The Unseen Journey and a Ghastly Reveal

“As expected, Number Two didn’t come to Japan by plane.” Samidare Ruka’s words carried a serious tone as she intently scrolled through something on her phone.

“What does that mean?” Leidi questioned, a hint of confusion in her voice.

“I checked online on my phone, and the flight he told me about hasn’t even taken off yet. Given his speed, he couldn’t have come by boat either.” Setting her phone down, Samidare Ruka took a bite of her now-cool taiyaki, her expression etched with bewilderment.

‘It seemed something incredible had occurred.’

‘From China to Japan, it could only be by boat or plane, right? Were there any other ways?’

‘…Wait a minute…’

‘Mao Mingdao was also one of the Gate Holders. Perhaps it was related to his power of inducement.’

“Although I don’t know which direction Mao Mingdao channeled his power, could he have come here by using it?” I offered my insight to Samidare Ruka, sharing my thoughts.

“No, no, no.” Samidare Ruka dismissed my conjecture with a direct wave of her hand, before uttering something even more outlandish.

“If he had flown across the Sea of Japan faster than an airplane, he would absolutely have been attacked by the Japanese government with missiles and torpedoes, and there would definitely be eyewitness photos all over the internet!”

“Huh?! Mao Mingdao can fly?” Leidi and I couldn’t contain our astonishment, our fries nearly tumbling from our mouths.

“Yes, it’s part of his power of inducement, and he looks incredibly handsome when he flies~” Samidare Ruka said, blushing and smiling as if introducing a boyfriend she was proud of.

‘Though they weren’t lovers, Leidi and I exchanged a knowing glance, a silent understanding passing between us.’

‘Our lips curved slightly, revealing faint, almost imperceptible smiles.’

‘Just as I suspected, Samidare Ruka really did like Mao Mingdao!’

‘I’d felt it before, back on the rooftop when she asked me to teach her how to cook!’

“Ahem—” To avoid being swept up in the burgeoning romantic atmosphere, I quickly faked a cough, raising a fist to my mouth. ‘It wouldn’t do for the conversation to veer off course.’

“Samidare Ruka, do you have any thoughts about Mao Mingdao, who is currently lying in bed?”

‘Ah—I couldn’t help myself!’

‘When did I become such a gossipmonger?’

‘To use such an incredibly misleading phrasing?!’

“No! Absolutely not!!!” Any pretense of a senior’s composure flew straight out the window. Samidare Ruka, her face flushed crimson, frantically waved her hands at us in agitation. ‘But wasn’t that gesture precisely what gave her away completely? Haha.’

“Samidare Ruka, Protagonist was actually trying to ask if you had any idea about Mao Mingdao’s current state of extreme exhaustion…” Seeing Samidare Ruka’s agitation, Leidi, at just the right moment, doused the flames of my mischief.

“Eh?!” With a small gasp, Samidare Ruka froze, as if turned to stone.

‘Honestly, Leidi, let me have my fun. Samidare Ruka’s reactions right now are truly amusing.’

‘You’re getting naughty, aren’t you? Stop messing around.’

“Heh heh heh~”

‘Gently poking my grinning face, Leidi smiled as she lightly admonished me in Chinese.’

‘I’ll reflect on it, really (probably~).’

‘Knock knock—knock knock—’

‘A polite knocking echoed from beyond the bedroom door.’

‘After settling Mao Mingdao, we had remained in the bedroom, chatting.’

‘Given the abundance of snacks we’d brought back, we’d simply made them our lunch.’

‘Though, the head maid, whose name I couldn’t recall, had chastised us for our “unhealthy diet”…’

“Come in.”

Leidi simply called out towards the door, and another maid, whose name I couldn’t recall, entered.

“Miss Leidi, the guest has woken up.”

‘She was here to inform us.’

“Understood. Please bring him here.”

“Yes.”

The maid bowed her head respectfully and then withdrew.

“He’s finally awake.” Samidare Ruka offered a slightly embarrassed smile, as if she were the one who had done something wrong. ‘In truth, no one was at fault.’

‘The current time was around seven in the evening.’

‘Mao Mingdao had arrived at the “Chrysalis” Manor around ten in the morning.’

‘Indeed, three hours had long passed.’

‘Considering Mao Mingdao had remained motionless in the same position on the bed for three hours, the three of us had decided to let him continue sleeping, and Saturday’s training was thoroughly canceled.’

‘Though, he had slept straight through until evening…’

****

“Guest, this way. The young ladies are waiting for you inside.” A soft voice drifted from outside the door, as the maid politely guided Mao Mingdao.

‘However…’

‘This “CHOKER’s” translation function hadn’t malfunctioned, had it… Why did it sound like someone visiting a brothel…?’

“I’m here, woah?!”

Mao Mingdao, who had just pushed open the door and entered, suddenly flinched in surprise. ‘What was wrong?’

“Number Two, come over here.” Samidare Ruka shifted her position.

‘Although, there was absolutely no need to worry about not having enough space…’

“My apologies for making you wait so long, and even canceling training.” Mao Mingdao, scratching the back of his head with an apologetic expression, settled next to Samidare Ruka.

‘Eh~ He really sat next to her~ Even though there was still plenty of space~’

‘No!’

‘No, no, no! This isn’t the time to be thinking about that! Get out of my head!’

“Mao Mingdao, you really don’t have to be so concerned. It’s only proper for juniors to wait a reasonable amount of time.” Leidi smiled as she poured Mao Mingdao a cup of black tea, though the snacks were a bit of an eyesore.

“Saying that only makes me more embarrassed.” With a somewhat wry smile, Mao Mingdao picked up the teacup and took a sip.

“Why are you so tired today? You really need to explain this properly.” Samidare Ruka cut straight to the chase.

After a moment of hesitation, Mao Mingdao glanced around at us.

“You don’t have too much in your stomachs right now, do you?”

‘It was a probing question, suggesting he had something important to reveal.’

“What is it?” Samidare Ruka’s tone also grew serious. ‘The matter was likely not simple.’

“I’m about to take out something rather unpleasant. I’m worried that as girls, you might find it disgusting…” Mao Mingdao scratched his face, a hint of awkwardness in his gesture.