In the world of anime with the power to stop time.

Chapter 123: Refusing the Engagement with Yukino 

Why, of all times, did her sister have to come back now?

Ahhhhh!

Kyou Fujibayashi's head was about to explode.

She had urged Lin Ye to leave quickly, but that guy tested once, twice, thrice, and just refused to go. He even lied to her, impersonating her savior. This was too much!

Kyou Fujibayashi truly hated this man.

Indeed, she couldn't let her sister get too close to this man.

The thought of her sister and Lin Ye ending up together, dating, and even eventually marrying and having children, while she became family with this man, made her whole body tremble, and an intense feeling of unease permeated her being.

Kyou Fujibayashi noticed her sister's downward gaze and instinctively snatched her hand back like lightning. "Ryou, you're finally back! He's been here for ages."

But she noticed her sister's gaze was still slightly fixed downwards, as if staring at something.

In an instant, forgotten memories immediately surfaced in Kyou Fujibayashi's mind. Her face was suffused with a hint of paleness.

Her intimate garments! They were currently in Lin Ye's hand.

She had actually forgotten about it.

It was all this man's fault, all his doing! What was he testing for? He had already tested it the night before last!

"Ryou, don't misunderstand, this was all an accident, it was all him..."

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Lin Ye coughed twice, warning Kyou Fujibayashi not to blurt it out.

But at this moment, Kyou Fujibayashi had completely failed to notice that the intimate garments in Lin Ye's hand had vanished. This prompted Lin Ye to remind her again, "Actually, we just had a little misunderstanding. Miss Fujibayashi almost fell, and I helped her up."

This could explain the way they were holding hands. As for the intimate garments, Lin Ye had already slipped them into Kyou Fujibayashi's pocket.

Lin Ye couldn't be sure if Ryou Fujibayashi had seen anything, but he had done his utmost; at least he prevented Kyou Fujibayashi from being embarrassed in front of her sister, Ryou Fujibayashi.

"Is that so?"

Ryou Fujibayashi didn't really believe him, but since Lin Ye said so, she temporarily accepted it.

At that moment, a scene still lingered in the short-haired girl with purple hair's mind, but she wondered if it was just her imagination or if she'd seen wrong.

How could Lin-kun possibly be holding her sister's intimate garments? She carefully looked at Lin Ye's empty hands and concluded she must have misread the situation.

"That's right! Ryou, this guy said he'd wait here for you to come home; if you didn't, he wouldn't leave. I tried every method to get him to leave, but he just wouldn't budge, so I had no choice but to kick him out. Staying here so late at night, I feel like he has ulterior motives."

"Sister..."

Ryou Fujibayashi sighed helplessly. "Lin-kun brought you back. If he really wanted to do something to you, you would have been ruined a long time ago."

Ruined!!!

Ugh, little sister, your way of putting it is just too embarrassing.

Immediately,

Kyou Fujibayashi found an explanation to retort. "With Isshiki-san here, he wouldn't dare! If he really tried anything with me, I'd call the police and have him arrested immediately. I'm not afraid of calling the police, anyway."

Ryou Fujibayashi, as the younger sister, could only speak up to explain for her older sister. "I'm sorry, Lin-kun, my sister has some... opinions about you. My sister is actually a very good girl normally, it's just when it comes to me..."

"I understand. A sis-con, very concerned about her sister. Actually, having a sister like that is a blessing. At least I've never experienced being cared for by an older brother or sister," Lin Ye said with a smile, completely unbothered.

A sis-con? Kyou Fujibayashi glared.

Lin Ye continued, easing the atmosphere, "I'm an only child, so sometimes I really envy families with siblings. Especially now that I live alone in Japan, my apartment always feels a bit lonely when I'm by myself."

Upon hearing that, Ryou Fujibayashi immediately felt it was an opportunity.

"Um, well... Lin-kun, when you have time, you can visit our home more often. My sister is a great cook."

She believed that if Lin Ye and her sister spent more time together, they would definitely be able to get along harmoniously.

Her sister's current aversion was more due to a bad first impression.

Time could surely change everything.

Who knows, maybe they'll all be family someday!

Ryou Fujibayashi flushed with shyness. How could she suddenly think of such a thing!

"You can visit our home, but don't you dare set your sights on Ryou."

Kyou Fujibayashi warned, crossing her arms.

"So, can I 'not visit, but set my sights on Ryou' instead?"

Ryou Fujibayashi blushed.

Kyou Fujibayashi was shocked.

"Don't even think about it! No, absolutely not! Our home doesn't welcome you. Ryou, go upstairs!"

But Kyou Fujibayashi couldn't budge her sister at all.

At this moment, Ryou Fujibayashi stood rooted to the spot, completely unwilling to go upstairs.

"Sister, how about you go upstairs first?"

Kyou Fujibayashi: ???

Shouldn't you be the one going upstairs? You're actually telling me to go upstairs now?

Seeing this, Kyou Fujibayashi also stopped moving.

Since Ryou wasn't leaving, she wouldn't either. Even if it felt chilly down there and strange, she wouldn't move.

Ryou Fujibayashi, seeing this, took the initiative to ask Lin Ye his purpose.

"Lin Ye, is there something you needed today?"

She actually knew why Lin Ye had come, but given her sister's current attitude, she clearly had no way to help Lin Ye now.

Ryou Fujibayashi felt a little regretful that she hadn't checked her phone in time, causing her to miss Lin Ye.

Lin Ye noticed Kyou Fujibayashi's warning glance. "Mainly, I came to check on Miss Kyou Fujibayashi's recovery. Now that I see Miss Kyou Fujibayashi is as lively as a dragon and as robust as a tiger, capable of killing five oxen, I feel reassured."

Five oxen?

You're trying to say I'm a tigress, aren't you!

Kyou Fujibayashi's mouth twitched.

"Sister, look how much Lin-kun cares about you. He even went out of his way to come today, yet you keep being so hostile towards him."

Ryou, you're actually lecturing me? You have no idea what he did to me.

Kyou Fujibayashi didn't dare say it aloud; she still had her dignity, and even more so, she didn't want Ryou to misunderstand. "I'm clear on what deserves thanks and what deserves dislike."

Ryou Fujibayashi sighed helplessly and cast an apologetic glance towards Lin Ye.

But someday, she would definitely make her sister and Lin-kun get along.

Meanwhile, Lin Ye checked the time. "It's getting late. I'll head back now."

"I'll see you out."

Ryou Fujibayashi immediately said.

"I'll come too."

"Sister,"

Ryou Fujibayashi stared, then slowly spoke, "Sister, I'm a bit tired. I want to take a bath early. Could you please draw hot water for me?"

It was clearly a ploy to get rid of her. Kyou Fujibayashi didn't want to agree,

but facing her sister's gaze, she finally compromised. "Don't go far."

Please don't see him all the way to a hotel!

She didn't dare say that aloud.

"Mm."

Kyou Fujibayashi reluctantly headed to the bathroom, looking back every few steps, full of worry for her sister, Ryou Fujibayashi.

Lin Ye and Ryou Fujibayashi walked out the door, and Ryou Fujibayashi consciously closed the door behind them.

"I'm sorry, Lin-kun, my sister caused you trouble."

"It's nothing."

"Can I still help you here?"

"No need."

"Huh!"

Ryou Fujibayashi exclaimed. "I'm sorry, because of my sister. Or maybe I can come out later?"

This girl really trusted him.

But then again, they had faced life and death together!

"There's really no need. I've more or less confirmed the situation with my ability."

"Oh!"

The short-haired girl with purple hair was, however, suffused with an air of disappointment.

"Alright, instead of worrying about my affairs, Ryou, I think you should be more concerned about your sister."

Concerned about Sister?

Could it be... a Strange Occurrence?

Was her sister still being tormented by a Strange Occurrence?

"Lin-kun, please, you must help my sister."

She took a step forward and grasped Lin Ye's wrist with both hands. Her eyes brimmed with tears, a hint of sorrow and worry emerging, and it seemed crystalline tears would fall at any moment.

"This... I don't think it's appropriate!"

Lin Ye showed a troubled expression.

"Besides Lin-kun, there's no one else I can trust! Please save my sister, I, I'll do anything..."

As she finished speaking, Ryou Fujibayashi felt a light tap on her little head.

"You've misunderstood. Your sister isn't in life-threatening danger right now, and she won't be affected by the Strange Occurrences for the time being."

"Huh! Oh!" Ryou Fujibayashi was surprised, yet also puzzled.

If it's not that, then what is it?

"Your sister is too foolish."

"Ah!"

Sister, foolish?

"A clueless woman like your sister, I think I'd have no problem tricking her into having twins."

Ryou Fujibayashi immediately blushed.

Afterward, Lin Ye briefly recounted his conversation with Kyou Fujibayashi from earlier to Ryou Fujibayashi.

But for Ryou Fujibayashi, she had only one thought—Lin Ye now knew about her sister's intention to offer herself in gratitude.

"Your sister owes me an 'offering of her person'."

"..."

Ryou Fujibayashi lowered her head.

Sure enough, Lin Ye still had a greater liking for her sister.

"You'll have to repay it for your sister. A sister's debt, a sister's repayment. Yes, that logic holds up."

Upon hearing this, Ryou Fujibayashi immediately looked up, her eyes wide and blank. A wave of shyness erupted within her like a volcano, overflowing uncontrollably onto her cheeks.

What did Lin-kun say?

A sister's debt, a sister's repayment? This, this means he wants her to offer herself to him?

"It's about time. I'll head back now. If your sister has any unusual changes, be sure to contact me immediately."

Lin Ye had already brought her back from the Inner World, but were there any residual effects of the 'Dream Demon Potion'? Were there any side effects from the 'Soul Suppressing Potion'?

All of this was unknown.

But for now, Kyou Fujibayashi seemed mostly fine. All he could do was ask Ryou Fujibayashi, who lived with her, to pay more attention and keep an eye out.

"Mm, I will."

Lin Ye waved and left.

Ryou Fujibayashi watched him go. Not far away, a woman with a dignified countenance and a faint smile at the corners of her eyes stepped out of a quietly parked black car.

A moment later,

Ryou Fujibayashi's mood plummeted to rock bottom, because Lin-kun entered that black car, and the beautiful woman even looked at her for a while. Her smile was brilliant, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it was tinged with a faint hostility.

"Is that... Lin-kun's girlfriend?"

'Rumble...'

The black car slowly drove away.

Ryou Fujibayashi stood rooted to the spot for a while. It wasn't until a cold wind blew past, making her body shiver, that she finally snapped out of it and turned to go back inside.

Her sister sat on the living room sofa. "Ryou's back."

She had been waiting for her sister to return.

"Just outside the door."

"Mm, are you upset?"

"No."

How could Kyou Fujibayashi not see that her sister wasn't in a very good mood right now?

"The water's drawn. Go take your bath first!"

"Okay, Sister."

"Ryou..."

Ryou Fujibayashi looked at her sister, who seemed to be hesitating. "What is it, Sister?"

"Nothing. Go take your bath!"

Finally, Ryou Fujibayashi nodded and left to go back to her room to prepare a change of clothes.

Kyou Fujibayashi, sitting on the living room sofa, sighed and returned to her own room.

She knew that her sister Ryou's feelings for Lin Ye had already surpassed that of ordinary friends. "I still need to contact Miss Nanase,"

If Ren Nanase could confirm her relationship with Lin Ye, Ryou would give up, wouldn't she?

That's what Kyou Fujibayashi thought.

Ryou Fujibayashi entered the bathroom, washed and bathed, enjoying this rare moment of leisure. Unfortunately, her mood hadn't improved in the slightest.

The image of the woman in the black car kept surfacing in her mind.

"Splash..."

Ryou Fujibayashi finished her bath. Wrapped in a towel, she exited the bathroom and casually gathered the clothes placed in the basket. There were her clothes, as well as her sister's.

She carried the clothes to the washing machine. Out of habit, she checked the pockets of the clothes to ensure no items were left inside.

Only...

Soon,

Ryou Fujibayashi stared blankly at the black intimate item she pulled from her sister's shirt pocket.

In a flash, the scene she had witnessed the moment she entered the room reappeared, crystal clear. She could even see her sister's expression at the time.

"Sister's intimate garments... when I came in... in Lin-kun's hand... I definitely didn't see wrong,"

"Sister and Lin-kun... they're hiding something from me too."

Kyou Fujibayashi, who had just stepped out, froze on the spot. She wanted to explain, but her body involuntarily retreated back to her own room, and she carefully closed the door.

"Ryou..."

"There's really nothing between us."

Kyou Fujibayashi agonized in her room, then flopped onto her bed with a frustrated cry, pounding her limbs, repeatedly making 'thump, thump, thump' sounds.

It was all that man's fault.

It was all his fault.

A few minutes later,

Kyou Fujibayashi decided to check on her sister. If her sister asked, she would tell the truth.

'Thump, thump, thump...'

"Ryou, it's me. Are you asleep?"

"Come in, Sister."

Kyou Fujibayashi opened the door. "I wanted to ask you about this weekend. How about inviting Lin Ye and Isshiki-san to our house for dinner? I'll cook myself to show my gratitude to both of them. I remember you have a day off this weekend."

"This weekend?"

She had plans with Lin Ye.

"Maybe... that won't work. It's a bit sudden. I'll ask Lin-kun."

"Okay, if he doesn't have time, we can reschedule for another time."

"Mm."

Seeing no inclination from her sister to ask questions, Kyou Fujibayashi simply excused herself and left.

"Weekend, problematic."

Did her sister have a date with Lin Ye?

Once that thought surfaced, she couldn't stop her mind from racing.

...

...

The black car drove along the road.

Haruno sat in the back seat, very close to Lin Ye. Soon, a teasing smile played on her lips, and her slender index finger slowly traced upwards, poking Lin Ye's chest.

"Lin-kun, twin sisters! You really have an eye for it."

"Don't go bothering them."

"Oh, come on, why would I bother them? I'm not a tactless girl like that,"

Her eyes sparkling with amusement, she gazed at Lin Ye's profile, still tinged with youthful innocence.

Who would have thought that a high school student like him had already experienced life and death so many times!

"Excuse me, Yamada-san, could you stop here for a moment?"

Lin Ye, having noticed something, spoke up.

The driver slowly stopped the car.

Two minutes later, Lin Ye returned, a bag of bread in his hand.

"Eating that so late at night isn't good for you."

"The bread is for breakfast. The cake is for a friend."

"Oh! Oh my! How terribly embarrassing."

"You're thinking too much."

But Haruno showed no reaction at all. She had guessed it from the start, and even if she hadn't, her skin was already thick enough to ignore all of it.

Twenty minutes later,

Haruno followed Lin Ye to his apartment.

As the door opened, Haruno clearly saw the layout of the apartment.

A single man's apartment, yet it was surprisingly clean and tidy. There were no strange odors in the air. Everything was completely normal.

"What a shame, I was hoping to help Lin-kun tidy his room to show off my 'feminine power' as a woman!"

"No need."

"How cold."

Haruno continued, "If you're thinking of moving, Lin-kun, you can contact me in advance. I'll arrange for movers to deliver your personal belongings to the apartment."

"Not considering moving for now."

Lin Ye had already gotten used to living here.

"A large apartment has its advantages too, for example... you could bring two girls home at once and it wouldn't feel crowded; there's room for everyone."

She chuckled, her cunning eyes twinkling, as if hinting at something.

"Miss Haruno, do your best to convince President Yukinoshita. I look forward to the day I can live with both you sisters."

"Oh, oh, oh, I really can't compare to Yukino's place in Lin-kun's heart, even though I like Lin-kun so, so much,"

She exaggerated her feelings; a stranger would probably have believed her instantly.

Lin Ye didn't believe it one bit.

He took off his gloves. "I have a way to prove your 'liking' for me."

"Huh!"

"So let's see how far Miss Haruno's 'liking' goes!"

"Could it be that Lin-kun hopes I... stay tonight? Big Sister isn't entirely incapable of granting Lin-kun this small wish, without needing 'proof' as an excuse, you know,"

Haruno saw Lin Ye extend his hand towards her.

"Hold it."

Haruno was startled; she thought Lin Ye was reaching out to unbutton her clothes.

She was puzzled, but she grasped Lin Ye's hand.

But nothing happened.

"What's wrong?"

"Let me tell you something,"

Lin Ye looked at Haruno, making Haruno feel a strange chill for some reason. "Miss Haruno's 'liking' for me, why, it can't even hold a candle to your sister's."

Haruno: ???

What's going on?

What's happening?

But immediately, Haruno connected Lin Ye's judgment to his mysterious and unfathomable ability.

He could determine her level of 'liking' through physical contact?

What kind of skill was this?

"So... Yukino likes Lin-kun that much, huh! Why don't you go out with my sister? Lin-kun likes my sister anyway, and now my sister likes you. Isn't it better if you both like each other and pursue each other?"

"If your mother said that, I'd believe it."

The implication was that he didn't believe a word she said.

This man was unexpectedly sharp.

"Every sis-con cares immensely about their sister's happiness and well-being, and I am definitely not a suitable match. Shall I go on?"

Lin Ye smiled, looking at Haruno.

"Boring."

Haruno immediately lost interest. "No wonder Lin-kun got rejected by Yukino when he confessed."

It seemed that only on this point could Haruno reclaim some feeling of victory over Lin Ye.

"Going to your place this weekend, that must be your mother's idea, right?"

"Mm, Mother convinced Yukino to invite you as a guest to our home. Ostensibly, it's to thank you for saving Yukino's life." Haruno had no intention of hiding anything.

This matter, one could say, was something everyone else could guess, except for Yukino Yukinoshita, the person directly involved, who remained completely oblivious.

"Perhaps this is just a simple thank-you dinner, but it's hard to say some unexpected things won't happen. You know, Lin-kun now holds significant weight in my esteemed mother's heart."

As she spoke, the smile on Haruno's face conveyed neither praise nor helplessness.

"Lin-kun, I have something to ask you."

The girl with shoulder-length black hair, her indigo eyes met his, her expression grave, her tone serious.

"Who is your collaborator? Is it me, me representing the Yukinoshita Family, or the head of the Yukinoshita Family, which is to say, my mother?"

Haruno saw Lin Ye's changing smile.

"Isn't my collaborator you, Miss Haruno?"

"Thank you."

Lin Ye's stance was also his support for her.

It was her confidence when facing her family and her esteemed mother. Of course, she didn't actually want such a thing to happen.

"Then, as your collaborator, I have a request to make."

"Speak."

"If my mother proposes an engagement or an arranged marriage this weekend, I hope you refuse. I don't want Yukino to become a sacrifice for the family's interests."

Haruno was afraid that Lin Ye would agree to her mother's suggestion. Presented with the opportunity for someone he liked and had confessed to to become his fiancée, or even his wife, would Lin Ye really let that go?

At least, if she put herself in Lin Ye's position, she honestly didn't think she could refuse.

"And as compensation, hmm, let me think..."

Haruno's eyes twinkled as she said with a smile, "How about Big Sister compensates you with her body?"

"Alright, alright, I get it. I know Lin isn't interested in me. How about this: I'll help you get a few young and pretty idols! Didn't you message me a couple of days ago, wanting me to acquire Strawberry Production? I'm already working on it,"

"Once it's successful, Lin-kun, you can exploit the cute girls under its label. Many of them are so cute, they even make my heart flutter."

Haruno's efficiency was quite high. He had only sent a single message, and she was already working on it.

"You can rest assured! President Yukinoshita won't agree."

"You... don't understand Yukino,"

Haruno sighed. "If it's truly a formal demand from Mother, she will eventually accept it. Yukino has her own thoughts, her own will, and desires freedom, but ultimately she is bound to the 'Yukinoshita Family'."

Lin Ye then recounted his conversation with Yukino in the Service Club.

Haruno, upon hearing it, burst into laughter, holding her stomach. "Hahaha, so that's it! Lin-kun, you really have a wicked sense of humor."

"Compared to Miss Haruno, I'm far behind."

"Oh, no, no. This time, I truly can't compare to Lin-kun. I'm sincerely impressed by you."

Haruno was also relieved.

If the family dinner on the weekend truly led to the situation she dreaded most, Yukino would also refuse. The outcome she least desired wouldn't come to pass.

"It's about time, I'll head back now, but..."

Haruno pointed at the cake on the table. "Are you sure that's not for me? I was really looking forward to Lin-kun treating me to cake! I've never even had a cake prepared by Lin-kun."

"It's not for you."

"Could it be... is someone else coming tonight?"

"Want to know?"

"Of course."

"You'll regret it."

"I, Haruno Yukinoshita, would never regret it! Besides, I'm very curious now. I want to see which girl would come here at this hour? Could it be that cute nurse, Ren Nanase?"

She had already ruled out the Fujibayashi sisters.

Haruno blinked her big eyes at Lin Ye.

Lin Ye shrugged and said, "She's already here. Right behind you."

"Hm?"

Behind her?

Behind her was the kitchen. There was no one there.

Haruno turned to look, but it was empty. Nothing.

"Hmph, tricking me..."

She turned her head back, her gaze dropped for an instant, and her eyes widened.

What came into view was a gruesome woman with disheveled hair and blood streaming down her face.

"Ah!"

With a shriek, Haruno stumbled backward and crashed to the floor. Her whole body trembled, and an unending chill welled up within her.

This was... a Strange Occurrence!

Why,

would such a being appear here?

Was she also going to experience a Strange Incident now?