
I was thinking that if Marina didn't behave, I could just force myself on her today.
Unexpectedly, this little girl was surprisingly well-behaved, which made it difficult for Qiu Bai to make a move.
But this is for the best...
Once we've resolved Masato Ohno's situation, it won't be too late to bring Marina and Hanako under our control.
“Marina is so well-behaved, I can naturally make an exception for her…” Akihachi narrowed his eyes slightly, then his tone suddenly changed, becoming somewhat heavy, and he continued, “However… I might not be able to make an exception for others.”