"Um, Fu Li, I like you… W-would you go on a date with me?"
"Uh… I'm sorry. It might be rude to say, but you're really not my type."
Fu Li waved a little stiffly at the girl, who left with a look of disappointment, before letting out a helpless sigh.
He really didn't know what these high school students thought about all day. What was so great about romance?
Besides, Fu Li's ideal type was one of the beautiful older sisters, like Mobius, Aponia, or Eden. Ordinary girls just didn't click with him.
However…
"Snakey, do you think I should start looking for a girlfriend?"
"Boss, my advice is that you not overthink it. 99.9% of high school romances do not last."
Hearing this, Little Mobius frowned in Imaginary Space. The data stream in her eyes flickered erratically as she subconsciously wiped a bead of cold sweat from her forehead.
This idiot Fu Li… if those crazy women were to hear him, I'd have no choice but to reveal my true form and strike first.
After all, a gentleman's agreement is made to be broken, isn't it?
"Is that so? I guess you're right. How could anyone like a person like me?"
Having rested for a full month, Fu Li sighed. He found that student life could no longer soothe the weariness in his soul.
The next Honkai Eruption was likely just a few days away. If he didn't run another simulation soon, he would run out of time.
Wanting to dispel the dangerous thought that had just popped into Fu Li's head, Little Mobius quickly suggested:
"Actually, Boss, have you considered that the reason you feel bored stems from a sense of unease? Specifically, from the fact that you haven't solved the puzzle God left for you."
"God's puzzle… unease?" Hearing Snakey's words, Fu Li's heart stirred.
It was true. The answer to a single question was not enough to save the people he cared about. Only through continuous trial and error could he find the final path.
"You're right, Snakey!" Fu Li exhaled, the haze of confusion in his eyes clearing. He had decided to start the next simulation.
Three hours later…
"Um, Klein-san, I really need to get some rest now…"
"Oh? Is that so? Alright then."
Hearing the slightly awkward tone in Fu Li's voice, Klein, who had just finished her meal, tilted her head and obediently packed up her laptop to leave.
Ever since they had become more familiar, Fu Li couldn't stand seeing Klein constantly eating instant frozen meals. So, he often cooked for her and brought the food over. After this happened a few times, Klein offered him a considerable amount of money for meal expenses and began coming over to his place to enjoy dinner every evening as a matter of course.
Fu Li was a bit resistant at first, but he grew used to it over time. It was actually quite nice to have someone to keep him company after dinner each day.
"Well then, Fu Li, see you next time."
"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Klein."
After closing the door, Fu Li suddenly felt that something was off.
Klein had said "see you next time," not "see you tomorrow." That seemed a little strange.
Ah, forget it. I'm probably overthinking things. It's perfectly normal for people to misspeak every now and then.
Alright, time to relax. It was time to reward himself with a new life experience.
Resting his head on Little Mobius's soft lap, Fu Li let out a comfortable yawn.
"Good night, Snakey."
"Mm, good night, Boss."
Watching Fu Li's eyes close, Mobius waited for a moment before leaning down and planting a light kiss on his forehead, a faint smile gracing her lips.
The first mark on Fu Li's real body belongs to me, Mobius. Those other lecherous girls were one step too slow.
---o---
[Entering Simulator…]
[Host is entering the Flame-Chaser simulation for the fifth time. Lottery draws +1]
[Redraw talents?]
"Yes."
As usual, the familiar slot machine appeared before Fu Li. He pulled the lever, and the patterns on the reels began to spin.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained a fifth talent.]
[Fifth Talent: Catnip-Flavored Phantom Thief (You easily gain the affection of furry creatures. Your balance and agility are greatly increased. If you steal the one designated unique item within the simulation, a special effect will occur.)]
[Entering simulation…]
[Current Simulation Scenario: Pardofelis's Personal Story, "The Cat of Twilight Street"]
[You are an orphan in Twilight Street, but you are no ordinary child.]
[On the day you were born, all the cats of Twilight Street whispered your name—Meow (Li).]
[However, your parents lacked foresight. After giving birth to you, they abandoned you to the world, casting you aside like a stray cat.]
[The scent of catnip on your body quickly attracted many adorable cats. They looked at the tattered cardboard box and were reminded of their own kittenhood.]
[In Twilight Street, the first home for many kittens was a shabby cardboard box just like this one, barely able to keep out the rain.]
[They huddled in litters of five or six, or three or four. Occasionally, a kind human would adopt one, but more often than not, they were abandoned, left to die without anyone to care.]
[Those who survived their kittenhood were, without exception, the most successful of felines.]
[The cats opened the box and saw you, sleeping in a remarkably comfortable position. They brought you what little food they had.]
[You grew up in this environment. During this time, a young Aponia wanted to adopt you, but you refused.]
[She was not discouraged and would often leave food she had prepared at your resting place. You knew that Aponia had always been this kind.]
[By the age of four, you were already able to use your powers.]
[You robbed a local, notoriously evil, illegal organization, obtaining a large sum of money from illicit sources.]
[With this money, you secretly donated the portion you didn't immediately need to the sanatorium. With the rest, you opened a "Cat's Nest" across the street.]
[At first, some people tried to collect protection money from you, but after they entered your shop, they were never seen again.]
[To customers, we must be welcoming. To enemies, we must be cruel.]
[One day, after closing up shop, you were traversing the rooftops of Twilight Street when you finally saw the target of this simulation.]
Under the night sky, Fu Li's crimson eyes glowed with a dazzling red hue as he silently watched the adorable girl below, who was clumsily trying to imitate a cat's movements.
"Heh… A little to the left, a little to the right… So that's how you avoid the sharp bits, huh? You guys are so smart!"
The black cat walking ahead of her turned its head. A look of [utter resignation] flashed across its feline face as it looked at the stubborn little girl.
This girl had been following it for two whole streets now, as persistent as ever, leaving this harmless little kitty at a complete loss.
Well, if she wants to follow, then let her follow…