"Flirting?"
Shirou nearly choked on his food when Nono's accusation hit him like a ton of bricks. He swallowed with effort and glared at her. "What do you mean by flirting? I just happened to bump into her and chatted a bit. How did things spiral so out of hand in just half a day?"
The Wazhu looked unbothered. "The clanspeople enjoy gossiping, it's human nature. If you're uncomfortable, I could issue a gag order prohibiting further talk about it. A simple matter."
"No, no, no—let them talk. It's not that serious," Shirou quickly replied.
Honestly, forbidding it would only make it worse. People would start thinking the rumors must be true. Better to let them blow over naturally.
Nono rolled her eyes. She didn't believe the Wazhu would actually issue a gag order over something this petty. This venomous little woman was probably just trying to show off her authority again.
And anyway, the guests at the table weren't even from the Zhou clan. What exactly was she trying to prove here?
She distracted herself with a bite of braised catfish—tender, delicious, soaked in rich sauce—and after enjoying it thoroughly, she piped up again.
"So what exactly happened?" she asked, voice laced with suspicion. "I've heard all kinds of bizarre stories. Like you rescuing a fallen noble girl, or turning down a teary-eyed fangirl's confession, or having a heartwarming chat with a poor commoner…"
"Oh come on, where are people even getting this nonsense from? Don't believe it! Most of what you heard is probably completely made up," Shirou said, exasperated.
He downed a few gulps of pork bone and lotus root soup to calm himself.
"The truth is simple. That girl comes from a poor family. After enrolling, she asked around for ways to make money. She saw me and asked if I had any research project openings so she could earn a salary and cover her tuition and expenses."
Nono narrowed her eyes. "And you said yes? Or no?"
"I didn't agree or refuse." Shirou kept calm. "I told her we were leaving for Japan soon, but she insisted. She made a scene in front of everyone—crying and pleading. I had no choice but to have the academic office prepare an assistant qualification test for her."
"I personally reviewed the exam. It's extremely hard—way too difficult for a freshman. But if she really fails, I figured we could consider applying for a grant due to her financial status."
The Wazhu nodded. That was reasonable enough and didn't need further discussion.
But Nono frowned. "Wait—if she knew you were leaving for Japan, why'd she insist on joining your project? Why not ask for one based here in Shen Zhou?"
"She said it's been her dream to visit Tokyo for a long time. Now that she has the chance, she didn't want to miss it."
"Really? That convenient?" Nono was still suspicious. Something about all these 'coincidences' felt too convenient.
"Well, have you heard of 'pilgrimage tourism'? Some people visit places from their favorite stories or dreams. Maybe she's doing that?"
"…Heh. She better be."
Nono muttered darkly. "She better not decide to stay once we get there…"
———
Two days later, Shirou and the group were ready to fly out. The Zhou clan's people were flying too, but their final destinations differed, so they took separate flights. Shirou's group would stop by his home before heading out, while the Zhou clan's people checked into their hotel and waited for the cultural expo to begin.
Melusine trailed behind Shirou and Nono at the airport, her silver hair shimmering as she gazed at the massive glass panels and gleaming marble floors of the terminal. Her innocent face was puzzled.
Why did humans need such enormous buildings just to take off and land?
If it were her, she'd just jump into the air and fly to Tokyo herself.
She even suggested it—offering to carry Shirou and Nono on her back and soar straight to Tokyo. But the two had immediately and decisively shut that idea down.
Melusine felt a little hurt.
Flying should be fast and free! But humans cared more about comfort and safety? These "iron bird" planes were failures in her eyes.
Humans were so dumb—they had no idea what real flying felt like.
Her sulky mood didn't go unnoticed.
"Melusine, remember to hold on to your boarding pass," Shirou reminded her gently. "Also, please stay seated on the plane. I'm counting on you."
He was terrified she might, in a moment of boredom, punch a hole in the plane wall and fly around it midair like it was a game.
It wouldn't be her life on the line—but it'd certainly be everyone else's.
"Got it," Melusine pouted, twitching her nose.
She hated the smell here—so many people, so many scents. But oddly enough, she sensed something familiar. A faint, lingering presence nearby…
Before she could investigate, the flashing lights of the duty-free shop distracted her. Snacks, perfumes, toys—so much temptation! In the food court, sizzling steaks, pasta, and vinegar-dipped dumplings filled the air with intoxicating smells.
She tugged Shirou's sleeve. "When do we leave?"
Shirou and Nono double-checked their tickets. "We've still got time."
"Then let's eat first."
They ate heartily. By the time they returned to the gate, their bag now held a mountain of new snacks.
Melusine sat there, munching on black pepper sea salt chips, watching the clock tick by.
Then her ears twitched.
That sound again—someone gulping nearby.
She could feel it.
It was that person… again. Someone was spying on them.
She hesitated. She really wanted to leap over and grab them. But she had promised to behave on this trip. What would a normal human do in this situation?
After a few seconds of thought, she tugged Shirou's arm and whispered, "Shirou… someone's following us."
———
"So tired… so hungry… I shouldn't have pushed myself so hard…"
Xia Mi sat on her oversized suitcase, swinging her legs, the summer light glinting off her flawless skin. She looked perfect, but she was dead exhausted.
Inside her suitcase wasn't just bedding and clothes—it also contained all her thick textbooks and magic notes. She'd passed the assistant test! But by the time she went to find Shirou, he was already gone—headed to the airport!
Those Zhou clan jerks must've delayed her results on purpose to keep her from catching up in time!
Frantic, she asked classmates to help handle her paperwork and rushed back to the dorm to pack. She sprinted with magic-enhanced speed all the way to the airport, finally cleared security—
Only to see them casually eating snacks like they were at a picnic.
Unbelievable! She hadn't even had water since morning!
Xia Mi swallowed hard.
She clutched her assistant pass tightly. She reminded herself that from now on, she'd be working under those rich elites. This wasn't some school club. It was real work.
Everything she owned was in that suitcase. Her home back in the suburbs? A tiny rental converted from an old electrical shed—with no TV, no AC, and no private bathroom.
The gap between her world and theirs… was staggering.
All she wanted was a chance to work. To prove herself.
Then Shirou appeared.
"Xia Mi? You actually made it?"
She looked up and immediately broke into a cheeky grin.
"Yup, Shirou-senpai! Look, here's my assistant certificate. Totally official! I didn't just tag along without permission!"
"Then why didn't you come straight over when you saw us?"
"Oh please, I'm just a humble part-timer. I was joking about finding a sugar daddy. I wouldn't feel right leeching off you guys… Unless, of course, you're offering a project bonus, Shirou-senpai."
"Working in Japan without proper status can be tough," Shirou said, lowering his voice. "And you don't even have a place to stay when we land… So why not stay at my house?"
"Huh?!"
"You can deduct food and lodging from your salary. Problem solved."
"Oof… Shirou-senpai, that's a pretty bold offer for a guy who just met a girl… inviting her to live with him? Sounds kind of shady, don't you think?"
Her voice was teasing, but her actions gave her away. She reached out and grabbed Shirou's hand, hopping gracefully down from her suitcase.
"But fine. Since you're such a rare good guy, I'll reluctantly accept."
Because really…
The Dragon King shall never be a slave—
Unless room and board are included!
(End of Chapter)
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