The next day happened to be the last day of the week, Sunday.
In a hotel room with wide floor-to-ceiling windows, located directly opposite the luxury apartnt where Sakuramiya Hitomi lived in Tokyo, Yan Huan woke up bright and early.
After parting ways with An Le yesterday, he had made extensive preparations for today's multi-threaded dating operation in Akihabara.
Before heading to the apartnt to et Sakuramiya Hitomi and the others at noon, he first took a field trip to Akihabara, specifically the comrcial district near tropolitan Route 437.
There, he carefully reconnoitered the area and mapped out the corresponding date locations and schedules.
Following the previously decided order of Spencer, Sakuramiya Hitomi, Bai Yi, and Ye Shiyu, he assigned the following locations based on their individual interests:
[Spencer, 12:00, GIGO]
The first floor of GIGO was a comprehensive claw machine paradise, while the upper floors housed arcades and similar entertainnt, which should perfectly suit the playful Spencer's tastes.
When it was ti for him to leave, she would still be able to play various gas there and shouldn't get bored.
Yan Huan planned to accompany her there for a full hour, treating it like a normal date.
After all, he had checked yesterday, and she really had been studying incredibly hard lately.
The requirent for the Crab dicine quest was to obtain the kisses of the other four hosts within two hours, so the tir would start from the mont he received the first kiss.
In other words, within two hours of getting Spencer's kiss, he only needed to secure the kisses of the remaining three hosts.
Therefore, the Crab dicine Great Battle would only officially begin after obtaining Spencer's kiss.
[Sakuramiya Hitomi, 13:00, Yodobashi Cara, MOFF Cat Cafe]
Coming out of GIGO, he would head straight to Yodobashi Cara near Akihabara Station, a comprehensive departnt store that sold a wide variety of goods.
Yan Huan could et up with Sakuramiya Hitomi there. After shopping for a while, they would rest their feet at a cat cafe filled with many cats. Once he got the kiss, he would find an excuse to move to the next location.
[Bai Yi, 13:40, Seek Base Album Store, Maid Cafe]
Yan Huan had scouted that music album store; it was not far from the station and only a few minutes walk from the cat cafe, so he could easily et Bai Yi at the station.
After browsing there for a while, they would transition back to the comrcial street area and casually find a maid cafe to sit and rest.
Yan Huan needed to get Bai Yi's kiss there, and then continue moving to the next spot.
[Ye Shiyu, 14:20, Radio Kaikan 8th Floor, Volks Doll Store]
The 8th floor of Radio Kaikan had a specialty store selling dolls, doll clothing, and related products, which Ye Shiyu should really like.
Since Ye Shiyu was the final part of the operation, there was no need to arrange another shop to sit and rest during a transition.
Any extra ti could be spent strolling entirely within Radio Kaikan. As long as he successfully kissed Ye Shiyu before 15:00, the operation would be a success!
That way, Yan Huan would be able to get the Crab dicine and save An Le.
"..."
Standing shirtless before the bathroom mirror, Yan Huan quickly ran through the plan he had formulated after yesterday's scouting trip while brushing his teeth.
Forty minutes per host, plus the ti needed to travel between locations...
It was a daunting task.
Yan Huan picked up his mouthwash cup, rinsed away the foam in his mouth, and then raised his eyes to glance at his reflection.
He didn't imdiately continue grooming himself. Instead, he picked up his mobile phone and looked at the chat interface on the screen.
"Sister Tong, where are you right now?"
"Sister Tong, can you reply if you receive this ssage?"
"Sister Tong..."
And from Tong Yingying's end, she only replied with a simple sentence.
"I'm here... It is good that you are okay. I am busy with sothing right now, so I will contact you later. I have sothing to tell you."
"Alright, Sister Tong."
After that, no matter what Yan Huan sent, she didn't reply to any more ssages, leaving him with no idea where she currently was.
Speaking of which, until yesterday, Yan Huan actually hadn't known that Tong Yingying was present the night he was teleported from the shrine.
He had been locked in combat with the assassin at the ti. When the barrier collapsed and he and the assassin fell, the only thing he saw was An Le rushing toward him.
Although the other hosts had also seen Tong Yingying fall from the barrier, they neither searched for her nor told Yan Huan due to several factors.
First, all their attention had been focused on finding Yan Huan at the ti.
Second, they weren't very familiar with Tong Yingying.
Third, to prevent exposing their Modifiers and ruining the mory correction, they all tried their best to keep their mouths shut about what happened that night.
Only An Le briefly ntioned it on Plane yesterday, reminding Yan Huan to contact Tong Yingying. Only then did he realize that Sister Tong had also fallen out of the barrier.
Fortunately, her replying to ssages on Plane ant she was fine, otherwise Yan Huan would have had to worry about Sister Tong's safety as well.
"..."
Setting down his mobile phone, Yan Huan looked into the mirror once more.
He picked up the hair dryer resting on the side and began styling his hair for the first ti in a long while.
Alternating between hot and cold air, he let the breeze from the hair dryer dance through his strands, making his originally wet and limp black hair fluffy and full of volu.
The gentle wind guided the locks of black hair to form a slightly parted, textured fringe, incidentally drying the remaining water droplets on his handso face.
His fingers lightly traced the jawline of his cleanly shaven face.
"Myau-chan!"
"ow~"
Yan Huan put down his razor. The next second, Myau-chan appeared on his shoulder, carrying a grey faux two-piece Henley shirt in its mouth.
This outfit was carefully selected by him yesterday, washed, dried, and ironed at night, all prepared for today's Akihabara Great Battle.
"Thanks, Myau-chan."
"ow~"
Speaking of which, Myau-chan's ability to teleport with items was quite impressive.
Honestly, singling out Myau-chan's abilities, Yan Huan genuinely felt that each one was pretty overpowered.
It could draw lotteries, possessed intelligence, could teleport, and could turn invisible...
With such a bunch of incredible abilities, how did it end up piecing together into a complete waste?!
Yan Huan couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he thought.
As he put on the simple yet stylish clothes, Yan Huan finally took a deep breath.
Imdiately after, holding his mobile phone, he turned his head to look at the cute black cat on his shoulder and smiled.
"Let's go, Myau-chan."
"ow~"
"To Akihabara!"
"Hmm-hmm-hmm~"
Inside the apartnt, Bai Yi humd a song as she walked out of her bedroom carrying a bag.
In the living room, Sakuramiya Hitomi was prepping ingredients in the open kitchen, while Ye Shiyu sat on the sofa gripping her mobile phone. Both of them looked entirely nonchalant.
Looking at them appearing so unoccupied, the corners of Bai Yi's lips inevitably curled up a bit.
'Just as I expected... just as I expected...'
'No... I can't. I can't smile yet. I have to hold it in.'
'As expected, the one Yan Huan likes is !!'
'On such a beautiful weekend, Yan Huan exclusively invited
out on a date.'
'What a pity. You guys worked so hard before, like athletes sweating it out on the athletics field to fight for a ranking.'
'It's just too bad that I was born standing right at the finish line~'
Bai Yi forced back a smile and looked at Sakuramiya Hitomi, pretending to speak calmly.
"Um, Vice President Sakuramiya, I won't be eating here for lunch."
In the open kitchen, Sakuramiya Hitomi, who was chopping vegetables, raised her eyes to look at Bai Yi and asked with a smile.
"What's the matter? Do you have plans for lunch?"
"Ah, well... just so work-related stuff. You know, as a pop star, even though we are currently on the school trip, the branch office of Golden Lion Entertainnt is in Tokyo after all, so it's best if I go and pay them a visit..."
Saying this, Bai Yi gestured to the bag in her hand, as if it contained so kind of gift.
However...
'I'm lying to you, you idiot Sakuramiya Hitomi!'
'What's inside here are the pretty little skirt and makeup tools I'll use for my date later!'
'As long as I go out and casually find an internet cafe or changing room, I can doll myself up and happily go out to have fun with Yan Huan in Akihabara behind your backs!'
"I see... That's fine. I also happen to be going out to see my father and mama today, so I won't be staying at ho either."
Sakuramiya Hitomi nodded, but the smile on her lips deepened.
"Because of grandfather's matters, I'm afraid they are incredibly busy. I was too occupied with the President's affairs the past few days, so I haven't gone to check on how things are over there..."
"Is that so? Then have a safe trip, Vice President Sakuramiya. Hahahaha."
"Hehe, you too, Bai Yi. Good luck with your work."
"Hahahaha..."
"Hehe..."
The two of them covered their mouths and smiled politely at each other. However, for so unknown reason, both of their smiles seed a bit...
Creepy?
While speaking, Sakuramiya Hitomi turned her head to glance at Ye Shiyu sitting on the sofa and asked.
"Ye Shiyu, do you have any plans?"
"..."
Ye Shiyu glanced at them, then glanced at the ti. It was only a little past ten right now, but she wasn't supposed to et Xiao Huan in Akihabara until two-twenty in the afternoon.
"...I'll just stay here and rest today. I'm not feeling well."
"In that case, I'll have soone order lunch..."
"No need. I can handle my own lunch."
Since Ye Shiyu stated it like that, Sakuramiya Hitomi had to drop the subject.
anwhile, Bai Yi clicked her tongue and shook her head to herself, seemingly pitying Ye Shiyu.
Actually, she really was a bit curious to know what kind of expression Ye Shiyu would make if she found out Yan Huan was secretly going on a date with her.
However, if that happened, she would probably go on a rampage, wouldn't she?
'So I'm sorry, I'll just have to keep it a secret from you for now, Ye Shiyu~'
"Then I'll be going now. Bye-bye."
"Alright, take care. I'll stay at ho a bit longer."
To avoid being exposed, Bai Yi still had to find a place to change her clothes and put on her makeup, so she ended up heading out earlier than Sakuramiya Hitomi.
And as soon as she saw Bai Yi leave, Sakuramiya Hitomi also washed her hands and walked back to her room with a smile to change her clothes.
"Hmm, where is Spencer?"
But just as she walked past Spencer's room, Sakuramiya Hitomi looked at the emptiness inside and couldn't help but feel puzzled.
From the living room, Ye Shiyu's voice drifted over.
"She left a long ti ago. She said she was going out to have fun. I guess she was bored of staying here."
"Going out to have fun?"
Hearing this, Sakuramiya Hitomi couldn't help but reveal a look of confusion.
Spencer was an idiot, and she was entirely unfamiliar with the place and the people in Sakura Country. Where could she possibly go to have fun?
Although Sakuramiya Hitomi wasn't considered very close to Spencer, she still felt that this matter was strange.
That strange feeling prompted her to take action, making her glance at her mobile phone before walking towards the bedroom.
Originally, she had planned to head out a bit later. After all, her appointnt with the President was at one o'clock in the afternoon, and it was only a little past ten right now...
But Sakuramiya Hitomi changed her mind at this mont; she decided to go to Akihabara earlier.
She would just treat it as going there in advance to wait for the President.
Sakura Country, Tokyo, on a subway train of the JR Yamanote Line.
An Le, who had changed into a set of cute clothes and carried a crossbody bag, walked onto the relatively empty electric car with her head lowered and her lips pursed.
There were many empty seats on the train, but she acted as if she were completely blind to them, rely standing beside the handrail, holding her mobile phone and communicating with Teacher Miyake Fufu on Plane.
With her head lowered, she didn't realize at all that shortly after she boarded, just as the subway doors were about to close, a woman wearing a baseball cap and a face mask walked onto the train with her hands stuffed in her pockets.
That woman didn't even spare An Le a glance, silently finding an empty seat and sitting down.
She crossed her legs slightly and pulled a notebook from her bosom.
It was exactly this movent that caused a strand of wine-red hair hidden beneath the baseball cap to slip out...
Indeed, this woman was none other than Tong Yingying.
Earlier, when the barrier collapsed, she had coincidentally not fallen into so remote wilderness, but had dropped straight within Tokyo tropolis.
The barrier's mory correction had still activated, but because Tong Yingying was still regarded as the host of the Little Finger, she possessed a degree of resistance.
Therefore, she still vaguely rembered everything that had happened that night.
Her previous feeling wasn't an illusion; it was real.
These girls around Yan Huan were all strange.
Tong Yingying opened the notebook in her arms. The pages were densely packed with the information she had gathered during the days Yan Huan had been missing.
On it, the photos and information of the five Modifier hosts were clear at a glance.
Tong Yingying's eyes drifted downwards. Below each girl's profile, a blank section had been reserved, titled:
"Superpower"
Only at the very bottom of An Le's section was a single word written:
"Tentacles"
That night, Tong Yingying could only be certain that this one superpower belonged to An Le.
As for the rest—the inexplicably massive fireworks that blew up the assassin chasing her, and the barrier that instantly teleported her thousands of miles away—she had no idea who they belonged to...
After realizing that these girls might harbor shocking and world-shaking powers, Tong Yingying didn't alert the snake by beating the grass.
Even after learning that Yan Huan was safe and sound, she didn't even tell him.
Her intuition told her that when facing entities she couldn't previously have imagined, one more person knowing ant an extra degree of danger.
Therefore, she planned to investigate in secret first and figure everything out before taking further action.
"..."
Carefully examining the text in the notebook, Tong Yingying, whose face was entirely obscured by her face mask and baseball cap, gently closed the notebook and raised her eyes to look at the cowering girl not far away.
An Le...
This was the first target Tong Yingying had chosen.
She possessed that talking white snake she had seen before, and relatively speaking, Tong Yingying also knew a bit about the underlying details of her superpower, making her the most suitable starting point.
So...
'Let
follow you and uncover everything about you.'
"Ding-dong~"
Not long after, the subway slowly ca to a halt.
The cowering girl raised her eyes to glance at the platform. Upon seeing that it was "Akihabara" Station, she imdiately walked outside.
Tong Yingying sat in her seat, unhurried.
Only after the surrounding passengers intending to alight had almost entirely cleared out did she finally stand up and walk out of the subway last.
Today was the weekend, and the entire Akihabara Station was extrely bustling.
People transferring lines, coming for tourism, arriving for a pilgrimage, visiting for shopping...
There were people everywhere.
Tong Yingying rely followed silently a short distance behind An Le, wanting to see exactly what she was going to do today and whether she would reveal any flaws.
However, perhaps because they were too focused, neither she nor An Le ahead of her noticed in the slightest...
That just outside the subway station, a short distance away in a certain direction, Yan Huan was walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Spencer.
They were currently planning to head to GIGO to play various gas according to Yan Huan's plan.
"Yan Huan, what are we going to play, awoo?"
"How about we go play the claw machines?"
"Mmm... that feels really boring, awoo."
"You can catch the Angry Little Pigs collaboration dolls there."
"Awoo, awoo!"
"..."
anwhile, on the other side of the platform, inside an internet cafe by the street, Bai Yi was anxiously doing her makeup in front of a mirror in the won's changing room.
But because soone was taking a shower in the bathroom, the vanity mirror by the door had beco completely fogged up with steam, irritating her endlessly.
"Seriously... why am I so nervous..."
"..."
On the road alongside tropolitan Route 437, a low-key yet luxurious black sedan slowly pulled to a stop.
The rear door opened, and Sakuramiya Hitomi, dressed to the nines, stepped out.
She raised her eyes to scan Akihabara, which was packed with people everywhere today and incredibly crowded. She couldn't help but take a deep breath and murmur,
"Baqiao, look at the good deed you've done... If it weren't for you, I could clearly have gone to a better place for a date with the President..."
"..."
On the other end of the road, a taxi also stopped in a spot outside of Sakuramiya Hitomi's line of sight.
In the back seat, Ye Shiyu pulled a few banknotes from her wallet, handed them to the driver in the front seat, and then turned to step out of the car.
Ye Shiyu glanced at her mobile phone, which displayed the current ti.
"11:59"
Indeed...
The tis Yan Huan had arranged were perfect, but...
Everyone—absolutely everyone—had arrived at the scene early to prepare.
They were entirely unaware of each other's presence, only knowing that today was an important day.
The surging crowds of Sunday's Akihabara were like a fog of war, isolating and separating the 'almighty figures' positioned everywhere.
And amidst that fog of war, the single, bright source of light...
Was Yan Huan, who was currently holding Spencer's wrist and leading her through the crowd.
In the midst of the throng, he vaguely sensed a hint of an impending storm, causing him to swallow a mouthful of saliva.
"Yan Huan, look, there are so many claw machines, awoo!"
"Ah."
Yan Huan turned his head back and nodded with a smile. Imdiately after, he pulled his mobile phone from his pocket and checked the ti.
At this mont, the ti displayed exactly:
"12:00"
The Crab dicine Great Battle was about to begin!
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