Chapter 290: If You Please Me, I Might Give You a Chance
"I am not your possession!"
The other party's talk about fish tanks and fish was clearly implying that she belonged to him.
Kokomi clenched the hem of her dress with both hands. Even though Bai Luo was freely toying with her ponytail, all she could do was resist in this small, powerless way.
What else could she do? She couldn't beat him, nor could she afford to provoke him.
She didn't fully understand what Bai Luo meant by "fish think that once they leave the tank, they'll finally be free. But have they considered that outside the tank might not be the vast ocean, but endless dry land," but she did understand the meaning behind his words.
Simply put… this behavior that looked like aggression was actually framed as protecting Watatsumi Island.
If Watatsumi Island lost Bai Luo's protection, then the fish that died from lack of water would be its fate.
"I never said you were my possession, did I? If you're thinking that way… doesn't that mean you already see yourself as mine?"
"—!"
Kokomi's breathing grew more and more rapid, her heartbeat loud and clear in the cramped space.
She knew Bai Luo was only using verbal advantage to suppress her, yet she couldn't refute him.
Because the more she argued, the weaker she would look.
And worse… it would give him even more openings to strike back.
Simply put, the more you say, the more mistakes you make.
"Do you really like this book?"
Seeing Kokomi fall silent, Bai Luo took out the draft novel he had just retrieved from beneath her.
"Give it back!"
Kokomi knew this draft manuscript had been left for her by Bai Luo.
Even so, this lightly scribbled light-novel manuscript had become one of her few emotional supports during this period.
Allowing him to snatch away the draft, she carefully hugged it against her chest. Bai Luo, watching her cherish it, said with a smile: "You've already finished reading it, right?"
Before Kokomi woke up, he had already reread his own draft.
Compared to before, aside from signs of having been flipped through, the draft hadn't changed at all.
This showed how dearly she treasured it.
After all, the Yae Publishing House edition he had previously brought from Inazuma was filled with notes and commentary.
Yet the same Kokomi—who loved writing annotations—wouldn't even write a single mark on this original draft.
She was worried she might damage this one-of-a-kind manuscript.
"It's none of your business."
Hugging the manuscript even tighter, she didn't even have time to undo the braid he had woven her hair into.
But Bai Luo's next words made her freeze.
"Don't you want to know the continuation of the story?"
She knew very well the story had more to it.
Many of the characters' plotlines had not yet been explained, and there were clearly numerous foreshadowings left unresolved.
But… why would he bring this up?
"In Volume 3 of My Electro Archon Can't Be This Cute, the otaku club Tenshu Garden will make their appearance. Including the Shogun's little-known elder sister, there will also be four important characters: the Tengu General, the Oni girl, and the great Fox spirit. It may even portray their glory and decline… and perhaps reveal truths unknown to the world."
"…"
Kokomi had seen that otaku club mentioned briefly in the book through Raiden Shogun's remarks. Although it was only referenced in passing, many fans of the series longed to see it.
One of her pen pals, who went by the name Fried Tofu With All the Frills, had even faintly guessed several potential members of that club.
But up until now, only Bai Luo had stated clearly how many members that club had—and even revealed their specific identities.
Could it be that…he captured the author of the light novel?
Was that one of the reasons the series hadn't been updated?
She had never once considered the possibility that Bai Luo himself might be the author.
Even when he placed the manuscript beside her, she simply assumed he had used his Fatui authority to obtain it somehow.
Just like how no one would ever connect Battousai with "the Ausbilder."
Linking the Ausbilder to a light-novel author was even more absurd than that.
The thought that a high-ranking Fatui Harbinger had been writing light novels while staying in Inazuma was simply unreal to her.
"You'll have the chance to read it—but not yet. Stay here in Sangonomiya for the next few days. If you satisfy me… I'll give you the chance to read Volume 3."
"..."
Kokomi didn't reply. She only hugged the manuscript even tighter.
Bai Luo disappeared within the secret base just as quietly as he had come.
In the narrow cave, only her quiet sighs remained.
. . .
"Morning, Teppei-nii-chan!"
"Isn't that Teppei? I heard you made great contributions on the front lines. Really impressive!"
"Teppei, you're back! Want to stop by my place?"
"Teppei, that sword you're carrying looks awesome!"
As Teppei walked through Bourou Village, people greeted him constantly.
He responded to them all, but the confusion on his face only grew.
Because all over the village, there were objects clearly related to the Fatui.
For example—at the village entrance stood some strange device, supposedly used to measure the humidity of the air on Watatsumi Island.
But… was that really necessary?
What confused him even more was that despite Fatui-related objects being everywhere, the villagers showed no sign of unease—almost as if they had long grown accustomed to them.
If there was anything different… it was that everyone seemed to be smiling more.
In the past, Bourou Village couldn't exactly be called poor, but it was definitely far from prosperous.
For years, someone had been deliberately obstructing all trade between Watatsumi Island and Narukami Island, so very few goods ever reached the island.
The fishing village barely scraped by.
After the war broke out, even though the Divine Priestess managed everything beautifully, the gloom brought by war never truly left.
But now… he almost felt as if that gloom had lifted.
If he hadn't just returned from the battlefield himself, he would have thought this was some peaceful, untouched village far away from worldly strife.
What bothered him even more was that people hardly mentioned the Divine Priestess anymore. Instead, they spoke frequently of a foreign woman named Sveta.
Even Lingling brought her up repeatedly, saying that Sveta had given her advanced medical equipment and taught her all kinds of knowledge she'd never learned before.
The people of Bourou Village hadn't changed, but the village itself had become unfamiliar to him.
"No… I have to go ask the Divine Priestess what's really going on!"
Resting his hand again on the Hakuen Michimitsu Amenoma, Teppei hurried toward Sangonomiya Shrine.
. . . . .
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