How could Lin Luo not know about the little schemes hidden in Hakone's heart? She was clearly using Aoi to entice him with the evident intent of monopolizing Shizuo herself, possibly even including her sisters. Just imagine—if he really ended up with Aoi... though merely a hypothetical scenario—Shizuo would certainly either dismember him or at least banish him from her life given her fiery personality.
The deviousness behind this was undeniable.
Of course, Lin Luo wasn't foolish enough to fall for such tactics, but... that certain thing could still be worth anticipating. It didn't need use now, yet might serve as a charming tool in the future should opportunities arise.
As an LV4-level prodigy, Hakone was clearly no fool either. Their silent battle of wits lasted only moments before Shizuo and Number Zero emerged from the confectionery shop, forcing them to abandon their discussion with mutual disappointment.
The group arrived at a park where Shizuo pointed toward Number Zero and addressed the trio: "Um... this is my sister..." Saying 'sister' made her glance nervously elsewhere - after all, she seemed younger in height, build, curves, and overall maturity than this supposed sibling. The truth was more likely that the proper title should be 'older sister.'
Perhaps sensing Shizuo's discomfort, Number Zero stepped forward gracefully, clasping her hands before bowing with a springlike smile, "Hakone-san, Haru-san, Aoi-san - my elder sister has already spoken of you. Thank you for your care toward my sister. I am Misao Tokiwa. Please treat me kindly henceforth." Straightening at leisurely pace.
The aristocratic etiquette and saintly smile left no room for criticism, utterly conquering the three young girls who instinctively bowed in return but fumbled through the motions as they'd never been trained properly. Only Hakone managed something resembling formality though it paled next to Tokiwa's elegance.
Tokiwa truly was a perfect lady by all standards.
Listening to her words, Lin Luo felt an ache behind his ribs - Misao Tokiwa? Since when had this name been chosen? And wasn't Shizuo's mother named Misae? What subtle scheming!
Muttering curses inwardly, he glanced at Shizuo who was indeed grimacing slightly.
"Hey, what the hell is going on with that girl?" Seizing the moment when Tokiwa conversed with the trio, Shizuo yanked Lin Luo aside and whispered urgently.
"Hmm? She didn't tell you?" Lin Luo asked in surprise.
"Well... she did mention her background," Shizuo massaged her temples wearily, "but this personality..."
"I don't know either. I only just learned about this side of her myself." Lin Luo shrugged helplessly.
"You think... will Hakone believe it?"
"Believe what?"
"The 'sister' thing."
Lin Luo felt his jaw drop as Shizuo still believed the trio remained unaware of the level-five phenomenon, desperately trying to hide the truth while they'd long since discovered it - only pretending ignorance out of respect for her feelings.
"...I'm sorry, Miss Hakone. The truth is I already have someone special..."
He was considering whether to reveal everything when Tokiwa's voice suddenly cut through: "Please forgive me then," she said apologetically as she faced Hakone, "but I cannot accept your kind feelings toward me."
"What... no way..." Hakone collapsed dramatically onto the ground with a heartbroken expression. Beside her, Haru and Aoi stared blankly.
Lin Luo's face contorted in disbelief - had this little minx actually confessed to Tokiwa? What depths of audacity!
"Blac... Black?" Shizuo's eyes twitched violently as she pieced together the scene from context clues alone. Even a moron could deduce what happened given her usual behavior.
"So then," it wasn't Hakone who asked next but Aoi, "who is this Misao-san interested in?"
"Obviously whoever my sister likes." Tokiwa answered cheerfully before turning around...
When Lin Luo saw her gaze land directly on him, his breath hitched reflexively.
But Shizuo was already losing her mind. She pointed at Tokiwa with mortified embarrassment: "Wh-what are you talking about! What 'person I like' nonsense..."
"I'm not being delusional," said Tokiwa, "since we're sisters after all, our preferences must naturally align. My sister likes Lin Luo, and I find him quite appealing too."
Before one could question the logic behind this statement, the declaration struck with thunderous impact. The three girls froze in complete shock while Lin Luo stood petrified - what kind of godforsaken plot twist was this!
"I'm not joking! Wh-what... that person? How would I ever..." Shizuo's head began boiling again as she stammered incoherently.
"Seems like my sister lacks candor,"
"Huh! What absurdity! How did you even come to that conclusion?! I've always been honest!"
"If that's true, does it mean you don't actually like Lin Luo?"
"Of course not! How could we..."
"Not if..." Before Shizuo could finish, Tokiwa had already dashed toward Lin Luo, wrapping her arms around his and leaning against him in an angelic pose as she happily declared, "Since my sister doesn't want Lin Luo, I'll take charge of him now."
"Ugh!" Lin Luo's heart stuttered at the soft contact on his arm. Though he couldn't process why this absurd scenario unfolded suddenly, a strange thrill already coursed through him.
"Snap!"
A sickening sound like something snapping in two.
Before he could savor that feeling longer, an all-too-familiar aura of death suddenly surrounded him. Realizing too late the danger ahead...
Zzzzt!
A brilliant electric spear erupted from Shizuo's bangs, barreling straight toward them at point blank range.
Lin Luo's face paled instantly - the speed was terrifyingly fast and too close for reaction time to matter.
Just as impact seemed inevitable, a single word suddenly surfaced in his mind.
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