Chapter 83: After all, you wouldn't want to make tomorrow's Tokyo Evening News headline, would you, Miss Qingling the Second!

Seeing the favorability points plunge into the negatives, Haruhi Harano decided to lay all his cards on the table.

That arrogant demeanor she had just displayed was truly irksome—he was clearly the one holding all the advantages!

Get a grip, young lady!

So, as Yukino Kiyorin stared at him in shock, Haruhi seized her soft, smooth cheeks in one swift motion. Her face, still full of youthful collagen, felt like the finest silken tofu—so delicate it seemed it might melt at the slightest touch. Most people would cradle such a lovely face with utmost care, fearing even to breathe too hard, but Haruhi showed no such mercy. On the contrary, he began kneading those delicate cheeks with gusto, squishing her almond-shaped face into an adorably pouting one. Her rosy lips were forced into a pout, and those wide eyes, brimming with astonishment, only made her look even more endearing.

“So, the Kiyorin family is so impressive, is it? If you're all that, why is your sister so amazing—while you’re still just a Tokyo International Airport?”

[Ding!]

[Player has made a choice. Event concluded.]

[Congratulations! You have received a quest reward: one Temporary Skill Upgrade Card. Please check your inventory.]

As the notification sounded, Yukino snapped out of her daze, her eyes quickly filling with rage.

How dare he! How could he say such things—and even pinch her face like that?

Taking advantage of her momentary fury, Haruhi forced her to meet his gaze, still gripping her cheeks.

[Use Temporary Skill Upgrade Card.]

[Skill upgrade complete.]

[“Eyes of Enchantment” effect enhanced. “Golden Finger” effect upgraded.]

["Eyes of Enchantment": Duration increased from 10 seconds to 3 minutes (one-time use only).]

["Golden Finger": Effect significantly enhanced (one-time use only).]

[Skills activated.]

The instant their eyes met, the anger in Yukino’s gaze faded, replaced by an almost feverish zeal.

Gone was the icy composure of the second Miss Kiyorin—now she was like a starstruck fangirl, hopelessly smitten!

Satisfied, Haruhi withdrew his hand as her cheeks returned to their normal state. He nodded with approval. Yes, the effect was excellent.

The “little fangirl” Yukino obediently crouched on the floor, awaiting his instructions.

Three minutes—greed is a human flaw.

When there had only been ten seconds, time had felt short and precious. Now, with three whole minutes, he found himself wondering just what he ought to do.

After all, he wasn’t the kind of man who’d finish everything in three minutes. No—he needed two zeroes added to that number! That’s what it meant to be a real man!

Recalling the two weaknesses he’d recently learned about Yukino, a daring idea emerged in his mind.

He took out his phone, opened the camera, and flashed a bright, upright smile. He was going to take some “artistic” portraits of the second Miss Kiyorin.

“Unbutton one or two…”

Three minutes—it can feel like nothing or an eternity. Especially when you’re having fun, time flies.

At the very last moment, with the final snap of the shutter, a new image appeared in his gallery.

The girl in the photo had the delicate features of a porcelain doll, her petite figure impeccable. But even she had her fatal flaws. In some of the “artistic” shots, her usually cold face was tinged with an inexplicable blush—a juxtaposition of innocence and allure that was utterly irresistible.

Put simply: if these photos ever got out, the second Miss Kiyorin would never be able to show her face in public again.

“Fifty-six, fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty…”

Time’s up. The Temporary Skill Upgrade Card expired, and the skill enhancements faded away.

Yukino was now sprawled atop the wooden table, curled up like a kitten—a kitten in a kimono.

The feverish look in her eyes vanished, replaced by clarity.

She pushed herself up, rubbed her temples—a clear sign she remembered nothing of what had just occurred.

Just as she stood and straightened her clothes, she caught sight of Haruhi, smirking at her with unmasked mischief.

“What did you just do?”

Her memory was spotty, and everything that had happened today was far beyond what she’d expected. According to her original plan, all she needed to do was intimidate Haruhi a little, and he’d obediently surrender—maybe she could even snatch him away from her foolish sister.

But ever since he’d walked in, her calculations had gone awry.

There had even been a supernatural incident just now?!

She began to suspect her mind must have short-circuited today…

Her instincts screamed that the man before her was the cause of it all. For the first time, Yukino felt a flicker of fear—even if just for a moment. She took two steps back.

Haruhi simply smiled and shook his head, then pulled out his phone, opening the photo gallery.

“Now, second Miss Kiyorin, are you looking for this photo of you posing like a kitten? Or perhaps this one in a puppy pose? Or maybe this seductive demon-in-a-kimono one?”

He scrolled through picture after picture—every one a shot that could make anyone drool. There weren’t just a few; there were dozens, maybe more!

And they all shared one thing in common: the subject was always her.

Yukino stared at the photos in disbelief. When…when had he taken them? The setting was clearly right here, right now!

Impossible!

She forced down her shock and tried to keep her expression natural, though it was forced.

“You think you can threaten me with a couple of doctored photos? Ridiculous. I’ve changed my mind—I’ll make you pay for this!”

As she spoke, she almost convinced herself. Yes, that’s it! They’re all fake!

That air of authority returned as if conjured from thin air. It had to be said: Yukino’s composure was impressive. Even when her mind was still reeling, she tried to wrest control of the situation back into her hands.

“With today’s technology, it won’t take long for experts to tell whether these are real or not.”

But Haruhi wasn’t fazed by her bravado, answering calmly as ever.

“Care to test me?”

Yukino shouted, “Don’t you dare!”

Her composure finally broke; for the first time, a hint of panic flashed across her doll-like face.

“What’s stopping me?” Haruhi shrugged. “I’m already a lost cause. You, on the other hand, are the esteemed second Miss Kiyorin. Tsk, tsk, look at that figure—so beautiful, if only it weren’t so petite.”

Yukino fell silent, her gaze dark and brooding as she stared at the boy before her.

Haruhi’s eyes narrowed.

“Drop the haughty act. After all, you wouldn’t want to be tomorrow’s headline in the Tokyo Evening News, would you, Miss Kiyorin?”

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(The chapter ends.)