NOVPUBBelow the stage of the Love Obstacle Corridor College limited event.
"They are really so adorable."
"You can tell they are natural comedians at a glance."
The audience, who had stopped to watch in the central courtyard of Gold Bee Amusement Park, chirped and chattered with their opinions.
Only the Cat Boss knew how anxious Lanci was feeling right now.
He’s really going to cry, meow.
When it came to professional spirit, the Cat Boss admired Lanci.
To complete his job, Lanci would sacrifice himself without hesitation if necessary.
Such a merciless mercenary.
Amidst the incessant noise of the real world, the graffitied space filled with bright colors continued to change the ground and the sky in unconventional ways, constantly bursting with strange light effects and game sound effects.
Lanci and Talia were like two time travelers in this classroom, facing the cartoon bee host floating in the distance.
"Since you have both chosen to continue, let’s see the next question!"
The host drew another card, flipped it, and revealed a new question.
[Fifth Question (Male): How often do you think of her when you’re apart?]
[ A. 0 times]
[ B. 1-10 times]
[ C. 10-100 times]
[ D. Over 100 times]
"If the answer is A, that’s the end of it, it means he doesn’t love her at all. B is still okay, C is a bit exaggerated, that’s like he can’t live without her."
The audience’s discussion reached them.
Talia was originally uninterested in the question.
But then she thought about it and became a bit curious whether Lanci had thought of her during his time in the Northern Continent.
[ D]
The small blackboard in Lanci’s hands boldly displayed his answer.
Talia looked at Lanci’s face with surprise, a trace of redness spreading across her cheeks.
However, the next second she figured it out and clenched her fists.
Because every time Lanci thought of her, it must be about some damn thing.
Who in the world thinks of someone over a hundred times a day!!
Sweat was still beading on Lanci’s forehead, and the more raucous the jeering from the audience below became, the more each second felt like an eternity to him.
"I really underestimated you two, you are such a nauseatingly sweet couple."
The host said with eyes that held disbelief,
"I didn’t expect someone as cool as you to be so clingy with her."
At that moment, the host could only think of the saying, "With the mountains flattened and the earth merged, I dare to be parted from you."
"..."
Lanci’s eyelids twitched at these words.
He was caught between the invisible pressure from Talia next to him and the clamoring audience that almost made him wish for death.
"Now congratulations to you, you have answered five questions and have been very brave. Do you choose to continue the challenge, or to take the commemorative prize box with twenty-five Golden Bee Coins and leave?"
The golden bee host asked.
"Continue."
Lanci answered through gritted teeth.
Already at rock bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up.
Loren probably still hadn’t realized the danger of this game by now, the audience was all making a ruckus, and he still had to persist a bit longer in the game.
A hero cannot flee the battle.
"Continue."
Talia’s voice was very calm as she gave her answer.
"Great! You two really trust each other! Then let’s take a look at the new question!"
The host said with a smile, drawing another question.
Immediately the cartoon bee’s face bloomed with a smile.
This question was best at revealing the hidden desires deep in the woman’s heart.
Previous couples had broken up on the spot because of this question, scaring the man off right then and there.
[Sixth Question (Female): If he were to grant you any one request just this once, what would you most want to do with him?]
A brand-new banner appeared in the mid-air space of the graffiti zone.
Talia was slightly stunned, and the answer floated up on the small blackboard in her hand.
[Recite the script]
In an instant, Talia noticed the veins near Lanci’s temples twitching slightly.
He seemed to be desperately thinking of all the sad things in his life at that moment, holding back without letting his expression change.
This time, Talia kind of wanted to kill herself.
To be honest, she didn’t know why the answer was like that either.
But perhaps she really did enjoy that strange game with Lanci last time, tormented yet delighted.
"Tata, Tata, let’s not play anymore," Lanci said, sounding a bit breathless, or rather as if he was about to burst out laughing and couldn’t speak.
He felt that even if he died today, it would have been worth the price of admission.
"..."
Talia’s eyes trembled, and her fair cheeks blushed slightly, her features gradually exuding a majestic air.
She slowly approached Lanci.
"No, let’s play to the end. Today, let’s torment each other to the fullest."
Talia placed her cold hand on the back of Lanci’s neck, gently whispering into his ear.
Lanci suddenly turned his head to look at her with astonishment, feeling like a little kitten that she could pick up at any moment, not daring to laugh anymore.
It was only at that moment that he seemed to suddenly see a Queen of the Demon Race.
While the two of them were looking at each other and hadn’t yet turned back to the host, they heard his voice.
"Alright, let’s see the seventh question—"
[Seventh Question (Male & Female): What is the most awkward thing between the two of you?]
The moment the banner appeared in the corner of their eyes, they both abruptly realized they needed to gather their thoughts.
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
[So cute I want to eat you up]
[So cute I want to eat you up]
The answer starkly appeared on both of their small blackboards.
"Oh my!!"
When the answer appeared, the entire venue fell silent for a moment as if even the air had solidified; then, the instant the last letter on the small blackboard settled, the central courtyard erupted in deafening cheers.
Some players covered their mouths in surprise, others showed expressions of shock and excitement, staring intently at the center of the screen.
Even though the audience below the stage didn’t understand the specific circumstances of this awkward matter or the process, they could feel through the screen how flamboyantly the two were playing!
As if to set the scene, the director immediately switched the background music to a new song that had recently started trending in Ichrite.
「♫ Dear, you are so cute today too, cute enough that I want to eat you up instead of breakfast~」
「♫ Your cuteness intoxicates me so, before memories begin to fade, I want to stay by your side forever like a lucid dream~」
「♫ oh~ I feel like I’m suffocating, yet you are the air, I can’t wait a moment longer~」
When that familiar sweet and clear voice sounded, Lanci didn’t dare to look over at Tata anymore.
Tata was silent now, not even questioning Lanci right away.
Beads of sweat started to form on Lanci’s forehead, and he remained motionless.
Both of them wanted to die now.
"Congratulations on completing seven questions! There will be a short advertisement break next, and we’ve received a message from the director that it’s time for a shift change. If the two of you wish to continue, please wait a moment," said the host.
He remembered the silver-haired girl declaring they would play to the end earlier, so if neither side raised any objections, the show would automatically continue.
...
Outside the graffiti classroom in the Shadow World.
The screen momentarily switched to advertisements amidst the music, but the audience in the central courtyard didn’t leave. They looked forward with even greater anticipation to the rest of the program.
"Loren, this show is really fun; no wonder everyone is looking forward to watching it," Juliana commented.
She and Loren had by now found seats in the audience stands opposite the stage, comfortably watching this reality show.
"Yeah, I think it’s pretty good too," Loren said with a hearty laugh.
Although if it were him and Juliana onstage being asked those questions, there might be a bit of awkwardness, but overall, they would be able to get through the challenge, not like that gentleman above being asked until he was restless.
