Nightfall, Court of Fontaine
After returning from the suburbs, Lu Li went to the Northland Bank as instructed and, sure enough, he came out with a mission: to collect a debt from a merchant named Usher, who had defaulted on a loan. It was strange. To do business in Fontaine, a merchant should at least understand the principle of paying back debts. This Usher, who owned a clothing factory serving the low-end market, had made such a low-level mistake. He hadn't run away, but was instead relying on his unregistered guard Meka to tear up the IOU and forge evidence that he had never borrowed from the bank. Many Debt Collectors had been seriously injured or killed trying to complete this mission.
The name "Usher" sounded familiar... like a minor, insignificant character.
He decided to take care of the mission tonight. But first, he needed to eat. He was starving after the day's... activities. He was heading to the Hotel Debord when he saw a familiar figure sitting by the window. It was Chiori, having dinner.
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Chiori was picking at a fruit salad, thinking about what had happened a while ago. She had told Chevreuse everything about Lu Li's romantic exploits, but her friend had still made the same choice as Lynette. Chiori wasn't doing it out of jealousy. She was just direct. Hiding the truth would only hurt Chevreuse more in the long run. If she still chose to pursue him after knowing everything, then Chiori would gladly welcome her.
"Emotions are so complicated..." she sighed. The next moment, a smiling face appeared in the empty seat opposite her.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came for dinner and saw you, so I shamelessly came over~"
"...You're not polite at all. Fine, it's my treat. What are you eating?"
"No, I'll treat you. How can I let a lady pay? Waiter, two medium-rare lamb chops, one fish and chips, and two bottles of Fonta!"
"Do you always eat this much at night?" she asked, frowning.
"How else can I grow... don't worry, I won't get fat!"
"That's true... Also, you haven't been here for two days since last time... The clothes I made for you are ready. When are you coming to pick them up?" she asked calmly.
"Uh... sorry, I'll try to come and spend more time with you from now on..."
"That's not what I meant!" she said, her face flushing as she gently kicked his foot under the table. This idiot! Did he think I said that because I missed him?!
Realizing his mistake, Lu Li felt a strange sensation from her geta on his foot. He looked around. The tables at the Hotel Debord were arranged in such a way that it was difficult to see what people were doing. And most importantly, the long, ornate tablecloths completely concealed the space underneath.
He reached down and grabbed her foot.
Chiori's eyes widened. She tried to pull back, but he was too strong. She could only grit her teeth and let him take off her geta.
"You big pervert... fooling around is one thing, but with my friends... and now you're doing this in public... have you no shame..." she said hatefully.
"I guess not... if I can be with all of you at the cost of having no conscience, I think that's fine too..."
"You bastard..." she rolled her eyes. "Chevreuse came to my shop today. We talked. She asked me what she needed to do to pursue you. Guess what we talked about?"
Lu Li's face changed. He suddenly realized... Chevreuse must have known what was happening during the "tasting game." Then why didn't she expose me... but instead... licked even more enthusiastically...
"Just as you think," Chiori said, seeing his expression. "I told her everything about me, Lynette, and you. Guess how she reacted?"
"I think... she probably... decided to consider it, neither refusing nor immediately agreeing?"
Chiori was stunned. "It seems I guessed right..." he said with a wry smile.
"Are you proud of yourself now, Mr. Pervert?" she sneered. "Knowing so many girls are interested in you?"
"No... I just feel I have to be my best self so I don't let them down..."
"By building a harem?" she said with a sly smile.
"Ahem..." Cornered again, he could only smile wryly. But then, he felt her foot press against him. "Chiori, wait, I was just going to touch for a bit, I'm not planning to..."
"Who cares what you think!" she said, her eyes challenging. "It's your problem if you get exposed. I'll just sit here and laugh when you're publicly shamed."
(What a devilish heart...) he thought. He took a sip of water and glanced around. No one was paying attention. He snorted. "Then as you wish. Let's see who gives up first!"
Chiori paused, then felt the foreign object against both her feet. Her pupils trembled. "...You really are... a big pervert!" she said, annoyed, but she didn't back down. She held him with the top and sole of her feet and began to accelerate.
"Right now, I'm going to make you surrender completely..." she whispered, her voice full of confidence.
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