Two hours later, like a child who had finally overcome the urge to stay in bed, Fu Hua at last got up from on top of Otto.
But after she stood, despite the calm expression on her face, her heart was leaping with joy, as if she had just accomplished some great achievement.
She couldn't help it; the allure of Otto's embrace was simply too powerful for her.
Like an addictive substance, it was easy to get hooked.
However, as she looked at the "sleeping" Otto, she found herself lost in his handsome features.
Fu Hua wasn't a sucker for pretty faces.
She was just a sucker for Otto's face.
Realizing she was leaning down, Fu Hua hastily straightened up, her eyes flashing with panic.
What was she just about to do?
Damn it, it's all Brother Otto's fault!
But, upon realizing her own thoughts, Fu Hua slapped a palm to her forehead.
Fu Hua, oh, Fu Hua, what in the world are you thinking?
How could she call him Brother Otto?
Fu Hua quickly emptied her mind. She stood leaning against the wall, like a child being punished by standing in a corner.
She tried to think of other things to divert her attention, attempting to separate the "her" from the illusion from her original self.
But she couldn't do it.
Or rather, a thought from the depths of her heart was preventing her from doing so.
In the end, Fu Hua gave up.
She would just let the memories remain. It wasn't like they could really affect her anyway. When Otto woke up, she would just play dumb.
If he dared to touch her butt directly, she would definitely give him a punch.
As she thought this, Fu Hua's gaze couldn't help but drift back to Otto on the floor.
Her right hand subconsciously tightened its grip on her left forearm.
Just thinking about the various events in the illusion made Fu Hua blush, making it difficult to maintain her indifferent attitude.
Her heart was in turmoil again.
Fu Hua wanted to think of other things to distract herself, but her detached way of life meant she didn't much care for the world around her. Besides training, she usually just carried out the missions Otto assigned.
So, Fu Hua could only think of Otto.
She looked at him on the floor.
Isn't the floor a bit cold? Will he be okay just sleeping on the ground like that?
No, no.
Fu Hua shook her head, forcing herself to recall Otto's past vile deeds, hoping to use them to counteract the influence "Brother Otto" from the illusion had on her.
So...
She thought about how Otto had ordered her around in Nagazora City.
And how Otto had coaxed other girls.
A vein popped on Fu Hua's forehead.
Her fists clenched.
---o---
The originally feigning-sleep Otto had been feeling relieved that Fu Hua had gotten out of his embrace; otherwise, he wouldn't have found a good moment to "wake up." But just as he was about to pretend he had just woken, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.
It was as if a dangerous aura was approaching.
This made Otto hold still, continuing to lie on the ground and play dead.
Otto waited. Only after the menacing aura dissipated did he let out a sigh of relief.
He had a feeling he had just narrowly avoided a major crisis.
As for Fu Hua, she stood with her arms crossed, her back to Otto and her forehead pressed against the wall. This way, she couldn't see him, right?
But she still felt a little uncomfortable.
She wasn't anything to Otto, so what business was it of hers which little girl he deceived?!!!!!
She practically gritted her teeth.
No, I can't let those girls fall into a sea of suffering. As a mentor on the path of life, for the sake of these girls fighting on the front lines, I must make them stay far away from Otto.
So Fu Hua resolved.
At that moment, she heard the sound of rustling fabric from behind her.
Otto was awake.
Fu Hua's heart leaped into her throat.
She was a little nervous.
"Ngh..." The familiar voice came from behind her, along with the sound of someone getting up.
Otto had stood up.
"Eh?" His voice carried a perfectly measured note of surprise. "My old friend, what are you doing over there? Facing the wall?"
His tone was gentle.
It sent a flicker of warmth through Fu Hua's heart; that tone of voice was already etched into her very soul.
No, no!
Otto, you bastard, why are you being so gentle right now!
You and your damned gentleness!
Fu Hua's inner struggle continued, though she didn't let any of it show on her face. She turned around, looking at Otto with an expression of breezy indifference.
But Otto just stood there, watching her with a gentle look on his face.
Damn it, don't put on your 'Brother Otto' face at a time like this!
He looked exactly like the man from her memories. Just looking at him, Fu Hua was reminded of those final ten days in the illusion.
This man had whispered countless sweet nothings to her, teasing her heart again and again, rendering the noble Celestial Emissary, Chiyuan, unable to resist with even a single finger.
This was the bond forged over fifty thousand years.
Companionship is the most enduring confession of love. Whether one's heart is made of stone or as cold as frost, it will eventually be melted.
Even a Celestial can be moved by emotion.
But...
She had a feeling that when Otto kissed her, he was... really practiced.
Why are you so skilled at this!
She couldn't help it. Otto had gained quite a lot of experience points from Kiana and Mei.
Fu Hua maintained her cold facade. If it weren't for her evasive gaze, Otto would have actually believed this Celestial hadn't been affected by the illusion.
She can't even look me in the eye. How cute.
However, Otto put on an expression as if nothing had happened, as if it had all been a fleeting dream.
His gaze lingered on Fu Hua for only a moment before moving away.
Otto turned his head to look at the black box on the table. No, that was this Overseer's personal matchmaker.
"My old friend, do you think the Herrscher of Corruption has escaped from this thing?"
Otto asked softly.
Seeing Otto's attention focused entirely on the black box, Fu Hua breathed a sigh of relief, but for some reason, she felt a little disappointed.
Why did it seem like Otto didn't remember anything from the illusion?
Could it be that the illusion only affected her?
Was it all fake, then?
It felt as if a hand had seized her heart, and it tightened painfully.
But this... this is for the best.
Fu Hua looked at Otto's back.
This way, she wouldn't have to agonize over what had happened between them.
That memory would belong to her alone.
A smile appeared on her lips.
But this smile was exceptionally, tragically beautiful.
Fu Hua composed herself and walked forward to stand beside Otto, her face once again a mask of frost, as if nothing had happened before.
The two of them seemed to have returned to their original relationship.
Fu Hua glanced at Otto out of the corner of her eye, only to find that the man's gaze was fixed solely on the black box.
She felt a tightness in her chest.
It must be a bit stuffy in this basement.
"It probably hasn't."
Fu Hua spoke, forcing her voice not to tremble.
After waking up, Fu Hua had been using Fenghuang Down, constantly on guard against a second invasion from the Herrscher of Corruption.
She was caught unprepared the first time; there wouldn't be a second.
Fu Hua stopped paying attention to Otto and focused on the black box.
Although...
Maybe a second time wouldn't be so bad.
"Mm," Otto hummed lightly in response. "With you here, it doesn't matter even if the Herrscher of Corruption gets out."
Hearing Otto's words, Fu Hua felt a little happy for some reason.
As if she had been affirmed.
But Fu Hua maintained the facade of a tool who cared for nothing.
She decided to seal away the memories of those fifty thousand years deep in her heart, perhaps never to be awakened again.
However, in the next moment, her eyes flew wide open.
Fu Hua wanted to turn her head to look at the man beside her, but in the end, she didn't. Instead, she stared at the black box as if it were a priceless treasure.
Otto also kept his eyes on the black box, not turning his head.
However, Otto's hand had reached out and taken Fu Hua's.
Fu Hua didn't struggle, acting as if she hadn't noticed a thing.
Yes, nothing happened.
It was just a simple...
interlocking of their fingers.
---