Lu Li left Usher alive, but barely. Not out of pity, but because the Northland Bank would be sending people to take possession of their debtor. They would know how to properly handle someone who had caused them so much trouble. What awaited him was a fate worse than death.

He left the tightly bound and unconscious Usher and turned to Chiori. "So, now that this is settled, do you have anything else to do?"

"No, I was planning to go home and rest. And, you'll need this evidence, right?" she asked, handing him the Kamera after wiping a speck of blood from his collar.

"My people are already on their way. They'll handle the rest. Which means, they'll also make a more complete copy of this evidence to make this guy face reality," Lu Li shrugged, then gently took her hand. "So, you should keep it. You can use these photos to contact a reporter—I happen to know a conscientious one named Charlotte. If she publishes this in the Steambird, the reputation of Chioriya Boutique will improve a lot."

Chiori shook her head. "It might have some effect, but some of what those tabloids say isn't wrong. I do have different levels of patience for different customers. So, publishing these photos might not have a huge impact."

"But it will at least clear you of some baseless slander. Will that make you feel a little better?" he asked softly.

"Mm, if you put it that way, yes, it will," she said gently.

"Then that's enough~"

"...So, we just leave this person tied up here and go?"

"Yes, our work here is done. Others will handle the rest. It's time to go back."

"...You're not coming back with me? Didn't you say you wanted to come back and try on that outfit?" she asked, her gaze turning幽幽 (yōuyōu - faint, deep, sorrowful).

Lu Li paused, then squeezed her hand. "Of course, I'm going back with you, but..." he said with a mischievous grin, "I didn't expect you to be so proactive in asking me to stay, Chiori."

"That's not what I meant!" she said, annoyed. "I just want you to come and try on the clothes and take them away. How long do you plan to leave that uniform in my house?!"

Lu Li was used to her saying one thing and meaning another. He smiled and led her away, already thinking about how to fill her little stomach later.

————

After debriefing the Fatui members who arrived later, Lu Li left the factory. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Chiori had gone back first. Now, he was also heading to her place. Another night not spent in his own bed. But at least now he had a good excuse. If anyone asked, he would just say he was on a Debt Collector mission.

Meanwhile, at the Hôtel Bouffes d'été, Lynette was having a serious talk with her brother.

"Brother, your sleeve is torn. Why do I have to be the one to tell Sister Chiori? She'll probably agree to fix it, but she'll scold me."

"That's not it, Lynette. That's not my sleeve. Chiori asked me for it earlier. She said she needed my sleeve as a template to make a similar one for Lu Li," Lyney explained.

"For Brother Lu Li? I see. Then why didn't you give her a new one to use as a reference?"

"The point is, she needed one that I was going to discard. She said she needed to study the composition and structure of the fabric to make a similar but unique sleeve. I finally found this one after rummaging through my things," he said, scratching his head. "But I have a feeling you're still reluctant to go, and it's getting late. Fine, I'll just go ask her tomorrow."

"No... I'll take it to her. I happen to have something to discuss with Sister Chiori anyway."

Lyney's eyes widened. "Lynette, you... does that mean you're not coming back tonight?"

"Mm, I'm staying at Sister Chiori's."

"How can you do that, sister? Good children don't stay out all night. And it's so dangerous outside..." He then paused, his expression strange. After all, she had used her Vision and fluorescent powder to sneak out at night and gather intelligence countless times. The "danger" argument didn't really hold up.

"Brother, I can protect myself... and... what's so dangerous about Sister Chiori's house? I just want to talk to her about girl stuff. As a boy, you should just stay home."

Lyney sighed in defeat. She was right. Nothing would happen if she stayed the night with another girl. As long as it wasn't with a man. Though he knew she would eventually get married and have a family with another man, he wasn't ready to see his beloved sister, whom he had raised with such difficulty, fall into another man's arms. It was like a father trying to keep strange boys away from his elementary school daughter. Well, she's just going to Chiori's. It should be fine.

-------

Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!

Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA

I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (111 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (220 Chapter)

Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (220 Chapter)

MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (90 Chapter)

BLEACH: Blade of Purification (100 Chapter)

Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (260 Chapter)

My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (98 Chapter)

The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (100 Chapter)

Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(57 Chapter)

Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (100 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (100 Chapter)

Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (70 Chapter)

Naruto: I Can Synthesize Summoning Beasts (40 Chapter)

Demon Slayer: The Great Swordsman's System, Disciple of Yoriichi (61 Chapter)

My Wife is a General, but I'm an Emanator of Abundance! (70 Chapter)

Type-Moon: My Nine-Fold Path (50 Chapter)

Uma Musume: They're Peeking at My Diary, and All of Tracen is Panickin (50 Chapter)

The Wild History of Type-Moon world (30 Chapter)

Reborn in Conan, But I Refuse to Be the Bad Guy (30 Chapter)

Ruan Mei is begging me to go back? But there's no going back anymore (30 Chapter)

If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.