Leaving aside the Glasses Man and the others whose atmosphere was stagnant. Yuki beckoned Asuna and called Hayashi over to find a secluded seat and sit down. It was noon, and everyone was hungry. They planned to eat while discussing the findings from their morning investigation.
"I'll go get the food." Asuna proactively took on the errand.
"Thank you, Yuuki-san. I'm fine with anything." Yuki smiled kindly.
"Thanks. I like braised pork and mapo tofu." Hayashi also nodded to Asuna and said.
"Okay!"
But soon, she returned with a look of distress.
"What's wrong, Yuuki-san?"
Yuki asked, looking puzzled.
"The money here... they won't accept my currency." Asuna took out the banknotes she had and placed them in front of Hayashi and Yuki.
"I see... how about this?"
Yuki glanced over the banknotes, her delicate hand slowly brushing across her chest as if intentionally, the movement elegant yet subtly alluring. Finally, the eye-catching Yuki took out the student ID she had won from her chest.
"This... will this work?"
"A student ID isn't a bank card. Can you really swipe it?" Asuna hesitated.
Seeing this, Hayashi's mouth curved into a mischievous smile, and he pointed at Saotome, who was at his feet.
"Since Yuuki-san doubts the student ID, why not just use this?
When she cheated, she managed to mobilize nearly an entire class to cooperate. She definitely has money in this academy."
"This..."
Hearing this, Asuna stepped back in horror.
Hayashi meant... asking her to take this [Curse] to pay?!
This... this is too terrifying!
When Asuna looked at Saotome, the [Curse] seemed to sense it, abruptly raised its head, and its charred, hideous face greedily locked onto her. That look was as if it were planning to peel off her skin, devour her flesh and blood, and then claim her skin for itself.
Asuna had no doubt that if Hayashi hadn't been present, this [Curse] would have already lunged at her!
"I..."
Asuna looked pleadingly at Yuki. However, to her despair, Miss Yuki, who she had always regarded as elegant, reliable, and trustworthy, actually gave her a mischievous smile, the expression clearly encouraging her.
'*Wuwu~* Suou-san... is making fun of me, right!
No way, she was clearly very reliable at Shuchi'in Academy!
She is the recognized model of a lady; how could she have such a mischievous streak... Hmm, she must be training me!
Yes, that must be it.'
Doubts arose in Asuna's heart. Just as she was doubting, the mischievous smile on Yuki's face instantly vanished like an illusion. Both her facial expression and body posture were impeccably elegant and proper.
'See! How could I doubt Suou-san?'
Asuna blamed herself internally, under the watchful eyes of Hayashi and Yuki, who appeared calm but were secretly enjoying the show.
In the end, even though she was close to tears from fright, Asuna could only tremble as she led Saotome, who was greedily coveting her flesh and blood, toward the food service window.
Looking at Asuna's pitiful retreating figure, Yuki said to Hayashi with a teasing expression:
"Hayashi-san, you really have a mischievous streak. Is teasing girls that fun?"
"I'm doing this to help Yuuki-san overcome her fear sooner."
Hayashi said earnestly:
"What was that saying again? 'No matter what difficulties you encounter, face them with a smile. The best way to eliminate fear is to face it!'"
As he spoke, his face was expressionless, but his hand was vividly clenched into a fist, making a cheering gesture. This appearance made Yuki unable to hold back, and she let out a chuckle.
Concealing her lips with a lady's fan, Yuki's bright eyes curved like crescent moons, and she pointed while laughing:
"I thought Hayashi-san was someone so calm he was almost indifferent, but I didn't expect you to be so interesting."
"The feeling is mutual."
Hayashi replied with an expression of appreciation.
"The noble Miss Suou is no less impressive."
His tone carried clear teasing.
Yuki was not annoyed by this; instead, her beautiful eyes curved even more, appreciating him as if she had found a kindred spirit:
"You flatter me, Hayashi-san. By the way, after this dungeon, how about considering joining our division?"
"Your division?"
Hayashi was a little confused. After all, "division" usually implies a formal structure and scale. In the villa, he only saw her, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Shinomiya Kaguya... can three people be called a division?
Could they have an official background?
"That's right, exactly what you're thinking."
Yuki read his thoughts, maintained her elegant posture, and formally introduced herself with a smile in her beautiful eyes.
"Deputy Section Chief of the Anomaly Control Division, Anomaly Management Bureau—Yuki."
She expected to see surprise on Hayashi's face. And this time, she finally got her wish. Hayashi truly hadn't expected them to be an official organization.
"How about it? Will you join? The benefits are quite generous."
Yuki continued to persuade him.
"If you didn't have such astonishing potential, someone like Asuna would need to pass the dungeon at least three times just to be eligible to access this kind of information."
She glanced into the distance.
"As for the Glasses Man and his group? I don't even bother asking their names."
Very satisfied with Hayashi's surprise, Yuki continued to tempt him.
"I'll consider it..."
Hayashi originally wanted to refuse—how could an official organization offer the freedom of a solo adventurer?
But immediately, he remembered something: he had searched painstakingly for a year and hadn't found a single trace of the supernatural entity. Now Yuki mentioned an Anomaly Management Bureau specializing in handling anomalies... He instantly understood: This Bureau must be suppressing and covering up all anomalies.
If that were true, he couldn't outright refuse.
His [Golden Finger] requires containing supernatural entities, and the information collected by the Anomaly Management Bureau would be crucial.
"What is there to consider?"
Seeing Hayashi was somewhat tempted, Yuki struck while the iron was hot:
"Let me tell you, our Branch Bureau Chief is a super stunning beauty."
Her eyes sparkled as she said this.
"A beautiful girl like a treasure, like a fairy, like a flower.
Her hair is as splendid as cherry blossoms, and her nature is as compassionate toward all beings as a deity. Believe me, no one in the world can resist her charm!"
Yuki added confidently.
"As long as you join our division and make great contributions, you'll have a chance to pursue the bureau chief."
Yuki spoke volumes, but Hayashi merely looked at her calmly.
He instinctively felt there was a 'trap' in her words—based on his understanding of Yuki's personality (a living, breathing little devil in the anime, though cute).
Hmm, there definitely is a 'trap.'
"Ehh~ How sad,"
Facing Hayashi's skeptical gaze, Yuki feigned grievance, wiped the corner of her eye dramatically, and continued.
"Hayashi-san doesn't believe me? I'm serious! I swear!"
At this point, her expression sobered, as if she were trying to be persuasive.
But seeing that Hayashi still didn't react, Yuki pouted, regretting that he was so difficult to trick and had no choice but to continue:
"It seems our world has encountered some problems, and otherworldly beings often fall into it. The bureau chief is one of them. I'm telling the truth; she really is a goddess-level, fairy-like beautiful girl! At least everyone in the Bureau likes her."
Yuki swore confidently, speaking with absolute certainty, as if Hayashi would definitely be conquered by the Bureau Chief's charm once he met her.
Seeing Yuki's seven-parts-truth, three-parts-lie demeanor, Hayashi was momentarily intrigued by the Bureau Chief she spoke of and couldn't help but ask:
"May I ask what your Bureau Chief's name is?"
"Elysia." Yuki replied.
"..."
So it's that Pink Fat Lady! Hayashi fell silent, simultaneously understanding what Yuki had concealed.
Elysia, the highly popular character from Honkai 3rd, is the one who 'truly' loves the world, the most important Flame-Chaser among the Thirteen Flame-Chasers, and the Herrscher of Origin.
Hayashi naturally agreed with Elysia's charm. After all, she was one of his wives on the ship, ranking alongside Kiana Kaslana as his favorite character.
However... precisely because she was one of his wives, Hayashi understood Elysia quite well. Although it is said that God loves the world and Elysia loves humanity, treating everyone with warmth makes her approachable and beloved.
But according to Honkai 3rd characteristics, she prefers beautiful girls more. Otherwise, where would the name "Elysian Realm Lesbian" come from?
Furthermore, Elysia belongs to everyone. Pursue her? Forget it. Unless she was one of the ones on his ship, how could one pursue someone who loves all humanity?
"I, Hayashi, am not fond of beauty."
Hayashi, who saw through everything, instantly cleared his mind of distractions, his expression unchanged, and said calmly.
Yuki paid no mind and directly pulled out a photo of the Bureau Chief—she had personally experienced Elysia's charm and was absolutely convinced.
However, to her surprise, Hayashi glanced at the photo, yet his eyes showed not a single ripple of emotion.
'Huh? Is he really a true gentleman? Wait... his mischievousness in teasing Asuna just now doesn't seem like a serious person!'
Just as Yuki was wondering if she had misjudged Hayashi's character, he suddenly spoke again:
"I'm not interested in Elysia," Hayashi abruptly changed the subject, "but I am very interested in supernatural oddities. As long as you can provide relevant information, I will join."
Yuki, who had thought Hayashi had already refused to join, was stunned by his reply. She was surprised not by Hayashi's eventual agreement but by his reason—he was not interested in Elysia! Interested in the supernatural!
In other words, the Bureau Chief's charm was actually defeated by the supernatural?!
Hahaha~!! Interesting, too interesting! I absolutely must tell the Bureau Chief about this and tease her!
Thinking this, the image of Elysia being greatly shocked upon hearing the news already appeared in Yuki's mind!
After all, the Bureau Chief has always been extremely confident in her charm (though it is well-deserved).
Who could refuse an Elysia who is pink-on-pink, innocent, beautiful, kind, and lovely, like someone who stepped out of a fairy tale paradise?
'Well, now we have one!'
Yuki thought happily to herself.
TL Notes:
Edited… today's chapter in a few hours at least.