Could there be some kind of trap here?
…Huh?
This attitude… does he actually care?
It took me a moment to process. Though fully aware that the current situation was somewhat dangerous, I still felt a surge of triumph at having gained the upper hand.
I tried hard to control my smirk from becoming too obvious, tilting my chin up in response. Between telling the truth and embellishing reality, I chose to push my luck.
“I learned it while playing 3P with others,” I said with a straight face.
I knew this was provocative and likely to anger him, but old habits die hard—my rebellious streak always surfaces at times like these. And… even though I sensed the atmosphere turning strange, I didn’t think much of it.
This kind of subtle tension and predicament wasn’t new to me. Every previous time, I’d thought something might happen… but nothing ever did. Because of that, I didn’t expect this time to be any different.
But Gin didn’t get angry.
Instead, after hearing my words, the hand gripping my hair loosened, sliding down to rest against the nape of my neck, his thumb stroking the skin along my jawline.
The sensation was oddly unsettling. Unaccustomed to it, I instinctively tilted my head further back to escape the feeling. But noticing my resistance through his grip, he increased the pressure slightly. I immediately froze, my breathing unconsciously softening as I watched him with crimson eyes.
Rather than anger, he responded with a low chuckle, his tone unreadable yet teasing: “Do you really want me to fuck you?”
…Was this a multiple-choice question?! How should I answer?
My brain short-circuited. My lips parted but no sound came out initially. That momentary lapse made me instinctively want to regain control, so once I collected myself, I replied cautiously with grave seriousness: “Well, the reverse would work too.”
“…” The smile on Gin’s face faded slightly as he released me. His voice dropped deliberately, emotions indecipherable: “Ambition needs to be matched with equivalent capability.”
…Seriously! He’s still looking down on me!
I pressed my lips together, thinking this would end like all previous times. Placing my hands on his shoulders for leverage, I prepared to climb down with a displeased expression. But unlike before, this time he directly wrapped his arms around my waist, locking me in place so I couldn’t move.
…Huh?
I looked at him in confusion. Gin wasn’t meeting my gaze, instead tilting his head back to take a swig from his glass.
“…A Zhen?” I ventured hesitantly. He didn’t respond, instead setting the glass down on the table before threading his freed hand through my hair to grip the back of my head, kissing me directly. Along with his probing tongue came the flood of high-proof liquor.
While I can hold my alcohol reasonably well, that doesn’t mean I can handle strong distilled spirits. I instinctively swallowed some, the burning discomfort instantly igniting in my throat and making me want to cough. But with my mouth blocked, I could only manage muffled coughs as the excess liquor escaped down the corners of my mouth.
The sensation of liquid trickling down my neck was uncomfortable. I raised a hand to wipe it away, but it was caught mid-air, twisted behind my back until I couldn’t break free. Still, there was no need to worry about the spilled part… because he released me, his kisses trailing downward from the corner of my mouth, cleaning up every drop of spilled liquor.
My reactions were slow throughout, my body stiff, until his hair brushed against me and I suddenly snapped back to reality. But with my body and hands pinned, I couldn’t move, so I tilted my head back further. The unfamiliar sensation made me tremble slightly.
The mood was interrupted by the sound of a message notification. It took me a moment to distinguish it, confirming it was Gin’s, not mine. He stopped what he was doing at that moment, let out a soft laugh, and spoke in an even tone, though his words were downright malicious: “Seems you haven’t learned much.”
…I could definitely tell he was mocking me! Damn it, don’t think I won’t actually go out and have a 3P! It’s not like I can’t find people!
I looked at him with clear dissatisfaction, let out a light humph, and started struggling. “Then let me go so I can find someone to practice with!”
I’ll just go practice in secret outside! Come back and amaze everyone… well, maybe not everyone. Come back and amaze you, leaving you speechless!
Gin ignored my words, released my wrist, and instead gripped my jaw, forcing me to face him directly. In a commanding tone, he said, “Go put on that dress you bought last time.”
I froze, my confusion clearly written all over my face. Huh?
I don’t think it’s my fault—tonight’s developments were just way beyond what I’d expected.
I vaguely remember that, at the very beginning, all I wanted was to successfully give him chocolate… After all, on previous Valentine’s Days, I’d tried to give him chocolates too, but he’d coldly rejected them with a simple “I don’t eat sweets.” Though, to be fair, Gin really doesn’t like sweet things.
But now he wants me to change clothes… Huh? Surely he doesn’t just want to see me try it on? So, it must be…
Still trying to wrap my head around it and unable to figure it out, I didn’t say anything and obediently stood up, went back to my room, and laid out the little black dress I’d bought last week on the bed. Only then did I snap out of it, staring at the dress with a deeply troubled expression. I swear, when I dragged him along shopping to help me pick it out, it definitely wasn’t so it could be used like this! What a waste!
…Wait a second, could there be some kind of trap in this?
Frowning, I sensed something wasn’t right. I crept to the door, cracked it open, and peeked out, only to see Gin on the phone.
Hmm… was it about that message earlier? Seems like business.
Not wanting to be caught, I took only a quick glance before quietly closing the door and turning back to stare at the dress.
So… what’s the trap here? And anyway, it’s just going to come off later, so why bother putting it on… Oh, could the trap be right there!? If I obediently change and go out, will I just get mocked again for having no tricks up my sleeve?!
My expression turned grave as I slowly unbuttoned my shirt one button at a time. While undressing, I pondered a serious question—was the correct answer to wear nothing underneath the dress? But wouldn’t that mean going commando… Ah, in the context of Chinese characters, this actually becomes a pun!
Alright! Decision made!
Meanwhile, in the living room…
“Initially, I thought Cocoa Wine was just fooling around again. After all, she hasn’t been privately interacting with that new recruit who supposedly resembles you, big brother, and he was Sherry’s sister’s boyfriend. I assumed she was just using an acquaintance to act out and deliberately provoke you, big brother… But earlier, when I went to shake hands… no, when I was handling personal matters, I accidentally saw her on a date with someone… Normally, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but that person seemed to be Bourbon from the Organization.”
Gin didn’t pay much attention to the first part and even felt like responding with “don’t bother.” He roughly understood that the new recruit was likely the “Substitute” that Natsume Natsuki had arrogantly declared earlier.
However, upon hearing the latter part, he furrowed his brows: “Are you sure it was Bourbon?”
“Yes… At first, I thought I might have been mistaken, so after Cocoa Wine left, I deliberately went up to confirm…” Vodka’s voice started off somewhat flustered, even carrying a hint of guilt from tattling, but after getting through the initial explanation, it gradually smoothed out, tinged with a trace of inexplicable anxiety. “Cocoa Wine has always been the type to dislike and even avoid getting to know other Organization members. She’s never had any mission overlap with Bourbon before…”
Gin directly cut off his rambling, his expression and tone unreadable: “I know.”
Vodka fell silent upon hearing this, pausing for a second or two before cautiously speaking up: “Um… Big brother, if possible, could you not tell Cocoa Wine that I was the one who found out?”
Gin: “…”
Gin hung up the phone expressionlessly.
He was aware that due to Natsume Natsuki’s daily antics, Vodka had become somewhat intimidated and didn’t dare to provoke her… but he hadn’t expected him to be this cowardly.
However, that wasn’t the main issue at the moment.
After hanging up, Gin immediately dialed another number. As soon as the call connected, he got straight to the point: “Vermouth, did you contact Cocoa Wine earlier?”
“Hmm? Yes, because I needed her help with a small favor… Why? This counts as a mission; she should have mentioned it to you, right? It’s been a while since then. Why are you asking about this suddenly…”
Gin impatiently interrupted her: “Send me the timestamps of your email communications with her during that period.”
“I can do that…” Vermouth’s tone carried surprise. “Wait, Gin, are you the one checking up on her this time?”
Gin had no interest in continuing the conversation and directly hung up.
Probably realizing he wasn’t in a good mood, Vermouth quickly sent over the emails, including the specific content and timestamps.
Gin looked at those time points, confirming that none matched the time he had inquired about that day. His fingers tightened around the phone as a slow smirk curled his lips, his eyes tinged with a shadow of gloom.
Just then, the room door opened, and the black-haired girl stepped out.
The strapless black chest-hugging dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her figure. Since Natsume Natsuki was naturally reclusive—averse to exercise and sunlight—her skin was already fair, and the contrast against the black dress became even more striking.
Abandoning her usual long-strided walk, she lifted a hand to press down her skirt hem and trotted toward him with small, delicate steps. As always, she leaned close, wrapping her arms around his neck and looking up at him. Whether from the earlier alcohol or their activities, a faint blush still lingered on her cheeks and ears. Her lips moved slightly as if hesitating, but she finally rose on her toes to press a kiss to the corner of his mouth. Gazing into his eyes, she cooed, “…Don’t hurt me, okay?”