"A Vitality Pill, packed with rich deoxyribose, capable of healing all your injuries~"
Luo Qing crouched in front of Layla, holding another big, black Vitality Pill and waving it teasingly in front of her.
Seeing her slightly curious expression, he added with a smirk, "Want another one? Just call 'big brother' and I'll give it to you~"
"..."
[ 1 Frustration from Layla.]
"Who'd want that..." Layla turned her head away.
Though she was intrigued by this so-called Vitality Pill, there was no way she'd stoop to calling Luo Qing "big brother" to get one.
After all, she was the proud, tsundere Inner Persona, not her weak and delicate Outer Persona.
"Fine, suit yourself."
Luo Qing huffed, putting the pill back into his system inventory. His gaze lingered on the snowy patches of skin visible through Layla's tattered clothes, and he couldn't help but ask, "What were you doing out here alone? Trying to get up close and personal with Hilichurls?"
"It's not like I wanted to be here..." Layla pouted, looking a little aggrieved.
"Who would've thought she'd pull an all-nighter to work on her thesis and then head out at dawn to collect materials! This is the wilderness, for crying out loud!"
"Fungi, Hilichurls, and even sketchy rcenaries with bad intentions... Ugh, it's ridiculous!"
The more Layla thought about it, the angrier she beca.
Why do I have to share a body with such a clueless, naive girl?
And worse, she's already halfway to being conned by this scumbag in front of .
"Didn't you say you'd make her aware of your existence? Just give her a heads-up," Luo Qing suggested casually.
"I want to," Layla murmured, "but it's the crucial period for her thesis review. If I tell her now, she'll get distracted. I'll wait until the review is over."
"Didn't expect you to care so much about her."
"I don't! We share a body, so of course I care about myself," Layla retorted with tsundere defiance.
"Heh."
Luo Qing chuckled but didn't press further. Rising to his feet, he glanced toward Suru City, then back at Layla.
"Let's go. It'll be dark soon, and you won't be able to find your way back if we don't head out now."
"Who's going back with you?"
Layla huffed and crossed her arms.
"I can make it back on my own. You go your way."
"Hey, I saved your life." Luo Qing reached out to poke her forehead lightly. "It's not too much to ask for a thank-you dinner, is it? I an, I'm not saying you owe your hand in marriage or anything."
Layla's tsundere energy was off the charts.
Compared to her, Luo Qing still preferred the soft, gentle, and more approachable Outer Persona.
At least the Outer Persona would blush shyly if he so much as touched her foot. Layla? She stayed prickly even after he saved her life.
"I'll repay you so other day—not today," Layla said, turning her head to avoid looking at Luo Qing.
If this had happened a few hours earlier, while the Outer Persona was asleep, she might have reluctantly invited him for dinner.
But not now.
The Outer Persona was close to waking up.
With Luo Qing's character, leaving them alone together at night could only lead to trouble.
He'd already touched her feet and patted her head before.
If they spent more ti together, who knows where his hands might wander next?
Even if they shared the sa body, so things still needed to be protected.
At least from Luo Qing!
"Are you sure you can make it back like this?"
Luo Qing glanced her over. Her clothes were torn in several places, exposing patches of snowy skin that hinted at all kinds of unspeakable scenarios.
"Mind your own business."
Layla stood up, and thanks to the Vitality Pill, she felt unusually energetic.
But that also ant her body was now ready for the Outer Persona to wake up.
"Oh no..."
Before she could finish her thought, her vision began to dim.
This was the telltale sign of the Outer Persona waking.
"You better not do anything indecent to her, or I'll make you pay..."
Layla glared at Luo Qing, but before she could finish her warning, her body went limp like a puppet with its strings cut and fell forward.
Right into Luo Qing's arms.
"Huh?" Luo Qing froze in place.
Everyone saw that, right?!
She fell into my arms on her own! I didn't do anything!
"Young people... Falling asleep wherever they please..." Luo Qing shook his head with a wry smile as he looked at the unconscious Layla in his arms.
The wilderness was completely deserted.
No one was around.
So... should I...?
As his mind started to wander into dangerous territory, the person in his arms stirred.
"Uh... Where am I...? Luo Qing... sir?!"
The Outer Persona, now awake, opened her eyes and imdiately noticed her predicant.
Seeing herself cradled in Luo Qing's arms, she jolted awake and scrambled out of his embrace like a startled deer.
The sudden chill on her skin made her realize sothing was wrong.
Looking down, she saw her clothes were in tatters, with much of her pale, delicate skin exposed—particularly across her chest.
It looked as though her clothes had been slashed with a blade... or torn by hand.
She glanced at Luo Qing, then at her chest, and seed to piece sothing together.
Covering herself instinctively, she backed away several steps before stumbling over a rock and falling to the ground.
"Luo Qing, sir... You... You didn't... Oh, it hurts!"
Tears welled up in Layla's eyes as she whimpered, but before she could finish accusing him, Luo Qing flicked her forehead.
"What kind of nonsense is rattling around in that little head of yours?"
He poked her forehead again, and Layla, now sitting on the grass in a duck-like posture, covered her head with both hands to shield herself.
"L-Luo Qing, sir! Stop poking ... It hurts..."
"What were you thinking? You were sleepwalking and ended up attracting a bunch of Hilichurls. If I hadn't saved you, you'd be their dinner by now."
"Hi-Hilichurls?"
Layla finally noticed the field littered with Hilichurl corpses, all impaled by golden rock spines.
"So... that's what happened..."
Feeling guilty, she lowered her head and muttered softly, "Luo Qing, sir... Could I trouble you to... turn around for a mont?"
"What for?"
"Nothing... Just turn around, please."
"..."
"Fine."
Not knowing what she was up to, Luo Qing shrugged and turned around.
"Call when you're done."
"Mm..."
Layla nodded softly.
The mont Luo Qing wasn't looking, she quickly lifted her skirt to inspect her body.
Luo Qing wouldn't have... done anything, would he?
---
T/N: Is this what happens when I get better at translating the original intent of the writing, holy shit how much have we missed? or maybe this is new? im going crazy
stellaris HSR got bonked again :((, off to the hub the scribble one (will be reuploaded there this week will put in end of Chapter when it has been)
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