Noticing the startled expression on Sparkle's face just moments before, 'Sparkle' took a quick glance at the panel:
--+--
[Role-Playing System]
[Name: Bai Ming]
[Lifespan: 450 years (paused) + 27 days (role-playing)]
[Transformable Characters: Big Herta (available), Acheron (available), Celenova (charge: 69.4%), Jingliu (charge: 57.4%), Ruan Mei (charge: 34.4%), Sparkle (active)]
[Available Draws: 0 (70.1%)]
--+--
After that brief encounter, the moment Sparkle was teleported away, she had provided a considerable amount of emotional energy.
To be honest, over the past couple of days, the emotional energy bar had only been increasing at a normal, steady pace.
There was just one small spike, and even that wasn't very significant.
She had thought Sparkle might have seen the videos but simply had no interest in her.
But now she understood.
It wasn't that Sparkle wasn't interested—it was just that she only cared about having fun.
If something wasn't amusing, she wouldn't bother giving you any extra emotional energy.
Typical of someone who lives for the laughs.
'Sparkle' grinned and shut the main door, turning back toward the interior of the room.
As for where Sparkle had been sent off to—it definitely wasn't anywhere far.
She'd just been moved to another room inside the same building. That was just a little welcome gift.
Returning to her own room, 'Sparkle' pushed the door open and saw Sparkle herself, bound with mechanical chains, her arms tied behind her back.
The crimson chains seemed almost alive, slithering and coiling around Sparkle's body.
"Not bad, little tanuki~ I'll admit you've got some skill. So, now that you've caught poor, helpless little Sparkle, what are you planning to do with me~?"
Though tied to a chair, there wasn't a trace of panic on Sparkle's face.
Instead, she grinned playfully at the other version of herself who had just entered.
Seeing this, 'Sparkle' chuckled, locked the door, and stepped closer.
She gently lifted Sparkle's chin with her fingertip and said in a suggestive tone: "What if I said… I'm actually your biggest fan, and I caught you just so I could do all sorts of… loving things with you~?"
But if Sparkle were that easy to deal with, she wouldn't be a Masked Fool.
Sparkle blinked, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, and stared back with feigned anticipation: "Oh? So little old Sparkle has fans too? Well then… be gentle, okay~"
"Hehe~ Don't mind if I do, then~"
'Sparkle's' eyes lit up with a mischievous glint as she closed in with a weird little laugh.
"Huh? You're actually serious?"
Sparkle blinked, her expression all innocence as she stared at her double, seemingly surprised that things were going this way.
And then…
She watched as the other her pulled out a marker from who-knows-where and started drawing little turtles all over her face!
"…"
Clench.
Sparkle's fists were clenched.
She was equal parts annoyed and amused.
First, that Phase Flame, and then those smart mechanical chains…
She'd thought this girl had something… wild in mind.
Or at the very least, some kind of high-tech trick.
After all, the other was wearing her own face—Sparkle was a little surprised, but she wasn't exactly opposed to something happening.
And if this double really was after her body, then getting handsy would've given Sparkle the perfect chance to turn the tables.
But then…
This chick pulled out a marker and drew turtles on her face!
It was like two armies facing off, both deploying all kinds of gear, each waiting for the other to make a move—and then the opponent whips out a squeaky chicken and honks it right in your face.
Kinda leaves you speechless, really.
Trying hard not to laugh, Sparkle abruptly snapped the mechanical chains binding her.
Then, with a sudden, fluid motion, she lifted her leg high—showcasing her impressive flexibility—and launched a fierce kick straight at the imposter's chin!
Whoosh—!
Her slender, pale foot cut through the air, barely missing 'Sparkle's' face.
'Sparkle,' still holding the marker, nimbly stepped back, easily evading the attack.
At the same time, she raised an arm and deflected the follow-up downward chop aimed at her calf.
Sparkle's straight, fair leg was forced sideways, spinning her halfway around in the chair.
But Sparkle wasn't done yet.
Bracing one hand on the chair, she pulled out a small revolver from somewhere—without even looking, she fired a shot backward over her shoulder.
Bang—!
A bullet flew out, accompanied by a muzzle flash.
But 'Sparkle' simply sidestepped, dodging it with ease.
This time, though, 'Sparkle' shot her hand out and clamped down on the slender wrist holding the gun.
An overwhelming force kept Sparkle's arm locked in place, forcing her to abandon her plan to flip away.
Instead, she used her captured arm as a pivot, twisting her body to deliver a fierce roundhouse kick aimed at the other's temple.
Smack—!
A sharp impact sound followed by a rush of wind.
Her full-power strike was cleanly caught by the other's free arm.
With a gasp of surprise, Sparkle was yanked forward by 'Sparkle' and pulled right into her embrace.
Her gun hand still restrained, Sparkle had no time to react before another hand settled firmly on her waist.
Face to face, so close their noses almost touched, the other version of herself giggled:
"In a contest of physical skills, I won't lose to you, you know."
Sparkle tested her grip.
Even though this double had the same slender arms and legs as her, she just couldn't break free from the other's strength.
She still had one hand free, but Sparkle knew—she'd been outmatched again.
So she raised her free hand and sighed in resignation, a wry smile on her lips:
"I surrender~"
"Mhm~"
'Sparkle' hummed lightly.
The rope that had been watching from the sidelines earlier once again coiled around Sparkle's wrist.
This time, though, it didn't bind her. Instead, it transformed into a beautiful crimson bracelet stamped with Sparkle's emblem.
Freed from the other's hold, Sparkle curiously lifted her left hand, examining the bracelet. She fiddled with it and asked: "Does this mean I've been captured by you?"
As soon as she spoke, the bracelet seemed to activate. A tiny probe emerged and scanned Sparkle's body.
Then, a pleasant mechanical voice chimed from the bracelet:
"Visitor registered: Sparkle. Greetings, Lady Sparkle."
"?"
Sparkle looked up, puzzled, at the other girl.
'Sparkle' smiled, swept her hand over the bracelet, and it morphed back into the button-like form from earlier.
At the same time, a screen was projected, displaying the instruction manual for this little robot.
"No, this is just a meeting gift from me—a handy little shapeshifting robot."
"Mhm…"
Sparkle hummed, a hint of lingering defiance in her tone.
"It can scan and analyze most mechanical devices, and even help design and produce little gadgets you might want. All you have to do is tell it what you need."
"Really? Well then, I'll gladly accept your gift~ My, aren't you just too kind!"
Sparkle demonstrated what it meant to switch expressions in a flash. As soon as she heard what the robot could do, her face lit up with a grin.
After all, she often made her tools by hand.
Not that they didn't work well, but sometimes she just wasn't… smart enough for some.
It wasn't really her forte anyway.
So getting a little helper like this from her double? That neatly filled a gap in Sparkle's toolkit.
As for whether it might have tracking or surveillance functions hidden inside…
Well, she'll just leave it to the future her~
--+--