The First Intimate Encounter with the Maid Captain (Bonus Chapter for 200 Votes, Seeking Votes!) : A new week is upon us. Whether it's recommendations, monthly tickets, tips, or demands for more updates—we want them all... Hmm, the pursuit is endless, much like chasing a girl, so everyone, cast your votes decisively!

…… What else could Sakuya say besides a wry smile? Even her ultimate technique, the "Sakuya World," failed to defeat the opponent. Although she still had energy reserves and other unused abilities, against the opponent’s utterly unfair powers, everything was in vain.

The moment he unleashed the black flames, her defeat was sealed. In fact, if he had deployed that kind of power from the beginning, she wouldn't have even had the chance to activate "Sakuya World." "I lost," Sakuya said helplessly, a faint shadow of disappointment on her face. While she wasn't considered exceptionally strong in Gensokyo, upon gaining a deep understanding of this world's power structure, she was confident that with her abilities, she could at least stand undefeated against any foe, if not be entirely invincible.

What she hadn't anticipated was losing two consecutive battles, and both occurring at Mahora Academy. If this was the case in this small sphere, where would she rank in the entire world? The blow was significant.

Seeing her expression, Lin Luo could somewhat guess what was troubling her. He chuckled, "Relax. People at my level, or Evangeline's, are rare in this world.

With your strength, ranking in the top ten globally is absolutely no problem, and quite near the top, at that." "Is that just comfort for the loser?" Sakuya retorted, clearly annoyed. "No, I'm just stating the facts." Lin Luo looked at her, a slightly smug, mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Now then, since you’ve conceded, shouldn't you honor the wager between us?" "...Let go of me first," Sakuya stammered, then said somewhat unnaturally.

Lin Luo held her arm with one hand, his other arm looped securely around her waist. Their bodies were in close contact, making her highly uncomfortable. "That won't do," Lin Luo shook his head, his expression earnest and serious.

"Those things outside are quite dangerous. If you dart off randomly, it would be terrible if you got burned. Look, they are drifting everywhere; I wouldn't want you to be damaged." "Then just dismiss those things," Sakuya’s eyebrow twitched, and she stated decisively.

"I can't. Because this power is too immense, even I struggle to control it, let alone this quantity. Unless they dissipate naturally, I can't recall them.

Of course, since this is my ability, they won't attack me, so standing here with me is the safest place for you." Lin Luo’s demeanor was one of genuine distress, said with utmost seriousness. Lying through his teeth. He clearly just wanted an excuse to get close.

Sakuya couldn't help but roll her eyes internally, cursing him a hundred times over in her mind. Only an idiot would believe such a transparent excuse. Was Lin Luo lying?

Absolutely. How could he possibly pass up this rare chance for intimacy with the esteemed Maid Captain? Moreover, time outside was currently frozen—a perfect world for just the two of them!

If he couldn't settle this "lifelong matter" right now, where would he ever find such an opportune moment again? "...Let me consider for a few more days," Sakuya hesitated before responding. The word "consider," while sounding hopeful, actually held a very slim chance of success.

It was akin to a man confessing to a woman, she says she needs to think about it, he agrees, and shortly after she calls to say, "You're a good person, but we aren't compatible." Consideration often led to the relationship fizzling out. Lin Luo certainly wasn't going to let that happen. Sometimes, if you miss this train, there won't be another.

He believed he had already left a deep impression on Sakuya, whether through his strength or other aspects; the shock he delivered must have been immense. Therefore, the correct move now was not to retreat but to intensify the assault and directly storm the enemy headquarters! Lin Luo sighed.

"When these black flames are generated, it’s a hassle, and conversely, it's just as troublesome when they vanish. I recall last time they took a solid three days and nights to disappear. I imagine that amount of time should be enough for you to make up your mind clearly." Sakuya clenched her fists, already grinding her teeth.

She could clearly perceive his underlying message: If you don't agree, I won't let go. Put kindly, it was using tactics; bluntly put, it was pure thuggery. Yet, truthfully, while Sakuya felt a surge of anger, she wasn't entirely repulsed.

Had her opponent been some weak, timid pushover, she might have felt nauseated with disgust. But here was someone even stronger than herself. This felt less like a threat and more like pouting, because Remilia often used this exact maneuver against her, forcing her compliance repeatedly.

So, upon hearing Lin Luo’s words, amidst her anger, she felt a strange pang of nostalgia. Of course, making her submit wouldn't be so easy; she wasn't someone who would surrender her entire life over a simple wager. Smiling lightly, Sakuya adopted a casual expression, feigning a threat.

"Tell me, if I were to release the time manipulation right now, and let others see you in this posture with me, what would they think?" "Hmm..." Lin Luo pondered for a moment, then replied earnestly, "What an affectionate couple, truly enviable. There's definitely some hidden romance between these two; they’re embracing even during the competition." Veins popped on Sakuya’s forehead; she suddenly had a powerful urge to kill. Seeing her expression, Lin Luo laughed.

"Well, while some might not think that, most Mahora students are clueless buffoons. About eighty percent would probably assume that. So, if you release the time stop, we’ll be making the front page of the Mahora Daily tomorrow." Yes, to reiterate, Sakuya seriously wanted to commit murder again.

Despite feeling utterly frustrated, Sakuya had to concede that Lin Luo’s point had some merit. After nearly three months, she had gained a decent understanding of the typical character of the Mahora students. The very reason she hadn't stopped the time freeze yet was precisely this: aside from the ensuing torrent of gossip, just the idea of others seeing them in such an intimate posture was almost unbearable for her.

She had considered trying to break free from his embrace, but she was no match for Lin Luo in sheer strength. Furthermore, the surrounding black flames were restless and threatening. If she accidentally brushed against one, her body certainly couldn't withstand it; black flames that could incinerate space itself would surely consume her in an instant.

Although being held like this was unpleasant, compared to the looming threat of the calamitous black flames, she could simply ignore the physical contact. She tried to console herself: it was just touching her clothes, nothing significant. "Do you enjoy forcing people into impossible situations this much?

Regardless, this involves my entire life. I don't want to sell myself off because of a single match," Sakuya stated seriously. Lin Luo could understand Sakuya's words.

Nobody would stake their entire life on a mere contest. Even if the roles were reversed, if Lin Luo lost a match to "Onee-san" and she demanded he pledge himself to her, he would commit seppuku rather than submit, even if he couldn't win the fight. "Yes, indeed, my approach is perhaps a bit too forceful," Lin Luo nodded, then turned serious.

"However, before we proceed, there are a few things I hope you will listen to." Seeing him so solemn made Sakuya curious instead, and she instinctively asked, "What is it?" "You and Chou Rin are planning something, aren't you? Whether it's this martial arts tournament or some other matters afterward, you two are already working in tandem, correct?" "Eh!" Sakuya froze instantly. Her cooperation with Chou Rin was supposed to be highly classified; no fourth person knew about it besides the three of them.

How could he possibly know? Seeing her reaction, Lin Luo knew he had guessed correctly. He smiled.

"Of course, I know about Chou Rin's plans, and I can vaguely guess your reasons for collaborating with her. But what I want to tell you is this: even with Chou Rin's help, you cannot return. While she can traverse time and the future, she absolutely cannot traverse dimensions, my Maid Captain." "You!" Sakuya was utterly shocked now.

Her and Chou Rin’s objective was to return to Gensokyo. Only the two of them and Yagokoro knew this; they swore never to tell anyone else. So how did Lin Luo know?

Even more startling, he called her Maid Captain! She was indeed the Maid Captain, but that was just her official title in the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Nobody here knew that identity.

Even if she occasionally wore maid attire, the title "Maid Captain"... "You... what exactly do you know?" Sakuya asked instinctively.

Lin Luo gave a slight smile, leaned closer, and whispered a few words into her ear: "Gensokyo, Scarlet Devil Mansion, Onee-san, Sakuya, is today's tea ready?" Sakuya gasped sharply, her eyes wide, staring at Lin Luo as if he were a monster—no, more like a deity. She found it utterly impossible to comprehend how he knew these things. Could it be, "You can read minds?!" "I don't possess such an ability," Lin Luo shrugged.

"I just happen to know some things about you... Forget it, I'll tell you everything you need to know." Saying this, Lin Luo gently placed the hand grasping her arm onto her head. Information from the God War could be transmitted via sensory perception; this was the only kind he could currently send.

"This is... why me?" Sakuya's astonishment was obvious. Such monumental news was happening to her.

What confused her even more was that if this was a God War, they should choose someone stronger. She wasn't prominent in Gensokyo; why her? "Perhaps because your aptitude aligns." "Time?" Sakuya already knew she was the host of the Heart of Time.

Understanding it this way made a sort of sense. Lin Luo nodded and stated, "Therefore, the one who can take you back to Gensokyo is me, not Chou Rin."