He's truly unbelievably stupid.
Alistair looked at Eita Yamano's reaction, shook his head, and sighed internally. His peripheral vision caught Natsuha Shinomiy's slightly scornful smile, and he couldn't help but feel a little pity for Eita Yamano.
However, Natsuha Shinomiy made no further moves but simply played on her phone. Seeing Kasumi Haruno equally absorbed in her phone, Alistair guessed the two were discussing something private.
Alistair wasn't interested in eavesdropping. He didn't mind girls having their own little secrets; he didn't have such a strong urge to control them, as that was detrimental to a healthy relationship.
But he couldn't just sit there zoning out. Alistair had no interest in the two boys' study session, and Kasumi Haruno and Natsuha Shinomiy were on their phones. He decided to take out his own phone and scroll through his Line feed.
"Excuse me, I'm going to step away for a moment. I just remembered I have something to do upstairs."
Just as everyone was focused on their own tasks, Natsuha Shinomiy suddenly broke the quiet atmosphere. She then stood up and walked out.
"I think I'll go for a walk too. My legs are getting a bit numb from sitting for so long."
Kasumi Haruno also stood up, stretching and rubbing her thighs to indicate she genuinely felt uncomfortable.
"I'll go for a walk too."
Alistair concurred, also standing up and walking out alongside Kasumi Haruno.
Suddenly, only Ryūto Haruno and Eita Yamano were left in the living room. The two exchanged glances, then lowered their heads and resumed their efforts.
Upstairs, inside Natsuha Shinomiy's room.
Natsuha Shinomiy pulled open a drawer on her desk. Inside, various sundry items were neatly arranged. On top of everything lay a dark purple card.
The card was blank except for a string of numbers. Natsuha Shinomiy picked up the card, flipped it over, revealing a circular dark purple pattern on the back.
Natsuha Shinomiy stared at the dark purple circular pattern on the card. After a long moment, as if snapping out of a daze, she flipped the card back over, looked at the string of numbers on the front, took out her phone, opened her contacts, dialed the number, and made the call.
Du— Du— Click!
"Good afternoon, Miss Shinomiy. How are the effects of that item? I trust you're quite satisfied. So, you're calling because you'd like another batch?"
The voice on the other end of the line was seductive, carrying a soft, captivating quality. Although the tone was smiling, it still sounded incredibly alluring, as if just listening to the voice allowed one to imagine how enchantingly seductive the person on the other end was.
The voice was so mesmerizing that even Natsuha Shinomiy was momentarily lost.
"I want more of that item you gave me before."
Snapping out of her daze, Natsuha Shinomiy took a deep breath and told the person on the phone.
"Mmhmm~ Of course, but I also have a condition. If you agree, I can not only provide you with this item without limits and without any further charge, but I also have things with even stronger effects, you know~"
The voice on the other end chuckled lightly. The speech felt obviously like a scam or pyramid scheme, yet the tone was utterly confident, showing her belief in her own judgment.
"What do you want? Money?"
Natsuha Shinomiy paused, frowned, and asked. Although the woman's words sounded like a fraud organization, Natsuha Shinomiy was certain that the item she had given her was genuinely effective.
"No, I am not short on money, nor do I need to obtain it in this way. But that's not your concern. I want to ask first: after using that item, the person you like must have become very aggressive, right?"
The woman on the other end didn't answer Natsuha Shinomiy directly but first inquired about Alistair's reaction after Natsuha Shinomiy used the item.
"Yes, but only for a short time. And actually, his actions weren't very intense. It could be said that he still maintained most of his rationality, rather than acting like the 'beast who has lost its mind' you described."
Natsuha Shinomiy briefly explained Alistair's situation at the time. Since she hadn't revealed any critical information, the woman wouldn't know exactly who she had used the item on, so Natsuha Shinomiy could be quite frank.
"Oh? Is that so? ...Hmm~ Interesting. I understand. So, are you willing to agree to the condition I just proposed?"
The woman asked about the item's effect but dismissed it quickly, seemingly unconcerned, and asked for Natsuha Shinomiy's decision.
"You haven't told me what I need to do yet."
Natsuha Shinomiy narrowed her eyes, her tone somewhat displeased.
"Hmph hmph↗, you don't need to concern yourself with that matter. You just need to tell me whether you agree or refuse."
An air of unquestionable authority entered the woman's tone, causing Natsuha Shinomiy to momentarily freeze.
"If you don't tell me, then I refuse."
Natsuha Shinomiy said unpleasantly.
"Are you sure? Since you need to use this item, there must be some condition you can't meet, right? But I can tell you: the price won't need to be paid immediately. If you agree, I will provide you with the item immediately, and I can even give you the stronger one."
The woman's tone was very calm, as if she wasn't worried at all about Natsuha Shinomiy hanging up.
"...Aren't you afraid I'll use it and then refuse your request?"
Natsuha Shinomiy asked somewhat suspiciously. This item wasn't like an addictive drug, and such drugs couldn't enhance attraction to a specific person; they could only harm the body and cause hallucinations.
"No, you won't. I'm sure of it. And I can reveal to you that the price is actually not very high, you could even say it has no impact—for ordinary people, that is."
The woman spoke leisurely. She had revealed almost everything except the specific nature of the price.
"...When do I need to pay the price then?"
Natsuha Shinomiy paused, thinking for a moment, but she couldn't figure out what kind of price would be both necessary and not very high.
"So you agree?"
The woman spoke like a cat toying with a mouse. Even though Natsuha Shinomiy's intention was clear, she insisted on asking the question.
"I agree. So, can you tell me when I need to pay the price?"
Natsuha Shinomiy answered, somewhat annoyed.
"You don't need to come in person. I will mail the item to you. As for the price, when it's time to pay, it will naturally be paid. You don't need to worry about that."
The woman said nonchalantly.
"Then..."
Beep————
Natsuha Shinomiy was about to speak when she suddenly heard the dial tone. She took the phone away from her ear and looked at the disconnected call, her frustration growing even deeper.