In practice, I can issue tasks to my master.

"Here, I've already taken the photos. Do you want to check the goods?"

Photos? What photos?

Kikyo Kushida's brain was still a bit fuzzy, but she still instinctively took the camera that Makoto Nangong handed her.

There was more than one photo, but the content was similar—she was being held in Nangong Cheng's arms with a broken expression, and he even made her make a peace sign.

Ugh! You might as well just kill her.

"What a thrilling night... Kushida-kun, I think I'll never forget you for the rest of my life."

Nangong Cheng naturally looked like he hadn't had enough.

It's no wonder he stayed up late to hunt in the wild; he gained both resources and skill, a true win-win situation.

"After all, we now have the most intimate relationship in the world—"

"Miss accomplice, nice to meet you~"

[Task Completed]

[Mission Reward: Host receives 4000 points]

Volume 1: 37. Now that things have come to this, let's dig!

Kikyo Kushida was somewhat speechless.

She should have been happy and joyful about this huge amount of points, but now she was inexplicably irritable.

One reason is health issues.

Although she really didn't want to admit it, the feeling Nangong Cheng gave her was definitely much stronger than the feeling she got from hitting the railing.

What does it mean?

So this kind of thing can have this effect?

Did those bitches from junior high who liked to steal other people's boyfriends actually not brag or lie?

I've really learned something new.

Secondly, there are psychological issues.

Not only was she made a fool of herself by Nangong Cheng, but photos and videos of her were also taken, becoming a new black history for her.

It's not that she'll never be able to hold her head up in front of Nangong Cheng again. After all, this kind of dark history is a two-way street, so in a sense, Nangong Cheng did give her a perfect handle to use against her.

This made her feel very conflicted.

"Heh...accomplice? Intimate relationship?"

That's really a niche and uncommon way of thinking.

Kikyo Kushida slumped against the wall, her hands hanging limply on the ground, and looked up at Makoto Nangong.

"Nangong Cheng, are you feeling quite smug?"

“Every time I tried to contact you before, you ignored me, gave me perfunctory answers, and would make up some excuse to run away shortly after we met…”

"What, am I some kind of monster?"

"You're willing to chat with Horikita Suzune, who has an icy, aloof face; you also fawn over Sakura Airi, that nobody, that stuttering little thing who can barely utter a word; and that infatuated bitch Karuizawa Megumi, I don't know what you gave her that makes her so protective of you..."

Kikyo Kushida smiled coldly as if reciting a familiar story.

But from Nangong Cheng's perspective, the more he listened, the more it sounded like a young wife who had suffered a great injustice was complaining to her husband.

Regardless of her thoughts, Kikyo Kushida continued to express herself, seemingly trying to release her remaining negative emotions and pressure in this way.

"And then there's Ichinose Honami, heh... who knows if her gentle demeanor is just an act like mine, and if she's actually hiding some unspeakable, sordid thoughts or dark history?"

Kikyo Kushida lied.

Although she was a complete liar, this was the only sentence in which she admitted that she had actually lied.

The disguise of a fake needs a reference object, so as a fake, she knows best what the so-called real thing should look like.

Honami Ichinose's gentleness is undoubtedly genuine; it is a gentleness that someone like her could never perfectly fake, no matter how much effort she puts in. It is truly angelic.

That's the self she imagined.

"Yes, after you took these photos, neither of us can do anything to the other, but don't think that you can control me like that."

“I’m not one of those idiots who can be fooled by you. I knew from the beginning that you just wanted to use your personal points to get into Class A by yourself.”

Kikyo Kushida suppressed her smile, and her expression gradually calmed down.

Nangong Cheng crossed his arms and silently enjoyed this one-man show by Kushida Kikyo.

"So if you don't want your plans to be ruined, don't interfere with me."

"..."

Nangong Cheng stroked his chin.

Kikyo Kushida's reaction was somewhat unexpected, but overall it was still within a manageable range.

Isn't it just about coaxing a child?

Cheng Ge was not at a disadvantage either.

"Are you done? If you're done, it's my turn to speak."

Nangong Cheng knelt down in front of Kushida Kikyo so that their eyes could meet.

"Kushida, do you think it's possible... that the reason I treated you this way was because I like you too much?"

"???"

What does it mean?

Kikyo Kushida felt like her brain had been completely stunned by Makoto Nangong's words.

What do you mean by saying that your bad attitude towards me is because you like me too much?

You're trying to fool me!

"Nangong Cheng, do you think I'm a three-year-old?"

Nangong Cheng shook his head.

Some researchers have found that the highest level of lie is simply telling the truth, but when every truth is put together, it becomes a lie.

Although he can't quite reach that level yet, his highly skilled acting can still imitate it to a great extent.

"Kushida-kun, I feel like you don't quite understand your own charm."

"Don't rush to speak, let me analyze it for you in detail - your appearance is undoubtedly that of a beautiful girl, and your performance in class is impeccable, which has won the love and support of most students."

Kikyo Kushida frowned.

What does it mean to say these things when you already know her true colors?

Do you still want to humiliate her?

"Of course, you'll probably think that's all an act, and that you're actually a shrewd, cunning, and malicious bad girl who secretly hurl insults at people she dislikes and even stick voodoo dolls at them."

Nangong Cheng noticed that Kushida Kikyo's expression was starting to look off, but he didn't care.

This is all part of his plan.

"But, is there a possibility, we mean, is there such a possibility..."

Nangong Cheng met Kushida Kikyo's eyes, which were filled with a variety of emotions, and said in an unusually sincere tone:

"Is there really someone in this world who likes you the way you are now, without any pretense, completely natural and unprocessed?"

"..."

Kikyo Kushida remained silent, only meeting Nangong Cheng's gaze with her eyes, which revealed little emotion.

Suddenly, she let out a cold laugh.

"Keep making things up, I'm listening."

"Let me see how many more excuses you have prepared to fool me, Nangong Cheng."

"You might be able to fool Suzune Horikita, Megumi Karuizawa, Airi Sakura, Honami Ichinose, or even others, but you absolutely cannot fool me."

Nangong Cheng shook his head helplessly, making an expression that said, "Why is it that no one is willing to believe me when I tell the truth?"

"You don't like to hear the truth, you only like to hear me tell lies. Why do you always like to get stuck on things?"

"Alright, since you don't want to believe me, I won't waste my time. I'll just give you some advice."

Nangong Cheng stood up and stretched, then walked towards the rooftop door, waving to Kushida Kikyo with his back to her.

"Although I don't know what you went through in the past, or what made you become like this, but..."

"If you're afraid of being betrayed if you entrust your heart to someone, then you're no longer willing to open your heart to others..."

"Won't you be very lonely?"

Nangong Cheng suddenly stopped at the front door, even though the stairs leading downstairs were just one step away.

But he didn't turn back; he simply let the wind carry his voice into Kikyo Kushida's heart, as if talking to himself.

"You've woven one lie after another, just to build a social circle centered around you."

"They praise you, they flatter you, they fawn over you... This feeling of being the center of attention makes you believe that this is the life you should enjoy."

"But when the crowds disperse and the quiet of the night falls, will you still be able to tell those words you once wanted to share deep in your heart?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Nangong Cheng started walking again.

His voice began to sound ethereal.

“Kushida, children are allowed to dream, because it is their privilege.”

"But adults can't."

"Adults can't escape reality; they always have to make what they call the 'right' choice."

"Should we continue to wallow in this illusion that will eventually end, or should we choose to turn this illusion into a tangible reality?"

"..."

It seems that no further sounds can be heard.

But Kikyo Kushida had already fallen silent.

My mind is filled with Nangong Cheng's words.

"Choice...heh..."

Do I really still have a choice?

A feeling of irritability filled my heart.

I need to vent quickly, otherwise I probably won't be able to get a good night's sleep again tonight.

But she suddenly remembered the video Nangong Cheng had sent her when he appeared, and the mission she had triggered today.

"call……"

Kikyo Kushida took a deep breath and then revealed a resolute expression.

Since things have come to this point, let's start digging!

Volume 1: Chapter 38. Nangong's Misguided Scheme Leads to Two Women Jumping into a Deadly Trap

Let's turn back the clock to after school.

Karuizawa Kei was still somewhat absent-minded as she ate and chatted with her small group in the cafeteria.

Although yesterday's task wasn't particularly difficult for her, since it was just a photo, she would still post photos on social media even without a task.

But ultimately, it was indeed the first time she had sent such an ambiguous selfie to a man of the same age.

It's just...

Karuizawa Kei's heart was racing at that moment, partly from shyness and partly from nervousness.

Because she's not a real hot girl; it's all a facade she puts on to protect herself. Deep down, she's always been a reserved and innocent young woman.