WebNovels

Chapter 31 - Chapter 31: Nighttime Rampage

A few minutes later, sitting on the back of the motorcycle, Mei gently wrapped her arms around Leo's waist.

Although she could have held onto Leo's shoulders to steady herself, the girl chose this action, which would make her shy, without any hesitation.

Leo, being held, said nothing about Raiden Mei's action and simply started the bike.

However, Leo, who appeared very cool and distant in Raiden Mei's eyes, wore an embarrassed expression as he watched her affection rating, which was still climbing.

[Look! The young maiden so naturally wraps her arms around your waist—in the eyes of others, the two of you are like lovers in the throes of passion, inseparable!]

[This System must admit that, as an AI, it indeed has its limitations in certain aspects. When it comes to picking up girls—this System shall call you the strongest!]

Cut it out. You make it sound like I'm some kind of veteran playboy.

Besides, this was just an accident!

[An accident? As you fobbed off the system, you let out a cold laugh in your heart that only you could hear.]

[You're the one who took her away, you're the one who gave her the clothes, her body got wet because of you, and now you're only taking her home after getting her wet—look at this whole process, how smooth and fluid!]

Wait, her getting wet was clearly because she was caught in the rain, right?

[Don't forget all that sweat on her was because of you.]

Damn it, I actually can't refute... that's bullshit!

Can you please stop using such slanderous, biased phrasing? I haven't even done anything!

[Haven't done anything yet, the facts are indeed as you say.]

[However, the underlying meaning of this sentence is—you plan to do something in the future.]

That's enough.

To be blunt, I'm doing all this just to survive.

But no matter how much you bitch and moan, I've temporarily achieved my goal.

From the moment Raiden Mei wrapped her arms around his waist, he saw that some descriptions in her character profile had changed.

[Name: Raiden Mei]

[Identity: Daughter of former ME Corp President Raiden Ryoma, Herrscher of Thunder Host, your classmate. Awakening level has been drastically reduced; will not awaken for the time being.]

[Current Affection: 90 (Make your move! Make your move hehehe)]

[Note: You know what I want to say.]

Well, no matter what, my goal has been achieved.

She won't awaken for now, but... isn't this affection rating rising a bit too fast?

You're not secretly pulling strings, are you?

[Pulling strings—as you said this, a trace of disdain appeared in your heart.]

[Shifting the blame to the system, you sneered and thought to yourself—Heh, this useless system pulling strings isn't nearly as fast as me personally seducing her.]

That's really enough.

Who knew things would turn out like this.

Before interacting with Raiden Mei, Leo knew that his actions might lead to certain consequences.

The suspension bridge effect is a psychological phenomenon.

This effect mainly refers to when a person crosses a suspension bridge in fear, their heart will beat faster involuntarily.

If, at this moment, they happen to meet another person, they will mistake the accelerated heartbeat caused by the situation as a physiological reaction of being attracted to the other person, thus developing romantic feelings for them.

Simply put, Raiden Mei, who was in an extremely dire situation, was actually very susceptible to developing feelings for someone who extended a hand to her at that time.

Leo didn't really like this feeling.

It wasn't that he disliked beautiful girls, but rather... using the suspension bridge effect always gave him a bad feeling, like he was 'taking advantage of someone's vulnerability.'

His use of such stern methods to get Raiden Mei to pull herself together and temper her spirit was, in part, an attempt to avoid the suspension bridge effect.

But from the looks of it now, the goal of tempering Raiden Mei was achieved.

But the idea of avoiding the suspension bridge effect... avoid my ass, it wasn't avoided at all.

Seriously, I almost beat you up, and you can still develop this kind of affection for me... I'm at a loss for words.

At this moment, just as he was about to drop Raiden Mei off at her apartment building, Leo suddenly heard the roar of an engine.

But soon, realizing the roar was coming from the next street over, Leo immediately put the matter out of his mind.

This street was eerily quiet, which was why that engine roar had caught his attention.

But right now, he had other things to do.

At a time like this... okay, even at other times, he didn't have the time to care about such small things.

After safely stopping the motorcycle, Leo felt Raiden Mei's hands, which were holding him, gently release their grip.

[Although the maiden's hands have let go, you can feel the endless regret in her slow movements.]

[You are certain that if you follow her up to the apartment she's living in now, you'll be able to... hehehe.]

Forget it, I have other things to do right now.

Looking at Raiden Mei who had walked up to him, Leo didn't take the initiative to say anything.

And Raiden Mei, gazing at Leo, slowly opened her mouth to speak.

"Leo, you..."

Excuse me, could you stay with me tonight?

If it were the Mei of before today, she would never have thought of saying such a thing.

Under Raiden Ryoma's upbringing, Raiden Mei had always been a reserved young lady.

Let alone letting a male peer stay over at her place, Mei, who had always been at the all-girls Senba High School, rarely even had the chance to speak with boys her age.

In the past, that shy version of her was certain she would never think of saying such shameless words.

But now, she had to admit—she had become more honest than before.

Mei, facing her inner feelings, really wanted Leo to stay and keep her company right now.

But...

In the end, she didn't say the words.

Because although Raiden Mei wanted Leo to stay with her, she wanted even more for Leo not to be disappointed in her.

Leo had just used such a forceful method to tell Raiden Mei she had to be strong.

And how long had it been—for her to want to do something so incredibly weak?

If I say those words, Leo will definitely be disappointed in me, right?

"Please be careful on your way."

Forcing back her inner desires, Mei said to Leo with a smile.

"Good night, see you tomorrow."

Now is not the time. When there's a chance in the future...

At that time, I'll be a little bolder and say what's in my heart.

....

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