"Help, help—it's coming!!"
That was Chisato's scream.
"No, Chi-chan, you're exaggerating too much. It's obviously all fake."
That was Mu Xiaoxiao's voice, as Chisato clung to him like an octopus.
"Even if it's fake, it's scary. I can't walk—Xiaoxiao."
"I'm here."
"But it's still... so scary! Woo~"
The light in the haunted house was dim, but Yui and Mrs. Natsumi, following behind, still saw that the screaming Chisato suddenly went quiet—because she was being kissed.
Both women grabbed at their clothes. Not from fear, but from the complex emotions brewing in their hearts. These feelings had been there since they entered the amusement park, since the haunted house, since Chisato wrapped herself around the boy and wouldn't let go...
'Wow, they're actually kissing in a haunted house... Hmm~ His tongue is out again. It feels so good sucking me. So domineering in my mouth.' Chisato's thoughts swirled dizzily, her cheeks flushed with intoxication.
It had to be said, it was very effective. The frightened girl calmed down almost instantly.
By the time they left the haunted house, she wasn't screaming like before. She stood quietly beside Mu Xiaoxiao, playing with a strand of hair, her eyes shy and happy.
"Weren't you screaming in fear just now? Not scared anymore?" Mu Xiaoxiao teased.
"Of course I was scared. I rarely go to haunted houses." Chisato placed a hand on her chest and rolled her eyes. "But after a little kissing, I'm not scared anymore."
"But Yui-senpai isn't scared at all. That's amazing." She turned to the red-haired girl in surprise.
"Eh? Ah, I'm okay." Obata Yui's fingers tangled in her hair, her eyes wandering. "I'm not as scared as Chi-chan, but I'm still a little nervous."
She whispered.
"Really?" Chisato blinked.
Mu Xiaoxiao suddenly stopped, waiting for Senior Yui to reach him. He wrapped an arm around her soft waist. "If Senior Yui is nervous, I can use that same method to relax you. Want to try?"
"I—"
Mu Xiaoxiao knew her hypnosis had worn off. He deliberately teased her like this, enjoying her blushing, flustered expression.
"I... um... okay."
Like her mother, she didn't dare reveal she'd recovered. And when he approached, when he embraced her, that familiar scent filled her nose. Obata Yui suddenly realized—she was already so used to his presence. His touch. Skin to skin.
'Why...'
"Actually, with Xiaoxiao beside me, I'm not so scared anymore. Going to the haunted house together is pretty fun." The red-haired girl showed a lively smile. She even lifted her head and kissed his cheek, two red clouds appearing on her lovely face.
Mrs. Natsumi was surprised. She hadn't expected her carefree daughter to pretend so well. 'No—was Yui pretending? Or has she really fallen for Mu-kun?'
Even she couldn't tell.
Obata Yui accidentally met her mother's eyes, then glanced at Chisato. She touched her stomach. "It's noon already, Xiaoxiao. Let's get some fried chicken."
She pointed at a shop nearby.
"I'm hungry~"
"Happy Meal? Okay." Mu Xiaoxiao pinched her smooth cheek. "Madam, come with me?"
"Okay."
Obata Yui waved. "Don't forget the drink—"
Watching Mu Xiaoxiao and her mother walk away, the smile on the girl's face slowly faded, replaced by helplessness. Obata Yui turned to Chisato and pursed her lips.
She was hungry, yes. But she also wanted to get Xiaoxiao away.
Now, alone with Chisato, Yui had things to say. Could only tell her.
"Chi-chan, actually..."
She didn't go into detail, but briefly explained what happened. Yui-senpai noticed Chisato's face remained calm—no surprise, no shock.
"Chi-chan, did you already know?"
"...Of course. Xiaoxiao never hid this from me. But I didn't know Yui-senpai had recovered. I thought—"
She stopped. The purple-haired girl shook her head, holding her face. "No wonder you seemed off today... Yui-senpai, you're telling me this—are you planning revenge on Xiaoxiao?!"
Chisato looked horrified.
"Revenge?" Yui's mouth opened, then closed. Actually, since recovering, she'd never once thought of revenge. Not a single time. Hard to believe. "No. Xiaoxiao's so powerful. How could I take revenge?"
"Good. I don't want you doing anything stupid. Besides, Yui-senpai—even though you've recovered, you still call him by name so intimately. Shows how deep he is in your heart..."
"I'm just... used to it." Obata Yui's expression stiffened. She blushed.
"Does that mean you don't like him?"
"Of course not. That nasty villain did such awful things to me. How could I—" She didn't want to continue. "Besides, Chi-chan, maybe you were hypnotized too and just don't know it."
She sat on a bench, looking at the girl meaningfully.
"Actually, when I first met Xiaoxiao, he really did control me. Did some terrible things." Chisato said quietly.
"Huh? Really?"
Yui was surprised. "Then why did you..."
"I knew from the start Xiaoxiao was a villain. But... he's my hero. From the moment he saved me, I couldn't be without him. As long as I can be with him, hypnosis doesn't matter. I don't care at all."
Staring at the happy smile on the girl's face, Yui thought of this morning. She bit her lip. "He really values you. Seems he likes you a lot."
"Yui-senpai, are you jealous?~" Chisato teased.
'Ah—'
Obata Yui's face flushed. She quickly shook her head. "No, I just... just..."
Tongue-tied. Hesitating. She saw Mu Xiaoxiao and her mother returning in the distance. She grabbed Chisato's arm. "Chi-chan, can you not tell Xiaoxiao about me?"
"Sure, sure." 'Xiaoxiao doesn't know she recovered? Or is he just playing games again?'
Chisato rolled her eyes, then hurried to him.
"Xiaoxiao, why is it cola?"
"You didn't specify. Besides, fried chicken without cola has no soul!"
"Ugh, but I don't like carbonated drinks~ Unless you feed me with your mouth."
"..."
Watching them kiss and feed each other, Obata Yui clenched her fist.
She didn't want to admit it... but she was definitely jealous.